INTERESTED IN CRUISING

Cruising is experiencing unstoppable growth and last year approximately 19 million people worldwide enjoyed a cruising holiday. Cruising really is the travel success story of the 21st Century attracting new clientele every day. More than 80% of first time cruises book again. Over the past two and half decades the cruise industry has witnessed the launch of more than 200 brand new cruise ships to the market and they have arrived in all shapes, sizes and unique styles with the introduction of every newly built ship we have experienced new innovations than its predecessors and they are becoming more eye-catching . Over 1.5 million Britons have enjoyed a holiday at sea in the past year. Approximately one in three will be stepping onboard a cruise line for the very first time in their lives and they will be spoiled for choice. The shipbuilding boom commenced in the late 1980’s and has created a large number of new ships and stiff competition, particularly in the UK which is the world’s second-biggest cruise market after the United States of America.

Cruising today it is no longer the domain of affluent, retired people, cruising today attracts passengers of every age and socio-economic background. There are many misconception’s when it comes to cruising such as it being boring with nothing to do, tiny cabins or a constant feeling of seasickness. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. These ultra-modern floating resorts have huge appeal for families, younger travelers and anyone who wants the process of getting from port to port to be as fun and exciting as the ports themselves.
The introduction of the new generation of enormous 'megaships' offered - at an affordable price – has opened up everything you'd wish to find in a luxury resort on land, from numerous bars and restaurants to indoor and outdoor pools, serene health spas, fully equipped gyms, theatres, cinemas and extensive children's play areas and even rock climbing walls and ice rinks.
Meanwhile the older, medium-sized ships they've replaced have attracted a new legion of fans by offering more limited but well-presented facilities at budget prices.

At the other end of the size (and price) scale, 'millionaire's yacht' -style luxury ships offer the last word in luxury.

There’s never been a better time to try cruising.

With so many offers available there’s never been a better opportunity to try your first cruise holiday. Cruising offers you incredible value and there has never been such an exciting and wide choice of ships and itineraries. At present cruises are much more affordable than they were in the past. For one price, just about everything is included - your cabin or stateroom, all meals as well as all your onboard activities and entertainment. You will also get to see a whole host of wonderful destinations on one itinerary, waking up to a new port of call almost every day whilst only having to unpack once. In reality cruising offer’s better value for money than land-based holidays because entertainment and food is included in the price!

With so many different destinations and types of ship available, first time cruisers may think it will be difficult to find a cruise that's right for them - and to 'learn the ropes' once they climb aboard.

Thinking of taking the plunge but still unsure about some aspects of cruising? Let cruising holiday cruise experts help.

I am New to this….Where do I start?

First think about where you would like to go and then for how long you wish your cruise holiday to be?

Multiple Destinations:

If you are of the opinion that cruising is a one-dimensional experience, it's time to think again; travellers planning to holiday on a cruise ship now face as wide a range of choice as they would on a landbased vacation. With over 1800 ports of call and an unbelievable array of places to choose from and see, you’ll discover new and exciting destinations virtually every day and you will have the opportunity to sail to all corners of the globe from the sunny climes of the Mediterranean or Caribbean to the dramatic scenery of the Norwegian Fjords or Alaska. You’ll only have to unpack once rather than packing and unpacking again and again and having to take many flights on a similar multi-centre land holiday. They're also the world's most convenient touring holiday, taking you to a range of destinations in one 'hit' - without the hassle of lugging baggage around, fretting about timetables or enduring the stress of driving. Ice-strengthened expedition ships take small groups of intrepid travelers off to explore the world's wilder shores, while 'cultural cruises' on ships as intimate and welcoming as a country house provide lectures, classes and conversation for travelers who prefer intellectual stimulation during their holiday break.

And for holidaymakers who like to 'get under the skin' of a country and experience the culture and explore a variety of towns and cities at a gentle pace, river cruising - with its multiple daily stops and ability to reach the heart of the world's great cities - is the perfect solution.

How Long is a Cruise?

Cruises can range from a mini break of two nights to a world sector of more than 106 nights, but the majority of clients will choose a total holiday duration of between seven and twenty three days; the actual nights at sea most frequently chosen usually ranges from seven to sixteen.
The length of cruise is greatly, influenced by destination.
How long you cruise for is ultimately influenced by family needs, the amount of time you can be away from home and your budget.

How much of a budget do you have? Basically advise how much money do YOU wish to spend?

If you are on a tight budget a number of ships feature drinks –inclusive pricing – this can save you a bundle in extra onboard costs and is particularly good for families with children.

Watch out for Money Saving Offers such as :

• Low Deposits
• On Board Spending Money
• Free Cabin Up-Grades
• Onboard Discount Vouchers
• Kids Cruise Free Offers
• Free Car Parking
• Free Coach Transfers
• Exclusive Offers
• Group Discounts
• Early Booking Discounts

How large or type of ship would you like to travel on? Think of it like a floating resort or hotel?

