I know we’ve only just returned from New York but Sam and I are already planning our next “big” holiday. We feel like by now we’ve ticked off all the cheap and cheerful places – we’ve been to almost every Greek Island, Spain, France, Ireland, Portugal, Turkey, and most recently Croatia. We’ve worked out that we’ve been to 15 countries together, some of them more than once so have had our fair share of holidays. We tend to spend around £300 on a cheap all-inclusive week abroad and although that’s more than OK with us, friends and family will say we’re the biggest tight arses around when it comes to money. And I’d have to agree with them. We’re really wanting to start going further afield and explore this beautiful world before you know, settling down and having a family of our own.
One of the holidays we’re considering our next “big trip” is a cruise. Now this isn’t something we’ve always wanted to do, or something that’s been on our bucket list for years like a lot of places. But somehow it’s worked it’s way up there – almost to the top – in the last year or two. We thought cruises were for “old people”, a fancy way to enjoy retirement, which really isn’t the case.
Think about it, spend a week, two weeks, even three weeks on a fancy ship. Soaking in the sun. Eating and drinking to your hearts content. Dancing the night away. All whilst being taken to multiple beautiful countries whilst you sleep, including a lot of Hidden Gems that you’d never have thought of visiting before. Tick 5-10 countries off your list at once, and these people know, you’ll go to the best of the best, the most stunning, picturesque parts of those countries. We’ve seen it first hand, the cruise ships pulling into the Santorini Harbours or Dubrovnik City – even pulled into New York alongside the Statue of Liberty.
We’ve been scrolling through various websites and there’s so so so so much to choose from. From Spain, even Southampton to St. Lucia and the Maldives. The ones that stand out to us the most are obviously the Caribbean Cruises but these are also the most expensive – by a long shot – and the longest. And who’s going to know if we love cruising or not? The question is – do we just go all out on a Caribbean cruise for 2-3 weeks? Or do we “break ourselves in” a little on a European Cruise first?
After scrolling through the Bolsover Cruise website for a little longer we’d like to admit these are the ones that stand out to use the most. Our Dream Cruise Destinations.
Greece – Europe, Mediterranean – stopping at Malta, Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes and Heraklion. Greece is one of our favourite places to visit and as I’ve mentioned above we’ve already visited quite a few of the Greek Islands. However we’re yet to visit the Greek mainland and I would love to tick Athens off my list.
Belgium and Guernsey – stopping at Southampton, Brugge, and St. Peter Port (Guernsey).
Spain, Monaco and Italy – stopping at Southampton, Cadiz, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Cartagena, Spain and Gibraltar. There’s so many places on this cruise that I’m yet to visit, including Rome which has been high on my list for many years. I’m yet to visit Italy whatsoever and something needs to be done about this…
Carnival Glory – stopping at Miami, Grand Turk, San Juan (Puerto Rico), St. Thomas and Amber Cove (Dominican Republic). What a dream.
Greenland – stopping at Southampton, Stornoway, UK, Reykjavik, Qaqortoq, Nuuk, Isafjordur, Akureyri, Thorshaven and Greenock (Glasgow). No I don’t know where any of those places are either but sounds good right?
Now when I started writing this, I was adamant I was going to decide on a Caribbean Cruise, almost 100% certain. But the more I’ve been researching, the more the “local” cruises are standing out to me. I really love the idea of the Spain, Monaco and Italy Cruise as well as the Greenland Cruise, both operated by P&O Cruises. Both these Cruises are full of places that I’m yet to visit, including ones I’ve never even heard of on the Greenland Cruise. Also the fact these cruises leave from Southampton really stands out to me, I can’t believe that you can hop on a boat from a UK port and end up all the way in Monte Carlo, or Rome. Time to get saving – I wonder where we’re going to end up?
You can find all of the above cruises on the Bolsover Cruise website. I haven’t linked them directly as cruises are by date/availability so this will change over time but you’ll be sure to find everything you’re looking for and more. There’s some really good last minute deals on there at the moment that caught my eye!
