|
At Hyde-Barker Travel we want to make sure that everyone has the
opportunity to experience the holiday of a lifetime and that includes
children and teenagers! If you have never cruised before you will
be amazed at just how popular cruising is becoming for a family
holiday.
Ask us for our top family cruise lines
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Ocean liners travel by night and are anchored by day, but Riverboats
are the reverse. Smaller with typically only a few hundred passengers,
these vessels are every bit as luxurious and mainly feature outside
cabins. The world's great cities can usually be found on riverbanks…
these are just a few of the rivers to choose from; Danube, Elbe,
Rhone, Po, Nile, Volga, Yangtze, Mississippi. Cruises usually offer
guided tours of the cities they visit and are often combined with
themes such as Art, History and Wine Tasting. Ask for details of
our recommended River Cruise Operators.
call: (Calls
at National Rate)
On your own but not alone – cruising for single people is
growing in popularity. With something like 40% of people ‘single’
through choice or circumstances, the cruise lines are making more
provision. Regretfully, occupying a single cabin is still relatively
expensive. Cheaper is to share a cabin with a friend, or certain
cruise lines will help to find you a ‘cruise-partner’
on same-sex, same-age basis. Otherwise, joining a singles group
and travelling together also keeps costs down.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Your cruise may visit several exotic locations, spanning more than
one country, even continents! The typical shore excursion will only
offer you a snap-shot of these cultural mosaics, so why not stay
a while, and get a greater experience of these fascinating places?
Hotel accommodation can be arranged to accompany most cruises, either
before or after the sailing; car hire and local excursions will
also be available. Some companies offer one weeks cruise followed
by one weeks stay – Ocean Village is the brand new holiday
concept from P & O that offers stay options in Majorca during
the summer months to combine with their Mediterranean Cruise and
Barbados for the Caribbean Cruises in the winter months. Ask for
details.
call: (Calls
at National Rate)
Ships, like hotels are graded according to a ‘star’
system. This ranges from around two to six, in ascending order of
luxury. A ship graded “3-star plus” would fall between
three and four. Naturally, the general opulence is a big factor,
but so also is space, service and the overall attention to detail.
Space is of particular importance, since it is so often at a premium
– the most luxurious vessels have large cabins, private balconies
and suites, uncrowded decks, and personal (often 24-hour) steward
service. Lines recommended for luxury include Silversea, Seabourn,
Crystal and Cunard.
If your preference is to “sail under sail” then Windstar
can offer this too, with all the excitement of yesteryear backed
up with a five-star environment!
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Most ships have excellent facilities, offering fully equipped gyms,
health and beauty spas and treatment rooms and a full programme
of daily events – offering a choice of participating in as
little or as much activity as you like. Some cruise lines are now
encouraging health eating and exercise – offering incentives
to passengers who participate. Sports facilities onboard are numerous
and even extend to rock-climbing and ice-skating.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Just because you may not be fully mobile doesn’t preclude
you from enjoying a cruise. In fact, a cruise is sometimes a good
choice where mobility is a problem. Most modern liners have cabins
with specially designed interiors, wide enough for wheelchair access,
and with lifts to all decks, nothing need spoil your enjoyment.
Going ashore (especially if ‘by tender’) may require
more advanced planning. We will be happy to offer advice on this.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Find time for your favourite hobby whilst onboard. By selecting
a cruise that does not have too many intensive port visits you can
really get to grips with that special interest. Recognising a rising
demand, cruise lines are now offering themed cruises, with guest
speakers and experts in that field. Themes may include Gourmet Food
and Wine, Gardens, Antiques, Dance and Jazz to name but a few. Ask
for our recommended theme cruises.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Cruising does not mean packing away the golf clubs – if you
are a keen golfer take them with you. Many modern cruise ships feature
golf nets, simulators and putting greens. Some will offer the services
of a golf pro on board and some cruise lines offer a golf themed
cruise, allowing you to play on world-renowned courses as you sail
around; arranging transport, green fees and hire of equipment.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
All cruise lines offer top entertainment with Broadway-style productions
featuring lavish costumes and special effects. Ask for recommendations
as to which cruise line offers the best.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Cruising is the ideal way to combine business with pleasure and
reward your most successful employees with an incentive cruise?
Alternatively play host to your clients and use the extensive conference
facilities that are offered aboard the modern liners.
Fully equipped theatres with all the latest communication aids are
available and cruise lines will appoint a dedicated team to ensure
all your delegates are made welcome. With all the accommodation,
dining, business and recreational facilities in one place, you’ll
be amazed at how cost-effective a cruise is compared to a land-based
conference.
Ask for details call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Shipboard food is renowned to be of a very high standard, offering
more choice and flexibility. Most cruise lines still offer the traditional
formal dining but alternative dining is becoming more and more popular
– offering greater choice of formal and informal, with themed
restaurants and specialities from all parts of the world. Ask for
details of individual cruises and our recommendations.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Fantastic facilities onboard to keep all ages entertained. Most
large ships have their own deck space for children’s/toddlers
pool and play area. Children’s clubs for all age groups keep
children occupied. Recommended cruise lines for children are Disney
Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, P & O and the new
Ocean Village Holiday.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
Options on-board now include Golf, Basketball, Rugby, Ice-Skating,
Rock-Climbing, Tennis as well as the normal activities that would
be expected of a cruise. Water sports are offered on some ships
that have a floating pontoon at the back of the ship including snorkelling,
scuba diving, jet skiing and sailing. Ocean Village is the new holiday
concept in cruising, with a vast selection of on-board and on-shore
activities. The ship will carry on-board mountain bikes for use
on land.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
With the popularity of cruising ever growing, cruise lines now have
to find more interesting places to visit. Swan Hellenic specialise
in off-the-beaten-track itineraries offering on-board talks from
professionals relevant to the destinations and a unique tailor-made
shore excursion programme that is all inclusive to the cruise.
Ask for more details.
call:
(Calls at National Rate)
|
