No matter how you crunch the numbers, cruise vacations give you the most bang for your buck. And beside the obvious economic advantages, cruising is a very laid back vacation. Once you're on the ship, there's no driving, no searching for restaurants, no worries about the quality of the food or water, and no stress. You're catered to by the crew and your biggest worry is whether to take your next nap in the sun or in the shade.

Unlike most hotels that send a maid in to make the bed each morning, your cruise ship steward will make up your room in the morning, be available for any requests you may have throughout the day, and will then clean your room again in the evening, turing down your bed, placing a mint on the pillow, and usually leaving you a cute handemade "towel" animal (different ones each day).

Dining on cruise ships is not for anyone watching his or her figure. Plan to indulge. You have formal dining if that suits your mood or many forms of casual dining from buffet lines to ethnic foods, deli food, burgers and fries, or pizza. The Carnival Cruise Ships keep the pizza joint open 24 hours a day along with on deck soft ice cream machines, fresh coffee, and cold beverages 24/7. Oh, and did I mention 24 hour a day room service? And it's ALL included in the cost of your ticket!

There are things that you do have to pay extra for. Alcohol is the obvious and there are no shortages of bars, pubs, or clubs that serve drinks. As a matter of fact, you can order drinks virtually anywhere on the ship and it will be brought to you, including your cabin if your choose. Special coffees like mochachinos and cappucinos at the coffee house are extra as well as sodas around the ship. You can buy soft drinks as you go or you can purchase a carte blanche soda pass (great for the kids) that gives you unlimited sugar and fizz.

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