COOL CRUISES

 

HOLIDAYS AT SEA WERE ONCE THE PRESERVE OF THE BLUE-RINSE BRIGADE – BUT NOT ANY MORE. NOW CRUISING REALLY IS COOL

 

YOU WANT… TO PARTY

 

A long Easycruise weekend around the Greek Cyclades Islands allows you to party in a different port every night.

After visiting hedonistic hot spots like Mykonos and Athens, the ship sails while you sleep in your (very orange) cabin.

It departs between 2am and 8am, giving you enough time to enjoy yourself – just don’t miss the boat.

You’ll dock next morning at 11am, allowing you to sleep off a hangover sunbathing on a new beach.

Prices start from £190 per person sharing a two-berth cabin for four nights (food and flights to Athens not included). Visit www.easycruise.com.

 

YOU WANT… LAND AND SEA

 

A Virgin Holidays Hawaiian Discovery ‘cruise-and-stay’ package combines overnight stays in an ocean-view hotel with a cruise visiting the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.

Prices (based on two sharing) start from £1,419 for nine nights, including flights, accommodation and food. Go to www.virginholidays cruises.com or call 0871 781 9877.  

 

YOU WANT… A SINGLES HOLIDAY

 

The Best Of South America Cruise takes you from the party city of Rio in Brazil to chic Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina.

On-board you can enjoy singles-only tables and fabulous cocktail parties.

Ten nights in a single cabin costs £2,369 including food, accommodation and flights. See www.solosholidays.co.uk or call 0870 499 2233.

 

YOU WANT… TO EXPLORE

 

Cruises are a safe way to visit countries you might otherwise find too daunting.

The Ms Yangzi Explorer Cruise sails the beautiful Yangzi River in China – the world’s third longest – taking in spectacular mountain gorges and sightings of the river’s unique freshwater dolphins from your cabin’s private balcony.

Guided shore excursions are included. And as there are only 62 cabins, the five-star ship is a world away from the ‘floating city’ cruise stereotype. Oh, and there’s a superb spa on board.

A cabin for a four-night cruise costs from £557 with food and house wine, but not flights. Visit www.abercrombiekent.co.uk or call 0845 618 2200.

 

YOU WANT… PLENTY OF CHOICE

 

Alan Gittos chose a Caribbean cruise “I’d imagined cruises to be stuffy with regimented activities so as not to confuse the old people. But you can forget that aboard the Ocean Village II, where the emphasis is on choice.

"There are cheap and cheerful coffee shops, buffet bars and entertainment, as well as posh eateries and a luxurious spa. I defy anyone to resist a full body massage while gazing out to sea.

" There’s loads of child-friendly activities on board too, even a night nursery. We took full advantage, eating at celeb chef James Martin’s Le Bistro before taking in a late-night comedy show.

"In every port there’s still more, from sightseeing tours around St Kitts to kayaking through the rainforest of Dominica.

"But if all you really want to do is stretch out on a dream beach, pina colada in hand, to the strains of Snoop Dog from the nearest beach bar, then you can do that, too.”

Coral and Calypso cruise costs from £849 per person for seven nights, based on two people sharing. Visit www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk or call 0845 358 5000.

 

CRUISE RULES

Do your homework Find out exactly what is included in the price – most operators offer flights and food but no alcohol or activities. There is no official star rating system for cruises, so if your operator says it’s five star, get them to back up the claim.

Speak fluent cruise The ship is never called a boat, the back is aft, your bedroom’s a cabin and ‘upstairs’ is above. Still with us?

Don’t be late Be on time returning from a shore trip. The ship will leave without you.

 

CLICK FOR MORE TRAVEL FEATURES

AUG 31 THE FULL MONTENEGRO

AUG 24 WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

AUG 17 STYLE KAPITAL

AUG 10 HAPPY MONDAYS

AUG 3 24-HOUR PARTY PLACES

JULY THE RHODES LESS TRAVELLED, BABE IN THE WOODS, PARADISE FOUND, GREETINGS FROM GLAMSTERDAM

JUNE WELSH RARE BITS, CHIC AND CHEERFUL, MIAMI NICE, SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER

MAY RETURN TO OZ!, GOING FOR A SONG, GET CARRIE-D AWAY, SUNSET STRIP

APRIL KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES, SOME LIKE IT HOT, 7 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE, TOTALLY TAN-FAST-IC TRIPS

MARCH GO IT ALONE, GIRL, BLING & BUY IN DUBAI, BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS, COOL CRUISES, FLIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION

FEB GIRL'S GUIDE TO SKIING, ALT GIRLIE WEEKENDS, 'MAGNIFICANT 7', GET A ROOM

 

Credits

Words: Thea Montague. Photography: Lancton, photolibrary.com, 4 Corners Images, Blend Images, Photographer’s Choice, Mood Board
Prices correct at time of going to press.