Cruising, for those who have never experienced it, is like a great, big puzzle; exotic and exciting, but too unfamiliar to tempt to piece it together. So many popular myths surround the actual delight of holiday cruising that some people simply forgo the experience and opt for a more traditional holiday, missing, time and again, the wonderful opportunity of discovering one of life’s most excellent holiday high points.
What is for sure, is that those who have sampled a cruise holiday, return to it, again and again and again. So, what despite the myths, makes cruising so popular? One of the things that is a cause of concern for most cruise novices, is the fact that they will be restricted to a ‘confined’ space and over the span of the holiday, boredom might set in. Impossible! This is one of the most major misconceptions there is and one which is soon expelled as soon as you get on board.
From lush spas with a variety of top-notch treatments catering for your well-being, world-class entertainment featuring some of the best artists the world of show-business has to offer, well-equipped gyms and extraordinary theatres, to the most fun, organised group activities one can imagine and so much more, it’s really more a matter of trying to jam in as many experiences as possible into an already packed schedule, then lolling about with nothing to do.
Sightseeing in glorious locations, when stopping at every port of call, is also a wonderful way to visit new destinations without the hassles of more traditional travelling. Then again, the ship is your oyster, so if lounging by the pool with an ice-cold cocktail in hand is more your cup of tea, a cruise holiday would be exactly your thing.
Of course, cruise holidays are decadent food-a-thons, where your taste buds are tantalised for morning till night with a selection of mouth-watering dishes in a variety of exceptional restaurants, to cater for each and every palate. From gourmet dining to diner-style snacks, exotic cuisines from across the globe to lush buffets, the choice is always yours, whether you’re feeling peckish in the very early morning after dancing the night away, to a midnight snack, right through a fine dining, romantic dinner with all the trimmings with your significant other.
And no, tales that you’ll be holidaying in what seems like a care home, are far removed from reality. Today, cruise holidays are no longer just the realm of old age pensioners but have become favourites with younger holidaymakers; families with teenagers and young children, honeymooners, as well as groups of twenty and thirty-somethings who are after a bit of luxurious chilled-out pampering in the most indulgent ambience any holiday can offer.
So, if sumptuous comfort, an unforgettable holiday, the making of magical memories and a chance to sample how the other half lives is what you’re after, then a cruise holiday is right up your street. Why wait? The experience of a lifetime beckons as we speak…
Post by Giselle Scicluna