CRUISING

     "Cruising, no" I answered "it's not really my thing." I had assumed sea cruises, but righted myself recalling that perhaps my best trip ever was a cruise, albeit a river cruise on a converted barge called Napoleon along the river Rhône, (www.belmond.com/afloat-in-france/napoleon) and wrote about it in HOLIDAY magazine in 2007. See magazine page scans below.

Costa Atlantica at Aurlandsfjord in Norway

     But sea cruises are different, or is that simply a prejudice, a preconceived idea of surrendering yourself to the company of hundreds of strangers, trapped for days adrift on the high seas and too embarrassed to ask for a lifeboat. I know there as many different types of traveler and holiday maker as there are in all of life's pursuits. How often have you heard: Beaches are boring, skiing is really a sport, a safari is pretend hunting and shopping is… aaach!  - and how often have you heard the complete opposite ?
     The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) in their quarterly survey just out, says 50% of Irish travel agents have seen an increase in bookings compared to the same period in 2015. This follows the recent Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures showing the total number of Irish residents' trips overseas for the first five months of 2016 increased by 7.8% on last years. ITAA members revealed that Spain is the most popular destination this summer, followed by Portugal and the USA. But what was the biggest travel trends in 2016 ?

The biggest travel trends in 2016 ? 
     The biggest travel trends in 2016 ? Yes you've probably guessed it. Almost half of those surveyed named cruises. They sited ‘value for money’ as a requirement and ‘all inclusive’ packages were high on peoples list of priorities.
     Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)  aware of this trend, recently sent a team to Ireland to meet travel agents and media. They are the world's largest cruise industry trade association working with 60 cruise lines around the world.  If you need convincing check out their 'Guide to Cruising' at: www.cruiseexperts.org/new-to-cruise/guide-to-cruising The guide is a great place to learn about the variety, value and diversity cruising can offer, no matter what type of holiday you're looking for. And, once you've got a better idea of what type of cruise may be right for you, you can start finding out about the huge range of food, entertainment and accommodation to be found on a cruise holiday. Well the upshot of it all is - I'm now a convert and cruising is on the bucket list.

'Guide to Cruising' at: www.cruiseexperts.org/new-to-cruise/guide-to-cruising

All aboard
If you're keen to travel the world and visit a variety of destinations, then a cruise may provide the answer. There are thousands of cruise destinations, the hardest decision is often which itinerary is best. There are river cruises along the waterways of Europe, Russia, Asia and even Africa. Alternatively an ocean cruise holiday can take you to places only accessible by sea, to destinations on or off the beaten track. There are cruises to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Baltic, Norway, Iceland, Alaska, the east coast of the US and round-the-world cruises

Sources
The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA)  who represent Ireland's travel industry, with 100 travel agents wither over 140 outlets throughout the Republic of Ireland.
The Central Statistics Office: Home (CSO) is responsible for compiling Ireland's official statistics.

Arriving in Avignon