Did You Miss The Boat This Summer?

Well what a busy year this has been for cruising! Ships in European waters are all sailing full to bursting point and with some ships carrying in excess of 4000 passengers that’s no mean feat. From Southampton alone I have worked out over 26,000 passengers will be sailing in the next 7 days!!

So why has cruising become so popular? Because it’s fantastic value for money, that’s why. The myth that cruising is for old people has been blown out of the water. Yes there are certain lines geared to the more mature traveller, Fred Olsen is a favourite, but with the big boys fighting for the next ‘first at sea’ the innovations are endless. Who ever thought there would be bumper cars at sea, or surf simulators, ice rinks, go karts, sky diving. Some of the traditional beach resorts have less to offer than one of these megaships. And look what’s included, all meals, snacks, some drinks, entertainment day and night and on average seeing 7 or 8 destinations on one 2 week holiday.

There are so many options out there too nowadays. Traditional ships that still have set dining times with the same table and waiter throughout the cruise, some with the choice of traditional and anytime dining with the option to participate in formal nights or not and then the fairly new concept of Freestyle cruising led by Norwegian Cruiselines, no dress code, no set dining times and a massive choice of eateries.

No fly cruising is massively popular these days, with people really turning off flying, partly because of the terror threat, but also the hassle of plane journeys and getting through the airport system at both ends, the fear of your luggage not turning up and the luggage restrictions that come with air travel. I can leave my house at 9am, a two hour drive to Southampton and be on the ship with my first cocktail by lunchtime.

So, going back to the title, did you leave it late this year hoping for a last minute bargain? Did it work out as you hoped? I have had so many disappointed customers over the last couple of months wanting to cruise this summer and just can’t get the availability. Any odd cabins that are left are certainly not at bargain prices and this isn’t just the case for school holidays. Availability for September and even early October is very scarce. The message is book now for next year. Early bookers get the best deals with low deposit, up to 30% reductions, free parking, drinks packages, wifi and all sorts of other incentives to get those cabins filled early. Plus, the UK’s favourite ship Independence of the Seas is getting a makeover in the Spring and the two school holiday 14 night cruises are filling fast!!

Give yourselves something to look forward to, call me and get that 2018 holiday in the bag.

Dee