OVER 55 CRUISING

Start having the time of your life

It is off putting the thought of the hassle of airport queues, delays and lugging suitcases around so a cruise is the ideal holiday for you. Cruising is very popular because it offers you the relaxation and luxury that you would expect from a cruise ship, coupled with the choice of having an adventure in the various ports of call. No two individuals are the same and everyone wants something different from their cruise!

Over 55 cruises, alternatively known as Senior Cruises, can be classified into two categories:

• Sedentary cruise – this is ideal for people who just want to relax and enjoy a quieter pace of life where activities are toned down and the atmosphere is calm Active cruises – perfect for those who lead a more active lifestyle and want to participate in activities such as ballroom dance sessions and fitness classes on board
• Ask our cruise expert about the best cruise lines for your needs and requirements we have a fantastic selection of cruise lines such as Fred Olsen, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America, Cruise & Maritime, Cunard Cruises to name a few which offer true value and second to none service.

At the time of making your booking ensure that you inform our cruise expert, (so in turn we can contact the cruise line well in advance) about any specific requirements that you may have such as dietary requirements, mobility requirements, disabled cabins so that they will be able to cater to your needs.

There are some specific cruise lines that cater for the Over 55 market offering activities and an atmosphere that are deliberately tailored towards that age group, with particular attention focused on comfort and luxury. Tip: You might want to choose a small to medium-size ship which is easier to walk across rather than a large one which could tire you out.

They say that life begins at 40 well we believe that life begins at over 55 . You can experience some of the best times of your life this is the time when you can splash out on you and indulge in some luxury with an over 55 cruise that is tailor-made for your age group; meet new people; travel to new and exciting distant lands; try new experiences and enjoy the holiday of your dreams, a holiday of your lifetime! You can enjoy delicious fine dining venues, outstanding onboard entertainment, be pampered in luxurious spa’s and experience some fantastic beauty treatments that definitely rival some of the worlds best or have a go at the Las Vegas style casino’s.

Formal or Casual?

Not everyone wants the formal experience and so more and more cruise lines are offering a more relaxed style of cruising. If you choose not to have the restrictions of dressing for dinner every night but won't pass up the chance to wear your finest at least once, there are cruise lines offering a mix of formal and informal dining so that your cruise experience can be as flexible as your wardrobe!

Adult Only Cruises

Life is hectic and many clients choose to go on their holiday to enjoy some peace and quiet - which is why specific cruise lines offer holidays that are entirely child free. This is ideal if you are hands on at home with your family and grand children and have decided to go away for a break. It is also ideal if you just want to relax in a tranquil environment with other like-minded adults.

Holidays with the Grandchildren

But if you want to spend some quality time with the grandchildren, why not take them away with you? Multi-generational holidays are becoming increasingly popular, with many grandparents taking the kids on a cruise while the parents have a well-earned break. It's the perfect solution: not only does a cruise offer a great opportunity to bond with your grandkids over fun activities and unforgettable destinations, but a wealth of entertainment for the kids is close at hand onboard the ship which means that grandma and/or granddad can catch their breath in the spa, bar or restaurant, safe in the knowledge that your grandchildren are never too far away!

Good for adults

P&O currently offers the Arcadia. Sailing on Arcadia is a traditional and classic cruising experience, onboard you will experience modern facilities, stylish accommodation and specialist restaurants

Adonia is the smallest P&O ship, and is also adults only. This particular cruise ship is offering you small and friendly atmosphere and her compact size enables you to have the opportunity to explore ports the larger cruise liners of today are unable to visit. P&O's Oriana is also a designated adults-only ship.

Cruise & Maritime’s

Believe that their ships offer a more leisurely and traditional home from home style of cruising with the emphasis very much on personal service and going that extra mile. They continue to deliver what we think you want; value matched by quality with attentive and friendly service, a variety of great big show and daytime entertainment within a real maritime experience visiting lots of interesting places and more remote ports of call not always accessible by the larger resort ships.

Welcome to their fleet

Both their vessels carry around 800 passengers and offer a wide range of leisure facilities to enrich your time onboard. Over the years the ever popular Marco Polo has built up a strong following and reputation on the British market offering a fine tradition of destination cruising from her home port of London Tilbury. In recognition of demand from their Scottish guests, Marco Polo will also be sailing during May and June 2012 from Edinburgh Leith and from the Tyne Quay in Newcastle too.

Her fleet mate, Ocean Countess which began service as the popular Cunard Countess and at the time became one of the best-known ships to sail the Caribbean Sea, enjoyed a great debut season of cruises in 2010 & 2011 and is already becoming a firm favourite. In 2012, she will again operate an extended summer season of sailings from three different British ports including Hull and Liverpool for a wider choice of spring, summer and autumn sailings, cruises from Glasgow Greenock in July and autumn departures from Dublin in Ireland bringing cruising closer to home.

