Cruise Deals

/Cruise Deals

Updates on exceptional value-for-money cruise deals and last-minute offers

Saga cruises branch out

Saga, the travel company specialising in holidays for the over-50s, has not had the best of luck with its cruise operation. The fleet shrunk from three to two last year with the closure of associated brand Spirit of Adventure and the retirement of Saga Ruby. The company pulled out of world voyages a couple of years ago and now operates mostly ex-UK cruises from Southampton and Dover. The two remaining ships, Saga Pearl II and in particular Saga Sapphire, have been less than reliable in recent months. Sapphire was temporarily left without power off the coast of Mull after a [...]

By | 2014-05-29T13:01:37+00:00 29 May 2014|Cruise Deals, Cruise News|0 Comments

Why cruise holidays have never been better value than they are today

Good news for Britain's cruise passengers - the industry's latest annual report shows their holidays at sea are better value than ever before. The review compiled by the UK and Ireland arm of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) shows the average fare paid in 2013 was £1,376. In 2007 the figure was £1,334, but taking inflation into account the cost in today's money would have been £1,568. Seven years ago, the cost per day was £137 - or £170 after inflation. Last year's daily rate, for a holiday which almost always includes all meals and entertainment, was just £134. [...]

By | 2014-03-29T08:03:13+00:00 29 March 2014|Cruise Deals, Cruise News|0 Comments

Full details of Britannia’s maiden season of cruises from Southampton

P&O Cruises' Marketing Director, Christopher Edgington joined the company only last hear, and he is new to the whole world of holidays at sea. But having seen what is planned for his line's newest ship, Britannia, he says he wants to find a way to set up his office on board. Announcing the ship's maiden season of cruises today, he said: "We have ensured that our prices remain constant throughout the year irrespective of the timing of the peak school holiday periods. We are conscious of the hardship families face when taking holidays at these time and are therefore committed [...]

By | 2017-06-15T15:59:27+00:00 12 February 2014|Cruise Deals, Cruise News|0 Comments

Money-back promise from Fred

MY COLUMN FROM SATURDAY'S DAILY MIRROR Not sure whether you would enjoy a cruise? Now there's a way to find out that could cost absolutely nothing except time. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' Enjoyment Promise will give any customer who has not travelled on the company's ships before the chance to try a cruise and to get their money back if the don't enjoy it. What's more, having made the decision - and it has to be within 48 hours of boarding - they will be flown home at Olsen's expense. The scheme will be launched on Monday [December 2] and [...]

By | 2013-12-01T12:10:37+00:00 1 December 2013|Cruise Deals, Cruise News|1 Comment

Best deals for National Cruise Week

Florida sailing - Royal Princess sails a 7nt round trip from Fort Lauderdale on Dec 1, calling at Princess Cays (Bahamas), St Thomas (US Virgin Islands) and St. Maarten. From £499pp f/b inc entertainment. Flights extra, from £603pp. princess.com, 0845 075 0031. Hawaii - 11nt Hawaii Stay and Cruise, sailing on the freshly refurbished Pride of America. Virgin Holidays Cruises has four nights at the Outrigger Waikiki on room only before joining Norwegian's ship for seven nights from Honolulu around the islands to Kahului, Hilo, Kona and Nawiliwili. Fares start at £1,099pp with a free $50 onboard spend and flights [...]

By | 2017-06-15T15:59:29+00:00 21 September 2013|Cruise Deals|0 Comments

And the best buy is … a cruise

Cruising is the best-value family holiday around. It's a point that has been made so often it surprises me it needs to be made again. But the start of National Cruise Week is as good a time as any to issue a reminder. Step forward, Carnival Cruise Lines, who have compared the cost of a land-based holiday in the Caribbean with a five-day cruise. And guess what, a family of four would pay £2,902 for the cruise compared with £6,905 for a hotel resort. In working out the figures, Carnival has included transfers to the ship and an itinerary which [...]

By | 2013-09-18T15:07:07+00:00 18 September 2013|Cruise Deals, Cruise News|2 Comments

Free internet tops Cruise Week deals

National Cruise Week is approaching - it's just over three weeks away - and the lines are falling over themselves to come up with special deals that will stand out from the rest. Royal Caribbean set the ball rolling with $100 onboard credit per cabin for cruises booked between September 21 and 29. Passengers can put the money towards spa treatments, excursions, or bookings in the ships' speciality restaurants. But the deal is for a limited number of cruises between October 1 and December 31 and only for guests booking a balcony cabin or better. Celebrity Cruises will throw in [...]

By | 2013-08-29T11:16:26+00:00 29 August 2013|Cruise Deals, Cruise News|0 Comments

Owzat for a Test Match cruise deal?

With Australia making a strong start to the Third Test at Old Trafford this week, cricketing minds may still be focused on the summer series in England. But hostilities resume again Down Under later in the year, and what better way can there be for the Barmy Army to support their team than by combining a Test Match with a cruise? How about a package which includes a six-night stay at the Hotel Rendezvous in Brisbane, complete with a five-day ticket to the First Test, followed by a visit to Sydney before embarking on Celebrity Solstice for a 12-night cruise [...]

By | 2015-04-07T20:48:09+00:00 2 August 2013|Cruise Deals, Cruise Destinations|0 Comments

It’s official: Cruise fares down by 22%

It's hardly news that the cost of cruising has been falling for several years, but now we have concrete proof. A study by an online travel agency has calculated that the average fare has been cut by almost a quarter since 2008. Cruise specialist www.bonvoyage.co.uk gathered information by taking account of statistics from its own website over the past three years and by polling 1,274 people who had been on a cruise five years ago and had booked another for this year or next. The data revealed the average fare now is £1,248, a full 22 per cent less than [...]

By | 2013-08-02T08:40:07+00:00 2 August 2013|Cruise Deals, Cruise News|0 Comments

Take two cruises to North Cape: which one offers the better deal?

There are still bargains to be had on this summer's cruises to the Norwegian fjords - but they are not all equal. Take two 14-night voyages from Southampton to North Cape which have been put on special offer by NoFlyCruising.com. Queen Victoria's departure on August 3 and Oriana's cruise beginning two days later have almost identical itineraries. There's £100 per person difference in fares for inside cabins and ocean-view accommodation. On the P&O ship, they start at £699; for Cunard it's £799. If you are looking for a balcony stateroom, however - highly recommended for making the most of the [...]

By | 2017-06-15T15:59:31+00:00 21 June 2013|Cruise Deals, Cruise Destinations|1 Comment