PLAIN SAILING
WHY NO-FLY CRUISES ARE THE HASSLE-FREE WAY TO SEE THE WORLD. BY NIGEL THOMPSON
NO-FLY cruises from the UK are on the crest of a wave with booming bookings for stress-busting sailaways that avoid airports.
Cruise Britain – the port, destination and service provider network – reported recently that a record 1.5 million-plus passengers joined a cruise here last year, smashing the previous best in 2018 by 26%.
It’s easy to see why they are increasingly popular.
Your holiday starts the moment you walk up the gangway, there’s no wearying airport queues and there’s some great value to be had.
Necessity was the mother of invention during the Covid-19 pandemic, as “seacations” became a great way to see our own beautiful islands when cruises were restricted.
Now, of course, we can again head to the Norwegian Fjords or further afield to the likes of Spain, France, the Canaries and Madeira, into the Mediterranean, the Baltic and more.
Andy Harmer, managing director of UK cruise line association Clia, said: “The convenience of sailing from the UK really stands out, as there are a wealth of ports across the country to take advantage of. Southampton is recognised as the largest cruise hub, and Dover, Tilbury, Liverpool and Glasgow all have plenty of options.
“Once you reach a port it’s always a seamless transition onboard to a ship, meaning your cruise can start quickly and hassle-free.
“We have a wonderful array of ships which set sail from the UK, ranging from floating family resorts, to luxury liners, to expedition vessels that are purposebuilt to explore off-the-beatentrack destinations.”
Here, we have highlighted some of the best voyages out there for a no-fly summer 2024 sailaway…
CARNIVAL
World’s most popular line
British Isles from £1,097pp: Carnival Legend sails from Dover on June 28 and July 7 for a nine-day seacation visiting Anglesey, Greenock (for Glasgow), Belfast, Liverpool, Dublin and Cork, returning to Dover.
■ carnival.com
NORWEGIAN
The premier innovator
Iceland, Norway and Belgium from £982pp: Join Norwegian Prima in Southampton on June 2 for an 11-day sailing to Zeebrugge (for Brussels and Bruges), Amsterdam, then Barden, Geiranger and Alesund (all Norway) and Iceland’s Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik (overnight). Return flight extra.
■ ncl.com
AMBASSADOR
The premium value line
Hidden Gems of France, Spain and Portugal from £1,459pp: Board Ambition in Liverpool on July 15 for a 12-night round trip to Belfast, La Coruna (for Santiago de Compostela), Leixoes (for Porto), Lisbon, Getxo (for Bilbao), Le Verdon (for Bordeaux) and Lorient.
■ ambassadorcruiseline.com
OCEANIA
Culinary and destination-focused
Anglo-Saxon Byways from £6,259pp: Join Marina in Southampton on August 29 for a 12-day round trip to Edinburgh, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Belfast, Greenock (for Glasgow), Liverpool, Dun Laoghaire (for Dublin), Holyhead, Cobh (for Cork) and Torbay.
Includes balcony cabin gratuities, $600 shore excursion credit, speciality dining, unlimited wi-fi and premium wines.
■ oceaniacruises.com
CUNARD
Definitive experience
Norwegian Fjords from £3,099pp: Queen Anne – the newest ship in the fleet and being named in Cunard’s spiritual home Liverpool on June 3 – sails from Southampton on June 23 for a week-long round trip calling at Bergen, Flam, Olden and Haugesund. Includes a balcony cabin.
■ cunard.com
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
The boldest ships at sea
Med Beaches and Cities from £1,834pp: Board Anthem of the Seas in Southampton on August 11 for a 14-night round trip visiting Vigo, Lisbon, Ibiza, Palma, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga and Cadiz (for Seville).
■ royalcaribbean.com/gbr
SEABOURN
Extraordinary worlds
Jewels of the British Isles from £6,999pp: A 14-day voyage on board Seabourn Sojourn sails from Dover on July 13, visiting Portland, Cobh (for Cork), Fishguard, Douglas, Belfast, Rothesay, Oban, Ullapool, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Great Yarmouth and back to Dover.
Includes Ocean View Suite, standard drinks and gratuities.
■ seabourn.com
P&O
So much included
Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands from £1,099pp: Britannia departs from Southampton on July 5 for a 14-night round trip.
Ports of call are Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz (for Seville) and Lisbon.
■ pocruises.com
AZAMARA Wander without rush
Once you reach a port, the transition on board a ship is seamless
British Isles from £1,519pp: A 12-night seacation on board Azamara Quest, departs from Edinburgh on July 15 after an overnight stay, heading to Dundee, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Greenock (for Glasgow, overnight), Belfast (overnight), Douglas and Dublin.
Includes drinks, gratuities and
exclusive cultural events. Return flight extra.
■ azamara.com
VIRGIN VOYAGES
Luxury you deserve
Belgium from £369pp: Resilient Lady sails from Portsmouth on August 27 for a three-night, adults-only return trip to Zeebrugge, for excursions to historic Bruges.
■ virginvoyages. com
REGENT
An unrivalled experience
Spotlight on History in Northern Europe from £4,060pp: Seven Seas Splendor sails an eightnight, all-inclusive round trip from Southampton on August 12 visiting Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Dunkirk, Honfleur (for Paris, staying two nights) and Cherbourg (overnight).
Includes up to 24 excursions, balcony suite, wi-fi, speciality dining, premium drinks, transfers, gratuities and laundry.
■ rssc.com
CELEBRITY
Nothing comes close
Iceland and Ireland from £1,442pp: Join Celebrity Apex in Southampton on June 27 for an 11-night return voyage calling at Cobh (for Cork), Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Akureyri and Kirkwall.
■ celebritycruises.com
MSC
Discover the beauty of cruising
France and Spain from £749pp: MSC Virtuosa sails a seven-night round trip from Southampton on July 9, visiting La Rochelle, Bilbao, La Coruna and Le Havre.
■ msccruises.co.uk
DISNEY
Fun and relaxation for everyone
Spain from £1,349pp: Disney Dream departs from Southampton on August 27 bound for La Coruna and Vigo on a five-night round trip. Price based on two adults and two children (aged three to 11) sharing.
■ disneycruise.co.uk
SAGA
Discover the difference
From Classical Greece to Ancient Egypt from £7,550pp: Save £400pp on a 26-night, all-inclusive sailing from Dover on September 9. Spirit of Discovery will visit Gibraltar, Syracuse, Souda (for Chania), Rhodes Town, Antalya, Paphos, Alexandria, Piraeus (for Athens), Nafplion, Valletta and Ceuta, Spain, returning to Portsmouth. Comes with door-todoor chauffeur service, or Saga can arrange car parking near the port, or domestic flights, wi-fi, gratuities, sightseeing tours in selected ports and travel insurance.
■ saga.co.uk
FRED OLSEN
The joy of the journey
Norwegian Fjords and Folklore from £999pp: Balmoral’s sixnight round trip sails from Newcastle on August 23, calling at Olden, Andalsnes and Alesund plus scenic fjords cruising. Up to £90pp onboard credit.
■ fredolsencruises.com
WORLD ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Clia’s Andy Harmer adds: “The sheer number of places that can be reached from the UK means there’s incredible variety on offer.
“The Mediterranean is always a firm favourite, as is Norway and northern Europe, while the Caribbean, New York and even Antarctica are all within reach.
“The world is on our doorstep.”
■ Prices correct at time of publication and based on two sharing an inside cabin unless stated otherwise