Laura Lamb, Head of Product & Media at Reader Offers Limited, picks out her top five “must do” cruise itineraries.
There can be little doubt that a cruise offers the perfect way to experience a spectacular array of holiday destinations aboard stunning ships amidst the height of luxury with food, service and entertainment that is second to none.
Here are five awe inspiring cruise itineraries that take in some of the world’s most iconic events.
Independence Day in New York
Just imagine the sheer excitement and glamour of arriving in New York following a transatlantic crossing aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2; one of the world’s greatest ocean liners.
The 20-night experience, departing from Southampton, arrives in New York where you are transferred to your luxury hotel for a five night stay in this vibrant city.
A must-see highlight is a included in the Reader Offers package, which includes a dinner cruise on the Hudson River, where you have the best view in the house of the Independence Day fireworks with the Brooklyn Bridge as your backdrop.
Cannes Film Festival
There’s little to rival the glamour of the Cannes Film Festival and this ten-night package with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines gives you the chance to take in the world renowned Festival.
Starting in the Catalonian capital of Barcelona, the cruise meanders along the South of France coastline via Provence, spends two days in the charm of Cannes before visiting an array of magical delights including Florence, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Amalfi with its final destination being Rome.
Stateroom upgrades are available for this voyage, so be sure to ask Reader Offers for more details.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Nowhere embraces the Mardi Gras spirit quite like New Orleans. This 46-night ‘no fly’ package sets off from Southampton, makes a brief stop in Madeira, before traversing the Atlantic to the Caribbean in a tour that takes in seven islands including Barbados, St Lucia and Honduras.
After two nights enjoying the colourful and vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations, it’s down to Florida for a gentle trip around its coastline to Tampa, Key West, Miami, Port Canaveral then up to Charleston before returning to Southampton via Bermuda and the Azores.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is considered to be one of the most important annual celebrations by oriental communities and there is no finer place to spend it than in China amidst this enchanting 19-day luxury trip, which includes 12-nights of luxury modern cruising around the Orient aboard the Celebrity Millennium ship.
Beginning in Hong Kong, you have two days to take in the outrageous pageantry and exotic influences of this iconic island before embarking for the enchanting temples and palaces of Hur/Da Nang, Vietnam. On to Manila, the Pearl of the Orient, with its colonial palaces and, after a day relaxing at sea, it’s on to Taipei, Taiwan, to breathe in its captivating combination of Chinese, Japanese and Western influences.
A stop in Busan, South Korea is then followed by the tour finale, a three day stay for the world’s most authentic Chinese New Year celebrations in the historical city of Shanghai.
To add to the fabulous experience, free on board spend of up to $600 for Ocean View Staterooms and above are possible, in addition to free drinks package worth over $1,500 – speak to Reader Offers for more details.
Rio Carnival
Many will be lured by the colourful buzz of the Rio Carnival and infectious as its energy is, this 16-night South American tour with Celebrity Cruises offers so much more. Beginning in Buenos Aires, it is then on to Brazil where you will experience four locations starting with the busy old town and chic boutiques of Sao Paulo.
Just 138 miles away but seemingly worlds apart is the tropical island haven of Ilhabela. Next it’s the countless natural coves of Buzios before switching up the energy levels for a two-night stop in Rio de Janeiro; the city of Carnival and Samba which never fails to disappoint.
The vibrant café scene of Punta del Este in Uruguay is the next destination, before heading to Montevideo before disembarking back in Buenos Aires.
Reader Offers is the UK’s number one cruise specialist and has spent the past 20 years’ working with the world’s most exclusive cruise lines to create tailor-made luxurious and inspiring cruise holidays.
For more information on the destinations mentioned or for details regarding exclusive offers, telephone 0845 604 7479. Alternatively, search to find your cruise at www.readeroffers.travel/info.
