Cruises are very polarising. Some people are obsessed with taking highly organised, low risk adventures on the high seas. Others, often those who have never taken a cruise*, would rather book in for an unnecessary and unmedicated session of dental surgery.
Like many people of my generation, my interest in cruises was first piqued by the fly-on-the-wall documentary series, Love Boat, which, from memory, was a kind of modern-day I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, except on a ship**.
In any case, I’ve taken nine cruises in the past three years, so I guess I’m among the addicts.
Apart from a very short — just hours long — sampler P and O cruise in the line of journalistic duties several decades ago, my first ocean-going journey was from Barcelona to Dubai, via the Suez Canal, on the Royal Caribbean ship Mariner of the Seas.
Since then, I’ve been on other Royal Caribbean cruises, including in the Caribbean, and on cruises operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines (including a trans Atlantic journey on the fabulous Norwegian Epic) and Costa Cruises.
While each operator has their distinctive approaches — Costa is more geared towards Italian travellers, which is reflected in the great onboard coffee and the colourful interior design and entertainment offerings — what they have in common is comfort, conviviality and (almost) hassle-free travelling.
It’s hardly original but it must be said that the biggest advantage of a cruise holiday is that you only unpack once and the destinations come to you.
While I’ve been to some fabulous places — Tallin, St Petersburg, Giza, Petra, Ephesus, Split, Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Falmouth (Jamaica), Funchal, Valleta, Palma, Muscat, Miami and many more — I’m equally happy just enjoying the ambiance of the ship.
Boats like Mariner and the Epic (not to mention the new, larger ships I’ve yet to experience) are like small cities, populated with interesting places and people. On almost every cruise I’ve met wonderful people, several of whom I remain in contact with over social media.
Cruising is often promoted as a couples or family adventure, but I find it’s a pretty good option for a solo traveller too. It allows me to do the two things I like doing best: being on my own, and mixing with other people.
* Yes, I am aware of David Foster Wallace’s essay, A Supposedly Fun Thing I Will Never Do Again. I clearly disagree.
** This is, of course, a joke. But wouldn’t such a show be awesome? Are you paying attention, Endemol?
Footnote: If you’re wondering about the picture; it was taken from a ship I was on of I ship I’ve not been on.
