IN THE PAST, A CRUISE WAS LOOKED AT AS A HOLIDAY THAT ONLY THE MIDDLE CLASS AND UPWARDS COULD GO ON AS,EVEN IF YOU COULD PAY FOR IT,YOU JUST WOULDN'T FIT IN WITH YOUR FELLOW PASSENGERS.OF COURSE,THIS PERCEPTION HAS GENERALLY LONG SINCE GONE AS THERE ARE CRUISES TO SUIT EVERY TYPE OF PERSON, BUT THERE ARE STILL THOSE THAT PERCEIVE A CRUISE TO BE 'OUT OF THEIR REACH'FINANCIALLY.IF YOU LOOK AT THE PASSENGER FIGURES FOR CRUISING OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IS SOMETHING NOT EXPERIENCED SINCE THE GOOD OLD PACKAGE HOLIDAY TO MAJORCA.THE REASONS? WELL THERE ARE MANY,BUT THE MAIN REASON THAT PEOPLE TAKE A CRUISE HOLIDAY IS SIMPLE. VALUE FOR MONEY! INCLUDED IS YOUR ACCOMMODATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE FOOD THAN YOU CAN EVER MANAGE. PLUS YOU GET TAKEN TO EACH PORT OF CALL WHILST YOU'RE HAVING A GOOD TIME!THE BEST WAY OF MAKING SURE THAT YOU GET THE BEST DEAL,FOR SERVICE AS WELL AS PRICE,IS TO BOOK THROUGH AN AGENT WHO IS COVERED BY ABTA (ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS).A GREAT ALTERNATIVE IS AN AGENT COVERED BY THE TRAVEL TRUST ASSOCIATION (TTA). ANY MONIES PAID TO A MEMBER OF THE TTA ARE PAID INTO A TRUST ACCOUNT. EACH PASSENGER IS ISSUED WITH AN INSURANCE THAT COVERS THEM UP TO THE VALUE OF £11000 SHOULD THE HOLIDAY COMPANY FAIL. ONE SUCH MEMBER OF THE TTA IS CRUISE MAESTRO LTD OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE (NO.U0629). THEY ARE IN THEIR SIXTH YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP AND ARE REKNOWNED FOR GIVING EXPERT ADVICE AND SERVICE.AS HOLDERS OF AN ATOL T7049 (AIR TRAVEL ORGANISERS LICENCE) CRUISE MAESTRO OFFER THE OPTION OF THEIR OWN PACKAGES WHICH CAN BE A CRUISE WITH FLIGHT, TRANSFERS, CAR PARKING, AIRPORT LOUNGES AND HOTEL STAYS. ATOL IS MANAGED BY THE CAA (CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY) AND IS A SCHEME TO PROTECT PASSENGERS SHOULD THE TRAVEL AGENT FAIL. IN THIS EVENT THE CAA WILL EITHER REFUND PASSENGERS OUT OF THE BOND PAID BY THE MEMBER AND ARRANGE FOR PEOPLE TO FINISH THEIR HOLIDAYS AND FLY BACK HOME. TOO MANY PEOPLE BOOK THROUGH COMPANIES WITHOUT THIS COVER AND EITHER LOSE THEOR MONEY OR HAVE TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY HOME AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE.BOOKING ONE OF CRUISE MAESTRO'S OWN PACKAGES USUALLY WORKS OUT CHEAPER THAN THE CRUISE COMPANY'S PACKAGE SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY WORK TO SMALLER MARGINS. IN ADDITION THERE IS A GREATER CHOICE OF FLIGHTS, HOTELS AND HOLIDAY DURATION.MAKE 2008 A YEAR TO REMEMBER. BOOK A CRUISE!