Budgeting holidaymakers advised to take a cruise

Holidaymakers who have found themselves penny-pinching as the effects of the credit crunch begin to take hold may want to consider taking a cruise.

Tom Trotter, senior vice-president of travel website Priceline, told Fox Business that cruises can be an affordable option, which will enable holidaymakers to stop in a number of countries getting a truly globe-trotting experience.

Mr Trotter also stressed that the sociability of cruises also makes them a great holiday alternative to jetting off an expensive break, which could also see travellers hike up their carbon footprint.

He told the news provider: "Different cruise lines and even different cruises tend to attract specific age groups, singles, families with kids and retirees."

"Since on-board entertainment and activities are centred around these target groups, it pays to choose a cruise where you know you're going to have a good time. Bottom line, there is a cruise to satisfy every type of traveller," Mr Trotter explained.

Illustrating the diversity of cruises that are available to holidaymakers, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines announced plans this week to collect its music-themed sea-sailing packages in one brochure

The Music at Sea tours include jazz, latin and opera performances and travel around the world.

Also in the brochure is the Black Watch Iberia eight-night cruise, which will see the Phoenix Dixieland Jazz band mix music from this genre with popular songs, reports Travel Weekly.

However, those who like their credit-crunch cruises to have a bit of meat may be more interested in the Balmoral trip, which will take holidaymakers around the Canaries to a rock and roll theme tune provided by the Steve Lowe Band.

Furthermore, not only can cruises be penny saving, they also help holidaymakers keep their carbon footprints down.

TravelMole reports that one of the world's largest cruise operators Carnival Corporation has taken steps to make these kinds of trips even greener.

Harnessing waste heat, developing software to ensure ships are operating effectively and ensuring itinerary planning cuts back on fuel consumption were three of the initiatives the firm has come up with.

Carnival Corporation is a huge conglomerate which operates nearly 90 ships across brands including P&0 Cruises, Costa and Cunard Line.

Dan Grausz, Holland America Line's senior vice-president of fleet operations, told the news provider that becoming energy-efficient is one of the group's top priorities and he said that bringing cruise liners' speed down by even a few knots could have a considerable impact.

Meanwhile, cruise operators are so keen to go green they are bringing their efforts on shore as well as off shore.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has urged its staff to go green by using a method of transport other than cars to get to work.

"If we can do our bit to reduce the level of pollutants in the atmosphere and help our staff to save a little money at the petrol pumps, then this week will have been very worthwhile," said managing director of the firm Mike Rodwell told TTG Live.