Ten Reasons to Choose a Cruise Holiday
If you’re new to cruise holidays and are unsure if it’s the right option for you, read on for our ten reasons to choose a cruise holiday, and see if you can be persuaded to set sail on your next great holiday adventure.
#1 Multiple Holidays in One
We’ve all agonised over holiday brochures trying to decide where to go or felt it was a shame not to explore more of the part of the world we visited on holiday. With cruising, you don’t need to limit yourself. Why choose just one or two destinations when you can explore as many as you like in a single trip? From cruises that focus on a corner of the globe in detail – like the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Baltic countries – to epic around the world holidays of a lifetime, a cruise is a fantastic choice for those who want to make the most of every break.
#2 Far-Flung Trips Without Flying
Not everyone is a fan of flying. The beauty of a no-fly cruise is that you can visit everywhere from our closest neighbours in Europe to America, Australia, Asia and pretty much any other far-flung destination that’s on your must-see list, without the long, boring, uncomfortable flight. For those looking to cruise in luxury, small ship cruise line Silversea will transport you from Southampton to New York in grand style. Or, for a no-fly cruise closer to home, consider a round trip taking in the Canary Islands, Morocco and Portugal on Fred. Olsen’s elegant medium-sized ship, Braemar. Of course, you sacrifice speed when choosing to cruise instead of fly, but the beauty of cruising is that the getting there is all part of your holiday pleasure.
#3 A Cruise for Everyone
Some people have the idea that cruising is just for older people, for couples or for those who don’t like to do a great deal on their holidays. In fact, the sheer variety of different cruise lines, ships and itineraries means that there’s genuinely a cruise for everyone. Family-friendly lines like Royal Caribbean International (RCI), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Carnival boast colourful megaships akin to floating holiday resorts, with everything from waterparks to comedy clubs to keep mum, dad, kids and grandparents happy. While smaller ships tend to have a quieter vibe to suit those who like a peaceful holiday.
The sociable nature of cruising can actually make it an excellent choice for single holidaymakers – Fred. Olsen, Saga and NCL are three lines catering for solo cruisers with initiatives such as no single supplements, smart cabins for one, solo hosts and planned social events.
#4 On the Doorstep Facilities
As with hotels, the facilities on cruise ships will vary greatly, depending on the ship’s size and target market. At Destina, we can help you choose the cruise that’s exactly right for you, whether that’s an elegant cruise on a very grown-up ship like Crystal Symphony, which boasts a casino, Feng Shui-inspired spa, jacuzzis and sumptuously decorated cabins. Or a ‘Freestyle’ cruise on a NCL ship packed with fun sports facilities such as bowling alleys and climbing walls. Get the choice of ship right and cruising makes it easy to enjoy your perfect floating holiday resort with fantastic facilities just steps from your cabin door.
#5 Fantastic Food
Some potential cruisers worry that having a captive audience could mean a lack of dining choice or food options that are below par. In our experience, it’s usually the case that the opposite is true. Cruise lines make a huge effort to ensure all guests can find a dining choice to suit them onboard, with the biggest mega ships boasting upwards of 20 different places to eat, which can range from ‘grab a slice’ pizza places to fine gourmet dining. You’ll also find that flexible dining plans mean the days of fixed meal times making small talk with strangers are a thing of the past on most ships.
On smaller ships that can’t offer quantity, quality is the focus. You’ll find Nobu sushi restaurants on Crystal Symphony and Serenity, for example, and Silversea ships are partnered with the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux association to guarantee outstanding cuisine onboard. If you’re a real foodie, you might want to consider a food or wine themed cruise or a ship that runs a chef-led cookery school.
#6 World-Class Entertainment
Hotel entertainment can unfortunately often fall below par, with repetitive cabaret-style shows or tribute acts. Choose one of the larger cruise ships and you’ll find incredible entertainment options to suit all preferences, from Tony Award-winning shows like Cats and Mamma Mia, virtual concerts and incredible diving displays on Royal Caribbean ships, to the world famous Blue Man Group show on NCL and Strictly Come Dancing cruises on P&O. On smaller ships the entertainment tends to be more low-key, and some ships will bring local entertainers onboard when docked to give a taste of traditional music or dance styles.
#7 All-Inclusive Value
Cruising is often thought to be an expensive holiday option, but when you consider what you get for your money, a cruise can work out to be great value. On most cruises some dining options, entertainment, kids’ clubs and the use of the facilities are included in the up-front cost, which means you’ll hardly need to spend a penny onboard. Some of the small ship lines offer ‘ultra all-inclusive’ cruises, which have a higher price point but include everything from premium drinks to excursions, activities – and even tips for the staff.
The shift in the cruising world towards a family market has seen more affordable cruise holidays becoming available, and many families find the all-inclusive nature of cruising helps them budget for a brilliant holiday, without any hidden extra costs.
#8 Organised Excursions
At Destina, we’re always happy to assist our clients in arranging trips and excursions, but on a cruise holiday it’s already been taken care of. Booking organised excursions from your ship means you benefit from expert knowledge of the best, and most accessible, things to do near each port, and they also give you an opportunity to meet like-minded cruising companions. Some ships even offer separate excursions for children and adults, as well as family-friendly excursions and kids’ clubs for those who want to remain onboard. This means that the grown-ups can enjoy history and culture tours, without worrying about boring the kids.
#9 Private Island Escapes
One little-known perk of cruising is that several cruise lines actually boast their own exclusive islands, guaranteeing you a crowd-free experience. Disney, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean all have islands in the Bahamas, for VIP Caribbean cruise stop-offs to remember. Little ones will love Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, which has several sandy play areas, splash zones and swimming pools, including a lagoon for snorkelling in. And mum and dad can enjoy some relaxation time in the adults-only oasis, Serenity Bay, while the kids have fun meeting characters and playing games in the kids’ club.
#10 Ultimate Hassle-Free Holiday
A really fantastic holiday will be completely stress and hassle free, and a cruise is the ultimate easy holiday choice where everything’s been thought of for you. There’s no need to research restaurants, look for things to do with the kids or try to get tickets to a show, and your ship can advise you of all your options when it comes to things to do in port. Exceptional spas, a full programme of activities, sports facilities and social events are usually all part of the package. And you can always rely on excellent service thanks to good staff to guest ratios and a tipping tradition.
If you’ve been swayed to set sail on your first cruise holiday, Destina can help find the perfect ship and itinerary. Call or book an appointment to choose the cruise that’s exactly right for you.
