Why cruises are such great value

  Cruising has been the fastest growing sector of the travel industry for several years now. There are many reasons for this:

• Value for money – No other holiday option gives you such good value for money with all main meals, transport, accommodation, entertainment, and kids club facilities included in your one low cruise fare. This makes it easier to budget for your much needed holiday as there are no surprises and no hidden costs. The chart below compares what you get with a land based resort holiday vs. a cruise holiday.

• Unpack only once – The ship will be your home away from home for the length of your cruise. So you can unpack your bags knowing that you will not have to repack them until the night before you disembark. How else can you see new destinations each day without constantly packing and unpacking your bags? For example, a tour coach holiday  will have you traveling each day to a new destination, checking into a different hotel each night, and unpacking and packing your bags every time. On a cruise you travel while you sleep and wake up at your new destination without any early morning wake up calls, and without repacking your bags..

• Food glorious food – One of the best things about a cruise is the food, as all of your main meals are included in your fare. In general, for breakfast, lunch and dinner there is the a la carte option (order from a menu) or a full buffet option. The buffet option is more casual than going into the restaurant, so if you don’t feel like getting dressed up for dinner you don't have to. On some of the larger cruise ships the buffet is open 24 hours. Most cruise ships also have specialty dining options. These typically are not included in your fare and a cover charge may apply. These specialty options are always fantastic value and great if you are celebrating a special occasion on board.

• Entertainment – The entertainment on board comes in many different styles and formats but is always included in the fare. In the evening there are shows in the main show lounge. Typically there are two sessions a night so, depending on your dinner time, you can always catch the show. The style of these shows changes daily. Some nights it will include all of the ship’s entertainment crew with a Las Vegas style production. Other nights there may be a guest entertainer or comedian. There is something for everyone.
  The entertainment doesn't stop with the nightly performances. Each night the ship provides a newsletter detailing all the activities that will take place the following day. This may include dance classes, arts and crafts, table tennis tournaments, live music, trivia quizzes, recent release movies, and other deck games and deck parties. The great thing about a cruise is that you can do as much or as little as you like. If your idea of a holiday is sitting back with a good book, you can do that. If you like to be entertained, there is no shortage of entertainment.

• Kids will love it too – One of the main reasons for a cruise making such a great family holiday is the “kids club” facilities offered on board, and they are all included in your cruise fare. Typically the kids clubs are broken into 3 different age groups - 3 to 6 years, 7 to 12 years, and 13 to 17 years. In these dedicated children's facilities they are looked after by trained staff and the facilities are usually open from 9am – 10pm. Parents can check their children into the “kids club” whenever it suits them. Children  love these facilities as it is “their space” aboard the ship.
  NB Each cruise line has limited space aboard the ship for children as the kids club facilities can cater for a limited number of children, and any child booked onto a cruise has access to the kids club. If you are planning on taking a cruise during the school holidays then you need to book early as the children's space will sell out.
  Also, while most cruise lines have kids club facilities there are exceptions (not common) so you should check this at time of booking.

• New Destinations – Cruise lines are travelling further and to more remote locations than ever before. A South Pacific cruise for example can take you to destinations, such as beautiful and unspoilt islands, that would be almost impossible (or very expensive) to get to any other way.

• Meet new friends – Cruising is a great way to make new friends and friendships that could last a lifetime. With the relaxed nature of cruising, it is the perfect environment for meeting new people.