35 / 56
T
hose of us living on the Coromandel are fortunate to live close to the
most amazing scenery and are able to enjoy the magnificent sea.
There is nothing like being ‘out there’, relaxed and happy, fishing line
overboard in the ‘Big Blue’. But there is more than fishing to do at sea!
Now, as one of our most popular ways to holiday, cruising has shrugged
off its perception of being only for the ‘nearly dead’. Don’t listen to
anyone who says “I”ll be bored” or “I’ll have to wear a suit for dinner”. If
you’re going to consider a cruise as part of your holidays in 2015, then
you need to make sure that your floating home is going to be everything
you want it to be, with no rough waters ahead.
Choosing the right ship, season and destination is a vital bit of the holiday
equation – far more important than choosing a hotel for a few nights.
While ships may look similar on the outside – it is the inside that counts.
In general, your fare includes stateroom, all on-board meals and
entertainment, and port taxes. But then your choices start to differ. On-
board inclusions, destinations, up rivers or across oceans, budget or
luxury, resort or explorer style travelling? Your choices will define the right
cruise for you.
CRUISE YOUR OWN – KIWI PORTS OF CALL
During the summer months in New Zealand, there are many cruise ships
circumnavigating our two large islands. If you thought they are filled with
visitors from overseas, think again. Kiwis are taking the opportunity to
visit their own country in style, sailing into such breathtaking locations
like Milford Sound. Or enjoying a relaxed day out at some of our beautiful
ports. Take the family for a Christmas holiday. Or maybe escape/avoid
the family altogether – No one has to cook or clean!
In the winter, we have ships leaving Auckland for some Pacific Island
sun. You can even sail away for the winter on a round-the-world cruise
and enjoy a whole year of summer.
TAKING THE LITTLIES ALONG?
Some cruise lines limit the number of children on any one sailing, so
that those who are worried about too many littlies can relax. If you are
taking the children, there are ships with specialised kids clubs to fit
certain ages. Babysitting services are available and cabins are now fitted
out with a variety of bedding options and interconnecting cabins to fit
differing family numbers.
Features for family
cruising are DreamWorks
character themes (seen
right on a Caribbean
Cruise), zip line, ice
skating rinks, rock wall
climbing and water
slides – all making for
a more resort style of
holiday cruising.
ADVENTURE AND VARIETY... FORMAL TO CASUAL
For those who are adventurers at heart, expedition ships cater for budget
to luxury travellers. Enriching experiences for exploration or research.
Specialising in on-board lectures, photography, diving and visiting remote
or exotic locations.
Every year new ports are added, itineraries are changing continuously
as cruise companies seek
new destinations. Ships
are evolving and ports
previously inaccessible
to deep water vessels
are added, like Yangon
in Mandalay. New flat
bottom paddle steamer ships can now access the shallow rivers of these
amazing destinations. River cruises are the most amazing way to visit old
cities and small towns.
LOTS OR LITTLE TO DO... YOUR CHOICE
Special formal dinners still feature on some ships so passengers can
take along their finery. And for those who want a more relaxed and casual
holiday, there are ships where smart casual is the norm.
Themed cruises, can provide you with just the holiday you wanted, too.
Golf cruising, where most days in port include a round of golf at some
incredible golf courses. Food and Wine cruises. Elvis or Rock n Roll
cruises. A Cooking School at Sea, even a “Chocolate” cruise.
Cruising solo? There is an extensive array of savings available on single
supplements, specialised solo voyages and cruise tours which can
include pre and post cruise accommodation, on-board lectures, and the
opportunity to mix and mingle with other travellers.
by Monett Johnston
United Travel, Whitianga
A cruise ship departs from Auckland’s Princes
Wharf. Ports of call include Tauranga, Wellington
Christchurch and Dunedin. Dramatic scenery is to
be had cruising into Milford Sound, below.
A ‘cruise specialist’ truly knows their ships, and that’s the knowledge the team at
United Travel
in Whitianga has, achieving ‘Cruise Agency of the Year’ status.
“We care about our customers and ensuring that their cruise holiday becomes the
one of their dreams”, says Monett. “We’ll help you find that ‘right’ ship.”
Ring at 07 866 4397, and be sure to say you read about them in
Coromandel Life
.
“I’ve been on lots of cruises, and the
NZ cruise around the North and South
Islands was the best I’ve ever been on!”
Sandy Musselman
, an avid ‘cruiser’ from Hawaii
Choosing
your cruise
Cruise
with the Experts
United Travel Whitianga
75 Albert St
(07) 866 4397
or
0800 58 57 58
WWW.COROMANDELLIFE.CO.NZ35