25 Reasons Cruising is the Perfect Winter Getaway

If you're tired of the dreary winter weather and staring down the same ol' scenery, it may be time to call your travel agent and book a cruise. Not only are cruises easy to research and book during winter months, but they can help you explore parts of the world you've never seen before. If you are ready to book but need a good excuse, here are 25 reasons cruising is ideal when it's cold outside.

The all-inclusive nature of cruising is one of the most compelling reasons to book. After you pay your cruise fare and any taxes or fees, food and fun is included for one price. With so many activities and dining options on today's newest ships, you will never run out of things to do or dishes to try.

If you plan to travel with kids, you'll also love the fact that most cruise lines have supervised kid's clubs with flexible hours. Even if you don't want someone to watch your kids all day, having a few hours to yourself every few days can make your vacation a lot less stressful.

While you can spend a ton of money on a luxury cruise, you can also pay very little for an amazing experience. With a discount cruise line like MSC Cruises, you can book a seven-night Caribbean cruise in a balcony cabin for as little as $689 per adult.

Also, note that some cruise lines offer "kids cruise free" promotions for all or part of the year. While these promotions may be offered periodically on cruise lines like Carnival and Norwegian, MSC Cruises lets kids ages 11 and under cruise free on select itineraries all year long. Make sure to check on children's pricing if you hope to save on your next cruise.

Don't want to travel with kids? In that case, a winter cruise could be ideal. Book your cruise when most children are in school and you will likely find few little ones on board. January and February are smart months to book an adult cruise since they fall after winter break and before Spring break.

If you want to splurge for a special trip this winter, that's perfectly okay. Most cruise lines offer luxurious suites with giant wraparound balconies and some cruise lines even offer cabins with private Jacuzzis. You'll pay more for the experience, but you might enjoy your vacation more, too.

Cruises have really improved their entertainment over the years, and many now offer Broadway-style shows with professional singers, dancers, and performers. Some cruise lines even offer Cirque de Soleil shows that can take your vacation enjoyment up a few notches!

If you're a family with kids or someone who loves to be active on vacation, make sure to book a winter cruise on a ship that has plenty to do. Since many cruise lines offer bowling alleys, ziplines, humungous pools, and onboard waterparks, this shouldn't be that hard.

Winter can be cold, dreary, and dark, but the Caribbean is sunny with temperatures in the mid-80's for most of the year. Book a Caribbean cruise to visit tropical destinations like Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten, and you won't regret it.

One of the biggest benefits of cruising is that fact that you can see more than one destination or island during a single trip. Many seven-night cruises even offer six different stops that let you explore new cultures and wake up in a new place every day.

Another benefit of cruising is the fact that you only have to pack and unpack once. This is a huge benefit over land-based vacationing that requires you to pack up your luggage and move it from place to place. If you want a winter vacation that's very little work, cruising is the way to go.

Closed-loop cruises that leave from the United States and return to a U.S. port don't always require you to have a passport. Not needing a passport can obviously save you money on your trip while making the booking process easier. However, you should make sure to check your cruise line's guidelines before you make any plans.

Many residents of the United States live within a day's drive of a cruise port even if it takes them 11 or 12 hours to get there. If you want to avoid the cost of airfare, you can pack up your car and drive to your point of departure, whether that's in California, Texas, Florida, or Louisiana.

Like an all-inclusive resort, cruises take care of all your daily chores for you. You don't have to cook a single meal while you're cruising, nor do you have to lift a finger to clean things up. It's okay to be lazy on vacation, right?

If you love the relaxing sound of the ocean lapping just out your door, you can't do any better - or get any closer - than you can with a cruise. Book a balcony cabin for amazing sea views any time of the day or night.

Certain cruise packages include room service as part of your service. If you're someone who loves waking up and watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee, make sure to book a cruise package that includes meal delivery straight to your cabin.

Almost every cruise line features an on-board casino on their fleet of ships. Whether you cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Carnival, or Princess, you can take advantage of the available slots and table games almost any time of the day or night.

Because cruises include your lodging, all your meals, and your transportation in one package, they are one of the easiest vacations to plan. All you have to decide on a cruise line and where you want to go. It doesn't get any easier than that.

Cruises offer a wide range of planned activities ranging from evening shows to Bingo games and exercise classes. You can make your own schedule to include as many activities as you want - or no activities at all. When you choose to cruise, you choose to make your own schedule.

Some cruise lines offer unlimited drinks on select sailings or during their sales. These promotions can help you save big if you're someone who loves to drink beer, house wine, or spirits while you travel. Watch out for special promotions that include free drinks, and you could whittle your alcohol bill down to almost zero.

If you're someone who longs for the days of your Senior prom, don't forget that many cruises offer formal nights. Participants usually wear a suit and tie or tuxedo for men and an evening gown for women. You can dress up and dance the night away, but you're not required to if fancy attire isn't your style.

Whether you're a foodie or someone with a big appetite, you will love all the dining options available on most cruises. You can dine in the main dining room, a choice of buffets, or any number of specialty restaurants that may be available on your ship. Most cruises also have late-night dining options as well.

No matter where you plan to cruise this winter, it's likely you'll meet people from all over the world. You may gain a broader perspective of humanity this way, and it's possible you'll learn about new customs and cultures. At the very least, meeting new people can be a lot of fun.

If you love an overwater sunset, cruising is the ideal vacation option all year long. No matter which side of the ship your cabin is on, you can catch an amazing seaside sunset every night of your cruise from one of the public decks. The best part is, every view will be slightly different than the night before.

If you're worried about sailing into the sunset without life's conveniences, your worries are unfounded. Modern cruise ships have all the creature comforts of home and more, from onboard internet access to laundry services, cable television, and medical facilities. With all these amenities at your disposal, all you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride.