Many people tend to overlook cruises when it comes to holidays – they might have several misconceptions about them that deter them from booking a Cruise, or perhaps they simply prefer holidays on land. Nonetheless, there are still benefits to reap when you choose a cruise ship holiday.

In this blog, we’ll explore the main advantages of cruise holidays and why you should consider choosing a cruise holiday instead of a land one. But first, let’s take a look at the history of how cruise holidays came to be…

The origins of the cruise holiday

In 1899, general director of the Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft (HAPAG) or Hamburg-America line, Albert Ballin, commissioned the first purpose-built cruise ship in the world: the Prinzessin Victoria Luise.

Ballin believed that there was more value to ocean vessels, particularly in the form of leisurely sea travel. Aboard Victoria Luise, guests could expect an experience similar to a luxury hotel, accompanied by local performers and fine dining. The popularity of cruises stalled in the years following as a result of the crash of Victoria Luise and then the subsequent sinking of Titanic and Lusitania. World War I and the Great Depression also hindered people’s abilities to enjoy and afford such leisure.

Nevertheless, Ballin pioneered the idea of pleasure cruising for those who couldn’t afford their own private vessel. This has paved the way for modern cruise holidays today.

Why choose a cruise over a land holiday?

There are several benefits to cruises that you should take into account if you are planning a holiday soon, and we have listed several here:

• Great value – the price of a cruise ticket is usually all-inclusive, meaning that the price includes everything from fare, accommodation, food, entertainment, and more! You might have to pay a little bit extra for additional services on board, but the original ticket price itself can usually be cheaper than what you would have to pay for a land holiday where you might be paying for these things separately.
• Family-friendly – many cruise lines and their offerings are family-friendly with onboard entertainment and facilities that cater to children and include child-friendly activities, so even your little ones can enjoy the cruise too!
• Or adult-only – meanwhile, other cruise lines like Silversea are adult-only, so if you’re looking for a romantic getaway or holiday with friends, then adult-only cruises are the perfect way to spend your days and evenings with onboard activities that are tailored to keep everyone happy! Whether you want to hit the gym, or watch a live performance, you can get the best Silversea cruises from a simple Google search.
• Visit multiple destinations in one trip – cruises aren’t just about what you can do on board; you can wake up to a new destination every morning! Each cruise line’s itineraries are different, so you’re bound to find one that visits the cities that you want to visit! They’ll also usually have planned shore excursions (which you can participate in or do your own thing), so you can explore the city when in port too. Just make sure that you’re back on the ship in time!