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Scottish Sun
26-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
I went on the unique all-inclusive cruise where even drinks and tips are included – as well as stops in Greece & Turkey
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOIN Marella Discovery 2's Aegean Gems cruise – and you'll soon be ready to do a PHD in ancient history and Greek mythology. From marvelling at the majesty of the Parthenon in Athens to exploring the Mediterranean's best-preserved classical city, Turkey's Ephesus, every day was an education. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The ancient Lindos Acropolis, on the Greek island of Rhodes Credit: Getty 5 The Marella cruise ship We also saw the splendour of the fortified city of Rhodes and heard stories of the ancient gods at the temple at Lindos. But the fact that blew everyone away as we chatted over lunch? There's snow in Crete in April. Six years ago, my wife and I travelled on this same ship on our very first cruise, visiting Florence, Rome, St Tropez and Barcelona — and we'd never had better value for money on any holiday. I can happily report that the value is as good as ever, maybe even a little better since the latest spruce-up to the rooms and bars — where you can drink to your heart's content, from morning till late at night. It is no exaggeration to say that the food on this ship matches anything you would get in a high-end city restaurant. There are three types of waiter-service eateries as part of the standard all- inclusive package — an Italian, a British and one that varies the menu daily. You can also enjoy breakfast delivered to your table. If you're looking for something more casual there's a buffet which is similarly top quality. And you can pop in there for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner as well. Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport If you fancy going ultra-exclusive, pay a little extra and try out the surf-and-turf, Asian or sushi restaurants. All of these are treats well worth experiencing. When you're done eating and drinking, it will be time for a trip to Ocean's Spa, which has every type of treatment you could wish for. Honestly, you'll come out feeling like a new person. I didn't realise how many aches and pains I had until the hot-stone therapy rubbed them all away. You can also chill out in the coffee bar or enjoy games of bingo, dancing classes, and a spot of darts. For the more energetic, there's table tennis and a climbing wall. We drew the line at the latter. You might just want to relax on the open-air deck, though, and listen to the house band while waiters bring more drinks to your sun lounger. For a bit of sophistication in the evening, take in a show featuring West End- standard performances twice a night. There are some seriously talented individuals on display who would not look out of place gracing the stage at the London Palladium. My wife has never heard a better rendition of Defying Gravity from Wicked — and she watches a whole lot of musicals. But it's the small things that really put the icing on the cake of a Marella cruise experience. Like having enough hangers for your clothes, which some major hotels could learn from. We counted 30 in our surprisingly spacious cabin. 5 Take a dip in the Marella pool Credit: Supplied 5 Head for the hills and visit the Acropolis in Athens Credit: Getty 5 Take a truck safari in Crete Credit: Alamy Our cabin was among those given a recent refresh, with new furniture, renovated bathrooms and vibrant artwork. And when you come back to your room at night, there is a chocolate on each pillow and an animal made out of the bath and hand towels. The dinosaur was an absolute work of art. Happy juice The ship's staff all seem to have been injected with happy juice — whether they are entertainers, who are obviously paid to keep the mood buoyant, cleaners, deckhands, waiters, chefs or engineers. They want to make you feel special and genuinely seem interested in your day, even though they must have heard the stories a hundred times before. There are different ways of cruising. You can spend all day on the ship and never leave — and some people really do just that. But it seems a bit of a shame when there are so many activities to enjoy, as the ship stops off at a different port every day. Mind you, while some excursions involve a relatively relaxing stroll — like those to the ancient ruins — there are others that can seriously test you. Ephesus near Kusadasi is a proper gem. While Pompeii in southern Italy gets all the Press, Ephesus goes under the radar but is one of the world's must-see places. The Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens are always great experiences, no matter how many times you've been. And it is interesting to learn that there is more to places like Mykonos and Rhodes than just lounging on the beach all day and partying all night — not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. But beware of signing up for the Jeep safari in Crete if, like me, you're over six foot, a tad on the hefty side and have dodgy knees. It's quite an ordeal to be cramped in the back of a Jeep as you wind your way down bumpy dirt tracks, with 500ft drops on either side. But, hey, we did see snow.
