The Best of British

Are you a bit bored with the likes of Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise line, MSC and the other non British brands offering the same itinerary year after year?

Well 2015 is the year that cruise.co are promoting the Best of British and heavily advertising fantastic itineraries with the likes of Fred. Olsen, Thomson Cruises and Cruise and Maritime Voyages. Of course the beloved P&O and semi British Cunard are still among our favourites, but their itineraries tend to be the same year after year and they are actually owned by a large US brand Carnival Group.

Fred. Olsen, Thomson and C&M are smaller British companies that still offer that traditional cruise feel (the one I have harped on about for a while now) and offer itineraries that some of the other companies neglect to offer. Be that because their ships are just too large or because of political reasons they cannot sail in to various ports. Cuba being an idea of this.

Starting with Fred. Olsen, cruise.co have worked with this company for many a year especially with the ever popular Garden Groups. With 4 ships and a passenger capacity of between 804-1350 they offer a very wide range of itineraries from around Europe, the Caribbean, the Far East and beyond. They have the luxury of berthing in smaller ports and on some itineraries offer overnight stays. They are renowned for their extremely helpful and happy staff, great service, wonderful food and great British entertainment. They also offer a policy that if you are a 1st time cruiser with Fred. and you do not think the cruise is for you within your first couple of days, they will take you off the ship, fly you home and reimburse you with your cruise cost. Now that’s a fantastic guarantee that they are confident that you will enjoy your cruise with Fred. Olsen.  Click on this link to see more details and itineraries with Fred. Olsen

Thomson, or also known as Tui, have been around forever and a day as a British tour operator. Again their ships are smaller and they offer a variety of itineraries with some sailings from UK ports. They are predominantly a flycruise company and their advantage is they fly from all UK regional airports on their own planes. The majority of these ships do not have balconies, but they again focus their cruises on entertainment, so who’s worried about a balcony when you are hardly ever in the cabin? With all inclusive options that can be added or even a cruise and stay option pre or post cruise in one of their many resorts.  What is not to like? Click on this link to see more details and itineraries with Thomson Cruises

Cruise & Maritime Voyages, probably not as well known as the previous two above, but growing within the British cruise market, with the recent acquisition of their new ship the Magellan added to their fleet, they now have 4 cruise ships along with their venture of 3 ships in river cruising. If you have seen my previous blog Marco Polo Still going strong at 50 you will know that I was mightily surprised at how much I liked this company. Again small ships with the advantage of being able to dock into smaller ports that cannot be accessed by the big boys. With great food and entertainment and some unusual itineraries with the added bonus of being adult only ships, they are certainly worth a look. They do not offer a drinks package like the others do but they have very reasonable priced drinks and items from the duty free shops on board to purchase. Click on this link to see more details and itineraries with C&M Voyages

So to sum up, 2015 is they year for the Brits and with sailings from various UK departure points including Newcastle, Liverpool, Dundee, Belfast, Bristol, Dover, Tilbury and good old Southampton, flights from upto 19 UK airports (Thomson Cruises) it’s time for these small ships to make a big mark on the cruising world map.

You may be surprised and discover a new way to cruise…

Dawn

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