Why Your Summer Plans Should Include a Cruise Vacation

 

Whether it’s the warm climate or the carefree attitude that goes with it, there’s something about summer that just screams, “VACATION.” If your summer plans include a well-earned getaway, consider taking a cruise.

Traveling by ship offers stunning scenic views, lots of onboard activities, and comes with plenty of exciting shore excursions that are definitely worth writing home about. Discover seven of the best reasons why you should take a cruise this summer.

1. Cruise Ships Sail to Dreamy Destinations

The best summer vacations start with a wonderful destination. When it comes to beautiful locales, cruises really hit the mark. Popular ports of call in the Caribbean offer azure-blue water, swaying palm trees, lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls.

Aside from sunbaked beaches and magnificent, centuries-old architecture, a sail on the Mediterranean offers charming coastal villages, lively outdoor markets, aged cobblestone streets and pretty sidewalk cafes.

For even more exciting vacation destinations, consider Mexico for its ancient Mayan ruins and friendly people, or cruise Alaska for stunning mountain views and unique adventures like dog sledding and deep-sea fishing.

2. Foodies Find Delicious Fare on Ship and Shore

If your DVR is packed with cooking chances are you’re a foodie. To satisfy even the pickiest eaters, Carnival cruises offer delicious dishes from around the world, from Risotto Milanese to a big, juicy Chilius Maximus burger and fries, courtesy of celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

For a true bucket-list experience, reserve a spot at a multicourse dinner hosted by your ship’s Master Executive Chef. This VIP feast for 14 starts with cocktails and appetizers, and ends with an unforgettable dinner and dessert.

For more adventures in dining, check out the many local eateries available in various ports of call. Learn the secrets of cooking authentic cuisine in Mexico and sample a selection of local tequilas. In Hawaii, treat your taste buds to traditional food at a festive luau, or sip on local reds and whites during a volcano wine tasting tour.

3. Cruises Feature Some of the Best Beaches in the World

Does soaking up sun on a white-sand beach suit your fancy? Then a cruise is the vacation for you. While lounging the day away with a tropical cocktail or two certainly tops the list for some beach goers, a cruise vacation offers many more ways to enjoy the sand and surf.

In the Caribbean, you can strap on your snorkeling gear and explore great natural reefs, swim with the dolphins or ride through the surf on horseback. For day-long fun on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii or the Mexican Riviera, you can swim, surf, kayak, paddleboard, play beach volleyball, picnic or just relax with a good book.

4. Onboard Activities Offer Endless Entertainment

Whether you’re traveling with friends or sailing solo, Carnival cruises offer onboard activities for everyone. On a hot day, cool off in the pool or enjoy a book in the library.

Let your competitive side loose with a spirited game of volleyball, soccer or basketball at SportSquare, or challenge travel buddies or new friends to a race on SkyRide – fun, pedal-powered contraptions suspended high above deck.

Round out your vacation by attending an art auction, trying your hand at blackjack, playing a game or two of ping-pong or busting out your favorite tunes at the family-style karaoke bar. You just might be the next pop idol waiting to be discovered.

5. Families Have Fun Together and Apart

If you’re planning a family summer vacation, consider a Carnival cruise to Alaska or Hawaii. While you and your spouse enjoy some adult time, kids from 2 to 11 years of age can play games, do arts and crafts, watch movies or find other ways to have fun at Camp Ocean.

Younger teens ages 12 to 14 can enjoy fun, supervised activities and meet new friends at Circle “C,” while older teens, between 15 and 17, like hanging out at Club 02, where they can play sports, play video games, listen to music and more.

When your gang comes together, there’s even more fun to be had on a cruise. Try a round of mini golf, beat the high scores at the video arcade or catch the latest flick on the big screen at the IMAX Theater.

For day-long, splish-splash fun, stop by the pool or head to WaterWorks, an outdoor space featuring an array of twisty waterslides. If your gang enjoys hamming it up in front of a live audience, try onboard activities like Lip Sync Battle: Carnival.

6. Exciting Shore Excursions Create Lasting Memories

Are you an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, a shopaholic or a hopeless romantic? No matter what your fancy, cruises offer shore excursions for any personality. Navigate forest trails by ATV in Kauai, explore the ancient city of Tulum in Mexico or take off for a sunset sail in Bermuda.

For even more exciting escapades, shop the Port Lucaya Marketplace in The Bahamas or learn about totem poles and authentic tribal dancing at a native village in Ketchikan, Alaska. The sky’s the limit for fun things to do on shore.

7. Staying in Shape Is Easy on a Cruise

If you like staying in shape while having all your fun, a cruise offers the ideal vacation. Delicious dining options include healthy omelets, fruit platters with cottage cheese, a veggie-packed salad bar, sushi and light seafood dishes like steamed peel-and-eat shrimp and snow crab.

To keep your trim figure in the midst of delicious food, take advantage of the ship’s indoor fitness center, swim laps at the pool or log some miles on the upper-deck jogging track. For an additional fee, find your bliss through a yoga class, stretch out at Pilates or feel the burn at boot camp.

When it’s time for a summer getaway, nothing beats a fun-filled cruise vacation. From dreamy destinations, delicious dining and relaxing beaches to abundant ship and shore activities, cruises make memories that last a lifetime.