Find out more about our cruise specific benefits available with Free Spirit and Travel Plus.
Travel Insurance to cover for those people who are travelling solo.
We can cover most pre-existing medical conditions and disabilities.
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Several of our policies cover a range of activities as standard, find out more here.
We have policies that can provide travel insurance for UK only trips.
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Cruise holidays have become increasingly popular in recent years. For the cruise industry, it’s a cause for celebration!
The rise in popularity led to 2024 being dubbed the ‘Year of the Cruise’, with over 34 million passengers sailing off into the sunset. With the introduction of newer and larger ships, travellers have embarked on longer cruises, followed unique itineraries and docked at a greater number of desirable destinations.
Cruise specialists also state that the average age of a cruise traveller today is 55 years old, a drop of around 11 years compared to 2019 figures. The age drop could be due to the trend towards cruise holidays that include on-board and off-board experiences that suit everyone’s needs. For instance, you have the option of chilling by the pool or embarking on an action-packed adventure in an exotic location. Also, the value for money aspect of a cruise is appealing. With food, accommodation and transportation all included in one price, what’s not to like?
Whatever your reason for a cruise holiday, senior cruise-seekers are now being joined by younger sea-faring individuals, middle-aged empty nesters, and families (notably Gen X and Millennials). Together, they’re heading out across the oceans, seas and rivers to enjoy even more unique experiences!
With this in mind, what are the top cruise holidays and trends you can follow this year?
Whatever your age (or life stage), everyone relishes and appreciates a break from the norm and/or the stresses of the daily rat race. If you’re only able to escape for one to six nights, mini or short cruise holidays are an option, with itineraries that include relaxation and adventure for all! For example, the UK’s cruise capital, Southampton, offers a choice or around half a dozen liners aboard which you can take a mini or short cruise for your next sea-based getaway.
Sail across the waves to Western Europe accompanied by your partner. If you’re feeling romantic, you may want to hold hands as you gaze out to sea. Just remember to use your free hand to grab a refreshing beverage! For a relaxing pampering session, settle yourself in the onboard spa. After admiring the local architecture on excursions in destinations such as France, Germany or Italy, tuck into a wide-range of international cuisine. Those who are young (and young at heart) won’t want to miss Disney’s short cruises, which sail around Europe. Both onboard the ship or during an onshore excursion, you’ll be entertained by Broadway-style shows, fireworks and face-to-face meetings with some of your favourite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters. While Disney cruises may pop up during the summer holidays, you can also find other cruise holidays to escape the heat…
Have you considered a unique cruise experience, such as a ‘coolcation’? Coolcations, so-named as you choose to travel to a cooler destination for a holiday, have been a growing trend since 2023. Coolcation destinations saw a 300% increase in searches from 2023 to 2024. So, it’s no surprise that the Norwegian fjords are one of the top cruise locations in which to experience a cooler climate.
Temperatures rise when we head into spring and summer, but ‘cold-weather cruising’ is set to be the hottest cruise trend throughout 2026! An example of a cold-weather cruise would be an Arctic cruise around Alaska and Greenland, where you can sit and admire the rugged natural beauty, and keep a lookout for whales. Activities might include helicopter rides to peer at puffins and immersive submarine dives to see the creatures of the deep. As you can see, the popularity of cold-weather cruising is not just a desire to escape the heat. Exploring a destination that’s different from home makes for an appealing adventure for the inquisitive travellers among us. It also offers captivating opportunities to observe the unique, diverse species that populate our planet’s colder regions.
Looking for more luxurious adventures? Read on…
Ultra-Luxury Cruises focus on providing the discerning cruise-seeker with a host of contemporary indulgences and experiences from ship to shore…
On the largest vessels, a vast choice of restaurants are available to satisfy your culinary desires. These include celebrity chef options in venues where you can enjoy high-end dining, without a strict dress code. After dinner, relax in a smartly designed cabin/suite that is typically bigger than those on offer on many liners, boasting a floor plan of up to 817 square metres. Lay back and chill, taking in stunning views of the sea, sky and stars. Ultra-Luxury Cruises all sail to lesser-known, and/or highly desirable destinations, such as the Solomon Islands, French Polynesia and Greek islands in the Ionian Sea, such as Lefkada. You can embrace the heat in warm destinations, or escape to Alaska and parts of Northern Europe (Greenland) during summer for a coolcation (as mentioned above)!
