Jun
8
CRUISE HOLIDAYS
June 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Cruise holidays offer a different style, different pace and different view to most holidays. With every imaginable modern facility at your fingertips, the calm of the sea air, the chance to really see and explore your destination and a more environmentally conscious holiday alternative; cruises are proving more popular than ever.
Although being transported by sea was the first travel medium that allowed people to journey the globe; the idea of turning ships into luxury carriers solely for the purpose of pleasure, only really developed in the mid 1800’s.
The early 20th century brought about the concept of the superliners, which were like ornate floating hotels with a wealth of facilities that made ocean travel an elegant and enjoyable experience. The Cunard Line of England started the tradition of dressing for dinner and advertised the romance of the voyage but at that point in time, they were only to be enjoyed by the ultra rich.
In the 1960’s the industry adapted to accommodate the new travel medium of flying that was dominating the holiday market and began to offer organised tours around islands such as the Caribbean; and so the cruise ship was born. It wasn’t until the late 1970’s and early 80’s when TV shows like the ‘Love Boat’ and ‘Triangle’ hit the screen’s, portraying such glamorous lives on board, that cruise holidays suddenly became accessible to everybody. P&O Lines once stated that the Love Boat had probably generated over a billion dollars in revenues for the cruise lines.
The role of the cruise ship as a mode of transport began to take a back seat to the actual voyage of discovery itself and what each liner could offer its customer in terms of visual wonders and on-board facilities. The modern day cruise liners can now offer top class cuisine, health spas, nightclubs, a range of different bars and restaurants, swimming pools, casinos, libraries, beauty salons and a wealth of entertainment. Not forgetting a mean ride to some of the world’s most beautiful spots!
Once buttoned up and restrictive; cruises now enjoy a laid back feel and the freedom to explore your spacious floating oasis and your stop off destinations. Whether absorbing the culture of the Mediterranean, discovering the heritage of Scandinavia, finding the tranquillity of the Caribbean or seeking the history of the Americas, there’s also plenty of time allowed on land.
Travelling the world and taking in its glorious sights from a whole new perspective, the cruise market is now fully accessible to the average person and is enjoying resurgence, thanks to great packages and deals on offer and the ability to book online with ease.