Cruise ship holidays are more popular than ever. In evidence of the point, it has been estimated that 1.72 million Britons opted to take a cruise in 2012. Despite difficult economic conditions, numbers continue to rise as more people discover the relaxation and convenience of cruising.
According to recent figures published by the European Cruise Council, the UK continues to lead the market with more holidaymakers than ever selecting cruise holidays. The trend is repeated across most of Europe, with Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland all demonstrating increasing demand.
The popuarity of holiday cruises seems set to rise further as people are attracted to the growing variety of destinations on offer and the fact that cruises can offer great value for money. The average age of people taking cruises is also falling, with cruise operators targeting families and younger people.
The Mediterranean, with its vibrant cities and numerous historical sites, remains a popular destination for budget-conscious travellers from Europe, while the Caribbean has been a long-time favourite of people from North America. Of course, cruise passengers have the luxury of visiting many exotic destinations on their travels.
Benefits of cruising
Cruising is a fantastic way to see a variety of countries over a short period of time. Many cruises are all-inclusive, which can help you to stretch your holiday budget and avoid the worry of having to pay for meals, drinks and entertainment once on board. This tends to vary between cruise lines, so check with your operator before your book. Tips or gratuities are often included in the price of the cruise.
Other types of cruise
Luxury
If you are seeking an up-market cruise experience aboard a smaller ship, there are plenty of luxury cruise holiday lines. These tend to have a higher staff ratio, with more spacious accommodation and gourmet dining.
Family friendly
In a bid to attract more families, many cruise lines now offer children’s activities and clubs in addition to family cabins and kids’ menus. Many cruise ships also provide facilities for young babies.
Cool-water cruising
Cruising the cool waters of Northern Europe can be an amazing experience in summer. Experience the midnight sun as you glide along Norwegian Fjords and absorb the sights and sounds of Scandinavia. You can even take a voyage to the North Pole, home to polar bears, icebergs and glaciers.
Themed cruising
If you are a budding photographer or would like to try your hand at ballroom dancing, there are theme cruises available to suit all, from wine tasting, gardening and gourmet cookery to golfing and even murder mystery nights. Celebrity experts are often on hand to demonstrate activities and mingle among passengers.
Top-class entertainment and great value for money are just two reasons why bookings for cruises have reached record levels. They also provide travellers with the opportunity to see unusual and exotic parts of the world from the comfort of a luxurious cruise ship.
Cruising enables tourists to travel to far-flung destinations such as the palm-fringed islands of the Maldives or the coral waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Visiting the Galapagos Isles for the unique wildlife on display or voyaging to the icy waters of the Antarctic were once thought of as daring expeditions for the more adventurous. Now the sea lanes are open for voyages to these once-in-a-lifetime, jaw-dropping destinations.
