Just do the math. Compare a one-week cruise against a week at a regular hotel or resort. On a cruise vacation, your meals, accommodations, entertainment, and most activities are included in the fare. It's easy to stick to your budget. Plus, on a cruise you get to visit many different ports of call. Unpack once and settle in for a journey that takes you anywhere you want to go. At the end of the day, you retreat to a floating resort to enjoy fabulous cuisine, world-class entertainment, then get lulled to sleep at sea.

Today's cruise ships are engineered with state-of-the-art stabilizers that greatly reduce ship motion and are actually equal to huge floating hotels. If seasickness is a huge concern, choose a larger boat or an itinerary such as an Alaskan Cruise or Mediterranean Cruise where the sailing is always comfortable. We can also help you chose your cruise and ship itinerary based on this.

Only if you want to be. How would you like to go ice skating, rock climbing, practice your golf swing, shoot a few hoops, go to the casino, see a Broadway-style show, do some shopping, work out at the gym, relax at the spa, take a dip in the pool, log onto the Internet? You can do it all without ever leaving the ship! Every ship has a Cruise Director whose job is to make sure each guest makes the most of their vacation. In fact, there are so many things to do while cruising that you will probably book a longer cruise the next time.

Every guest can enjoy the use of any of the ship's facilities. The difference in price is in the category of staterooms and are based primarily on size and location. Whatever category you book, you'll enjoy the same courteous service, exquisite dining, variety of activities, and world class entertainment as everyone else.

So much, you'll have a hard time choosing! You can go off on your own or take a guided tour. You can search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids, bicycle down the side of a 10000-foot volcano, or ride a horse across miles of beaches. Climb a waterfall or a pyramid. Sun and swim on some of the world's best beaches. Sail, snorkel, or go scuba diving. Go to a nightclub or a glittering casino. Take a cable car to the top of a mountain. Explore dark catacombs. In short, a cruise is the easiest way to see new places and do all of the things you dream about. Cruising is the perfect opportunity to sample destinations that you may want to return to for another vacation. You only have to unpack once, and the destinations come to you!

Families with children book 25% of all cruise vacations. Most cruise lines offer special programs, facilities, and activities based on age. Children and teens not only get to meet kids their own age, but often travel at a substantially-reduced rate.

Many cruise lines have extensive programs and special activities for every age group, from toddler to teen. This gives youngsters a chance to experience the cruise with kids their own age while mom and dad enjoy some adults-only time together. Naturally, many of the traditional pleasures of a cruise, such as shore excursions, on board ship activities, and dinners, can be shared by the whole family together.

For example, Royal Caribbean International caters to family cruising by offering special suites that sleep up to six people. Young cruisers are divided into "Aquanauts" (ages 3 - 5), "Explorers" (ages 6 - 8), "Voyagers" (ages 9 - 12) and "Navigators" (ages 13 - 17). The daily "Compass" itineraries are delivered at night to the door of each child and teen, highlighting

At night, life aboard a cruise ship really turns on. There's dancing, live entertainment, discos and lounges, feature films, and parties with all your new friends. Most ships even have casinos. There are special events like the Captain's Cocktail Party, Passenger Talent Night, the Masquerade Parade, and the Late Night Buffet (included in all sailings). And the night can go on as long as you want. Even until the spectacle of sunrise at sea.