Once upon a time, a cruise was only for the rich and famous and ordinary holidaymakers could only dream of sailing around the Caribbean or the Mediterranean Seas. But, as with most other industries during the financial crisis, cruise companies have had to cut their prices in a bid to attract new custom – which is great news for those who dreamed of sailing the seven seas but thought they’d never have the cash to afford it.
If you’re really keen on keeping costs down, the best cruise options are in Europe. Adventurous spirits might try a Baltic cruise, exploring the coastline of Scandinavia and the former USSR, but the most popular destination still remains the Mediterranean. Not only is it close to the UK, cutting down travel time at the start and end of your trip, but many of the destinations are world-famous cities and attractions, including Nice, Rome and Barcelona.
First timers on a cruise ship may appreciate the following tips on etiquette to ensure that they don’t stand out from the crowd. Packing for a holiday at sea is very different from packing for a holiday spent on dry land. One important thing to remember when packing for your first cruise is that no-one really dresses up for dinner any more; so put away your Tuxedo and evening gown.
Most cruises end with a special dinner hosted by the captain, so you might want to wear a casual jacket and maybe even a tie, while women can use this as an excuse to go shopping at one of the ports of call. Think ahead to the kind of shore excursions you are planning to take as Ii they involve a lot of walking flip-flops and heels might not be the most practical items of footwear to take.
Remember that you’re sunbathing on board a cruise ship, not on the beach; and more modest swimwear is usually expected in the public areas, and many bars on board will not allow patrons dressed in just their bikinis and swimming trunks to enter, especially as the evening approaches. Women should thrown in a couple of light and comfortable sun dresses for these occasions, while men need to make sure they have a t-shirt handy.
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