Cruising can easily be the best vacation value, because a little advance planning will eliminate the unexpected expenses that can wreak havoc on a vacation budget.

In fact, one of the main advantages to a cruise is budgeting. The room and all meals are included in one set price, which is paid in advance of the trip. However, many people don't realize that additional costs can accrue on the ship.

Shore excursions, which are really the life-blood of the cruise itself, are not included in the price of the cruise. Typically, the ship will stop at several ports and each of these ports will offer several different excursion packages. The excursion is a way to add a bit more adventure to your cruising experience. For example, one can take a snorkeling excursion on a Caribbean cruise, or book a fishing trip on an Alaskan cruise. Each of these adventures must be paid for separately from the cruise itself.

This is not to say that one MUST take advantage of any excursion. Cruise ship passengers can opt to stay on the ship while it is in port, or leave the ship and create their own adventure according to their own tastes, including simply sight-seeing or shopping. Naturally, these are not guided tours, nor do they necessarily include any special activities.

Additionally, though all food is included in the cruise price, food purchased at ports is not, nor are alcoholic beverages, whether purchased on shore or aboard ship.

Most cruise ships also house a small casino, so if gambling is activity you enjoy, your budget should include an allowance for this as well.

Another disadvantage for many cruise ship passengers is the rigid schedule of the cruise ship. When the ship is not in port, it's on the open ocean and, depending on the cruise, there may not be much to see but miles and miles of water and sky. While the ship has many activities available during the at-sea hours, some of these may not be of interest to all passengers. Moreover, meals are typically served at a specific hour, so one must arrange one's schedule around these seating times. However, there is normally a buffet open to accommodate those who would prefer a more open meal schedule. While the food offered at the buffet is generally quite good, it is rarely at the same level as the meals provided in the formal dining facility.

It has been my personal experience that cruising, overall, is a fabulous way to vacation. Most cruise lines will provide the traveler with an advance list of excursion options and prices, so as long as you work those items into your budget, overspending should not be a problem.

As for the rigid scheduling of meals and activities, as long as one knows in advance what to expect, this shouldn't be a hindrance to overall enjoyment of the cruise.

In my experience, the most important factor to consider is the amount of at-sea time on the cruise, and the scenery during those hours. My favorite cruise by far is the Alaskan cruise because even during the at-sea hours, the scenery is constantly changing and always breath-taking. If long hours of nothing to view but ocean don't dissuade you (and they probably shouldn't, since you can always find something to do to occupy your time on a cruise ship), any cruise that includes sufficient port breaks should provide a memorable vacation.

Learn more about this author, C S Slockbower.
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