The fastest growing sector for holidays is the cruise industry. More and more ships are launched every year. There is a cruise for everyone but it is a matter of finding what will suit.
Cruising is fast shedding its image of the holiday for the
newly-wed to the nearly dead. The hard and fast rules of dressing for dinner and sitting with the same people every meal are gone. Now you decide what you would like from a trip and find the cruise line that will fit your bill.
Romantics will enjoy smaller ships such as Windstar with motor-sail yachts or those of Seabourn. Mature travellers will love the traditions of Cunard, Holland America Line and Silversea.
Family cruising is popular and Royal Caribbean, Carnival Line and Disney Cruises have children's programmes from two to teens. Thomson Cruises provides the all-inclusive family packages popular on land to the sea.
Multi -generation families will like the added value of the Yacht Club in MSC Cruises or Norwegian’s Haven with private pool and restaurant.
Solo travellers are well catered for with NCL’s studio cabins on Epic and Getaway. Crystal Cruises entice solos with singles’ get-togethers.
If the destinations are more important, smaller ships from Azamara’s will get you up close to great places to explore in depth. River cruises are perfect to explore cities, towns and country side with walk-on, walk-off ease.
Enrich your knowledge with lectures, language classes, cooking courses, workshops and talks. Crystal, Cunard and Saga have interesting programmes.
If expeditions appeal, the ships of Hurtigruten, Silversea Explorer and National Geographic have cruises to the Arctic, Antarctic, Galapagos, Alaska and the Amazon.
jscales@irishtimes.com
