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A boom time for cruises

Merits of Open-Sea Trips

Airport delays and possible staff strikes, crowded departure lounges and the high risk of losing your luggage can put a dampener on a relaxing holiday. No wonder cruising out of UK ports is more popular than ever on celebrity Cruises with a much greater variety of liners and ship styles available to choose from. Apparently over half a million passengers will take an ocean-going vacation from British ports this year therefore defying the current credit crunch with reasons ranging from convenience, fabulous amenities and facilities, to larger discounts because of increased capacity onboard. Cruise deals are available whatever the season with winter breaks increasing in popularity enabling passengers to escape the dark and bleak months at that time of year, to sunnier climes. During the summer months many companies are offering fabulous deals on cruises aimed at the family market throughout the school holidays where children are especially catered for with many activities to keep them occupied throughout the voyage. On cunard cruises these can consist of kid's clubs supervised by well-trained staff where there are age appropriate programmes including arts, crafts, games, sports, discos and parties to name a few on most cruise deals, as well as babysitting services by nannies in the evenings. For teenagers there are free Wi-Fi facilities, sports, dancing, parties, video arcades and special teen dinners to make them feel independent when sailing with NCL Cruises, where they can meet new friends, thus making this type of holiday appeal especially to parents, who can relax knowing their children are in safe hands.

"My husband and myself have travelled around the world on fly drives and have never looked at cruising but for our 40th Wedding Anniversary I decided to book a Royal Carribean 6 day med cruise as a "taster". Well I realize what we had been missing and didn't want it to end." - Bird, Lichfield on 21st Jun 2009 (Royal Caribbean Cruises)

Superb Sailing Ship Stay

If you are looking for a different sort of holiday this year then look no further than an adventure onboard a sailing ship, easy-going and casual in style with no formal dress codes on princess cruises, no set dining times and no fixed seating plans, so you are free to relax and enjoy your vacation as you please. See more, do more on this ocean-going experience travelling to an array of fantastic destinations where you go to bed in one place and wake up in the same bed, somewhere different. Cruises can offer this and much more if you take a little bit of time perusing websites to find out where you can obtain an incredible bargain. Many couples choose voyages for their honeymoon as the romance of the seas sailing with royal caribbean cruises and the relaxing atmosphere can make this an even more special occasion. Wedding anniversaries, retirement celebrations and birthdays can all be enjoyed at sea where the crew and staff will certainly make the happy day that much more wonderful. Cruise deals are currently experiencing a boom in bookings and no wonder, with many packages which include excursions, wine with lunch and dinner, onboard lectures, travel insurance and additional cancellation cover. Whether you are a veteran sea traveller on cruises or if this is your first time on board a luxury liner, you will find the experience vibrant, uplifting and an opportunity not to be missed.

"Our recent cruise to Norway & Spitzbergen with friends has been an amazing experience with wonderful sunny weather. It has been a priviledge to cruise to Spitzbergen." - Williams, Chesterfield on 21st Jun 2009 (P&O Cruises)

Travel safely

Cruises are not everyone's ideal type of holiday, people may think there are dining restrictions and over-crowdedness onboard and for some passengers there is the fear of the water which can be overcome in the way the fear of flying can. All liners are equipped with many lifeboats on cruises, signs for emergency meeting points are located around the ship, and you can be reassured that a safety drill is one of the first things to be carried out by trained staff, once you have embarked. There can be a guest to staff ratio of 2:1 on some MSC cruises ensuring first class care and hospitality is given to all on board thus alleviating any worries first timers may have. Sailing with this company will offer fun packed activities with cruise deals and there are many other amenities for you to enjoy, such as using the internet or going shopping in one of the many malls. Due to the size of some vessels within the fleet of Fred Olsen Cruises, there is a feeling of freedom for you to explore and wander around the many decks taking in the wonderful ambience of being afloat on the high seas and any apprehensions you had will disappear. Tremendous late booking offers are often available for discounted cruise deals and you can find unbeatable prices to suit your budget, online. When the holiday is over you will return home and look forward to next year's adventure at sea - so book up early to avoid disappointment.

"Having just returned from a cruise in Eastern Med and Egypt on the Legend of the Seas we are pleased to say that, contrary to some previous reviews, the ship is well maintained and the quality of service received is excellent and so too is the standard of the food." - Bullingham, Ipswich on 21st Jun 2009 (Royal Caribbean Cruises)

Hotels and guesthouses en route

A wonderful exotic cruise offers the perfect combination of luxury sailing coupled with breath-taking scenery. Life onboard can be as relaxed or as fulfilling as you choose, so sit back and enjoy the voyage and the ever-changing places of beauty. Cruises visit many destinations enabling you to disembark and spend time in the many comfortable and stylish hotels or guesthouses available, where you will be well looked after. You can book this land accommodation online, directly from the ship and will receive instant confirmation for your stay. Some cruise deals may include transfers from the liner to the hotel or guesthouse where you will be seduced by the charm and flavour of the local culture and inhabitants. P&O Cruises offer a wealth of five star facilities, sparkling entertainment, vibrant bars and the choice of flexible or traditional first-class dining options, all with impeccable service. There is always something different to do onboard on many cruises, such as short courses on travel and photography, ice carving demonstrations or film and music editing. Alternatively, why not sample the ultimate in relaxation by indulging yourself in some blissful beauty treatments at a spa or salon of your choice. Aboard caribbean cruises everything is of the finest quality where you will enjoy great food, live entertainment and group tours as well as huge price savings on many cruise deals. Short trips are provided on the mainland where you can explore the ports of call at the many exciting destinations the ship docks at

"This was our first cruise with Celebrity. My wife and I selected this particular cruise as Constellation has been consistently rated as one of the best ships cruising the Baltic, and it departed from UK - a big plus" - Caulfield (Sapper), Gravesend on 21st Jun 2009 (Celebrity Cruises)