Cruising used to be almost exclusively for the elderly and the very rich. The exceptions used to be the one-way emigration journeys such as the eight week voyage to Australia which was very class orientated. The émigrés were not only kept separate from the First Class at all times but in some cases they were even rationed as to how much daylight they could enjoy on deck. This has all changed very dramatically during the last thirty years and most especially during the last decade, with many of the major cruise companies commissioning large new cruise ships every year. The exceptional increase in capacity is excellent news for those interested because it means increased competition and either lower prices or better facilities for everyone.
    The largest British based Company is the Peninsular & Oriental Steamship Company, better known as P & O Cruises, who also own Princess Cruises (originally an American line). It is interesting to review the recent progress of this great giant in recent years. Until 1995 there were only two major superliners based at Southampton : Sea Princess (now known as Victoria) and her sister ship Canberra, both operating a nine month program of short cruises, mostly starting from the UK, and then every winter disappearing in opposite directions for their 90 day Round the World Cruise. About 300 passengers would actually do the whole 90 day cruise whilst others would fly out to join a sector or two and then fly home.
    In 1995 a third ship joined the Southampton Fleet, aptly named the Oriana by HM the Queen, and this was the first major cruise liner to be built exclusively for the British market. Given her capacity to carry up to 1,975 passengers (normally up to 1,760) she made a very substantial impact on the British scene and greatly increased the number of cabins the company needed to sell each week. After Canberra’s emotional last voyage in 1997 (see Freemasonry Today Winter 1997/98), she was immediately replaced by the Arcadia, formerly the Star Princess before undergoing major improvements.
    The Princess Line cruises in four main areas : the Mediterranean, Baltic, Alaskan and Caribbean, moving between these areas according to the seasons. Thus the ships in Alaskan waters during May to September move back to the Caribbean through the Panama Canal for October to April when the weather is much more pleasant. Beware of the Cruise companies offering cut-price cruises in the Caribbean at the end of July just in time for the hurricanes!
    The Princess Fleet has always been larger than the ‘home’ Fleet and several brand new ships have recently been added. In 1995 the 77,000 ton Sun Princess was the first of the new arrivals and still just able to navigate the Panama Canal. Her sister ship, Dawn Princess, came into service in 1997, and this year the Grand Princess, at 109,000 tons, is the largest in the world, able to carry 2,592 passengers, a wedding chapel, five swimming pools and eight jacuzzis - not to mention a nine hole putting green and a computer controlled golf driving centre.
    At the other end of the scale there are a growing number of smaller ships which tend to be very exclusive and therefore very expensive, but they are popular and have solved the need for the big ships to have any class distinctions. Instead, those passengers can choose to spend up to £1,000 per person per day and travel First Class without any extras. Different ships cater for different needs such as families, older or younger passengers, disabled people, singles, honeymoon couples or people with special interests such as Freemasons. Of course there is no opportunity for a formal meeting but many ships will hold special cocktail parties for masons or any other group of people who share a common interest : ideal opportunities for happy fund-raising and fellowship.
    Be careful of tempting-sounding discounts because what is much more important is to choose the cruise that is right for you at the price you can afford. Where can you find someone to help you with that decision? As a general rule your best prospect is to look around for an independent travel agent who, unlike the multiple travel shops, will not have to push any one particular supplier. Membership of ABTA is of course important but it is much more relevant to spot the circular sign on the door or in the window saying ‘PSARA’. This stands for Passenger Shipping Association Retail Agent and means that the agent will have actually paid an annual subscription which, among many other things, includes provision for two staff to attend free training courses each year. Ask to speak to someone who is PSARA trained and you may be pleasantly surprised by quite young staff suddenly leaping into action with a broad smile of recognition.
    One of the big differences compared with any other type of holiday is that passengers on a cruise ship talk to each other far more than in any hotel. There are always a huge variety of different activities going on, ranging from energetic physical pursuits or serious lectures and demonstrations right down to quiet inactivity : snoozing by a pool in a comfortable deck chair or reading in the library (opportunities for exciting masonic lectures in ‘ancient settings’ are obvious). The larger ships are never at sea very long without calling in at interesting ports where you can visit the town without cost or pay for one of the pre-advertised excursions. Most ships have three or four swimming pools, a theatre, cinema, gym, hairdresser, sauna, solarium, numerous lounges, at least eight bars and a selection of shops. In fact, you are on board a floating village with ever changing scenery as well as a team of staff dedicated to looking after you. So, if you’re planning a lodge or inter-lodge outing on the grand scale, why not give a thought to the wonderful benefits of cruising?

Tony Milhofer is an independent Travel Agent based in Bedfordshire.