Cruise Guide 2016
the insider’s
top tips and expert advice from Scotland’s Cruise Centre
Know More about Cruising than the Captain
Tips for hassle free cruising
Dining options explained
Getting the most from your
How to Choose the Best Cabin
family cruise
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WE KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT CRUISING WE’VE WRITTEN THIS BOOK ABOUT IT! A cruise really is one of those experiences where it pays to do your research. You want to make sure you get it right with such a diverse and exciting range of options available – whether that’s the size of ship, type of holiday, the food on board, the ports they call to, or even the size of cabin that best suits you. A handy book like this is a fantastic help in understanding the complexities involved in all manner of cruise choices. But it also pays to speak to experienced cruise specialists. In the last year alone, our cruise teams have had close to 350 sleeping nights on board various cruise ships sailing the waters all across the globe.
Which means – they are full of the knowledge you need to get the absolute best out of your next cruise holiday. Whether you’re new to cruise holidays or a seasoned traveller; young, old, single, a couple or family; or simply a wild adventurer at heart, there’s so much worth knowing about the huge variety of cruising options open to you. The challenge is, which one suits you best?
They’ve also had the equivalent of 327 days on board some 30 ships on educational visits, getting fully versed on the pros and cons of the ships, the cruise lines, excursions and the destinations they travel to.
And that’s where we come in with helpful advice, insights, tips and experience to ensure you get the best cruise, designed around you, at the best price possible.
Feeling inspired? Why not give us a call. Leigh Collis Head of Cruise, Scotland’s Cruise Centre (Who took his first cruise way back in 1969)
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WHY BOOK WITH US? At Scotland’s Cruise Centre, we really understand our customers. We know that choice, flexibility, service, great value and expertise are the things valued most in a travel company. Our 40 plus years in the industry means we have the experience – and the connections – to deliver exactly this. WE ARE INDEPENDENT
CRUISE EXPERTS
This means that our Cruise Experts have more freedom and flexibility, giving you more choice from a wide-range of cruise and travel providers.
Our highly trained Cruise Experts have an in-depth knowledge, personal insight and passion for travel. They will be able to answer any questions you have with facts and not guesses.
WE ARE A PREFERRED CRUISE AGENT
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Developed over almost 40 years in the business, we have long-standing and personal relationships with all our cruise partners, giving you choice, extra savings and added value benefits.
Trusted for over 40 years and fully certified by ABTA, ATOL and IATA we can guarantee that your money and your holiday are in safe hands.
CALL OUR CRUISE EXPERTS TODAY
0800 072 9696
WWW.S C OTL ANDSCRUISECENTRE.CO.UK
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KNOW MORE ABOUT CRUISING THAN THE CAPTAIN! WITH OUR HANDY A – Z
Going on a cruise can feel like walking into a foreign country. English may well be the onboard language, but people are bound to be speaking Cruise-ese, a hybrid of nautical terms and cruise-specific lingo. Suddenly, your room is a cabin, your maid a cabin steward – and heaven forbid you call the ship “a boat”. Here’s our guide to some of the terms you might want to brush up on. AFT/FORWARD The back of the ship is aft and the front of the ship is forward. AHOY The traditional greeting onboard ships. The term originated as a Viking battle cry! AT ANCHOR When ships drop anchor for tender services to operate, usually out of port. ASHORE On land. BEARING The direction the ship is heading in. BERTH The ship’s placement at a dock and also the bed in your cabin. BOW/STERN The front part of the ship is the bow. The back of the ship is the stern. BRIDGE The command centre at the bow (front) of the ship. All the steering and navigation equipment are here. CABIN GRADES The ships different types of accommodation based on size, location and amenities. CABIN STEWARD The person who cleans your cabin and turns down the room at night. C A L L
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CRUISE CARD Used to identify you and acts as the cashless system for buying onboard. It also gives you access to your cabin. CRUISE DIRECTOR The Master of Ceremonies for the cruise who heads up the ships entertainment and social events. DECKS The different floors on a ship. DISEMBARKATION The process of passengers leaving the ship. EMBARKATION Checking-in and getting passengers on board. This is normally done in stages. GALLEY The ship’s kitchen. GANGWAY The ramp or stairway that leads from the ship to the pier, allowing passengers to get on and off the ship. GRATUITIES/TIPS Tips are common on ships. Policies vary depending on the cruise line. HOMEPORT Where a cruise ship is based for the season. INSIDE CABIN Inside staterooms without windows (porthole) or balconies.
