Anchors Aweigh! Our Top Cruise Late Deals for a Last-Minute Escape
01/08/2025
Sometimes, life calls for a little course correction, a break from the autopilot of the everyday. And what better way to change direction than with a last-minute cruise that promises sun, spice, and a splash of something special? So we’ve scoured the seas and the spreadsheets to bring you four unforgettable late deals, each one ready to swap your routine for rum punches, Renaissance cities, and riverside reveries. Whether you're craving Italian cliffs, French vineyards, or tropical bliss, these ships are ready to cast off – and you should be too.
So, all aboard. Let’s weigh anchor on what’s waiting...
Fred. Olsen: Colourful Cliffside Towns of the Amalfi Coast Aboard M.S. Borealis
The Amalfi Coast isn’t just a destination – it’s a mood. This 16-night odyssey aboard the elegant Borealis is a painter’s palette of southern Europe, calling at gems like Naples, Sorrento, and Salerno with extra flair added by stops in Portugal and Spain. From the clifftop drama of Italy to the ancient backstreets of Morocco, this cruise is a Mediterranean mixtape: timeless hits, hidden treasures, and sun-soaked interludes. Add in Borealis’ refined atmosphere and thoughtful service, and you’ve got a voyage worthy of a standing ovation.
Virgin Voyages: Italy to France & Spain Aboard Scarlet Lady
This one’s for the cruisers who don’t do cruising because Scarlet Lady tears up the rulebook and throws it overboard. Starting with an overnight stay in Civitavecchia, Rome, before the real fun begins when you embark and head south to Cagliari in sun-drenched Sardinia. Spend days at sea, then curve around to Cannes for a taste of French Riviera chic, before Valencia turns the volume up and Barcelona brings it home. Think no kids, no buffets, and no set dining times, just world-class eateries, rooftop parties, and pop-up entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable. This isn’t just a cruise; it’s a floating festival for the fabulous.
Riviera Travel: Burgundy, the River Rhone and Provence River Cruise Aboard MS Thomas Hardy
Trade tide for terroir on this graceful glide through Burgundy and Provence aboard MS Thomas Hardy. Setting sail from Avignon, this seven-night river cruise is a swirl of châteaux, vineyards, and Roman ruins. Leap through Lyon, stroll through Avignon’s papal past, sip your way through Beaune, and soak up the elegance of Arles – Van Gogh’s muse. With Riviera’s expert guides and intimate onboard atmosphere, this is slow travel at its finest. No rush, no crowds, just riverbanks that feel lifted from oil paintings.
Ambassador Cruise Line: Exclusive – Tropical Autumn Escape Aboard Renaissance
Swap soggy leaves for swaying palms on this exclusive 14-night tropical escape, sailing straight into the sunshine from Manchester or Heathrow. Aboard Renaissance, you’ll touch down in Caribbean favourites like St. Kitts, Barbados, and Saint Maarten, with beach days and rum tastings baked in. Think of it as a sun-drenched sabbatical, where November means flip-flops, not fleece. And with classic cruising comforts, grown-up atmosphere, and a generous serving of sea days, you’ve got the ultimate escape pod from British winter.
Final Boarding Call...
These late deals are your lifeboat to something better or a reset button disguised as a sun lounger. Whether it’s sipping rosé on the Riviera, tracing Roman footsteps by the Rhône, or watching the Caribbean sky catch fire at dusk, these voyages are ready to sail.
But time and tide wait for no one, especially when the fares are this tempting. So, what’s your next port of call?