| We are in the depths of winter and thinking about our | | | | of the ship are very well trained and highly |
| next vacation is both therapeutic and wise. With the | | | | experienced in their work to avoid most problems |
| economy what it is at the present time and the price | | | | during the cruise. |
| of a holiday, that works to relax you and provide fun | | | | There are other solutions such as patches and |
| and excitement be it cruise or land resort, it just makes | | | | bracelets that have helped many people as well |
| a great deal of sense to compare these two major | | | | proactively. To put the situation into perspective, the |
| types of getaways right now. | | | | cruise ship`s company of staff and officers would not |
| Having been on about a dozen cruises, which is a | | | | want to have to deal with a high percentage of 3000 |
| small number compared to some true cruise | | | | to 4000 passengers becoming ill at the same time |
| enthusiasts and to resorts in Barbados, St. Martin, | | | | while on the cruise. |
| Mexico, both the east and west coasts, Las Vegas | | | | Some benefits of cruises are: |
| and Florida, it could be argued that there is a definite | | | | 1. One of the first things that anyone thinks of about |
| appeal from both land resort and cruise on my behalf | | | | cruises is the food and with good reason. The food is |
| and I will be objective when discussing both. | | | | excellent and served to your personal tastes and |
| Land resorts, let`s start there. | | | | preferences. Lobster, filet mignon, roast beef and |
| Most people classify land resorts as all-inclusive | | | | things such as smoked salmon and caesar salads are |
| resorts which means that the price of the holiday is | | | | common fare on all cruise these days. Also, there is |
| just that, all-inclusive, and includes all expenses of the | | | | food available to you at various places on the ship |
| vacation included in the one price. This price must | | | | almost 24 hours a day. If you don`t feel like dining in the |
| include the air travel, the cost of lodging, the food, the | | | | evening, you don`t have to as other restaurants are |
| services which should include the transfers, the | | | | available to you. |
| amenities at the resort, all taxes and fees and, last but | | | | 2. To go along with point no.1, you are assigned to the |
| certainly not least, the alcoholic beverages.My | | | | same table for every meal with the same guests, |
| preferences in land resorts begins with the ocean. The | | | | serving staff and head waiter so the quality of service |
| resort must be on a warm, sunny beach with a | | | | is what you would expect from a high class restaurant |
| smooth sandy wading area, shade from beautiful palm | | | | and you should expect nothing less. You will certainly |
| trees and cooling breezes from off the deep blue sea. | | | | not just be eating but you will be dining and enjoying |
| Some benefits of land resorts are: | | | | every minute of the experience. There are also |
| 1. Your holiday is all included in the one price and you | | | | children`s style meals available to your family on |
| should not be, what some people feel is being nickeled | | | | request. All you have to do is ask. |
| and dimed while at the resort. | | | | 3. You will have the opportunity of visiting 3 or 4 |
| 2. The food is usually pretty good at all-inclusives and | | | | countries on each 7 day cruise. Most stops are 9 to 10 |
| the servings are what ever amount you want to eat. | | | | hours in length so you have the option of booking a |
| The meals are scheduled for certain times of the day | | | | tour or just getting off the ship to stretch your legs and |
| which means that snacking is limited. This can be good | | | | do some souvenir shopping and mingle with the local |
| or bad. | | | | people of the country. At some ports such as St. |
| 3. The three, four and five star resorts usually also | | | | Martin, there is a very large gemstone trade and |
| have a large swimming pool as well as the beach, | | | | quality products are available at some very attractive |
| most with organized activities run by staff if you wish | | | | prices which, by the way, are negotiable. |
| to take part or just want to observe the activities. | | | | 4.The cruise lines feel that the entertainment on board |
| 4. There may be some sports activities also available | | | | ship must be of the highest quality and they do not |
| such as tennis or water sportsat the resort. Usually | | | | disappoint. Stage shows, of New York quality, |
| these types of activities are aimed at the children and, | | | | produced in an extremely comfortable theater, are so |
| to some degree, are supervised. | | | | well attended that you have to be there early to get in. |
| 5. The scenery can be quite beautiful with the palm | | | | Piano bars and intimate lounges are provided for |
| trees swaying, warm sand under foot, sparkling sea, | | | | personal dancing and to get to know other people and |
| the beautiful music of the sound of the waves | | | | rekindle the romance in your life. |
| splashing on the shore and the cooling breezes all of | | | | 5. The overall level of service is excellent. Staff are |
| which do a great job of draining the stress that has | | | | available at your fingertips for anything you may need |
| accumulated since you were last away. | | | | or want. If you feel you like to be pampered, try a |
| Some other things you may also want to consider | | | | cruise. Pampering is a cruise ship specialty which isn't |
| about resorts: | | | | to be found at this level and with this consistency on |
| You are in one place in one country and any activity | | | | many other vacations. |
| away from the resort, including evening entertainment, | | | | The down side, if you will, of a cruise is the fact that |
| is done so at your expense. | | | | alcoholic beverages are not included in the price of the |
| You may think that the term all-inclusive means the tips | | | | trip. However, the price of the beverages are what |
| are included but the staff of the resort are always | | | | you would expect to see at any restaurant and are |
| looking for gratuities near the end of the week. It could | | | | not overly expensive for such things. It, also, tends to |
| tend to lead to an awkward feeling with the staff. | | | | provide a level of responsibility during your cruise. |
| - The service is not as good at most of the resorts as | | | | There are, however, in most cases, two free cocktail |
| on a cruise. The fact that all the regular meals are | | | | parties provided by the ship to get acquainted with |
| served buffet style is not something that I enjoy. | | | | some other people on the cruise served in the theater |
| Cruises, let`s discuss them. | | | | area prior to the evening dining. |
| As huge as the modern day cruise ship is, it still must | | | | When you started out reading this piece, we wanted |
| be stated that the fact is the ship is on water. Having | | | | to warm up, release some stress and think about your |
| said that, some people seem to feel that there is the | | | | possibilities for your next vacation. The jury is out as to |
| same motion on cruises that you would experience in | | | | whether a decision has been made between land |
| a canoe. Well, that certainly just is not the case. These | | | | resorts or cruises, however, it is hoped that reading this |
| cruise ships have marvelous technology that limits | | | | has whetted your appetite to look further into the |
| what some people would call motion to almost nothing. | | | | possibilities of getting away for an enjoyable |
| People who do experience some degree of | | | | experience even if it is just to make this winter a little |
| discomfort do have medical facilities on board with | | | | easier to cope with and to have something to look |
| medication available to them if they did not pack any | | | | forward to. Bon Voyage and don`t miss the boat. |
| for themselves. On top of that, the officers in charge | | | | |