Why Book A Cruise Holiday?
If you are looking for an alternative to your usual land-based holiday or city break, we have come up with a few reasons as to why you should book a cruise holiday.
Great Destinations
One of the main reasons many find cruising such an attractive proposition is the many different destinations you might visit. No other holiday gives you the opportunity to explore a variety of countries in one trip.
For example, you might book a package holiday in Tenerife for 7 or 14 nights but choose a Canary Islands cruise instead and not only would you visit Tenerife, but also the other islands in the region and possibly mainland Spain as well. Cruising really does open up a world of opportunities and you’re invited to explore somewhere new nearly every day.
For ease, we like to narrow down the different types of cruise destination into three categories. First, you have the ‘classic’ cruise destinations. These are regions that have long lent themselves as great places to explore by cruise ship. Mediterranean cruises, Caribbean cruises and itineraries focused on Alaska or Northern Europe are a great choice whether you’re new to cruising or an experienced cruiser. These destinations are constantly in demand and as such cruises lines will position their fleet accordingly depending on the time of year – which means you will be spoilt for choice in terms of ships, itineraries and onboard experiences.
Next, you have the more ‘exotic’ destinations. These are often further afield and will nearly always require a long haul flight in order to meet the ship at an overseas embarkation port. Popular with experienced cruisers and discerning travellers looking to tick somewhere new off their bucket-list, cruises to Central America, Asia and Australasia nearly always guarantee great weather and itineraries packed with opportunities to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites and breath-taking places of interest.
Lastly, there are those cruises that visit regions off-the-beaten-track. These are generally reached by purpose-built expedition ships and offer a cruise experience guaranteed to awaken your inner explorer. Cruises to Antarctica, the Arctic and river cruises in Southeast Asia all fall into this category and they are highly recommended if you wish to combine in-depth destination discovery with a comfortable standard of onboard accommodation and facilities.
There’s a type of cruise holiday to suit everyone
Due to the number of cruise lines operating throughout the world, you will find that there are many different types of cruise holiday available. From classic cruise experiences aboard grand ocean liners to catamaran adventures in the Galapagos Islands, there truly is something for everyone.
Luxury Cruises
Combining world-class dining venues, first-class service and lavish accommodations, a luxury cruise is simply unbeatable when it comes to living the high life on the open seas. With many luxury ships having under 500 guests on board, you will enjoy an elegant, intimate onboard experience. In addition to this, lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea are all-inclusive so any additional costs after booking will be few and far between.
Family Cruises
The perfect alternative to traditional ‘bucket & spade’ holidays. A family cruise with lines such as P&O Cruises, NCL or Royal Caribbean will provide a fantastic environment for loved ones to come together while providing a range of onboard activities for each age group.
Theme Cruises
Nearly all cruise lines operate a themed sailing of some sort and they represent an excellent opportunity to combine a relaxing holiday with the chance to indulge in a particular pastime or hobby; whether it’s photography, music, bridge or something more specialist like yoga, natural history – even Strictly Come Dancing!
River Cruises
The popularity of river cruising is constantly on the rise and it’s easy to see why; smaller ships, intimate onboard atmospheres and itineraries that will take you through the heartland of some of the world’s most fascinating countries. Europe is a great choice and a big hit with city break enthusiasts, while Africa, South/Central America and Southeast Asia will quench your thirst for the exotic.
Expedition Cruises
Adventure and travel are happy bedfellows – add a cruise into the mix and you’ll be set for a truly unforgettable experience. From close encounters with polar bears in the Arctic; to setting foot on mountainous glaciers in Antarctica, an expedition cruise holiday will take you into the world’s most remote areas in style.
Great deals, special offers & reduced fares
Cruising was once seen as quite cost-prohibitive but in recent years it has become possible to find exceptional value on a range of voyages – even with those cruise lines that exist at the luxury end of the cruise spectrum.
Popular cruise deals include reduced fares (we’ve seen some with up to 50% off the brochure fare), cruises that include flights to/from the UK and itineraries that include complimentary accommodation upgrades, free shore excursions and onboard spending money.
Should you wish to secure your cruise 12 to 18 months in advance, you will find early booking offers available with many operators, though if you’re more late-deal orientated, nearly all cruise lines offer some form of additional benefit or added-value enhancement on selected sailings throughout the year.
If you are considering a cruise for your next holiday and would like further information regarding the options available to you, please call our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677. Alternatively, please take a look through our website and make an online enquiry for your preferred voyage.
