9 reasons why cruises are the better choice for your next vacation

If you’ve never considered a cruise, now is the best time to do it! With the rising cost of basic necessities, it’s no surprise that people want to feel like they’re getting the most out of their vacation. Even if you can’t spend thousands of dollars on a summer trip, there are ways to maximize your experience without compromising the vacation.

Instead of struggling with planning every detail of a 7-day vacation on land, cruises offer a more comprehensive pricing model. When you browse the available itineraries, the price listed includes unlimited food, entertainment, select drinks, accommodations, and transportation between ports of call, whereas when planning a trip on land, you’ll have to factor in meals, entertainment, accommodations, and more.

Although cruise passengers aren’t all-inclusive, they don’t have to worry about individual expenses adding up. Instead, once you’re on board, you can simply stick to what’s included to get the most out of the base price.

Here are 9 reasons why a cruise might be a better choice for your next vacation.

From unlimited food to world-class entertainment, so much is included in the base price

Cruise ships offer their passengers a wide range of activities and therefore more entertainment options at no extra cost.

Let’s say you’re planning a vacation to New York City. In addition to the cost of accommodation, you have to consider the cost of meals, transportation around the city, and Broadway shows, which aren’t exactly cheap.

If Broadway shows aren’t your thing, you can enjoy daily trivia games, live music, variety performances, deck parties and more. Although some activities come with an additional cost, you’ll be surprised at how much is included. Whether you want to whizz down the water slides on a sunny day at sea or play a game of basketball on the sports field, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

And while the ships do have specialty restaurants, you don’t have to worry about paying extra for food on board. From the all-you-can-eat buffet to sumptuous three-course meals in the main dining room to late-night pizza, you’ll have to try pretty hard to stay hungry.

Read more: The 10 most common mistakes when eating on cruises

You can visit several desired destinations during a single trip

Although cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean are among the most popular itineraries, ships travel worldwide, so you can visit bucket-list destinations like Santorini, Mykonos and Athens in a single trip. Travel without the hassle of packing and unpacking. It is also usually cheaper to use the cruise ship as your main means of transport than to commute between destinations yourself.

Not only are cruises a convenient way to travel the world, but they also offer more variety and opportunities to explore in a short amount of time. If you tried to visit more than three destinations in a week, you would probably be exhausted from constant travel. But cruises allow you to sit back, relax, and let the ship do the work.

Don’t limit yourself to cruises that depart from the East Coast. Instead, broaden your horizons and look for itineraries to places you’ve always wanted to visit. From Asia to the South Pacific, Alaska, Northern Europe, Hawaii and more, there’s sure to be the perfect itinerary to suit your needs and preferences.

Read more: How to choose a cruise destination

Different cruise lines serve different customers

Are you looking for a high-energy getaway with a party atmosphere? Then look for a cruise on one of Carnival’s many “fun ships.” Or maybe you want an upscale getaway with fewer kids. In that case, you’re better off with Celebrity or Princess.

Multigenerational families will love Royal Caribbean’s newest ships because they offer amenities for a wide variety of travelers, from adrenaline-hungry teens to adult foodies, while families with younger children will appreciate Disney’s themed experiences and kid-friendly activities.

There is no one size fits all approach to cruising. Instead, it’s important to assess what type of experience you’re looking for. Otherwise, you could end up on a line that doesn’t quite meet your expectations. By researching the different cruise lines in advance, you can be sure your vacation will match your preferences.

Read more: What are the different cruise lines known for?

You can choose between the cheapest cabin on board or treat yourself to a luxurious suite

Cruise ships offer a wide range of cabins to suit travelers with different budgets. If you have a lot to spend, consider one of the upscale suites. However, if you want to stretch your budget as far as possible, an interior room is the way to go. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to save money on your cruise.

In August 2025, the cheapest cabin onboard Carnival Celebration will start at $749 per person, while the cheapest balcony cabin will cost $200 more, or $949 per guest. While it’s not a huge difference, a couple traveling together would have $400 more in their pocket, with the savings even greater for a family of four. The money saved on accommodations can be used for other expenses like shore excursions, airfare, and more.

