CRUISE NEWS JANUARY 2026 with Woods Holidays
Mini Cruises
If you have ever wondered what cruising is like, but are worried about committing yourself to a long holiday, why not try a mini cruise? You can experience life on board, with comfortable accommodation, fine food, excellent entertainment and plenty of activities to enjoy. Wake up in new destinations and stroll to a nearby town, take an excursion to see wildlife, historical attractions or culinary experiences, or remain on board to relax and unwind on deck or at the spa.
We are convinced that once you have tried cruising, you will come back for more!
Cunard
QUEEN MARY 2
05 June 2026 | 5 nights
Inside Cabin £719pp
Outside Cabin SOLD OUT
Balcony Cabin £849pp
Southampton – Zeebrugge – Sea Day – Le Harve – Cherbourg – Southampton
Cunard
QUEEN MARY 2
24 June 2026 | 2 Nights
Inside Cabin £449pp
Outside Cabin SOLD OUT
Balcony Cabin £479pp
Southampton – Jurassic Coast (Scenic Cruising) – Southampton
Fred.Olsen Borealis
30 April 2026 | 5 Nights | Adults Only
Inside Cabin £749pp
Outside Cabin £849pp
Balcony Cabin £1399pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Rotterdam – Amsterdam (overnight) – Southampton
29 September 2026 | 4 Nights
Inside Cabin £476pp
Outside Cabin £516pp
Balcony Cabin £526pp
Southampton – Cork (overnight) – Sea Day – Southampton
Exploring the Scenic British Isles
Fred.Olsen Borealis
02 September 2026 | 11 Nights | Adults Only
Price from £1899pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Belfast, N. Ireland – Tobermory, Isle of Mull –Cruising Loch Broom – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands – Stornaway, Isle of Lewis – Cruising by Fingal’s Cave – Cruising by Dutchmans Cap – Galway, Ireland – Cruising by Cliffs of Moher – Cruising by Spike Island – Cobh (Cork) – Sea Day – Southampton
Picturesque Lochs & Isles of Scotland
Fred.Olsen Borealis
24 July 2026 | 10 Nights | Adults Only
Price from £2299pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Invergordon (for Loch Ness) –Lerwick, Shetland Islands – Kirkwell, Orkney Islands – Portree, Isle of Skye – Stornoway, Isle of Lewis – Cruising by Dutchman’s Cap – Cruising by Fingal’s Cave – Sea Day – Southampton
Around UK Cruising
British Isles
Cunard Queen Anne
09 June 2026 | 12 Nights
Price from £1699pp
Southampton – Sea Day – South Queensferry (for Edinburgh) –Invergordon (for Loch Ness) – Stornoway – Cruising by Isle of Skye –Oban – Belfast – Liverpool – Sea Day – Cobh (Cork) – Sea Day –Southampton
British Isles
P&O Aurora
22 July 2026 | 16 Nights
Price from £1829pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Cobh (Cork) – Dunmore Eastreland (Waterford) – Sea Day – Liverpool – Belfast – Greenock (Glasgow) – Sea Day – Overnight in Kirkwall – Newhaven (Edinburgh) – Sea Day –Newcastle – Sea Day – Southampton
NEW SHIP FOR 2027 SAILING FROM SOUTHAMPTON
NEW ship in the UK – First time MSC Meraviglia will sail a season from the UK
NEW destinations – including Ibiza, Gibraltar & Tangier
12 dining venues – including Ocean Cay seafood restaurant as well as Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Kaito Sushi, Teppanyaki and many more
20 bars – 15 indoor and 5 outdoor bars including Edge Cocktail Bar, Champagne Bar and Jean –Philippe Chocolat & Cafe
Thrilling Entertainment – Pools, outdoor waterpark, MSC Formula Racer, flight simulator, bowling alley, and spectacular shows
MSC Aurea Spa – A luxurious Balinese spa offering signature treatments and a thermal area to revitalise body and soul
MSC Yacht Club – A secluded sanctuary, a luxury ‘ship within a ship’ that offers 24-hour butler and concierge service, premium drinks, elegant and spacious accommodation, 24h room service, and an exclusive restaurant, lounge and pool
MSC Meraviglia will sail from Southampton from 18 May to 30 October 2027. She will offer 19 sailings ranging from 6 to 14 nights, visiting new destinations such as Ibiza, Gibraltar and Tangier in Morocco, as well as favourites such as the Canary Islands, Lisbon, Malaga and the Norwegian fjords. There is also a new Baltic Sea sailing visiting Oslo.
