Many people have dreamt of being in a cruise travel. There is nothing more enchanting than a relaxing vacation, travelling over the emerald waters of the Carribean, basking in the sun, seeing different places, and all the while stationed in a floating hotel.

Cruise travel happens in a cruise ship or cruise liner. This large vessel is a passenger ship that is used for pleasure voyages. Unlike airplanes where you just sit for a couple of hours and wait to arrive at your destination, a cruise ship lets a person enjoy the voyage and the ship’s amenities at the same time without worrying too much about time. In fact, the voyage and the amenities are part of the leisure experience.

In Western and European countries, cruise travel is a major part of the tourism industry. Millions of passengers go on cruise each year, and the number increases each year. Because of the growth of the cruise ship industry, nine or more cruise liners are built ever year since 2001 as the industry tries to accommodate the ever-increasing number of North American and European clientele. The Asia-Pacific region has a smaller market but has started to join the bandwagon.

Most cruise ships sail on a set runabout course—in other words, a round trip, returning the passengers to their port of origin. Ocean liners, on the other hand, sail on a line voyages, travelling from one port to another, in contrast to round trips. There are also cruise travels that engage in longer trips that can last for months.

Today, cruise ships are built and arranged like floating hotels. In cruise travels, passengers can enjoy the amenities and services of five-star hotels. In fact, it is not uncommon for many cruise ships to have more hospitality and technical crew than the number of passengers!

Because cruise travels involve staying at sea for weeks or even months at a time, the vessel should have adequate provisions for the passengers and crew. For example, Royal Carribean International’s Mariner of the Seas carries twenty thousand pounds of beef, twenty-eight thousand eggs, eight thousand gallons of ice cream, and eighteen thousands of pizza in a typical one-week cruise.

Just like a five-star hotel resort, cruise ships have a lot of amenities. For example, the ships have an on-board casino, a swimming pool, a shopping center, a shooting range, a golf drive, or a tennis court. Some carry a fleet of smaller watercraft such as jet skis for the enjoyment of passengers.

Cruise ships also have state-of-the-art conveniences such as internet connection, satellite TV, and satellite phones. They are technically one of the most advanced vehicles in the world to ensure the safety and pleasure of both passengers and crew.

Cruise travels are generally safe and enjoyable. However, there are instances where cruise travels could be disrupted by illnesses and infections aboard cruise ships.

Norovirus infections, for example, are a potential and constant hazard during cruise travel. There were about twenty five outbreaks, with two thousand six hundred forty-eight passengers who were diagnosed with norovirus infection last 2002. Upon investigation by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it was found out that the transmission of the disease is person-to-person and not from the supplies in the cruise ship.

Another disease that is also a problem in cruise travels is the bacteria Legionalla which can cause Legionnaire’s disease. The bacteria can contaminate water supplies in a cruise ships. This disease can also be transmitted by inhalation. Studies about Legionnaire’s disease indicate that many cases are associated with older, unsanitary cruise ships.

Notwithstanding the disease, cruise travels are fun. The vacation is a memory that would be treasured for a lifetime.