Whether you’re considering booking your first or 21st cruise, the options are now so varied it can be difficult to know which to choose. Travel team leader and cruise specialist Sarah Clarke explains how our Travel team’s up-to-date knowledge can help you navigate the range of ships, itineraries, facilities and cruise lines.
How do you help a member who has already taken many cruise holidays?
I ask which cruise line they have travelled with before, where they have been, and then look for something that will offer them a new experience based on what they like.
For example, if a member had been on Adonia – the smallest ship in P&O’s fleet with just 710 adult-only passengers – and had enjoyed the homely, old-world atmosphere of that trip, I’d suggest a small Norwegian Cruise Line or Holland America ship.
Of course, destinations are also a major consideration. If the member has always cruised the Mediterranean and they don’t want to travel too far, the Norwegian fjords might suit them. Alternatively, the Baltic – with calls at Tallinn, Helsinki and St Petersburg – could be ideal.
What about first-time cruisers?
I find out where the member usually goes on holiday, and the type of activities and hotels they like. For instance, for people who prefer small boutique hotels over large multi-storey complexes, I would suggest something like a Seabourn yacht (pictured © Seabourn). These visit less mainstream ports and waters, plus the staff are trained to remember your face and name.
First-timers can be wary of spending a lot of money on a holiday they might not enjoy. A Thomson cruise on the Mediterranean or a trip on the Nile are relatively inexpensive ways to try cruising. Also many lines, such as Cunard and P&O, offer tasters of two to five days to nearby destinations such as Bruges and Amsterdam, so you can see how you feel on a ship.
What kind of specialist or themed cruises are there?
Disney Cruise Line offers the whole experience with characters in costume – Disney Dream launched last year with the first onboard water flume ride. Other lines, such as Celebrity, Crystal and Fred Olsen, run themes on cookery, wine appreciation, photography, golf, foreign languages or dancing. Some invite famous chefs to cook on board – Paul Rankin is on MSC Splendida in February. Silversea is running a Relais & Châteaux cooking school on some of its voyages to most destinations until December 2012.
A few cruise lines, such as Hurtigruten and Celebrity, operate smaller vessels to less accessible destinations such as the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica and the Arctic, while Star Clippers’ tall ships go to places including the Panama Canal. For a really intimate experience, there are boutique vessels for under 200 passengers, such as the Hebridean Princess, which is visiting the Scottish highlands this year.
Interestingly, NASA has predicted that 2012 will see the brightest Northern Lights in five decades – so it’s a great time to take a cruise to Norway or the Arctic.
What on-board facilities and cabin options are available?
The range is now hugely varied. Royal Caribbean has wave rides, golf courses and ice rinks on its ships. Last year, Allure of the Seas – currently the biggest cruise vessel in the world – has a huge park with trees. Like its sister ship, Oasis, there is a surf simulator, zip line and climbing walls.
Generally, inside staterooms – without a window and usually on the lower deck – are the least expensive accommodation. At the other end of the scale, some cruise lines have options beyond a standard outside cabin. For instance, Royal Caribbean has loft suites, while NCL has villas.
What about dining?
Most ships include a selection of restaurants, from casual poolside grills and buffets to gourmet dining. Usually, all meals are included in the price and on some lines there is 24-hour availability. Formality varies by ship – for example, NCL’s ‘freestyle cruising’ is casual, while some of the more luxurious ships offer quite stately options.
Lifestyle concierge’s cruise specialists can help research and advise on the best cruise line and itinerary to suit each member’s requirements. Please call us for further information and offers.
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