Four winter cruises to book right now – with bargain deals on Christmas markets to Caribbean island hopping
WE may be soaking up summer sun, but now’s the time to plan a winter cruise.
Sophie Swietochowski has found some great deals.
PRE-CHRISTMAS IN THE CARIBBEAN
HOW does spending a fortnight sailing around the Caribbean ahead of Christmas sound?
Holland America’s sailing to tropical sun-drenched islands will cure the deepest winter blues.
From Florida’s Fort Lauderdale, you’ll head to Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, then on to Ocho Rios in Jamaica, an old fishing village near exquisite beaches.
The ship then calls at Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands, Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos, and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic.
You’ll be on the Nieuw Statendam, which has a casino, theatre and some excellent restaurants.
The 14-day western/tropical Caribbean voyage is from £1,499pp, from Fort Lauderdale on November 30, and including £600pp credit towards flights and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay.
See hollandamerica.com or call 0344 338 8605.
DESERTS AND DUNES IN DOHA
IF the idea of desert barbecues, traditional souks and golden sandy beaches sounds like your cup of tea, then this Desert Days & Dunes voyage on board the Celestyal Journey is for you.
Book now and you’ll bag 25 per cent off through Iglu Cruise.
The ten-day extravaganza takes in five cities along the Arabian Gulf and begins with a three-night stay in the 5* Warwick Doha Hotel.
Ports of call include Bahrain and Dubai, home to the world’s tallest building and renowned for its luxury shopping, as well as Khasab, a historic port city in Oman, and Dubai’s sister Emirate, Abu Dhabi, before ending in Doha, Qatar.
It costs from £999pp, including three nights in Doha and flights from Manchester on November 20 – or Heathrow +£50pp.
See iglucruise.com.
NETHERLANDS FESTIVE FROLIC
YOU can save a mega 20 per cent on this round trip Christmas cruise with Ambassador Cruise Line if you book by August 28, knocking off £125pp when you stay in an inside cabin.
The no-fly sailing departs from London, heading straight for Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where the festive lights will be glowing en masse.
You’ll then cruise down River Nieuwe Maas, before venturing to Honfleur on France’s Normandy coast, then on to Amsterdam, pictured – home to some exceptional Christmas markets, where you can sample local glühwein (mulled wine).
The five-night festive getaway on Ambience costs from £500pp, including the saving (enter code ‘SAVE20’), departing from London on December 15.
HALF-TERM HOLIDAY IN HAMBURG
THIS late winter cruise on board P&O Cruises’ vessel Iona is an absolute steal at less than £500 a head, for a family of four, during the 2025 February half-term.
You’ll sail from Southampton to northern Europe, ticking off destinations including Hamburg in Germany, Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Zeebrugge in Belgium – a 20-minute taxi ride from Bruges, where parents can sink their share of punchy beers at De Halve Maan brewery.
You may struggle to tear the youngsters away from the ship, though, as Iona has clubs for kids aged six months all the way up to 17 years.
The seven-night Northern Europe City Escape voyage costs from £499pp, based on a family of four sharing an inside cabin, and departing Southampton on February 15, 2025.
See pocruises.com.