When people take a holiday, most either fly off abroad or take a break in their own backyard. For some, having a high seas holiday adventure may have never have crossed their minds until now. This is down to a few factors. For instance, air fares are continuing to rise each year and Air Passenger Duty has already risen by up to 325 percent since 2006. Another rise in APD is expected in November 2010 too, with many expecting this to affect family holidays for the worse. The recession has hit everybody hard too. Therefore with tighter budgets combined with the prospect of airport threats at peak holiday times (cutting into precious time off) it comes as no surprise that many are looking for alternative ways to take a ‘no-flight’ vacation.
This is great news for the cruise industry! The demand for high seas adventures is growing, be it out on the ocean wave or on the canals and river ways around the UK, as more and more holidaymakers are finding (and liking) their sea legs. This demand could be great news for passengers too, as it could lead to more choice of sailings, wider range of cruiselines, itineraries, durations and departure ports here in the UK.
There are sailing holidays to suit every budget and every holiday wish. You could choose to captain your very own canal boat and sail serenely alongside the beautiful British countryside, from the Norfolk Broads to weekend breaks around the Cotswolds. You could charter a yacht that will take you around the Cornish coastlines or across the channel to France. Or aim for further across the horizon.
There are cruise ships of all sizes which cater for every desire. It’s probably easier to say what isn’t available on a ship somewhere on the ocean. Kids and adults can slide down a four-deck high slide in a water park, you can learn glass blowing in a purpose built studio or how about playing croquet on a perfectly manicured lawn? From port to starboard, cruise ships are packed full with all sorts of entertainment, including boutiques, pools, casinos, spas, restaurants and lounges, with plenty to keep children entertained with too.
You can set sail to anywhere in the world, all year round. How about embarking on a transatlantic trip to New York, or a festive cruise around the Caribbean? You can sail to any corner of the earth or circumnavigate the whole globe with a luxury (162 nights) world cruise!
So if you’re fed up with airport hassles, delays and jet lag, then why not simply take a cruise next holiday time? They can be as leisurely or as energetic as you like. With so many destinations to choose from the world is your seafaring oyster!