CRUISE NEWS JANUARY 2025 with Woods Holidays
Mini Cruises
If you have ever wondered what cruising is like, but are worried about committing yourself to a long holiday, why not try a mini cruise? You can experience life on board, with comfortable accommodation, fine food, excellent entertainment and plenty of activities to enjoy. Wake up in new destinations and stroll to a nearby town, take an excursion to see wildlife, historical attractions or culinary experiences, or remain on board to relax and unwind on deck or at the spa.
We are convinced that once you have tried cruising, you will come back for more!
Royal Caribbean INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS
18 June 2025 | 3 nights
Inside Cabin - £449pp
Outside Cabin - £469pp
Balcony Cabin - £619pp
Southampton – One day sailing – Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium – Southampton
Princess Cruises SKY PRINCESS
14 October 2025 | 5 Nights
Inside Cabin - £608pp
Outside Cabin - SOLD OUT
Balcony Cabin - £658pp
Southampton – One day sailing – Hamburg, Germany (Overnight) –One day sailing – Southampton
P&O Cruises AURORA
29 December 2025 | 5 Nights
Inside Cabin - £949pp
Outside Cabin - £979pp
Balcony Cabin - £1079pp
Southampton – One day sailing – Hamburg, Germany (Overnight) –Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium – Southampton
Celebrity Cruises CELEBRITY APEX
21 August 2025 | 4 Nights
Inside Cabin - £743pp
Outside Cabin - £936pp
Balcony Cabin - £962pp
Southampton – One day sailing – Rotterdam, Netherlands –Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium – Southampton
Exploring the world as a solo traveller can be a wonderful experience as you have time to relax and have more opportunities to meet fellow travellers and share your stories. The four tours we have selected below are all escorted, giving you added peace of mind, and are specifically for solo travellers.
Malta Uncovered
15 June 2025 | 7 Nights
Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa HHHH
Price from £2069pp
Flights from London Gatwick. Half Board. Escorted Tour. Enjoy a guided tour of Valletta, discover Gozo and enjoy an introduction to Maltese wine with a tour and tasting at the local vineyard.
Croatian Island Explorer
17 May 2025 | 7 Nights
Onboard MV Paradis
Price from £3399pp
Flights from London Heathrow. Escorted Island-hopping cruise adventure. Enjoy a tour of Hvar & Split, Visit Brac island and enjoy a glass of wine at the top of Vidova Gora – the highest peak of Adriatic Islands.
Grand Journey from India’s Golden Triangle to Shimla
13 November 2025 | 14 Nights
HHH & HHHH hotels
Price from £3849pp
Flights from London Heathrow. Escorted Tour. See the Taj mahal, enjoy a guided tour of Viceregal lodge in Shimla, experience both old & new Delhi and enjoy a driving safari in Ranthambore national park.
America’s Music Heritage
10 May 2026 | 11 Nights
HHH & HHHH hotels
Price from £5324pp
Flights from London Heathrow. Breakfast included. Escorted tour. Discover the country music capital of the world, Nashville. Visit Tupelo –Elvis Presley’s birthplace and enjoy sightseeing tour of New Orleans with a Jazz Brunch.
Escorted Cruises
Scenic Landscapes of The Norwegian Fjords
| S2517
Exclusive Price from £1,049pp
Dover – Two days cruising – Cruising Maurangerfjord & Furebergsfossen –Eidfjord – Ulvik – Cruising Lysefjord – Cruising Jøsenfjorden –Cruise to Svandalsfoss Falls – Bergen - One day cruising – Dover
Sailing from Dover, with door to door transfers and a cruise escort from Sussex Cruise Club, this seven-night cruise through the breathtaking fjords of Norway is highly recommended for first time cruisers. Get close to the stunning waterfalls and dramatic mountainscapes as you glide past tiny villages and below farmsteads, perched high above the fjords. Visit the small towns of Ulvik and Eidfjord and the historic Hanseatic city of Bergen.
