Cruise publication

SO, YOU WANT TO CRUISE? THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

INCLUDING Amenities Onboard Fly Cruises Embarking From Southampton The Mediterranean The Caribbean Scandinavia and The Baltic What’s Included?

SO, YOU WANT TO CRUISE? Do you like the idea of waking up in a new country everyday? If you want to explore the world from the comfort of a sun lounger, the top of a rock climbing wall or while relaxing in a spa, a cruise might be your idea of a perfect holiday.

This brochure looks at the things you can do onboard cruise ships while you’re at sea, as well as some of the most popular destinations and shore excursions. It also goes though embarking the ship, and what to do before you book.

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Amenities Onboard

Around The Fly Cruises Embark from Southampton Mediterranean

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In The Caribbean

Through Scandinavia and the Baltic

Little Extras

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Amenities Onboard In between destinations or during the evening, you can enjoy the entertainment onboard the ship, and there is plenty to see. From 200ft tall rock climing walls and ice skating rinks to spas, there’s something for everyone.

All cruise liners offer an array of activites for everybody, no matter there age or preferences. Here are some of the most popular things you can do on some of the best ships, including Allure of the Seas and the Cunard Queen Elizabeth 2.

1. Restaurants and Bars

2. Rock Climbing Wall

3. Promenade

From 24/7 buffets to formal dining, there is always somewhere to eat and drink on a cruise.

Some Royal Caribbean ships have a rock climbing wall, which reaches 200ft above sea level!

Promenades can include shops, acrobatic shows, art galleries and cafes for you to wander through.

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4. Central Park

5. Fitness

6. Pool

On Allure of the Seas, there is a fully living park going through the centre of the ship.

From jogging tracks and gyms to full sized sports courts, you can still keep up your fitness regime.

Most cruise lines have a pool, including adult only as well as kids pools with water activities available.

7. Spa

8. Theatre

9. Ice Skating Rink

For total relaxtion, lots of cruise liners have spas where you can relax in a jacuzzi, have a massage or get your hair cut.

There is usually nightly entertainment on all ships including singers, dance acts, aquatheatre and West End style shows.

Navigator of the Seas has an ice-skating rink where you can watch nightly shows as well as have a go yourself in the day.

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Embark From Southampton SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 1: Transfer to Ship

Barcelona, Spain Day 2

Day at Sea

Fly Cruises A lot of crusie lines offer a cruise and flight package, where you can fly to the destination of the departure port. The price will include transfer and flights so you don’t have to worry about getting there yourself. A lot of cruise lines also recommend hotels, so you can get there the night before or have a mini holiday before you embark.

Some companies, like Thomson, offer a cruise and stay package. This includes a flight to the departure port with a weeks cruising, as well as a weeks stay in a hotel there.

Departure ports include Baltimore, Barcelona, Boston, Fort Lauderale, Hong Kong, Perth, Rome, San Juan, Sydney and Singapore.

Fly cruises are good option if you want to explore destinations that you might not be able to embark from in the UK. You can visit the Caribbean, Canada, South America, Asia and Australia, so flying gives you a lot more options.

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Rather than flying to a departure destination, Southampton has a big port and lots of the major cruise lines embark from here. There is a big car park at the port where although charges apply, it would be cheaper than booking a flight.

There are also coaches that travel nationwide to the port if you don’t want to leave your car there. Royal Caribbean do a ‘Door to Port Service’ whereby you get picked up from your house and go to your

nearest coach terminal. From there you go to the port on an executive coach.

There are lots of destinations you can go to from Southampton such as Europe, Scandinavia and the Mediteranean. These are very different countries, and so there is still a lot of choice when embarking from here, and you don’t need to fly to a departure port to experience the world. Here is a sample itinerary that you could go on.

