A Luxury Cruise at High Street Prices

Marketing is everything. Companies spend a high proportion of their budgets quite often in portraying their brands in a certain way. Often people want designer labels for clothes for example because they like the actual design, the quality, what the label is saying or because it seems to reflect something about them. The same goes for holidays. Say you are looking at cruises from Southampton, a popular port for many big liners. There are so many ships and companies to choose from. The beauty of the Internet is these brands are often brought together under one roof, or in this case, site and it is so much easier for any customer to compare and contrast. Designer clothes can also be bought from one site now and often there are discounts and deals online. Even with big names such as Royal Caribbean cruises there are many ships to choose from which suit varying budgets. Sites which focus on offering designer clothes can also offer a range of prices at a glance. The Internet is often the first place people will start when shopping for something special. They can look at price and pictures in the comfort of their own home and read reviews or see a wide range of stock at a glance. Big name companies such as P&O cruises are found online along with recent traveller tales of being onboard these well-known holiday liners and any discounts and deals are seen at a click of a mouse.

"Dinner was the usual Fred affair with more pretension than substance but excellent table and side table companions that remained a joy for the rest of the voyage. Wine was as usual reasonably priced and good. Our waiters Romeo and Rafael were excellent and managed to maintain a good sense of humour throughout." - G, Milton Keynes on 15th Sep 2009 (Fred. Olsen Cruises)

Tradition, Luxury and All Mod Cons at Sea

Designer clothes come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges and although designer often signals a higher price than high street the lines are beginning to blur. There can be some good deals to be had. Take for example, a holiday at sea onboard a luxury liner. This would have been seen as once being the preserve of the well-heeled but today there is so much choice. Celebrity cruises, like some designer clothes labels, pride themselves on offering a top notch brand. Their aim is towards a five star branding. With fashion, there are some names which instantly make people think of five star clothing and then there are also some brands which seem to have been around forever and have a traditional feel. Designer fashion is not always about the latest hip clothes but sometimes about a feeling of something continuing, like a tradition. For someone who is looking at Cunard cruises as a possible holiday will probably be looking for something more traditional than the latest craze or anything new wave. Tradition often signifies, in marketing terms, a think of quality and that the respect for quality has not gone out the window in favour of following some modish whim or fashion statement. When you think of designer clothes you may well think of the same labels that your parents thought of. Often these brands become in fashion again as many people respect the past. There is also a retro feel to a lot of fashion these days.

"As it was outside of the school holidays there were not too many kids and those that were there were well behaved and well catered for. All in all we had a loverly time" - Heller, Buckhurst Hill on 15th Sep 2009 (P&O Cruises)

Brits Aboard

Caribbean cruises are often seen as the ultimate voyage at sea. There is something magical about the sea breeze, the weather, the landscapes and the sights. It is the equivalent of buying an amazing designer winter coat that will dazzle for you all season and which you will never take off, even inside. Everyone likes a simple holiday and to wear simple clothes but sometimes everyone wants something just that little big memorable or special. Often when you think of designer labels the mind plays out images of swanky catwalk shows in Paris or Milan. However, there are many British designers making a big name for themselves amongst the fashion show circuit and there is something very specific about anything that has a British accent to it. It is akin to Fred Olsen cruises which pride themselves in offering something a bit different than many liner holidays. For them it is all about a smaller and therefore, more personable holiday feeling. The crew are British and no matter where they ships sail to, the idea is that those aboard will feel that there is still a sense of home. Designer fashion labels also reflect the country they are from as well as representing an image to the world, whether that portrayal is of an English gent or perhaps of a skateboarding youth. Many holidaymakers like to feel that they are still in the comfort of something that belongs to home rather than experiencing a totally exotic environment.

"Our third Princess Cruise, but first on Grand Princess. Ship very big, and we did keep getting lost! But furnishings were good. Balconey cabin nice and spacious. Last year we went to the Med on Sea Princess and I thought the quality of food had lost something, but would definitely say it was back up to standard. We particularly enjoyed the "pub lunch" in the Painted Desert on sea days." - Osler, Mirfield on 15th Sep 2009 (Princess Cruises)

Italy and America Ahoy

Italy is arguably the most famous fashion country with Milan being the fashion icon capital. There is something romantic, luxurious and indulgent about Italian fashion, food and culture. Even holidays in the Black Sea cannot escape an Italian feeling if you choose to stay aboard MSC cruises. Unlike, traditional voyages, these ships have a distinctive Italian style which is aimed at the younger market which tends to cook more Italian food perhaps. Any designer clothing website is without a shadow of a doubt going to include those brands from Italy. Italian fashion screams sophistication and quality. Fashion, along with on-ship holidays were once about making a statement. There was something selective and elitist about those people who would be cruising along the seas in an ocean liner wearing the latest Italian fashion. However, fashion labels today often appeal to young people who are looking for smart street wear that they can don everyday. Ships such as those used by NCL cruises often appeal to these more modern consumers too. They do not have the formality that was once seemingly automatically tied in with these types of holidays. With a big American influence evident in the UK for example there is a familiarity with the relaxed but smart style found in American clothes and restaurants. Princess cruises offer a modern continental feel that is fresh and distinctly American and is popular with many young consumers along with the food, music and designer fashion from over the pond.

"Our first cruise with Ocean Village which we really enjoyed.The ship was well appointed with pleasent modern coloring and decor.Our outside cabin was spacious and comfortable.The food generally was good with plenty of choice although the Buffet style of the two main restaurants could at times result in fairly lengthy queueing." - Prentice, North Hykeham,Lincoln on 15th Sep 2009 (Ocean Village Cruises)