SAVE CASH ON HOUSEHOLD BILLS... TAKE A CRUISE!

GOING on a cruise was once a distant aspiration for all but the well heeled. But The Mail on Sunday has found that cash-strapped Britons could soon be taking to the high seas in a bid to beat the cost-of-living crisis.

Our investigation has established that it is now almost cheaper to go on an all-inclusive cruise than it is to stay at home in the UK.

Couples looking for a pre-Christmas break could book a three-week cruise from Valencia to Dubai at just £775 each, plus flights. Other offers include a 16-night voyage around the Canary Islands at £1,299 a head.

The latest research indicates that the average monthly household budget, based on 2.4 people, is £2,548 – although this does not take into account the current rise in energy and food bills.

This means the Canary Islands trip for two would cost about the same as staying at home. The number of UK holidaymakers taking a cruise rose to an all-time high of just under two million in 2019, although the Covid pandemic saw passenger numbers plummet to about 250,000 the following year.

Mail on Sunday cruise expert Caroline Hendrie said: ‘With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, a cruise can be excellent value for money. This is because so much is included in the price you pay up front.’