Time to dream of a European odyssey

WE MAY not be aboard ship for now, but a superb variety of European cruises is on offer for 2021. Whether you prefer an in-depth tour on a river cruise, or a trip to Mediterranean ports, here are some of the best deals.

Discover remote parts of the British Isles that can be reached only by sea on a round trip from Dover on expedition ship MS Maud (hurtigruten.co.uk). It features hiking on lonely St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides and birdwatching on rugged Rathlin Island off County Antrim. Twelve-night cruises depart on May 25, August 15, and September 10, 2021. Book by the end of this month for up to 20 per cent off, with fares starting at £2,889pp.

Another adventure off the beaten track, sailing on October 4, 2021, will take you from Budapest to Bucharest. Book by July 31 for £2,170pp – a saving of £1,250 per couple – for the eight-night cruise on Emerald Destiny (emeraldwaterways.co.uk). And Viking Cruises (vikingcruises.co.uk) has a 12-day trip on the Moselle and Rhine, bookended by nights in Paris and Zurich. If you book by September 30, the starting price for the March 27, 2021, departure is £2,145pp (was £3,095pp), including flights and ten excursions.

For a week in the sun, from August 20, 2021, Azamara Pursuit (azamara.co.uk) sails between ports on the Dalmatian and Amalfi coasts. A buy-one-get-one-half-price deal means fares are from £1,997pp. Book by July 22 for $500 (£395) on-board credit per cabin.