Our pick of the eight best cruises for both hot and cold weather – from Caribbean sailings to Icelandic glacier tours
WE'RE enjoying record-breaking temperatures right here in the UK, with the Met Office declaring an official heatwave.
The joy of a cruise is you can choose to sail into warm OR cold waters, depending on whether you are an ardent sun-worshipper or prefer staying cool as a cucumber.
6
Cruise Croatia in style aboard La Belle de l'Adriatique, stopping at stunning ports like Losinj, Zadar and Kotor
Credit: supplied
From the majesty of the Norwegian Fjords to the stunning glacier landscapes of Alaska, those who get hot under the collar will love the chance to explore these cooler trips.
Meanwhile,
travellers
who can't get enough of the heat will adore the sunshine and warm waters of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Here, Lisa Minot, picks the best hot and cold cruises you can set sail on this summer.
MEDITERRANEAN
MARELLA Cruises' all-inclusive Mediterranean voyages mean you won't have to worry about ordering that second cocktail on deck as you sail through the warm waters of the Med.
READ MORE CRUISE NEWS
Their seven-night Cosmopolitan Classics round trip from Palma, Majorca, is from just £1,057pp and includes all food and drink, flights from Bournemouth on July 1, 20kg luggage, transfers and tips.
Sailing on the Marella Discovery, the ship calls at Italy's Cagliari, in Sardinia, Naples for Pompeii and Capri, Piombino for Siena and Pisa, France's Villefranche for Monaco and Nice, and Palamos, in Spain. To book, go to
CARIBBEAN
6
Set sail on Royal Caribbean's new Star Of The Seas and unwind on its private Bahamian island
Credit: supplied
COMBINE a cruise on Royal Caribbean's latest and greatest ship, Star Of The Seas, with a chance to relax on the golden shores of its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Star Of The Seas sets sail this August, the latest in the Icon class of mega ships.
A seven-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise leaves Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31 and calls at Perfect Day, Mexico's Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan in
Most read in Cruise
Prices are from £1,328pp, including full board and entertainment.
See
ADRIATIC
6
Explore Croatia's coast and islands in style aboard La Belle de l'Adriatique, with stops from Losinj to Kotor
Credit: supplied
Inside the huge new cruise ship coming to the US next year - with waterpark, bumper cars, and 20 bars onboard
IT doesn't get more idyllic than travelling the sparkling Adriatic Sea on a seven-night round-trip cruise from Dubrovnik in
Sailing on CroisiEurope's 197-guest ship La Belle de l'Adriatique, you will enjoy the best of the Croatian mainland ports and islands, including Losinj, Krk, Rovinj, Pula, Zadar and Kotor.
Seven nights' all-inclusive, with all meals and drinks, is from £1,512pp, departing Dubrovnik on August 21.
To book, see
GREEK ISLES
FAMILIES with pre-school kids can take advantage of early July to head away for less before the classrooms empty for summer.
And P&O Cruises' Azura has a great itinerary discovering the very best of the Greek islands.
Departing London on July 3, this seven-night fly cruise leaves Malta and calls at Piraeus for Athens,
Seven nights' full-board is from £699pp, including flights and transfers. To book, go to
ARCTIC CIRCLE
6
Explore Norway's Arctic Circle aboard Havila's hybrid cruise ships — endless sun, cool temps, and stunning views
Credit: supplied
HAVILA Voyages' hybrid working/cruise ships offer an immersive way to explore the land of the midnight sun, travelling high up into the Arctic Circle.
There may be endless sunny days, but with temperatures averaging just 14 degrees in August in Kirkenes, northeastern Norway, you will also keep your cool.
Optional excursions include king crab fishing, hiking with huskies and even a trip to the Snowhotel Kirkenes.
There are currently 40 per cent savings for solo travellers. An 11-night round trip voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes is from £1,952pp full-board for a single traveller, departing August 10 on Havila Castor.
Snowhotel excursions from £91pp. Flights to Bergen extra. See
ZEEBRUGGE
6
Join Mickey aboard Disney Fantasy from Southampton for a magical cruise to Zebrugge and a trip to Bruges and its fairytale streets
Credit: Disney
JOIN Mickey Mouse on exclusive sailings aboard the
Disney
Fantasy from Southampton this summer.
