Part 2: What type of cruiser are you?

In part one of my blog, highlighting the many types of cruises available from ROL Cruise, I looked at everything from simulated skydiving onboard to seeing fabulous wildlife to cracking out the credit card for some good old-fashioned shopping. In this second part, we explore ROL’s remaining smorgasbord of cruise delights. 

There’s nothing quite like kicking back by the sea with the sand between your toes soaking up a few rays and this is exactly what you can do on a sun and beach cruise. The only difference is that these beaches have been hand selected by ROL’s cruise line partners to offer seclusion, solitude and beauty from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean. 

You could even combine this beach time with a bit of festive cheer with a Christmas cruise. What better way to spend ‘the season to be jolly’ than by soaking up the sun and having everything taken care of for you? No sprout peeling, no washing up - just pure unadulterated relaxation where all you really have to think about is which well-appointed bar to have that post-Christmas dinner digestif in. Of course, you’ve also got the anticipation of where you’ll be arriving next once the big day is over. 

If you’re one of those intrepid types who enjoys more than taking time out alone then ROL goes out of its way to look after solo travellers. The days of exorbitant single-person supplements are thankfully a thing of the past because most ships have a good proportion of single berth cabins. You’ll not only see new places, you’re sure to make new friends to experience them with. 

On an adults-only cruise, you can relish the time away from the little ones and recharge so that you’re full of beans for when you get home. If they’ve long flown the nest, then a child-free ship may well be your cruise of choice anyway. However, if you want to bring your brood along with you then family-friendly cruises cater for children of all ages. Onboard childminders, play areas, kids’ shows, sports days and discos all provide the perfect activities for toddlers up to teenagers. 

Cruising has always been associated with the finer things in life and if your tastes crave perfection then why not indulge in a 6★ and ultra-luxury cruise? These cruises are on smaller vessels compared to a typical liner and offer an unprecedented level of service including your own butler, Michelin-star quality food and suite-sized accommodation with uninterrupted ocean views. Get ready for pure indulgence in which you’ll live like an oligarch in utter splendour but for a lot fewer roubles. 

You’ll also find exquisite dining with gourmet cruises. This is less a specific type of cruise and more an epicurean reflection across all of ROL’s partners where the sheer variety, quality and service of the food and drink is second to none. This is also true of the arts and entertainment you’ll discover onboard. There are theatres with Wets End standard performances, cinemas playing the latest blockbusters, lectures by experts on a vast array of topics, cabaret, comedy and much, much more. 

On a history and culture cruise, you can expect to see some of the world’s most iconic sights and events including the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu and the Rio Carnival. However, you won’t be a bystander, you’ll get involved as all excursions are with knowledgeable guides who understand the nuances and heritage of what you’re witnessing. 

If Formula 1 is your thing, then why not join a sports cruise where you can become immersed in the high-octane energy of a race in Monaco or Abu Dhabi? And if you like the wind in your sails, you could also watch the oldest yacht race in the world, The America’s Cup, from a unique vantage point on your liner’s deck.

For the ultimate time at sea, a world cruise is an experience like no other. Available as 90 and 120-day voyages, you’ll join a very select group of people who have circumnavigated the planet. Forgetting your daily travails for such an extended period whilst visiting so many wonderful places will undoubtedly make it the trip of a lifetime! 

Read next: Part 1: What type of cruiser are you?