No-Fly Cruises

Club NO-FLIGHT

From ex-UK voyages to rail-and-sail packages, no-fly cruises are booming. Laura French picks out the best itineraries for anyone looking to skip airport queues this spring and summer

There’s something magical about casting off from

UK shores, watching the British coast fade into the distance as you head off for an adventure on the high seas. Throw in the added bonuses of going flight-free – among them seamless travel, no airport queues and no need to feel the flush of flight-shaming – and it’s not hard to see why demand for ex-UK cruises is booming. And with an ever-greater number of cruise lines getting in on the trend, from the all-new Ambassador Cruise Line sailing from Tilbury in April to MSC Cruises extending MSC Virtuosa’s UK season, you aren’t short on choice.

But no-fly cruises don’t only have to mean ex-UK. More and more operators are packaging up Eurostar or coach travel with continental river cruises, bringing the likes of the Seine, the Rhone, the Rhine and the Moselle to your fingertips without requiring a flight.

So whether you’re looking to sail along the Seine, navigate the Norwegian fjords or cast off to Croatia, we’ve sought out some of the most enticing no-fly trips to get excited about for this spring and summer.

An Ice landic с cape

Spluttering geysers, smoking volcanoes, bubbling mud pools and crashing waterfalls – Iceland’s extraordinary topography has put it on the map for adventurers the world over, and there’s nothing quite like eyeing its majestic fjords and mountain-framed bays from the comfort of a cruise ship. Ambassador Cruise Line will be taking passengers around the island on a round-trip voyage from Southampton in June as part of its maiden season, exploring Reykjavik, Grundarfjordur, Isafjordur and Akureyri, with a stop in the Faroe Islands and Lerwick thrown in for good measure. The new line is marketing itself as ‘premium value’, with talks, entertainment and fi ve restaurants on board the 1,400-guest vessel, Ambience. The 14-night Land of Ice and Fire voyage departs June 7 from Tilbury, with prices from £1,199

(ambassadorcruiseline.com). 

Mediterranean moments

Saga’s ship Spirit of Adventure – which debuted last summer – will be heading for Italy, Croatia and beyond in August on an epic 22-night voyage from Southampton, taking in Gibraltar, Valletta (right), Split, Ravenna, Venice, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Palermo and Cadiz. Excursions range from a dolphin-watching trip around Gibraltar’s bay to visiting the emerald-pooled Plitvice Lakes National Park, with plenty of time at sea to sample the amenities on the vessel – which include two speciality restaurants, a theatre and spa. It’s one of several ex-UK itineraries on Adventure, with other itineraries running from Dover and Tilbury. Saga’s 22-night Croatia and Cities of the Central Mediterranean cruise departs August 7 from Southampton, with prices from £5,999 (travel.saga.co.uk).

The Emerald Isle

Closer to home, Ireland beckons with windswept cliffs, billowing hills and tucked-away towns, and Ramblers Walking Holidays has a cruise trip taking in the best of it. Cruising Emerald Ireland sandwiches scenic walks in between time on board a five-night Fred Olsen Cruise Lines departure on Borealis from Liverpool. You’ll sail to Cobh, travel by coach to Ballycotton cliffs, then on to Galway for a walk in Connemara National Park. The cruise ends in Belfast with a stroll along the Giant’s Causeway, as famous for its basalt columns as for tales of the giants said to have put them there. Ramblers’ five-night Cruising Emerald Ireland trip departs August 24 from Liverpool, with prices from £1,085 (cruiseandwalk.co.uk). For a no-fly return, Stena Line runs ferries from Belfast to Liverpool from £129 (stenaline.co.uk).

New York, New York

A no-fly cruise doesn’t have to mean staying in Europe; for a longer-haul getaway that’s all about the journey, Cunard’s 14-night Roundtrip Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton is an excellent option. Guests will sail to New York over six days, taking time to enjoy the entertainment on board the iconic Queen Mary 2 – from live musicians to West End-style productions, aerial performers to illusionists – before arriving in the Big Apple on day eight to explore the ‘city that never sleeps’. The following days are spent on the return leg across the Atlantic, with ample time to check out the facilities – which span a planetarium, cinema, kids’ play zone, theatre and more. Cunard’s 14-night Roundtrip Transatlantic Crossing departs from Southampton in April, May, July, August and

