No longer the domain of the exclusively wealthy, cruising has never been so cheap! With affordable packages to all destinations, many of which are further discounted if booked online, 2012 cruises offers 5-star luxury at a 3-star price.
Whatever your preferred destination, whether it is white Caribbean beaches, the yellow sands of Egypt or maybe further afield to the Great Barrier Reef, one thing is for sure – there is a cruise out there with your name on it and at a price to suit your pocket.
In real terms, cruises have become so cheap that they are no more expensive than a standard family all-inclusive holiday but they offer so much more. Enjoy gourmet meals every night, on-board activities, entertainment and theatre shows, and experience a different destination every day. Cruising is not only very relaxing but is also the very best way to see a variety of places in a short time.
Cheap cruises are updated on a daily basis so, if you are looking for that cruise bargain, keep on top of what is on offer and snap up your cheap cruise deal for 2012 or, if you can’t wait that long, bag yourself a Christmas Market cruise. You’ll be glad you did!
Posted in 
How much can you do and see in one day? Antwerp, the Flemish capital of Belgium, will challenge you to pack in more than you ever thought possible. You will be spoilt for choice as you take in the designer-led fashion quarter, the narrow cobbled streets that hide thousands of bars, restaurants, art and antique dealers, chocolatiers and of course, the famous diamond shops.
Slip into one of the bars and ask for a bolleke (a ‘little bowl’) of one of Antwerp’s famous beers, maybe a De Koninck, a mild strength ale, or a Kriek Boon, a beautiful cherry beer. If you decide to take some home – and you certainly will – visit the excellent Den Dorstvlegel beer shop.
Antwerp is a rising fashion city thanks to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, which hosts perhaps the best fashion department in Europe. Graduates tend to remain in the city to make their mark, rather than decamp to Paris or New York.
Its architecture spans medieval to modern, with The Cathedral of Our Lady dominating the skyline.
Head north of the centre to the quiet urban cool of Park Spoor Noord, a expansive centre of relaxation, play and entertainment that hosts concerts, sporting events, or if you prefer, a family picnic.
The town of Chamonix sits in a breathtaking location at the foot of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc. Though the mountain remains capped in snow throughout the year, winter is undoubtedly the best time to visit and soak in the atmosphere of one of the world’s favourite skiing destinations.
Ski schools offering lessons in English for beginners and intermediates of all ages are to be found all around Chamonix. The ski season usually begins in mid-December and with most of the slopes above the 2,000ft mark it is what is known as a ‘guaranteed snow’ resort. The slopes and ski areas are connected by a fast and reliable shuttle bus service and a sightseeing train, which provides passengers with panoramic views of the inspirational mountains.
If skiing is not your thing, there are plenty of other wonderful activities to make winter in Chamonix a great holiday destination. Snowshoeing can bring you from the town centre to the Mer de Glace; a coiling glacier accessible by picturesque railway train.17kms of snowy footpaths will take you into the depths of the winter landscape. If a little sightseeing further afield is on your agenda, Chamonix is close to several beautiful cities, including the nearby French town of Annecy, Switzerland’s Geneva and Aosta in Italy.
Husky sledding may be one of the most memorable activities Chamonix has to offer. An adventure lasting around one and a half hours, this is a magical experience. After a long day in the cold snow, unwind with a relaxing pampering session in one of Chamonix’s spas. The local fitness centre offers saunas, Turkish baths and a solarium, while the hotels scattered within the town boast newly refurbished spa facilities.
Experience the true meaning of winter in Chamonix with a skiing holiday. Whether you have been hitting the slopes or not, the après ski atmosphere is well-worth experiencing. Relax with a glass of ‘vin chaud’ or a mug of ‘chocolat chaud’ in one of the town’s many cafes or restaurants. With world-class casinos and a cinema that often features films in their original languages, there is no end to the entertainment offered in this international French town.
What comes to mind when you think of Warwickshire? Rolling hills, Shakespeare, endless canals, quaint villages and pubs?
Warwickshire is all of these and more: the wonderful castles of Warwick and Kenilworth, the genteel town of Leamington Spa, and green and pleasant countryside.
The historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon with its black and white buildings and river is wonderful in its own right. It is a beautiful setting for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre – arguably it is the best place in the country to see the great bard’s plays. Recently refurbished, it really is a dramatic experience. Visit Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare was baptised and buried. It has the accolade of being England’s most visited church and has many interesting features. The building dates from 1210 although there has been a church on the site for much longer.
