Here are some of the most asked question about cruises, cruise holidays
and what you can expect. If you have a question about our cruises please contact
us. Why would I want to go cruising?
Well apart from the fact cruising is the best value for money under the holiday
sun, it is modern, exciting, romantic, ideal for both families and single
travellers, safe, convenient, relaxing, invigorating and surprising, plus
it has something to suit all ages, tastes and styles.
Aren't all cruise ships the same, then?
Absolutely not. They can be anything from 200 to 1,000 feet in length and from
1,000 tons to more than 140,000, carrying anywhere between 80 and 3,500 passengers.
They can also be ultra-modern or downright traditional, boasting state-of-the-art
facilities and attractions or more old-fashioned charms, and with an onboard
ambience ranging from completely casual to properly formal.
As with hotels, there are different levels from a basic
Three Star to a genuine Six Star experience. The nationality and personality
of the ship can also vary, from the all-American lines to British,
German, Italian, French and even pan-European companies. The essential
factor is that you determine the right cruise and ship for YOU, with
the brochure price obviously increasing as you go up the scale to the
truly ultra-deluxe operators. For the right choice of ship and cabin,
check our Star Ratings section (or any edition of World of Cruising)
for the all-important ratings guide.
But isn't cruising expensive?
In real terms, no. Cruising gives you much more value-for-money than any other
kind of holiday. By and large, it is all-inclusive, so, before you leave
home, you know what the true cost of your holiday really is. You can also
do a lot more on a cruise than you can on land-based options in terms of
getting around. A cruise changes your scenery almost every day, taking in
a variety of ports and cities that would be much more expensive if you tried
to visit them any other way, while you travel in much greater style than
any other form of transport. Cruising is sight-seeing par excellence.
So, what's included?
A typical holiday with the world's major brands would include the following:
Flights, transfers and air/sea programme (tax is included
but sometimes shown separately)
The cruise itself, including all entertainment onboard
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner & a midnight buffet (i.e. full
board - and a bit more!)
Room service (complimentary on most ships)
Use of the gym, sauna and spa, pools and recreation facilities
What's extra
Items of a personal nature (e.g. laundry etc.); Shopping at sea and on land;
Beauty Treatments; Drinks; Organized Shore Excursions; Gratuities.
Won't I get sea-sick?
All modern cruise ships, and even most built since the late 1960s, have hydraulic
stabilisers that help reduce the motion of the sea in inclement weather.
However, cruise ships can be subject to a little motion in some areas, notably
the Bay of Biscay and parts of the North Sea, but it is highly unusual for
this to cause anything other than mild inconvenience. The vast majority soon
get used to a ship's movement - it's called getting your 'sea-legs' - and
enjoy the experience, while there are several ready remedies for anyone who
feels uncomfortable.
Won't I get bored being stuck on the same ship
for a week or more?
Not likely. Today's vessels are well-planned modern resorts in themselves.
For quiet moments, choose the library, card rooms, lounges and deck areas.
For energetic pursuits, visits the spas, Jacuzzis, pools, gyms and sports decks.
For your entertainment - other than in-cabin TV, videos
and music - there are a mouth-watering array of temptations, from the
night-club and casino, dancing to the ship's band or orchestra, concerts,
cinema, cabaret shows and elaborate, big-stage productions, guest lectures,
floor-shows, demonstrations and 'educational' activities (one of the
most popular free options on many cruises is learning about computers,
and the internet in particular).
On top of these, you have all the marvellous scenery
along the way, the relaxed freedom of life at sea, fine cuisine and
service, port lectures and new places to visit with each port of call.
If you're bored with all this choice, maybe cruises are not for you
after all! Once again, the Cruise Ship Review section can help indicate
the various attractions of each ship.
But aren't cruises just for the retired?
Not any more. The average age of a cruiser in Europe is around 50 years of
age, but on a world-wide basis it is closer to 45. It is true older or retired
people (i.e. those who have the time) tend to be the majority of passengers
on longer sailings such as a world cruise.
Is cruising safe, though?
Extremely. Modern cruise ships are built to exacting standards and regulated
by international convention to ensure your safety as their paramount concern.
Where and when should I go?
Refer to the site's Cruise Finder icon for help in selecting where and when
to go. Select the time of year, the area of the world, ship or shipping line
and World of Cruising will help you choose the right cruise. Virtually everywhere
in the world with sea access is now on the itineraries of the various cruise
lines, it is just a matter of making your mind up!
What's the right duration for me?
How long you cruise for is ultimately influenced by family needs, the amount
of time you can be away from home and your budget. Further information can
be found in our Cruise Review section, Destination Features.
How do I select the right cabin?
The basic choice is actually relatively simple and limited either to an inside
cabin (without an external view) or an outside one (with a porthole or, more
likely, a picture window). There are also suites and penthouses on all ships,
plus, increasingly, a handful of genuine family cabins which cater for four
or more.
Your budget and where you are planning to cruise has
a bearing on the cabin you choose. On warm weather cruises such as
those in the Caribbean, many passengers feel an inside cabin with air
conditioning is all they want, with a different port more or less every
day, and they plan on spending little more than sleeping hours there.
For others, seeing the horizon is a must, so they would take an outside
cabin on the same sort of cruise.
What do I need to pack?
Your cruise itinerary and the prevailing weather have a great bearing on what
clothes to pack for outdoor wear. When inside, during the day the dress code
is casual, although shorts and swimwear are not allowed in restaurants. By
night, informal means shirt and jacket, formal means jacket and tie or dinner
jacket.
There is also a move by some lines to cut much of cruising's
traditional formality by making the on-board style fully 'resort casual',
hence you can do away with the need for a jacket and tie if that's
what you prefer. The brochure of the cruise you choose, and the tips
for travellers, sent out by the operator ahead of your tickets, will
help you plan what to pack.
What about cruising for single travellers?
Cruises are an ideal environment for those going solo. At meals, you will never
feel alone, and have the opportunity to meet new friends and travelling companions
throughout the ship, even to the extent of organised cocktail parties for
singles in some cases. On most cruises, passengers are assigned to tables
for dinner, a process carried out by experienced restaurant managers. They
try to mix people by age, gender and background and in no small way contribute
to making solo travellers feel at ease from their first meal onwards.
More solo women travel on cruises than men, so there
are usually plenty of would-be dance partners for solo chaps. With
gentleman hosts on many ships, single lady travellers can also enjoy
dancing, a game of cards, a chat and a liqueur with well-groomed, likeable
men without any awkwardness.
What about kids on cruise ships?
Many ships have well-organised and comprehensive programmes for kids of all
ages, with fully-trained child counsellors and a nursery on board. Children's
menus and even their own mealtimes are also ship-board specialities. Activities
range from ship to ship.
Are cruises genuinely romantic?
The basic answer here is cruises can be wonderfully romantic - if you want
them to be. Perhaps it's the wind in your hair, the smell of the ocean, the
twinkle of stars in the sky as you stroll round the promenade deck after
dark and the heady mix of fine food and service, mixed with the pleasure
of having almost no responsibilities.
To others, the romance is not of people, but of
the cruise itinerary, particularly when it is to parts of the world
that are rich in history, culture, scenery or wildlife. Arriving
in a new port early in the morning can be one of life's most quixotic
and exciting experiences.
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