Exploring The Landscapes of Northern Spain
03 October 2025 | 7 Nights | BOREALIS | S2527
Exclusive Price from £859pp
Southampton – One day cruising – Getxo (Bilbao) overnight – Gijon –La Coruña – One day cruising – Southampton
Sailing from Southampton, with door to door transfers and a cruise escort from Sussex Cruise Club, this is another cruise which is excellent for first time cruisers, or for lovers of the Spanish way of life. Discover enchanting España Verde, or Green Spain, renowned for its majestic mountainous terrain and delicious cuisine. Visit the awe-inspiring Picos de Europa, Basque Country, and Bilbao, where you will find the iconic Guggenheim Museum and the timeless beauty of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
Please note: Prices and offers are subject to availability and based on 2 sharing an inside cabin unless otherwise stated. Prices correct at time of publication. These cruises are operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, for whom Sussex Cruise Club (SCC) act as agent. The transport is provided by SCC and does not form part of the FOCL cruise package and is not covered by the FOCL bond (E&OE). Full Ts & Cs are available www.fredolsencruises.com Door to door transfers by taxi and coach are included within the SCC pick
area. Escort, transport to the port and cocktail party is based on minimum numbers and can be withdrawn at any time and doesn’t form part of the FOCL cruise package and is not covered by the FOCL bond. E&OE.
INVITATION
FRED. OLSEN CRUISE LINES PRESENTATION
Thursday 20 March 2025
2.30pm
Chichester Harbour Hotel
Come and meet our friendly team from Sussex Cruise Club/Woods Holidays and the wonderful Kerry from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for an interesting presentation about what makes sailing with Fred. Olsen so special.
Learn more about the Fred. Olsen fleet, the latest itineraries and destinations on offer and have all your questions answered by the experts.
We will be offering some exclusive offers and discounts to anyone making a booking on the day.
To secure your place please call 01243 870870
There will be a small fee of £5pp with proceeds to St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
Exploration of South America & The Antarctic
28 January 2026 | 76 Nights | BOREALIS | S2603
Price from £12,999pp
This meticulously crafted voyage showcases remote landscapes and the vibrant tapestry of Latin American culture. On this incredible journey, marvel at landscapes as Borealis cruises by the icy glacial vistas of the Antarctic Peninsula and the snowcapped peaks of the Chilean Fjords. Witness the electrifying spectacle of the Rio Carnival, savour Chilean wine and Argentine steak; discover the lifestyle of the South American gaucho; listen to the panpipes of Peru bringing the ancient Andean traditions to life; visit Machu Picchu – the lost city of the Incas. See penguins in the Falklands, seals in the Bellestas Islands, or join a once-in-a-lifetime tour to the Galapagos Islands, with its unique wildlife and flora – all this on a sailing from Southampton.
Book the entire cruise or just one sector* – maybe fulfil a lifelong dream!
Please note: This cruise is adults only. OBS amount varies according to cabin category. The sectors of this cruise will be available shortly
Please call 01243 870870 to book this wonderful cruise, or to register your interest in the Sector Cruises.
Save£90ppPLUSenjoy anadditional£45pp FREEonboard spending
Scenic Islands & Coastlines of Scotland & Ireland
04 August 2025 | 9 Nights | BOREALIS | S2521
Price from £1,609pp
Southampton – Aberdeen –Lerwick – Kirkwall – Cruising by the Needle – Cruising by Old Man of Hoy – Cruising by the Small Isles
– Cruising Loch Hourn – Cruising by Dutchman’s Cap – Cruising by Fingal’s Cave – Killybegs – Pass Slieve League Cliffs – Galway –Cruising by Cliffs of Moher –Southampton
Scenic Waterways & Cities of Scandinavia
Save£80ppPLUSenjoy anadditional£40pp FREEonboard spending
28 May 2025 | 8 Nights | BALMORAL | L2511
Price from £1,119pp
