To cruise, or not to cruise
October 16th 2009 07:57
Category: No Category
There is a saying. Once you've cruised, you'll cruise again.
It certainly is addictive, apparently. Not that I know, I've never cruised. Many people like me who has not cruised (we are talking about real cruising, not the ferry cross town) would say that cruising is not their thing, that they "simply cannot imagine being stuck on a ship for more than a day".
However, without actually having being on a cruise, one simply cannot grasp just how big these cruises are, and just how much it feels like being on land.
I didn't know that until I did a ship inspection as part of the job, and wow, did it feel just like a mini-city.
Firstly, cruises are not built to be simply vessels. They are built to be a lifestyle. Not only are there rooms, there are lobbies like a hotel, various restaurants and cafes, bars, gyms, night clubs, swimming pools, casinos, outdoor cinemas, movie theatre, stage show theatre, shopping arcades, day spas, libraries and some, even have bowling allies and a jogging track.
Major cruise liners would make sure their interior is as beautiful as possible so that during the at sea days guests are entertained and enjoy themselves as much as they can. Then when they dock, you can get out and visit the cities and towns like any other tourists.
So really, if you think about it - cruising is really just like a mobile 5 star hotel room. You have your room which you sleep in, and each day, you wake up at a different destinations, without having to pack and unpack, and still have the enjoyment of being able to go to the gym, read a book, enjoy your sunday coffee, watch a movie or a show and have all your meals included in one price.
Check this out: The world's most beautiful cruise ship.
And at 5 star qualities, cruising really is quite value for money.
For example. Cruising the Mediterranean sea, 7 nights, 6 ports, 5 star room, all meals and some entertainment included can cost as little as AUS$1500 per person. Imagine staying in a 5 star hotel for 7 nights in Europe (let's say... $190Euros a night), have 5 star meals (Say $30Euros per person per meal?) for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then go watch a show and a movie somewhere in town every night. - AUS$1500 would not even cover the accommodation!
And worried about sea sickness? Well, besides the really major swells and storms, you would not even feel a thing. Heck, standing in the middle of the reception area I didn't even think I was on a cruise!
Ok, sure, cruising will only allow you to visit cities and towns with ports. That is true. It's not exactly the most adventurous travel option nor does it really allow you to immerse into the local culture. But, if you have really been everywhere else, and would like a different point of view on a particular destination, this is it.
Can't afford to cruise? Consider the lower end cruising with P&O, while they are revamping their image from the 'party' cruise to luxury semi-family cruise available from Australia, it really is possibly another way to travel for everyone.
It certainly is addictive, apparently. Not that I know, I've never cruised. Many people like me who has not cruised (we are talking about real cruising, not the ferry cross town) would say that cruising is not their thing, that they "simply cannot imagine being stuck on a ship for more than a day".
However, without actually having being on a cruise, one simply cannot grasp just how big these cruises are, and just how much it feels like being on land.
I didn't know that until I did a ship inspection as part of the job, and wow, did it feel just like a mini-city.
Firstly, cruises are not built to be simply vessels. They are built to be a lifestyle. Not only are there rooms, there are lobbies like a hotel, various restaurants and cafes, bars, gyms, night clubs, swimming pools, casinos, outdoor cinemas, movie theatre, stage show theatre, shopping arcades, day spas, libraries and some, even have bowling allies and a jogging track.
Major cruise liners would make sure their interior is as beautiful as possible so that during the at sea days guests are entertained and enjoy themselves as much as they can. Then when they dock, you can get out and visit the cities and towns like any other tourists.
So really, if you think about it - cruising is really just like a mobile 5 star hotel room. You have your room which you sleep in, and each day, you wake up at a different destinations, without having to pack and unpack, and still have the enjoyment of being able to go to the gym, read a book, enjoy your sunday coffee, watch a movie or a show and have all your meals included in one price.
Check this out: The world's most beautiful cruise ship.
And at 5 star qualities, cruising really is quite value for money.
For example. Cruising the Mediterranean sea, 7 nights, 6 ports, 5 star room, all meals and some entertainment included can cost as little as AUS$1500 per person. Imagine staying in a 5 star hotel for 7 nights in Europe (let's say... $190Euros a night), have 5 star meals (Say $30Euros per person per meal?) for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then go watch a show and a movie somewhere in town every night. - AUS$1500 would not even cover the accommodation!
And worried about sea sickness? Well, besides the really major swells and storms, you would not even feel a thing. Heck, standing in the middle of the reception area I didn't even think I was on a cruise!
Ok, sure, cruising will only allow you to visit cities and towns with ports. That is true. It's not exactly the most adventurous travel option nor does it really allow you to immerse into the local culture. But, if you have really been everywhere else, and would like a different point of view on a particular destination, this is it.
Can't afford to cruise? Consider the lower end cruising with P&O, while they are revamping their image from the 'party' cruise to luxury semi-family cruise available from Australia, it really is possibly another way to travel for everyone.
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