Your Questions Answered
20 reasons why you should take a cruise - A Guide from the Passenger Shipping Association
Will I be able to afford it?
- Cruise holidays represent excellent value for money as all the food, accommodation and entertainment are included in the price.
- It is hard to find a comparable land-based holiday to compete.
- Prices for cruises now start at around £499 for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise.
- Finding the right cruise for individual tastes and budgets is important, but with so much choice and variety there is a cruise to suit everyone.
- With the exception of a few things like drinks and shore excursions, everything else is included in the price of the cruise. Some ships are now fully inclusive - including tips in the price.
But will it be a good holiday for my family?
- Cruising is an ideal holiday choice for children as well as parents as most cruise lines offer a vast range of supervised children’s activities.
- Facilities for children may include baby-sitting services, nursery areas, children’s clubs and teenagers’ clubs.
I want to see more of the world but I only have two weeks a year ...
- In just one holiday you can wake up to a different sight, and port, nearly every day.
- On a cruise you travel from place to place in the comfort of your own floating hotel, only having to pack once.
- If you prefer to spend more time at seas, choose an itinerary that is less port intensive.
- Cruise holidays also offer an opportunity to see parts of the world that are otherwise almost inaccessible or difficult to get to, such as Antarctica or Alaska.
I’m a single traveller. Will I feel uncomfortable?
- A cruise holiday is an unpressurised way for single travellers to take a break. Almost all cruise ships have a number of single cabins, and eating arrangements on the ship mean it is easy to meet other passengers.
- Some of the cruise lines also provide “gentlemen hosts” to partner single women at the evening dances.
I want to travel but I’m scared of flying
- Cruises leave from the UK to all parts of the globe, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, the Baltic and Scandinavia. Several world tours also begin and end in the UK.
- It’s also possible to drive to Europe and pick up a river cruise, or drive to the South of France to take a Mediterranean cruise.
I enjoy acrtive holidays, I don’t want to get bored
- Onboard the larger ocean going cruises there may be daytime activities such as swimming, exercise classes, lectures, film shows, dance classes, bridge, deck quoits, shuffleboard, backgammon, tennis. In the evening there may be night clubs, musical revues, West End-style shows and casinos to keep people entertained.
- There will also be a range of shore excursions on offer - from exploring ancient ruins, visiting local markets, making use of the places facilities or enjoying the local beaches.
- Cruise lines also offer themed cruises to cater for special interests from wine, food and music to the Archers.
What if I want to relax?
- It is possible to do as much or as little as you want on a cruise. Cruising is probably the most effortless way to see new places and enjoy new experiences.
- There is also no pressure to join in any organised activities or social events.