How to choose
There’s a perfect match out there for your personality type, writes Sally Macmillan.
IT’S A booming segment in global travel but, for many of us, ocean and river cruising is a phenomenon that seems to have passed us by, like the proverbial ships in the night.
If you somehow haven’t noticed, cruising has evolved from a rather stuffy sort of sea voyage to a holiday that offers everything from genuinely fine dining from celebrity chefs, five-star accommodation to rival the great hotels, and expeditions in farflung corners of the globe – and a whole lot of amazing and surprising options in between.
Sailing the world’s oceans today are cruise ships that vary in size from 50 passengers to 6000; that cater for young families, extended families, couples and singles from age 20 to 80, the budgetconscious, adventure-minded and well-heeled travellers.
Then there are river cruises that ply the waterways of Europe and, increasingly, south-east Asia, India and America, yet another way to travel to fascinating destinations comfortably, easily and safely.
‘‘In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in ships visiting our shores,’’ says Brett Jardine, general manager of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) Australasia, ‘‘which has meant that holidaymakers are seeing a constant parade of local and international ships.’’
This piques interest, and when people discover ‘‘the great value of a cruise holiday – wrapping transport, accommodation, meals and entertainment into one fare’’, they tend to come back again and again.
Yet scepticism persists. It’s with that thought in mind that we’ve prepared a special guide, based on typical traveller personalities, to prove the point that these days there really is a cruise for everyone.
So check out our guide and see what sort of cruiser you could be – and find out what the whole world is talking about. THE PERFECTIONIST Five-star, ocean-going ships were made for you. They are ‘‘small’’ (251-750 passengers) or ‘‘midsize’’ (751-1750 passengers), offer suite-style accommodation (plenty with private balconies), stylishly decorated public spaces and fascinating itineraries. Cuisine is world-class; expect dining experiences from ultraformal to quality casual. Attention to detail throughout is paramount, from the quality of the dining-room tableware to the thread-count of the bed linen, and service is immaculate – professional but friendly. Nothing is too much trouble. River cruise lines offer some wonderful voyages for the discerning traveller. Fares for top-drawer ocean and river cruises almost always include drinks, tips and more. THE EXTROVERT Modern resort-style ships that have lots of bars, non-stop entertainment and clubs are perfect for people who are looking for fun, in groups, solo or couples. The ship often becomes as much the destination as the ports; on board there’s a terrific choice of restaurants and cafes, state-ofthe-art fitness centres, and spas for pampering after a hard night’s partying. THE BUSY BEE If you’re looking at an ocean cruise, choose one that has a short itinerary or plenty of port stops, physically challenging shore excursions and a ship that offers lots of onboard activities. Cruises in Alaska, the Arctic, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand take in destinations that offer extreme activities such as canyoning, jet-boating and glacier-trekking – the choice is almost limitless. Some ships have onboard marinas so you can go waterskiing, jetboating, catamaran sailing and kayaking straight off the ship. River cruises stop in different ports every day, sometimes twice a day, so boredom shouldn’t be a problem. THE TRADITIONALIST River cruises in Europe and Asia are ideal for tradition-lovers; vessels hold a maximum of 190 passengers, excursions take you to villages, towns and cities of historic and cultural importance, and the range of itineraries gets bigger by the year. THE MIND EXPANDER Choose a cruise with destinations you want to learn about and a ship that offers quality ‘‘enrichment’’ activities. There are hundreds of courses and classes across an array of lines; you can make jewellery, paint, sculpt, master computer basics or advanced photography, polish your singing and dancing skills, create gourmet meals – the choice is vast. Some lines also offer detailed ‘‘behind the scenes’’ tours of the ship bridge, galley, theatre and (occasionally) the engine room. Themed cruises are another way to go; if you want to immerse yourself in gardening, say, there are cruises that visit famous gardens and host expert lecturers in horticulture – and your fellow passengers will be just as keen on gardening as you are. THE ROMANTIC A few days relaxing in balmy, tropical French Polynesia on a small ship that caters for sophisticated grown-ups would fulfil your cravings. Or you could embark on a traditional tall ship that combines contemporary creature comforts with oldfashioned wind-power. THE FAMILY MAN/WOMAN Modern resort-style ships are ideal for a multi-generational holiday – family groups whose members range in age from two to 72 are taking to the ocean in droves. Ships that carry from 1751-6500 passengers fall into this category. They offer interconnecting and quad-share cabins, kids’ clubs that cater for children in different age groups, a huge range of entertainment and activities – and spas, fitness centres, adults-only pools and sun decks. A more unusual multigenerational cruise popular with American travellers is an educational expedition, which offers interaction with wildlife and soft-adventure experiences in fascinating destinations that suit all ages. THE ADVENTURER Boutique, soft-adventure and expedition ships can take you to places of solitude that are often accessible only by sea. Destinations that appeal include Australia’s Kimberley coast, the Russian Far East, Africa, Micronesia and the polar extremes, Antarctica and the Arctic. Travelling to the world’s wildernesses is usually an expensive exercise, but our thirst for adventure cruising is growing, particularly for the luxury variety. Four or five-star ships travel to remote places where you can experience encounters with ancient cultures and native wildlife, while enjoying butler service back on board. More traditional, ‘‘hardcore’’ expedition companies operate smaller, more spartan ships, often as part of scientific research programmes; again, demand is high, particularly for the polar regions. See cruiseweek.org.nz for cruise holiday ideas and special offers.