Cruise Holidays for beginners
From Mediterranean sunshine and Caribbean beaches to the spectacular Norwegian fjords, a cruise can take you to several destinations in a single holiday – and you only have to unpack once.
There is a particular kind of magic to waking up somewhere new.
Draw back the curtains and yesterday's coastline has disappeared. In its place might be the whitewashed villages of a Greek island, the mountains of a Norwegian fjord or the unmistakable skyline of a Mediterranean city.
Your suitcase, meanwhile, is exactly where you left it.
That, perhaps, is the great pleasure of a cruise holiday: the world comes to you.
Cruising has changed enormously in recent years. Today's ships range from intimate, yacht-like vessels to spectacular floating resorts, with holidays designed for couples, families, solo travellers, food lovers, adventure seekers and those who simply want to switch off for a week.
So, if you've never cruised before, what is a cruise holiday actually like – and how do you know which one is right for you?
What Is a Cruise Holiday Like?
A cruise combines your accommodation, transport between destinations, dining and onboard entertainment into one holiday.
The experience itself can be as busy or as relaxed as you choose.
You might spend one morning wandering through the streets of Barcelona, another gazing up at the mountains of Norway and another doing absolutely nothing beyond finding a sun lounger and deciding where to have lunch.
At the end of each day, you return to the same cabin.
There are no repeated hotel check-ins, no suitcase permanently half-packed in the corner and no need to organise transport between every destination.
While you sleep, the ship does the travelling.
By breakfast, another part of the world can be waiting outside your window.
Are Cruises Good Value for Money?
Cruises can offer excellent value because several elements of your holiday are usually included within one fare.
Your cabin, meals in selected restaurants, entertainment and transportation between ports will generally form part of the cruise price. Depending on the cruise line and package you choose, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, speciality restaurants and other extras may also be included.
The important thing is to compare what you actually get for your money, rather than simply looking for the lowest headline price.
A seemingly cheaper cruise can become considerably more expensive if you later add a drinks package, speciality dining, Wi-Fi and other extras. For some travellers, paying more for a package with additional inclusions can make budgeting for the holiday much easier.
This is where good travel advice matters: two cruises with similar prices can offer surprisingly different value.
What Is Usually Included in a Cruise?
Most standard cruise fares include your cabin, meals in selected restaurants, onboard entertainment and travel between the ports on your itinerary.
Exactly what is included varies considerably between cruise lines and fares.
Some cruises include little beyond the essentials, while others can include drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and speciality dining. Luxury cruise lines may include even more within the original fare.
Before booking, it is worth checking:
which restaurants are included
whether drinks are included
whether gratuities are included or added separately
whether Wi-Fi costs extra
whether transfers are included
whether flights are part of the package
whether shore excursions are included
Knowing this before you travel makes it much easier to understand the true cost of your holiday.
Can I Cruise From the UK Without Flying?
Yes. No-fly cruises depart directly from UK ports, allowing you to begin and often end your holiday in Britain without taking a flight.
Southampton offers an enormous selection of cruises, while sailings are also available from other UK ports depending on the cruise line, destination and season.
For many travellers, this is one of cruising's greatest attractions.
Instead of heading to the airport, checking in for a flight and arranging another transfer when you arrive, you travel to the cruise terminal, board the ship and begin your holiday.
Once your suitcase has been unpacked, it can stay unpacked until you return home.
No-fly cruises can take British holidaymakers surprisingly far. Northern Europe and the Norwegian fjords are natural choices, but longer voyages can reach Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and even destinations much further afield.
For anyone who dislikes flying – or simply dislikes airports – it can transform the journey into part of the holiday.
Where Are the Best Cruise Destinations for UK Travellers?
The Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean are among the most popular choices for UK cruise passengers, but the right destination depends on the experience you want.
The Mediterranean
For sunshine, history, food and variety, the Mediterranean is difficult to beat.
One itinerary might combine Spain, France and Italy; another could take you through the Greek Islands or along the Adriatic.
It is particularly well suited to travellers who want plenty of time ashore exploring cities, ancient sites, beaches and restaurants.
Norwegian Fjords and Northern Europe
If scenery matters more than sunbathing, look north.
There are few travel experiences quite like standing on deck as a ship moves slowly between the towering walls of a Norwegian fjord.
Northern European itineraries can also include fascinating cities and ports across Scandinavia, Iceland and beyond.
The Caribbean
The Caribbean delivers a very different rhythm.
Think warm seas, palm-fringed beaches and islands scattered across intensely blue water.
Cruising is particularly suited to the Caribbean because it allows you to experience several islands during the same holiday rather than choosing just one.
Are Cruises Just for Older People?
No. Modern cruises cater for a much wider range of travellers, including couples, families, younger adults, solo travellers and multi-generational groups.
The old stereotype of cruising can be surprisingly persistent.
Yet step aboard different ships today and you could encounter everything from children's waterparks and climbing walls to cocktail bars, spas, cookery classes, live music and restaurants created with celebrated chefs.
The crucial point is that not every cruise ship is designed for the same passenger.
A couple looking for peaceful days, good food and sophisticated evenings may want something entirely different from a family travelling with three children.
Neither experience is better.
They're simply different holidays.
And choosing the right ship can matter just as much as choosing the destination.
