If you want to enjoy lovely weather and see wonderful things on your vacation, the staff of Holiday Cruise Line has the perfect suggestion: take a cruise! Cruises have become an incredibly popular way to travel in recent years. In fact, since 1970, the industry has grown by more than 2,000 percent, according to Cruise Lines International Association, Inc.
The Seattle Times reports that more than 21.3 million people took a cruise in 2013, and that number is expected to go up to 21.7 million this year.
It’s easy to see why. Most cruises take you to astoundingly beautiful locations, such as the Bahamas. There’s ample opportunity to take a cruise, too. For example, Holiday Cruise Line sends clients on cruises every other day, on board the Bahamas Celebration. Some people enjoy cruising so much that they plan on two or more trips per year. In the case of one couple, all of those cruises really add up.
A Couple’s 100th Cruise
You don’t have to look far for evidence of how much some people love cruises. One Florida couple, John and Jolene Kolodziejski, recently took their 100th cruise on the Bahamas Celebration.
The couple was on board the Celebration right from the start, sailing on its inaugural voyage in 2009. After 100 trips, the couple has become very close to the crew on the ship. They’ve earned the titles of “Goodwill Officers” and are referred to as Dad and Mom by the crew members. The Kolodziejskis’ love of cruising shows just how much impact the industry can have.
The team at Holiday Cruise Line celebrates the significance of the couple’s 100th cruise. As a representative from the company notes, “We here at Holiday Cruise Line applaud the Kolodziejskis, for their dedication to doing exactly what they want to do. They fell in love with cruising and didn’t let anything get in the way of them doing exactly what they love.”
The representative stresses that the couple’s love of cruising “is not only an inspiration for the entire cruise industry, but it is an inspiration that everyone can learn from. If anyone were to look at this happy couple, they would see two people who followed their dream.”
“At the same time, its an inspiration for the entire industry. It substantiates what we do on a daily basis here at Holiday Cruise Line, and we all got a huge lift when we heard about this story,” the rep continues. “It makes us realize that what we do every single day is meaningful and brings joy to lives of thousands of people every single day. Its an industry that I am personally incredibly proud to be a part of.”
The Popularity of Cruises
While you may not be able to take as many cruises as the Kolodziejskis, you might still want to experience the joys of a cruise firsthand. There are now more opportunities than ever to take a cruise. For example, there has been a recent expansion of the number of ports in Baltimore and New York City, opening up the industry to people who might not be able to travel down to Florida.
Florida itself has seen growth, too. Several ports in the state have opened new terminals, meaning that more cruise ships can leave more often. Cruises are also expanding their offerings, to entice more people aboard. Along with wine tastings, some cruises have started to focus on beer tastings. Some even give people the chance to travel to the site of the castle in the popular television series Game of Thrones.
What You Might Find on a Cruise
The options available on a cruise ship depend on the type of ship and where it’s going. The Bahamas Celebration cruise, the one so loved by the Kolodziejskis, offers a lot of options. The ship itself is able to hold 1,250 passengers in over 500 cabins. The great majority of those cabins offer an ocean view.
Onboard the ship is a casino, spa, and fitness center. There’s a pool area, complete with a splash pool for the kids and an impressive water slide.
Since the point of traveling to the Bahamas is actually seeing the Bahamas, the cruise offers a number of excursions. A glass-bottomed boat tour lets you take in the immense beauty of the ocean and the island. You’ll see the beauty of the coral reefs, as well as the amazing assortment of sea life that calls the area home.
If you prefer to get up very up close and personal with the sea, a chance to swim with the dolphins or go snorkeling might be the right pick for you. Both options get you into the water for a truly immersive experience.
While a cruise gives you the opportunity to experience the beauty of the island and to have a great time doing it, there’s one other advantage. In most cases, a cruise is a very affordable vacation option. If you want to have the time of your life without draining your wallet or bank account, Holiday Cruise Line encourages you to explore your cruise options today.