Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2009 | Page 41

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Will I like
cruising?
More and more people are
discovering the joys of a cruising
holiday. But if you've never done
it before and wonder if it's for
you, there's probably a lot you
want to know. Here, Dawn
Jordan, Bath Travel's Cruise
Director, answers some of the
most frequently asked questions
about holidaying on the high
seas.
Will I like cruising? There
really is something for everyone
in cruising because it's a great
opportunity to meet people and

see incredible places without the
need to pack and unpack. It's a
safe, comfortable, fascinating
and fun way to travel. Many
cruisers become addicted.
But what if I am travelling
alone? Then cruising is perfect
for you. On a cruise you'll never
be alone, unless you want to be.
Isn't it an older person's thing?
Actually that's a myth, in fact
many first time cruisers are now
under 40.
Aren't cruises really
expensive? They can be as

Cruise Director Dawn Jordan
expensive or inexpensive as you
like. Remember that on a cruise
most essential items are included
in the cost of your holiday. Some
cruises are all inclusive.
Will I get seasick? Today's
modern cruise ships are very
stable and only a tiny percentage
of passengers ever feel seasick.
You can buy some excellent
drugs over the counter at your
local pharmacy.
What if I'm ill? Cruise ships
have medical facilities and on
board doctors. However, you will
have to pay for treatment. So, as
with any holiday, you must make
sure you have the right travel
insurance before you go.
Do I have to dress up all the
time? No, not unless you want
to. Cruise ships vary, some are
more formal than others, the
choice is yours.
Doesn't it get a bit crowded
and noisy on a ship with
hundreds of other people?
If you are not a big fan of
crowds, you can always try
one of the many smaller ships
but you will also be surprised
just how spacious the bigger
cruise ships are. Even with a full
complement of passengers they
rarely feel crowded.
Is there plenty to do on
board? You'll find there is
far more to do than you can
actually fit in. Most cruises
have an incredible range of

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activities, from sport to steam
massages and saunas, amazing
entertainment on the scale of
Broadway and West End style
shows, along with nightclubs,
casinos, computers, library,
cinemas and guest lectures
by celebrities, and that's just
for starters. Don't forget that
you'll be stopping off at a host
of fascinating ports of call too.
Again, if you just want to work
at relaxing by the pool or in one
of the numerous comfortable
lounges, then you can do that
too. Most cruise ships publish a
programme of activities that will
be delivered daily to your cabin
and you can do as much or as
little as you choose.
How do I get a good deal?
The best advice is to book early
to secure the best discounts and
accommodation. Bath Travel has
a dedicated Cruise Department
with experienced staff working
closely with all the major cruise
lines, enabling us to negotiate
the best possible deals for our
clients. Sometimes this can be
as much as 50 per cent off the
brochure price of a cruise. For
good value quality cruising book
at Bath Travel with branches in
Freshwater, Newport, Ryde and
Shanklin.
Please call 0844 880 53 53

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