Ideal for the grandchildren : There is a good selection of cruise lines that will offer a fantastic family friendly atmosphere for all age groups please ask our cruise experts for full details and recommendations. All family-friendly P&O and Cunard vessels carry qualified British nannies for under-sevens and offer a variety of kids clubs up to 16 years. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has a separate family deck complete with pools and play areas, organised activities and a special tea for children in its Kings Court dining area. Also look at Princess Cruises and NCL Cruises and Royal Caribbean if you prefer more 4 star facilities and Thomson for great value all round casual cruising.

Solo traveller?

Cruising is a superb holiday solution if you are a solo traveller, it definitely is an ideal getaway .Many cruise lines welcome singles with receptions to meet other solo passengers, usually held early on in the cruise. Some even have "gentlemen" dance hosts onboard These dance hosts can be found on Crystal, Cunard, Fred. Olsen . On longer voyages of Holland America (30+ days) and Silversea (10+ days), similar services are also offered.. If you're contemplating cruising on your own, what do you need to know before booking a voyage? Here are the four key factors you should consider:

• Choosing a Ship and Cabin
• The Solo Supplement
• Single Cruises
• Once You've Booked a Cabin

With the cruise lines introducing bigger and bigger ships -- think 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas -- makes it a bit harder to meet others who may be travelling alone (a bit like the difference between living in a small village and a cosmopolitan city). It can be more difficult to meet fellow solo passengers on ships with thousands of guests, and you're not guaranteed to meet on a shore excursion or at the casino later on in the cruise.

Small ships, on the other hand, tend to be quite social, and you'll see the same faces again and again. Open-seating dinners, smaller excursion numbers and an emphasis on interactive activities are conducive to meeting people and making friends.

Beyond the size of the ship, another consideration for solo travelers is cabin type. Newer ships tend to feature uniform, pre-fabricated cabins for two, so there are fewer single cabins to be found.

The good news is that P&O Cruises' Azura debuted in April 2010 with 18 dedicated single cabins, a first for the U.K.-based line. But, the real story is Norwegian Epic -- 2010's massive NCL new-build. The ship features 128 cabins designated for solo travellers. The "studio cabins" are 100-square-foot accommodations with full-size beds and separate areas for the bathrooms, sinks and showers. Studio passengers also get an exclusive, shared social space called the Studios Lounge, featuring a bar, two large TV screens and a concierge for booking dinner reservations and shore excursions. All 128 of the studio cabins will be priced for single occupancy.

All Fred. Olsen ships -- Balmoral, Boudicca, Braemar and Black Watch -- offer solo cabins, ranging in number from 40 (Braemar) to 64 (Balmoral). Cabins come in a variety of categories, including a few balcony cabins and solo suites. One nice touch offered by Fred. Olsen is that single cabins are actually decorated for solos; instead of a cabin with two beds, staff remove one bed and replace it with other furnishings for a c All Fred. Olsen ships -- Balmoral, Boudicca, Braemar and Black Watch -- offer solo cabins, ranging in number from 40 (Braemar) to 64 (Balmoral). Cabins come in a variety of categories, including a few balcony cabins and solo suites. One nice touch offered by Fred. Olsen is that single cabins are actually decorated for solos; instead of simply giving a lone passenger a cabin with two beds, staffers remove one bed and replace it with other furnishings for a cosier feel.

Gentleman dance hosts

Statistics reveal that solo cruisers are more likely to be female than male, and many cruise lines have developed a ‘gentleman host’ programme where gentleman companions, usually over 55, and guaranteed to possess good conversation and dance skills, provide companionship both on board and ashore, as well as on the dance floor. Cruise lines offering this free of charge facility include Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruises and Princess Cruises.

Being Active or choose just to relax?

With many 55 years olds more active than 35 year olds, there's a good chance that you may embark upon a cruise bursting with energy. If so there are plenty of new experiences to get stuck into on a cruise and your time on board can be as varied as you want it to be.

Good for the energetic and active

The larger ships especially are packed with activities including dancing, water sports, jogging, rock climbing, ice skating, bowling and boxing. When it comes to dining you can sample top-class restaurants, champagne bars, cocktail lounges and great pubs and the entertainment comes in the form of West End-style shows, cabaret, nightclubs, live music, alternative comedy and casinos. Let's face it, even the most energetic cruiser can't get restless with all that on offer!

But if you are going on a cruise to get away from the hustle and bustle then you, too, can have the relaxing, soothing break you long for. Simply spent your time at sea relaxing in a spa, getting an aromatherapy massage, taking a dip in the Jacuzzi, reading, playing a round of golf or browsing in the boutique. Indulge in the first class services available on your cruise, from fine dining created by celebrity chefs to cocktails and champagne available to pamper you. And finish off a leisurely day by perusing classic books in the library, watching a film, playing a hand of bridge or sipping a cocktail by the pool. Whatever your mood, on a cruise you'll find yourself well catered for.

