Why choose to cruise?

Why choose to cruise?

Cruise holidays are just for old people, right? They’re boring, expensive and the food is terrible?  And what do you do when the ship is at sea? Play shuffleboard? No way Jose!

Katrina Cole from House of Travel Botany loves it when people tell her these things. Because the surprise and delight they experience when they go on a cruise for the first time is unforgettable. With the average cruiser now just 47 years old and ships catering for just under 100 guests to over 5000, there is a ship experience to suit everyone. Here are Katrina’s top tips for why a cruise holiday should be top of your travel to-do list!

Amazing bang for your buck!

If you haven’t cruised before its one of those things you don’t realise how much a cruise actually includes – it’s your transport, accommodation, food, all main meals plus entertainment. When it comes to value, nothing beats a cruise.  And, if you choose a close to home cruise you can even avoid international flights – save time at airports and you can often get an entire cruise holiday for the price of your airfare!

A different destination every day

Picture this! No queues at border crossing to worry about, no early morning starts or traffic jams. Unpack only once and just wake up each morning in a new destination or even a new country and start exploring. Plus your ship comes fully loaded with heaps of things to do to keep you entertained while you are at sea. Cruise ships are floating entertainment hubs, offering a plethora of onboard activities - take a cooking class, or even go ice skating and entertainment options to suit every taste. From Broadway-style shows and live music, there’s never a dull moment on board. The variety ensures that every member of your travel party can find something to do.

Perfect Cruise Match

Tell us what do you like most in a holiday?  With cruise ships coming in every shape and size its super important you get the right tribe and vibe. That’s where our expert cruise specialists come in to guide you and will then match the ship size, style, budget and entertainment to suit. Whether its adults only,  you’re celebrating a significant birthday or anniversary with multiple generations travelling together or looking for fun with the family,   cruising sails straight to the top of fantastic family holidays. Surprised? Many Kiwis are — until they take their first family cruise! Think free Kids Clubs, with fantastic daily schedules to keep the kids entertained. Choose larger style resort ships and you could get everything from Water parks to Go Karts, yes there are even ships with Surf Riders and Sky Diving Simulators for those big kids at heart.

River or Ocean?

If you prefer to cruise closer to land than the wide open sea, a river cruise might be just your cup of tea! A river cruise offers a unique way to explore cities, quaint villages and indulge in the local way of life with plenty of shore excursions. Watch a private concert in a historic castle, dine in a Michelin-star restaurant or explore Egypt’s lesser-known archaeological sites along the Nile. River cruises tend to be smaller ships and whilst they might not have all the bells and whistles of the larger ocean ships but they certainly do not scrimp on luxury and style.

Fancy yourself as a Jacques Cousteau?

Expedition and exploration cruising allows you to discover some of the world’s most distant and sought-after shores. You don’t need to be Ed Hillary to enjoy an expedition cruise, you just need your sense of adventure and you’ll be rewarded with venturing into the heart of extreme lands and be immersed in amazement, wonder and nature.  Imagine taking a polar plunge, exploring in a Zodiac and participate and contribute to conservation research., learn from expedition leaders, attend workshops onboard and experience up close, some of the world’s remote destinations and untouched areas.

Foodies Rejoice!

Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship, plus plenty of other opportunities for nibbles in between. You’ll love the variety of food, from casual to fine dining, flavours are often matched to the different destinations that you are travelling through. Special dietary needs are catered for better than most land based resorts, just advise our cruise specialists at time of booking and we can make sure the cruise line knows in advance of any special dietary needs.  Oh, and the good news is, there are often well-equipped gyms onboard to keep the balance right!

Join a new tribe!

Keen to meet new people? A cruise provides the unique opportunity for passengers to connect with like-minded travellers. From organised group activities to shared dining experiences, the communal atmosphere encourages socialising and many new lifelong friendships are forged. Whether you’re a solo traveller or part of a group, or just young at heart, cruising offers the chance to meet many new and interesting people from all around the world.

Ready to set sail on the journey of a lifetime? Discover unforgettable destinations and endless horizons. Connect with our cruise specialists today to plan your dream voyage!