Modern cruise ships are like floating cities. They are large enough to contain casinos, pools, gyms, banquet halls, dance halls, and multiple eating establishments. All of this, along with luxurious sleeping accommodations, makes a cruise a great value.

Most cruises offer all meals and on-board entertainment in the cruise price. This alone is a great value. However, an all-inclusive cruise may offer so much more for one price. "All-inclusive" in the vacation industry takes on many different meanings. It may include all on-board entertainment and amenities, along with spa treatments and the many "perks' available. It may also include the shore excursions and taxes. Some cruise lines are even offering round trip airfare in the package price. As can be expected, the more "all-inclusive" a cruise is, the more expensive the cruise will be. However, the total price is still usually cheaper than paying for each individual part separately.

The biggest advantage to an all-inclusive cruise package is that you can save for the vacation ahead of time and not have to worry about taking a lot of spending money on the trip. It is always a good idea to have some traveler's checks or credit cards available for those emergencies or for the small gift shops you find on shore. When your on-board entertainment and relaxation are taken care of, along with all meals and snacks, you do not need to worry about what to do and what to skip because of your wallet. You can sample all of the ships offerings and not feel guilty doing it.

Another benefit to all-inclusive vacations is that, even with the higher price tag, the total cost will be more inexpensive than it would be to pay for each part separately. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, the cruise line has deals with the various vendors and can get discounts that the individual traveler would not get. Therefore, the cruise line can pass these savings on to the customer. Also, due to the large volume of sales purchased by the cruise, to cover all the passengers, they get wholesale discounts. These discounts equal lower costs for the traveler, in the price of the cruise. This applies to airfare, on-board massage and spa treatments, meals on land, cocktails on board, etc.

Impulse spending is a problem on any vacation. It is easy to see something in a particular port and think you have to have it because you will not be back again. When you return home you realize you spent much more than you should have, especially when you find the same item in a catalogue. An all-inclusive cruise allows you to limit the amount of money you take with you. It also allows you to limit the cash needed during shore excursions. If you do not take much cash with you, you will not be able to spend it. You leave the cruise feeling refreshed and relaxed because your savings are still safe at home in the bank.

An all-inclusive cruise offers travelers a chance to try things they might not pay to try on their own. Scuba diving, snorkeling, spa treatments, or a day trip into the mountains can all be experienced as part of the package. Many people pick and choose their activities by what they can afford and must prioritize. An all-inclusive cruise allows the traveler to experience all the options, and the only limitation is time in the day. After spending a day swimming or hiking the mountain trails, the nightlife on the ship can keep the party going into the wee hours of the morning. When this is included in the price of the vacation you can get the full enjoyment of the experience and relax knowing you are not spending extra money.

An obvious benefit to an all-inclusive cruise is the reduction in stress during pre-trip planning. The trip is planned for you. All of the entertainment, food, accommodations, and possibly even your trip to the dock, are taken care of. You simply need to pack, make arrangements for the pets, and make sure everything is set at the house. Get some money in traveler's checks the day before and be on the plane when it leaves and you are on your way to a relaxing and fun vacation with no stress. Vacations are meant to be stress reducers and an all-inclusive cruise can certainly help.

When looking for the perfect vacation to reduce stress and provide many options for fun and relaxation, an all-inclusive cruise is a great option. The many possibilities make it a great choice. The cost may be a little higher than a regular cruise, but when the bills are all tallied it is cheaper in the long run. And, when the stress reduction and enjoyment are factored in, it is easy to see the value in this type of cruise.