With more positive news regarding the pandemic dominating the headlines, many people are looking towards a well-earned holiday in 2021. To help, we’ve compiled a guide to some wonderful cruises, and the best bit is they’ll cost you far less than you would expect.
It’s more difficult than you think deciding whether to publish a piece promoting cruises. After all, the industry has not been the recipient of the most flattering headlines during the past twelve months.
This, in part, is one of the reasons why we are publishing this guide. The industry could do with a positive boost, and with the rapid vaccine roll-out in some parts of the world (particularly in the UK), there is light at then of the tunnel and ‘calmer waters’ ahead.
Below are three brand new sailings recommended by Iglu Cruise and Planet Cruise. The first is a 12-night British Isles cruise for those eager to sail closer to home, followed by a five-night European mini-break from just £381 per person and a five-night scenic tour of Ireland’s extraordinary landscapes.
From visiting the famous Titanic Belfast Museum to enjoying a scenic boat ride along the Brugge-Zeebrugge Canal, these Cruise itineraries all offer exceptional value for money.
Iglu Cruise: the British Isles with Liverpool from Southampton with Princess Cruises, 11 September 2021 (12 nights)
Bookings: Iglu Cruise is offering a 12-night cruise onboard Princess Cruises Sky Princess from just £789 per person (full board), departing Southampton on 11 September 2021.
Savings and Inclusions: Under £1,000, this fantastic 12-night adventure offers great value for money. Customers can also enjoy a low deposit of £142pp and book with confidence with Iglu Cruises’ flexible booking terms (for all departures up to 31st October 2021, T&C’s apply). With Princess Plus!, guests can also upgrade for just £35pppd and receive a premium drinks package, WiFi and gratuities. Price includes all meals and snacks onboard, 24-hour room service and is based on an Inside Cabin.
What you can experience with this cruise
From dynamic cities and pretty coastal towns to rolling countryside and dramatic cliffs, cruise-goers can sail closer to home on this 12-night cruise of the British Isles. After boarding in Southampton, passengers will first visit Guernsey’s capital, St. Peter Port. Tiny in size but big on charm, visitors can explore the town’s Mediterranean feel strolling through the cobbled streets or delve into Guernsey’s cultural scene with a visit to the Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery set in the beautiful Candie Gardens.
Voyaging north, the ship will sail into the Irish town of Cork, where passengers can enjoy guided tours of the rugged coastline to admire the stunning vistas. Continuing northwards, passengers will arrive in Belfast, a thriving hub of arts, cuisine, architecture and history, where guests can visit the famous Titanic Belfast Museum and the fully restored HMS Caroline to learn about the Battle of Jutland.
The following day will be spent in Liverpool where music enthusiasts can visit the Beatles Story Museum and the world-famous Cavern Club. After exploring the history and natural beauty of the Scottish towns of Greenock, Invergordon and Edinburgh, cruise-goers will spend a day sailing to the port city of Le Havre near Paris. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unusual and breathtaking concrete architecture, Le Harve is the final stop before returning to Southampton.
Iglu Cruise: Belgium and Netherlands Sampler from Southampton with Princess Cruises, 7 October 2021 (five nights)
Bookings: Iglu Cruise is offering a five-night cruise onboard Princess Cruises Regal Princess from just £381 per person (full board), departing Southampton on 7 October 2021.
Savings and Inclusions: Under £500, this five-night brand new sailing offers passengers the ultimate European mini-break post-lockdown. Customers can also enjoy a low deposit of £70pp and book with confidence with Iglu Cruises’ flexible booking terms (for all departures up to 31st October 2021, T&C’s apply). Price includes all meals and snacks onboard, 24-hour room service and is based on an Inside Cabin.
What you can experience with this cruise
Departing Southampton and cruising across the North Sea, cruise-goers will arrive in the pocket-sized and picturesque city of Bruges. The day can be spent exploring the city’s stunning Gothic architecture by foot along the quaint, cobbled streets or on a scenic boat ride along the Brugge-Zeebrugge Canal, perfect for a romantic getaway. Voyaging on, the ship will sail up the coast to reach the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam.
Here, visitors can trace the city’s seafaring history at The Maritime Museum, and keen shoppers head to the Markthal, a modern marketplace building filled with shops, bars and restaurants. After spending a day at sea enjoying the vessel’s luxury onboard facilities, including a gelato bar and golf driving range, guests will reach Guernsey’s capital, St Peter Port, to explore the boutique shops and cafes in the picturesque Market Square or visit Castle Cornet which has stood guard over the town for 800 years.
Planet Cruise: Touring Scenic Ireland from Liverpool with Fred Olsen, 24 August 2022 (five nights)
Bookings: Planet Cruise is offering a five-night cruise onboard Fred Olsen’s Borealis from just £776 per person (full board) departing from Liverpool on 24 August 2022.
Savings and Inclusions: Under £1,000, this five-night brand new Irish adventure offers passengers great value for money. Price includes all meals onboard, onboard evening entertainment and is based on an Inside Cabin.
What you can experience with this cruise
With rugged coastlines, shimmering lochs, sandy bays and craggy mountains, Ireland offers a rural idyll for cruise-goers to explore. Departing from Liverpool, this five-night sailing has been expertly planned to show passengers the true beauty of the ‘Emerald Isle’ taking in scenic and city highlights along the way.
Arriving in Cork, passengers can marvel at the town’s brightly coloured houses or visit the impressive St. Colman’s Cathedral. Voyaging on, the ship will arrive in Galway City – rich in medieval heritage yet oozing with contemporary style. Culture seekers can spend the day exploring the city’s fascinating history during a visit to the Galway City Museum, or those looking to enjoy the city at a slower pace can enjoy a pint of Guinness at a traditional Irish pub.
The following day will be spent on Clare Island, the famous ancestral home of the legendary Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley, before spending time onboard cruising by some of Ireland’s picturesque gems, including Tory Island and Lough Swilly.
Passengers will then arrive at their final stop, Belfast. The modern, vibrant and stylish city offers passengers endless activities to enjoy, from the Titanic Belfast Museum or impressive Belfast Castle to strolling through the beautiful Botanical Gardens.
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