Most cruise lines don’t call them that. For stateroom, read en-suite bedroom. For suite, read the same, but much larger, with a seating area; rarely does it mean two separate rooms, usually just more room. For studio: read en-suite bedroom with seating area and curtain divider.D is for... dining optionsThe venues menu is more mouthwatering than ever, so pack an appetite. Celebrity chef choices include Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Jamie’s Italian on Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, and Atul Kochhar’s Sindhu on P&O’s Azura, Aurora and Britannia cruise ships.
E is for... enrichment
This term embraces destination-related lectures and locally sourced experiences on board. Don’t miss them: they will help you get more from your cruise.
F is for... fun
The sky’s the limit on newer, larger ships, with skydiving, surfing, ice skating, rock climbing and dodgems among the thrills on offer.
G is for... gratuities
These are covered only on genuinely all-inclusive ships. Other cruise lines either add them to your bill or suggest appropriate amounts. On most ships, gratuities are shared between all the service staff.
H is for... health
It’s in your hands. As on land, at least 30 seconds lathering with soap and hot water before leaving toilets or entering public areas reduces the risk of contagion.
I is for... internet
Connections are still patchier and slower afloat than ashore, but improving. Crystal has upgraded Wi-Fi fleet-wide. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships claim to offer industry-leading bandwidth and speed. Many ships charge for Wi-Fi but it’s free on Viking river cruises in Europe, Russia and Ukraine.
J is for... just you
Going solo? Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships Breakaway and Getaway each have 59 single studio cabins, within a keycard-accessed complex featuring an exclusive lounge. The refit on Cunard’s Queen Victoria will create nine single cabins. On rivers, Emerald Waterways ships each have two single cabins and every Scenic Tours vessel has one. Elsewhere, look for sailings offering “no or low single-occupancy supplement”.
K is for... keeping fit
It’s easier to keep fit on a cruise ship which usually has a well-equipped gym and promenade deck that you can walk around. Some river ships carry bicycles. Or choose an active cruise such as the August itinerary offered by Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, which includes a guided walk tour in France as part of a cruise on board Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar.
L is for... luggage
Weight restrictions will apply if you fly, but cruise lines don’t impose them on board. The night before you disembark, large cases must be left outside your cabin.
M is for... mealtimes
For increasing flexibility, more and more ships are offering when-you-like, where-you-like and with-whom-you-like venues and menus. Those who prefer assigned seating at dinner are catered for on many cruises.
N is for... numbers
The smaller the ship, the fewer passengers, venues and activities on board. Bigger ships have many more activity, entertainment and dining options; but more passengers also means more queues.
O is for... on-board spend
Normally there’s an additional bill at the end of a cruise, so be sure to budget for it. Only a handful of luxury lines are truly all-inclusive: Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club and Silversea. On the rivers, there are three: Emerald Waterways, Scenic Tours and Uniworld.
P is for... ports of call
Where you dock determines how much you can see and do ashore. You’ll get more time at step ashore ports than somewhere like Civitavecchia, which is the port of call for Rome but is set 50 miles away from the city.
Q is for... Quantum class
Royal Caribbean’s game-changing vessels will sail in Europe from April. The newest and “smartest”, Anthem of the Seas, has robot bartenders, robo-screen experiences, “virtual balconies” and wristbands that function as a room key and payment card on board.
R is for... rivers
Cruising’s fastest-growing sector shows no signs of slowing, and remains the most relaxed, immersive and intimate way to see countries from the “inside”.
S is for... sailing
Star Clippers has the world’s largest full-rigged tall ship, the five-masted Royal Clipper, and two four-masted ships. Ponant has the three-masted Le Ponant. Luxury Windstar Cruises is another alternative.
T is for... transatlantic
This isn’t a cruise, it’s a crossing; and the ship that most famously makes it, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, is not a cruise ship but an ocean liner. Several other lines offer twice-yearly transatlantic repositioning cruises.
U is for... under the radar
Up-and-coming destinations: Cuba, with Star Clippers; Japan, the Philippines or both with Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal, Celebrity, Holland America Line, Princess and Silversea. Exotic new river routes include Vietnam’s Red River, and, in India, the Brahmaputra with Pandaw Cruises and the Lower Ganges with APT.
V is for... view
But what will you be able to see from your cabin? “Obstructed view” means there’s a lifeboat or structural feature in the way. On river ships, views are a given (but see Windows, below).
W is for... windows
The higher your deck, the bigger your window. In lower cabins they’re shallow and high on the wall, or portholes. Inside cabins don’t have windows, but a few ships create “virtual portholes or balconies” by projecting outside views onto a wall.
X is for... ex-UK cruises
This year, Fred Olsen has departures from 10 UK ports* and Cruise & Maritime Voyages will sail from eight.** Among larger lines basing ships in Southampton are Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises. Princess will also base Ocean Princess in Dover, and Harwich will host Holland America Line’s Ryndam.
Y is for... youngsters
Ships that cater for children do so in spades. They’ll be so busy you won’t see much of them, unless you want to.
Z is for... Zodiac
These rigid inflatables are not for the faint-hearted. You need to be nimble on your feet to get on and off, and happy to balance unsupported on a sturdy rubber edge