Southampton – Two days sailing –Oslo – Cruising Oslofjord –Gothenburg – Copenhagen – Kiel Canal Transit – One day sailing –Southampton
Scenic Gems of Croatia
Save£220ppPLUSenjoy anadditional£330pp FREEonboard spending
05 June 2025 | 22 Nights | BOREALIS | S2516
Price from £3,279pp
Dover – Four days sailing – Tangier
– Two days sailing – Cruising Grand Harbour – Valletta – One day sailing – Pass Mount Biokovo –Split – Korcula – Dubrovnik –Cruising Bay of Kotor – Kotor –One day sailing – Kerkira – One day sailing – La Goulette – One day sailing – Cartagena – Gibraltar
– Three days sailing – Dover
Save£100ppPLUSenjoy anadditional£50pp FREEonboard spending
France & Spain & The River Seine
06 May 2025 | 10 Nights | BALMORAL | L2508
Price from £1,299pp
Southampton – One day sailing –Getxo, Bilabo (Overnight) –Bordeaux (Overnight) – One day sailing – Cruising River Seine –Rouen (Overnight) – Honfleur –
Southampton
Save£70ppPLUSenjoy anadditional£105pp FREEonboard spending
European River Cities & Dutch Tulips
24 April 2025 | 7 Nights | BALMORAL | L2506
Price from £899pp
Southampton – One day sailing –Hamburg – One day sailing –Rotterdam – Antwerp (Overnight) – Southampton
Save£140ppPLUSenjoy anadditional£70pp FREEonboard spending
Easter Escape to Portugal’s
Unspoilt Islands
10 April 2025 | 14 Nights | BALMORAL | L2505
Price from £1,499pp
Southampton – Three days sailing – Praia da Vitoria – Horta (Overnight) – Ponta Delgada –Cruising by Santa Maria – One day sailing – Funchal – Two days sailing – La Coruna – Cruising by Tower of Hercules Lighthouse – One day sailing – Southampton
Save£50ppPLUSenjoy anadditional£75pp FREEonboard spending
The South Coast of Britain in Five Nights 01 May 2025 | 5 Nights | BALMORAL | L2507
Price from £699pp
Southampton – One day sailing –St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly –Falmouth – Cruise Pleinmont to Jerbourg – Cruise by Brecqhou –Cruise by Sark – Cruise by Alderney – Southampton
Save£130ppPLUSenjoy anadditional£195pp FREEonboard spending
Canary Islands Christmas & New Year 22 December 2025 | 13 Nights | BOREALIS | S2533
Price from £2,369pp
Portsmouth – Three days sailing –Funchal – San Sebastian De La Gomera – Santa Cruz De Tenerife –Arrecife, Lanzarote – One day sailing – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower & Discovery Monument – Cruise by Cristo Rei & Abril 25 Bridge – Lisbon – One day sailing – La Coruna – Cruise by Tower of Hercules Lighthouse –One day sailing – Portsmouth
THEAWARD - WINNINGTOURSPECIALIST
EXPLORE THE WATERS WITH WENDY WU TOURS
Fully inclusive escorted tours featuring sensational ocean or river cruises
Wendy Wu’s Cruise & Tour holidays let you experience the wonders of a thrilling ocean or river cruise, together with their award-winning touring itineraries. Their fully inclusive touring ethos, where everything is taken care of, is the perfect match for a carefree ocean voyage, or an even more in-depth exploration of a destination by river.
With our carefully chosen cruising partners, we’ve curated unique journeys that weave together inspirational ocean or river cruise itineraries with our most popular tours across land, providing you with the absolute best of both worlds.
Why Travel with Wendy Wu Tours?
UK’s Leading Asia Touring Specialist | Over 25 years’ experience | Fully inclusive touring Outstanding National Escorts | Flights included | Visas included | Max group size 28
LIMITED OFFER!
Partner Flies Free or 50% Off Solo Traveller Airfares on all 2025 & 2026 departures. Save up to £400pp. Offer ends 28 February*
OCEAN CRUISE & TOUR
CHINA BY LAND, JAPAN BY SEA
20 day ocean cruise & tour from £4,415pp
DEPARTING 11 MARCH 2026
Journey from Beijing to Shanghai on a fully inclusive land tour seeing iconic sights like the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and adorable giant pandas. Then enjoy 7 nights on board Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas cruising to some of Japan’s most exciting cities!
Includes;Returnflights,alltransport,tourwith4starhotels, allmeals,guiding&sightseeing,cruisewithoutsidecabin, fullboard,selecteddrinks&$200onboardcredit.
