Some one and a half million of us in the UK will take a cruise holiday this year. By 2012 that figure is expected to reach two million. So what is feeding our enthusiasm for going afloat for year- round holidays and also, increasingly, for short midweek and weekend breaks?   

In the past quarter of a century, the public appetite for cruising has grown annually by around 7% - and that appetite has been fed by operators making cruising more accessible, more exciting, more varied and, yes, much more affordable.  

The days when a cruise summoned up the image of black tie, ballroom dancing and dinner at the captain’s table have not entirely disappeared. There are plenty that offer the traditional way of doing things. However, the choice of cruises has grown so much that, whatever your tastes and interests, you’re sure to find a holiday to suit you – even one that includes never getting out of your shorts and sandals except to fall into bed each night!  

That shift has been reflected in the fact that the age of those going on cruises has dropped dramatically, and cruising now appeals to a far larger audience.  

So whether you travel as a couple, a family, alone or with a group of friends, you will find the perfect cruise holiday to suit you. The activities and entertainment on board are incredibly varied, from art classes and celebrity lectures through to aromatherapy sessions, rock climbing and ice skating; while on-shore activities can embrace whale watching, wine tasting, walking and cycling – and everything in between.  

Of course, what you may need most of all is peace, quiet and the chance to sit back and wind right down. Well that’s fine too.  

If you think you know what a modern cruise is like, you’re almost certainly wrong – because there are literally thousands to choose from aboard over 200 different ships… and each will be different.    

With holidaymakers becoming ever more discerning, the cruise operators have responded by continually raising the bar in terms of quality, variety and value. Imagine a superb hotel with top quality facilities – but with the added advantage that this hotel takes you where you want to go…  

Cruise ships sail worldwide – transporting you to places that would cost a small fortune if you tried to get there any other way… and transporting you in style. If one of the larger vessels doesn’t appeal, you can rest assured that there will be a smaller ship and alternative cruise style to suit your needs.  

Ships of all sizes are now penetrating the hearts of continents and taking travellers along some of the most famous waterways and rivers in the world – from the Mekong and Volga to the Zambezi and the Murray. Other intrepid travellers are exploring the rugged coasts of Greenland and Antarctica, spotting whales, polar bears and penguins in their natural habitats, or following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Islands. Other travellers are cruising the Rhine and the Moselle, enjoying the delights of gluhwein and bratwurst at Christmas Markets.  

Many people select a cruise holiday because, without ever having to unpack their bags more than once, they can be taken to a different location every day – perhaps tracing the rise and fall of successive empires in the Mediterranean, tracking the dynasties of ancient Egypt, or just finding a nice beach or private island to enjoy.  

A cruise holiday means many things to many different people! But there are always some ‘constants’ that every cruise offers: ever changing vistas, waking up each morning with somewhere new to explore, great entertainment, and invariably excellent cuisine and service. These have been the hallmarks of cruising for decades.   

And the best advice? Open your mind to the endless variety of cruising in the 21st century. There really has never been a better time to take a holiday afloat. There is also a network of specialist travel agents around the country who can give you helpful, independent advice on choosing the right cruise for you - and negotiating a good price too.  

Mature Times, in association with The Leading Cruise Agents association have produced a compact guide giving helpful hints and advice on cruising to those who have never taken this type of holiday before.  The guide costs £5.95 plus £1.95 post and package – if you would like to order a copy simply call us on 01934 864410 – and you can order and pay bu card over the phone.    

The Leading Cruise Agents have their own website - linked below -   
or you can call them on 0870 122 5115. 

www.thelca.com