First Time Cruiser Guide: Everything You Need to Know
First-time cruisers often feel overwhelmed by choices. Start with 5-7 night cruises to easy destinations like the Caribbean or Mediterranean. Mid-sized ships balance amenities with manageability.
Cruise Holidays
Crossing the Atlantic: The Romance of Transatlantic Cruising
Transatlantic crossings represent cruising in its purest form where the journey itself becomes the destination. Six to eight days of open ocean travel create genuine pause from modern life’s pace, offering digital detox, contemplation, and the timeless romance of classic ocean liner travel rarely found elsewhere.
Do I Need a Visa to Cruise the Mediterranean?
Yes, South African passport holders require Schengen visas for most Mediterranean cruises. One visa covers all Schengen countries (including France, Italy, Spain, Greece) for up to 90 days within 180 days. Apply well in advance as processing takes several weeks.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Where Freedom Meets the Sea
Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered freestyle cruising where flexible dining, no assigned seating, casual dress codes, and multiple entertainment venues replace traditional rigid structures. Modern ships, varied itineraries, and genuine independence create holidays on your terms, perfect for travellers valuing spontaneity and choice.
Discovering the World at Sea: Luxury Cruising Redefined
Luxury cruising strips away crowds, upselling, and nickel-and-diming. Instead, you’ll find all-inclusive pricing covering virtually everything, intimate ships where crew remember your preferences, and itineraries prioritising quality over quantity. Suite accommodations, butler service, and Michelin-starred dining come standard.
All Included: The Truth About All-Inclusive Cruising
Imagine boarding a cruise ship, unpacking once, and never reaching for your wallet again. Drinks, shore excursions, specialty dining, gratuities and Wi-Fi all included. Welcome to all-inclusive cruising, where complete financial clarity from the moment you board means your only decision is how to enjoy it all.
Around the World: The Ultimate Voyage
A world cruise isn’t just a longer version of typical cruising. It’s a fundamentally different experience that transforms travel into lifestyle, sightseeing into deep cultural immersion, and fellow passengers into lifelong friends over months at sea.
Cunard’s Queen Anne Impresses in Cape Town
Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, made a memorable overnight call at Cape Town’s Cruise Terminal, and my colleague Rikke was fortunate enough to step on board this stunning addition to the Cunard fleet.
Grown-Up Getaways: Sophisticated Cruising Without Kids
For travellers who adore children but occasionally crave holidays without them, certain cruise ships and sailings cater specifically to those 18 and over, designed around the preferences and pace of mature travellers seeking peaceful, sophisticated experiences.
Rivers of Discovery: The Intimate World of River Cruising
River cruising contrasts with ocean voyages by offering slower travel, intimate connections to destinations, and landscapes unfolding along the way. Passengers enjoy direct access to city centres, experiencing culture and scenery more deeply than crossing vast waters.