The Irish Sun
26-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
I went on the unique all-inclusive cruise where even drinks and tips are included – as well as stops in Greece & Turkey
JOIN Marella Discovery 2's Aegean Gems cruise – and you'll soon be ready to do a PHD in ancient history and Greek mythology. From marvelling at the majesty of the Parthenon in Athens to exploring Advertisement 5 The ancient Lindos Acropolis, on the Greek island of Rhodes Credit: Getty 5 The Marella cruise ship We also saw the splendour of the fortified city of Rhodes and heard stories of the ancient gods at the temple at Lindos. But the fact that blew everyone away as we chatted over lunch? There's snow in Crete in April. Six years ago, my wife and I travelled on this same ship on our very first cruise, visiting Advertisement Read More on Travel I can happily report that the value is as good as ever, maybe even a little better since the latest spruce-up to the rooms and bars — where you can drink to your heart's content, from morning till late at night. It is no exaggeration to say that the food on this ship matches anything you would get in a high-end city restaurant. There are three types of waiter-service eateries as part of the standard all- inclusive package — an Italian, a British and one that varies the menu daily. You can also enjoy breakfast delivered to your table. Advertisement Most read in Cruise If you're looking for something more casual there's a buffet which is similarly top quality. And you can pop in there for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner as well. Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport If you fancy going ultra-exclusive, pay a little extra and try out the surf-and-turf, Asian or sushi restaurants. All of these are treats well worth experiencing. When you're done eating and drinking, it will be time for a trip to Ocean's Spa, which has every type of treatment you could wish for. Advertisement Honestly, you'll come out feeling like a new person. I didn't realise how many aches and pains I had until the hot-stone therapy rubbed them all away. You can also chill out in the coffee bar or enjoy games of bingo, dancing classes, and a spot of darts. For the more energetic, there's table tennis and a climbing wall. We drew the line at the latter. You might just want to relax on the open-air deck, though, and listen to the house band while waiters bring more drinks to your sun lounger. Advertisement For a bit of sophistication in the evening, take in a show featuring West End- standard performances twice a night. There are some seriously talented individuals on display who would not look out of place gracing the stage at the London Palladium. My wife has never heard a better rendition of Defying Gravity from Wicked — and she watches a whole lot of musicals. But it's the small things that really put the icing on the cake of a Advertisement Like having enough hangers for your clothes, which some major hotels could learn from. We counted 30 in our surprisingly spacious cabin. 5 Take a dip in the Marella pool Credit: Supplied 5 Head for the hills and visit the Acropolis in Athens Credit: Getty Advertisement 5 Take a truck safari in Crete Credit: Alamy Our cabin was among those given a recent refresh, with new furniture, renovated bathrooms and vibrant artwork. And when you come back to your room at night, there is a chocolate on each pillow and an animal made out of the bath and hand towels. The dinosaur was an absolute work of art. Advertisement Happy juice The ship's staff all seem to have been injected with happy juice — whether they are entertainers, who are obviously paid to keep the mood buoyant, cleaners, deckhands, waiters, chefs or engineers. They want to make you feel special and genuinely seem interested in your day, even though they must have heard the stories a hundred times before. There are different ways of cruising. You can spend all day on the ship and never leave — and some people really do just that. But it seems a bit of a shame when there are so many activities to enjoy, as the ship stops off at a different port every day. Advertisement Mind you, while some excursions involve a relatively relaxing stroll — like those to the ancient ruins — there are others that can seriously test you. While Advertisement And it is interesting to learn that there is more to places like But beware of signing up for the Jeep safari in It's quite an ordeal to be cramped in the back of a Jeep as you wind your way down bumpy dirt tracks, with 500ft drops on either side. But, hey, we did see snow. Advertisement GO: AEGEAN CRUISE GETTING/SAILING THERE: Seven nights' all-inclusive on Marella Discovery 2's Aegean Gems cruise costs from £1,279 per person, including flights from Gatwick on June 11, 20kg luggage, all-inclusive food, drinks and tips. Ship sails from Limassol, Cyprus, and calls at Kusadasi for Ephesus in Turkey, Mykonos, Piraeus for Athens, Crete and Rhodes. For more information, and booking, see