October, with prices from £3,298 in April (cunard.com). 8

Petit Paris

Dip your toe into cruise with this weekend mini-break on Anthem of the Seas, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre on a Friday, spending a sophisticated Saturday in Paris, then arriving home in time for work on Monday. It’s the perfect taster trip to find out if cruising is for you without the commitment of a longer break, plus you’ll get to explore one of Royal Caribbean’s most action-packed ships. Get 360-degree views from the North Star observation capsule, grab a surfboard and try your luck on the 40-foot-long FlowRider or feel the rush on the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator. Alternatively, enjoy more sedate pleasures such as dining at Jamie’s Italian then settling in for an all-singing, all-dancing performance of We Will Rock You or Spectra’s Cabaret. Royal Caribbean’s Two-Night Weekend Getaway Cruise sailing from Southampton on May 13 starts from £405 for an Interior cabin or £451 for a Balcony (royalcaribbean.com).

Atlantic island-hopping

MSC Virtuosa has extended its UK season this year in response to soaring demand, with a selection of itineraries casting off from Southampton throughout spring and summer. Among the highlights is a 12-night itinerary pairing the Canaries with Madeira, stopping in Funchal, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote before throwing in a dose of Camino culture in Spain’s Santiago de Compostela. It’s not just about the destination, though; on board, guests can head to the aquapark, try out the Formula One simulator or sample the just-added MSC Starship Club – an immersive entertainment experience complete with 3D holograms, digital art and a robotic bartender that’s futuristic to the core. MSC Cruises’ 12-night Northern Europe cruise departs May 1 from Southampton, from £1,049 (msccruises.co.uk). 8

Norman conque st

For a river cruise that puts the emphasis on the experience, try Avalon Waterways’ nine-day Active & Discovery on the Seine itinerary, which sails from Paris to Normandy with three included excursions to choose from at each stop. Learn how to make an original Chantilly cream, see Monet’s Garden at Giverny (right), visit the landing beaches of Normandy or head out on a kayak tour. It’s all about immersion on this idyllic sailing via Vernon, Rouen, Caudebac and Le Havre, and why not tag on a few nights in Paris to top o your adventure with some capital culture to boot? Avalon’s eight-night Active & Discovery on the Seine departs from Paris in April, May, July and August, with prices from £1,743 (avalonwaterways.co.uk). Eurostar fares from London to Paris start at £35 each way (eurostar.com).

Wine on the Rhine

If it’s more fairytale castles, vineyard visits and quaint country villages that spark your interest, look to Great Rail Journeys’ Magic of the Moselle and Rhine river cruise, which combines Eurostar travel from St Pancras with a sixnight cruise on Amadeus Brilliant. You’ll get the chance to sample the wines of the Moselle, sip a Rüdesheimer ka ee (a creamy, brandy-infused co ee concoction) and wander the Roman-built streets of Trier as you sail to Luxembourg, Rüdesheim, Cochem, Koblenz (pictured), Speyer, Strasbourg and beyond on a scenic journey to remember. The six-night Magic of the Moselle and Rhine itinerary departs August 15 from St Pancras, with prices from £1,795, including rail travel (greatrail.com).

French fancy

If getting picked up by coach and letting a guide and driver do the rest sounds tempting, Just Go Holidays’ coach-and-cruise packages might be just the ticket. Step aboard A-Rosa Stella on its 10-day Cruising the Rhone, Burgundy, Provence & the Camargue itinerary and you’ll fi nd yourself wandering the labyrinthine alleys of Lyon, glimpsing the rolling vineyards of Burgundy and passing the purpled landscapes of Provence, with a bike tour around picturesque Chalon-sur-Saône, a visit to historic Avignon and a stop in Arles – former home of Van Gogh – among the delights. The 10-day Cruising the Rhone, Burgundy, Provence & the Camargue sailing departs June 10 and September 9 and 23, with prices from £1,449, including coach travel from

various UK departure points (justgoholidays.com). 

Bс t of Britain

Domestic voyages exploded in popularity last year, and the trend isn’t over yet. Among the best of the bunch is a 13-day British Isles trip with Hurtigruten that explores some of Britain’s most remote coastal treasures, passing through Devon, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Scottish Isles, with the line’s expedition team on hand to guide guests through the wildlife and dock in rarely visited corners of the country. Highlights include St Kilda (pictured), the Unesco-listed archipelago home to Europe’s largest seabird colony; Islay, famous for its peat-smoked whisky; and Fingal’s Cave, etched into the Isle of Sta a and known for its echoing ocean sounds. Hurtigruten’s 13-day British Isles – Remote Islands, Natural Wonders and a Diverse Coastline cruise departs from Dover in April, May, August and September, with

prices from £2,849 (hurtigruten.co.uk). 