MSC Meraviglia builds on MSC Virtuosa’s legacy – sailing from Southampton with even more excitement and style – bigger, bolder, and ready to wow with space for over 5,700 guests. It’s your summer upgrade with more fun, more flair, and more unforgettable moments. Ready to sail into something spectacular?
MSC Meraviglia
12 June 2027 | 7 Nights
Price from £824pp
Southampton – Brest, France – Sea Day – Lisbon, (Cascais) Portugal – Vigo, Spain – Sea day –Cherbourg, (Mt. St. Michel) France – Southampton
MSC Meraviglia
24 July 2027 | 14 Nights
Price from £1759pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Gijon, Spain – Sea Day –Cádiz (Seville), Spain – Malaga, (Granada) Spain –Alicante, Spain – Ibiza, Spain – Tarragona, Spain –Sea Day – Casablanca, (Marrakech) Morocco – Sea Day – La Coruna, (Santiago de Compostela) Spain –Sea Day – Southampton
MSC Meraviglia
26 June 2027 | 8 Nights
Price from £1079pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands – Måløy, Norway, Molde, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Haugesund, Norway – Sea Day –Southampton
Escorted Cruises
At the end of June 2025, I was lucky enough to escort an amazing 77 people from all over the south on a wonderful cruise through the Norwegian Fjords on Borealis. Everyone was picked up from their door by taxi, and taken by coach to Dover to embark our cruise. It was great to chat with everyone at our exclusive cocktail party in the comfort of the Botanic Lounge, and to be able to give help and advice where needed in the Piano Bar in the afternoons. So many people reboarded their taxis at the end of the holiday saying they were converts to cruising and to Fred.Olsen! I hope you will join us on one of our future escorted cruises in 2026 & 2027.
Italy’s Scenic Riviera & Charming Cinque Terre
05 May 2026 | 17 Nights
BOREALIS | S2610
Price from £4349pp
Southampton – Three days cruising – Gibraltar –One day cruising – Palamós, Spain – Savona, Italy –Genoa, Italy (Overnight) – Portofino, Italy –Livorno, Italy – La Spezia (for Cinque Terre) Italy –One day cruising – Cartagena, Spain – Three days cruising – Southampton
Mountains, Glaciers & Fjords of Norway
18 June 2026 | 8 Nights
BOREALIS | S2614
Price from £1249pp
Southampton – Two days cruising – Olden –Cruising Nordfjord & Innvikfjord – Bergen – Ulvik –Cruising Maurangerfjord & Furebergsfossen –Sandnes – One day cruising – Southampton
Springtime Falls & Fjords of Norway
04 May 2027 | 8 Nights
BOREALIS | S2704
Price from £1099pp
Southampton – One day cruising – Cruising Lysefjord – Eidfjord – Cruising Hardangerfjord –Cruising Maurangerfjord & Furebergsfossen Waterfall – Skjolden – Cruising Lustrafjord –Cruising Sognefjord – Olden – Cruising Nordfjord –Two days cruising – Southampton
Please note: Prices and offers are subject to availability and based on two sharing an inside cabin unless otherwise stated. Prices correct at time of publication. These cruises are operated by Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, for whom Woods Holidays act as agent. The transport is provided by Woods Holidays and does not form part of the FOCL cruise package and is not covered by the FOCL bond. Full Ts & Cs are available www.fredolsencruises.com Door to door transfers by taxi and coach are included within the Woods pick up area. Escort, transport to the port and cocktail party based on minimum numbers and can be withdrawn at any time and doesn’t form part of the FOCL cruise package and is not covered by the FOCL bond.
Ambassador
NEW FROM PORTSMOUTH
Ambition, aptly named to further emphasise their commitment to inspire and delight every guest to enjoy an authentic cruise experience effortlessly, and sustainably.
Ambition will carry up to 1,200 passengers to give her a true sense of comfort and space in her 680 cabins, 125 of which have balconies and 113 are suites with up to 62m2 of living space.
Leave long airport queues behind and start your holiday as soon as you arrive at the port. Their cruises from Portsmouth offer the perfect blend of convenience, comfort and adventure.
