Cruising? You’ll love it!
HAVEN’T been on a cruise yet? Then now is the time to sweep aside any qualms and give one a try. But don’t blame us if you get addicted!
From family adventurers to finediners and cultural explorers, there is now a cruise holiday for everyone, including you.
Informal lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, offer laidback fun and indulgence aboard luxurious floating playgrounds.
Step aboard wow-factor ships where you could drive bumper cars, watch aerial or ice shows, rock-climb, fly on zipwires, sip cocktails in an ice bar, go bowling and much, much more.
Maybe you fancy an opulent smaller vessel that can take you to lesserknown ports for some amazing adventures ashore? Then go for friendly, welcoming Saga or Fred Olsen for some traditional British-style cruising, including fascinating port talks and sparkling entertainment.
For glamour, style and fabulous service, it’s hard to beat Cunard or Celebrity Cruises.
And Princess Cruises provides a warm middle ground that lets you relax at your own rate of knots and ‘come back new’, while MSC Cruises offers five-star quality and comfort at a great price.
TASTY TEMPTATIONS
THE food is fantastic on most cruise ships, with impeccable waiter service in the main and fine-dining restaurants. And the sumptuous buffets are something to behold too.
Steak, lobster, fresh sushi, teppanyaki, exquisite creme brulee – treat yourself to cruising’s tastiest temptations. There are plenty of healthy options, so nobody’s forcing you to put on weight.
On many ships, you can dine when and where you like – often without a strict dress code. Evenings then spill over into a full-scale show and entertainment all over the ship. Worried about being cooped up like sardines? Well, it’s a pretty palatial tin. With libraries, coffee bars, lounges and sundecks, you won’t find a cruise ship claustrophobic at all – there are plenty of quiet nooks in which to relax.
And don’t worry about seasickness. Stabilisers minimise the motion of the ocean, so the chances are you’ll soon forget you are on a ship.
FOREVER SMITTEN
CRUISING’S variety and value has stoked a 69 per cent increase in demand in the past ten ye years. More than 24million passengers now cruise each year, including 1.61million Britons. And once sailing, it seems that we’re forever smitten, as most first-timers will go on to cruise again.
It’s little wonder, as this is hassle-free travel – just unpack, unwind and let the world come to you.
Nothing beats that magical first peek as you wake up in St Petersburg or on a pristine Norwegian fjord. And each place is yours to explore independently or on an excursion, with a full day or sometimes two in port.
If you don’t want to fly, just roll up at a British port to sail to the Med, Canaries, Norway or the Baltic. Alternatively, venture further afield by flying to a destination first. From the Galapagos Islands to the Far East, there’s a big wide world out there waiting to be explored – and the easiest way is on a cruise ship.
Boredom is definitely not an option, with so many adventures to be had ashore.
Race around on a quad bike on the Greek island of Santorini, bike across the rim of Mount Etna in Sicily, or make pasta in Tuscany.
And should there be a day at sea, there’ll be a slew of fun activities on board, as well as the chance to take a breather by the pool.
Apart from alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, speciality fine-dining, wi-fi and excursions, virtually everything else is included in the price – food, entertainment, sumptuous accommodation and a new view each morning. It all makes cruising fantastic value.
CASTLES AND CULTURE
MEANWHILE, those who fancy a cosseted meander into the very heart of Europe will find that a river cruise includes even more, with excursions and drinks often rolled into the price.
Glorious cultural experiences are just beyond the gangplank in fascinating destinations such as Vienna or Budapest.
And the latest ships are as luxurious as their seagoing big sisters, offering captivating views of castles, monasteries, vineyards and fairytale villages, as you float serenely by.
Cruising makes for an incredible journey, so isn’t it time you gave it a try? With some excellent offers around, it will be plain sailing to find a holiday that floats your boat.