One of the best reasons to take a cruise has absolutely nothing to do with relaxing, with visiting exotic ports or enjoying classic shipboard life. It has to do with saving money.

Now that may sound remarkable, but consider what you get when you purchase a cruise. Then compare it with a land-based vacation. When you do, you'll probably arrive at the same conclusion.

As vacation packages, cruises are virtually all-inclusive. But that's not the same as referring to ships as floating hotels. Because no hotel, no matter how lavish, is able to offer what a cruise ship can. When you buy a cruise, for a single price you get accommodations and all of your onboard meals. On a cruise, that can mean up to seven or eight designated mealtimes daily, from early morning breakfast on the Promenade Deck to a lavish midnight buffet. You needn't eat at every meal, of course, but you're not charged for meals during the entire voyage, either.

Why is this form of travel so appealing? The price of your ticket includes not only all of your meals-and in-between snacks, but also your on-board daytime activities and fun, nighttime parties and entertainment from lavish Vegas-style revues to intimate cabaret acts. Plus, what could be more delightful than dining, dancing, dreaming the night away and waking up in the morning to find a new country or island right at your doorstep.

You'll find a cruise ship is a floating resort with all the fine things a resort has to offer and more. Awaiting you are on-board pools and hot tubs, jogging tracks, fitness facilities, casinos, bingo, piano bars, acres of sunning space, multiple bars and lounges and great children's facilities for your little ones. You'll meet new friends-people like yourself-who share the same tastes and interests. This is truly a holiday for everyone because you can spend your days and nights being as lively or leisurely as you like.

The thing I like most is that the hassles of an ordinary vacation are completely eliminated in one neat little package. Today's cruise lines bundle ALL the comfort and fun of vacationing into one unforgettable trip. You are met at the airport, transferred to the ship, your baggage handled for you and you disembark to transportation waiting to take you back to your flight home. You don't have to worry about making dinner or nightclub reservations. You don't run to make connections, pack and unpack your bags at each new destination or worry about expensive surprises at restaurants and night clubs. If your a high energy type you can go non-stop or you can just lie back and be completely pampered.

And there's one element that distinguishes a cruise from all other vacations. That's the voyage itself. That may sound obvious, but think about it. You're being transported from port to port in the most civilized fashion possible. You're not paying for an airline ticket, or taking a car, bus or train. You do what you like, eat what you like, sleep as long as you like and then you're someplace new. It's an experience no hotel can offer.

Early-booking incentives from cruise lines can make a cruise seem like an even sweeter deal. By signing on six months or so before a cruise, you not only get the best choice of cabins, but you also receive a substantial discount on the price. Not only do you get a lot of vacation for your money on a cruise, but also you're able to anticipate costs and plan your budget in a way no other vacation allows, from transportation and accommodation to meals and entertainment. Many cruise lines protect your fare and if there is a price reduction you may be eligible for a refund. A good cruise agent will watch your investment carefully to ensure you are receiving the best value possible for your dollar.

Extra expenses, such as drinks, ship-organized sightseeing trips, tips and laundry, or maybe a massage, are at your discretion. Which means that they're under your control.

In short, cruises represent the best all-around vacation going and give you more vacation for the money. A multitude of fleets sail to the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Europe, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Canada/New England, South America and the ultimate World Cruises. This means vacation offers with virtually unlimited potential. The only thing extra that's required is your imagination.