Solo pals go sailing off at no extra cost
With spring upon us, now’s the time to book short breaks in Europe and Egypt and plan a once-in-a-lifetime long-haul holiday for next year. Here’s my pick of the best deals around now.
Solo travellers – or friends who prefer not to share – can sail on all rivers in the CroisiEurope portfolio without paying a single supplement.
For example, a seven-night cruise in France aboard MS Cyrano de Bergerac on the Garonne, Gironde and Dordogne rivers, departing Bordeaux on April 16, costs from €1,425pp.
An excursion to the charming seaside city of Royan is included in the fare, while a wine tour in Medoc, a guided tour of the medieval village of St Emilion and a visit to the oyster beds of Arcachon Bay are among other excursions offered for an extra charge (croisieurope.co.uk).
Sail to France, Italy, Malta and Spain in a week aboard MSC Grandiosa, on a late deal from MSC Cruises. The ship’s Galleria, lined with enticing shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, is the place to promenade in the evenings.
By day you can step ashore in Marseilles, Genoa, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Palermo and Valletta.
Cruise-only fares for the round trip from Barcelona departing on March 26 start at €570pp (msccruises.com).
The biggest stars of the new film of Death On The Nile are undoubtedly the stunning locations. You can immerse yourself in Egypt’s scenery aboard recently revamped five-star MS Tulip, sailing to the temples and tombs while soaking up the sun and then watching it go down from the top deck. One-week breaks departing on March 28 and April 4 include guided tours and return flights from Heathrow, with prices starting at €1,565pp (discoveregypt.co.uk).
Look ahead to next year and in one trip you can strike two American icons off your bucket list, combining the glitz and energy of Las Vegas with the beauty and gentle pace of Hawaii.
Iglu has a 20-night package, Las Vegas & Hawaiian Islands, departing from London airports on January 27.
The cost, from €2,270pp, includes flights, three nights at a hotel in
Las Vegas and one night in Los Angeles followed by 14 nights aboard Crown Princess. You’ll spend four lazy days crossing the Pacific to the Hawaiian archipelago, where you’ll visit Big Island, Oahu, Kauai and Maui (iglucruise.com).