Royal Caribbean International are offering larger ships which are bursting with entertainment and activities. They operate some of the biggest ships afloat and include activities such as rock climbing walls, ice rinks and even a surfing simulator, water park and boxing ring. Certainly ideal if you choose to be more active and try something unforgettable and worth telling the grandkids.

If you wish to enjoy a little bit of tranquility: Celebrity Eclipse offer the Aqua Spa which combines complete relaxation and utter luxury, you can enjoy treatments such as massage and acupuncture set in the surrounding of the gorgeous Persian Gardens, near to the solarium and indoor pool complex, you can indulge in an exotic treatment, deluxe manicure or luxurious facial or even participate in a spinning class overlooking the ocean. A breathtaking way to banish stress!

At the time of making your booking or planning your cruise, one decision to make is whether you want to sail from a UK port or prefere to fly to join your ship. Many sailings start from a convenient port in the UK such as Southampton, Dover, Harwich or Newcastle while for others you fly out to join your ship overseas from your Regional Airport.. Please ask our cruise experts which is more ideal as it will also be determined by your chosen destination

Short Breaks: More and more cruise lines are offering short breaks such as P&O who have three night breaks to Bruges and Le Harve, Royal Caribbean offer four night taster trips sailing from Southampton and Barcelona and also from Malaga and Barcelona. If you choose to sail You can also cruise to Europe with Cunard calling at destinations such as Amsterdam, Zeebrugge and Cherbourg. MSC Cruises. Sailing from the UK you can enjoy mini breaks with Fred Olsen and , Cruise and Maritime. Please ask our Cruise Expert for the full choice available.

If you wish Culture or a bit of adventure?

If you would love to learn some new things or skills on holiday? Why not get on board a cultural cruise where you will find workshops, talks and shore excursions on subjects ranging from wine, cooking and golf to music and modern art to keep you fully entertained. If you choose or wish to ve disembark, many cruise lines are now offering longer stays ashore mean you get a real feel for your destination, from wine tasting in France to touring the palaces of St Petersburg. So, if a holiday is not complete for you until you feel you are bringing home new skills and enhance your knowledge then we can recommend a cultural cruise.

If you are an intrepid traveller then alternatively, if adventure calls to your soul then why not take a walk on the wild side with a cruise that offers prime wildlife spotting in territories like Alaska or why not join in scuba diving in Mexico, horse riding along deserted Caribbean beaches or polar bear spotting whilst in the Antarctic? Adventure cruises can offer once in a lifetime opportunities Princess has one of the biggest cruise programmes in Alaska and is the leading line for British passengers going in search of glaciers, stunning scenery and wildlife.

The Solo Supplement

The biggest hurdle for solo cruisers is the dreaded single supplement. Because most lines don't offer cabins for one, or because the few that exist sell out quickly, they will typically charge an extra fee to a solo traveler who wants to reserve a double-occupancy cabin . This surcharge can range anywhere from 10 percent of the cruise fare to 100 percent (which, in essence, means you are paying double or the same price as two people sharing a cabin). Please ask our team for advice and recommendations of the best deals around and offers and promotions that are available.

So, if you are thinking of taking a cruise, just let our cruise experts know everything you desire for your perfect holiday and our team of specialists will endeavour to find the voyage to match it.

Consider sharing a cabin. Sharing a cabin with a stranger may not appeal to everyone, but it does mean savings. Fewer lines are offering roommate matching services than in the past, but Fred. Olsen and Holland America still try to match up solo travelers. You ask to be paired with a roommate when you book, and if the line can match you with another solo passenger of your sex, you will pay no extra supplement. However, if no match is available, the supplement still applies.

Once You've Booked a Cabin

Make friends with the cruise director. If you tell the cruise director you want to meet other singles onboard, he may be able to help with introductions.

Choose compatible dinner partners. If you opt for traditional onboard dining (with an assigned dining time and table), you will be seeing your dinner companions every night, so it is important that you enjoy them. Do not be shy about asking a maitre d' for a new table if the passengers at your original seating aren't compatible. Often, requests to be seated with other solo cruisers will be honored if possible. Also, most families choose early dining, so opt for a later seating to find more like-minded dinnermates. If you've chosen a flexible dining plan, request to be seated at a table with other diners, if possible, rather than eat alone.

Take the ship's shore excursions. This is the favourite tried-and-true way to meet others.

So, if you are thinking of taking a cruise, just let our cruise experts know everything you desire for your perfect holiday and our team of specialists will endeavour to find the voyage to match it.