Here in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is already in full swing here in the Northern Hemisphere, which usually makes me think about moving south. I will daydream about beautiful, palm-lined beaches bathed in the sun. I see myself in the icy Northeast, with a book in my hand, dipping my toes into waters that appear to be impossibly clear. The delicious richness of a rum punch is nearly in my mouth.
Taking a cruise is one of the most well-liked strategies to beat the winter chill. It is peak cruise season in the Caribbean, with tens of thousands of passengers boarding ships each week. Many of those ships will sail to new waters as spring approaches. By the end of the year, cruise ships will have visited ports on six different continents; some will go to Europe, others to Alaska. Thirty million cruisers were anticipated in 2019, according to estimates made in 2018. That number is increasing and is about equal to the whole population of Ghana or half of Italy.
When people enquire about my opinion on cruises, I admit that they are not for everyone and are undoubtedly not without their drawbacks. However, there is also something alluring about being out at sea, leaving phone service behind, escaping to the lap of luxury, and traveling to remote locations that would be impossible to get otherwise. A cruise trip can be ideal for the appropriate person or group. To determine whether traveling to the sea is the correct choice for you, I want to discuss the numerous benefits and drawbacks of taking a cruise today.
PRO: Every dawn is in a new location.
One of the tremendous advantages of taking a cruise is the flexibility to visit different locations without stressing the practicalities of traveling from one place to the next. The ship carries you to the next port of call after each one and then continues. Even the packing of your bag is optional.
CON: You have little time at each stop.
Unfortunately, since you only have one day to see everything, you can not spend much time in any one spot. On certain Caribbean cruises, for instance, you could only be permitted to disembark at any port between 8:00 AM and 4:00–5:00 PM. While eight to nine hours could be ample to visit the beach or go shopping slowly, it is insufficient to explore a lot of ground or go too far. If there is a place you have always wanted to see, you might want to think about making it your only stop rather than attempting to fit it into a cruise.
PRO: They are perfect for large gatherings.
A cruise can be a fantastic option if you want to travel with a large extended family or with a group. Numerous experiences and activities are available when cruising for people of all ages, interests, activity levels, and budgets (more on that last one in a minute). If you are taking a trip with three other families, you may divide up various activities during the day before coming back together for supper at night. By the conclusion of the voyage, there will be plenty for everyone to enjoy, both individually and collectively.
CON: Environmentally destructive.
Cruising negatively influences the ecology, which is one of its main drawbacks. Cruise ships have grown so large that they resemble floating towns and are frequently discussed. Unfortunately, a comparable large carbon footprint is associated with its size and passenger load. In addition to consuming resources and burning fuel, cruise ships also produce a lot of garbage.
Conclusion
The argument about the worth and morality of taking a vacation will likely intensify as the business expands and cruise lines compete to build bigger, more opulent ships. As you consider whether to set sail, I hope this list of advantages and disadvantages will be helpful too. Do not let yourself get travel-shamed, though, please. You should not be concerned about what others may think about how you spend your vacation time since it is just too precious. Decide what is best for you by following your heart.