You're sold on the idea of a luxurious, romantic cruise. But your significant other is dragging his feet.
Convincing one's husband, father or a male friend to take a vacation at sea may have been a challenge in the past, but cruises today offer men of all ages plenty to do both together with you and by themselves while you do your own thing.
Men now account for about 45 percent of all cruise guests. Here are some of the most popular reasons why:
1. Great Food 24/7- The kitchen is always open on a cruise ship. Day or night, men can always find a meal, snack or treat to feed their appetites.
2. Sports, cigars and alcohol. OK, its a male stereotype, but its a stereotype for a reason. Your man can watch the big games on a big screen TV on the ship, tour breweries and rum distilleries in Caribbean ports, and enjoy a cigar in the ships cigar bar-our even tour a cigar factories in port.
3. Great onboard tracks and gyms. And what better way to work off all that food and alcohol than running around a track on the top deck of a ship open to the sea breeze or in a state-of-the art gymnasium?
4. Golf. Men who prefer to hit the links rather than the pool or beach can enjoy the game at sea. In addition to amazingly real, on-board computerized golf simulators, many cruise lines have expanded their stops at some of the world's most picturesque and challenging golf courses. Some have even created special itineraries that visit a different course each day.
5. Adventure. Raise your adrenaline level. Think cave tubing and zip line tours in Belize, hiking up a river course in Jamaica or riding a dogsled in Alaska.
6. Tons to do onboard. Cruises are floating entertainment centers. Climbing walls, bowling alleys, Flowrider surfing pools, winding water slides, along with bars catering to every musical taste are just some of the recreation amenities.
7. Games of Chance. Blackjack, roulette, poker, craps and slot machines test one's luck while passing the time by.
8. Spa Treatments OK, this one may be more for you, though most guys can be talked into a relaxing couples massage-if you twist their arms.
And when you remind your significant other that there are plenty of cruises out where your cruise fare, all of your meals and much of your entertainment is included for $50-$100 per person per day, how can you go wrong?
