Cruises for everyone

With such a vast choice of ships and destinations, that familiar objection ‘cruising’s not for me’ no longer holds water. Good Housekeeping's travel editor David Wickers believes there’s a perfect cruise for everyone – if you know where, and how, to look...

Sail to Costa Rica

Cruise the Med

Sail around the Scottish isles

Try island-hopping in the Caribbean

Your cruise ship survival guide

Can I go cruising without first getting on a plane?
More than a third of all Brits now sail from Blighty, and from a choice of ports, not only Southampton.

Will I be seasick?
As a rule, the larger the ship, the steadier the passage. If you are really anxious, try a river cruise where the water’s always calm, the scenery lies on both banks and the emphasis is on sightseeing.

Are sequins and penguin suits compulsory?
Even on mid-range ships you can expect a couple of formal nights, although lounge suits and cocktail dresses will also pass muster on most three- to four-star vessels.

Will I have to share a table at dinner?
On most ships yes, and even where there are tables for two they may be in short supply. If this doesn’t suit you, look for companies promising ‘freestyle’ cruising, which implies freedom to dine when you want and with whom you want, and without any rigid dress codes.

Can I cross the Atlantic by ship?
Only one, the Queen Mary 2, now offers regular Atlantic crossings from mid-April until September. It’s a six-day passage from Southampton to
New York, with the ship docking in the very heart of Manhattan. But several other companies offer ‘repositioning cruising’ – from the Med at the end of summer to the Caribbean, and returning in spring.

What will the food be like?
Good to really good, depending on the ship. The best offer a choice of speciality restaurants – although you have to pay an extra cover charge, it’s well worth it for the superior food and cosier ambience, plus tables for two. Foodies can enjoy celebrity chefs at sea, including Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White with P&O, and Nobu Matsuhisa and Wolfgang Puck on Crystal Cruises.

Do prices cover everything?
With all meals included, as well as entertainment and, of course, transport from place to place, cruising offers great value for money. But don’t underestimate the cost of any extras, from bar bills and spa treatments to shore excursions, internet access and even bottled water. There are also gratuities to consider (not only expected but an essential source of earnings for the poorly paid crew – reckon on at least £5 per person per day).

Still not sure?
Dip your toe in the water with a mini cruise. Several ships feature three- and four-day jaunts across the Channel from a choice of UK ports. For more information: the 'Berlitz Complete Guide To Cruising And Cruise Ships (£16.99) gives in-depth reviews of 285 different ships. For free fact sheets on the various types of cruising, see www.discovercruises.co.uk. For sound advice, consult a specialist agent such as Mundy Cruising (020 7734 4404; www.mundycruising.co.uk)