Cruise Deals

How do you get the best cruise bargain - book early, or leave it until the last minute? Both schools of thought have their followers. It's fair to say that those who plan ahead get first choice of itineraries, dates and even cabins. But leave it until later and you may well find yourself bumping into other passengers who paid more for their holiday. Here's a selection of deals for the early birds and late booking offers for the next few weeks. Fly to Barbados on March 19 to board P&O's Azura as the ship sets off back to Britain [...]

The school holidays are upon us. Which means that the world is suddenly divided into two groups of people: those who have to find somewhere to take their children, and those who want to get as far away from kids as possible. Naturally enough, there are cruises to suit both types, and still some bargains to be found. Cruise and Maritime Voyages are specifically targeting teachers in their offer of a child-free environment on board Marco Polo which sails from the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury on August 19, heading for Edinburgh and then on to Bergen, Geiranger, Nordfjord and [...]

Here are two different ways to spend 12 days cruising from the UK to the Baltic. Similar itineraries, with fascinating ports of call in some of northern Europe's most exciting cities, but contrasting ships - and there's £400 difference in price. Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas sails from Harwich on July 6 and visits Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn and Gothenburg. Balcony cabin fares from £1,299. The 2,100-passenger ship was built in 2004, before RCI introduced Royal promenades and ice rinks to their vessels, but there's an 870-seat theatre, a two-deck main restaurant (with fixed seating arrangements for [...]

Looking for ideas for a sunshine break? Then why not float off on a Mediterranean cruise. Seven nights on Thomson Destiny could be yours for £619, including flights. Sail on June 26 from Palma de Mallorca to Palermo on the island of Sicily, Naples and Olbia in mainland Italy, Toulon in France and Barcelona in Spain before returning to Palma. For more information go to www.cruise118.com or call 0800 280 2614. Or take a 14-night cruise on Ventura, sailing from Southampton on July 3, for £1,429 per person sharing a balcony cabin. Ports of call include: Barcelona, Cannes, Livorno (for [...]

It's a totally selfish view, but I have been delighted to discover that Azura is relatively child-free on this cruise to the Baltic. The few pre-school children on board have enjoyed their afternoon teas with Noddy and Mr Bump, and I guess they have a wealth of staff and activities to keep them entertained in the kids' club. But cruise holidays are becoming increasingly family-friendly. In the P&O fleet Azura's sister-ship, Ventura, has most facilities directed at children and teens, and Oriana and Aurora welcome multi-generation groups. Only Arcadia and Artemis are designated adults-only (and have become popular with teachers, [...]

What was I saying last week about cruise holidays being great value? Here's even further proof - some spectacular deals for under £1,000. £679 - which includes flights from Gatwick - gets you a seven-night eastern Mediterranean cruise on the Thomson Celebration. Fly to Marmaris in Turkey on June 14 and then sail to Bodrum, Izmir, Mykonos, Athens and Crete. Go to www.cruise118.com or call 0800 280 2614. £888 is enough for a 13-night midnight sun cruise to Norway's North Cape - and no flights are required. Braemar sails from Dover on June 17, and visits Molde, Andalsnes, Tromso, Honnigsvag, [...]

As I wrote earlier in the week, cruising continues to grow in popularity as a holiday choice - 1.65 million Brits will be sailing the oceans this year according to figures released this week by the Passenger Shipping Association. People are finally beginning to get the message about the great value offered on board, with fine dining and all entertainment included in the fare on most ships. Sometimes, you even get a chance to rub shoulders with a celeb or three. DJ and king of the jungle Tony Blackburn will be on board Ocean Village for one last time before [...]