The Sun
26-04-2025
- The Sun
I went on the unique all-inclusive cruise where even drinks and tips are included – as well as stops in Greece & Turkey
JOIN Marella Discovery 2's Aegean Gems cruise – and you'll soon be ready to do a PHD in ancient history and Greek mythology. From marvelling at the majesty of the Parthenon in Athens to exploring the Mediterranean's best-preserved classical city, Turkey's Ephesus, every day was an education. We also saw the splendour of the fortified city of Rhodes and heard stories of the ancient gods at the temple at Lindos. But the fact that blew everyone away as we chatted over lunch? There's snow in Crete in April. Six years ago, my wife and I travelled on this same ship on our very first cruise, visiting Florence, Rome, St Tropez and Barcelona — and we'd never had better value for money on any holiday. I can happily report that the value is as good as ever, maybe even a little better since the latest spruce-up to the rooms and bars — where you can drink to your heart's content, from morning till late at night. It is no exaggeration to say that the food on this ship matches anything you would get in a high-end city restaurant. There are three types of waiter-service eateries as part of the standard all- inclusive package — an Italian, a British and one that varies the menu daily. You can also enjoy breakfast delivered to your table. If you're looking for something more casual there's a buffet which is similarly top quality. And you can pop in there for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner as well. Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport If you fancy going ultra-exclusive, pay a little extra and try out the surf-and-turf, Asian or sushi restaurants. All of these are treats well worth experiencing. When you're done eating and drinking, it will be time for a trip to Ocean's Spa, which has every type of treatment you could wish for. Honestly, you'll come out feeling like a new person. I didn't realise how many aches and pains I had until the hot-stone therapy rubbed them all away. You can also chill out in the coffee bar or enjoy games of bingo, dancing classes, and a spot of darts. For the more energetic, there's table tennis and a climbing wall. We drew the line at the latter. You might just want to relax on the open-air deck, though, and listen to the house band while waiters bring more drinks to your sun lounger. For a bit of sophistication in the evening, take in a show featuring West End- standard performances twice a night. There are some seriously talented individuals on display who would not look out of place gracing the stage at the London Palladium. My wife has never heard a better rendition of Defying Gravity from Wicked — and she watches a whole lot of musicals. But it's the small things that really put the icing on the cake of a Marella cruise experience. Like having enough hangers for your clothes, which some major hotels could learn from. We counted 30 in our surprisingly spacious cabin. 5 5 Our cabin was among those given a recent refresh, with new furniture, renovated bathrooms and vibrant artwork. And when you come back to your room at night, there is a chocolate on each pillow and an animal made out of the bath and hand towels. The dinosaur was an absolute work of art. Happy juice The ship's staff all seem to have been injected with happy juice — whether they are entertainers, who are obviously paid to keep the mood buoyant, cleaners, deckhands, waiters, chefs or engineers. They want to make you feel special and genuinely seem interested in your day, even though they must have heard the stories a hundred times before. There are different ways of cruising. You can spend all day on the ship and never leave — and some people really do just that. But it seems a bit of a shame when there are so many activities to enjoy, as the ship stops off at a different port every day. Mind you, while some excursions involve a relatively relaxing stroll — like those to the ancient ruins — there are others that can seriously test you. Ephesus near Kusadasi is a proper gem. While Pompeii in southern Italy gets all the Press, Ephesus goes under the radar but is one of the world's must-see places. The Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens are always great experiences, no matter how many times you've been. And it is interesting to learn that there is more to places like Mykonos and Rhodes than just lounging on the beach all day and partying all night — not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. But beware of signing up for the Jeep safari in Crete if, like me, you're over six foot, a tad on the hefty side and have dodgy knees. It's quite an ordeal to be cramped in the back of a Jeep as you wind your way down bumpy dirt tracks, with 500ft drops on either side. But, hey, we did see snow.