Which one would you choose? What are your Dream Cruise Destinations?
Until next time,
Brian says
I would choose Greece. It has been near the top of my bucket list for many years now. Greenland sounds like fun too!
Ami says
Greece is such a wonderful country. I hope you get a chance to visit one day!
Ami xxx
Jennifer Prince says
I would do the Spain, Monaco, Italy one – mostly because my husband hasn’t been. I haven’t been to Spain, and it is on my bucket list for sure!
Ami says
That one sounds perfect doesn’t it!
Ami xxx
David Allen Elliott says
Those look like some pretty great places when it comes to a cruise. I have wanted to go to the Caribbean some day for sure.
Ami says
It’s definitly one at the top of my list. Maybe one day!
Ami xxx
Sigrid Says says
A cruise is really something that I would like to do with my family, even if it’s just here around Asia. Of course, I would still want to go to Europe or the Caribbean for that matter.
Ami says
I think it’s a great way to spend quality time with your family, you’re trapped on a boat out to sea at the end of the day (hehe). Caribbean would be amazing wouldn’t it!
Ami xxx
Simple Indian Mom says
Loved the travel you’ve done especially in Greece, amazing scene and stunning architecture. Nice post 🙂
Ami says
I feel so lucky to have been able to travel so much! Thank you.
Ami xxx
fashionandstylepolice says
I would want to go on a cruise. I have wanted to do so for years now. Definitely on my travel bucket list.
Ami says
It was never something I really wanted to do but I’m desperate too now!
Ami xxx
Mum says
Hiya – really enjoyed reading your latest post which has encouraged me to start looking for August hols. Would choose Spain, Italy although as you mentioned rough choice as so many beautiful places to visit xx
Ami says
Thank you Mum. Ohh you’ve been saying about Italy for a while, I’d say Venice like you were planning last year. So much of the world still to see.
Ami xxx
Geraline Batarra says
Wow! This is such a great post. Loved the travel you’ve done especially in Greece, amazing scene and stunning architecture it’s very detail.
Ami says
Thank you! Greece is beautiful! I want to tick all of the islands off of my list. There’s so many!
Ami xxx
Renata - www.bymyself.com says
A big cruise is a brilliant idea – but not on a cruise liner. These things destroy the oceans – and they also totally destroy cities. In Venice, there is a big movement against cruise liners from the people who live there.
Europe can be travelled so comfortably – and very cheap! – by trains and even buses. I believe we do also ourselves a favor when we travel a bit more sustainability-oriented; saying this as a travel blogger…. 😉
Ami says
Thank you for this information. Unfortunately pollution is a problem on all forms of travel, whether that be planes, trains, cars or ships.
Ami xxx
Elizabeth O says
Oh wow you chose some stunning dream destinations. Many I would love to visit too and a cruise is such a great way to visit a few all at once! I hope you manage to achieve all the dream destinations.
Ami says
That’s what I was thinking, ticking loads of places off at once.
Ami xxx
Laura Dove says
Oh wow that sounds like my dream too! We have never done a cruise although I would love to! Im just not sure my dream holiday involves 4 very ‘excitable’ children just yet, maybe in a few years!
Ami says
Oh I can imagine that to be a little manic. I hope you get to go on one one day! We’re hoping to fit ours in before the excitable children come along.
Ami xxx
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I have always wanted to visit Greece! It occupies spot #1 on my bucket list right now. Spain is also a great vacation destination. The Spain-Monaco-Italy cruise would be perfect!
Ami says
Greece is beautiful but there’s so much to see. We’ve been three times now but there’s still so many islands to visit!
Ami xxx
Ann Snook says
OMG, I just went on my first cruise in April and it was amazing! I did get a little seasick but the ship and the ports were amazing! We went on a tour of the Caribbean and it was so beautiful.
Ami says
Ahh that’s so good to hear that you loved it! Fingers crossed I won’t get seasick, I’m usually OK in big boats, tried kayaking in the sea though and only lasted 10 minutes!
Ami xxx