For a small cover charge (typically ranging from £5 to £30 per person), you can eat in a restaurant created by a Michelin-star chef such as Marco Pierre White, Gary Rhodes or Atul Kochhar.
I’m often asked why you would bother. Aren’t the silver service restaurants adequate? Yes, they are more than adequate, with a wide choice of courses and excellent service. But sometimes you fancy something a little bit different, in an intimate atmosphere.
With all that food, holidaymakers naturally worry that they’ll put on weight, but whenever I’ve been on a cruise, I’ve actually gone home fitter than when I left.
Of course, you can lie on deck all day reading a book and sipping cocktails. But I get itchy feet in the afternoon, my competitive spirit kicks in and I can’t resist the temptation to join in various games of football or basketball on deck.
And to prepare for a big night out – or rather a big night in on the ship – the gym is a world away from the one I use at home. It’s got the same state-of- the-art equipment, but instead of staring at a blank wall I can work out overlooking the ocean. It’s not a great hardship.
Every night on a ship can be a big night. There may have been some questionable entertainment in years gone by, but now the ships’ theatres host
shows that would not look out of place in the West End of London. There’s also comedy and cabaret, live music, dancing, tribute bands and cinema screenings – all at no extra cost.
But don’t worry if you don’t fancy any of that. Just
listing everything that you can do on board can leave you exhausted, but the beauty is that you can dip in and out, doing as little or as much as you want.
I have to confess that I don’t have children, so I haven’t been into the children’s clubs and nurseries. But families I speak to on board say they are the best thing about their holiday. Their children love them and they get a much needed break.
It would be wrong not to mention the comfortable staterooms, with their Egyptian cotton bed linen and the tea and coffee making facilities. But the best part is having your own personal steward.
You don’t get everything included in the price of a cruise. You’ll need to budget for a few added extras, such as drinks, spa treatments and excursions.
So, is cruising really expensive? Frankly, it’s the bargain of the century.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR FARE:
ON BOARD z All meals in the silver-service main restaurants, buffet restaurants and daytime grills
z Daytime activities, including the sports court, whirlpool spas, pools, fully equipped gym and sauna
z Evening entertainment featuring live comedy, theatre, nightclubs and cinema
IN THE STATEROOMS z En suite air-conditioned accommodation z Personal steward z Pamper packs z Tea and coffee facilities
FOR THE FAMILY (Ventura, Azura, Oceana, Aurora & Oriana) z Dedicated age specific children’s clubs z Night Nursery for the under 5s z Discounted children’s fares and in some cases free child places
GENERAL z Flights for our Caribbean fly-cruises z All UK and overseas port taxes
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