Guests staying in standard cabins (i.e. inside cabins, ocean view rooms and balconies) have access to the same amenities in their cabin and throughout the ship, from private bathrooms to an in-cabin TV and safe, nightly entertainment, complimentary meals and more.

Read more: The best rooms on a cruise ship: deck, location and category

If you can drive to your departure terminal, you can save hundreds of dollars on airfare

Not everyone is lucky enough to live near PortMiami, Port Canaveral (Orlando) or Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale). Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on plane tickets, choose a port within driving distance.

For example, if you live in New England, look for cruises that depart from Boston or New York/Cape Liberty. Or maybe you live in California and could set sail from San Diego, Los Angeles or San Francisco. While your itinerary choices may be more limited, opting to cruise from a port close to home can lower your overall travel costs and allow you to visit beautiful destinations for less money.

As someone from North Carolina, I can drive to Norfolk and Charleston within five and a half hours, although cruises from the latter will no longer be offered after December 2024. A 6-day Bahamas cruise aboard Carnival Magic from Norfolk in February 2025 starts at $500 per person, while flights from Charlotte to Nassau for the same dates are about $460. The cruise is a far better deal, including transportation from Virginia to the Bahamas, food, entertainment and more.

Luxury cruise companies tend to rip off their passengers far less than traditional cruise ships

Those looking for a more comprehensive experience should focus on luxury lines. While there’s no denying that traditional cruise lines include many amenities in their base fares, there are plenty of ways to spend extra money, from shore excursions to drink and Wi-Fi packages to specialty restaurants and more.

Although the starting prices of cruise lines like Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Viking and Oceania are often much higher than those of traditional cruise lines, you’ll find that more is included. Viking Cruises, for example, offers a free shore excursion at every port of call, and all of the cabins on their ocean cruises have private verandas, so you don’t have to worry about staying in a tiny inside cabin with no natural light.

Although Explora Journeys is a relatively new cruise line, they pride themselves on offering “…everything you would expect from a truly luxurious experience at sea,” such as a welcome bottle of champagne in your suite, unlimited fine beverages, eight dining experiences, access to the thermal spa, gratuities, internet and more.

Read more: I took my first luxury cruise. Here’s what surprised me and what I loved about this type of cruise

Even if you travel on a traditional cruise line, you can take advantage of the free amenities and avoid paying a large bill on board.

Although nobody wants to constantly save money in the wrong places on vacation, on a cruise you feel less like you have to watch your budget than on a trip on land.

For example, dinners in the main dining room don’t need to be budgeted for, making it easier to estimate the total cost of your vacation in advance. While many cruise guests purchase some extras, the inclusiveness of the base price helps families stick to their vacation budget.

According to Upgraded Points, the average price for an ocean view hotel room in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, is about $325 per night. For a week-long stay, expect to pay at least $2,200 for lodging, not including meals, entertainment, and more.

In comparison, with a cruise fare of $700 per person, you don’t have to worry about constantly keeping track of your expenses during the vacation, as most necessities are taken care of. $2,800 would cover meals for a family of four, onboard amenities, accommodations, and transportation between ports of call.

Parents can enjoy much-needed alone time knowing that their children are safe in the free youth facilities

Sometimes it’s not possible to leave the kids with grandma and grandpa. Even if your little ones have to come along, adult-only time is almost guaranteed. The major cruise lines offer fantastic childcare services. Plus, childcare is free for children ages 3 and up!

Remember to register your children on embarkation day so they can join in on activities as soon as the youth clubs open. From scavenger hunts to arts and crafts to video game tournaments, they may want to spend more time away from you than with you!

You don’t have to feel guilty about spending a kid-free afternoon by the pool with your favorite cocktail in hand, knowing that your children will have tons of fun with other kids their age!

Read more: 5 cruises for kids that the whole family will love