If you're looking forward to getting back on a ship as much as we are the recent news from P&O Cruises will have been music to your ears. P&O will look to offer a series of short break and week-long UK cruises as "the ultimate escape" staycation this summer. The exact dates and itineraries of these sailings have yet to be published, however, they are set to go on sale later in March so drop us a message if you're interested and we'll be in contact as soon as they're released.

Despite having yet to set sail with actual customers, Virgin Voyages is pushing ahead with its quest to change the world of cruising. Celebrating International Women's Day, it was announced that its third newbuild will be named Resilient Lady and will set sail from Athens, Greece. She'll be embarking on two, seven-night itineraries starting in July 2022, a Greek Isles voyage to Santorini, Rhodes, Crete and Mykonos where she'll overnight to make the most of the island's nightlife, and a second Adriatic itinerary to Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu and Argostoli.

Having only just left the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, a couple of weeks ago, Odyssey of the Seas is now preparing to embark on her maiden season sailing from the port of Haifa in Israel. Royal Caribbean announced the upcoming sailings, which have gone on sale to residents of Israel this week, offering a combination of 3-to-7-night escapes visiting the Greek Isles and Cyprus.

Cunard will be celebrating a century of pioneering ocean travel in 2023 with a series of sailings around the world, as the historic cruise line marks 100 years since RMS Laconia completed Cunard’s first-ever World Voyage. Queen Victoria will embark on a 101-night world cruise, visiting 26 ports in 20 countries, ten of which RMS Laconia originally called at over 100 years ago. All voyages will go on sale for Cunard World Club members (who also receive a 5% discount) from 1 pm, on Tuesday 16 March 2021, with general sale opening up the next day.

If you're travelling halfway around the world you really ought to explore both Australia and New Zealand, so we've put together the ultimate all-inclusive cruise package that does exactly that. After a 3-night Sydney stay you'll cruise around New Zealand's north and south islands before heading back to Australia and discovering Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Your 22-night cruise also includes a classic drinks package, WiFi and onboard gratuities. Book this once-in-a-lifetime adventure today with a low deposit of just £300 pp.

Don't leave it to the last minute. When it comes to your cruise holiday there are plenty of activities that you will be able to pre-book before you go. From shore excursions to speciality dining, you'll be able to get these booked up well before you set sail. From the moment you book you'll be given your reservation number which you will be able to use to go on and plan your onboard activities on your chosen cruise line's website. The sooner you register your account the better as they will often send out special offers and discounts for various pre-booked packages.