Ocean Cruise holidays - Cruising is Addictive

​STORY BY VI HUGHES 2012
PHOTO BY ANTHONY METCALFE

Many people who choose to cruise the oceans are “addicted” to cruising. Some "professional cruisers" with 10 or 20 or more cruises under their belt will say "there is NOTHING to compare". 
First time cruisers beware - you too can become an addict!  Ocean cruise holidays can be as relaxing, exciting, exhausting and enjoyable as you would like them to be. You can laze in the sun for hours; relax in the spa, cafes and bars; or participate in the never ending array of activities that the cruise ships offer from golf to movies, cabaret to casinos. It is the perfect holiday for families with children of any age, for retirees and for a couple on a romantic getaway.
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Many couples plan for a Honeymoon Cruise and what better way to spend your honeymoon than with a cruise holiday.
Watch out for special deals on Last Minute Cruises and you will find they are very affordable. There are countless ocean cruise holiday lines in every part of the world and the standard of cruises is getting better every year.
Once you have made the decision to Cruise it is important to consider some of the following facts:

What time of year will you be cruising?

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  • It is extremely important to make sure you don’t book in the wet or cyclone seasons, or when it is too hot or too cold for your destination. Cruising is definitely seasonal however seasons are different around the world so it’s always “perfect” for a cruise somewhere!​​
  • ​Where would you like to cruise? You may need to change your times to suit the weather conditions if you are locked into a specific destination.
  • Which cruise lines operate in your desired area? This information is readily available on the internet but make sure you research thoroughly; some cruise ships may be old and need refurbishing.
  • What type of cruise would you enjoy? Certain cruise lines, ships and locations have a reputation for being “family orientated”, “party cruises”, or “retiree cruises”  Some are known to have more first time cruisers so make sure you choose the environment that suits you.
  • When deciding on your cruise holiday, the size of the ship is important. Do you want a smaller, more intimate cruise experience or a larger ship with more people.
  • The length of the cruise is also important. If it is your first cruise and you are not sure whether this type of holiday is for you, it may be advisable to choose a short cruise to start with, and definitely a cruise that will be travelling through very calm waters.
  • Your Cabin selection. It can be very luxurious to have a suite with a balcony, however it is important to keep in mind the following.
    • Everyone shares the same ship, activities and meals, regardless of your ticket price.
    • You will spend very little time in your cabin apart from sleeping and getting dressed, as there is so much to do on the ship and on port excursions.
    • You can visit locations before and after your cruise, offering a great opportunity to extend your holiday to take in more destinations and a greater variety of adventure. 
    • Find out more about Family Cruises.
    Every summer seems to be a bigger cruise holiday season than ever in Australia, with new cruise companies or ships coming to our shores. Read more.
PHOTOS BY VI HUGHES 
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Would you like to experience cruising without going on the ocean? YOU CAN!
Some spectacular cruise holidays to check out include:                      Try River Cruises in Europe
River Cruises Around the World - Africa - Asia
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