Cruising

How changes at sea have influenced the minds of millions of passengers over 60 years…

BY BRIAN MEADS-BARLOW

You either adore cruising or you loathe it, there is no middle ground, or so they say. It wasn’t so long ago that passengers had no choice in the matter. Travel was by sea anywhere and everywhere you wanted to go intercontinentally. Whether they loved it or hated it, travellers lined up in the cruise terminals for sea passage in any one of the four distinctive travel classes. This cruising-style method of travel was interrupted by the flying boat service, linking Australia to Britain and the Middle East, which was in turn succeeded by the quicker, powerful jet aircrafts that boasted limited stops. The Boeing 707 was a hard act to follow internationally, while at home the DC-8 and nine proved most popular between major Australian cities. Slowly, the ships we enjoyed seeing in Australia began to lessen, particularly as immigrants now had a choice between sailing and flying. These innovations meant that cruise liners had to do something ingenious to remain an important part of the travel market. This in itself could very well have created an even larger gap between the cruising love/hate philosophy. By the 1970’s, wharfs like Woollomooloo and Pyrmont had become ghost ports, hosts to lifeless and inactive ships, with the millions of passengers that passed through their doors mere years ago only a fading memory.

The cruising scene had changed substantially, no longer the primary form of long distance travel, it had to survive as a purely recreational pastime so liners began to target younger travellers. Australians continued the tradition of cruising to a number of Pacific destinations and the younger set quickly adapted to the cruising lifestyle. Meanwhile, around the world, cruise liners weren’t about to dismiss plans for providing more exciting and affordable itineraries. Destination ports had opened up, ships were being constructed and the race began! Cruise lines vied for what was left of the traditional cruise market, and ships that resembled multi-storey floating luxury resorts were being built. Suites became common and the staterooms were suite-like in their appointments and décor. Onboard service had become even more essential and dining rooms were like restaurants. Today, cruising is the number one holiday choice amongst the ever growing thirty-five and over set. The right feeling… Casual, adventurous, formal, relaxed, tropical, glacial, exotic, familiar. The one thing that has not changed in sixty years is the atmosphere and the ambience of cruising. Cruise lines have been clever enough to offer an array of personal cruise options between their ships. And there is no question about variety in service, catering, entertainment, accommodation, and the quality of holiday between these cruises.

Casual

Not to be underrated or associated with the word ‘sloppy’, casual sailing could be anything from 3.5 star cruising and ‘just casual’, right through to 6-star cruising in a casual atmosphere whereby passengers aren’t expected to behave or dress formally. The ‘Fun Ship’ cruise concept is a great example of this type of cruising. The ships are generally mega-deck liners with all the facilities one could imagine, serviced beyond expectation, with luxurious dining and stateroom accommodation. Adventurous Whether sailing the coast of Panama, the glaciers of Alaska or exploring the Antarctic, there’s adventure in any cruise. Levels of adventure can be determined by personal requirement and obviously the ports and destinations will have a lot to do with it. Generally speaking, the more ports at which you call, the more adventurous your holiday will be. For instance you could call into only two ports in the Antarctic, and have more adventure than in twice as many ports anywhere else. Personal levels of adventure are important. Not forgetting the many shore excursions available that offer great culture and excitement, passengers need to be sure to find the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. Although naturally you can have both!

Formal

Sophisticated luxury and civilised tradition abound on the Grand Ocean Liners. A formal voyage is a prestigious event, anticipated with excitement and celebrated in style. Be welcomed aboard regally and surrounded by warm timbers, gleaming brass and genuine smiles. Feel the thrill of making a grand entrance into a sumptuous shipboard dining room or a stately lounge where cocktails and an orchestra await. Sail into some of the world's most spectacular cities knowing your ship's sleek profile with its signature red and black funnel is admired by everyone who gazes upon it...you have arrived!

Relaxed

A picture tells a thousand stories. Cruises are renowned for relaxation. Take up any one of the spa pamper packages, indulge yourself in a rewarding massage, simply sprawl upon a deck chair or find that nice cosy spot on the beach in your favourite port. And remember, you’ll get to relax the moment you board and settle in. There is no unpacking and repacking every time you arrive at a new destination. The sights come to you rather than you bustling through airports to get to them!

Destination

Tropical, glacial, exotic or familiar? Challenging if posed as a question. Confronting if a last minute decision. Deciding on a destination is first and foremost when considering a cruising holiday as it dictates climate. Considering cruising is seasonal, it’s important to be in the right part of the world, on the right cruise, at the right time. Otherwise your holiday may very well not exist. Passengers familiar with an environment or region tend to remain in a comfort zone. After all, tried, tested and proven products speak for themselves.

Finding the right balance

Australia is a popular cruising continent once again! This is great news for Australian travellers because now there is a medium between either loving or hating cruising. Australia has become an important part of great cruise itineraries. We may be a remote island but the mega-liners see us an important part of their itineraries. Suddenly, the 747 jet aircraft has met its match, in a 100 tonne plus Super Liner, now available to cruise buffs, right here. Welcome the millennium, welcome Cruise Line initiative.

Cruisescene and partners World’s Leading Cruise Lines present a whole new world of cruising from Australia. Fly/cruise, fly/cruise/stay, and cruise-only packages are now available at unbeatable deals. Whatever the balance, whatever the adventure, however relaxing, WLCL & Cruiscene complement great ships, great itineraries and great service with pure excellence in arranging your next, or your first cruise.

C O N T A C T S

Cruisescene Phone: (02) 9888 5555 and 1800 678 555
Email: cruise@cruisescene.com.au www.cruisescene.com.au