Choose to Cruise!!

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of attending my first ever cruise conference in Southampton. Ocean cruises in particular have, until now been an area of travel I have felt the least unsure of and like many people, I've had a lot of preconceptions, myths and stigmas which needed to be challenged. Does this sound familiar? - Cruising is stuffy, cruising is for old people, cruising is being in a crowded place, seeing the same people day in, day out, cruising is sitting on big round tables with strangers, cruising is expensive, cruising isn't adventurous etc.. The other side of me is intrigued by this industry, as there is no doubt cruising is big business. With over £60 billion of investment in new ships over the next few years, there is clearly a growing market for this product. So why is that? Well after experiencing first-hand two very different cruise ships during my trip - Celebrity Edge and Queen Mary 2, I have to say I am now converted for so many different reasons. Number 1 - Cruising is fun Number 2 - Cruising is so easy - embark in Southampton (or another cruise point) unpack and don't pack until your trip home. Your holiday starts the moment you board the ship. Number 3 - Cruising is adventurous - Visit multiple destinations in one trip - it's like a taster menu in lots of different restaurants. Wake up in a different destination every day and you have been escorted there without lifting a finger. Number 4 - Cruising is spacious - there is plenty of space to escape the crowds and find private spaces. The lounges, bars, restaurants and chill out spaces on Celebrity are brilliantly designed and on trend, whilst the library on Queen Mary 2 is beautiful, timeless and romantic and the planetarium theatre is a joy to behold. Number 5 - Cruising is incredible value for money - with amazing itineraries, all-inclusive deals and a wide range of cruise types, there really is something to suit every budget. Number 6 - Cruising isn't just for the older generation - cruising is for young families, for fun loving couples, for single travellers, for honeymooners, for multi-generational families - there is something for every age group. It is just a case of picking the right ship for the right client. I can't finish this blog without mentioning the amazing world of river cruising again too. Further to my earlier blog, I have always wanted to river cruise, to see otherwise hidden gems, to see the land up-close from the water and be mesmerised by the beauty of European landscapes. River cruising is not just in Europe though, there are cruises worldwide, in Asia and the Americas and again to suit every budget and every age group. River cruising enables you to connect with destinations in the same way as ocean cruising, but on much smaller vessels visiting much smaller locations, all the while being able to relax, unwind and if the mood takes hire a free bike from the boat and cycle to the next stop off point, following the river through forests and woodlands and ancient villages. What better way to work off all that wonderful locally sourced food and drink? I am not saying I will cruise on every holiday, but there is now a big place in my adventurous heart for cruising, both ocean and river. There is nothing quite like the experience of seeing and boarding an iconic ocean liner such as the Queen Mary 2 and knowing that she is going to transport you effortlessly to faraway lands whilst you sit back, dream and relax. It sent tingles down my spine as I boarded. Surely this is what holidays are all about!