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ITINERARY A list of the destinations (ports) you will visit. KEEL The spine of the ship which runs from bow to stern. KNOT Refers to a nautical mile and is the measurement of ship’s speed. LEEWARD/WINDWARD Leeward is the side of the ship protected from the wind, Windward is exposed to it. LIDO DECK The pool deck, hot tubs, deck chairs, splash pools and the pool bar are here. LIFE JACKETS Your buoyancy jacket that keeps you afloat in the unlikely event of an emergency. MIDSHIP The area halfway between bow and stern. MUSTER DRILL/MUSTER STATION A muster drill is a mandatory event where passengers assemble in a specific location and receive instructions on what to do in the unlikely case of an emergency. The muster station is the location passengers must go to during a drill or in an actual emergency. OBC/ OBS Onboard credit or spend – a credit added to your onboard account for you to spend on board using the ship’s cashless buying system. ON BOARD ACCOUNT The cashless system used on board to make all your purchases and paid at the end when checking out. PILOT Brought on board to provide local expertise when a ship is entering or leaving a port. PORT/STARBOARD The nautical terms for left (port) and right (starboard). You can remember because both “left” and “port” have four letters. PORTHOLE A round window found in most outside cabins. PORT OF CALL A port at which the ship anchors or berths to allow passengers to disembark. C A L L
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PROMENADE DECK Where passengers can stroll around the ship. PULLMAN BEDS Extra foldaway bunk beds that allow more than 2 passengers to share a cabin. PURSER The officer in charge of financial accounting, who handles billing issues, as well as general customer service. REPOSITIONING CRUISE A one way cruise that begins and ends in different ports as a ship moves from one region to another. These cruise types are usually cheaper and have more at sea days. SINGLE OCCUPANCY Single cabins, or one person occupying a double cabin. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT A single supplement is applied when one person occupies a 2 person cabin. SHORE EXCURSIONS Your onshore trips organized by the ship or an independent operator. SUITE The ship’s largest cabin class with separate sleeping and living spaces. TENDER A small boat that ferries cruise passengers from the ship to shore when docking isn’t possible. THEME CRUISE A cruise arranged around passengers common interests – wine, food, music etc. TRADITIONAL DINING Passengers usually have the option of first (around 6.30pm) or second (around 8.30pm) sittings in the Main Dining Room and will be allocated the same table for the full cruise. TRANSFERS Transportation to and from your airport or hotel.
TRANSATLANTIC A cruise that crosses the Atlantic Ocean. UPGRADE When you are given a cabin of a higher category. ON
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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CABIN FIND THE CATEGORY OF ACCOMMODATION TO SUIT YOUR BUDGET AND LIFESTYLE
One of the reasons we love cruising is the almost endless choices, from entertainment to restaurants to leisure activities. But when it comes to booking a cabin, the choices can sometimes feel overwhelming. Large hotels may have a clearly organised hierarchy of rooms and suites, but a single cruise ship can have more than 30 different cabin categories. It’s helpful to remember though that there are essentially only 4 types of cabins on any ship. INSIDE CABIN
BALCONY CABIN
Located on the ships internal areas, these are the smallest-sized and most affordable rooms, with no window to the outside. They offer all the same amenities as outside cabins – except the view. Perfect for guests who use their room as a base and prefer to spend their time exploring the ship and socialising.
Hugely popular, these cabins feature a balcony that allows you to step outside without going up to a public deck. From watching sunsets to dolphin spotting they are great for those special moments. Roll out your bed in the morning and take in the scenery and the sea air without leaving your room.
OUTSIDE CABIN
SUITES
A room with the same specifications as an inside cabin but with a window or porthole (a round window) with a view to the outside. These are not as expensive as a balcony cabin, but they perfectly bridge the gap.
A larger cabin, often with multiple spaces like living and sleeping areas, and large balconies. From mini suites and sky suites, to penthouses – cruise ships offer a great range. All come with a wide variety of extra amenities and perks such as champagne on arrival, exclusive toiletries, daily canapés and even your own butler. Some give access to private areas on board, as well as priorities on embarkation. Perfect for that special treat, or holiday of a lifetime!
