- Mini cruises provide affordable, enjoyable excursions for vacationers on a budget.waiting cruise ship image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
A mini cruise is an excellent option for vacationers who are short on time and want a relaxing, entertaining and affordable excursion. United Kingdom cruise operators offer destinations throughout Europe where you can have a few hours to enjoy the sights of the port city. While at sea, enjoy dining, live entertainment and other amenities. - DFDS Seaways offers this mini cruise, which starts at 89 pounds for a cabin for two as of September 2010. While at sea, you can enjoy the ship's bars, restaurants and live entertainment, and a bus will take you into the center of Amsterdam when the ship makes port. You'll have about 5.5 hours to explore Amsterdam's attractions, which include Anne Frank's house, Museum Square and Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
DFDS Seaways Ltd.
Nordic House
Western Access Road
Immingham Dock
Lincolnshire
DN40 2LZ
0871 522 9955
www.dfdsseaways.co.uk - DFDS Seaways hosts this excursion to Esbjerg, Denmark. Cabins for the Dana Sirena start at 85 pounds for two people as of September 2010. While on board, you can enjoy the Dana Sirena's two restaurants, cocktail lounge and live entertainment. You'll have about 4.5 hours to explore Esbjerg, which features attractions including the Fisheries and Maritime Museum, the Man Meets the Sea statues and the Esbjerg Museum of Art.
DFDS Seaways Ltd.
Nordic House
Western Access Road
Immingham Dock
Lincolnshire
DN40 2LZ
0871 522 9955
www.dfdsseaways.co.uk - Fred Olsen Cruises offers this mini cruise departing from Southampton with fares that begin at 259 pounds as of December 2010. You'll sail on the Black Watch, which offers The Braemer Garden and Glentanar Restaurant for dining as well as three bars and lounges. You'll have a full day and night to enjoy the sights of Antwerp, Belguim, with the option of exploring the city independently or enjoying guided excursions, including a walking tour of Antwerp and a visit to the battlefields of Waterloo.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
PO Box 170
Orbital Park
Ashford, Kent
TN24 0ZX
08705 772299
www.fredolsencruises.com - Offered by P&O cruises, this mini cruise departs from Hull to Bruges, Belgium. You can enjoy the West End Langan's Brasserie and Four Seasons Buffet for dining on board as well as the ship's bars, live entertainment, casino and movie theater. A bus will take you to the heart of Bruges for a nine-hour excursion where you can take in a concert at Bruge's Concertbegouw, see Michaelangelo's Mother and Child at the Church of Our Lady and enjoy local delicacies including mussels and Swaentje, Bruges' traditional chocolate.
P&O Ferries
Channel House
Channel View Road
Dover
CT17 9TJ
08716 64 21 21 - P&O Cruises operates this mini cruise which sails from Portsmouth. The ship offers three restaurants, lounges, casino, children's play area, fitness center and live entertainment. You'll have about four hours to explore Bilbao, Spain, where you can visit the Guggenheim Museum or enjoy a meal and traditional hard cider from one of the local cider houses.
P&O Ferries
Channel House
Channel View Road
Dover
CT17 9TJ
08716 64 21 21