Heading into cooler waters, a three-night full-board cruise to Belgium's Zeebrugge brings the chance to enjoy a magical trip to the medieval city of
With time onboard the liner to enjoy the fantastic kids' clubs and shows, the cruise is from £879pp, based on four sharing an inside cabin, departing Southampton on August 29.
See
ICELAND
6
Fred Olsen's Bolette sets sail from Liverpool on September 5 for a scenic return cruise to Reykjavik and Akureyri
Credit: Fred Olsen Cruises
THE land of ice and fire is the ideal destination for cool cruise lovers. And
Fred
Olsen's Exploring Iceland cruise is a nine-night adventure to discover everything from glaciers and waterfalls to geysers and lava tunnels.
The return trip on Fred Olsen's Bolette departs Liverpool on September 5 and will include calls at Reykjavik and Akureyri. Fares are from £1,599pp, including all meals, tea and coffee and entertainment.
To book, see
BALTICS & NORWAY
EXPLORE Baltic Jewels and Nordic Dreams onboard Ambassador Cruises' Ambience.
Sailing directly from Tilbury, London, on August 25, this 14-night break ticks off a host of northern European highlights, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Berlin from Warnemunde and Aarhus.
Prices are from £1,006pp, including full board and entertainment.
To book, go to
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The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Our pick of the eight best cruises for both hot and cold weather – from Caribbean sailings to Icelandic glacier tours
WE'RE enjoying record-breaking temperatures right here in the UK, with the Met Office declaring an official heatwave. The joy of a cruise is you can choose to sail into warm OR cold waters, depending on whether you are an ardent sun-worshipper or prefer staying cool as a cucumber. 6 Cruise Croatia in style aboard La Belle de l'Adriatique, stopping at stunning ports like Losinj, Zadar and Kotor Credit: supplied From the majesty of the Norwegian Fjords to the stunning glacier landscapes of Alaska, those who get hot under the collar will love the chance to explore these cooler trips. Meanwhile, travellers who can't get enough of the heat will adore the sunshine and warm waters of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Here, Lisa Minot, picks the best hot and cold cruises you can set sail on this summer. MEDITERRANEAN MARELLA Cruises' all-inclusive Mediterranean voyages mean you won't have to worry about ordering that second cocktail on deck as you sail through the warm waters of the Med. READ MORE CRUISE NEWS Their seven-night Cosmopolitan Classics round trip from Palma, Majorca, is from just £1,057pp and includes all food and drink, flights from Bournemouth on July 1, 20kg luggage, transfers and tips. Sailing on the Marella Discovery, the ship calls at Italy's Cagliari, in Sardinia, Naples for Pompeii and Capri, Piombino for Siena and Pisa, France's Villefranche for Monaco and Nice, and Palamos, in Spain. To book, go to CARIBBEAN 6 Set sail on Royal Caribbean's new Star Of The Seas and unwind on its private Bahamian island Credit: supplied COMBINE a cruise on Royal Caribbean's latest and greatest ship, Star Of The Seas, with a chance to relax on the golden shores of its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Star Of The Seas sets sail this August, the latest in the Icon class of mega ships. A seven-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise leaves Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31 and calls at Perfect Day, Mexico's Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan in Most read in Cruise Prices are from £1,328pp, including full board and entertainment. See ADRIATIC 6 Explore Croatia's coast and islands in style aboard La Belle de l'Adriatique, with stops from Losinj to Kotor Credit: supplied Inside the huge new cruise ship coming to the US next year - with waterpark, bumper cars, and 20 bars onboard IT doesn't get more idyllic than travelling the sparkling Adriatic Sea on a seven-night round-trip cruise from Dubrovnik in Sailing on CroisiEurope's 197-guest ship La Belle de l'Adriatique, you will enjoy the best of the Croatian mainland ports and islands, including Losinj, Krk, Rovinj, Pula, Zadar and Kotor. Seven nights' all-inclusive, with all meals and drinks, is from £1,512pp, departing Dubrovnik on August 21. To book, see GREEK ISLES FAMILIES with pre-school kids can take advantage of early July to head away for less before the classrooms empty for summer. And P&O Cruises' Azura has a great itinerary discovering the very best of the Greek islands. Departing London on July 3, this seven-night fly cruise leaves Malta and calls at Piraeus for Athens, Seven nights' full-board is from £699pp, including flights and transfers. To book, go to ARCTIC CIRCLE 6 Explore Norway's Arctic Circle aboard Havila's hybrid cruise ships — endless sun, cool temps, and stunning views Credit: supplied HAVILA Voyages' hybrid working/cruise ships offer an immersive way to explore the land of the midnight sun, travelling high up into the Arctic Circle. There may be endless sunny days, but with temperatures averaging just 14 degrees in August in Kirkenes, northeastern Norway, you will also keep your cool. Optional excursions include king