If you have never taken a cruise, let me recommend
it. If you just want a lazy time, that's
fine, or if you want lots of entertainment, that is just as fine.
Although I have cruised a lot over the years I have now decided
that for me as a single person it is the best way to go! I am lucky enough to have plenty of cruise
lines operating from Southampton on the south coast of England - just about an
hour's train ride from home. So, no more
lugging suitcases to and around an airport (or staying in an overnight hotel
for a pre-dawn check in) and, of course, no hanging around in the noise or
paying over the odds for a meal in the airport terminal. Best of all, not having to sit in an
uncomfortable seat with insufficient leg room and someone's knees pressing on
my back.
People often exclaim that cruising alone is
expensive. I made a list of some of the
places I want to visit, checked out flight costs (using a rather more
comfortable airline), cost of hotels, cost of food, extraneous expenses, then
checked the cost of a cruise. Yes, the
cruise is more expensive but not as much as one would expect. The cruise includes a twice-a-day serviced
cabin where, if I want some quiet time, I relax or have a nap, good food and
service (and food and drinks are available all day so if you want breakfast,
elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, supper....). The entertainment is varied, from shows and
films to competitions, karoake, quizzes, dancing, deck quoits and more. For shore days there is a wide variety of
excursions to go on - these are, of course, extra. But nobody says you have to go on the
tours. You can stay on board or wander
into the town.
Cruise misconceptions:
When on a cruise you get to meet all sorts of people including
some who have been cruising for years.
Most do know what they are talking about but, unfortunately, some don't
so if you are given certain pieces of information it is best to check it out
with someone who DOES know. For example,
you can always go and ask at reception.
Until only a few years ago tipping was left to the
passengers with suggestions as to how much and to which crew members was posted
in the information pamphlet. These days
when we are using credit cards more and more, cruise companies are offering the
chance to either have a set sum added to your onboard expenses or you can opt
out. If you opt out, you tip your cabin
steward and, if having set table dinner, your waiter and bus boy. How can you tip the chefs, kitchen staff and
others who help to make your cruise enjoyable?
Think about it. I always have it
added to my onboard expenses then if my cabin steward does me any particular
favours I will slip him an additional bit of cash.
Some know-it-alls may tell you that you should tip direct
as they don't believe the automatic tips are distributed. I suspect crews would go on strike if they
didn't get their tips. And, yes, I do
hear people who say that the shipping lines should raise the wages and do away
with tipping. If that happened I doubt
if as many people would cruise so there would be fewer cruises and less work
for the hard workers.
A favourite 'overheard' comment from new cruisers is that
they tell their cabin steward that they only need their cabin dealt with once a
day. I realise they think they are doing
the steward/ess a favour but they aren't.
That is the job and if it isn't done properly they could find a bit of
demotion on the books.
Finally, when at sea the ship goes very slowly - at
cruising speed. Yes, some people are
surprised and point out that if the ship went faster it could either go to more
ports or the cruise could be shortened.
The idea of a cruise is that it is a leisurely experience - apart from
the fact that there are far more cruise ships than berths at some ports!
Do give it a try - even if you only start out with a few
days 'tester'!
