A Life on the Ocean Wave
Last year was a record year for the cruise industry in Britain. Nearly 1.5 million people went on a cruise up 11% over the previous year and of these, 577,000 cruised from a UK port.
Traditionally cruises are thought of as exotic trips into warm climates. Lazy days at sea with the sun beating down as another gin and tonic was washed down.
Some maybe, but today it is seen as an alternative to the all-inclusive holiday. After all, what other holiday can you take where all your costs are known so budgeting becomes easy. Even the tipping is suggested (or in the case of Celebrity Cruises, added to your bill and you have to remove it!)
It isn’t quite like the nineteen fifties and sixties when I remember seeing departing cruiseships festooned with bunting and paper ties from relatives on shore seeing you off. Some of the glamour may have gone but it has become more accessible;-otherwise so many people wouldn’t be doing it.
My sister, this weekend, is on her fourth cruise. For someone who doesn’t really do holidays, the appeal of cruising to her is that she only has to decide what restaurant to lunch in, what show to see and what deck games to play. It’s relaxing, the cossetting of the ship’s crew removes stress and everything is done for you. So she sailed from Sydney this morning on her way around the North Pacific.
Here, just under half of those who go on a cruise, go to the Med and the Brits account for about a third of all European cruise passengers.
No wonder then that at this weekends Cruise Show at Excel in London, they’re expecting a very successful time
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