First Time Cruise Guide

If you've never cruised before you would be forgiven if you became confused by so many ships to choose from. It is exactly the same choice you face in looking for an hotel, only a ship is simply a floating holiday resort that changes the scenery every day.Ships can be categorised into 4 general sector - Standard, Contemporary, Premium or Deluxe.

The choice of which one will suit you best is usually quite easy to make once you have decided what you are looking for from your holiday. To assist you in your planning we'd like to take you on a tour showing the different styles and telling you what to expect on a cruise.

Reception
Once on-board you will enter the reception area, which is the focal point of your cruise. On a more traditional ship you will find a Purser's desk whilst on a new major liner this could be an open plan atrium with glass lifts and sweeping staircases. Facilities are available here for checking in/out, banking, information and most hotel services.

Cabins
You will be shown directly to your cabin and given useful information on how the equipment in your cabin works. All cabins have private facilities and shower en suite, and some of the larger staterooms and suites have baths and balconies. Standard facilities on most 4 star plus ships include TV, satellite telephone and hairdryer, but this does vary from ship to ship. As you will spend most of your time ashore, on deck or being entertained you will spend little time in your cabin and for this reason cabins are generally smaller than a hotel room but well planned. The price you pay will usually reflect the cabin size and its position on the ship.

Facilities
All ships have a choice of bars and entertainment lounges, hairdressers, a casino, library and shops available to you. The larger and more modern ships will have a much greater choice of facilities that can cater for almost every taste or appeal to the more active cruiser. Some mega liners also offer the resort at sea with ice rinks, multiscreen cinemas, mini golf courses and even climbing walls!

Dining
Dining is a highlight on any cruise and you can honestly eat as much as you choose to, with up to 8 meals a day included in the holiday cost. The majority of ships will offer you an early or late restaurant seating option plus buffet style breakfasts and lunches in selected locations. More deluxe ships offer single seating dining or even a choice of restaurants which you can book.

Entertainment
Once dinner is over the evening entertainment programme starts and you can expect to choose to see a show, listen to live music, dance or simply relax and unwind in a quiet lounge or bar, or take your drink to the Casino. The bigger ships offer a greater variety of themed night spots.

Daytime Activities
During the days at sea there is so much to do on board ship that you will never be bored. There is usually a full programme of port talks, demonstrations, quizzes, lectures and dance classes. For the more energetic there are sports tournaments, fitness classes and dance sessions. For the less energetic there is ample deck space to relax and unwind with a good book or a cool dip in the swimming pool.

Going Ashore
Visiting fascinating ports of call will be one of the highlights of your cruise. There are a number of organised tours, which are bookable on board. If you prefer to do your own thing you can just take a stroll around the area taking in the local ambience, go shopping or visit the local beach. You may prefer to just stay onboard and relax in the comfort of your ship.

What's Included
The most important reason why a cruise is such good value is that because it is so inclusive you only need to pay for a handful of extras. Your cruise includes all food, entertainment, and the use of public facilities. Some cruise companies include drinks and gratuities.