Not only are cruises one of the cheapest ways to go on holiday if you find a great cruise holiday deal, they also usually include everything in the price. With food and entertainment all included, all you need to worry about is any added extras such as trips on shore or alcohol. As well as this, cruises are great for all ages and the on-board entertainment is endless.
Take a dip in one of the many pools, take a risk at the casino or enjoy your favourite movie in the cinema. Whether you’re looking for a non-stop adventure or just relaxing and enjoying the sea view, a cruise can be exactly how you make it. And cruises aren’t all just about visiting white sandy beaches. For those who love a city break, explore the beautiful Mediterranean and discover the vibrant cities such as Dubrovnik, Rome or Barcelona. If you’re someone who likes to keep your holiday varied and see a few places at once then a cruise holiday is for you.
Forget the hassle and cost of organising a multi-stop trip because it’s time to sail away on your next cruise holiday deal.
Cruise News
How cruising post Covid-19 will look and why this is a good time to book a cruise
With ocean cruise liners and river cruise liners around the world eager to set sail again, they are currently busy ensuring cruising stays safe by enforcing practical health protocols. Several mainstream cruise lines in Europe have already resumed sailing and, thanks to new safety measures, haven’t seen a single Covid-19 case onboard at time of writing.
Many cruise operators are welcoming customers back by offering early bird bookings for 2021 and 2022 sailings with free cabin upgrades, attractive onboard credits, low deposits, and flexible booking conditions all on offer.
So here we look at the benefits of booking early and what customers can expect when they cruise:
Low passenger loads and lots of extra space
Cruise liners are aiming for a load capacity of just 60-70% meaning there will be more room to explore bars, restaurants, onboard facilities and for bagging that best sun lounger on deck!
Due to social distancing, sun loungers on deck are separated in pairs and there is a one-metre gap between tables in dining rooms - meaning more room for sunbathing and those private romantic meals! Alot of cruises also being fully all inclusive
Health measures to ensure customer safety
Track and trace systems are in place - all cruise liners need to offer contact tracing in case of an outbreak. If this happens, close contacts of the infected person need to be tracked down and would be placed in quarantine. This new protocol ensures that the whole ship avoids lockdown.
Check in and testing - of course the most important goal is to not let the virus onboard in the first place, therefore all crew will go through extensive testing and quarantine. All passengers also undergo a rapid covid-19 test at the cruise terminal prior to check-in in addition to temperature checks at embarkation and staggered boarding times with social distancing in place.
Masks should be worn onboard (inside and outside) when travelling from A to B. Once you are seated the mask is allowed off with the only exception being in theatre and on shore excursions where a mask is required at all times.
Cabin cleaning
Cabins are disinfected daily and fogging with virus-killing disinfectant takes place prior to each cruise.
Restrictions on shore excursions
Shore excursions will be permitted, however no third-party excursion operators are currently allowed meaning you will be only able to go on the excursions booked directly through the cruise company. Masks must always be worn.
No self-service buffets!
Self-service buffets are currently unavailable on all cruise liners. Many liners going forward will only offer al a carte dining with many opting to ask guests to download menus via a QR code and viewing menus via their smartphones. Other liners will operate a buffet service that follows all standard protocols.
Clearly post Covid-19 cruising requires guests to be extra mindful when on board the ship, just as they would anywhere else, however cruising is still a carefree and safe choice of holiday. With the new health and safety features in place guests can enjoy a relaxed holiday in a safe environment, plus with heaps of early bird deals around for 2021 holiday deals and even 2022 holiday deals, now is surely the best time to book.
