7 of the best cruise and stay holidays to book for 2023 & 2024

Antarctica and Argentina

When: January 10, 2023
How much: From £ 3,599 pp

It’s safe to say Antarctica is a really long way away from the UK, so if you’re making the trek there you might as well really make the most of your jaunt to the southern hemisphere.

Argentina is the most common departure point for the white continent so Paramount has twinned an Antarctic cruise onboard luxury line Celebrity Cruises with a three-night stay in the fabulous Buenos Aires.

You’ll be sailing on Celebrity Infinity and can pick your cabin of choice. If you want to save the pennies go for an inside cabin (the perks are still plentiful – you’ll get plush 100 percent cotton bathrobes, slippers and towels, premium custom-blended bath products, twice-daily housekeeping service, complimentary beach towel service and a cashmere mattress queen size bed convertible to two lower beds to name a few).

Alternatively, go all out and plump for a suite that grants you access to The Retreat complete with exclusive private restaurants, a sundeck and lounge plus a myriad of top amenities. All cabins come with complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a variety of restaurants plus 24-hour room service.

What’s included

• Return flights from the UK
• Overseas transfers
• Classic drinks package
• WiFi onboard
• Gratuities

New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville and Western Caribbean

When: February 2, 2024
How much: From £2,999pp

This 17-night cruise and stay holiday packs a hella lot in for those flying across the pond.

You’ll enjoy a two-night pre-cruise stay in New Orleans, a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise to Mexico, Honduras and Belize followed by another three nights in New Orleans, a two-night stay in Memphis and a three-night stay in Nashville. Yup, definitely bang for your buck!

You’ll be sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line onboard Norwegian Breakaway which is bursting with entertainment and options and amazing spa offerings. There are more than 25 dining experiences, including three new, dedicated seafood venues. If you splurge on a suite in The Haven you’ll get 24-hour butler service, concierge service and a private sundeck among many other benefits.

What’s included

• Premium Drinks & Dining Package on the cruise
• Return flights from the UK
• Airport & intercity transfers

Brazil and Argentina

When: February 2, 2024
How much: From £3,499pp

Explore the east coast of South America to the max with a three-night Buenos Aires stay in Argentina before cruising to Montevideo, Uruguay and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil where you can celebrate Carnival – a party like no other complete with extravagant parades, steel drum bands, bedazzled samba dances and no end of incredible costumes; it’s definitely one for the bucket list!

Not to worry if you feel slightly worse for wear post-carnival – a luxury, all-inclusive 12-night cruise awaits with Azamara cruise line onboard Azamara Quest. Staterooms feature contemporary décor, luxurious linens, plush cotton robes and slippers, French bath products, fresh flowers, turndown treats, and 24-hour room service while elsewhere you’ll find seven restaurants, cafes, and lounges, a swimming pool, a revitalising spa and more.

What’s included

• Overnights onboard in Rio de Janeiro
• Return flights from the UK
• Overseas transfers
• ATOL & ABTA Protected

Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

When: January 30, 2024
How much: From £2,699pp

This cruise and stay holiday 2024 is perfect for anyone looking to visit multiple destinations in south-east Asia in the one getaway. A big advantage of this package holiday is that travellers benefit from a six-night Cambodia tour on a half-board basis so you can learn even more about this amazing country, from its rich history and wonderful architecture to iconic landscapes and local food.

After a two-night hotel stay in Singapore (on a B&B basis) you’ll take a 12-night all-inclusive cruise with Celebrity Cruises onboard Celebrity Solstice. The cruise ship boasts stylish accommodations (including Concierge Class staterooms and spa-inspired AquaClass with exclusive clean cuisine dining at Blu), The Retreat experience with private restaurant dining and 24/7 lounge, the most awarded wine collection at sea, a spa and so much more.

What’s included

• Class drinks package
• Wi-Fi package
• Gratuities
• All flights & overseas transfers
• ATOL & ABTA protected

UAE and the Maldives

When: January 6, 2023
How much: From £ 2,999pp

Explore the best of the Indian Ocean and twin the ultra-modern metropolis of Dubai with the natural beauty of the Maldives on this 14-night cruise and stay holiday 2023.

Cruising on an all-inclusive basis with MSC Cruises you’ll take in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, Dammam (Saudi Arabia) and Doha before returning to Dubai. The sailing is onboard the brand new MSC World Europa (due to launch in November 2022) which is MSC’s most sustainable and futuristic cruise ship yet. It’s home to 13 dining venues, seven swimming pools, the largest waterpark in the fleet and 19 different cabin categories.

Then it’s off to the sun, sea and sand paradise that is the Maldives for a five-night all-inclusive stay at Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives. Here all rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screens and minifridges, tea and coffeemakers, and terraces or balconies while upgraded accommodations offer living rooms, hot tubs, private pools and/or butler service. There are five restaurants and two bars as well as two infinity pools, a spa and a kids’ club, a gym and tennis courts; water sports include kayaking and waterskiing.

What’s included

• Premium extra drinks package onboard
• Gratuities
• Speedboat transfers
• Return flights from the UK
• Overseas airport/port transfers

Indonesia and Singapore

When: November 21, 2023
How much: From £2,899pp

This cruise and stay holiday 2023 offers the ultimate exploration of Indonesia. First up there’s a three-night stay in Singapore before you board Holland America Line ship MS Westerdam.

The cruise visits Tanjung Priok, Jakarta; Probolinggo, Java; Komodo Island; Lembar, Lombok; Benoa (Denpasar), Bali; Celukan Bawang, Bali; Surabaya; and Semarang, Java. A huge perk of this voyage is that it includes two shore excursions per guest (up to the value of $100 each) so you can truly get out to explore.

Westerdam features top bar, entertainment and dining venues, completely reimagined suites plus numerous live entertainment offerings, a spa, a casino and a kids’ club.

What’s included

• Signature beverage package
• 2 nights of speciality dining
• Wi-Fi surf package
• 2 shore excursions per guest (up to the value of $100 each)
• Overseas transfers
• Return flights from the UK

Italy and the Holy Lands

When: May 4, 2023
How much: From £1,899pp

Visit multiple ports of call across the Mediterranean on this 14-night cruise and stay holiday. You’ll get a two-night Rome hotel stay followed by a 12-night full-board cruise with Royal Caribbean. Stops include Limassol, Cyprus; Jerusalem, Israel; Haifa, Israel; Ephesus, Turkey; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Naples (Capri), Italy before returning to Rome.

The cruise is onboard Odyssey of the Seas which has numerous dining options, from Italian cuisine at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and match-day classics at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade to Mexican street food at the poolside at El Loco Fresh and Fast East fare at Teppanyaki.

Entertainment is bountiful also – think bumper cars, glow-in-the-dark laser tag and a games arcade as well as a surf simulator and bungee trampoline.

What’s included

• Overseas transfers
• Return flight to the UK
• ABTA & ATOL Protected