As well as these four main types, there are also Inter-connecting Cabins, with an internal door – ideal for families. Of the 4 basic types though, it’s the permutations (size, view, location, amenities and price, for example) that can make choosing difficult. In addition to knowing your cabin options, you need to know yourself: Do you prefer to chill out on your balcony rather than the pool area? Conversely, is your idea of a cabin simply a place to flop into bed at 1 a.m. – no fancy notions necessary? Are there certain amenities you are willing to splash out on, or can you simply not justify paying for unnecessary perks? The answers will help guide you toward selecting the best cabin for your money.
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WANT TO GET STRAIGHT TO THE ACTION? A FLY – CRUISE MAY BE YOUR BEST OPTION
With a fly cruise, all travel arrangements including flights, overseas transfers and occasionally an overnight stay are included, creating a seamless and worry free holiday. WHEN TIME IS SHORT
STAY LONGER
Whether you dream of a Caribbean Cruise that takes in Mexico or the Bahamas, or a perfect Mediterranean Cruise itinerary, fly and cruise breaks mean that you can pack the most ports possible into your precious time away.
Getting to your ship quickly means you may have more time to extend your stay in port before or after your cruise. These Cruise & Stay holidays are becoming more popular as they offer the perfect land and sea combination.
GREAT FOR FAR FLUNG DESTINATIONS
CRUISE YOUR WAY
Fly cruises are ideal for those who fear getting bored at sea for long periods, those who want to pack the most sightseeing into their trip and those who want to explore far flung destinations like Asia, the Caribbean, Alaska, or Australia and New Zealand.
This brochure will give you just a flavour of what is possible. Our Cruise Experts can tailor make a holiday unique to your requirements, giving you ultimate flexibility and choice.
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AFTER HASSLE FREE CRUISING? SAILING DIRECT FROM THE UK MAY SUIT YOU BETTER
Taking a cruise sailing direct from a UK port is becoming an ever more popular choice. NO FUSS! LESS STRESS! For many UK cruisers, the ultimate draw of a cruise holiday is not so much the wide range of dining options or wall-to-wall activities, but the simple pleasure of jumping into your car at a sociable hour and driving to your port of embarkation. Before you know it, you’re on-board your floating hotel, cocktail in hand, and starting your holiday off in style.
LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE? PACK AS MUCH AS YOU WANT There are no tight baggage restrictions on cruises, although you do need to stow all those bags in your cabin. Baggage is handled effortlessly by porters who will relieve you of as much luggage as you care to pack and then deliver your bags direct to your cabin.
GREAT FOR SINGLE PASSENGERS CHOICE AND LENGTH OF CRUISE As well as the Mediterranean ships depart for the Baltics, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Caribbean and the Canary Islands. You can also set sail from the UK on a Transatlantic voyage, a round the world adventure and of course, around the British Isles and Ireland. Durations range from short taster cruises to round the world voyages of over 100-nights.
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The sociable nature of cruising makes this the perfect holiday for solo travellers. And the first few days at sea provide the perfect opportunity to get to know fellow passengers. Some cruise operators regularly organise get-togethers and attract more single passengers than others.
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DINE YOUR WAY! Over the last few years, cruise lines have looked to give passengers more flexibility in when and where they dine. A variety of different restaurants are now available on virtually every large ship and many smaller ones too, while open-seating and speciality options have been introduced on numerous ships. In the “traditional” dining scenario, passengers are informed of their seating assignments for dinner upon boarding. Dining times and table size are based on requests made at the time of booking, but on most ships they are not guaranteed. Guests are assigned to a specific table in either the early (around 6 or 6:30 p.m.) or the late (around 8 or 8:30 p.m.) seating. Passengers dine with the same tablemates and are served by the same waiting staff each night of the cruise. Most small-ship cruise lines, plus several large-ship ones, offer open-seating in their main dining rooms. Ships
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with open-seating operate their main dining rooms much like shore-side restaurants – the dining room is open for dinner during set hours, and guests may dine when and with whom they please during those hours. This dining style allows guests to choose their tablemates (or dine alone) and vary their schedules as desired. Either way, you’ll be blown away by the sheer variety of restaurants and food available on board. On a week’s cruise you could eat in a different venue each night. From Asian fusions, to Italian inspired dishes, formal to alfresco, bistro to café style, whatever your mood, the choice is diverse.