BEIJING TO SINGAPORE
26 day ocean cruise & tour from £6,740pp
DEPARTING 28 MARCH 2026
An expedition across Asia by land and sea. On this tour you’ll travel from the rich history of Beijing, through China to Hong Kong, before boarding Celebrity Solstice for a 12-night cruise following the coast of Vietnam and Thailand to reach enchanting Singapore!
Includes;Returnflights,alltransport,tourwith4starhotels, allmeals,guiding&sightseeing,cruisewithoutsidecabin, full board & selected drinks.
RIVER CRUISE & TOUR
VIETNAM & RED RIVER UNCOVERED
20 day river cruise & tour from £6,590pp
DEPARTING 22 SEPTEMBER 2025
See the highlights of Vietnam, including Saigon, Hoi An and Hanoi, before setting sail from Halong Bay on a 10-night boutique Pandaw cruise navigating the Red River. Discover its hidden treasures, lush landscapes, and meet the fascinating people who live upon its shores.
Includes;Returnflights,alltransport,tourwith3starplus/4 starhotels,allmeals,guiding&sightseeing,rivercruisewith excursions, full board & free flow drinks with meals.
INDIA & THE SACRED GANGES
17 day river cruise & tour from £6,290pp
DEPARTING 30 MARCH
2026
Discover the highlights of northern India and the royal heritage of Gwalior and Jhansi before embarking on a luxurious, 6-night river cruise in the Ganges Delta, following the waters of the Hooghly to explore the cultural heritage of Bengal that thrives on its shores.
Includes;Returnflights,alltransport,tourwith4/5starhotels, allmeals,guiding&sightseeing,rivercruisewithexcursions, full board & free flow drinks with meals.
Prices are correct at time of print but are subject to change. Prices based on 2 passengers flying from London Heathrow. *Offers end 28 February 2025 and applies to new bookings only. Offers are subject to availability. Please note that flights on holidays booked more than 11 months in advance may be subject to supplements when airline fares are published. Wendy Wu Tours reserve the right to change or withdraw the offer at any time.
Cruising The Rivers of Europe & Beyond
River cruising is a wonderful way to get right into the heart of a country in relaxing and comfortable style. Sip wine on deck as you glide through ever-changing scenery and are transported effortlessly between some of the greatest cities you can imagine. Cruise along the Seine to see Paris, Rouen and Honfleur; the romantic Rhine for Strasbourg, Rüdesheim and the tulips of Amsterdam; and the glorious Danube for Budapest and Vienna.
Onboard you will find a welcoming and more intimate atmosphere as each ship carries an average of 125 people, allowing a level of personalised service not often found on larger ships. Fine food and comfortable accommodation are paired with a wonderful selection of excursions (sometimes included), which enhance your cruise with the chance to discover attractions and cultural and artistic highlights in the company of local knowledgeable guides.
Below is a small selection of the fabulous cruises available to you. Please call if these have piqued your interest or if you would like to travel further afield and explore the rivers of Vietnam, China, India or North America!