Are all Ships the Same Size, How do I pick the Right Ship?

No. They can be varied.

There are many styles of cruise ship and at first glance this can be a frightening prospect for a newcomer to holidays at sea.

But in reality, it's no harder to choose a cruise than any other type of holiday.

There are just two simple steps.

First, ask yourself a few questions to establish exactly what your requirements are.

Then let one of our Cruise Experts guide you to the right ship, style of cruise and destination for your needs.

BUDGET ships are generally slightly older, mid-sized vessels, offered at low prices to tempt traditional holidaymakers to try cruising.

Who will enjoy them? Families and couples on a budget who nonetheless enjoy a bit of style; these ships can appeal to traditionalists who find bigger 'resorts at sea' a bit intimidating.

CONTEMPORARY category of bigger, modern ships
Still affordably priced (though more expensive than the Budget ships), these 'floating resorts' offer large-scale facilities including multiple bars and restaurants, extensive gyms, vast spas, a range of swimming pools, open-air ballgame courts and imaginative children's centres.
Some of the most recent also feature groundbreaking innovations like mini golf courses, ice rinks, rock climbing walls and surfing pools, so they're a great choice for families, sporty types and people who like plenty of activities to choose from on holiday.

Premium ship operators include P&O Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity, Fred Olsen, Windstar Cruises and Star Clippers.

Who will enjoy them? Travellers who want bigship facilities but don't like to share them with too many other people; Those in search of an offbeat experience (eg a sailing ship cruise) or those keen on exploring art, history, botany and other subjects with the help of expert lecturers.
At the very top end of the cruise market, LUXURY is the final category.
Luxury cruise ships All offer exclusivity, elegance, and top-class service That said, you needn't be a millionaire to afford a luxury cruise. Most luxury ships include 'extras' like onboard wine, drinks, gratuities and even some shore excursions in the price.

Luxury ship operators include Silversea Cruises, Crystal Cruises, , Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Lines. Who will enjoy them? Anyone with the cash to buy some panache!

What is included in the Price?

It is incredible good value and is relatively inexpensive compared to other types of holidays. One price usually includes accommodation, 24-hour meals and snacks, nightly entertainment and most onboard activities, plus flights and transfers where applicable.

Just about everything! All your meals are included (and there are usually about 7 or 8 per day from which to choose). You must pay for extras such as liquor, shore excursions, gratuities, photos, incidentals, gambling, etc.

The Misconception is that cruising is expensive! When in reality when you break down the cost of your cruise into a per night amount, it is surprisingly cost effective. When you compare what is included in the price, a cruise holiday is superb value for money. You can eat whenever you want, enjoy the theatre, go to a casino, listen to live entertainment and not have to pay cover charges, drink minimums or taxi fare. Plus you have the added feature of visiting more than one destination, and only having to unpack and pack once.

Dress Code: What shall I pack?

A Major concern for first time cruisers is what to wear for dinner and what to pack. The dress code onboard really depends on the cruise line that you choose to cruise with.

Your destination and the weather at the time of year you visit, have a great bearing on what clothes to pack. The brochure of the cruise you choose, and the tips for travellers sent out by the operator ahead of your tickets will help you plan what to pack. The daytime dress code onboard is always casual ie. swimwear, sundresses, shorts, t-shirts however in the evening the dress code can vary from one cruise line to the next. Many cruise lines assign daily evening dress codes which are usually one of three styles - Casual, Informal / Smart Casual or Formal and generally applies in restaurants (and sometimes public rooms) from 6 pm onwards. Basically, formal means a tuxedo for men and cocktail dress for women, whilst Informal essentially means an open shirt and trousers for men and dresses for ladies whilst 'Casual' means more or less anything goes, within reason. Depending on the cruise line and duration, a number of pre-determined formal nights are organised.

If you would rather not dress up you can always dine in one of the alternative dining venues where the dress code does not apply. With modern trends towards more casual cruising some cruise lines are abandoning dress codes completely to give you a more freestyle cruising experience.

Types of Cruises:

There is a excellent choice of different cruise holiday types to choose from. You can choose from fly-cruises which include flying abroad to meet up with your ship in its embarkation port or if you don't like flying, more and more cruise lines are now basing ships in UK ports such as Southampton, Dover and Harwich allowing you to sail round-trip to such destinations as the Mediterranean, Europe, Baltics, Norwegian Fjords and even the Caribbean. Alternatively a number of cruise lines offer short break cruises or taster cruises as now know of 2 to 4 nights from/to the UK which are ideal for first timers to see if they like cruising before booking a longer voyage. Cruise and Stay holidays offer the best of both worlds, where you combine your cruise with a beach or city stay ashore. Cruises vary in duration from 2-4 night short breaks to 7-14 night holidays to ultra-long 100 night or more world voyages.