crab fishing, hiking with huskies and even a trip to the Snowhotel Kirkenes. There are currently 40 per cent savings for solo travellers. An 11-night round trip voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes is from £1,952pp full-board for a single traveller, departing August 10 on Havila Castor. Snowhotel excursions from £91pp. Flights to Bergen extra. See ZEEBRUGGE 6 Join Mickey aboard Disney Fantasy from Southampton for a magical cruise to Zebrugge and a trip to Bruges and its fairytale streets Credit: Disney JOIN Mickey Mouse on exclusive sailings aboard the Disney Fantasy from Southampton this summer. Heading into cooler waters, a three-night full-board cruise to Belgium's Zeebrugge brings the chance to enjoy a magical trip to the medieval city of With time onboard the liner to enjoy the fantastic kids' clubs and shows, the cruise is from £879pp, based on four sharing an inside cabin, departing Southampton on August 29. See ICELAND 6 Fred Olsen's Bolette sets sail from Liverpool on September 5 for a scenic return cruise to Reykjavik and Akureyri Credit: Fred Olsen Cruises THE land of ice and fire is the ideal destination for cool cruise lovers. And Fred Olsen's Exploring Iceland cruise is a nine-night adventure to discover everything from glaciers and waterfalls to geysers and lava tunnels. The return trip on Fred Olsen's Bolette departs Liverpool on September 5 and will include calls at Reykjavik and Akureyri. Fares are from £1,599pp, including all meals, tea and coffee and entertainment. To book, see BALTICS & NORWAY EXPLORE Baltic Jewels and Nordic Dreams onboard Ambassador Cruises' Ambience. Sailing directly from Tilbury, London, on August 25, this 14-night break ticks off a host of northern European highlights, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Berlin from Warnemunde and Aarhus. Prices are from £1,006pp, including full board and entertainment. To book, go to
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
All our favourite camping buys tried and tested for festivals and family holidays – starting from just 15p
FESTIVAL and camping season is here and with that, so is the frantic rush to find items that make it that little bit easier. Whether crawling around in a cramped festival tent or away with the family in a holiday park, as much as we may love camping there are some things about it that can be a nightmare. Advertisement 15 Camping and festival season have returned Credit: AP Here are The Sun's travel team's top recs for camping this summer . Collapsible items With a limited amount of storage space in caravans and tents, making sure your kitchen equipment is as space-saving as possible is an essential. Look for collapsible items to stack and save space. This Advertisement Read more on camping Ikea does a great collapsible washing up bowl for just £5. The Pepprig bowl collapses flat and features a hole to hang from pegs. And when it comes to cooking up a storm, a stacking nest of pans is essential. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Advertisement Most read in News Travel Camping pans From £17.99 on Amazon or for a more sophisticated set that covers all bases for a family, UK's Premier Scottish Caravan Site: Camping & Glamping Gold Standard With a whopping 25 items suitable for a family of four you get a big pot and frying pan and within is stored a sieve drainer, plates, cups and cutlery. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Advertisement 15p Plates You don't want to waste weight - or risk breakages - by using standard crockery in a Invest in some melamine plates, cups and bowls but for me, I want to make things easy when it comes to washing up. A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Advertisement 15 A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and compostable plates costs around £7 for 50 from Amazon Credit: Amazon ReadyBed For £27.50 from Argos , What I personally love is that there's no risk of rolling off the airbed as you're fully zipped in. It's got a built-in pillow and the sleeping bag element/cover can be removed and chucked in the washing machine. Advertisement Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 ReadyBed has a built-in pillow and the sleeping bag element/cover can be removed and chucked in the washing machine Credit: Argos Magic mirror This bit of kit is my most cherished camping item. It's a Advertisement Costing £45, it comes with a tie at the top so that it can be looped around a tent pole. The best feature is how compact it is, folding into a flat square – just be wary as a lot of Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 Magic Mirror is a foldable mirror made up of four glass squares Credit: Magic Mirror Advertisement Vango Micro Steel Chair You can probably find cheaper camping chairs out there, but Unlike some traditional camping chairs, you'll have to construct it, a bit like a tent, but that takes about 30 seconds. The steel frame of the chair relies on a tent-pole like structure which means it's easily collapsible and can be shoved in a teeny bag along with the canvas-material chair. