18 Reasons Why You Need To Take A Cruise This Year

Cruise ships offer you the opportunity to continue your fitness routine while on vacation. They offer well-equipped fitness centers and classes such as yoga and Pilates. But the best fitness perk is most likely are the ship's top deck running tracks. Soak up the sun and catch a cool breeze while burning calories.

Planning a vacation is stressful enough, and staying on top of your budget and spending can be overwhelming. Keep yourself sane and book a cruise vacation with great value. For one price up front, your dining, accommodations, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are all included. All you have to do is bring some spending money for excursions, and maybe a relaxing spa treatment!

Everything you need is on your ship. Don't worry about your hotel, where you are going for dinner, or what you will do for entertainment.  Best of all, you only have to unpack once. Cruises give you the opportunity to travel from one destination to another without having to pack and unpack your suitcase. All of your belongings stay safe in your cabin and you don't have to worry about dragging around your luggage to the next destination.

As mentioned earlier, planning a vacation can be extremely stressful. That being said, forget the stress of planning every detail of your vacation. Take a cruise and have your itinerary planned out for you.  All you have to do is pack, then hop on your ship and enjoy the activities, dining and entertainment the ship has laid out for you.

Between school, work, and dozens of other everyday happenings, it's extremely difficult to set time aside for a family vacation. But when you do, definitely make sure you pick a cruise. Cruising is a healthy option, it gives your family the opportunity to enjoy each other's company, create new memories and have fun together. "The U.S. Travel Association confirms that vacation is good for every member of the family. Vacation can increase worker productivity and reduce burnout; students who have traveled abroad are twice as likely to earn a college degree (blisstree.com)."

Enjoy a cocktail and a good book by the pool or book a balcony suite for private time to rejuvenate and relax. Either way, cruises give you the opportunity to relax and escape the stresses of everyday life. According to Heart of Healing, relaxation gives the heart rest by slowing the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and decreasing muscle tension. This will lead to a better night's sleep, enhanced concentration, and amped up energy.

Other than on-board fitness facilities, cruise ships offer exciting ways to stay active, but activities vary. Some offer basketball courts, while others have mini golf and obstacle courses.  Let's not forget about the thrilling water activities! Swim laps in giant swimming pools, take up a new water sport on a shore excursion and enjoy the thrill of a water slide. Tip: Book a Carnival cruise for a top deck obstacle and rope course.

Whether you are on the boat or on a shore excursion you will encounter salt water. Salt water has numerous health benefits; it treats acne, heals cuts, clears nasal passageways and even has the power to rid your hair of dandruff.

Cruises offer you the opportunity to snack throughout the day. Fruit and salad bars are accessible all day long. According to Healthy Eating, "snacking is an effective way to fit extra nutrients into your diet and prevent overeating at mealtimes."  It also helps keep your metabolism going, blood sugar levels steady, and energy up all day.

Cruises give you the opportunity to meet new people from around the world. Experience different cultures and even make some lifelong friends. Meet people at dinner, at the bar, by the pool, or during an exciting excursion. Find a workout buddy to keep you motivated and hit up the top deck running track together. If you're single, keep yourself open to meeting someone looking for a significant other, as cruises offer numerous romantic options.

Healthy food options have become increasingly common on cruise ships. As the CLIA explains, "travelers can opt for lighter plated choices to accommodate every diet from gluten-free and low-carb to vegan and buffets that are full of locally-sourced fruits, vegetables and lean proteins." For instance, seafood is commonly served on cruise ships. Foods such as salmon and tuna contain omega 3 fatty acids that have anti-aging effects on the brain's structure and functionality.

Whether you are laying out by the pool or swimming with the dolphins on an excursion, you are constantly placing yourself in the sun. The health benefits of the sun are endless. First, the sun stimulates the production of Vitamin D in your body. It also helps fight heart disease and cancer while promoting better sleep, boosting your serotonin levels and fighting depression. However, staying out in the sun for too long without protection could be disastrous. Always remember to pack plenty of sunscreen and reapply throughout the day.

Whether you're climbing to the top of the ship or stepping off and heading to the beach, a cruise is your passport to fresh ocean air. Breathing it in helps improve your mood, clean your lungs, increase your energy, strengthen your immune system and boost brainpower. But most of all, breathing in fresh air improves your mood. According to Good Relaxation, "the amount of serotonin is affected by the amount of oxygen you inhale. Serotonin can significantly lighten your mood and promote a sense of happiness and well-being. Fresh air will leave you feeling more refreshed and relaxed."

Cruises are carefree; you are not tied down to any commitments and do not have a set schedule while on the ship. That being said, you have the freedom to do as you please and allot time for yourself to meditate and clear your mind. Meditation increases your self-awareness, rejuvenates, helps with insomnia, promotes better health, and improves concentration.

Cruises are some of the safest vacations you can take. Cruise Critic explains, "cruise ships that sail in U.S. waters are regularly inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard for any irregularities or safety issues that might be of concern." Also, on board activities are supervised, there is security, passengers are tracked, no unauthorized persons are allowed onboard, and doctors are available just in case sickness spreads or injury occurs. Also, there is no need to worry about theft because your cabins are equipped with in room safes to store your personal belongings.

Disengage from the outside world and rejuvenate your mind and body with one of your ship's on board spa treatments. Try a body exfoliating treatment or a massage and facial for the ultimate relaxation. Other than simply helping you look and feel great, spa treatments improve blood circulation, release serotonin and stimulate the lymphatic system.

Similar to relaxation, vacationing on a cruise offers you the chance to endure some much needed downtime. It's important to give your body and brain a break every now and then. We tend to get so caught up with our hectic lives we don't set aside time for ourselves. Downtime fights depression, and leads to less stress and improved productivity.

Sand is a natural exfoliator for your skin and walking in the sand is a great workout. Soft Star explains, "scientists say it takes 2.1–2.7 times more energy to walk or run on sand than it does to move at the same pace on hard surfaces. That energy is used to strengthen all the muscles between your feet and back, especially your calves, quadriceps and glutes." So, get off the ship and head to the beach, soften your skin, strengthen your muscles and burn calories.