Cruise holidays can be the perfect way to get away from it all and relax for a week or more.  But a standard cruise holiday means you will be on the ship visiting various ports for the duration of your holiday.  What do you do if you also want to enjoy staying on land for a few days or more?

The answer lies in cruise and stay holidays.  These are ideal if you want to experience both types of holidays, because you can have one week on a cruise ship (or longer if you wish) and a week or more on land as well. 

If you like the sound of this you should think about where you would like to go in the world.  Picking the region of the world you want to visit is the best way to start because you will be able to consider different countries you might like to stay in for the land based part of your holiday. 

This should make it easier to find the right cruise and stay holiday for your needs.  You can select a cruise and stay holiday that will end up exactly where you want to be.  Many cruise lines give you a great choice of holidays in this respect, so it might be easier to book your holiday than you think.  If you cannot find the exact cruise and stay holiday you want, most operators will assist in creating just the right holiday to suit your needs.

If you have never been on a cruise holiday, then there are probably many questions that you will have.

In the past cruise holidays have been associated with older travellers, but today there are cruises to suit everyone, whether you are young and single, a family, or an older person. It is important to choose the type of cruise that suits your interests. Most of the major cruise lines, such as Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruises and Thomson Cruises have cruises that are particularly geared towards families, providing children’s clubs and a host of family-oriented activities. Other cruises are geared more towards adults, with cultural tours and activities. They will often have guest speakers who give lectures on a variety of topics, from local history, to wine, to archaeology.

Sea-sickness could ruin a cruise holiday. However, this is rarely a problem with cruise liners, as they have modern stabiliser systems, and they generally cruise in calm waters.

Another common concern is feeling trapped on a ship, which could become boring. Modern cruise liners come equipped with many facilities, including shops, casinos, libraries, cinemas, sports facilities and games equipment. Cruise lines also frequently run activities for children on board, including quizzes and competitions, so it is unlikely that you would ever be bored on a cruise. There are also frequent opportunities to get off the ship and explore on land. Pre-booked excursions are available, or you can choose to explore on your own.

Accommodation is an important part of a holiday, so a common question is what will the cabin be like? Cabins on cruise ships fall into various categories. All of them will have an en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone and hair dryer. Some will have a sea view and others have balconies. Higher grade cabins will be more spacious and often they have lounge areas where you can relax.

If you’ve never considered taking cruise holidays because you think they’re boring (who wants to be stuck on a ship for days?), or because you believe they’re only for the wealthy, it’s time to shed some illusions. The image of aging millionaires sipping whiskies and sitting on deck playing bridge day after day was always a caricature, and it certainly doesn’t apply today. Big operators like Costa Cruises, Thomson Cruises, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruises have been working successfully to attract younger travellers and families with children.

Forget deckchairs and genteel card games. Today, depending on which company you cruise with, you can scale a rock-climbing wall or try some onboard water skiing; plunge down swooping tunnel slides in a water park or play a round of golf; take to the ice rink or visit the gym. You’ll have an en suite cabin with a telephone, television and hairdryer (and even sea views and balconies if you want to pay a little extra), as well as gourmet restaurants and plenty of evening entertainment included in the price.

Fleets owned by the big companies also include small, more modestly priced vessels; the service is more personal on these but there are fewer added attractions. Whether you want Far East cruises or Caribbean cruises, Mediterranean cruises or Baltic cruises, there are plenty of choices available and oodles of great cruise deals constantly available, even on last minute cruises. Cruise and stay holidays allow you to mix a week on the beach with a week of cruising. Once you’ve had the cruise experience, you’ll be planning your next one as soon as you arrive home.

Royal Caribbean is a name that is synonymous with cruises of all kinds. They don’t just call into the Caribbean though – instead they can be found arriving in more than one hundred destinations all around the globe. This opens up plenty of opportunities for you to book a cruise, choosing somewhere you have always wanted to visit.

