There’s been a bit of buzz this week surrounding Cruise Week, with a number of lines and agencies offering special deals to celebrate the nine (weirdest week I ever saw) days of sea-faring focus. While we enjoy any chance for the cruise industry to enjoy the spotlight, we believe that cruises deserve more than a week in the sun. With this in mind, we’ve picked 12 of our favourite cruise deals from next year (one from each month) as we declare 2016 to be the unofficial year of the cruise.
January – Singapore Stay & Far Eastern Jewels
Looking to kick off 2016 in decadent luxury? We’re offering a fantastic fly/cruise deal aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas which includes a few nights in stunning Singapore. The cruise is jam-packed with shore visits to some of the Far East’s most-beloved destinations including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. The 18-night trip is neatly book-ended with a 4* hotel stay in the vibrant city-state of Singapore, giving you a chance to really soak up the culture of the area.
Find the deal, here.
February – Ultra Caribbean
Christmas is well and truly over, but the ice and the cold is still an ever-present feature as summer feels like a far-fetched dream. February truly is the most hated of months. So, why not skip out of the country for almost half of it with a cruise around the Caribbean, visiting the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Puerto Limon and more? The roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale even gives cruisers the chance to extend the trip and enjoy a couple of days in sunny Florida at the start and end of the trip.
Find the deal, here.
March – Italy, Spain, Morocco, Portugal
Want to pack more into a boring March? The MSC Fantasia can transport you to a great selection of Europe and Africa’s favourite destinations. Setting sail from Rome and travelling to Genoa, Barcelona and Casablanca amongst others before returning to the Italian capital.
Find the deal, here.
April – Mediterranean & Canary Islands
Spend a week and a half exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful, sun-soaked islands aboard the Emerald Princess as she undertakes the Mediterranean & Canary Islands. Visiting Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and the Portuguese island of Madeira; the cruise is guaranteed to introduce you to some early spring sunshine. The Southampton roundtrip is perfect for UK cruise lovers looking to escape the April showers.
Find the deal, here.
May – Dubai, India & Southeast Asia
If you want to enjoy the latest member of the Quantum Class fleet from Royal Caribbean, you’ll probably have to make your way over to Asia – as the line looks to make the most of the region’s blossoming cruise market. This Dubai, India and Southeast Asia itinerary will be one of the first undertaken by the brand new ship – so you’ll be amongst the lucky few to have experienced the most technologically-advanced cruise ship on the seas.
Find the deal, here.
June – Roundtrip Seattle
A hugely popular route amongst US cruise fans, Alaska has innumerable stunning sights to enjoy. The Roundtrip Seattle cruise aboard Holland America Line’s MS Westerdam provides the perfect introduction to the region, exploring Juneau, Glacier Bay and much more during the seven-night route. Although it may not be the warmest of sailings, Alaskan cruises provide a truly unforgettable experience.
Find the deal, here.
July – Hellenic Classics
Perfect for the discerning traveller who can’t quite decide which of the Greek islands deserves their patronage; the Hellenic Classics cruise aboard the Thomson Dream is a stunning seven night cruise visiting Corfu, Crete and Mykonos. The cruise also visits mainland Turkey and Greece, giving you the very best mixture of culture, history and laid-back Aegean climates.
Find the deal, here.
August – Roundtrip Transatlantic
Possibly the most famous cruise route in the world and one of the great travel experiences, the transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York is truly unforgettable. Cunard are perhaps the greatest purveyors of the route, having completed it regularly for more than 100 years. Sailing aboard the line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, you’ll be transported in fantastic luxury during the 15-night roundtrip, which will more than make up for the lack of port visits.
Find the deal, here.
September – Bermuda, Canada & New England
Perhaps the greatest draw of a cruise holiday for many people is the opportunity to explore a number of destinations. This Norwegian Cruise Line itinerary goes above and beyond visiting neighbouring islands and ports – offering three wildly different destinations during 14-nights at sea. From the beautiful paradise of Bermuda to the interesting, cultural cities of New England – this trip is rich with unique experiences.
Find the deal, here.
October – Venice and Rome
Visiting two of the world’s most sophisticated and historically-rich cities aboard a cruise ship from the world’s most luxurious line, Cunard, this Venice and Rome trip is perfect for those who like the finer things in life. The seven night trip aboard the Queen Victoria also visits Greek islands during the cruise, as well as Sicily – giving you the chance to perfect your Godfather impression.
Find the deal, here.
November – South Pacific
With roughly 3,000 islands to explore, the South Pacific is ripe for cruising. Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas can whisk you away from the humdrum of November to the stunning Isle of Pines and New Caledonia. The Sydney roundtrip also gives you the chance to explore the beautiful Australian city for a few nights before or after the cruise.
Find the deal, here.
December – Baltic
Truly get into the festive spirit this December with P&O Aurora’s Baltic cruise around the beautiful cities of Scandinavia. Visiting Copenhagen and Oslo before making its way to Amsterdam and Brussels; the ship explores the best of Northern and Western Europe. The latter two destinations give you a chance to explore some of the best Christmas markets that the continent has to offer.
Find the deal, here.
If none of these tickle your fancy during the unofficial year of the cruise, we have thousands of other great deals at our disposal. Visit our homepage or call our dedicated team on 0808 2746 777 for a full range of excellent Cruise1st deals.
Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credit: Mike Behnken, Amina Tagemouati, David_Baxendale, Tambako The Jaguar and Ebroh