The Independent
17-03-2025
- The Independent
The best cruises for winter sun in 2025 and 2026
The days may be getting brighter in the UK with the arrival of spring, but now could be the best time to start thinking about your winter sun cruise for when the seasons get chillier once again. If memories of the latest damp and dreary winter make you shiver, you could escape on a ship for some guaranteed sunshine and calm waters in the Caribbean. Forget Christmas with the in-laws, why not spend the festive season on a cruise in the Canary Islands or make plans to raise a glass to the new year in the southern hemisphere? Most cruise brands offer itineraries in the winter months from November to February, visiting top destinations such as the Bahamas, Tenerife, Dubai and Sydney. 'Wave season' – the sales period for cruise brands early each year – is almost over but there are still attractive offers, and booking early is often an ideal way to secure a decent deal. Options range from luxury cruises to family-friendly, all-inclusive sailings. Here are some of the best cruise deals for some winter sun in 2025 and 2026. Limassol, Cyprus – Souda, Crete – Valletta, Malta – Palma, Majorca – Malaga, Spain Europe can still provide plenty of sun during the winter period. Departing from Limassol, Cyprus, this all-inclusive eight-night sailing with Marella Cruises visits hotspots across the Aegean Sea, visiting the mountains of Souda in Crete and the historical Maltese capital Valletta en route to Palma and Malaga. Facilities on Marella Discovery 2 will keep you entertained, with its two pools, rock-climbing wall and escape room. Book now Miami – Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve,Bahamas – Miami Enjoy MSC Cruises ' newest ship MSC World America in the sunny surroundings of the Caribbean. Departing from Miami, you will soon be relaxing on the beaches of Puerto Plata or discovering its ancient city walls before drinking the local coffee and rum in San Juan's old town. The itinerary also includes a trip to MSC Cruises' private Ocean Cay island in the Bahamas, where you can take part in watersports or just top up your tan before heading back to the cold at home. Departs 15 November; from £873pp Book now Port Canaveral – Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico – Roatan, Honduras – Cozumel, Mexico – Perfect Day at CocoCay – Port Canaveral Enjoy guaranteed sun and sand on this seven-night Caribbean cruise. Sailing with Royal Caribbean on what will be its newest ship by November 2025, Star of the Seas, this voyage includes a stop on the brand's private Caribbean island for 'PerfectDay at CocoCay' experience. Other destinations include Costa Maya in Mexico, where passengers can discover ancient Mayan ruins and lush jungles. Onboard, Star of the Seas offers giant waterparks and slides onboard as well as 40 bars and restaurants to explore. Departs 23 November 2025; from £1,206pp Book now Disney Cruise Line: Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Nassau, Bahamas – Castaway Cay – Fort Lauderdale, Florida Bring some magic to your Christmas with a Disney cruise. This Very Merry Christmas four-night sailing from Fort Lauderdale includes a stop on Disney's private island Castaway Cay where you can go snorkelling to discover hidden treasures underwater or even win a medal for completing a 5k run or walk around the island. There will be lots of festivities aboard Disney Dream, which will be decorated with Christmas trees, characters will be dressed for the season and you could even go carolling with Mickey and co. The ship has a Fairytale Wonderland Disney princess-themed restaurant or the more adventurous AquaDuck high-speed waterslide. Departs 22 December; from £6,788 (based on a cabin with two adults and two children) Book now P&O Cruises: Canary islands Tenerife – Lanzarote – Madeira – Gran Canaria – Tenerife See in the new year in the warmer climes of the Canary Islands. You will start in the winter sun by departing from Tenerife aboard Azura with P&O Cruises for a week in the Canary Islands sun. Passengers can marvel at the varied landscapes across the itinerary, from the volcanic views of Lanzarote to the mountains of Madeira. You will even get to watch a shore-side fireworks display from the ship during an overnight stay in Gran Canaria. Departs 26 December 2025; from £1,599pp, return flights and transfers included Book now Celebrity Cruises: Great Barrier Reef Sydney – Brisbane – Queensland – Cairns – Port Douglas – Willis Island – Sydney Enjoy the Australian summer with an 11-night cruise aboard Celebrity Edge. Departing from Sydney, this Celebrity Cruises itinerary includes an overnight stay in Cairns, giving you time to explore the Great Barrier Reef. There is also a day cruising alongside Willis Island where you could spot seabirds such as boobies, wedge-tailed shearwaters and sooty terns. Onboard, passengers can choose from nine restaurants and bars, three pools and a nightclub as well as enjoying food and drink in the famous Magic Carpet raised platform that moves up and down the side of the ship. Departs 14 January 2026; from 1,093pp Book now Celestyal: Iconic Arabia Abu Dhabi – Doha – Siri Bani Yas Island – Abu Dhabi – Fujairah – Muscat – Khasab – Abu Dhabi Sail the smooth waters of the Arabian Gulf on the seven night Iconic Arabia cruise aboard Celestyal Discovery. Departing from Dubai, this itinerary is packed with ancient history and cultural treasures from the exotic wildlife of Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates to the souks and architecture of Muscat in Oman. Onboard, the ship pays homage to its Greek routes with Mediterranean dishes and entertainment, but there are plenty of local influences such as Arabian night themed cocktails. Departs 6 February 2026; from £689pp