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Marseilles, France Day 4

Cannes, France

SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 1

Southampton, England Day 5

Florence, Italy Day 6

Civitavecchia, Italy Day 7

Day 2

Alesund, Norway Day 3

Flam, Norway

Naples, Italy Day 4 Day 8

Day at Sea

Stavanger, Norway

Day 9: Transfer to Airport

Day 5

Barcelona, Spain

Southampton, England

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Around The Mediterranean

This is one of the most popular cruise destinations, as there is so much variation. From scuba diving in Sardinia to riding a gondola in Venice, there is something for everyone.

This section goes through the most popular countries, cities and islands to visit in the Mediterranean, as well as the best shore excursions to take part in while you’re there to make the most of your trip.

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Park Guell, Barcelona

4. Oia Village, Santorini

Park Guell is one of Gaudi’s architectual masterpieces, and is perfect to walk through on a sunny day admiring the mosaic work and garden.

Sail to Athinios Harbour and take a journey up the cliff face of the caldera to see the traditional whitewashed houses and blue domed roofs.

2. Place du Casino, Monte Carlo

5. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa

This is a square with the Hotel de Paris, Cafe de Paris and the famous Monte Carlo Casino, known for its opulence and formal dress code.

In Miracle Square, you can see the outside of the Leaning Tower which famously started sinking into the ground when it was built.

3. Turkish Cuisine, Istanbul

6. Ajaccio, Corsica

Discover traditional food at the Spice Market, which sells the likes of Turkish delight, oils, nuts and spices. Then you can go to the Beyoglu Farmer’s Market, as well as the Kumkapi Fish Market.

Board a mini train at Cricheto Pass, where you’ll see the green landscape, vineyards and cliff faces. After the ride, you can take a photo at the stunning Lake Tolla before heading back.

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Spain

Greece

See Gaudi’s iconic architecture in Barcelona, visit the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada or drink sangria in Palma de Mallorca.

Visit the pictoresque island of Santorini, or see the ancient relics of Athens. Then you can relax on the beaches in Corfu or Zakynthos.

France

Italy

Along the French Riveria, you can overlook the yachts In Villafranche, see the Casino in Monte Carlo, go on the red carpet in Cannes, or see the Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseilles.

Crammed with historical sites, see Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, pose next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa or see the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Turkey

Corsica

Rich in culture, you can visit one of the wonders of the world, the Mausoleum in Bodrum, sample the local Turkish delight delicacy or relax in a Turkish mud bath.

The most mountainous island of the Mediterranean, it’s covered in sandy beaches, cliff faces, lakes and vinyards, so there are plenty of photo opportunities.

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TYPICAL SHORE EXCURSIONS

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In The Carribbean Escape to the Caribbean’s idyllic waters, palm trees and sandy beaches on a cruise for the perfect holiday. You will have to fly to your departure port, and these could be Fort Lauderale, Puerto Rico or New York. If you want to relax, then you can sunbathe on one of the many beaches, or stroll past the colourful native houses. If you are more into adventure, then why not go hiking in Christoffel National Park or snorkel amongst tropical fish and reefs in Grand Caymen.

HIGHLIGHTS Antigua

With over 365 beaches - one for every day of the year - there’s only 70,000 habitants so plenty of space for ultimate, exclusive relaxation.

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Puerto Rico

A vibrant nightlife and luxury resorts contrasts with the natural rainforests and idyllic beaches, so you really do get a bit of everything here.

Barbados

Known as Little England, for the natives love of tea and cricket, it is a definite island to visit for its sandy beaches, coral reefs and chance to swim with turtles.

Jamaica

A bustling island, you can enjoy everything from jungle river tubing, rum and sugar-making tours, snorkelling in the clear sea and aerial rainforest tours.

Dominican Republic

Explore inland on a 4x4 off road trip or go diving 150ft into natural waters with waterfalls.

Visit the Samana Peninsula and go to the Whale Museum, La Churcha and Las Terrenas.

Grenada

Purple mountains, architecture and tropical plants will take your breath away on this stunning island. Famous for its nutmeg, visit the Isle of Spice and try the local Creole dishes.

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TYPICAL SHORE EXCURSIONS 1. Yacht Race, St Johns

4. Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rio’s

Race head to head on a Beneteau 40.7 where you can either do sail trimming, winch grinding, time keeping, driving or just sit back and relax.