Springtime Sunshine in Portugal & Spain
12 April 2026 | 10 Nights | AMBITION
Price from £739pp
This journey offers a blend of off-thebeaten-path treasures and signature experiences that showcase the true essence of Western Europe. Wander the streets and coastline of Leixoes and Lisbon in Portugal, and visit the historic Spanish ports of Cádiz and Vigo.
Portsmouth – At Sea – At Sea – Leixoes, for Oporto – Lisbon – Cádiz –At Sea – Vigo – At Sea – At Sea – Portsmouth
Seaside Charms:
From Cherbourg to Guernsey
19 April 2027 | 9 Nights | AMBITION
Price from £889pp
Explore castles, wander through picturesque villages, and enjoy the stunning coastal landscapes on both sides of the English Channel. Discover local culture through traditional music, hearty cuisine, and lively festivals. This getaway captures the diverse essence of landscapes, from rugged cliffs and rolling green hills to bustling port cities.
Portsmouth – Cherbourg – St. Malo – At Sea – Le Verdon, for Bordeaux –Lorient – Brest – Fowey – St. Peter Port, Guernsey – Portsmouth
Cultural Gems of the Iberian Peninsula
& France
28 April 2027 | 12 Nights | AMBITION
Price from £1169pp
This journey offers a blend of off-thebeaten-path treasures and signature experiences that showcase the true essence of Western Europe. Wander the streets and vineyards of Bordeaux and visit the historic Spanish ports of Getxo and Santander.
Portsmouth – At Sea – El Ferrol, Santander, Getxo, for Bilbao – Le Verdon, For Bordeaux – At Sea – Le Palais – Brest – At Sea – Cherbourg – Fowey –Portsmouth
Melting Horizons: A Norwegian Spring Voyage
9 April 2027 | 10 Nights | AMBITION
Price from £979pp
A breathtaking Norwegian cruise that sails through majestic fjords and charming coastal towns. Marvel at cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, and serene waters as you journey deep into the heart of Norway’s natural wonders.
Portsmouth – At Sea – At Sea –Haugesund – Eidfjord, Cruise Hardangerfjord – Stavanger, Cruise Boknafjord, Austefjorden, for Bergen – Flåm – At Sea – At Sea –Portsmouth
Burgundy, The River Rhône & Provence River Cruise
04 June 2026 | 7 Nights | MS THOMAS HARDY
Price from £3129pp
Eurostar from St Pancras – Lyon – Beaune – Vienne & Tain l’Hermitage –Ardèche Gorges – Arles & Pont du Gard – Avignon INCLUDES
Gastronomy
of The Douro River Cruise
– from Portugal to Spain
16 May 2027 | 7 Nights | MS DOURO SPLENDOUR
Price from £2499pp
Flight from London Gatwick – Porto – Pinhão – Castelo Rodrigo –Salamanca – Mateus Palace Gardens – Lamego – Porto – Flight to London Gatwick
Rhine & Main Explorer – NEW CRUISE! 17 November 2026 | 10 Nights | VIKING SKIRNIR
Price from £2545pp
Flight from London to Nuremberg – Bamberg – Würzburg –Marktheidenfeld – Frankfurt – Karlsruhe – Strasbourg – Breisach – Basel –Flight to London
INCLUDES
4
WIFI
Splendours of The Majestic Danube
11 July 2026 | 14 Nights | AROSA FLORA
Price from £3577pp
Flight from London Heathrow to Munich – Passau, Germany – Vienna, Austria – Budapest, Hungary – Mohács, Hungary – Belgrade, Serbia –Novi Sad, Serbia – Bratislava, Slovakia – Melk, Austria – Passau, Germany – Flight to London Heathrow
Imperial Cities of Morocco
15 February 2027 | 7 Nights | HHHH& HHHHH HOTELS
Price from £1999pp
Flights from London Heathrow, Escorted Tour. Explore Marrakech and enjoy visits to some of its most famous landmarks, including Jardin Majorelle and Jemaa el-Fnaa square. Experience the colonial charm of Casablanca with a visit to Hassan II Mosque.
Wander through the elegant Moroccan capital city of Rabat and see Fez’s extraordinary medina.
Lake Maggiore, Orta & Como
16 April 2026 | 7 Nights | HOTEL SIMPLON HHHH
Price from £2399pp
Flights from London Gatwick, Escorted Tour. Cruise to the enchanting islands on Lake Maggiore. Enjoy a scenic journey through the Swiss Alps through the Simplon Pass to Zermatt, seeing the Matterhorn. Explore Northern Italy’s most famous lake, the elegant Lake Como & visit one of Italy’s hidden gems, the charming Lake Orta.
