| Are you planning a family and friends gathering and | | | | lounges on board to cater to multiple dancing tastes |
| looking for a great venue? For purposes of this | | | | too. Maybe one or two couples like salsa while others |
| discussion we'll define "gathering" as four to five | | | | go for smooth jazz or the piano bar-or even karaoke. |
| couples traveling together and looking for a unique | | | | You can all go your separate ways and meet up |
| vacation experience. I'm not neglecting large family | | | | later--or not! |
| groups as that's the subject of another article. Without | | | | 2. You will eat well. Now I don't mean you can pig out. |
| getting into price comparisons with various vacation | | | | You are more likely to try different dishes on a cruise |
| alternatives, here are the top five reasons you should | | | | that you would not order in a restaurant. Why? |
| consider an ocean cruise on at least a mid-sized | | | | Because there's no risk. You know that if you don't like |
| vessel. A mid-sized ship these days is one that | | | | something you can always ask for something else...and |
| accommodates around 2,500 passengers, double | | | | you'll get it. Try that in a restaurant. One time I couldn't |
| occupancy. | | | | decide between two appetizer choices, so the waiter |
| 5. You have a very high probability that all of your | | | | brought me both. I did share them, by the way. It's quite |
| participants will enjoy themselves.There's a 95% | | | | common for a waiter to also do that with an entree or |
| satisfaction rate with a cruise according to surveys | | | | dessert. |
| done by the Cruise Lines International Association. The | | | | 1. Happy wife...happy life. When you really listen to the |
| reason behind this high rate will be evident in the next | | | | women in your family, they will tell you that the only |
| four items. | | | | time they can relax from food shopping, meal |
| 4. There's always some activity going on that will | | | | preparation, laundry and housework chores completely |
| appeal to everyone--both while at sea and in port. For | | | | is on a cruise. With a gathering, even finding a |
| example, you might be going on an excursion to | | | | restaurant to accommodate everyone can be difficult. |
| Mayan ruins with your brother-in-law that your wives | | | | Otherwise, for the homemaker, it's the same old |
| have absolutely no interest in. The reverse is probably | | | | stuff--just a different location! Answer this question |
| true for a shopping trip. On a sea day, part of your | | | | and the decision to take a cruise will be easy: Who |
| group can be a wine-tasting class, while another is | | | | deserves the vacation the most in your family? When |
| playing bridge, getting a massage, working out, or just | | | | you pick a cruise for that extended family gathering, |
| relaxing with a good book. | | | | the homemakers in the family will appreciate it the |
| 3. You will be entertained. Where else can you go out | | | | most as they finally will have the time to do their own |
| for a nice show just by taking a short walk from your | | | | thing, too. |
| room every night while on vacation? There are multiple | | | | |