A lot of “not-so-good” things have been said about cruising that are borne out of many –ill-founded notions and myths. Not much of it is true, or it would not be pumping £2?billion to the British economy, among other countries.
Cruising is “hot” and for good reasons. Do you know that “one in every eight foreign package holidays is now a cruise, making it the fastest-growing sector of the holiday trade?”
Don’t be deterred from trying these floating hotels by what you hear from the grape vine. Cruising is fast advancing to meet its growing popularity and demand. A change of perspective is fast coming once you read Teresa Machan’s Cruise Holidays: A Guide for First-timers – Dispelling the Myths posted in Telegraph Travel – Cruise Section.
… Opening our guide for first-time cruisers our new cruising editor dispels the myths.
… So what makes it so popular? Access, for one. Stick a pin into any blue area on a world map, or locate any glistening ribbon of river, and the chances are you can get there by cruise ship…
The best way to reach many off-the-beaten track destinations, including Papua New Guinea and the Kamchatka peninsula in the Russian Far East is by expedition ship, and in Burma, where hotels can’t keep pace with demand, taking a river cruise could ensure that you see a fast-changing country sooner rather than later.
… Certain destinations, such as Alaska, lend themselves to a seafaring experience; others can be reached only by ship. And it’s hard to beat a cruise if you want a first taste of the islands of the Caribbean.
… Still not convinced? Our ocean-cruises myth-buster may help you make up your mind.
The myths and the truth
- I’ll get seasick…
… while it’s true that bad weather can strike at any time, modern-day technologies and stabilisers flanking the hull make it very unlikely that you will lose more than a couple of days to seasickness on board a mid-size or resort ship.
If you are predisposed to motion sickness, take precautions (pressure bands, drugs or natural remedies)…
If possible, pick an itinerary that hugs the coast and on a transatlantic voyage choose a ship that’s designed for ocean travel, not cruising…
Tip: Steerage (midship) is the place to be. Failing this, find an outside spot on the lower deck for that fixed point on the horizon…
- I’ll be surrounded by pensioners
The average age of cruisers is 55.6 years, but there’s no rule that says your hair has to be the same hue as the sea. Increasing value for money and cruises of shorter duration are luring younger holidaymakers, including generations of families and children…
… During the summer … cruise passengers can mingle with students and people travelling to see friends and family. Luxury gulets that appeal to grown-up backpackers now cruise the Turkish and Croatian coasts, and Voyages to Antiquity is working with Oxford and Cambridge universities in the hope of attracting students on board to explore the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean.
Of course there are bores on board ships, just as there are around hotel pools…
Cruises not only bridge the generation gap, they can also be a great leveller…
Keep an open mind: you never know whom you’ll meet … If you are travelling alone, choose a smaller ship or one that caters to single parents or solo travellers and has “meet-and-greet” hosts.
- Ships are a breeding ground for germs
Norovirus has been ubiquitous this winter. In December the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported an 83 per cent increase in Norovirus cases across Britain this season. If the virus is increasingly common on cruise ships, that is partly a reflection of the growing popularity of cruising itself…
Tip: Follow advice given by your cruise line on how to reduce the risk of becoming ill or spreading infection, both on board and ashore…
- I won’t spend enough time in port, or get a sense of the places I’m visiting
… whatever the ship, the fear of being holed up on board is unfounded: it’s not uncommon to be ashore every day. If destination is the key driver for your holiday, you must pick a ship that spends adequate time in your chosen ports. Some ports of call are little more than a cursory stop; at others the ship might stay three hours, or the best part of a day.
Cruise-and-stay packages and extended stays in port are increasingly popular…
Most ships offer excursion options in each port to cater for different tastes and physical abilities … Expect everything from sedate coach tours to kayaking, snorkelling, chef-led tours of food markets and zip-lining.
- Dinners will be formal and I’ll have to sit with the same people all the time
… most of the larger lines offer more flexible and informal dining options than they used to, and open-seating policies in their main restaurants. If you’re worried, check before booking …
As for dress, yes, most lines rule out shorts, flip-flops or T-shirts, but that’s true of many restaurants ashore…
Tip: Go online to ascertain how many restaurants are on board and what the seating and sittings are. Book for a ship’s speciality restaurants and, in the main dining room … – tables for two are often available on request.
Machan point out and dispel other myths:
- I’ll be cut-off from the rest of the world. While it is true that it will cost you to get online while on a cruise ship and connectivity is hard being satellite-dependent, but you won’t be out of touch with the world. This is one of those amenities that most cruise companies are working on to improve the signal and connectivity. The trick is to catch up with your emails whenever you’re on a port call.
- Cruise ships are so huge, I’ll most likely get lost. You may probably be lost in a city when it’s your first time. It may happen to you while cruising. If touring bigger places have not deterred you from travelling, why would a smaller vessel scare you? There are tools and strategies to use to prevent these from happening; you can use the same on a cruise ship. Ask or look for a map or directory. Study the vessel’s layout. Check out “landmarks.” Mark your door (especially if you’re travelling with kids, seniors or family/ward with impairment.
- Cruising has been badly criticized by environmentalists. The industry has refurbished the old ships in their fleets with new fittings to embrace eco-friendly technologies reducing carbon emissions. Most are also pursuing a corporate responsibility towards the protection of the marine environment through donations and supporting charities.
- It will be unexciting. The industry has just turned very competitive. Each company with fleets of ships for cruising is pumping huge financial resources to get their vessels exceeding its competitors. So, it’s very unlikely you’ll ever get bored. Name it they have it from luxurious suites, highly-trained staff, world-class service, and the amenities of 5-star hotel to first-rate entertainment, restaurants, bars, spas, pools, arcades, and fabulous itineraries/ports of call.
- It will break my diet. If the basis for thinking that is the availability of so many restaurants with gastronomic offerings, that is very true. These are, however, not free. So overeating can only be up to the extent of what you are prepared to pay. You can avoid excessive eating by ducking buffets. You can also burn pounds by engaging in active pursuits in the gym, pool or jogging tracks.
- It will be a costly mistake. If truth be told, cruising has long ceased to be an expensive way to travel to multiple destinations. It has gone cheaper and more luxurious because of competition. If you are diligent, there are great deals year-round except during the peak seasons. It can’t also be a mistake because you will most possible love the experiences you’ll have while seeing the world from a great vantage point in your suite or cabin.
If you are taking a long time to decide because of these myths and ill-founded notions, drop them! You’re missing out so much fun.
