Can't Get Him to Take You on a Cruise?

Nothing can be as romantic as a cruise, and most women I knowwould love to go on one with their honey. Just the thought ofhaving your guy all alone surrounded by all that romantic ocean,looking up at the moon and stars, or all to yourself in yourcozy stateroom with a "do not disturb on the door," doesn't itmake you weak in the knees? (And formal night? And dancing thenight away?) Now we all know we can't tell our man what to do, so how do youget this to happen? What you need to do is start dispelling theMYTHS about cruising. MYTH #1: Real guys don't go on cruises. REALITY: Well, there'smy friend who loves to cruise who's a doctor. He owns his ownairplane and yacht, with licenses to pilot both, and has anactive lifestyle, jogging several miles each morning, playingcompetitive tennis once a week, and bicycling any other time hecan. Why does he like to cruise? Because - doh - it's romantic.In the guy sense. He's got HER all to himself in that cozylittle stateroom. Actually he prefers a room with a privatebalcony. He knows if you want the kisses, you can't just beromantic, you have to seduce, and that means pleasing his lady.He knows how to set the scene, and cruises work. It also worksto give a woman what she wants, guys!MYTH #2: You have to wear a tux. REALITY: It's quite possible togo on a cruise and never dress up. If he hates to dress up, hedoesn't have to. Many people don't. There are casual diningoptions for every meal, where the food is just as good, but youdon't have to wear a suit, and you don't have to sit for a longtime. There's also room service. Nor do you have to dress up todance. MYTH #3: It's all about food. REALITY: Cruise lines these daysoffer healthy alternatives, and there are always fruit and saladbars. On my last cruise, a river cruise in Russia, I actuallyLOST weight. MYTH #4: It's sedentary. REALITY: ROFL. Consider the length of acruise ship. Elevators they have, but not down the corridors. Iwould imagine you walk miles a day. There are also fitnesscenters on most ships, a deck used for a track, aerobics, yogaand dance classes, and the option of active shore excursions.You will only gain weight on a cruise if you want to. MYTH #5: It's confining. REALITY: Again, these ships are huge.Try and find someone! You need a walky-talky. There arelibraries, conference rooms, hundreds of rooms, numerous diningareas, lobbies, stores, crew areas, the infirmary, and numerousdecks. Yes, the rooms are small, but here, more than any othervacation, you won't want to be in it. If you want to read, watchTV, or share a drink with your honey, there are 100 nooks andcrannies, bars, lounges and conference rooms where you can bealone, or feel alone. MYTH #6: It's too expensive. REALITY: I've got a cruise comingup that costs $350 for 4 nights. You couldn't stay in a goodhotel and eat anything for that price. On a cruise you can havesteak every night, food available around the clock, andBroadway-style entertainment. If you shop for cruise bargains,there's no better value. Price it out for him. MYTH #7: I can't use my computer. I'd be out-of-touch. REALITY:Most ships have computer rooms; most docks have Internet cafes.You can always be reached on the ship, and cell phones work frommost of the ports. MYTH #8: It's boring. REALITY: There are casinos, entertainment,people to talk to, games, and antics around the pool that keepthe men captivated, shore excursions, movies, and crew maneuversto watch such as docking and tendering. MYTH #9: It's all girl stuff. REALITY: Really? How aboutgambling and drinking, risqué poolside contests, and shoreexcursions, some of which are rated "strenuous," such as: Allterrain eco adventure; snorkeling and SCUBA; Atlantis submarine;ATV and horseback riding on the beach; certified 2-tank dive;cave adventure by jeep; cavern dive; kayaking; climbing park;golf at country club; deep sea fishing; dolphin swim; rent apowerboat and escape to private beach; Hobie catamaranchallenge; and motorbikes? MYTH #10: It's dangerous. There are hurricanes. REALITY: Ratherthan give statistics, I'm going to share a personal experience,the best testimony there is. I was speaking on a cruise shipduring Isabelle, and here's what happens. They aren't going torisk lives or that multi-million dollar ship. Hurricanes only goabout 5 miles an hour, and you're not a stationary object likethe state of Florida, you're on a moving vessel that can easilyoutrun it. It's exciting, but not scary. You may get re-routed,but you're safe on a ship, and will have a great story to tellback home. MYTH #11: What if we get sick? REALITY: Think of a cruise shipas a small city; after all there can be thousands of passengersand crew on board. They have a doctor, a nurse, and protocol foremergencies. (Do buy the special health insurance they offer;most policies don't cover you in international water or outsidethe US.) That ship where everyone got sick? What about that fluthat went through your office last year? Those things happen,but if you're immune system is up (take an Arbonneneutraceutical like Defense Builder to keep it built up) youshould be okay. The first thing that will happen once everyone'son board is muster, where you learn what you'd do if there werea fire. There's a safe in your room. They think of everything,and the crew isn't there, highly-trained and in uniform, just tolook pretty. MYTH #11: I'd miss the kids. REALITY: Being them along. The"camps" for kids have the latest toys, games and computers andare well-supervised. Babysitters are available at night. MYTH #12: I get seasick. REALITY: Read about the stabilizers onthese ships. In fact the equipment and technology on a cruiseship are always fascinating to men, and one of the draws.Watching from the top deck when the ship docks, is a greatfavorite, as is tendering. Probably the biggest thrill of all isa lock. On the Russian river cruise we must've gone through 15locks, and the men never tired of it. A cruise has something tooffer everyone, and to accommodate to all lifestyles and ages. Ihope you can get him to give it a try. Go lightly, and stressthe things you know he'd love about a cruise. Be sure and pointout a tux need never occur. If you can get him to go on one,chances are he'll be hooked because it will bring out the bestin you, right?