Arriving on-board your very first cruise holiday is very special as you enter a completely different way of life and to holiday like you never have before.  The surroundings are luxurious, food and drink plentiful and a chance to wake up in a different country every day just make it the best way to travel. I am obviously not on my own when I say this as it has been reported that a record 1.7 Million people sailed away from it all last year making it one of the most popular ways to holiday. With one in eight holidays now involving a cruise the industry is seeing a massive change in the market.  Years ago you cruised if you were very wealthy or retired but now with ever expanding ships including cinemas , children’s clubs, water-parks  zip lines , bowling alleys and more the families have opted to jump on-board to.  The passenger shipping association have reported that out of the 1.7 million passengers 918,000 of them take at least two cruises and 374,220 passengers enjoy it so much they book three or more.  It doesn’t seem to stop there with them also reporting that they expect that figure to surge this year by another 60,000.

The great appeal of a cruise over the land based package has to be largely the itinerary and destinations on offer and for you to see a bit of the world. Mix this with all you can eat buffets and fantastic shows and entertainment with impeccable service and it makes it a winning formula.  The Mediterranean seems to be the most popular with reports of over 700,00 opting for this itinerary and also Northern Europe saw a rise with 443,000 passengers choosing this with the Fjords being a main attraction.

It’s also a very sociable way to holiday as cruising makes you feel part of a club with everybody sharing similar interests.  You can dine with strangers at the beginning of your trip and after your 14 nights on-board you come away with friends for life.  I have booked many passengers who are travelling with companions they met on-board 10-20 years ago.

If you fancy sailing away from the appalling weather then give me a ring and I will find you your dream cruise – what have you got to lose after all 1.7 million people agree with me.