First-time cruisers: Choosing the perfect cruise

• Published date: 06 May 2024
• Publication title: Mail & Guardian: Web Edition Articles (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Setting off on your first cruise is an exciting adventure, but with so many options available, it can also feel a bit daunting. Whether you're a food lover, a family traveller, or someone who wants icy adventures on chilly seas, there's a cruise just for you. Here's how you can choose the cruise that best matches your vacation style and interests

For the foodies

For those who live to eat, the cruise world is your oyster. Gone are the days of cruise ships meaning boring buffets. These days, you can find food onboard that rivals top restaurants across the world. Sushi, steak, pasta — whatever you feel like, you can get it. And it's all prepared by top-notch chefs. Some cruises even offer culinary workshops and wine tastings. Flight Centre's Cruise team can guide you to ships renowned for their dining and help you pick a cruise that marries travelling and eating. Perhaps a gourmet cruise down the rivers of France and Italy, or a dining package which means you can enjoy the best onboard speciality restaurants?

For the night owls

If you thrive after dark, choose a cruise that shines with its nightlife offerings. Generally, you'll find that large, modern ships often have a huge selection of after-dark offerings. Onboard you'll find vibrant nightclubs, live music venues, DJs, themed parties, cocktail bars, casinos, cigar lounges and karaoke bars, to name but a few.

If nightlife is important to you, Flight Centre can help you find a cruise that comes alive when the sun goes down. Each ship and itinerary is different, but the experts can find something that works for you. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line — famed for their "Freestyle Cruising" concept — are popular if you want to experiment with crazy cocktails and live music. But if your idea of nightlife is more ball gowns and champagne, you might prefer sailing the seas on Crystal or Seabourn.

For the relaxer

If your idea of sightseeing on vacation is seeing the rim of a pool and the inside of a book, then a cruise could be your dream holiday. The right itinerary will give you the perfect mix of port days, extended days at sea, spa time, poolside relaxation...