| General
Cruise Information |
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| New Cruise Ships |
At the time of writing this
www.cruiseworldholiday.co.uk has learnt that there will be at least
8 new cruise ships brought into service within 2007. The Norwegian
Pearl, Emerald Princess, Carnival Freedom, Liberty of the Seas, Fram,
Costa Serena, Norwegian Gem, and Queen Victoria are all new builds.
NCL Norwegian Pearl - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
The NCL Norwegian Pearl was christened in December 2006. The Pearl
carries 2,380 passengers and has a dozen restaurants.
Emerald Princess - Princess Cruises
The Emerald Princess will carry from 2,600 to 3,100 passengers.
Carnival Freedom - Carnival Cruise Lines
The Carnival Freedom will carry 2,974 passengers.
Liberty of the Seas - Royal Caribbean International (RCI)
The sister ship of the Freedom of the Seas, will carry 3,600
passengers.
MS Fram - Norwegian Coastal Voyage (NCV)
The 318 passenger MS Fram is scheduled for its maiden voyage in
April, 2007.
Costa Serena - Costa Cruises
The 3000 passenger Costa Serena will be one of the largest Costa
cruise ships.
Norwegian Gem - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
The Norwegian Gem will carry 2,380 passengers and feature the
various restaurants necessary for NCL's "freestyle cruising".
Queen Victoria - Cunard Line
The 2000 passenger Queen Victoria will be christened in Southampton
in December. |
Unless
you've been living on Mars for the last few years, chances are
you'll already have heard a lot about cruising. It's now by far the
fastest-growing sector of the travel business, with bookings growing
at least 15 per cent year on year.
In 2005, more than 640,000 Britons took a holiday afloat; by the end
of 2007, that figure will have topped three quarters of a million.
Compare that with the 1993 total of only 298,200, and you'll get an
idea of just how popular cruising has become in just over a decade. |
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THE CHOICE
IS YOURS
The secret of its success lies in its amazing diversity. Cruising
really does offer something for every taste and budget.
There are ships like country houses afloat, with grand libraries and
wood-panelled bars for travellers who like a dash of style and
intellectual stimulation in their holiday cocktail.
Sailing vessels, packet boats and adventure ships are a dream come
true for would-be sea salts keen to explore the world's wilder
reaches, while small, elegant luxury ships cater for those who go
for exclusivity and discreet glamour.
Then there are big, sassy, 'rock around the clock' ships, great for
honeymooners, young families, and party animals of all ages.
Whichever type of ship appeals to you, you'll find new variations
coming along virtually every other month.
Most modern cruise ships now have
superb cruise holiday facilities such as, cinemas, casinos, luxury
restaurants, speciality restaurants, pools and even shopping malls
on the largest ships - the options are endless! Whether you’re
looking for a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise or just want to
float down the Fjords, cruises featured on this site come from some
of the world’s biggest names including: P&O, RCI, Ocean Village,
Thomson, Island Cruise, Cunard, Princess, Norwegian Cruise Lines,
Celebrity, Costa Cruise, Carnival, Fred Olsen, Holland America,
Orient Cruise Lines, Silversea, Swan Hellenic and Sun Cruises.
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BOOM
TIME
The 1980s and 1990s saw an unprecedented boom in shipbuilding;
in the run-up to the 21st Century more than 50 new cruise ships are
either on order, under construction or on the drawing board - at a
staggering cost of more than $8 billion.
This tidal wave of development has brought a field day for the
world's top marine architects and designers, who have stretched
their imaginations and used their considerable talents to the full
in creating ever more eye-boggling facilities.
And it's also brought good times for consumers, since this boom in
capacity means more cruises at competitive, value-for-money prices.
Several major UK tour operators have begun offering cruise holidays,
often combined with an option of a land-based holiday. Their buying
power and links with airlines means they offer very competetively
priced holidays, particularly for someone considering a cruise for
the first time.
Though there are new sailing ships and small-to-medium luxury
vessels on the building blocks, the majority of the new ships now
being built or entering service are BIG - carrying at least 2000
passengers.
The giant 'resort at sea' concept has proved so successful that
ships carrying more than 2,500 passengers are already afloat. Indeed
companies are now preparing to launch ships which will carry more
than 3,000. |
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DECKED
OUT
Big does not, however, necessarily equate with impersonal. The
advantage of having lots of space to work with is that it can be
divided into smaller areas to offer passengers plenty of choice
about where they go, what they do - and how many other people they
do it with.
On the new generation of big ships, passengers don't have to eat in
one dining room, but have a range of options - from 24-hour
pizzerias to intimate bistros.
And even main dining rooms are cleverly divided into smaller, more
intimate areas, so people don't feel crowded in.
A variety of watering holes - from champagne and caviar bars to
traditional English pubs - offer an even wider choice when it comes
to enjoying a pre or post dinner drink, while cinemas, show lounges
and piano bars offer everything from Broadway musicals to intimate
cabaret performances.
But perhaps the best entertainment the big ships offer is the chance
to sit on your own private balcony and watch the world go by;
another advantage of size is that more cabins boast private
verandas.
And those who like to burn off the calories they'll inevitably pile
on during a cruise will find gymnasium and health spa facilities
guaranteed to turn the most abandoned couch potato into a wannabe
Jane Fonda.
Somehow, working out on a stationary bike is much easier when you're
cycling down a leafy lane on a virtual reality bike tour.
And when you're zipping Franz Klammer-style down the slalom on a
virtual reality ski machine, you simply don't notice how many
calories you're burning up - it just comes as a nice surprise when
you finally tear yourself away.
Want to wallow in thalassotherapy baths and try out the latest
treatments for de-stressing your mind and de-toxifying your body?
Don't bother with a pricey health farm - simply run away to sea and
you'll get all that, plus a large dollop of bracing sea air. |
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THE
COMPLETE RANGE
Various cruise option
are available Lifestyles: Disabled Cruising • Family Cruises • Gay &
Lesbian Cruising • Romance Cruising • Senior Cruising • Single
Cruising
Specialty Cruising: Fitness & Recreation • Gourmet Cruising •
Holiday Cruising • Ocean Crossings, World Cruises • River & Canal
Cruising • Soft Adventure
With all this on offer, it's no wonder that cruising is increasingly
becoming the holiday choice of younger people.
Over the past four years, the age of the average cruise passenger
has fallen from nearly 60 in 1993 to 54 in 1997. Age will vary
between the destinations and the ship you choose - in the Caribbean,
for example, the average age can be 35.
And it's continuing to drop as more and more babyboomers realise
cruising's potential as a great holiday, whether you're travelling
with a family, taking a romantic break or enjoying a few days'
freedom as a solo traveller.
While the 'floating resorts' have been hugely successful in
attracting younger people who might never previously have considered
a cruise, there are many ship-lovers who prefer older, classic
vessels with a lower passenger count and a more intimate feel.
Despite the march of the big ships, they need not fear that their
world is disappearing. There are many medium-sized vessels with a
slightly 'old world' feel for them to enjoy.
Such ships are run along more traditional lines, with one main
dining room and a more limited range of bars and facilities.
This often gives them the atmosphere of a private club, and makes
them a perfect choice for people at a more contemplative stage of
life, who like to make friends and explore hobbies in a gentle,
restful environment.
But that's the thing about cruising - no other type of holiday
offers quite such an enormous range of choice.
The secret is finding the ship that's right for your tastes. And
that's what this booklet is designed to help you do. Enquire within
for all the information you need when considering a cruise - from
what type of ship to go for, to what to pack.
We hope it will show you just why cruising is the success story of
the decade - and help you discover its delights for yourself. |
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