The Blue Danube RIVIERA
11 June 2025 | 7 Nights | MS Oscar Wilde
Price from £2,949pp
Flight London Gatwick to Budapest – Esztergom – Bratislava – Dürnstein & Melk – Salzburg or Linz – Vienna – Budapest –Flight to London Gatwick
INCLUDES NINE EXCURSIONS, FREE ONBOARD WIFI & DRINKS PACKAGE
Rhine Getaway VIKING
05 September 2025 | 7 Nights | VIKING EIR
Price from £2,845pp
Flight London Heathrow to Basel – Breisach – Strasbourg – Spryer & Rüdesheim – Koblenz – Cologne – Kinderdijk – Amsterdam –Flight to London Heathrow
INCLUDES ONE COMPLIMENTRY EXCURSION AT EACH PORT & DRINKS PACKAGE
Douro’s Valleys & Vineyards VIKING
04 November 2025 | 7 Nights | VIKING HEMMING
Price from £3,645pp
Flight London Gatwick to Porto – Regua & Pinhao – Scenic sailing: Douro River & Barca d’Alva – Salamanca & Vega de Terron – Pinhao – Regua –Porto – Flight to London Gatwick
INCLUDES ONE COMPLIMENTRY EXCURSION AT EACH PORT & DRINKS PACKAGE
Tulips & The Rhine EMERALD
19 April 2025 | 7 Nights | Emerald Destiny
Price from £2,225pp
Flight London Heathrow to Amsterdam – Cologne – Koblenz –Ludwigshafen – Strasbourg – Breisach – Basel – Zurich –Flight to London Heathrow
INCLUDES PREMIUM DRINKS PACKAGE & FIVE EXCURSIONS & GUIDED TOURS
Wonders of The Nile: Cairo to Luxor RIVIERA
25 February 2026 | 10 Nights | MS Movenpick Darakum
Price from £4,699pp
Flight London Heathrow to Cairo – The Pyramids, Sphinx & Coptic Museum – Egyptian Museum & Saqqara – Two days sailing – Beni Hassan Tombs – Amarna – One day sailing – Abydos – Dendera –Flight to London Heathrow
INCLUDES 10 EXCURSIONS, COMPLIMENTARY ONBOARD TEA & COFFEE & FREE ONBOARD WIFI
Paris, Normandy & The Delights of The Seine NEWMARKET HOLIDAYS
12 June 2025 | 7 Nights | AROSA BRAVA
Price from £2,938pp
Flight London Gatwick to Paris – Rouen – Caudebec-en-Caux and Honfleur – Les Andelys and Vernon – Vernon – Paris St Denis –Flight to London Gatwick
INCLUDES PREMIUM DRINKS PACKAGE, TWO EXCURSIONS & ONBOARD ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
Cruise at Christmas
It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas! Why not escape the hassle of the festive season and spend the holiday exploring new destinations and meeting new friends? Cruise in beautifully decorated comfortable style on a Christmas cruise to the sun or the snow. Discover the beautiful islands of the Canaries or the Caribbean, while sipping cocktails and enjoying the lavish entertainment onboard P&O’s Arcadia and Ventura. Or you might like to sail to the fairytale snowy mountains of Norway, with local delicacies, meetings with huskies, sledging though the winter wonderland and possible glimpses of the Northern Lights.
Northern Lights at Christmas
22 December 2025 | 15 Nights | BALMORAL
Price from £2,449pp
Southampton – Three days sailing – Narvik (Overnight) – Leknes – Pilot Station Lødingen – Alta (Overnight) – Tromsø (Overnight) – Pilot Station Lødingen – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range – Scenic cruising Torghatten – Ålesund – Two days sailing – Southampton
Caribbean
Adults Only Canary Islands
21 December 2025 | 16 Nights | ARCADIA
Price from £2,479pp
Southampton – One day sailing – La Coruňa – Vigo – Three days sailing –Tenerife – Arrecife de Lanzarote – Gran Canaria – Madeira (Overnight) –One day sailing – Lisbon – Two days sailing – Southampton
Portugal & Canary Islands
15 December 2025 | 27 Nights | QUEEN MARY 2
Price from £3,599pp
Southampton – Six days sailing – New York – Three days sailing –Basseterre, St Kitts – English Harbour, Antigua – Philipsburg, St Maarten – Road Town, Tortola – Three days sailing – New York – Seven days sailing – Southampton
17 December 2025 | 12 Nights | VENTURA
Price from £1,349pp
Southampton – Three days sailing – Madeira – Tenerife – Gran Canaria –Arrecife de Lanzarote – One day sailing – Lisbon – Two days sailing –Southampton
Prices are correct at time of publication (January 2025). All fares and benefits in this leaflet are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. Individual tour/cruise operators Terms & Conditions apply and can be supplied on request. Offers shown are for new bookings only and cannot be added retrospectively or in conjunction with any other promotional offers. All fares are per person and are based on two people sharing the lead-in price accommodation, unless otherwise stated. There may be additional charges to pay: Fuel supplements, gratuities or taxes –please check at the time of booking. Some ports may be at anchor. Where shown, door to door transfers apply to passengers residing in the Sussex Cruise Club Pick Up Area, unless otherwise stated – please call for further details. Transfers may be by taxi or coach and may be shared. The Sussex Cruise Club is a trading name of the Woods Travel Group. E&OE.
