Best for first time cruisers

They say it takes 20 years to book your first cruise and 20 minutes to book your second. There are so many cruise lines offering so many different cruising experiences, it’s hard to know where to start, especially if you are booking your first cruise.

Cruising is the fastest-growing sector of the travel industry in the UK, last year 1.9 million holidaymakers from the UK and Ireland took a cruise. So why is cruising so popular? The answer which a lot of non-cruisers don’t realise is the huge amount of choice on offer for the broadest possible spectrum of budgets.

A lot of first-time cruisers still worry that cruising is for the elderly, that it’s regimented, expensive and confining – but none of this is true. Cruising is unsurpassed when it comes to holidays for singles, couples, families, multi-generational groups, special interest groups, culture lovers, and millennials and beyond.

The biggest dilemma is how to choose your cruise and our team of friendly advisors are well versed in all aspects of cruising – right down to the finer points which have been gleaned from a wealth of experience in the wonderful world of cruising.

When it comes to destination, you can sail pretty much anywhere. The biggest choice of ships is in the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter, but summer also means the Baltic, Norwegian Fjords – or even Alaska. Winter sun is also on offer in the Canary Islands, Far East, Indian Ocean or South America.

There’s a growing trend for culturally-oriented cruises with unusual itineraries around the Greek Isles or voyages around Britain visiting idyllic castles and gardens. Cruises also offer enrichment from renowned celebrities and speakers who are well-versed at imparting their specialist knowledge. Theme cruises are also gaining in popularity and include highlights such as P&O Cruises’ ‘Food Heroes’ and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ cruises. Other cruise companies have themes that include music; wine-tasting; golf; yoga, bridge and photography.

One great way of putting your toe in the water is a mini-cruise. Leader of the pack is P&O Cruises which this year is offering an unprecedented 28 short cruises, ranging from two- to five-nights. These are ideal for first-timers reluctant to splash-out on a fortnight in the Mediterranean and are every bit as pukka as their longer cousins. If you’re looking for inspiration speak to our experienced team on 0800 484 0370.