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HOW ‘FORMAL’ IS FORMAL CRUISE CLOTHING? Modern cruise fashion is more casual than the past. Gone are the days when ball gowns and tuxedos filled a ship’s dining rooms. Today you can take a stroll on deck in comfortable jeans and a T-shirt, but still enjoy all the glamour of dining on the high seas. Most cruise ships don’t have strict rules on cruise clothing, so what you wear really is up to you. Even the ‘formal nights’ have flexible dress codes. Whether you want to wear a full tuxedo, ball gown or keep it simple with a buttoned-down shirt and tie or a dress, it’s all acceptable.
WHAT IS SMART CASUAL DINING WEAR? For men, this can include a blazer/jacket, trousers (including khaki), a tie or just a collared-shirt. Smart casual for women could be a dress and heels or dressy trousers and a top. Really anything you would wear at home if you were going out for a nice meal.
On your average 7-night cruise there are normally only two optional ‘formal dining’ nights, but also plenty of other casual restaurants to try to suit your taste.
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NEW DISCOVERIES OVER EVERY HORIZON M ED IT ER R A N E A N & C A N A R I E S | N O RT H ER N EU RO P E | USA & C A R I B B E A N A SIA | AUST R A LIA & N E W ZE A L A N D | C A N A DA & A L A SK A
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SAVE MONEY ON EXCURSIONS – Should you book your shore excursions independently of your cruise line -- and save? Or is it better to take the tours offered through your ship? These are often the most commonly asked questions by cruise travellers, and there isn’t an easy answer. It all depends -- not just on circumstances but also on the ports of call and the travellers’ own taste for independent travel. For the most part cruise lines do charge more than the other operators for just about the same tour. Here’s our guide to the pros and cons. WHY BOOK THROUGH THE CRUISE LINE? You’re a first-time cruiser. Visiting a port of call on a one-day visit is a whole lot different than spending a week at a resort or in a hotel. You’ve got a real deadline - the ship may not wait if you get lost and are late. Plus, ship terminals are often located outside the main tourist area, so it’s most likely worth the extra money to book a few ship’s tours until you’ve figured out the port-of-call drill for yourself.
You want to experience a broad swath of a region. Packing a lot in on one day can be hard to replicate on your own.
The port is particularly exotic. If you’re visiting a place that really is foreign in culture and language or more off beat, the comfort of the tours arranged by the cruise line can really help, especially in the more challenging places.
It’s a high-risk trip. When taking a tour that involves travelling on helicopters, planes, parasails and even boats, the extra protection provided by the cruise line is really key. A popular tour on some South American cruises, for instance, is a day-long visit to Antarctica via airplane where weather might be a factor.
The cruise line specialises in a particular area. In some cases, cruise lines really go to a lot of effort to offer special shore excursions and tour opportunities that you may not experience independently.
The port is a long way from the main attractions. This applies particularly in Europe, where some of the most important destinations - i.e. Paris, Rome, Florence, Berlin and London are quite far from where the ship actually docks.
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AND GET PEACE OF MIND! WHY BOOK INDEPENDENTLY? The port is centrally located. Whether you’re visiting San Francisco, Barcelona, Venice and many more - these cities are so conveniently situated to cruise terminals that it couldn’t be easier to get around via a short walk or taxi ride. (One tip, too, is to research “hop on, hop off” bus options for sightseeing - they’re a great way to get around and get your bearings). You want a simple beach break. While cruise lines often offer beach “tours,” particularly in the very well-known beach destinations of the Caribbean, it really is more cost effective - and more freeing, frankly - to simply hop into a safari bus for the ride to the beach. You want personal attention and in-depth information In places that are particularly significant from a historic or cultural sense, a private guide can make the experience. Places like Turkey’s Ephesus and Italy’s Venice are perfect examples of these.
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You want to shop ‘til you drop. Do a little homework before you leave home to map out the types of shops that interest you, and their locales... and then just go. Note: Cruise ship crew can be a great source of information for hints and tips. Snorkeling, sailing and scuba are the order of the day. As long as you check out the operators - start with tourist boards and dive clubs, and go from there - snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving expeditions in major watersports ports such as St. Thomas or Grand Cayman are good bets for independent booking (the operators are often the same ones that serve the cruise lines). You’re travelling in a group. If you’re cruising with a large group of friends or family, it may be more cost effective for you to hire a private tour guide, rent a car or take a taxi tour than to book sightseeing excursions through the cruise line. You’ll have more control over where you go and the timing of the day - and you already know that you’ll like the other people on your tour!