The fascinatingly beautiful castle at Warwick, dating back to William the Conqueror, has seen some great historical events, and is now a major tourist attraction as well as being an impressive setting for re-enactments of jousting and falconry.
The canal system in Warwickshire is vast and yet you could be forgiven for almost not noticing it as it is hidden away from the main hub of activity. With many canalside walks, interspersed with pubs for refreshments, there is plenty of opportunity for slow, leisurely enjoyment. Hire a boat for a week and experience being afloat.
In many ways, Warwickshire epitomises English country life.
River Avon Stratford-upon-Avon
Picture courtesy of Nigel’s Europe
The West Coast Trail is located in the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island, in Canada. It was created in 1907 as a trail to rescue sailors shipwrecked off the treacherous coast. Today, it is a 75km long gruelling hiking trail that passes through pristine rainforest and offers some of the most compelling views of the Juan de Fuca Strait, often called the Graveyard of the Pacific Ocean for its numerous shipwrecks.
West Coast Trail
Picture courtesy of Chris Breikss
Along the path, you will visit sandy beaches, rocky outcroppings, caves and ledges. The beaches offer tidal pools teeming with sea life, while the rainforest echoes to the sounds of wildlife. The spruce, hemlock and cedar trees are some of the oldest in the province and are so large you cannot see around them. You should be aware that the trail is isolated and physically challenging and is not designed for novice hikers. The trail itself is largely dirt, studded with roots and rocks, but also includes portions of stair climbing. It will take an average of five to seven days to complete the entire length of the trail. Hikers must receive a park permit before embarking on the trail, which is open from 1st May to 30th September only.
West Coast Trail
Picture courtesy of Chris Breikss
The climate in the area is considered marine temperate and is unpredictable and heavy rain may make certain parts of the trail impassable. Shuttles to the trailheads operate from Bamfield and Port Renfrew and both of these small villages offer holiday property rentals for hikers. Alternatively, the town of Port Alberni is 1½hours from Bamfield, while the city of Victoria is 2½hours from Port Renfrew.
West Coast Trail
Picture courtesy of Chris Breikss
When you think of alternative uses for cooking oil, using it to fill up the tank of air jet might not be your first thought, however Thomson Airways have used it to fly customers from Birmingham to Arrecife.
The airline used a mixture of waste fat and jet fuel to create a supposedly more eco-friendly service in a time where air travel is taking a hammering from environmental campaigners. Thomson’s current tests had been hampered by delay over the testing progress, it was originally meant to take place last July however the fuel only recently passed safety clearance. According to Thomson claims, the eco-friendly biofuel has the potential to reduce aviation emissions by up to 80 per cent in the future and the company aims to use biofuel across their whole fleet within the next three years.
Thomson Airways managing director Chris Browne said: “Sustainable biofuels offer us the opportunity to improve our own individual environmental performance as well as contributing to the UK’s carbon reduction target.”
Aviation minister Theresa Villiers echoes his sentiment, he said: “The British government believes that sustainable biofuels have a role to play in efforts to tackle climate change, particularly in sectors where no other viable low carbon energy source has been identified – as is the case with aviation.”
Biofuel costs a lot more than regular jet fuel, it’s made up of on a 50-50 mix of Jet A1 fuel and Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) fuel made from used cooking oil. This could impact prices and maybe why take-up of using this alternative fuel has been poor. Thomson owners Tui Travel hope it will help them to reduce carbon emissions by 6 per cent from 2008 to 2014.
Although Thomson state production of biofuel will create jobs in developing countries, some environmental campaigners worry that it could have an adverse effect and state the only way to cut down on aviation pollution is to cut flights, stop airport expansion and improve rail travel rather than use alternative fuels.
Thomson Aircraft
Picture courtesy of Deanster1983
Try Thomson cruises, for a family friendly cruise holiday, without the hassle. Thomson cruises cover destinations all around the globe which means you can find the perfect holiday for you and your family. The have five ships which cover not only family cruises but also adults only, all with mouth-watering cuisine and top class entertainment, not to mention Thomson’s selection of shore excursions.
Thomson Celebration
Picture courtesy of ozgurmulazimoglu
Their ships circumnavigate the globe so you can visit a wide range of destinations such as the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Baltic, the Red Sea, Canary Islands and Morocco and the Caribbean. On a cruise holiday with Thomson you can visit some amazing ports of call such as: Livorno from where you can enjoy Florence and Pisa, sampling a piece of Italy. Montego Bay offers you the chance to explore the rich culture and history of Jamaica and Willemstad allows you to discover Curacao in the Dutch Antilles. On a Red sea cruise you can stop off in Alanya to explore the beauty of Antalya and the Turkish Turquoise coast, in Agaba you can search out ancient histories in Jordan.
