Top cruise deals of the week

Independence of the Seas (above) lost its claim to the title of largest cruise ship in the world last November when big sister Oasis of the Seas made its maiden voyage.
But Independence is still pretty spectacular, with a FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, ice rink, and the Royal Promenade – a street of shops, restaurants and bars running through the centre of the ship. There’s never a shortage of things to do for the 3,600 passengers on board.
The ship arrives back in Southampton later this month to spend the summer sailing from the UK, and there are some tempting offers still available.
Departing on April 25 for a 10-night voyage to Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Vigo in Portugal, you could travel in an inside cabin for £699, or a balcony cabin from £899. The same itinerary is avalable for a May 5 departure for £749 (inside) and £949 (balcony). Fares based on two adults sharing. Go to www.gillscruise.com or call 08456 582323
On May 15 the Independence sets off for a 14-night cruise to the Mediterranean, and will visit Gibraltar, Villefranche (perfect for visits to Monte Carlo or Nice), Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Cagliari on the island of Sardinia, Cadiz, Lisbon and Vigo before returning to Southampton. Inside cabins from £799, balconies from £1,099. Go to www.gillscruise.com or call 08456 582323
Star Clipper is a very different ship from Independence, with real sails and carrying just 170 passengers. An 11-night holiday starting on April 16 begins with two nights in the five-star Sofitel hotel, Cairo, before passengers join the ship at Sharm el Sheik to sail through the Suez Canal and on to Port Said, Alexandria, Rhodes, Mykonos and finally Athens. Fares start at £1,499 including flights and transfers. Go to www.starclippers.com or call 0845 2006145.
Sail on sister ship Star Flyer along the Turkish Riviera coast and through the Dodecanese, and two children (under 18) can travel free. The total cost for a family of four is £2,860 (excluding flights) for seven nights, travelling from Rhodes to Fetiye, the Dalyan River, Marmaris, Bodrum, Patmos and Simi. The ship has a qualified sports crew to help entertain families with complimentary water sports that include free use of sail boards, kayaks and snorkelling equipment. Scuba diving also available at extra cost. Go to www.starclippers.com or call 0845 2006145.
Costa Luminosa sails from Savona in North-west Italy on May 4 and calls at Barcelona, Cadiz, Lisbon, Vigo and Cork before arriving in Amsterdam. Fares for this nine night cruise start at £575.10 per person (fares and gratuities extra) based on two adults sharing an inside cabin. go to www.costacruises.co.uk or call 0845 351 0552.
Join the 700-passenger MV Discovery in Istanbul on May 19 and you could spend the next 16 nights sailing back to the UK. The cruise calls at Heraklion, Valletta, Messina, Sorrento, Civitavecchia, Ajaccio, Almeria, Gibraltar and Lisbon before arriving in Harwich on May 24. Inside cabins are available from £1,095 per person. Go to www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk or call 0844 822 0820.
New to cruising? Visit www.discover-cruises.co.uk for advice on ships and destinations – you could even win a case of wine.