They're the original all-inclusive holiday, since fares typically include stateroom, all meals, most shipboard activities and, sometimes, even shore excursions. Taking a cruise is a convenient way to explore several destinations in one trip - you only unpack once, but visit a different port of call each day. What's more, ships can take you to some of the world's most exotic places, from Antarctica to the North Pole. Cruising is so popular that vessels now ply virtually every waterway on the planet. In addition to long-popular itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska and the Mediterranean, you can explore the Amazon River, China's mighty Yangtze River, the South Seas, the South American coast and, of course, the rivers of North America.
Ships range from megaliners to upscale, yachtlike vessels to bare-bones research ships.
There is so much variety that even people who never considered cruising can find a trip and a ship to suit their taste. Many cruise lines offer early-booking discounts up to 20 percent to entice passengers. If you aren't too picky about where you go, take advantage of cruise lines' last-minute bargains to fill empty berths. Some cruise lines include shore excursions in the overall fare, especially for trips with an educational or adventurous theme. Others charge for escorted tours at ports of call.