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor Advertisement 15 This camping chair takes less than a minute to construct Credit: Outdoor World Vango Square Water Carrier Water carriers are so cheap but so useful, especially at a festival where the toilet facilities may not be anything more than a hole in the ground. Fill it up every day from the campsites water station and use it to wash your hands, brush your teeth , drink from etc. Advertisement Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 A water carrier is super useful for when the toilets and taps are far from your tent Credit: Outdoor World Loop earplugs As much as I enjoy a festival or two, I do need my beauty sleep otherwise I can be pretty unpleasant to be around. So when it comes to going to bed, I won't go without my Loop earplugs. Advertisement These handy little gadgets block out almost everything, muffling all background noise and thumping bass. They might be the most I've ever spent on earplugs, but they're well worth it. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter Advertisement 15 These handy little gadgets block out almost everything Credit: Loop earplugs FreshWipes We all know that as the days go on at festivals, one thing that gets worse (aside from the hangover) is people's hygiene - and I don't like to be one of those people. So what I bring is FreshWipes, the OceanFresh scent does the trick and is biodegradable too. Advertisement Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter 15 FreshWipes keep you fresh and are biodegradable too Credit: Fresh Wipes Face and body cooling spray With the hot and sticky weather we have been experiencing lately, being able to cool down is not the easiest unless you drench yourself in water. Whilst chugging water can help to keep you hydrated, sometime it just feels like your skin is about to burn off. Advertisement This is where a face and body cooling spray comes in. For years I have sworn by Superdrug's own brand And this bottle will last you the whole summer. I use it over makeup on my face for a cooldown spritz and down my arms too - it really helps to take the edge off of the heat. Advertisement I also recently discovered their Vitamin E Mist, which comes in a small 50ml bottle for £2.50. If struggling on space, definitely grab one of these and it is even in Superdrug 's '3 for 2' offer, so you can pick up some other travel minis too. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 One cooling spray bottle will last you the whole summer Credit: Superdrug Advertisement Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator Now this one may be weird to people - essentially a bottle for sun cream, despite sun cream already coming in a bottle. But if you are like me, the price of sun cream irks you each year the season gets warmer and sunnier. And if you are anything like me, the bog standard sunscreen is no good. With oily skin, a hate for tackiness and a dislike for the smell, I make sure the sunscreen I get suits me. Advertisement And to cut costs, I will often purchase the biggest bottle available. However, with this, it is hard to carry around the sun cream. This is where the The small and compact applicator can be filled with any sunscreen of your choosing and costs just £6.38 from Boots . Advertisement Despite the product specifically being designed for use by children, it is suitable for anyone who wants to carry a smaller bottle of sunscreen around with them without the risk of the bottle lid pinging off in your bag. It is also 100ml so suitable for hand luggage! Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator is 100ml so suitable for hand luggage Credit: Boots Advertisement Luna Daily The Everywhere Spray-to-Wipe Fragrance Free 30ml Whilst this little product is rather steep in price for £8, I don't go away without it. As an 'everywhere spray', The spray-to-wipe product can be used anywhere - including 'down there' - helping you to feel a bit cleaner whilst in a not-so-clean environment. It is completely fragrance free and includes thermal water, prebiotic lactic acid and inulin and Vitamins C, E and F to protect your skin - essentially no nasties. Advertisement One bottle is the equivalent of 100 wipes and it can be kept in the fridge for added cooling effects. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 This spray-to-wipe product can be used anywhere - including 'down there' Credit: Boots SPF 30 Lip Balm on a carabineer As an avid hiker and camper during my teenage years, you would not find me without a lip balk attached to a belt loop on my hip. Advertisement Just a basic SPF 30 lip balm with moisturising coconut in helped against the harsh elements of sun and wind whilst adventuring. The carabineer attached just adds convenience as you can attach it yourself as I did, the zip or side of a bag or even keys or a water bottle. They can be picked up at most outdoors shops like Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter Advertisement 15 The carabineer attached to this lip balm adds convenience Credit: Trespass Ikea lamp There are so many different camping lamps out there - from wind-up ones to battery operated. And they also can widely range in price. Ikea has just released a lamp which I cannot wait to get my hands on. Advertisement The It has a rope loop on it to hand in your tent, but also due to its flat bottom it can sit on a table easily - meaning you can move it between your If wanting something smaller, the classic lightbulb shaped lamps on caribineers are also great and can be picked up for under a fiver. