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Cruise Holiday Ideas
Why go for a cruise holiday?
Cruising is the travel success story of the 21st Century, attracting more new 'converts' every day. Each destination gives you every opportunity to explore different sights - or simply enjoy a different view. While a cruise ship has been designed to offer you the comforts of a relaxed, modern and luxurious hotel, it is the ports of call that makes cruises individual. Some cruises give you the opportunity to visit six different destinations in one week. In some ports of call, you might be eager to disembark and eat exotic food, visit noisy bazaars, and take in the sights . In others, you might prefer the chance to swim on a beautiful beach or take an speed boat ride. Then again, relaxing on board and simply taking it easy could be just as welcome.
There's never been a better time to try cruising because cruises include more elements, like food and entertainment than most land-based holidays, they offer excellent value for money. The shipbuilding boom which started in the 1990s has created a huge number of new ships and stiff competition, with over 200 brand new ships launched, so prices are now more affordable than ever. 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.
Of the 1.25 million Britons enjoying a holiday at sea this year, an estimated one in three will be stepping onboard a cruise ship for the first time in their lives. A new generation of enormous 'megaships' ships offer everything you'd find in a classy resort on land, from multiple bars and restaurants to indoor and outdoor pools, serene health spas, gigantic gyms, theatres, cinemas and extensive children's play areas and even rock climbing walls and ice rinks. These ultra-modern leviathans have huge appeal for families, younger travellers and anyone who wants the process of getting from port to port to be as fun and exciting as the ports themselves. 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 exclusivity, sophistication and heel-clicking service to those lucky enough to afford them, while sailing ships equipped with windsurfers, kayaks, jetskis and other watersports gear are popular with go-getters who enjoy some sporty action on holiday. Ice-strengthened expedition ships take small groups of intrepid travellers off to explore the world's wilder shores. While 'cultural cruises' on ships as cosy and welcoming as a country house provide lectures, classes and conversation for travellers who like a strong dash of intellectual stimulation in their holiday cocktail.
9 Things you need to Know about cruise holidays. Cruise holiday or Adventure holiday? Get your ideal holiday profile.
Picking the right cruise ship
BUDGET ships are generally older, mid-sized vessels, offered at low prices to tempt traditional 'bucket-and-spade' holidaymakers to try cruising. Budget ship operators include Ocean Village, Thomson Cruises and Island Cruises.
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.
A new CONTEMPORARY category of big, modern ships with room for up to 4,000-plus passengers. 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.
Contemporary ship operators include Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Costa Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Who will enjoy them? Families, fun lovers, sporty types, the young and the young at heart - anyone who likes the idea of being on a big city afloat and able to do as much or as little as they like will love these ships.
The next category, PREMIUM ships are often equally large scale but more exclusive - and expensive - than Contemporary vessels as they carry fewer passengers and generally offer better quality food and service, more unusual itineraries and /or onboard 'cultural' programmes led by expert lecturers.
Increasingly, the larger Premium ships offer higher-spending passengers extra perks like concierge and butler service, designer bathroom toiletries and fine bedlinen. Not all Premium ships are big, though: some smaller specialist vessels - like sailing ships - are classed as Premium because they offer an unusual onboard experience.
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 range from just over 4,000 tons to nearly 70,000 tons and can carry as few as 100 passengers or as many as 1,100. All offer exclusivity, elegance, and top-class service to clients wealthy enough to avoid travelling en masse.
That said, you needn't be a millionaire to afford a luxury cruise. If you can afford the top suite on a Premium ship, the lowest-grade suite on a Luxury ship is within your reach - and 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, Hebridean International, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Lines. Who will enjoy them? Anyone with the cash to buy some panache!
Cuisine and do I have to dress up?
Cruising has become increasingly laid-back in recent years and - particularly on the big resort-style ships which have a range of restaurants and bars. The emphasis is on relaxing and enjoying your holiday in your own particular style. That said, most ships ask passengers to adopt a reasonable standard of dress for everybody's comfort; which means covering up swimwear if entering an indoor dining area by day, and wearing smart casual clothing at dinner. Traditional 'Captain's Welcome' and 'Farewell' gala dinners are still held in many ships' main dining rooms at the start and end of a cruise, and these tend to be more formal. It's also a good opportunity to have a portrait done by the ship's photographer while you're looking your best.
You can also use room service (available on most ships) or dine at the buffet restaurant that evening - or look for a ship with alternative dining venues like a pizzeria, a Bistro or a 24-hour snack bar as a change from the main dining room.The range of cruise ship 'alternative' restaurants is extraordinary. Foodies can try everything from French haute cuisine to alfresco Italian food, sample dishes created by top celebrity chefs, eat at a curry house and even dine Japanese-style in a traditional Tatami Room with low tables and sliding screens. If you plan to eat at a ship's speciality restaurant do remember to book your table early in the cruise. Alternative venues tend to be small, exclusive and intimate, so they can book up quickly
On board Spas
Cruise ship spas are simply sensational nowadays, offering everything
from heated recliners to Turkish-style steam rooms and volcanic hot lava stone massages,
but realistically, treatments can be expensive and the bill can add up surprisingly
quickly. So one tip is to have all your basic beauty treatments - like manicures,
pedicures, facials and waxes - done at home before you go, then you can splash out
on something really special during your cruise without breaking the bank.
Entertainment
Whatever you're into, there's something for almost everyone on board a cruise. The beauty of a cruise is that there's as much - or as little - to do as you like. While the scenery changes each day, bringing new opportunities for adventure, the evenings offer an endless variety of entertainment. Once you've unwound with a cocktail on deck at sunset, you can choose how you want to spend the rest of the evening. Relaxing with friends in the bar, perhaps, or watching a movie blockbuster in the cinema. Trying your luck at roulette and blackjack in the casino, or taking to the dance floor in the nightclub.
Then again, you could try the live entertainment in one of the lounges or live bands, pianists and comedians will soon have you tapping your foot, humming your favourite tune or laughing out loud.
Thomas Cook is the leading mainstream operator for cruising and can guide you through any issues you may have.
