There’s a whole host of incredible destinations to visit in Europe, so why settle for just one? If you choose a cruise, you’ve got the freedom to explore a number of cultural cities, picturesque villages and bustling towns in one trip, which certainly sounds great to us! There’s plenty of other advantages to cruising too. Take a look below and we’re sure you’ll be swayed (by us – not the Ocean!).
CRUISING OFFERS GREAT VALUE
Almost everything’s included when you take a cruise: your food, accommodation, daytime and evening entertainment, transportation between destinations…and often much more, which makes it far better value than other holiday styles. On some cruise lines, kids even sale for free or at discounted rates when sharing with two adults. And even better, sometimes drinks packages, shore excursions and even flights are thrown in too! This makes budgeting a breeze and with cruises often going on sale up to 2 years ahead there is plenty of time to spread the cost.
ONLY UNPACK ONCE
Our favourite thing about a cruise – There’s no need to mess around with train schedules, ferries or lugging your suitcase around city streets when on a cruise. And every morning, you’ll wake up in a new destination, waiting to be explored. Even better if you cruise from a port in the UK you do not have to worry about flight luggage restrictions – so whilst there is a limit you can still throw in a pair or three of extra shoes!
CRUISE SHIPS ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY
Cruises are fun are ALL ages – from kids’ clubs for the tots up to the teens, play areas and cool hangouts to the ultimate family restaurants everyone will be looked after. There’s even the opportunity for some romantic adult alone time on many cruise ships – as often, kids’ clubs run late into the night! Babysitting services are aplenty if you choose the right cruise line and the child friendly themes such as Disney and other cartoon franchises will leave your family with plenty of memories.
THEY COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
Whilst everyone thinks of cruise ships as huge vessels – it’s not always the case. Ships vary in size, from minimalist sailing ships to those carrying thousands of passengers and all that’s in-between. So, whether you prefer to get to know everyone onboard or would like something on a bigger scale – it’s all available – and we can help you choose! Our cruise champions in every branch have a breadth of knowledge about all the different cruise options available and will help guide you to the perfect ship to suit you.
A RANGE OF ONBOARD ACTIVITIES
Everything you can think of is available on a cruise. Whether it’s pampering yourself in the spa, hitting the basketball court, going to an educational lecture or dining at a fancy restaurant – you name it, it’ll be onboard. It’s often all about the evening entertainment too; from song and dance shows, comedy performances or a live music performance. It’s a popular myth that you might get bored on a cruise ship but this certainly isnt the case!
Case Study: CRUISING WITH CELEBRITY CRUISES
It’s all about you on a Celebrity Cruise. With service being the number one priority, closely followed by cuisine – that’s right, it’s a foodie’s paradise. From timeless elegance, to innovative dining experiences, plus cafes throughout the ship, you’ll be sure to never go hungry.
Opt for a cruise through Italy, Malta and Montenegro and continue to be foodie paradise whilst off-board too! Calling at the best bits, get a taster for culture and appreciate the scenery around you. Trust us, it’s something special!
Case study: CRUISING WITH CUNARD
We love Cunard’s Queen Victoria ship. Onboard, you’ll find elegance wherever you go, as well as unique features and exceptional hospitality. In fact, Cunard ships have almost half as many staff as passengers, meaning you’ll be well looked after.
A favourite of ours is their 12-night cruise through the Canary Islands, Madeira and Lisbon. With guaranteed warm weather, a top-notch service and no flights to catch (that’s right, all you need to do is turn up to Southampton on time), what more could you want?
September is Cruise Month
There is no better time than now to book a cruise. September is widely known as cruise month and there are many fantastic offers available to celebrate. New cruise ships are sailing out of the dockyard on a regular basis and all have their unique selling points. Speak to our cruise champions in store to find out about the latest innovations, the newest ships, the most entertaining fleets and the best itineraries.