Modern day cruises are extremely popular. Today, travelers prefer setting sail on cruise ships, rather than opting for road trips. Cruises offer exotic holiday adventures, with the same facilities available back home. But this may not be the only reason why cruises have become so popular. There are many reasons that add to the popularity of cruises.

The most obvious factor is the price. Long cruises are not very affordable. These cruises are accompanied with additional expenses of port fees, insurance and airfare. However, cruises are offered at more manageable prices through travel agents and online travel websites. These websites include the meals, offshore accommodation and entertainment expenses, within the ticket fares. In other words, the cruise trips available online and through travel agents are more reasonable and affordable.

People opting for road trips are always susceptible to travel hazards and other unpleasant experiences. Moreover, these people end up spending more money on the vehicle maintenance and tollbooths. People who choose a cruise trip are offered complete personal freedom and the privilege to be independent from responsibilities. Cruises, like five-star hotels, offer room service and sightseeing. This is the core reason for cruises attracting passengers for celebrating family reunions, birthdays, honeymoons and anniversaries.

Five-star Cruises are popular for their off-deck tours and adventures. These visits or tours are carried out with minimum fuss and fanfare. Even during tours, passengers can sleep, eat, exercise and even go camping. The tour moves at a lazy pace, which benefits passengers looking to relax and improve their health. Also, the passengers are offered duty-free shopping, especially in the Caribbean or scuba diving or special feasts hosted at exotic locales.

Sometimes, traveling also involves unpleasant experiences of meeting nasty people. Many of these experiences arise out of arguments or altercations with nasty flight attendants, cab drivers and grouchy hotel clerks. These experiences increase the anxiety of travel and exclude the sense of excitement and adventure that should accompany any vacation. Travelling by sea includes only one experience ‘relaxation’. The fellow travelers and staff on cruise ships are known to be very polite and pleasant. Most often fellow cruisers who come from a variety of backgrounds seem keen on socializing and increasing their number of friends and acquaintances.

Airlines pride themselves in offering the best intercontinental cuisine. However, airline food will never be able to compete with that served aboard the cruise ships. The food is often the highlight of a cruise experience. Whether at a buffet, in a dining room or in your cabin, cruise ships offer the best food. The food is very delicious and unlimited. Passengers can easily gain a few pounds if they are not careful.

In conclusion, cruise travel is popular for the variety it offers as a relaxing vacation option. Presently, over 200 cruise ships set sail on the oceans and rivers, with a considerable increase in the number every year. Among the big names are the Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival. Smaller cruise liners for smaller oceanic voyages are also available.