Considering going on an ocean cruise?

ENJOY VALUE FOR MONEY

Fares for all cruises include meals, accommodation, entertainment and kids’ clubs and there are always last-minute bargains. But shopping on price alone isn’t the way to get the best-value cruise. Talk to a CLIA agent, particularly during Plan A Cruise Month (October), and let them know what you’re looking for. Balcony cabin? Drinks included? Time of year? Destination? Big or small ship? A good agent will find a cruise that works for your tastes and budget – and that’s good value.

RELAX WITH NO WORRIES

There’s a reason why that phrase “you only unpack once” is such a cliche in the cruise industry – once you’ve boarded your ship, you can relax. You don’t have to worry about where you’re going, how to get there, beating traffic and checking in to a different hotel every night. Someone else is in charge of menu-planning, shopping, cooking, washing-up; and if you’ve had a few drinks with dinner you won’t be busted for being over 0.05.

EAT FABULOUS FOOD

You don’t have to sail on a luxury ship to enjoy fine dining. Mainstream cruise lines serve menus designed by celebrity chefs such as Luke Mangan (P&O), Curtis Stone (Princess) and Jamie Oliver (Royal Caribbean); yes, there is a charge but usually, it’s a fraction of what you’d pay in their land-based restaurants. The more upscale you go, the more extensive the choice – Jacques Pepin (Oceania), Nobu (Crystal) and Thomas Keller (Seabourn), to name just a few.

WHERE THE RESORT TRAVELS WITH YOU

Megaships that carry several thousand people are designed for fun-loving holidaymakers – everything from thrilling activities to shops, cinemas, theatres, gyms, kids’ clubs, restaurants, bars, and spas is part of the package. The biggest ships boast ice-skating rinks, rock-climbing walls, massive waterslides, surf and sky-diving simulators, parks, lawns and even go-kart racetracks. And the view changes every day.

FIND A SHIP TO SUIT YOU

Ocean-going cruise ships range from 50-passenger expedition ships to 6000-passenger megaships, with a whole range of sizes and styles in between, cruising all over the world. Sailing enthusiasts can cruise on traditional tall ships and luxury lovers can take to the sea on palatial boutique vessels. Then there are intimate-sized river ships and hotel barges, cruising the waterways of Europe, China, Egypt, India and south-east Asia.

ENJOY SHOW BUSINESS

Whether your taste runs to lavish Broadway productions or a string quartet playing in a quiet lounge you’ll find an incredible variety of entertainment at sea. Live music – rock, classical, country, jazz, blues – stand-up comedy, Cirque du Soleil-type dinner shows, big-name speakers and crew shows – there are shiploads of talent performing on ships of all sizes and styles. There are also entire cruises dedicated to music, dance, drama, movies, and comedy.