For Outdoor Enthusiasts; Ideal Cruises and where to find them
For many people a holiday is all about finding a pleasant looking beach, a hotel with great facilities and booking a package deal including food and sightseeing trips, leaving nothing to chance. But for those whose idea of a great day out is mountain climbing, bungee jumping or paragliding, a relaxing package tour is unlikely to meet your holiday needs. For families or even couples, it can often be difficult to settle on a holiday which offers something for everyone. All too often it is the adventure enthusiast who loses out, shouted down by those in need of relaxation and pampering. Finally, many families and groups of friends are opting for a holiday that truly has it all. An ocean going voyage on a floating palace with both outdoor and indoor activities, something for everyone in fact. There are many cruises from Southampton, a great location to begin your adventure. It is easily accessible by plane, coach or car from almost everywhere in the U.K. and many companies feature offers like free parking, which can mean significant savings. Fred Olsen Cruises works with National Express buses to provide dedicated services to the port at Southampton. From here you can board Black Watch or one of the other liners, and begin an adventure with highlights including some fantastic destinations in Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Germany. As well as exploring the Baltic you can stay fit even on your days at sea with the help of sports facilities and even a personal trainer.
Deck 7 of Oceana
“We felt that the ship was beautiful and very spacious, a big improvement on other ships we have cruised on. A very good cruise, with a lovely cabin, excellent food, service and everything was spotlessly clean at all times.” – Farnes, Hessle on 2nd Jun 2009 (Cunard Cruises)
Destinations and Onboard Activities for Adventurous Spirits
It’s a common fallacy that lovers of holidays aboard ship spend their days eating and sunbathing, with perhaps some gentle deck games before lunch. It’s assumed that when the ship docks, excursions consist of shopping trips and organised tours. This is increasingly untrue as more companies update their ships catering for those who demand a more active holiday experience. Companies compete to find unusual and distant destinations, many of which are both physically and mentally challenging. When your ship is in port you can take advantage of organised excursions, or choose the independent route, buy guide books and plan your own adventure. Royal Caribbean Cruises have a range of amazing destinations, including Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Baltimore, Labrador, Nova Scotia and Boston, as well as some great European and Caribbean itineraries. Onboard you can sign up for kick boxing classes and all of their ships now have a climbing wall. This can only be used after an instruction period and all equipment is provided. For those who prefer more conventional indulgence, there are also first class spa facilities. P&O Cruises are another company which prizes fitness highly. It has a fully equipped modern gym with sea views and sports courts for football cricket and short tennis players. Of course these are not exactly extreme sports, but with the help of your own personal trainer you can maintain high fitness levels. With 82 countries to choose from, a dedicated outdoor enthusiast will have great fun constructing an exciting adventure.
Standard Inside Stateroom
“The food, accommodation, service and facilities were all top notch.All in all we had a great time aboard the QM2 and I thoroughly recommend it.” - Jenkins, Redditch on 2nd Jun 2009 (Cunard Cruises)
Meeting Like Minded People
There is no longer a typical type when it comes to taking to the seas. Several guidebooks, notably Berlitz, will give examples of the sorts of people attracted by particular companies. Those of you who love to be outdoors, who play sports, climb mountains and are the first to volunteer for kayaking, white water rafting and rock climbing, may not find much in common with chess enthusiasts or those who love to spend whole days reading, writing or creating computer graphics. Although your fellow travellers will have a variety of different interests, some of which you may come to share, it is wonderful indeed to find that there are several others on board of a similar age and who share a love for activities which thrill you. MSC Cruises tend to attract couples and singles, as well as some families, who like to stay up late and have a good time. It has a well deserved reputation for great Italian food and all announcements are made in five European languages, reflecting the great variety of passengers. The entertainment is loud and often late! NCL Cruises who describe themselves as ‘freestyle cruising’ seem to attract the young and young at heart, couples and singles, who are looking for contemporary surroundings, high tech sophistication and plenty of high energy entertainment, including pyrotechnics and laser shows. Celebrity Cruises are increasingly popular, received an award from Conde Nast Travel and are seen as suitable for adults who appreciate sophistication and the best things in life.
Sternwards over Lido Deck
“The cruise was brilliant. We shall definately go with P & O again and would recommend this ship. Afterall, a holiday is what you make it!” – Mathers, Dronfield on 2nd Jun 2009 (P&O Cruises)
All This and Value For Money Too!
The best possible advice for those planning an adventure at sea is to surf the web before you book. There are some incredible bargains available, allowing many people more than one exciting voyage a year. Look for websites which include reviews from passengers. This way of seeing the world for those of us without bottomless pockets, is becoming more popular, and attracting more competition, resulting in persuasive pricing and special offers. Cunard Cruises, whose name conjures up images of opulence and grandeur, currently offer great incentives, including discounts and free upgrades. How about a twenty four night journey, beginning and ending in Southampton, calling at New York and several other ports in the USA and Canada, from £2199 with a further 15% discount? Many companies have some fantastic deals on Caribbean Cruises. Fly to Miami to find seven night trips starting at £361 with a further 12% discount. Or try a truly fantastic twenty two night trip, beginning and ending in Southampton, starting a £1999 with a further 10% discount. A company very well known for excellent value is Princess Cruises. For example a 10 night Baltic voyage, leaving early September is reduced from £2269 to £888, with a further 10% discount to be applied. Or you may prefer a fifteen night adventure, starting in San Francisco, and visiting Acapulco and the Panama Canal, with some time on the wonderful island of Aruba and finishing at Fort Lauderdale. All that from £1188 with an extra 10% discount.
Plantation Restaurant on Deck 12
“Ship was wonderful, food excellent and staff and crew so obliging and pleasant. We have cruised many times and always book with Victoria Travel who have always given us excellent service and good deals.” - Bourne, Rednal on 1st Jun 2009 (Princess Cruises)