These long stretches of warm, sunny days that we've been experiencing lately have really made me want to run out the beach or the pool for a fun-filled day of sun and water. However, if you're like me and most of the world that's dealing with the sagging economy, funds are tight. If you haven't booked any vacation plans this summer and are struggling with where to get the most bang for your buck, let me turn you on to a great travel idea - cruises!

Why is a cruise a great idea for a summer vacation? For one, it's easy to plan for last minute. And best of all - they're all inclusive. The fee includes all of the accomodations, food and entertainment that you can handle on your cruise, so there's no need to budget for dozens of different incidentals. The options for cruise destinations are also endless - you can cruise the Caribbean, or along the Nile, the Mediterranean, or even Hong Kong. If you can think it, you can probably take a cruise there.

It's also the perfect time to snag a great bargain. Because the economy is down globally, people are spending less on travel, or foregoing summer vacations altogether. The travel industry wants your business, so they're willing to offer amazing discounts and deals, such as deals on cruises like we've come across at Virgin Holiday Cruises. Prices start at just £499 (or USD$827) for a 7 night cruise. Think about it, you'd pay more than that in hotel fees for any other vacation!