Are Cruises Good for Families?
Cruises can be particularly convenient for families because accommodation, meals, entertainment and children's activities can all be available in one place.
Larger resort-style ships can offer children's clubs, swimming pools, waterslides, sports facilities, shows, cinemas and activities for different age groups.
They can also work particularly well for multi-generational holidays.
Grandparents might spend an afternoon relaxing on deck while children disappear to the kids' club and parents head to the spa – before everyone meets again for dinner.
The important thing is to look carefully at the facilities for the ages of the children travelling with you. A fantastic ship for teenagers isn't necessarily the best ship for toddlers, and vice versa.
How Do I Choose the Right Cruise Line?
Start with the kind of holiday you enjoy, rather than simply choosing the cheapest cruise or the most impressive itinerary.
This is one of the most useful pieces of advice we can give a first-time cruiser.
Cruise lines have personalities.
Some are lively and informal. Others are sophisticated and relaxed. Some ships are designed around families and entertainment, while others concentrate on food, service, destinations or luxury.
Before choosing, ask yourself:
Do I want lots happening onboard?
Do I prefer a quieter atmosphere?
Is food particularly important to me?
Am I travelling with children?
Do I want formal evenings or something more relaxed?
Do I want the ship itself to be a major part of the holiday, or am I mainly interested in the destinations?
The answers can quickly narrow down the enormous number of cruises available.
What Type of Cruise Cabin Should I Choose?
The four main choices are usually inside cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites, although names and configurations vary between ships.
An inside cabin is generally the most economical choice and can make perfect sense if you expect to spend very little time in your room.
An ocean-view cabin gives you natural light and a view outside.
A balcony cabin gives you private outdoor space – something that can feel particularly special when sailing through scenic destinations such as the Norwegian fjords.
Suites offer more space and may come with additional benefits, depending on the cruise line.
The most expensive cabin isn't automatically the right one.
Someone taking a port-intensive Mediterranean cruise might spend very little time there, while a traveller taking a scenic voyage or spending several days at sea may value their private space much more.
How Long Should My First Cruise Be?
Around seven nights can be an excellent introduction to cruising because it gives you enough time to experience both the ship and several destinations without committing to a particularly long voyage.
Shorter cruises of a few nights are another way to try cruising for the first time, particularly if you're unsure whether life at sea will suit you.
Longer cruises provide a more leisurely experience and can reach destinations that shorter itineraries simply cannot.
But don't assume you'll be desperate to get off after seven days.
You may find quite the opposite.
What Happens on a Sea Day?
A sea day is a day when your ship does not visit a port, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the ship itself.
Ask experienced cruisers about their favourite part of a voyage and you might expect them to name Santorini, Barcelona or the Norwegian fjords.
Quite often, they'll say something rather different:
A sea day.
There is something wonderfully indulgent about waking up and realising you have absolutely nowhere you need to be.
Breakfast can last longer. You might head to the spa, find a quiet corner with a book, try one of the ship's activities or simply sit on deck watching the horizon.
Lunch might gradually become an afternoon drink.
And in a world where holidays sometimes become another schedule to complete, a day at sea gives you permission to do very little indeed.
Do I Need to Book Shore Excursions?
No. You can often explore ports independently, although organised excursions can be useful when attractions are some distance from the ship or you want the convenience of having the day arranged for you.
Some ports place you close to the centre of the destination, making independent exploration relatively straightforward.
Others require more planning.
Before deciding, consider how far the attraction is from the ship, how much time you have in port and how comfortable you are arranging your own transport.
You don't necessarily have to make the same choice at every destination. You might book an organised excursion in one port and spend the following day happily wandering independently.
What Are the Biggest Mistakes First-Time Cruisers Make?
One of the biggest mistakes is choosing a cruise based entirely on price or destination without considering whether the ship and cruise line suit you.
Other common mistakes include overlooking what is and isn't included in the fare, choosing a cabin without considering its location and trying to fit too much into every port day.
A cruise should still feel like a holiday.
You don't have to see everything, eat everywhere or participate in every activity.
Sometimes the best memories come from abandoning the itinerary for an hour and sitting somewhere beautiful with a coffee, a glass of wine or simply a view of the sea.
Is a Cruise Worth It?
For travellers who enjoy seeing several destinations while having the convenience of returning to the same accommodation each evening, a cruise can be an exceptionally enjoyable way to travel.
It won't be the right holiday for absolutely everyone.
But cruising offers a combination that is difficult to reproduce on land: the excitement of discovering somewhere new and the comfort of knowing your room, restaurants and entertainment are travelling with you.
Wake somewhere new. Explore. Return to the ship. Have dinner. Watch the sunset.
Then, while you sleep, travel somewhere else.
Perhaps that's why so many people who take their first cruise soon begin thinking about their second.
Ready to Find the Right Cruise?
The secret to a great cruise isn't simply finding a good deal.
It's finding your cruise.
The right destination. The right ship. The right cruise line. The right cabin. And the right package for the way you want to travel.
Our travel experts can help you compare the options, understand what's included and find a cruise that suits you – whether you're planning your very first voyage or already wondering where you'll sail next.
Pop in to one of our branches or speak to one of our JLM Travel cruise experts on 0191 432 6973.