Thomson cruises also offer cruise and stay holidays to, so your holiday doesn’t have to come to an end just because you leave the boat, you can spend a week cruising before spending a week on land at a luxury hotel. Many people opt for cruise and stay holidays especially when they are visiting destinations such as the Caribbean so you can wind down before you go home and travel all that distance by air.
The number of flights to the Caribbean will be cut by British Airways due to the rise of Air Passenger Duty tax. They will however be adding extra flights to Florida which although is not far away geographically does have 20 per cent lower APD.
British Airways have called for the government to scrap this unfair tax which sees UK travellers paying more than anywhere else and they say it’s a ‘destructive tax juggernaut’ and says the UK tourism industry suffers from the ‘heaviest tax burden in global aviation’.
Because of the way the tax system works BA have reduced the flights to the Caribbean because its expected that with higher charges less people will be travelling there. For example; a family of four of flying in economy class from the UK to the Caribbean pay £300 in APD whilst the same to Florida would only cost £240 in APD.
According to BA the amount paid in the UK is more than double what a family from Germany would pay and those travelling from France would only have to pay just £15. 22 of the EU countries don’t even charge travellers aviation tax so it’s not like legislation imposed by EU that is causing these high prices.
The Caribbean is worst hit because of the way the system works, countries are placed into band for the taxation and this is based on how far away the capital is from the UK. So travelling to the US to places like Florida or Hawaii is cheap even though further away, because Washington is closer to the UK passengers are charged less.
During the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) annual conference in St Maarten British Airways CEO Keith Williams told delegates that the strict tax regime was ‘jeopardising routes to the Caribbean’.
He said: “The Caribbean is a very important destination for us and we have a long and proud heritage of serving the region. However, we can’t deny the reality that demand is not as high as it has been. Taxation is most certainly a factor in this and sadly, a factor in our decision to reduce our frequency to the Caribbean next summer. It is no coincidence that our reduction in the number of services to the Caribbean is accompanied by a rise in services to Florida – another desirable holiday destination for UK sun-seekers, and a destination that is taxed at a rate 20 per cent less than the Caribbean.”
At the moment the government is conducting a review on APD with the results coming out in November however no one in the industry is sure there will be any reduction.
The state of Florida is home to some of the top attractions in the United States, such as Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center, and The Everglades. Many tourists choose to visit the state while their children are on summer holiday. It is also a good winter destination, with most attractions remaining open.
The most important consideration will be the intended area in which to stay. It should be as close to the attractions as possible. This makes it convenient to travel to the attractions on the itinerary without having to spend a lot of time driving in heavy traffic. An ideal holiday rental should be no more than 20 minutes from intended destinations by car.
It is important to find out what the maximum sleeping capacity is for the rental. Usually, there will be at least one master bedroom intended for a couple, with additional bedrooms or sleeping facilities in the living area. There is also usually at least one full bath, with additional water closets.
These types of rentals are self-catering. However, individual amenities may vary somewhat. If the property is on a beach, it is a good idea to find out if beach gear is included. If not, beach towels, sand toys or other items can usually be purchased from nearby shops. You will also find full dinner sets with cutlery for meals. Some properties may provide food items for breakfast or other meals to help save guests a trip to the grocer.
Many cruise holidays to Australia include a flight there and the only way to take a cruise holiday to Australia without air travel would be to visit it as part of a world cruise. Although a flight from the UK to Australia can be long, an 8 – 14 night cruise after that will soon relax you, plus many include a stay in a 4* hotel as well.
Because Australia is quite far away it can be fairly expensive, well compared to your Mediterranean cruises, however they tend to be comparable to Caribbean cruises in price. If you are a savvy shopper you could probably find some good cruise deals online or from a travel agent, however for an experience like this you probably don’t want to scrimp on the price too much.
There is no better way to see all of what Australia has to offer than on a cruise holiday it’s such a vast country traveling by land can be exhausting. With cruise holidays you get to explore the best the country has to offer such as; Sydney, Darwin, Kakadu wilderness, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef without having to worry about getting around.
Other Australasia cruises also include visits to Tasmania, New Zealand and Hawaii, which means you can pack even more fantastic, tropical destinations into your holiday.