Since the Love Boat days the cruise ‘vacation’ has evolved dramatically and with more Irish holidaymakers than ever opting for cruise packages (1 in every 15 holiday packages sold in Ireland is a cruise) just what is it that makes a cruise so appealing to travelers?As a first time cruiser embarking on my maiden voyage I had no idea what to expect and some concerns. Would I be spending most of my holiday getting acquainted with a white paper bag? But a mouth watering ten day itinerary, embarking in Venice, taking in Monte Carlo, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Capri and Naples, Mykonos, Istanbul, Ephesus and Athens was enough to lure even a hesitant cruise virgin on board.

My first lesson in cruising was a hard one-the embarkation process. A bit like going through US immigration, it is an arduous process but once that’s over it’s finally time to check out the ship…and what a ship. I was expecting a floating hotel, but the Ruby Princess is more like a floating city. As the newest addition to the fleet, the Ruby’s stat sheet is impressive. Measuring a staggering 951 feet in length and 195 feet high the ship has 1540 passenger cabins, 1225 crew members and can travel at a maximum speed of 21.5 knots. Onboard features include a casino, four duty-free shops, a spa and fitness centre, four swimming pools, a sports deck, nine-hole putting course, golf simulator, library, Internet café and an outdoor cinema screen where you can watch movies under the stars and even a wedding chapel in case the mood takes you.

Once on board my nerves dissipated quicker than I expected. Princess cruises carry 1.3 million passengers annually, sailing to all seven continents so I knew I was in safe hands. Far from my bad teenage memories of a rough crossing from Rosslare to France on a ferry in a cramped bunk bed, the ship was more akin to a luxury hotel complete with excellent service, chandeliers,baby grand pianos. The cabin was a pleasant surprise too, spacious and comfortable with a king size double bed, fridge, TV and a power shower.

After setting sail from the beautiful city of Venice, we were soon surrounded by the Adriatic Sea stretching in every direction. On the deck you can enjoy spectacular views but with a deck space measuring more than 122,250 square feet prepare to get a little lost. It takes about two days to actually get your bearings onboard but loosing your way can be fortuitous,especially if you if you stumble upon a Jacuzzi you haven’t seen before or a pizza and ice cream parlour you were yet to discover. For a first timer the cruise experience can be a little surreal before you acclimatise, it’s a little bit like landing in Las Vegas —both weird and wonderful. One of the many perks of a cruise is you can do as much or as little as you like. Daily activities include wine tasting and dance lessons, you can practice your golf swing or get a massage, try your luck in the casino, or just lie by the pool and enjoy the sun. With an all inclusive package it’s hard to be abstemious so chances are you will eat like a king especially when your dining choices include an Italian trattoria, steak and seafood grill as well as buffets serving a spread that would please the fussiest of eaters. Travel may broaden the mind but it certainly broadens the waistline so I tried to make up for any overindulgence on one of the gym’s treadmills over looking the sea. At night there is little chance of being bored with lots of live music, entertainment and a decent nightclub but no matter what you get up to every cruiser should watch at least one the sunset from the deck, it’s just too spectacular to miss.

Waking up each day with land in sight and a new destination to explore, as well as getting to see so many of the sites on my travel ‘wish list’ including Ephesus and the Acropolis was the best thing about the whole experience. Watching from the deck as you sail away from one port and set off for another certainly beats waiting at the boarding gate in an airport any day. With a hectic itinerary of onshore adventures available, the two full day sat sea provided a perfect opportunity to lay back and enjoy the cruise experience fully. Cruising may take a little getting used to but there is no denying that it is an incredible way to see the world. My first cruise was a real eye opener, surpassing my expectations and providing both exhilaration and relaxation. It may have been my first cruise but it was by no means my last.

Outside cabins start at €1,733 per person all-inclusive (excluding alcohol & soft drinks). Balcony cabins starts at €2301 per person. The above fares do not include air travel or transfers.

For more information contact your local travel agent for special offers. You can also call 01 4793258 or visit www.princesscruises.ie