Misconceptions or Myths of Cruising

Potential cruises can have a lot of reservations about taking a cruise with concerns as to whether such a holiday will suit them. There are a number of common misconceptions associated with cruising which can prevent clients from booking. Many are common myths

I’ll be bored

There is now so much on offer , no one should ever be bored on a cruise Whilst onboard or during days at sea there are fantastic facilities and activities to keep you fully occupied so you can choose to do as much or as little as you please.

In fact today's cruise liners are like modern resorts. You can choose to enjoy piece and quiet for those moments choose the library, card room’s lounges and deck areas. Alternatively if you wish to be more energetic enjoy pursuits such as visiting the spas, Jacuzzis, pools, gyms and sports decks. There is a vast array of entertainment, other than in-cabin TV, videos and music, there's the nightclub and casino, there's dancing to the ship's band or orchestra, concerts, cinema cabaret shows, guest lectures, floor-shows, demonstrations and 'educational' activities. On top of these you get marvellous scenery, life at sea, fine cuisine and service, port lectures and new places to visit. You cannot possibly get bored with the large selection of activities onboard a cruise.

I’ll get seasick

Seasickness and motion sickness are very rare onboard today’s modern liners. They are extremely sophisticated machines, each fully stabilised and aided by specially designed computer equipment to minimise the amount of rolling and pitching.

Cruising is older people or for the Retired?

The Average age of a cruiser is now around 54 years of age. As ships continue to include more and more variety, cruising really is appealing to a younger audience and the average age of cruise passengers is decreasing every year. On a worldwide basis the average age is only 45 years. It may surprise you that the average age of first-time cruisers is now well under 50 and whilst it does still appeal strongly to the older generation due to its safety and ease, cruising is appealing to younger cruisers more and more. As a matter of fact 32% of all cabins booked in the Caribbean last year were for families who were travelling with children.

Cruising is too regimented

This definitely used to be the case but nowadays you can choose formal or informal cruising or even a mix of the two. relaxed cruising style.

Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines offer a more informal experience including such features as open seat dining, meaning you can dine when, where and with whom you like and no compulsory requirement to dress formally every night.

Cruise ships are over-crowded

It is always possible to find a quiet corner somewhere on board to be alone. Ultra-luxury cruise ships generally have the highest space to passenger ratios in the industry offering plenty of spacious common areas.

So when you add it all up, it’s easy to see why people choose to cruise time and time again and if you've never been on a cruise before, now is the time to try one out.

Is Cruising Safe ?

Todays modern cruise ships are built to exacting standards regulated by international convention to ensure Your safety.

Dining Options :

The majority of Cruise Ships offer main restaurants with fixed sittings offering early or late where you will be seated with your fellow passengers every night. You can give a preference of table size. We are now seeing a growing number of cruise lines now offering open seat dining, meaning you can turn up to eat when you like with whom you prefer. Many ships also have speciality restaurants with menus often designed by celebrity chefs but there may be an additional charge for these venues. If you prefer there are Buffet options offered on the majority of cruise ships. Many clients now also enjoy Room Service and enjoy their meal in the privacy of their own cabin.

Your Accommodation on board :

Cabins or Staterooms as they are known on certain cruise lines vary in price and are charged according to the cabin size and its location on the ship. For instance, you will usually pay more for a cabin/stateroom, the higher the deck it is on and if mid-ship. Inside cabins/staterooms are the cheapest and don’t have a window so don’t offer you a view. Outside cabins/staterooms have either a porthole window or a large picture window whilst Balcony cabins/staterooms offer window doors which open out onto your own veranda. All cabins/staterooms have en-suite facilities and are serviced daily. The highest grade of accommodation onboard is a Suite. They're incredibly spacious and offer the ultimate indulgence and often your very own personal butler.

Tips & Gratuities:

Tips and Gratuities vary between cruise lines. You will find that some ships will include your tips in the fare, whilst others will charge you a compulsory service fee. Tips can also be discretional. Always ask your cruise expert for guidance and advice on the options available.

Shore Excursions:

All cruise lines will offer and organise a selection of optional excursions at each of your port’s of call on your cruise holiday. They have been specifically designed to maximise your time ashore and are the best way to see the destinations you visit. In addition you will get a tour guide, transfers if required, and you can relax in the knowledge that they'll get you back to the ship on time. Piece of mind is important and if you choose to go ashore on your own and you’re late making it back to the ship, remember it will not wait for you and you will have to find your own way to the next port, at your own expense.

Cruising Holidays members of staff are Cruise Experts with a wealth of specialist knowledge of the cruise industry. We can offer you all the information and advice and guidance to prepare for your first cruise. You are embarking on a holiday of a lifetime and we can guarantee that your cruise will be the first of many.

Why not call our experts today and discuss the delights of cruising.