Cruising your way
You unpack once, your bed travels with you, and you have food and drink at your beck and call.
You won’t miss your train or haul your luggage in and out of taxis, and your accommodation, transport, all onboard meals and most activities are included.
Imagine where you most want to visit in the world, and there’s a good chance a cruise can get you there.
Picture yourself floating with magnificent sea turtles and iridescent fish in the warm waters of the postcard-perfect Isle of Pines, the sheer vibrancy of the colours leaving you unsure if you can believe your eyes. Marvel at colonies of cheeky gentoo penguins hunting for the perfect pebble to add to their nests at the tip of frosty Antarctica. Eat your fill of mouthwatering yet simple pizza and pasta, washed down with an exquisite wine as you sail around the Mediterranean.
Cruising has undergone a revolution. Operators are conscious of the desire for more sustainable travel, heightened hygiene, and a greater variety of onboard and onshore activities to suit all tastes. No matter your age or family configuration, there’s a cruise for you.
You’re a family with children
There’s no hustling from place to place when you’re cruising, which makes it the perfect holiday for families with children.
Child-friendly ships offer a wide range of activities to keep children of all ages entertained. The fun differs from ship-to-ship, but think giant movie theatres, heart-pumping waterslides and kiddie pools, crafting sessions, dodgem cars, video games and more. If you’re travelling with picky eaters, there’s food to tickle all tastebuds. Watch the kids’ eyes light up when they see a buffet stacked with chips and they go back for a second helping of their favourite ice cream.
Some cruises offer babysitting for an extra fee, or kids’ clubs where adults aren’t allowed to ruin the fun. Get a bit of me-time while knowing your little ones are taken care of.
A cruise can take your tribe to exotic destinations with ease. Your youngsters can splash among vibrant tropical fish in the crystal-clear shallow waters of the untouched Mystery Island. As a family, sample fresh, local bananas directly from the source in Port Vila, and explore local markets for traditional island handicrafts.
You’ll meet other like-minded families and take the opportunity to dress up on themed nights to sail away with beautiful family portraits.
→ Our family pick: Seven-night South Pacific Cruise with Royal Caribbean
You’re a solo traveller
Have you always wanted to gorge yourself on mouth-watering Florentine steak under the canopy of impressive Renaissance architecture in Florence but you don’t know any other foodies? Perhaps you want to treat yourself to a French shopping spree in the charming seaside city of Nice. Now it’s time to seize the day and go on holiday solo. Travelling alone means no compromises. You can choose what, where and when you eat; what activities you do; and what time you want to retire to your room.
Thankfully, many cruise operators now have solo staterooms and offer regular sales to waive the solo supplement – the additional payment solo travellers often need to pay.
Cruising is the perfect option for independent explorers, especially if it’s your first time travelling solo. Escape to the peace and privacy of your room, or leap head-first into the many opportunities to socialise and make lasting friendships.
Meet people from around the globe as you eat scrumptious meals gathered at group tables. Try fencing with a fellow traveller or dazzle your new trivia buddies with random facts. Onshore, the choices are endless depending on your tastes and, of course, what you want to tick off your bucket list. You’ll feel at ease on board knowing the ship is a safe and predictable environment, and security is taken very seriously.
→ Our solo pick: 10-night Mediterranean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line
You’re a group of young adults
Does partying the night away and rubbing shoulders with celebrities at an exclusive beach club in sun-soaked Miami sound like your posse’s perfect night out? Perhaps comparing tasting notes with your pals as you sample the most famous rums in the Caribbean is more your style.
Travelling with friends can be challenging and full of compromise but with a set cruise itinerary, you’ll only have to agree which restaurant to visit for dinner each night.
While cruises have long been popular with older travellers, more young couples, solo globetrotters and groups of friends are setting sail. Some cruise operators now cater specifically for these types of guests.
On an adult-only cruise, you won’t find any kids on board doing bombs into the pool or racing around the ship. These are offered by Virgin Voyages and Viking Ocean Cruises.
If you love concerts, try a music cruise like Rock the Boat. You’ll spend the entire voyage tearing it up on the dance floor watching your favourite local and international music acts at sea.
Sip elaborate cocktails over brunch hosted by fabulous drag queens, or get a permanent tattoo reminder of the best week of your life. You’ll be surrounded by people with the same interests and may make friends for life!
→ Our friends pick: Seven-night Dominican and Puerto Rican Daze with Virgin Voyages
You’re after an accessible holiday
For people with disability or for those who use mobility aids, there can be limited options when it comes to travel. However, cruising gives you the opportunity to explore the world from the comfort and safety of your floating hotel.
Many newer ships are built with accessibility in mind. Most have spacious lifts, wide wheelchair-friendly hallways and automatic doors for rooms, bathrooms and other communal spaces. Watch nightly comedy or music shows from wheelchair-accessible spaces when you visit the onboard theatre. If lazing in the pool under the brilliant blue sky sounds delightful, the pool lifts can get you there.
With ships docking directly into the Big Apple’s cruise ports, watch the humming metropolis that is New York from the top of the Empire State Building, before catching a world-class show on Broadway. Sail into port in Spain’s cultural capital Barcelona – one of the most accessible cities in the world. Try your hand at preparing tapas in a local cooking class. For a change of pace, soak in the therapeutic geothermal spas and hot pools of New Zealand’s unique Rotorua region.
For onshore activities, check with an RAA travel agent when booking your cruise to ensure ports can tender mobility aids from ship to shore, and whether destination cities are suitable to explore.
→ Our accessibility pick: 19-night Adelaide to New Zealand with Princess