The Culture Bank

For a relaxing holiday, where you are guaranteed to get plenty of fresh sea air and the chance to take in the sights and delights of multiple locations across a large region in just a week or two, a cruise on a luxury ocean liner is the ultimate choice.

Cruise companies vary substantially in terms of what they offer in their cruise deals, but many are ‘all inclusive’, meaning that food, drink and board is all included in the upfront price. It is worth noting, however, that you will need to take sufficient extra cash or traveller’s cheques along with you, as you will need to pay for day excursions and any extras, such as activities and souvenirs. Passengers can select adult-only cruises and also choose from a number of different accommodation suites – inside cabins are less expensive than outside cabins (which have a view of the sea). Some of these ‘outside cabins’ might be described as ‘deluxe’ or ‘superior’, and some have pricey extras such as a balcony, a Jacuzzi, an extra large bed or even butler service.

One day you might be bartering in a market in the Canary Islands, the next day you could be floating out at sea, perhaps enjoying a glass of champagne in the ship’s bar. There are many cruises specifically tailored for families, with activities to keep children occupied while parents are free to choose what to do for a few hours – perhaps a pampering session in the spa and treatment room on board the ship. When night falls, each ship offers its guests a range of on-board entertainment, from themed parties to cabaret and comedy acts, from classical concerts to quizzes, from dance competitions to movie screenings.

Routes around the East Mediterranean might stop at Athens, Cairo, Istanbul and Malta. Other popular Mediterranean ports include Cannes, Barcelona, Crete, Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Ibiza, Florence, Tenerife, St Tropez, Casablanca Morocco, Sardinia and Madeira. Every cruise company has a unique fleet of ships serving a choice of different routes. So from admiring the yachts of the rich and famous in Monaco or the Cote d’Azur to admiring the classical art and architecture of Italy’s historic Florence, whatever your preferred choice of route in the Mediterranean, a cruise holiday could provide the experience of a lifetime.

Whilst each person chooses to define “cheap” in a different way, cruises are often an excellent way to take an exotic holiday on a relatively small budget.  Cruise holidays can cost less than £75 per night, often making them cheaper than the hotel fare expense for a traditional holiday.  Whilst these definitions may vary, most people in search for a cheap cruise have one question on their mind: “Where can I find the cheapest cruises?”  Whilst no one set of tips is appropriate for every trip, as a whole, vacationing on a budget is most possible when you follow these guidelines.

When making any travel plans the journey is often just as important as the destination.  This sentiment is all the more true when travelling on a cruise with on-deck entertainment options.  If the destination is more valuable than the journey, a freighter cruise may be an excellent choice.  With a lower cost for a greater number of days at sea, this is an excellent way to travel cheaply.

Once the correct type of cruise has been selected, it is up to the traveller to locate the best travel rates.  Typically, through consulting a cruise specialist you will be able to find empty cabins and last minute deals at a low price.  These half empty cruise lines will cut prices significantly to ensure the accommodation is filled; a patient buyer can reap the benefits.  So shop around on the internet and contact travel agents to secure a good price for your cruise.

The range of Mediterranean cruises on offer has expanded dramatically in recent years, from party cruises stopping at beach resorts, to cultural cruises taking in archaeological sites and smaller luxury ships cruising the Nile or the Greek Islands. You can even book Mediterranean cruises on old style sailing clippers. If you are new to the idea of a cruise holiday in the Mediterranean, here are some tips to help you get the most out of this amazing holiday experience.

Firstly, when you are looking at the cruises on offer, think carefully about the type of ship and the company running it. Big ships will have more amenities but small ships feel more intimate and can go to more places. Each cruise line attracts a different type of clientele, and these people will be your neighbours for the entire trip. Whether you prefer an older, sophisticated crowd, or a younger party crowd, make sure you pick the right ship!

Once you’ve selected the ship and the itinerary, you need to pick a good room. Standard rooms tend to be tight, so it’s worth upgrading if you can. Ocean views are a must-have, as is a location away from noise such as the engine room or the nightclubs. There are usually discounts available, or upgraded rooms, particularly if you book through an agent. Early booking gets the best prices, and last minute bargains are sometimes offered, but the popular cruises will usually be sold out.

