Planning to go on a cruise holiday for the first time? It’s without doubt a great idea, but there is a lot to be aware of, before you book your holiday and start packing. As exciting as cruise holidays are, they have a few disadvantages that you should consider. Before you go on board you should realize what it means to be aboard a ship and what will be offered to you.
The advertised image of a cruise ship is usually a floating hotel. However, this is sometimes misleading. The newest ships have large rooms and do resemble luxurious hotels, but most of them are not exactly budget-friendly. If you want a more affordable stateroom, it will be about 150 sf. feet and it’s best not to expect a queen size bed; in some cases there isn’t even a double bed. Some rooms have balconies or sitting areas, but they are more expensive. The problem with cruise ships is that it’s hard to imagine how small the room actually is, before you get inside. Not having a full-size window, but just a porthole can be a problem too. Usually portholes are partially or fully obstructed by the lifeboats.
Another thing to be prepared for is that you might spend most of your time sitting in the spacious area or on the deck of the ship. Staying in your room can be too boring, even if you have a TV. The common area is where you can meet new people, have a drink and relax. There will be shore excursions, but make sure you have enough cash for that. Most cruise lines make a fortune just from these short stops. If you want more amenities and activities, look for a cruise holiday on a newer and larger ship. However, larger ships also carry more passengers, so the atmosphere is not very relaxing or intimate. If you want to go on a romantic holiday, maybe it’s best to book a room in a smaller ship.
There are public places on all ships, which are lavishly decorated and look quite luxurious. There are lounges for watching TV, reading and playing games. You can go sunbathing or training in the gym. One of the problems is the Internet cafes. Internet is often quite slow aboard, so be patient. If it’s not urgent, you could skip using the Internet, which is also pricy. You can shop from a duty-free shop, eat in restaurants and snack bars. You can hire a babysitter and have a romantic dinner with your partner. There are plenty of entertainment venues on board which you can enjoy at night – live music, dancing, gambling, movies, theatre, sports tournaments, ice skating, cabarets, talent shows, nightclubs and many more. There is so much to choose from that you will be constantly occupied, especially in the evenings.
During the day you can try simulated rock climbing or go to lectures and seminars of guest speakers. Most rooms have constant room service available and some of the most expensive ones even have continuous Internet access.
Even if your room is not very spacious or comfortable, it’s the destination of the cruise that matters and how you spend your time there. A cruise vacation can be a great experience, but make sure that you have reasonable expectations and gather as much information about the cruise line before you book the trip.
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cruise
holiday |
The advertised image of a cruise ship is usually a floating hotel. However, this is sometimes misleading. The newest ships have large rooms and do resemble luxurious hotels, but most of them are not exactly budget-friendly. If you want a more affordable stateroom, it will be about 150 sf. feet and it’s best not to expect a queen size bed; in some cases there isn’t even a double bed. Some rooms have balconies or sitting areas, but they are more expensive. The problem with cruise ships is that it’s hard to imagine how small the room actually is, before you get inside. Not having a full-size window, but just a porthole can be a problem too. Usually portholes are partially or fully obstructed by the lifeboats.
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Another thing to be prepared for is that you might spend most of your time sitting in the spacious area or on the deck of the ship. Staying in your room can be too boring, even if you have a TV. The common area is where you can meet new people, have a drink and relax. There will be shore excursions, but make sure you have enough cash for that. Most cruise lines make a fortune just from these short stops. If you want more amenities and activities, look for a cruise holiday on a newer and larger ship. However, larger ships also carry more passengers, so the atmosphere is not very relaxing or intimate. If you want to go on a romantic holiday, maybe it’s best to book a room in a smaller ship.
 |
There are public places on all ships, which are lavishly decorated and look quite luxurious. There are lounges for watching TV, reading and playing games. You can go sunbathing or training in the gym. One of the problems is the Internet cafes. Internet is often quite slow aboard, so be patient. If it’s not urgent, you could skip using the Internet, which is also pricy. You can shop from a duty-free shop, eat in restaurants and snack bars. You can hire a babysitter and have a romantic dinner with your partner. There are plenty of entertainment venues on board which you can enjoy at night – live music, dancing, gambling, movies, theatre, sports tournaments, ice skating, cabarets, talent shows, nightclubs and many more. There is so much to choose from that you will be constantly occupied, especially in the evenings.
 |
cruise
holiday |
During the day you can try simulated rock climbing or go to lectures and seminars of guest speakers. Most rooms have constant room service available and some of the most expensive ones even have continuous Internet access.
Even if your room is not very spacious or comfortable, it’s the destination of the cruise that matters and how you spend your time there. A cruise vacation can be a great experience, but make sure that you have reasonable expectations and gather as much information about the cruise line before you book the trip.