Taking a cruise is not all about the destinations you reach, but you can enjoy much more of the trip if you also take a little time to appreciate getting to those destinations. There are so many things to do on ships these days that some cruises don't even have an exotic destination. They are simply cruises to nowhere, where you can just enjoy the offerings on the sailing vessel.
Years ago there were not too many things to do on board a cruise ship. You would bring a good book and wait until the ship delivered you to your first destination to explore. Now, they are floating entertainment venues that also offer lodging and transportation to your travel destination. These ships are accustomed to seeing thousands of tourists at a time and are chock full of activities and opportunities for everyone.
The larger cruise ships often have many more things than restaurants, lodging floors and swimming pools. Many also have their own shopping malls where you can find anything from beach wear to high end apparel and accessories to toys for the kids. They also are likely to have a number of spas and boutiques where you can pamper yourself and feel more like a movie star than a tourist, and relax away your voyage to your travel destination.
If you would prefer to be a little more active with your free time on board, there are quite a few ways you can pass the time. Most ships offer swimming pools and shuffleboard courts and larger ships will sometimes over racquetball courts, tennis courts, rock climbing walls, and maybe even a few bowling lanes to play on.
If you're a duffer and don't know if you can stay away from your golf clubs for the duration of a cruise, you may be able to combine the two. Many ships these days have driving ranges on board where you can practice your swing while the ship traverses the seas to your next travel destination.
For those who like the old time past times, such as reading a good book while enjoying the salty air, you can still do that as well. The benefit on today's ships is that if you forget to bring a good book with you, many of them have libraries, or a book store where you can find a good read.
When it comes to meals, even though cruise ships are prepared to feed thousands at each meal, they do not compromise on quality while they are cooking for large quantities of passengers. Many ships have master chefs who know their art, and create dining master pieces meal after meal for your enjoyment.
While you will likely enjoy the destinations you have selected for your cruise, you should always remember that there are plenty of ways to enjoy the trip to your exotic destination aboard the ship. You've paid your fare to be a passenger who is catered to aboard the vessel, why not take advantage of all the ship has to offer.