First Time Cruises

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More people than ever will sample the fabulous feeling of cruising for the first time in 2007.

For it is estimated that almost half the expected 1.35 million UK holidaymakers who will book a cruise this year will have never taken a cruise before.

So what’s the attraction? A wave of new ships, mini-cruises and a more informal style of cruising have all played a big part in attracting those who may have never considered a holiday at sea before.

And forget the popular misconception that cruises are only for those of a certain age, spending the entire time on board eating their way through breakfast, lunch, afternoon, tea, dinner and the midnight buffet.

The reality is that the appeal of cruising is attracting younger and more active travellers, families with young children, singles and couples. You can even have your wedding at sea or renew your vows on board with P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises.

Latest statistics show that the average age of passengers taking European cruises with US giant Royal Caribbean International is between 37 and 49, with between 60%-90% being first-timers.

One line, Ocean Village, was even created with first-timers in mind - hence its tagline "cruises for people who don't do cruises".

This casual cruise concept also applies to companies such as Island Cruises, Thomson Cruises, Costa and the mega ‘floating resorts’ run by companies such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Out go formal dress codes and fixed seating or sittings for meals in favour of relaxed attire and flexible dining provided by celebrity chefs.

The array of on board facilities is simply mind-boggling – from rock climbing walls, ice rinks and surfing simulators on Royal Caribbean’s new superliners to bowling alleys on NCL’s latest vessels. Cunard Line even offers newcomers packages on selected cruises, which include welcome parties, on-board credit and Champagne on arrival.

Entertainment runs day and night while many shore excursions involve white water rafting, jet skiing and mountain bikes, rather than stuffy coach tours.

Many cruises now incorporate a one-week land stay as this answers first-timers' concerns about committing all their holiday time to a cruise in case they get bored at sea – an unlikely prospect given all there is so much to do on today’s modern ships.

Cruise lines are increasingly operating short sampler cruises, offering a toe in the water to first-timers as well as being a popular option for those who only have time for a short break.

P&O Cruises, for example, runs a City & Short Breaks programme featuring a range of sailings from Southampton, none of which runs longer than seven days.

Weekend party cruises to Bruges; three and four-day itineraries which also call at Amsterdam and Guernsey and seven-day trips to Norway or Spain and Portugal are among the options.

Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas will be the second largest cruise ship to operate from Southampton after Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 when it starts a season of sailings this summer, including taster cruises which are ideal for those who have never experienced the wonders of cruising before.

And don’t think that once on board, your ship will be claustrophobic with no room to move and little space for privacy.

Today’s cruise ships are vast, many with up to 15 decks offering multiple restaurants, bars, swimming pools, gyms and spa areas. Children have their own supervised clubs while some ships are for adults only.

Cabins are far more spacious than you might imagine with good-sized double beds and showers or baths. More than half the cabins on the newest ships either have balconies or offer an ocean view and, remember, you only need to unpack once.

So, if it’s privacy you are after, then what better way to relax than by putting your feet up with a good book on your balcony while ordering room service as the world floats by? Bliss!

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