Cruising tips and advice: How to enjoy a cruise in peak periods

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This was published 6 years ago

Cruising tips and advice: How to enjoy a cruise in peak periods

By Sally Macmillan
Updated
Follow a few simple tips to  make sure you can enjoy some quiet time and avoid crowds while onboard.

Follow a few simple tips to make sure you can enjoy some quiet time and avoid crowds while onboard.

It's a fact of cruising life that big ships in peak holiday periods are booked to capacity, but if that's the only time you can go it doesn't mean your cruise will be ruined by being over-crowded. There are a few things you can do – not all of them involving spending more money – to make sure you'll enjoy some quiet time onboard and avoid annoying queues.

However, starting with spending more money, if you have a balcony cabin you will always have a private outdoor spot for sunbathing or reading when the sun-loungers around the pool are full. Which they are most of the time on sunny sea days. And if you book a suite on mainstream cruise lines such as Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O and Princess, not only will you have more living space and amenities, you're entitled to queue-beating perks such as priority check-in and departures, priority disembarkation and embarkation for shore tours, and breakfast and lunch in specialty restaurants.

When the budget doesn't stretch to balcony cabins or suites you can still find ways to avoid crowds and queues. Many people forget that the main dining room is open for breakfast, which is usually a less rushed experience than the buffet – room service is another option, although some cruise lines are now charging extra for that. Otherwise, go to the buffet as soon as it opens or just before it closes.

Most people seem go to lunch about the same time; that's when the gym, spa and pools will be less busy and queues for waterslides and other activities thin out. In the evening, dinner in the main dining room is usually scheduled around show times but when you have a choice of "anytime" dining and "set dining" you can eat more or less when you want. Paying extra for specialty restaurants is worthwhile not just for the food and service but there's no queueing involved, as you have to book in advance.

Observation lounges and libraries are likely to be peaceful during the day, if you don't mind being inside. Promenade decks are usually spacious enough to accommodate sun-loungers and are well away from the busy pool area. Adults-only decks offer parents and child-free passengers a reprieve from the under-18s but again, are often full except at meal times.

Finally, staying onboard on port days when the majority of passengers disembark almost guarantees a crowd-free day on the ship.

SHORE THING

THE PORT Oslo, Norway

WHO GOES THERE Azamara, Cunard, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, NCL, Oceania, P&O UK, Ponant, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Viking

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WHY WE LOVE IT Sailing the ruggedly scenic Oslo Fjord to the city is a world cruising highlight; Norway's capital city is easily navigable and packed with modern and historic attractions.

TAKE A TOUR OR GO IT ALONE? Ships dock in front of the medieval Akershus Fortress so you're within walking distance of several significant sites as soon as you arrive. Ferries leave from City Hall for the Bygdoy peninsula museums, the Nobel Peace Centre is also nearby and the architecturally striking Aker Brygge area has waterfront restaurants, shops and an excellent modern art collection in the Astrup Fearnley Museum. The Royal Palace is about 20 minutes' walk from Akershus Fortress, and guided tours (essential for public access) are offered in summer. From the palace you can walk down Karl Johans gate, Oslo's main shopping, bar and cafe scene. Take a tram to see more than 200 sculptures in Vigeland Sculpture Park. A 24-hour Oslo Pass (NOK395, from the Oslo Visitor Centre and Nobel Peace Centre) provides free entry to 30 museums and attractions, free public transport and more. Viking Biking Tours hire bikes and operate a variety of guided tours, in the city and beyond (see vikingbikingoslo.com).

MUST SEE Kon-Tiki and Viking museums on Bygdoy; Munch Museum; Holmenkollen ski museum and tower; Vigeland Sculpture Park.

MUST EAT Norwegian specialties include reindeer, moose, lutefisk (cod cured in lye), brown cheese (brunost), seafood (especially salmon) and cloudberry desserts. Maeemo is a world-renowned three-Michelin-star restaurant.

NEED TO KNOW Norway's currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK). Euros and US dollars are not accepted but you can pay for most things by credit card.

ESSENTIALS visitnorway.com

CRUISE SCEPTIC

MYTH: MY KIDS WILL BE BORED.

REALITY: Mainstream ships have activity-packed kids' clubs for different age groups as well as adventure playgrounds, pools, waterslides, shows and more.

NEWS

Majestic Princess

In exactly one year's time, Princess Cruises' newest ship, Majestic Princess, will arrive in Sydney to kick off the 2018-19 cruise season. The 3560-passenger ship is already generating keen interest among local cruisers; it will leave Shanghai on August 24, 2018, for its 22-night journey Down Under, visiting Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Darwin and Brisbane before it reaches its summer home-port of Sydney. Until March 2019, Majestic Princess will sail to the Pacific Islands, around Australia and to New Zealand. Although it is the same size as its two Royal class sisters, Royal and Regal Princess, it has several new features, most notably two restaurants with menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs. French venue La Mer is the brainchild of Emmanuel Renaut and Harmony's fine-dining Cantonese menu is by Richard Chen. See princess.com

Windstar's Asia Collection

Windstar is adding extra itineraries, new shore tours and pre- and post-cruise programs to its 2017-18 Asia cruises. Among the 18 different cruises are five Star Collector Voyages, which range from 14-34 days and combine one or more itineraries. Visiting both well-known ports and small harbours across south-east and east Asia, options include a 14-day cruise to the Philippines and Borneo onboard the 212-passenger Star Legend. Windstar's president John Delaney will host the cruise, which departs Hong Kong on February 17, 2018. "Reaching dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and bringing guests in contact with some of Asia's less frequented landmarks, Windstar will also proudly sail straight into the heart of must-see Asian cities where larger ships typically dock on the outskirts," he said. See deals.windstar.com.au/windstar

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