Best cruise booking tips and cruise destinations in the North Seas with cruisebooking.com: Ready to book your next — or first — cruise and not sure whether booking online would be too big of an undertaking? You’re not alone. Though the vast majority of travellers book their trips through online booking services and even via their phones, cruise travel is a different animal altogether. It can be a lot trickier to choose a ship, cabin type and dinner seating arrangements than it is to simply click a button and book a hotel room. But armed with the right information, booking a cruise online could be an ideal option for many travellers.
Beyond the obvious natural scenery, Greece has an incredible history and culture. A sailing holiday here could involve visits to ancient ruins and world-famous landmarks. The country is also known for its delicious food and excellent produce – something that makes docking at a port a whole lot more enjoyable. Greece covers a massive 6000 islands! For anyone planning an extensive sailing holiday – this offers an enormous number of places to visit and cruise between. Whatever kind of destination you may be after, there should be an island in Greece that will suit you. As Greece covers a fairly extensive area to cruise, here are two top parts of the country for a yacht holiday. Thanks to our COVID-19 cancellation insurance, you don’t have to stress whether your travel plans will be affected due to COVID-19. Here are some of the reasons why you should book your Mediterranean yacht cruise in 2021 with IntersailClub: Flexible ReschedulingIf you have to change your travel plans because you cannot get to your departure destination due to COVID-19 travel disruption, you can either: Receive a credit for the deposit paid, which you can use in the next 12 months or Reschedule your charter for alternative dates. Discover extra info on book a cruise.
At the moment, the official event calendar for summer 2021 gives as confirmed some parties in July-September period. Events organised under the most strict anti-Covid measures and with limited assistance so, most likely it will be possible to enjoy, even if not 100%, discotheques and clubbing. Ibiza, the second smallest of the Balearic Islands, is one of the world’s most attractive islands, a gathering point for countless celebrities from the worlds of fashion, cinema, music and sport. The wonderful thing about the so called “White Island” is that it has as many faces and provides as many options as visitors can desire: beautiful safe white sand beaches, cosy coves, a relaxing inland with rural villages, lively coast towns with a rich heritage and the best nightlife you could ever dream of. Talamanca beach – a 900m (2,952ft) curve of pale yellow sand giving onto tranquil turquoise waters – enjoys a superb location just a couple of miles outside Ibiza town. As you’d expect, then, this is a touristy beach and is packed during the summer months with visitors from all over the world. But locals come here, too, as much for the lively chiringuitos as for the bathing. Talamanca boasts a fantastic range of beach bars along its length, from Flotante – the Ibizans’ hangout of choice – to the upmarket Harbour Club and the Club Talamanca, the latter of which does a mean pizza. The Best Time for Mediterranean Yacht Cruises? Summer is the best time to visit the Mediterranean, and it is definitely the high travel season in this part of Europe. The millions of people from all around the world flock to the Mediterranean’s beaches during summer months for much-deserved summer break due to the region’s pleasant climate. The summers in the Mediterranean are sunny and hot, and the sea is warm. However, the best time for Mediterranean yacht cruises is late spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October) when the temperatures and the sea are pleasurably warm, days are sunny, and the crowds in popular destinations are far fewer than in summer.
Those who start from the east and sail to the northern coast, or who want to sail to the Aeolian Archipelago should not underestimate the Strait of Messina. This sea area is difficult to navigate, primarily because of strong, constantly changing currents. In addition, the frequent ferry and ship traffic demands a lot of attention. The Strait of Messina is not suitable for beginners and could be problematic for less experienced crews. The most important ports in the area are: Trapani, Marsala, Marina di Ragusa, Marzamemi, Syracuse, Catania, Taormina, Reggio Calabria, Tropea, