subject: Are there cruises to suit all ages? [print this page] Are there cruises to suit all ages? Are there cruises to suit all ages?
If you're over the age of 30, chances are you've either experienced a booze cruise or seen an example on one of the many holiday programmes littering weekday primetime viewing. Whilst these types of holidays might not be for you anymore, cruises catered towards an older demographic seem to just be for over 50s, who enjoy playing shuffleboard and cruising the Med or the Baltics with cheesy cabaret-style entertainment. The term "cruise" has almost become synonymous with both of these stereotypes. But with an ever increasing range of luxurious and explorative cruises on the market, maybe it's time to put these old fashioned stereotypes away and embrace cruising as a practical and enjoyable way to discover new destinations.
A cruise can be many things. For instance, it can take up the entirety of your holiday boarding in the UK before gliding off to your destination and being dropped back home again at the end. A cruise can also be a "floating hotel", taking you from dive site to dive site or historical monument to historical monument - perfect if you only want to have to unpack once. Alternatively, you can look at a cruise as a more luxurious option to a road transfer leave the dust and dirt behind and enjoy the wind in your hair instead of being crammed into a poorly air-conditioned coach or minibus. You can even add one on to the end of your holiday, a couple of days of relaxation or exploration, finishing your holiday on a high. Or, for those looking to offset their carbon footprint, there are conservationist cruises where you can spend your time aboard helping to understand and protect local flora and fauna. It is entirely up to you.
Cruise ships come in many shapes and sizes - not all of them are shiny white behemoths with spas, ice rinks and cinemas on board - so make sure you choose a ship that is suitable for your needs. For instance, you won't find a Frank Sinatra impersonator aboard a conservation cruise unless you're either very, very lucky or one of the onboard biologists is a budding entertainer. Also, make sure you pack appropriately for the size of your vessel and the nature of your cruise - if you plan on gliding down the Amazon for instance, you're going to need long sleeves and trousers to avoid mosquito bites. And if you're on a smaller boat, there may be luggage size restrictions so make sure you check before you pack.
So whether you choose to island hop in the Maldives, chill out on a dive vessel off the coast of Australia, visit historic sites on a Nile cruise or even join a conservation effort in the Amazon, you'll be surprised and amazed at what a cruising holiday can offer.
