If you’re looking to go on a cruise in 2021, the chances are you will be disappointed. Julian’s parents had their July 2021 cruise cancelled back in September, so the cruise companies are obviously not planning to run any time soon.
This year we had a lot of guests who were new to The 25 and Torquay come and stay with us as their cruise holiday had been cancelled. Next year too we have lots of guests already booked in who usually take an annual luxury cruise but don’t want to risk it being cancelled. Many are also still worried about how quickly COVID-19 spread around cruise ships back in spring when many passengers became ill.
I wanted to provide you with some reasons why a stay with us at The 25 on the English Riviera is a great alternative to a cruise and actually there are surprisingly lots of similar reasons why you would choose us.
Quality
It goes without saying that if you stay at our five star bed and breakfast, having been awarded the title of “Best in the World” two years in a row then you’re in for a good time. Everything is spot on, from cleanliness to comfort, attention to detail and a plethora of little touches and extras you just don’t find elsewhere. Every single aspect of your stay has been thought about will be just as it should be. Just like any top cruise, you can expect great customer service from your hosts.
Stress-free
Some may choose a cruise for its ease of booking and it takes the hassle out of spending hours planning where to go, what to see and where to eat. We’ve done that for you at The 25, and although you don’t have everything on site, and we don’t transport you from place to place, we have taken all the hard work out of it. Once you’ve placed a reservation on our super-easy to use booking system, we send you a list of our favourite places to eat, along with 100 Things to Do, all split into different categories. Our website is also jam packed with things to do, places to visit, and information on local towns and landmarks.
Activities
There’s plenty to keep you occupied on a ship, and there’s plenty to keep you occupied nearby to The 25 too. Just a short walk away you’ve got golf, bowls, tennis, swimming, crazy golf, water sports, theatres and a cinema.
Spa
Whilst we don’t have an onboard spa, we do have an exclusive agreement with a local luxury spa for our guests to use their facilities and go and get pampered. There are treatments available, a small pool, gym, spa and sauna.
Health Benefits
I’m not sure of the health benefits of a cruise, it might be good to have fresh air and relax but all-you-can-eat food 24 hours a day is probably not good for the waistline. Here at The 25, it’s good to be close to the fresh sea air, you’ll sleep well in our “float on a cloud” beds (as one guest put it) and eat well at breakfast each morning. We’re in walking distance of a lot of places so you don’t need to be driving everywhere and can increase those steps, working up an appetite for dinner.
Multiple Destinations
One benefit of a cruise is that you can enjoy several destinations whilst not having to keep unpacking at each location. The 25 is the ideal base for your travels as so many places are easy to reach. You can easily travel as far as the Eden Project in Cornwall, and we’ve even had guests get up early and go to Oxford or Bournemouth for the day! Whilst I wouldn’t recommend travelling quite so far, everywhere is relatively easy to reach as our road network is good and you’re not that far from A-roads and motorways.
Staying closer to home, you can get to Plymouth, Dartmoor, Dartmouth or Exeter really easily, and apart from Dartmoor you can make the journey by ferry or train too so you don’t need to drive. Many local towns are close enough to walk or our public transport system is really good. There’s a train station at the end of the road, and a ferry port and bus station in the harbour. There’s a land train and plenty in walking distance like Paignton, Babbacombe, Cockington and St Marychurch.
All inclusive
Whilst we don’t offer an all-inclusive cruise package, we do include lots of similar items. Breakfast has so many items both cold and hot that you certainly won’t go hungry. If you book direct as a VIP Guest, you’ll receive a complimentary minibar in your room. You’ll get free ultra-fast wifi throughout your stay, free movies via Netflix and Amazon Films, and daily homemade treats.
Food
Talking of food, it can be a big part of a cruise. Our award-winning breakfast starts with a gorgeous selection of buffet items from homemade yogurts or granola to smoothie shots and fruit salad. You then have a large selection of hot dishes using ingredients from local suppliers to choose from – enough to easily have something different every day of the week. Then why not finish with toast and a selection of our finest hand made jams and preserves from Auntie Val’s?
On a daily basis a home-made treat will be delivered to your room – either cake, biscuits or fudge. Then in an evening we have every possible requirement covered for dinner, from locally caught fresh fish to Italian, Mexican to Turkish, Austrian to Indian, local pubs with open fires to chain restaurants and even a Michelin star restaurant. The English Riviera has it all.
Social Aspect
Our guests are generally a friendly and sociable bunch. Some are happy keeping themselves to themselves, others prefer to chat with each other. Our dining room and other public areas are set up so that you can choose to have time to yourselves or you can sit in comfort and converse with fellow guests.
Space
Most cabins on a cruise ship are tiny. You may be able to afford a larger one with a porthole or even a balcony. We don’t have sea views or balconies but even our smallest bedroom (Goodrington) is probably about the size of a standard cabin. Super high-end cabins are generally around the size of our larger five bedrooms / suites.
So, there you have it. There’s no need to mourn the loss of your cruise this year or next year. If you haven’t been to a bed and breakfast for a while, or ever, then maybe now is the time to try one. We have so much to offer, and at The 25, whilst it may be a different type of holiday to normal, it will still be a very enjoyable time and you won’t regret it.
And the obvious extra bonus benefits of staying at The 25 – you’re not in danger of drowning or The 25 sinking, you won’t get sea-sickness, and there’s no queuing for anything!
We hope to welcome you aboard The 25 very soon. Book direct here at www.the25.uk
