CAN I tempt YOU?
It’s time to travel, and Check In’s Neil Simpson is more than ready
SEE you in a month. That’s what I want to say when I look at the itinerary for Cunard’s sparkling, 31-night, grand voyage from Southampton to San Francisco via the Panama Canal.
See you in Vienna. That’s what springs to mind when I read the description of Tui’s incredible, 14-night European Icons river cruise along the Danube that also takes in Amsterdam, Cologne, Linz, Bratislava and Budapest.
And see you in the snow. That’s my dream with Fred. Olsen’s nine-night Classic Iceland cruise, where I also want to go whale-watching and lie back in the glorious Blue Lagoon.
Oh, and I’d also quite like to read a book under a palm tree on a private Caribbean island courtesy of MSC, Princess or Norwegian cruise lines.
As you can probably tell, I’m so keen to take my next cruise I can’t quite narrow down my search.
HISTORIC CITIES
One minute it’s a river cruise that I crave. I like the slow pace and smaller ships. I’m also blown away by the range of excursions and activities as you sweep into the heart of each iconic city.
Like a lot of people, I want to make up for lost time with my travels this year. That’s why seeing so many countries, cities and sights on a single river cruise feels the right thing to do.
But then I’m distracted by the thought of a grand ocean voyage.
It’s easy to love big, modern ships, where everyone shares the same excitement as we board and start to explore.
I also love sea days. They’re when you feel your time is entirely your own and you can do as much or as little as you choose.
And my cruise secret is that on a big ship, with dozens of different places to dine, nothing feels as decadent as ordering room service and eating as a couple, a family or happily on your own.
ALL THE ANSWERS
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, you’ll have plenty of questions before you book. On page 6 we aim to give a flavour of the best river cruises, and on page 12 we introduce you the joys of ocean cruising.
In this special supplement we also reveal the sheer variety of cruise ships on offer – from classic liners to the most exciting new megaships.
Outside of these pages there are plenty of other experts who can help match travellers with their perfect holiday.
Specialist travel agents can advise on and book every type of cruise. The likes of Titan Travel send drivers so you know you’ll always get to your ship or departure airport on time.
Companies such as Fred. Olsen are ready to help you with Covid testing and the ever-changing bureaucratic hurdles of travel. From £49pp you can use its Travel Ready Service that can order NHS vaccination letters, arrange pre-return tests if needed and complete guests’ online Passenger Locator Forms.
BETTER STILL...
Value for money is the final cruise ship secret. Divide your holiday cost by the number of days you’re away and it’s easy to think you have made a mistake.
Friends who take cruises with teenage children say they couldn’t imagine the cost of eating three restaurant meals a day on land. On a cruise, they do it without a second thought.
It’s the same with the entertainment. I am wary of spending today’s sky-high prices for a London show.
But I love having West End and Broadway shows come to me, for free, on a cruise.
So, what will it be? The Caribbean waters are already warm. The Mediterranean will soon heat up. The rivers and the rest of the world await.
And with many cruise lines taking bookings right up to 2024, it’s possible to do it all – a river cruise, a sunny ocean cruise and an expedition cruise. The only problem will be deciding which to do first.
Happy travelling!
Like a lot of people, I want to make up for lost time with my travels this year