If you decide to visit the other side of the world, you can enjoy sailing to Sydney in Australia and Christchurch in New Zealand among others.  Alternatively you can enjoy more daylight by visiting Alaska and leaving your cruise ship to hop on board the Yukon, a world famous railway.

Royal Caribbean Cruises are also well known for offering what is called Cruisetours.  These are a special kind of cruise which is combined with a land trip as well. This enables you to see the best of various locations such as Dubai, Europe, Alaska and Australia among others.  If you want to sample life on board a cruise ship but you still want to get onto dry land to explore too, this could be the answer, thanks to Royal Caribbean Cruises.

There are six types of ship available when taking Royal Caribbean Cruises. Some offer facilities that are more suited to families, while others are better if you like to keep active while you are on board.  Radiance Class ships offer you a better view of your surroundings since they have a lot more glass built into the design.  As you can see, Royal Caribbean Cruises are a sheer delight.

Carnival Cruise ‘fun ships’ are a great way to spend a holiday. With a vast choice of cruises to destinations such as Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean, Carnival Cruises have something for everyone. Those looking for a very short break with no destination in mind can even book a ‘Cruise to Nowhere’ holiday allowing them to enjoy all the entertainment the ship has to offer while sailing two nights out to sea and back.

With many optional shore excursions such as shopping in Waikiki or visiting Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, taking a gondola ride in Venice or even glass blowing in Monaco and tours of Monte Carlo, there is entertainment to suit every taste.

On board entertainment includes cafes and bistros where you can while away some time watching people go by on their way to the spa or even to the onboard art gallery. Evening entertainment includes many fun shows, cabarets and comedians and you can even try your luck at one of the on board casinos.

A choice of staterooms means there is something to suit all budgets, from an interior room with luxury soft furnishings, to an ocean view room that boasts large windows to help you enjoy your breath taking surroundings, to a balcony suite with its separate indoor sitting area and balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy fresh air. Carnival Cruises also have Penthouse suites, with all the luxury of the balcony suite with added walk-in closet space and whirlpool baths.

Some are not aware that people confined to wheelchairs, unable to get around as easily as others and those with certain sensory impairments are just as welcome on the cruise ship as any other passenger.

Even though they are welcome, they must be aware that the general structure of cruise liners means that getting to and from shore can be difficult. Most cruise ships do not have facilities for the blind or hard of hearing, so they must be accompanied by an able carer that can assist them and guide them on their cruise holiday.

IF you have trouble with mobility, the best thing to do is book a cabin early, which will probably also result in you getting a bargain rate. That way, you can select a cabin that is located in a more accessible position on the cruise ship, making getting around easier and more comfortable.

If you were hoping for a last minute cruise, you may have difficulty finding a cabin that is placed to make it easier for you to get around. It is always best to book as early as you can if you have a specific disability, which will go a long way to making your cruise holiday more socially enjoyable and memorable.

At Thomson cruises, you have to let the company know if you are planning on using a wheelchair aboard the ship. This is due to the fact that only a certain number of wheelchairs are allowed at the same time. Be sure to contact Thomson Cruises Special Assistance Team for more detailed information.

The beauty of the cruise is that the emphasis is taken off the reaching of a destination and passengers are encouraged to enjoy their journey. Cruise liners are equipped with every possible entertainment to ensure that each and every traveller returns homes truly having had the time of their life.

Onboard activities on cruise liners run by such companies as Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and P&O Cruises are certain to offer something for everyone. Passengers wishing to be pampered can take advantage of on board beauty and spa facilities, while the more energetic will wish to take advantage of the amazing exercise opportunities on board, from fully equipped gyms to rock climbing walls and surf simulators – modern day liners boast it all.

Lovers of the arts are well catered to on board cruises with programmes of theatrical presentation on most routes, with some operators offering guests the opportunity to take part in courses aimed at improving all sorts of artistic skills.

Since the inception of the liner, the dining experience has been at the very centre of the cruise experience, a fact that remains as true today as it ever was. Fine dining is a must on board a cruise ship and chefs of great repute are behind a number of floating restaurants around the world, which have served thousands of contented cruise customers.