South African Safari Adventure
24 May 2027 | 9 Nights | MABULA GAME RESERVE HHHHH
Price from £3899pp
Flights from London Heathrow. Escorted Tour. Experience the ultimate safari, spending your days tracking the Big Five. Morning and afternoon game drives on most days in the lodge’s private reserve. Explore the reserve on foot with a guided safari walk. Incredible stargazing experience. Small group travel style – Max 20 people on this tour.
Croatia & The Makarska Riviera
08 June 2026 | 7 Nights | HHHH HOTELS
Price from £2349pp
Flights from London Gatwick. Escorted Tour. Soak up the beauty of Croatia’s coast, explore the ancient walled cities of Zadar and Dubrovnik and discover the idyllic island of Brac.
Solo Cruising with Fred.Olsen
Cuisines & Culture of French Cities
22 May 2026 | 5 Nights | BOREALIS
Price from £1099pp
Southampton – Honfleur – Sea Day – Pauillac (for Bordeaux) – Cruise River Gironde – Sea Day – Southampton
Southern Spain & Portugal Winter Warmth
20 January 2027 | 13 Nights | BALMORAL
Price from £1619pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Vigo, Spain – Sea Day – Gibraltar –Malaga, Spain – Overnight in Cádiz, Spain – Sea Day – Matosinhos (Port of Leixões), Portugal – Sea Day – Sea Day – Southampton
France & Belgium Easter Break
25 March 2027 | 8 Nights | BALMORAL
Price from £1189pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Antwerp, Belgium – Sea Day – Cruising Seine River – Overnight in Rouen, France – Overnight in Honfleur, France –Southampton
Culture & Coastline of Italy
02 April 2027 | 18 Nights | BALMORAL
Price from £2969pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Sea Day – Cádiz, Spain – Sea Day –Sea Day – Overnight in La Spezia, Italy – Civitavecchia, Italy – Olbia, Sardinia – Alghero, Sardinia – Mahon, Menorca – Sea Day – Sea Day –Matosinhos (Port of Leixões), Portugal – Sea Day – Sea Day –Southampton
NEW INCLUSIVE PRICING
We are excited to announce that from 1st January 2026, even more is included in your cruise price when you book on a Freedom Fare with Fred.Olsen.
Alongside full-board dining, entertainment and enrichment talks, guests will enjoy complimentary guided walks ashore, shuttle buses for ports over a mile away from the ship, fitness centre access and classes. Port taxes, fees and gratuities are also included, along with our satisfaction guarantee.
Plus, they now include house beer, wine, and draught soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
Fred.Olsen have launched their brand new Premium Drinks Package for 2026 sailings, allowing you to enjoy a wide selection of premium wines, spirits and cocktails all day, every day – so you can relax and enjoy your cruise without having to worry about the bar bill.
Regions Of Northern Spain BOREALIS
21 Sept 2026 | 7 nights | S2625
Price from £949pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Santander –Getxo (for Bilbao) – Gijon – La Coruña – Sea Day Southampton
INCLUDES£25PERCABINOBC
Discovering Iceland & The British Isles BOREALIS
26 June 2026 | 13 nights | S2615
Price from £2399pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Cruising Pentland Firth – Cruising by Duncansby sea stacks –Cruising by Old Man of Hoy – Tórshavn, Faroe Islands – Cruising Cape Enniberg – Sea Day –Whale Watching on Eyjafjörður, Iceland –Akureyri, Iceland – Isafjörður, Iceland –Reykjavik, Iceland – Pass Surtsey – Cruising by Elliðaey Island – Sea Day – Cruising Sound of Mull – Tobermory, Isle of Mull – Cruising by Duart Castle, Scotland – Belfast, N. Ireland – Sea Day – Southampton
Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France BOREALIS
12 Sept 2027 | 9 nights | L2727
Price from £1149pp
Southampton – Sea Day – La Pallice (for La Rochelle), Overnight in Bordeaux – Sea Day –Overnight in Rouen – Honfleur –Southampton
INVITATION
FRED.OLSEN PRESENTATION
Thursday 26 March 2026 10.30am
Chichester Harbour Hotel
Come and meet our friendly team from Sussex Cruise Club/Woods Holidays and the wonderful Darcey from Fred.Olsen for an interesting presentation about what makes Fred.Olsen Cruises so special.
