WHETHER you're a sea veteran or a first-timer, a cruise can be a boat-load of fun.
From the stunning Greek island of Santorini to the bright lights of Shanghai, cruises in the Mediterranean and Asia have a lot to offer.
Mediterranean
Fashion Director Tracey Lea Sayer, husband Lewis, and kids Frankie, 15, and Louis, eight, explored the best of the Greek islands.
THE SHIP: P&O’s Oceana has small but perfectly formed balcony cabins with en- suites, a TV and a fridge. There’s also activities such as table tennis, archery and kids’ clubs to keep the family entertained 24/7. As the sun sets, hop into the hot tub or glam up for black-tie or disco night.
EXPLORE: Fly to Malta to board the ship, before hitting the first port of call the following day. Piraeus is just outside the Greek capital, so take a sightseeing bus to Athens and check out the Acropolis. The trip costs £70 for a family of four.
The next day you’ll dock in Souda Bay, Crete. Take a taxi, £8.50, to Chania for ice cream and stroll around the Venetian harbour. Book a catamaran excursion in Santorini, £105 for adults, £99 for kids, to the volcanic ruins (Mysantorini.com).
In Rhodes, visit Palace of the Grand Masters in the old town, entry £5.
REFUEL: For breakfast, try Oceana’s Cafe Jardin’s buttermilk pancakes and Mediterranean baked eggs.
The Horizon Grill serves burgers and fries at lunch, and don’t miss Hawaiian night at The Beach House come evening (there’s a charge of £7.50 per person). Start with piri piri chicken, followed by ribs.
DON'T MISS: On Gala Dinner nights, enjoy a menu specially created by Marco Pierre White.
BOOK IT: P&O’s seven-night Mediterranean cruise costs from £949 per adult or child full-board, including flights (Pocruises.com).
Asia
Writer Kate Wills and pal Ella cruised around China and Japan.
THE SHIP: Royal Caribbean’s new liner Spectrum Of The Seas is full of surprising activities, such as sky-diving, a climbing wall and a surfing simulator. There’s also karaoke, live shows and a spa.
The ocean-view bedrooms are compact but expertly designed, and each has a private balcony.
EXPLORE: After an 11-hour flight from London to Shanghai, gaze at skyscrapers on The Bund, a mile-long stretch of waterfront promenade, before boarding.
Then relax in the adults-only pool and Jacuzzis and watch on-board musical Silk Road. First stop is Okinawa, Japan, where you have a day to explore the red Shurijo Castle and snorkel along the coast.
There’s another day of cruising back to Shanghai, so try the ship’s bumper cars and stock up on K-beauty face masks!
REFUEL: The local cuisine on board is delicious. Try the Teppanyaki restaurant, where you dip meat, fish and veggies into a giant hot soup. Sichuan Red is the place to eat the spiciest noodles, or for worldwide cuisine, try Windjammer.
DON'T MISS: The North Star is a round glass capsule that takes you 300ft up on the shop for panoramic views of the ocean. And try a cocktail shaken by a robot at The Bionic Bar.
BOOK IT: Spectrum Of The Seas’ four-night Best Of Nha Trang cruise costs from £467 per person, flights not included (Royalcaribbean.co.uk). British Airways flies from London to Shanghai for £800 return (Ba.com).
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