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TIPS FOR THE PERFECT FAMILY CRUISE Many don’t realise that family cruising is the miracle tonic for mums and dads who thought they’d have to wait years to have another romantic holiday. Families, small and large are the fastest growing market in cruising, with a staggering 1.5 million children taking to the seas each year. It’s easy to see why. Family cruising can offer hard to beat pricing once accommodation, meals and activities are taken into account. We’ve seen that cruise companies have been quick to adapt to this competitive market, offering creative kid’s programmes and family-friendly amenities on everything from mega-ships to luxurious ocean liners. Parents can sneak away to enjoy some alone time, guilt-free in the knowledge that their children are not only having a blast, but are being well taken care of. Most cruise lines have specialised youth staff with professional childcare experience or are former nurses or nannies. Video games, scavenger hunts, waterslides, outdoor movies, story-time and craft projects have become standard on most cruises. However, some companies have taken it to the next level by partnering with the biggest names in children’s entertainment. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line has teamed up with Nickelodeon and Royal Caribbean has partnered with DreamWorks, the creators of Shrek and Kung Fu Panda.
Your kids will be begging you to go back to relaxing by the pool and leave them alone! Many cruise lines offer a boatload of amenities geared to different age groups, whether it’s toddlers, tweens or teens, and each group usually gets different facilities and supervised programmes. Some cruise lines are better than others at catering for different ages, so that may be a decisive factor as to which cruise is the best fit for each family. For example, some lines offer more activity and learning programmes, while others may have a higher mix of movie-watching and video games. When booking a family cruise, check what room sizes and options are available, like rooms that sleep five, or adjoining cabins, and even a family suite with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. If babysitting is a consideration, check if private in-cabin services or group babysitting in the kid’s club area is available. On small and luxury cruise lines, children’s play spaces are relatively small and activities limited during certain seasons. Holiday sailings are often the best option on these lines when children’s activities are in full swing.
And while some adults crave the opportunity to spend days at sea, lounging by the pool, and long, intimate, three course dinners, the same can’t be said for children. It pays to consider an itinerary that breaks up the journey with a mix of days in port and at sea. Also, if children are unlikely to be able to cope with a long dining room experience, look for cruise lines that offer more family friendly dining venues. While there are a few things to consider when choosing a family cruise holiday, the great thing about it is that once the decision made, everything else is taken care of for you.
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DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT What our clients say
“An excellent and friendly service. All arrangements for cruise, hotels and taxi pickups went according to plan. Thank you for a wonderful, stress free holiday.” Margaret Carrol, Motherwell “The service provided was excellent and it was a pleasure doing business with you. All arrangements were as promised. Hassle free holiday. Everything was taken care off.” Anne Cant, Dundee “As always we were delighted to book our cruise holidays. Our usual “cruise expert” Billy Wilson has been more than helpful and attentive to all our requests and questions. At times we have also been assisted by Stacey and Meche. The bottom line is that for any cruise we may find of interest to us, in the future, will most definitely be booked and arranged through Scotland’s Cruise Centre and hopefully Billy.” Leslie Mennie, Glasgow
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“This was our first booking with Scotland’s Cruise Centre. From the first contact with Alana McEwan we had excellent service. She certainly went the extra mile to make our cruise and stay in the Far East special. All aspects of the holiday were so well organised ,leaving us to just enjoy the experience. We will be recommending your company to our family and friends” John Agate, Essex “I have always found Scotland’s Cruise Centre to be such a lovely bunch of people! We have never had a problem. We have booked with both Sarah and Elizabeth before.” Jean Darby, Kent
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Cruising? We’ve been there! Seen that! Done it!
Book with Scotland’s Cruise Centre, and you’re booking with staff with first-hand knowledge of the cruises we sell. They’ve been on the ship, been to the ports, and will know the itineraries inside out. So, make the most of your next cruise, with all the information you’ll ever need to enjoy your next cruise with confidence. Start your Scotland’s Cruise Centre experience today.
Call our expert Cruise Team
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