For those who like to socialise of an evening, cruise liners offer bars and nightclubs and even casinos – with many ships so large that guests can sample a different venue on each night of their time onboard.

The need to discover and experience new pastures and greener lands has been a part of human nature since the very first discovery was made. If this sounds like something you are hungry for, a world cruise is the way to feed your appetite for adventure and to see new and exotic lands.

World cruises are not suitable for anyone that doesn’t like being away from home for long periods of time, world cruise holiday typically last for anywhere between 80 and 110 days.

On a world cruise, you will see some incredible sights and your travel itinerary is likely to take the following route. Starting in the UK, from major ports of departure such as Southampton, you might sail west, into the Atlantic, to America or the Caribbean, then through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, Australia and then to stunning New Zealand.

World cruise holidays then continue onto Asia, before moving on to India, visiting the Nicobar and Andaman Islands, possibly passing through the Suez Canal, into the gorgeous Mediterranean. Alternatively the itinerary may take you to Africa and on to the South and North Atlantic.

Of course, you should always check the full itinerary before you book; just to make sure it’s taking the route you prefer. You can check by visiting your travel agent or going directly to the cruise companies’ website. If you like the idea of taking a world cruise with such well-known companies as P&O Cruises or Cunard, check out the exact details of the world cruises you are interested in.

With a stunning fleet of ships and one of the most praised reputations in cruise holidays, Costa Cruises will provide you with an escape like no other company.

The vast range of destinations that they offer is sure to appeal to any type of traveller. As well as the popular Mediterranean, Indian and Caribbean cruises, they also cover Norway and the Fjord Highlands, the Middle East and transatlantic routes.

Costa is the largest cruise operator in Europe and has some really impressive vessels to its name. One of the  highly sought after is the Costa Classica, which boasts the Piazza Navona and the Puccini Ballroom, as well as a two-storey theatre. It has 1,690 bedrooms and a crew of 590. The Costa Luminosa has a 4-D cinema and the ever-popular golf and grand prix simulators to keep everyone entertained on the voyage.

Of course, it has some pretty luxurious restaurants and bars on board, as well as the relaxing Samsara Spa. The Luminosa is easily one of the biggest in the fleet, with over 2,000 bedrooms and just under 1,000 crew.

If you are a first time cruiser and are unsure how to prepare for a cruise holiday, you can rest assure that Costa will look after all your needs. As always, newcomers will be best suited to the cruise and stay options available, and Costa can provide a wealth of destinations for you to choose from. They will also run special offers and late cruise deals, so it will always be better to hold out until something that suits becomes available.

P&O Cruises is one of the most recognisable names in cruise holidays. They boast a long and respected history and they are easily the first choice for many travellers.

Throughout the year they offer a wide variety of destinations to suit any taste and now that cruise holidays are becoming more popular with younger generations, can offer a wealth of exciting and adventurous destinations that are sure to appeal to all ages.

Of course, P&O will offer plenty of spacious rooms and luxurious comfort for your holiday and they have one of the most enviable fleet of ships. The Oceana will be especially suited to first-time cruisers and she boasts a stunning range of entertainment; 12 glamorous bars, the famous Monte Carlo casino and many other fantastic attractions. There are also plenty of family facilities and activities on board.

Their latest edition is the captivating Arcadia and as well as having a Gary Rhodes restaurant on board, there is also a three-tier theatre.

If you are choosing P&O for your cruise holidays this year, you can rest assured that you will not find a better variety anywhere else. They even offer child-free cruises for those looking for less active and more adult atmosphere. P&O Cruises have a variety of cruise and stay options and will offer some attractive last minute cruises for all group sizes.

From the white-sands of the Sri Lanka beaches to the icy snow-capped mountains of Alaska, P&O can offer the right destination to suit your tastes. However, if you are looking for a particular destination, it will be wise to book early as they can often sell out quickly.