Everyone knows what a cruise is. But do you know the meaning of a cruise and stay holiday? Put simply it provides you with another way to enjoy a trip abroad. Many cruise and stay holidays give you the opportunity to forego a stressful flight and head abroad on the luxury of a cruise liner instead. You can hop on board, unpack and relax on your journey to another part of the world.

Typically speaking your average cruise and stay deal will include several nights on board your chosen ship, with another period planned on dry land.  For instance one trip available recently with Virgin Holidays comprised three nights stay in Barbados and seven nights on board a Carnival cruise ship.

Cruise and stay holidays are a good idea if you happen to be going on a cruise for the first time. Some people are understandably unsure of what to expect, and by combining a stay on land with a few days on a cruise ship you can enjoy both experiences in the same holiday.

In addition to this it can be a good way to enjoy something different. It is also ideal for those who are not keen on flying, because you can literally start enjoying your holiday the moment you board the cruise liner. For many people it beats the stress and cramped conditions you will usually end up with on an aeroplane.  A cruise deal could be just what you need.

Why confine your horizons to a single resort when you can take in a huge chunk of the world in one holiday? Cruise holidays deliver just this, leaving you with the memories of a lifetime – and a hunger for more cruises in the future. If you think that a cruise will be too expensive, take a closer look. The websites of all the big players in the game, like Royal Caribbean Cruises, Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruises and Thomson Cruises, show just how reasonable even the most exotic cruises can be. And with fantastic cruise deals on offer all the time (especially for last minute cruises), everyone can have a cruise experience to match their budgets.

Smaller ships deliver a more intimate experience, ideal for those without young children. But the bigger vessels offer sheer pizzazz and spectacle; depending on which company you cruise with, you’ll have water parks, ice rinks, golf courses, rock climbing walls and onboard water skiing courses on offer. Not to mention the numerous pools, kids clubs and babysitting facilities for parents with young children.

If you long to stay on a beach for more than a day or two, why not mix the best of both worlds with cruise and stay holidays? Your chief question is: where do you want to go? And the answer is: where there’s a sea route, there’s a cruise. There are numerous Mediterranean cruises, Caribbean cruises, Far East cruises, Red Sea cruises and Baltic cruises to choose from – and many others, too.

Barcelona, on the northeast coast of Spain, has become a regular port for several cruise lines, and it’s easy to see why.  This vibrant Mediterranean city has an ancient heart in a modern wrapper; a few hours rambling up Las Ramblas will have you experiencing everything from 13th century Gothic architecture to the absolute latest in clothing and jewellery.

Most cruise ships dock in the industrial district, but many offer transportation to the shopping centre of Las Ramblas, a large boulevard lined with everything from exotic pet vendors to designer jewellery stores.  Keep an eye out for interesting leather goods while here; the city is justifiably famous for its handmade articles.

If you’d like to get off the beaten track a bit, the Barrio Gothic quarter of the city has winding streets and offbeat little shops.  Be sure to bring your camera with you to snap pictures of the architecture, which seems to change around every corner.  But keep anything valuable cinched tight to you; Barcelona is notorious for pickpockets.

Tours are available almost every day to the Montserrat Benedictine Monastery high in the mountains, and most cruise lines offer shore excursions to one of the many fabulous art museums in the city, including the Picasso Museum, which features works donated by the artist himself.

If you’d like something a little more active, Barcelona now offers bicycle tours, which are a great way to see more of the city than you can on foot, plus get a little exercise.

No matter what you’re looking for, Barcelona is sure to offer it, and a visit to the city will leave you wanting to return as soon as possible.

Travelling to the Far East can become expensive especially if planning to visit more than one country during your stay. The best way to view many places within a budget would be to cruise.

Princess Cruises offer trips to the Far East and include many Asian destinations. Korea for example is one port of call on offer, which perhaps would not make it onto your list of places to visit if travelling by any other means.

Land excursions include the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors, all in China, The Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing and shopping and the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.  A trip to Thailand can have you visiting the Temple of the Golden Buddha and travelling in a Tuk Tuk.

