Into the great wide ocean

IT was a Kodak moment.

One of those holiday highlights that you file away in the subconscious, to be dusted off and relived time and time again.

We had just boarded the Independence of the Seas after a day of people-watching on the beach in Nice. A leisurely lunch in the old town later, we made our way back to the ship which was anchored in the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer — a horseshoe shaped slice of heaven nestled neatly between the Cape of Nice and Cap Ferrat.

It was just after 5pm. After dumping our bags in the cabin, we made our way to the top deck to catch the last of the summer sunshine and stunning views of the picture-postcard town that tumbles down 1,750ft to the Mediterranean.

The thermometer was touching 25C and from tiered seating near the Wipe Out Bar on Deck 13 you could just make out the red tile roofs and the steeple of the town church.

Making the most of the gentle breeze, you wonder whether it gets any better than this — secure in the knowledge that when you wake the following morning, you get a chance to do it all over again.

In its essence, that’s what a cruise is all about — a new city every morning, a new holiday experience each day.

But to get the most out of your cruise, there are a few do’s and don’ts to remember.

Excursions

The options are enormous, so it is well worth doing some research well in advance of your departure date. Many of the most popular excursions are heavily booked, so don’t leave it until the last minute.

But there are a few things worth noting. Your cruise operator will provide you with dozens of options for half-day, full-day and family-friendly excursions — all very well organised and executed.

The full range of options will be supplied once you’ve made your booking. But be warned, they’re not cheap.

Also they only provide information on excursions that they themselves organise. While you have the option to disembark at any port and fend for yourself, the cruise operator provides you with very sparse information.

Food

Again the range was huge, the overall standard is very good and the vast majority is included in the overall price.

Here are a few suggestions:

Breakfast. Two main choices here. Option 1 — Windjammer Cafe — a massive self-service circular restaurant that serves an enormous range of food all day.

Option 2 — your main dining room. Depending on what deck level you are on, you are assigned a main dining room for the duration of your stay.

As well as your evening meal, you can also get breakfast here. It’s table service, the range of food is better and it’s far more civilised. The only drawback is that it finishes at 9am.

Lunch: Windjammer is the only option here if you’re staying on board. Depending on the weather, the food is also served poolside.

Dinner: As I mentioned earlier, you are assigned a main dining room and can wander down at your ease. But given that 5,000 people are fed every night, I would advise you prebook your table times.

But again be warned — the wine is expensive — with the cheapest bottle coming in at about $40 — including tax and gratuity. If you plan to indulge, it’s well worth checking out the offers once you get on board — ours was a choice of five bottles of wine for $100.

If the fare on offer in the main restaurant doesn’t float your boat, you have a few additional choices — but there is a surcharge.

Chops Grille is a high-end grill specialising in steak and fish. Portofino is formal Italian which is pitched as intimate and classic. We didn’t dine here because children are not allowed and you’re advised to allow about three hours.

Johnny Rockets is a ’50s style American style burger milkshake joint — well worth the extra $5 a head.

Sorrento’s is all night pizza joint with a good range of pizza and salads. And best of all, it’s free.

There is also the option of the cafes and bars on the main shopping promenade.

Children

Let’s knock the myth on the head straight away — these cruises are custom made for children. The only difficultly I had with my two — who were seven and five — was trying to get them off the ship.

There was buckets for them to do including:

* adventure ocean

* FlowRider surf simulator

* rock-climbing wall

* tennis and basketball courts

* nine-hole miniature golf course

* karaoke

* video game centre

* ice skating rink

* tattoo parlour

Throw in three West End standard shows, a cinema, evening parades and discos featuring a host of Disney stars, ice-cream and pizza and the general buzz of having a 15-floor, 150,000 tonne ship to explore and you get the picture.

Hidden extras

The one downside. There are a lot of hidden extras that can hurt when it comes to settling your bill. Everything costs and then some. You have to pay extra to pre-book your dining room table and on top of that you have to pay gratuity to the restaurant manager, the head waiter and the guy who is looking after your table.

Then there’s the crew that look after your cabin — more charges there, depending on the number of guests.

Wi-fi is available on board — but at a cost. Movies for the children are available in your room — but at a cost. And then there’s the price of drink — saucy when you factor in tax and the gratuity, which is paid in dollars as the ship is registered in the Caribbean. A bottle of beer comes in at around $6-$7, a pint around $8, soft drinks — $3-$4. The cheapest bottle of wine comes in at around $35 to $40 — and it is forbidden to bring any alcohol on board.

Overall

A holiday that everyone should experience. The overall standard was superb, the food was very good and the staff and crew were very friendly and helpful.

The entertainment on board is Broadway standard and custom made for kids.

The list of excursions is exhaustive.

Flights

We built our 7-night Western Mediterranean Cruise around a week in Barcelona, flying from Cork with Aer Lingus. From Barcelona, we stopped at Toulon, France; Florence, Italy, Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy and Naples/Capri, Italy and before returning to Barcelona.

Until Feb 29, Royal Caribbean International is offering a wide range of deals including prices from €499 per person, child fares for selected sailings from €119 per child plus the offer of flights from Dublin from €149pp or Fly/cruise holidays from €829 per person.

* For more information or to book see www.royalcaribbean.ie, call 1800 932 619 or talk to your travel agent.