One of the most popular attractions on the island, there is 600ft available to climb, or paddle at the bottom of this waterfall.

2. Barcadi Rum Distillery, San Juan

5. Walk The Plank Zipline, Samana

This is the largest rum distillery in the world, where you will learn the history and the process of turning sugar canes into rum. You will also get the chance to try different varieties and blends.

It’s 350ft above the Lulu waterfalls, over 7000ft long, and with 13 stations it is definitely one of the more action packed activities you can do.

3. Atlantis Submarine, Bridgetown Experience the sea as deep as 130ft in the totally unique submarine, where you come in close contact with marine life in its natural habitat.

6. Underwater Park, Molinere Bay Go to the first underwater scultpure park and snorkel in the Marine Protected Area with equipment given to you. You can also go snorkelling in Dragon Bay or Flamingo Bay.

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Through Scandinavia and the Baltic

TYPICAL SHORE EXCURSIONS

Visit the scenic Northern Europe destinations and discover nature’s works of wonder, such as the Artic Circle’s aurora borelias or one of Finland’s 187,888 thousand lakes.

These cruise itineries are available to port from Southampton, so are easily accessible for people who live in the UK. They are a popular choice for people who want to try something a little bit different from the typical sun and beach holidays, and offer a range of things to do - in the sun as well as the snow.

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HIGHLIGHTS Norway

Finland

See the Northern Lights here, as well as bottomless lakes and tall cliffs.

Walk past the colourful architecture that the houses are known for.

This is where the Moomins originate from, there are more saunas than cars, 187,888 lakes and are known for their Finnwacky events.

Denmark

Russia

The most Southern nordic country, it has the longest rail bridge in Europe, which connects to Sweden. You can visit the Carlsberg factory, Kronberg Castle and Øresund Bridge.

You will stop in St. Petersberg on a Russian cruise, and can visit stunning palaces and churches. The Hermitage Museum has artworks from Da Vinci, Matisse and Gaugin.

Sweden

Iceland

10% of the country is covered in lakes and rivers, and spread over 14 small islands, it is still the most populous of the Nordic countries.

Well known for its hot springs and geysers, this is the best place to visit geothermal sites. It’s also full of lava fields, mountains and waterfalls.

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1. Frogner Park, Oslo

4. Husky Safari, Lapland

A public park which has a permanent installation by Gustav Vigeland, which is a series of 212 bronze and granite sculptures.

You will be given lessons on how to handle the dogs and the sledge, and will lead six dogs, and will go through the wintery landscape of Lapland.

2. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

5. Catherine Palace, St. Petersberg

This is the second oldest amusement park in the world, and also the second most popular seasonal theme park in the world which shows its popularity!

The place where the Russian Tsars used to spend their Summers. It has a beautiful blue, white and gold facade and only gets more impressive inside.

3. Ice Bar, Stockholm

6. Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik

Here, everything is made of ice - from the furniture to the glasses. It’s always -5°, so you are given warm gloves and a coat to keep warm. This is a definite visit for a unique experience.

The ultimate alternative spa experience, it is one of the most popular attractions in Iceland. Rich in minerals, it is known to help people suffering from skin diseases.

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What’s Included?

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Whale Watching Park Guell is one of Gaudi’s architectual masterpieces, and is perfect to walk through on a sunny day admiring the mosaic work and garden.

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TO GET YOU STARTED A FEW OF THE BEST CRUISE LINES

CUNARD

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Total Ships in Fleet

Total Ships in Fleet

Three

Twenty One

Known For

Known For

Luxury weddings and total comfort.

Innovative and advanced amenities and ships.

Website

Website

www.cunard.co.uk

www.royalcaribbean.co.uk

CELEBRITY CRUISES

P&O CRUISES

Total Ships in Fleet

Total Ships in Fleet

Eleven

Eight

Known For

Known For

Luxurious service, staterooms and facilities.

Trusted and renowned service.

Website

Website

www.celebritycruises.co.uk

www.pocruises.co.uk