Cruise companies were one part of the travel sector to be hit the hardest by covid restrictions. But with everything finally beginning to open up fully, holidaymakers are increasingly keen to return to cruising and major firms have released a range of discounts and deals for this summer to encourage them further.
TUI, Disney, Princess and more have revealed their sales for the year ahead, as well as some special deals as the travel industry returns to normal. Fans of international cruises are already aware of the benefits of a cruise. Both the luxurious facilities on the ship that offer amazing food and a wide range of things to do that mean you can be as active or relaxed as you like, all while seeing sights in a variety of places with minimal stress and hassle of moving between destinations.
Cruise companies including Viking, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and a host of others launched UK-only cruises last summer so guests could enjoy the facilities without moving into international waters, which means a whole new group of people have had their first taste of life onboard.
Offers for 2022 from the major cruise lines vary by company, but here's some of the best deals available right now.
Marella Cruises with TUI
The cruise brand of TUI, arguably the UK's biggest holiday company, Marella is offering a substantial and simple discount for anyone tempted by one of its trips. Use the code CRUISE300 to get £300 off any cruise booking on departures between May 1 2022 and April 30 2023, including existing deals on the site.
There's no minimal booking value and it includes destinations world wide. The cruises also offer fee-free changes for all holidays leaving before October 31 2022 right up to day of departure if you can't travel because of Covid-19.
If you're happy to travel on last minute deals there are even more savings to be had. See Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cuba and Mexico on a stunning Flavours of the Caribbean cruise with almost a third off the price.
Flying out of Birmingham on March 29, an all inclusive inside cabin on the Marella Explorer 2 is now £1,113 each, a discount of £597 per person. Other special offers include up to £500 an 18-night Voyage To The Tropics adults only cruise which departs Birmingham Airport on December 4 and takes in Malaga, Lanzarote and Tenerife before heading towards stops in Cape Verde, Antigua, St Kitts, Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Grenada and Barbados.
Currently £2,000 a person on an all inclusive basis - which includes all tips - use the code GPRM22K8T to get a further £500 off.
MSC Cruises
If you're desperate for some sunshine and want to get away now then MSC Cruises has some brilliant deals on spring cruises available for departures in the next month or so - including over Easter. For the ultimate sunshine break, a four day trip around the Caribbean and Antilles currently starts from just £299 per person, including full board, all port taxes, service charges and gratuities.
Join the MSC Divina at Port Canaveral in Orlando on April 10 and then travel to Nassau in the Bahamas before heading onto MSC's stunning private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. Feel like you need longer to soak up the experience? Prices start from £369 per person for a seven night summer cruise.
If you want to minimise costs while you're away there is also currently a range of deals with a Premium Extra drinks package on cruises on selected dates throughout 2022. Prices start from £499 on cruises to Northern Europe departing the UK or enjoy a week sailing the Mediterranean from £568, although they're also available without the drinks deal.
Have you been working as a health worker during covid? Well there's one other reasons why MSC might be the deal for you - they're offering all health workers 30% off bookings as a special 'thank you' promotion.
If you do book with MSC make sure that you scope out any additional pre-departure discounts offered - it's another great way to save money on things you know you'll pay for while you're away, as well as spreading the cost in advance.
Currently savings include 20% off excursions, 35% off other dining and drink packages, 40% off spa treatments and 20% off wifi access.
Disney Cruise Lines
If you're yearning for life on the open waves but a bit of special Disney pixie dust appeals too then Disney Cruise Lines is the perfect option. Disney, whether at its theme parks or on its cruises, doesn't need to offer large cash discounts to tempt travellers, instead tends to offer a range of perks and deals as add-ons to the booking.
Deals vary but one of the best for people looking to take a cruise as part of a longer Floridian holiday is a cruise and stay option for summer 2022.
It includes seven nights at Disney's Coronado Springs resort (including a free night), a seven day Disney World park ticket including free Memory Maker photo package and a 3-night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Wish.
The cruise element is full board (including unlimited snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee), all child activities, musicals and entertainment, transfers between the hotel and the port and all government taxes, fees and port charges for £1,508 per person.
Princess Cruises
Renowned for their exciting award-winning itineraries, Princess Cruises has unveiled a range of deals for 2022 departing from Southampton to the Canary Islands, Spain, France, Portugal, Scandinavia and around the British Isles as well as fly-cruises around the Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Alaska, Canada and New England and the Caribbean.
A five-day Caribbean getaway departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a stop in Mexico is from £399 a person for an interior cabin departing on November 23. Meanwhile a 10-day Southern Caribbean break docking at six ports starts at £699 a person departing on November 19.
If you're planning ahead for 2023 then Princess are also offering up to $500 per couple free onboard spend, plus free parking or coach transfers for European cruises departing Southampton.