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter Advertisement 15 This small table lamp which is battery-operated and donut-shaped looks stylish whilst also being practical Credit: IKEA Soft running bottles Whilst not the cheapest at £9.99 each from They can be rolled up to the size of a fist and are easy to shove in the remaining room in a pack camping back. For festivals, they are even better - as often to get into the main arena, your water bottle needs to be empty - and these can just fit in your pocket to be filled once in the area. Advertisement Even when full, they can still slide into a pocket, which means you won't be carrying around a clunky bottle. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 Soft bottles can be can be rolled up to the size of a fist Credit: Decathlon These are the Advertisement Plus, 15 All these items can help make camping experiences easier and more enjoyable Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I lost my bag twice on holiday – these are the very common packing mistakes I'll never make again
AS I WATCH an airport worker turn off the conveyor belt, my worst travel fear is realised - my suitcase hasn't arrived. Let's be real, it's not the end of the world, bags get misplaced all the time. The real disaster was what I neglected to pack in my hand luggage. 4 I will never pack hand luggage in the same way again Credit: Supplied 4 My recent trip to the USA was derailed by a missing cabin bag Credit: Supplied I had arrived in Syracuse for a week-long journey across New York State, my bag however, was still in After filling in a form about my missing suitcase and being told it 'happens all the time', I wearily trudged back to my hotel room. Knowing that I didn't bother to put the basics in my hand luggage when I left for the airport almost 12 hours ago, I almost didn't want to open it. Deodorant, hand sanitiser, Chapstick, a jumper, a book, my passport, purse and house keys were all I had. Read More on Packing Tips Heading downstairs to the hotel reception, I explained the situation and they handed over some essentials - it seemed like I wasn't the first person on this day to have their bag misplaced. Returning to the room, I was armed with a small plastic toothbrush, toothpaste sachets and makeup wipes. I felt a bit better about the situation, until the following morning. With a full day of exploring ahead of me and a packed schedule, I had no time to pick up anything at the local shops - including clothes and clean underwear. Most read in News Travel It was a horrible feeling having to don the slouchy clothes I'd worn on my twelve-hour train and plane journey to the States for another whole day. Luckily, I had group members come to my aid, some offered make-up and moisturiser, one lent me her tiny travel hairbrush which did the trick. The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying hand luggage only 4 My suitcase had been left in Philadelphia - while I was in Syracuse Credit: Supplied In all my years of travelling, I'd never had a suitcase not turn up. But then again, I had never taken a connecting flight before either. In saying that, I've travelled long enough to know that without fail , you should pack your travel 'essentials' in your hand luggage - and to me, that's your passport, travel documents, purse and keys. Now the word 'essentials' has a whole other meaning. Always pack at least a day's worth of clothes, maybe more if you can fit them in. For any make-up wearers, pack that in there too. Luckily most of them are travel size by default like mascara and concealer, as for foundation, that can be decanted into a smaller container. Another essential is moisturiser, because we all know the air conditioning on the plane can be incredibly drying. Any contact lens and glasses wearers should pack both of those as well as a hairbrush and toothbrush. Also check if you can take a handbag as a personal item, if not fold one down and pop it inside along with your cards and cash if you want it. You can argue I was being dramatic because my bag was delivered to the hotel at 6PM the following day and some remarked that it was the happiest reunion they'd ever seen. Flying back home I wasn't too bothered about what was in my hand luggage knowing I'd be reunited with the rest of my belongings by the end of the day. But still, disaster struck when I arrived in Heathrow and my suitcase had been delayed coming out of Chicago, talk about bad luck. Luckily, two hours later I saw my black and red suitcase come around the carousel and one thought struck me, I'll never pack hand luggage in the same way again. A travel expert has And Sun Travel Hand luggage rules for UK airlines We've rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare. Ryanair EasyJet Jet2 One personal TUI One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg British Airways One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg Virgin Atlantic One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg 4 I wasn't too happy to wear my plane clothes two days in a row Credit: Supplied