Of course, all this is available once you leave the ship, but there are also activities available while still at sea.

Princess Cruises offer spa and fitness facilities, casinos, art galleries and beautiful boutiques. Nightlife onboard ship includes shows, comedians and even an open air cinema.

Far East Cruises are always good value for money, and with the option of cruise and stay available from some travel companies you can extend your trip just that little bit longer.

Shop around for some good cruise deals, and if looking for last minute cruise deals they are often the best bargains. Buying online can sometimes offer even bigger discounts.

Royal Caribbean Cruises has many ships which call at over one hundred destinations around the world.  Ships visit all parts of the Americas from Alaska to the Panama Canal and regularly sail around the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.  Holiday makers using Royal Caribbean Cruises can take part in excursions to see parts of the world they would not normally visit.  Cruises to Asia and Australasia are proving to be very popular and take in such destinations as Japan and New Zealand. 

The staterooms onboard ship are the height of comfort and while the design will vary from ship to ship, all rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, televisions, telephones and other home comforts such as a hairdryer.  Staterooms fall into four main categories.  Suites offer multiple rooms and occasionally have a balcony and their own bar.  There are balcony rooms which have a private balcony while outside rooms offer uninterrupted views across the sea.  Interior rooms have the same comforts as other staterooms and have windows which overlook the Promenade. 

Royal Caribbean Cruises offer cruise tours, which are a combination of a sea cruise and a land holiday.  The ship calls at a destination and guests disembark for a couple of days sightseeing and a stay in a regular hotel.  Depending on the cruise, this can be done either at the beginning or end of your sea voyage and cruise tours are offered to a number of different places in the world, giving you a chance to see places that that ship cannot physically take you to. 

Holidays mean different things to different people.  Some prefer quiet, relaxing experiences, with good food, maybe a round of golf, and plenty of rest. Others need plenty of turbo-charged activity to keep them happy: maybe some water-skiing, rock-wall climbing, ice-skating or a trip to a water park. It may surprise you to discover that, with cruise holidays, you can have as much leisure or action of the kind just described whilst you’re travelling to your destination, or destinations, to be more precise.

Whilst big companies like Royal Caribbean Cruises, Thomson Cruises, Carnival Cruises and P&O Cruises all have smaller ships in their fleets, the larger vessels have to be seen to be believed. Cruise operators have given a good deal of thought to attracting younger travellers and families with children, and they’ve crammed superb new attractions onto their big ships to mop up all the extra energy the young bring with them.

Whatever part of the world you want to explore, if there’s a sea route to it, there’ll be a cruise available. There are numerous Red Sea cruises, Far East cruises, Baltic cruises and even cruises to Antarctica; and, of course, there are Caribbean cruises and Mediterranean cruises. With the cruise and stay holidays now available, you can literally have your cake and eat it by spending one week on the beach and the other cruising. Not only this, but with terrific cruise deals on offer all year round, you can get yourself a fabulous cruise experience without breaking the bank.

The majority of cruise companies, including P&O, Thomson, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Princess Cruises and others, offer fantastic shore excursions when in port.

You know the time spent on your chosen cruise ship is going to be a blast and can relax in the knowledge that the shore excursions will be just as much fun. In fact, it may be difficult to decide whether to stay on the ship or pick from the many fabulous shore excursions when you are in port.

The cruise companies will have experienced the hustle and bustle of life at each and every port they take you to, which is exactly why these shore excursions exist, to make sure you get the most out of your cruise holiday.

There is a wealth of different types of shore excursions available in pretty much every port of call. You can spend your time snorkelling, biking, fishing, taking safaris, scuba lessons, tour and taste activities, beach excursions, kart and jet boat adventures, historic tours and so much more. Onboard, there will be lists available so you can pre-book the shore excursions that appeal to you and your family the most.

There are a few who just want to experience the cruise liner for everything it has to offer, shore excursions may not appeal for a variety of reasons and if this sounds like you, then you could go on a cruise to nowhere.

A cruise to nowhere is exactly what it says; there are no ports of call, no stops, just cruising on the open seas from your chosen destination back to where you started.