Summer cruises
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ruise travellers are renowned for
planning ahead, stacking up one sailing after another, sometimes years in advance, so they can have first pick of their favourite ships and preferred staterooms - and can disembark knowing they have another adventure to look forward to. But for every client who’s
ready to book the moment itineraries go on sale, there’s another looking for a last-minute escape. They might be cruise devotees keen to squeeze in an
extra departure, or new-to- cruisers willing to swap their usual resort holiday for a floating hotel, tempted by the great-value fares and onboard facilities. That’s certainly the case
this year, with several lines reporting record sales during the latest wave period for departures this year and further ahead. If you’re looking for last- minute inspiration, we speak to a handful of lines that have seen bookings soar to find out which destinations, itineraries and ships are sure to keep your cruise sales sizzling this summer.
4 APRIL 2024
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Sailing from the UK keeps costs lower, eliminating the need for flights, airport hotels or transfers. It’s also a budget-friendly way to explore destinations such as Norway – renowned for its relatively high prices ashore – by combining coastal scenery and pretty port cities with good-value dining, drinks, entertainment and kids’ clubs back on board. While winter is popular for the
northern lights, summertime in the fjords means biking and kayaking, hiking to the top of Pulpit Rock and riding the famous Flåm Railway.
It’s already a summer bestseller for MSC Cruises, which reported its “strongest week ever” for sales in January, led by bookings of short ex-UK cruises departing in May and June.
Steve Williams, UK and Ireland
sales director, says: “For 2024, itineraries to the Norwegian fjords and the Mediterranean from
Southampton on board MSC Virtuosa are proving extremely
popular. Sales in MSC Yacht Club are also going very well as customers enjoy the exclusivity of a first-class cabin, 24-hour butler
travelweekly.co.uk
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