Luxury cruise experiences include the opportunity to immerse yourself in a country’s culture and learn about its people and their history. Booking your passage on an expedition cruise liner enables you to tick off top bucket list destinations and activities. For instance, a cruise to Antarctica would enable you to visit penguin colonies, as you could board a helicopter to take a scenic excursion to see these famous flightless birds.
Also, cruises on smaller expedition ships offer adventurers the opportunity to visit exotic wildlife destinations, such as the Galapagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador in South America. You can also set off on coral-gazing expeditions to admire the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, as well as aquatic expeditions to see the spectacular reefs and sealife in Indonesia (Asia) and the Seychelles (Indian Ocean, East Africa).
Cruise holidays are also suitable for solo travellers too.
As a solo traveller, you can plan your choice of experiences throughout your trip. Meet new friends over dinner, or relax alone in your cosy cabin whenever you wish. Many cruise lines welcome free spirits who’ve opted for a solo cruise holiday. Some cruise lines have even started to offer solo holidays without an extra single supplement. These often feature a tailored activity programme – due to their popularity, it’s a good idea to book in advance!
On trips like these, you may get to spot dolphins from your cabin as you cruise across the ocean. On the social front, dress to impress as you’ll have cocktail parties or gala dinners to attend, at which you can chat with new acquaintances. During ‘sea days’, source your favourite beverage before attending informative seminars, or take cookery classes that’ll equip you with new recipes from the destinations you’ve visited to try at home. Onshore, choose from outdoor options ranging from hiking through rainforests to sightseeing with a tour guide.
If a bustling, super-sized cruise ship is not for you but you enjoy drifting along somewhere picturesque, how about a river cruise?
The benefit of booking a river cruise is that these trips use smaller vessels that carry fewer people than cruise liners. They’re an ideal option to escape the crowds and enjoy a little more peace while away.
Book a trip to glide along the waterways during late spring (April–May) or early autumn (September–October). For instance, why not embrace the joys of spring by setting sail through Holland? Admire blooming tulip fields and visit the colourful Keukenhof Park, famous for its fabulous floral festival. Then cruise down Dutch waterways to drop anchor at the scenic city of Amsterdam.
For a sunny summer cruise, take in the dramatic scenery on the river Douro. Often referred to as Portugal’s ‘river of gold’, sail along its banks and stop off in Régua and Pinhão to sample fine wine in the famous vineyards. Back on the river, enjoy views from panoramic windows or take a dip in the pool on the sundeck.
Have we inspired you to plan a cruise holiday this year? If you’ve yet to find your sea legs view some cruise travel tips on the Cruise Critic websiteto prepare.
At P J Hayman, we know how popular cruises are with our customers. So, we created a cruise-specific travel insurance policy that specifically covers cruise holidays.
Free Spirit Cruise has two cover levels that cover:
Discover all the benefits of Free Spirit Cruise.
Wherever your cruise holidays take you, remember to have cruise insurance to travel, with confidence.
We’re pleased to introduce Fred Olsen Travel Chichester – for the widest selection of cruise, tours and holiday options. Starting in December 2025, there will be a unique cruise or tour offering to P J Hayman clients. This month, we are introducing a wonderful river cruise experience to Asia in 2027.
At the branch, you’ll meet Roger, Katy and Gary, who’ll be eager to share their extensive cruise and travel experience with you. Choose your favourite cruise holiday, from a European trip around the Mediterranean to a paddle-steamer adventure along the Mississippi River in the USA!
Prefer land only? A holiday to the Far East with Wendy Wu Tours is the perfect trip for the adventurous at heart. This holiday is a firm favourite with our customers, covering a variety of destinations such as China, Thailand and Japan.
When you’re ready, you can book all major cruise lines and household names such as Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Viking (ocean and river cruises), Silversea, Azamara Cruises and more. All include ABTA and ATOL protection for peace of mind. Note, we are specialist agents for Ocean and River cruises the world over…
For the keenest up-to-the-minute prices plus the widest selection of cruise holiday options, call Fred. Olsen Travel, Chichester on: 01243 213104 or e-mail: chichester@fredolsentravel.co.uk.
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