DESTINATIONS CRUISE | MATURE TRAVEL
ABOVE: View of Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour from Shirley Heights, Antigua PICTURE: Fred Olsen Cruise Lines exper expert ASK THE
“Agents should emphasise the ease and convenience of our affordable, quality no-fly long-haul Caribbean cruises.
Departing from London Tilbury, these adult-only sailings offer a stress-free alternative to flying, with unlimited luggage and time to relax and enjoy what the ship has to offer on sea days. Guests can enjoy exceptional value, discover Caribbean
destinations and make the most of our onboard facilities.” Karen Cameron, head of trade (interim), Ambassador Cruise Line
need to think about planning off-ship activities every day, and they get time to recover or enjoy the ship facilities in between sightseeing tours. Fred Olsen also advises that it helps to have good sea legs as these sailings take place out of season, when the weather can be rough. That can be particularly important if the cruise travels via the Bay of Biscay, which has more than its fair share of ‘rock-and-roll’ moments in winter.
CARIBBEAN
No-fly Caribbean voyages are typically a month long. As they go in the off season, it means even those who don’t care to fly can enjoy island-hopping in the sun when the weather at home is grey and gloomy. Between them, Fred Olsen, Saga, Ambassador, P&O Cruises and Cunard have more than a dozen no-fly departures to the Caribbean between now and early 2027. They all follow a similar pattern: several days at sea at the beginning and end of the cruise, and a week or so island-hopping in the Caribbean. “Our long cruises attract loyal guests looking for an
escape from the British winter, but also new passengers looking for an experience that ticks off a bucket-list moment,” says P&O Cruises sales director Ruth Venn. For something different, P&O Cruises’ 35-night
Grand Caribbean and USA Adventure departing February 27, 2026, combines the Bahamas, Cozumel in Mexico, Roatán in Honduras, and Belize, with calls into New Orleans, Miami and Florida’s Port Canaveral. Prices start at £2,599.
travelweekly.co.uk
Saga rings the changes by adding guest speakers to keep passengers entertained on those longer sailings. Celebrity chef Phil Vickery, RAF Tornado pilot Mandy Hickson and fitness guru Mr Motivator are among those on its two Caribbean cruises this year.
SOUTH AMERICA
No-fly voyages to South America are an enjoyable alternative to a world cruise as they are not quite as long. Once on the other side of the Atlantic, there are also fewer consecutive sea days, as the ships are not subsequently crossing between continents. Fred Olsen is pairing South America with two
days of sightseeing in Antarctica in January 2026, although the 76-night voyage is almost sold out. That leaves P&O Cruises as the only contender on the no-fly South America run for now. Its Epic South America Journey on adult-only ship Aurora includes an overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro, a day in the Falkland Islands and scenic cruising around Cape Horn, through the Beagle Channel and to the Amalia and Pio X Glaciers. Venn says: “South America offers unique discoveries and new experiences for British holidaymakers, with highlights like the southern glaciers and Panama Canal transit, which are best seen from the sea.”
TRANSATLANTIC As the only cruise line with regular sailings between Southampton and New York, Cunard rules the roost for transatlantic crossings. Non-flyers will have six sea
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