CRUISING FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS

First time at sea? Here’s all you need to know, by John Wilmott and Teresa Machan

If you’ve never booked an ocean cruise holiday before, it can be a pretty daunting prospect. With more than 300 ships to choose from and hundreds of itineraries that cover the world, choosing a particular voyage is just the start. You might also want to consider the type of room you select and work out just how much your holiday will really cost. An attractive headline price is not such good value if you end up forking out for most of the extras that make cruising such a pleasure. Below are some of the essential questions you need to ask — of yourself and of the cruise lines or a travel agent.

WHAT IS A CRUISE HOLIDAY?

It’s essentially a hotel on water that moves from place to place. Once on board, all of your meals and, depending on the size of your ship, most entertainment is taken care of. This doesn’t mean that you have to dine on board — when the ship is in port you can spend as much time off the ship as you wish. Just be sure to re-embark well before the ship is due to depart.

WHAT DO I DO ON BOARD?

Again, it depends on the size of the ship and your personal preferences. On larger ships, daily newsletters (you’ll receive it in your room and/or you can access the daily programme via the ship’s app) come loaded with suggestions for things to do both on board and ashore. On smaller ships the day is more likely to be governed by the itinerary and/or destinations. But the itinerary is merely a guide with suggestions for those who don’t want to miss out on anything. There’s always the option to do … nothing.

WILL I FEEL RESTRICTED?

Once the ship has docked, you’re a free agent and there are few restrictions these days regarding dress (most use the same codes as resort restaurants ashore) and dining, with food often available around the clock. If you want breakfast in bed, order it to your room — just like you would in a hotel. If you want to remain there for the rest of the day, no one — assuming you’ve used your do-not-disturb sign — will come knocking.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A SHIP?

Look at videos and photo galleries online — many ships offer 360-degree virtual tours — to find a style that suits you. If you prefer boutique hotels, select a smaller ship with pared-back decor. Smaller ships offer a more personal, intimate experience (plus it’s quicker to get on and off) but there may not be enough going on for those who enjoy 24-hour entertainment.

The bigger the ship, the more choice of entertainment, facilities and places to eat. I ship has water slides and go-kart tracks, reckon on sharing your holiday with families. There are plenty of adults-only or adult-orientated alternatives. Don’t assume that a bigger ship will allow more space per person. If you can do the maths, working out the ratio of the ship's tonnage to the number of passengers is a fair guide to how crowded, or otherwise, it may feel.

WHAT ABOUT CABINS?

Although you can expect all mod cons and en-suite, your room may be smaller than yo expect (that said, cruise lines are pretty goo incorporating clever storage).

Remember that a “suite” usually means sofa or “living” area as part of the room (no rooms). Do you really need a balcony? It’s always nice to have, but few guests actually spend much time here and often pay a hefty