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<\/a><\/p>\nIn December, I went on a wonderfully relaxing cruise with my family, aboard Carnival Ecstasy<\/a>. The timing couldn\u2019t have been more perfect. It was nearing the end of an incredibly hectic year, and I was desperate to clear my mind and relax. I needed to sooth my soul. As an added bonus, I got to leave the cold behind for a few days of tropical weather. A relaxing cruise with Carnival was exactly what this girl needed, and I\u2019m excited to partner with Carnival to share 11 reasons why cruising is the best way to relax.<\/p>\n 11 Reasons Why Cruising is the Best Way to Relax:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Stress-Free Vacation Planning<\/strong><\/p>\n When planning a vacation, deciding where to stay, where to eat, what to do and how you will get there can be very time consuming and stressful. The planning alone can make you feel like you need a vacation. Planning a cruise<\/a> is incredibly easy to do, so you can start your vacation without all that extra stress.<\/p>\n 2. Cruising is a Great Value<\/strong><\/p>\n Money is the last thing you want to worry about while on vacation. Since a cruise is paid for in advance, you don\u2019t have to worry about finding an affordable place to eat or free things to do. You are able to relax much easier without financial concerns.<\/p>\n 3. Drool-Worthy Food<\/strong><\/p>\n Dining on board <\/a>a Carnival cruise is such a joyous celebration. There is something for everyone to enjoy, even your pickiest eater. Dietary concerns? No worries. Carnival has you covered. Knowing that you can enjoy a delicious meal anytime you want is a wonderful thing. Food can be so comforting when done right. Food for the soul. You can even opt for room service, if that\u2019s what floats your boat. (Pun intended.) Want 2 desserts? Go for it!<\/p>\n 4. Friendly and Helpful Crew<\/strong><\/p>\n On my recent Carnival cruise, we encountered the most friendly and accommodating crew members. They made sure we had everything we needed. I honestly can\u2019t remember the last time I had such great service while on vacation. That VIP treatment is such a nice change of pace from everyday life at home, and something I could easily get used to.<\/p>\n 5. No Set Schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n Can you remember the last time you slept in or started your day without a well laid out plan? I\u00a0have a tendency to plan out every minute of our vacations. You don\u2019t have to worry about any of that that on a cruise. There are plenty of activities<\/a>, and shows you can see at various times of the day or night. You can just go with the flow and make up your schedule as you go. It\u2019s so relaxing and freeing when you can just do whatever you want in the moment.<\/p>\n 6. Pampering at Spa Carnival<\/strong><\/p>\n If you ever have the opportunity to experience a spa treatment at Spa Carnival\u2026 do it. I had the most soothing and relaxing hot stone massage aboard Carnival Ecstasy, and felt great for days afterward. They offer a variety of spa services to relax and rejuvenate.<\/p>\n 7. Camp Carnival<\/strong><\/p>\n Want a break from the kids? Many cruise lines offer child care. Camp Carnival is included with the purchase of your cruise, and offers fun supervised activities for children of all ages. Parents can take a break and relax knowing that their kids are nearby having well-supervised fun.<\/p>\n 8. Cozy and Quiet Places to Escape<\/strong><\/p>\n The gentle rocking of the ocean and the salt in the air alone will have a mesmerizing effect on you, but there are also many quiet and cozy places to retreat to on the ship. You can take a book to the ship\u2019s library, find a quiet spot on deck, or retreat to your private balcony. I spent a lot of time each night, out on my balcony with my Kindle. The endless expanse of ocean and starry sky is enchanting. During the day you can drop the kids off at Camp Carnival and escape to the adult only Serenity Deck<\/a>, for some peaceful lounging in the sun.<\/p>\n 9. It\u2019s Easy to Unplug<\/strong><\/p>\n These days it\u2019s hard to go a whole hour without checking your email, responding to a text message or checking your social accounts. It\u2019s easy to make yourself unplug on a cruise, thanks to the pricey roaming charges you\u2019ll have once you reach international waters. Just shut your phone off when you board, and forget about what\u2019s going on at work and at home. On my family\u2019s cruise, we didn\u2019t even turn on our television, because there were so many other things to do. Unplugging might just be the most freeing and relaxing thing you can do on your cruise.<\/p>\n 10. A Cruise is an All-in-One Vacation<\/strong><\/p>\n Think of a cruise as an all-in-one vacation. You get to visit multiple ports without the worry of repacking and unpacking or changing hotels. A cruise ship is like a moving hotel. At the end of a fun day in port you can come back to your same familiar cabin and let the motion of the ocean rock you to sleep.<\/p>\n 11. Exercise and Feel Better<\/strong><\/p>\n There are plenty of ways to exercise on a cruise ship. A brisk morning walk around the deck of the ship can help you release stress and clear your mind. There are many ways to be active on a ship with or without children. You can visit the gym or even play a game of miniature golf with the family. Activities vary per ship, but you are sure to find a variety of fun ways to exercise.<\/p>\n Have you ever ended a vacation feeling you like you need a vacation? That\u2019s not going to happen on a cruise. My cruise with Carnival was such a fun and relaxing vacation. I can\u2019t wait to do it again soon!<\/p>\n This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival<\/a>, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n