How to travel is the first key decision we must make while planning a holiday. There are clearly many ways to discover different places and cultures, perhaps even more than you previously assumed. The Week is here to help you explore because, blame it on geographical handicaps or sheer ignorance, there seems to be a means of travel that often misses Nepalis’ radar: Cruises.

Going on a cruise is a very popular way to travel abroad but even here in our country, there are some options provided by Zets Holiday. They began arranging these cruise packages from 2005 and Mukunda Maharjan from the agency shares that the main attraction for the clients is almost always the ocean. 

“We have many Nepalis who haven’t seen the ocean, let alone travel on ships for a couple of days. So it’s often wonder that still makes Nepali customers buy our packages,” says Maharjan. 

Get to know the ship
So far, their most popular cruise trips have been from countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Since neither of the country requires a visa permit, Maharjan says the arrangements for Nepalis tourists can be made very easily. 

According to him, Zets Holiday often relies on the Star Cruises line of modern fleet cruise ships to arrange their trips. Of their six cruises, many of their packages are on Superstar Gemini that offers a versatile cruise schedule year-round from Singapore. The cruise ship that is 230m/754.59 ft in length and 29m/95.14ft in width has 765 cabins and offers an amazing range of onboard activities and amenities, plus live entertainment and delicious cuisine from around the world. What’s more, all the food and entertainment (excluding the drinks) comes with the package meaning it’s free. 

The deal
Indeed, many have yet to figure it out but a cruise can turn out to be very good value. By purchasing one ticket for everything, you do not have to budget for your meals or your entertainment. Then there is the convenience. With a cruise, there is also no need to arrange travel from place to place or accommodation in different destinations.

Zets Holidays itinerary includes offers like three nights and four days trips from Singapore-Penang, Malaysia also known as the Silicon Valley of the East for its industries, to Port Klang the largest port in Malaysia and back to Singapore. You can choose to visit other cities in and around Malaysia. If you don’t want to go that far though there are also a day’s trip around Singapore high seas. 

The Zets Holidays website also show a eight nights, nine days package of Rome and other Western Mediterranean cruise but Maharjan reveals that these packages haven’t been able to gain as much traction because of visa regulations. 

Now deciding whether or not a cruise will work for you is a personal decision but if these offers have you intrigued, here is some information for all the first time cruisers out there. You are bound to have some queries and concerns. We are here to answer them for you.

“I will get seasick.”
This is almost always on top of every first time cruiser’s concern list and you might right. Many people are predisposed to motion sickness on ships and boats but thankfully, this is a problem that can be managed.

Just take precautions. There are pills that are easily available. There are even some natural remedies that can prevent this problem. Many also trust pressure bands. These bands apparently use pressure, electricity, or both to stimulate the P6 acupuncture point that proves to be very effective while on cruises. In more severe cases, the ship’s doctor can administer an injection.

Tip: According to experts, while the best views can be had in cabins on top floors, these aren’t apparently the best for people who get motion sick. Instead, book a cabin mid-ship on lower or middle floors.

“Being cooped on a ship for hours, I’ll get bored.”  
While this might seem very plausible, it is very unlikely while onboard modern day cruises. In fact many of these cruises tend to have entertainment at every turn. You are allowed to check up their facilities before hand and you will see that from shows, to workshops, classes to some good old lounging in Jacuzzis or swimming pools, they have it all. 

Some cruises are even known to offer opportunities to learn fencing, improve your photography skills, learn Spanish or the piano, immerse yourself in yoga or join a drama class. We kid you not, so do check out the offerings before you sign up. 
Further, many cruises are also incredibly family friendly. Thus keeping the children happy won’t be a problem either. Cruises usually have separate programs especially for them.

“I won’t spend enough time on land.”
At the end of the day, we are traveling and it is understandable to fret about the limited amount of time on and beyond the dock. Many do tend to grumble about this. While on a cruise, the land excursions are pretty limited in terms of time (you have to be back by a certain time and most times, there also tends to be mandatory stops at commission-paying shops.), however, again according to your priorities and some research you can pick an option that suits you the best.

Some lines do excel at getting their passengers to the heart of the action. If destination is the key driver for your holiday, you must pick a ship that spends adequate time in your chosen ports.

“I won’t be able to get online.” 
Yes, you did hear it right. Communications are expensive at sea. Since the signals are satellite-dependent (over very long distances), service can be slow and access unreliable, you can’t expect Wi-Fi services like when you are back home.

However, the fear of being cut off from the outside world in the middle of an ocean is a little too dramatic – this doesn’t happen. Wi-Fi hot spots have become more common and ships are making better provision, with more terminals available.

 
• travel
 
• sail
 
• cast off