DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF CRUISING
Embark on the ultimate adventure, where you can spend your days and nights as you please-playing or relaxing, or doing a little of both-while travelling from one unique destination to the next. Discover why cruising is right for you.


DID YOU KNOW?
Meals are included in the price of your cruise. Everything you may want is available, and some dining is available 24hrs; plus there are speciality restaurants that offer more choices for a small supplement. All dietary requests can be accommodated, just let us know what you need at the time of booking. You don't need to cut yourself off from the outside world either as there are 24-hour Internet cafes are located on most ships. Evening entertainment is included in your cruise price and gyms and outdoor sporting activities are found on all ships. Classes and seminars are offered on both sea and port days on some ships, and passengers can participate in planned shore excursions.

WILL I GET BORED?
Today's ships are floating resorts. There are so many options its hard to know where to start. When it comes to food you can choose from low-calorie gourmet meals to midnight chocolate buffets, eat in traditional dining rooms or alternative gourmet restaurants or try room service. If you would like a quiet hour there's the library or the card rooms, or find a quiet spot on deck or in a lounge to read or just enjoy the scenery. There's 24 hour internet access on most ships now or direct dials telephones in your cabin. For relaxation there's Jacuzzi's and spa's, for the energetic the gyms and sports decks. You can be entertained on deck, or maybe a show is more your style. There's evening entertainment, from Broadway- and Vegas-style shows to cabaret acts. What about a brush with lady luck in the casino or at bingo, or dancing into the early hours... maybe under the stars, in the nightclub or in a lounge with a live band. If you like Art there are Art Auctions, you can learn about fine cuisine, learn the best places to shop ashore, or the best excursion to take, watch a movie in the cinema or your cabin, or maybe just do nothing but lie in the sun with an ice-cold cocktail in your hand.

FASCINATING PORTS OF CALL
You'll find a cruise going to most areas of the world. Hop on a South America-bound ship and spend one day exploring ancient Mayan ruins, another scuba diving off the coast of a remote Caribbean island, and yet another traversing the Panama Canal or sail around Europe, where you can visit a dozen famous cities and only unpack your bags once. Journey north to Alaska and enjoy nature at its finest, from mountains to fjords to glaciers millions of years old or head south to the Caribbean and visit some of the world's most gorgeous beaches and dive sites. And then there is Australia and New Zealand with some fascinating cities, where you can visit the Great Barrier Reef and the world's oldest rain forest on the same day

IS CRUISING SAFE?
Yes. Modern cruise ships are built to exacting standards regulated by international convention to ensure safety. A cruise ship is a self-contained world; one of the few occasions when treasured pieces of jewellery can be worn and when you can stroll around after dark without any fear of interference.

WILL I GET SEASICK?
All modern cruise ships built since the late 1960's have stabilisers to reduce the motion of the sea in rough weather. If you are worried that you might suffer from it, speak to your doctor or local chemist for advice. You can get a course of tablets or a patch to wear behind your ear. You can also buy a bracelet, known as a Sea-Band that applies pressure to your wrist - but it does have the odd side effect. Don't forget: if you are feeling poorly during your cruise, the ship's doctor will always administer a prescribed injection.

AREN'T CRUISES FOR THE RETIRED?
It's true that older or retired people often take cruises, but more often on longer sailings as they have more free time. In the last few years cruise companies have attracted much younger cruisers with some companies having superb facilities for children meaning there is something for all ages, from Grandchild to Great Grandparent. The Caribbean and the Mediterranean are great places for all ages.

AREN'T CRUISES FOR THE RICH?
There's a cruise to suit everyone's pocket and with so much included in the cost of a cruising holiday compared to a beach-based vacation, you'll love the value for money!

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Your destination and the weather at the time you visit will have bearing on what clothes to pack The tips for travellers sent by the cruise company ahead of your tickets will help you plan what to pack but if you are still unsure give us a call on 08453 702102

WHAT'S IT LIKE IF I AM TRAVELLING BY MYSELF?
A cruise is an ideal environment for solo travellers. At meals you will never feel alone and have plenty of opportunity to meet new friends and fellow passengers. More solo women travel on cruises than men, but with gentleman hosts on many ships, single lady travellers can enjoy dancing, a game of cards, a chat and a liqueur with well groomed man and no strings attached.

HOW DO I GO ABOUT CHOOSING THE RIGHT CRUISE?
Think of what you like to do on your usual package, and what you might like to do. Then let us help you choose. They is really something for everyone.

HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH?
The length of cruise is greatly, influenced by why the ship is cruising. For example, it would be silly to fly all the way from England to the bottom of Argentina to pick up a three-day cruise to Antarctica; cruises to that part of the world tend to be 10 - 14 nights long. As Caribbean cruises are easier to reach, the choice of duration is greater. How long you cruise is ultimately influenced by family needs, the amount of time you can be away from home and your travel budget.

ARE ALL CRUISE SHIPS MUCH THE SAME?
Absolutely not! They can carry anywhere between 90 and 3,500 passengers and range from the casual, freestyle type of cruising to the traditional formal.

WHAT CABINS SHOULD I GO FOR?
Today's ships are one-class, except for the QE2 and the QM2. One-class means all passengers can use all on-board facilities. On cruises in hotter areas, such as the Caribbean, a lot of passengers feel that an inside cabin with air conditioning is all they require when visiting a different port each day. For some, seeing the horizon and tropical sunsets out of their porthole window is a must; so they select an outside cabin or a balcony. Either is a personal choice. Many people like to cruise more than once in a year, and will choose the cheapest cabin on the cruise. Other feel a need for more space, so choose cabins with balconies and/or suites.