Transfer your 2022 booking for free anytime up until your fi nal balance payment is due. Book by 31st March 2022*.

Cologne

CHRISTMAS MARKETS OF THE RHINE

5 DAY RIVER CRUISE FROM £795pp

Experience the spirit of Christmas on the Rhine, discovering fairytale Germany at the most magical time of the year. Renowned Christmas markets, the natural beauty of the Rhine Gorge and a host of festive treats await.

London

Cologne

Rüdesheim

Koblenz Bonn

Cologne London

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES WHAT’S INCLUDED

Visit the Christmas markets of Rüdesheim, Bonn

and Cologne Discover the twinkling lights and enticing aromas of Germany’s Christmas markets, each with their own unique twist on this age-old, festive tradition.

4 nights of relaxed luxury on board your Amadeus ship

Fully escorted return rail travel from London St Pancras

Daily excursions led by local guides

5-Star dining and drinks package with dinner

Your choice of spacious cabin

UK Tour Manager and Cruise Director

On-board entertainment

Seasonal celebrations Get in the festive mood with mulled wine, carol singing and a spectacular festive gala dinner on board that serves up both German and British Christmas treats.

Sail through the Rhine Gorge This geological monument has been the inspiration for countless legends throughout the years, and, at this time of year, is surrounded by glorious winter scenery.

2022 DEPARTURES

Dec 2 from £795 Dec 5 from £795

AMADEUS FLEET

Our 5-star Amadeus ships boast impressive on-board facilities, including a fi tness room, a hairdresser and spa. There’s also a panoramic lounge and bar where you can relax, admiring the scenery as you cruise gently by.

Order your free brochure now Call 01904 734083 • Visit GreatRail.com/RLM

FLEXIBLE BOOKING

Transfer your 2022 booking for free anytime up until your fi nal balance payment is due*

49 YEARS OF EXPERTISE

With fi ve decades of experience at our fi ngertips we’ll ensure your holiday goes without a hitch

FULLY ESCORTED

Professional UK Tour Manager with you from start to fi nish

Scandi cool

Denmark, Russia, Estonia and Sweden are the stars on Celebrity Cruises’ 12-night Scandinavia & St Petersburg cruise, which departs from Southampton on the recently renovated Celebrity Silhouette. Guests will witness Copenhagen’s colourful architecture, explore St Petersburg’s shimmering canals and admire Tallinn’s baroque buildings on a 12-night voyage, docking in Stockholm to see its myriad islands and winding up in Visby, a walled Viking city situated on the Swedish island of Gotland that is known for its medieval art. Celebrity Cruises’ 12-night Scandinavia & St Petersburg cruise departs May 30 from Southampton with prices from £1,499 (celebritycruises.com). 8

Valiant exploration

Virgin Voyages’ second ship Valiant Lady will make its inaugural trip on March 18, sailing from Portsmouth to Bruges on a mini ‘mermaiden voyage’. Guests (or ‘sailors’, in Virgin speak) will have three nights on board to sample its Insta-friendly features – among them 20 eateries, a glitzy nightclub, casino, immersive theatre and slew of lively bars – with a day in the historic Belgian city, where options include a day trip to Ypres and a scenic sail through Ghent. Virgin Voyages’ three-night Long Weekender in Zeebrugge departs March 18 and April 1 from Portsmouth, with prices from £898 per cabin (virginvoyages.com).

Fording the fjords

Drifting through Norway’s mirror-like fjords, mountains towering above as clouds dapple the peaks, is magical – and it needn’t require a fl ight to get there with P&O Cruises’ round-trip voyage from Southampton on new ship Iona. Expect aqua-blue glaciers, crashing waterfalls, colourful Viking-era settlements and remote fi shing villages as you venture to Stavanger, Olden, Alesund and Haugesund. Thirty dining spots, three entertainment venues, a spa and multiple pools mean you’re unlikely to get bored on board, either. P&O Cruises’ seven-night Norwegian Fjords voyage departs from Southampton on various dates from April through to September, with prices from £549 (pocruises.com).

PICTURES: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO/KAVALENKAVA VOLHA; CELEBRITY CRUISES/MICHEL VERDURE; CHRISTOPHER ISON FOR P&O CRUISES