Learn more about the Fred.Olsen fleet, the latest itineraries and destinations on offer and have all your questions answered by the experts.
We will be showcasing the most up-to-date offers and having a wonderful raffle on the day.
To secure your place please call 01243 870870
There will be a small fee of £5pp with proceeds going to St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
In Search of the Northern Lights
INCLUDES£80PERCABINOBC
28 February 2027 | 14 Nights
BALMORAL | L2705
Price from £1499pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Ålesund – Sea Day crossing the Arctic Circle – Cruising Ofotfjord –Overnight in Narvik – Pilot Station Lødingen –Sortland, Vesterålen – Scenic Cruising Torghatten –Cruising seven sisters mountain range – Trondheim – Molde – Sea Day – Sea Day – Southampton
Spain Siesta & the Solar Eclipse
28 July 2027 | 11 Nights
BALMORAL | L2722
Price from £1599pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Sea Day –Gibraltar – Overnight in Cádiz – Sea Day – Vigo –La Coruña – Sea Day – Southampton
Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles
08 August 2027 | 10 Nights
BALMORAL | L2723
Price from £1399pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Rosyth, Scotland – Sea Day – Rosyth, Scotland – Lerwick, Shetland Islands – Stornoway, Isle of Lewis – Portree, Isle of Skye –Cruising Sound of Mull – Cruising Lich Hourn –cruising by Small Isles – Cruising by Duart Castle –Cruising by Fingal’s Cave, Isle of Skye – Belfast, N. Ireland – Sea Day – Southampton
Cruise at Christmas
It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas! Why not escape the hassle of the festive season and spend the holiday exploring new destinations and meeting new friends? Cruise in beautifully decorated comfortable style on a Christmas cruise to the sun or the snow. Discover the beautiful islands of the Canaries and the Caribbean, while sipping cocktails and enjoying the lavish entertainment onboard P&O’s Arvia, Fred.Olsen’s Balmoral, or Cunard’s newest ship – the beautiful Queen Anne. If you fancy a bit of Christmas closer to home, you could opt for a wintery Scandinavian adventure visiting Gdansk, Copenhagen, Oslo and Hamburg on P&O’s Aurora.
Canaries Christmas & Funchal Fireworks
22 December 2026 | 15 Nights | BALMORAL
Price from £2399pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Sea Day – Sea Day – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Santa Cruz, La Palma – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – Overnight in Funchal, Madeira – Sea Day – Overnight in Lisbon, Portugal – Sea Day –Sea Day – Southampton
Christmas & New Year Caribbean Escape
19 December 2026 | 14 Nights | ARVIA
Price from £3039pp
Flight from London to Barbados – Sea Day – Martinique – St Kitts –Tortola – St Maarten – Overnight in Antigua – Sea Day – St Lucia –Grenada – Sea Day – Barbados – Flight to London
Christmas Scandinavian Escape
15 December 2026 | 14 Nights | AURORA
Price from £1729pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark –Sea Day – Gdynia (tours to Gdansk), Poland – Sea Day – Overnight in Oslo, Norway – Sea Day – Hamburg, Germany – Sea Day – Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Belgium – Southampton
Canary Islands Celebration
20 December 2026 | 14 Nights | QUEEN ANNE
Price from £2239pp
Southampton – Sea Day – Sea Day – Sea Day – Funchal, Madeira –Sea Day – Lanzarote – Fuerteventura – Tenerife – La Palma – Sea Day –Overnight in Lisbon, Portugal – Sea Day – Southampton
Prices are correct at time of publication (January 2026). All fares and benefits in this leaflet are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. Individual tour/cruise operators Terms & Conditions apply and can be supplied on request. Offers shown are for new bookings only and cannot be added retrospectively or in conjunction with any other promotional offers. All fares are per person and are based on two people sharing the lead –in price accommodation, unless otherwise stated. There may be additional charges to pay: Fuel supplements, gratuities or taxes –please check at the time of booking. Some ports may be at anchor. Where shown, door to door transfers apply to passengers residing in the Sussex Cruise Club Pick Up Area, unless otherwise stated – please call for further details. Transfers may be by taxi or coach and may be shared. The Sussex Cruise Club is a trading name of the Woods Travel Group. E&OE.
