Travel Makes a Comeback!

The travel industry is booming with hotels reporting occupancy rates that have not been seen since the summer of 2001. Cruises however have become particularly popular with a record 10.5 million choosing to sail in 2004. Many factors helped to add to the incredible popularity of the cruise vacation, especially in Europe.

According to the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) "Travelers are flocking to Europe in droves and choosing to Cruise to insulate themselves from the sticker-shock of European land vacations. Cruise vacationers in Europe pre-pay in U.S dollars, which protects them against the effects of the weaker dollar abroad." In fact the high cost of the Euro against the U.S. dollar adds to the extraordinary value for the cruise passenger, saving them as much as 40 percent on the entire vacation.

With 68 new vessels having debuted since in the last 5 years the cruise industry is now able to deliver the best product in its history. With another 20 new ships due out in the next 3 years passengers will be able to choose from an amazing array of amenities and destinations. Gone are the days when shuffleboard and skeet shooting would suffice. Today's cruisers are enjoying rock climbing, ice-skating, world-class spas and cutting edge nightlife that rivals any land-based resort in the world. A few ships now offer a 300 square foot movie screen over the pools (a great place to watch the big game). For many passengers having unpacked and wondered about these ships they would be satisfied staying onboard for the whole vacation. However the ship is only the vehicle and it can take you to the ends of the earth.

Destinations such as the Caribbean and Europe hold such interest and variety that a lifetime could be spent exploring them. For the experienced cruiser far away places such as Bora Bora or Fiji offer an exotic change of pace. For the more adventurous among us today's modern cruise ships can take us to the top of the world. The Arctic and Antarctic cruises are a comfortable excursion into an otherwise inhospitable environment of indescribable beauty.

Many today have a precious little time for vacations so the more time actually on vacation as opposed to traveling the better. Cruise lines have responded to this by nearly tripling the number of U.S based ports from which they operate, enabling their passengers to avoid the hassle and expense of air travel. Long Islanders can begin their vacation within a few short hours of leaving the house. Five major cruise lines operate as many as a dozen ships from Manhattan. Sailings range from 2 to 12 nights and can take you as far as the Southern Caribbean or stay as close as Martha's Vineyard.

Cruise lines report guest satisfaction rates at over 98 percent, this is strongly supported by the fact that over 90 percent of cruise passengers are repeat cruises. To find out which ship and itinerary is right for you speak with a knowledgeable Cruise Specialist in your area.

Travel Makes a Comeback!