For a first-time cruise, a European three-day mini-trip is perfect way to test …

It was a question that cropped up repeatedly on my first day aboard the Marco Polo.

“Is this your first cruise?” I was asked again and again.

In fact, it wasn’t. But for many, this three-night jaunt to Belgium and Holland this was to be their introduction to the world of cruising.

And choosing a short cruise like this is the perfect way to find out if this kind of holiday floats your boat.

Number one plus point was embarking at Tilbury.

It doesn’t get easier than this – no crowds, easy parking on the quayside, luggage taken by porters on arrival and a speedy check-in.

The
Marco Polo is a ‘child-free’ ship with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

It accommodates 800 adults over eight passenger decks and offers a choice of two dining options – the Waldorf Restaurant or the more informal Marco’s Bistro.

And there’s a great choice of bars and lounges, including the lively Scott’s Bar, a fun spot to listen to a late night cabaret.

If you plan
to cut short your time ashore to relax on board, it’s worth checking out the Jade Wellness Centre, which offers fitness and exercise equipment, sauna and massage facilities, as well as a hair and beauty salon.

There are daily special offers such as a shampoo and blow dry with a 10-minute scalp massage for £29.

A calm North Sea crossing overnight sees us arriving at around 9.30am in Ghent, where we head into the town centre for a guided walk around one of Europe’s most attractive historic
cities.

But if you like your history lightened up with retail therapy, don’t worry, the city has more than enough chocolate shops to keep you sweet – 2,000 at the last count! 

Back
on board at I could at see that everyone had made an effort to get a little dressed up for the ‘formal night’ of the cruise as we made our way to the restaurant for a delicious meal of Scandinavian smoked salmon
salad followed by roast turkey breast and a baked Alaska.

We rounded off the evening in the theatre-style Marco Polo Lounge watching ABBA – Dancing Queen, a terrific late night show.

At
Amsterdam, our last port of call, we swap our cruise ship for a canal boat to take us on a gentle journey through the famous waterways.

At Gassan Diamonds, an historic factory dating from 1589, we watched diamonds being cut.

And the city’s magnificent Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum were essential viewing.

The Rijksmuseum houses a stunning collection of Flemish and Dutch paintings including Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’.

The Van Gogh Museum displays not only the world’s largest collection of the artist’s works but also works by Monet, Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Over dinner on our final night on board there was animated talk of where people would sail to next.

Some had booked their second cruise already.

But then, having dipped your toe in the water, it’s hard not to get bitten by the cruising bug.

Travel file

Top tips:
Pick a short cruise from a
UK port near you –
Cruise Maritime
Voyages (CMV) sail from
London Tilbury, Bristol,
Liverpool, Glasgow,
Edinburgh, Newcastle
Tyne and Hull. Other
cruise lines offering
short cruises include
PO Cruises and Fred
Olsen Cruises.

Before booking, check
what is included in the
price, such as drinks,
bottled water in your
cabin, shuttle buses into
town, gratuities and
shore excursions.

Find out if there’s a
choice of restaurants
offering formal or
informal dining.

If travelling alone, check
if the ship has single
cabins. Some cruise lines
do not charge single
supplements.

Good to know:
Look out for special
offers and bonuses if
you book early for a
cruise, such as a free
upgrade to a balcony
cabin.

Book it:
A three-night break from
London Tilbury on
August 6 or September
18 to Antwerp and
Amsterdam costs from
£179pp.

A two-night
break from Tilbury on
October 5 to Amsterdam
costs from £119pp. cruiseandmaritime.com
, 0844 414 6185.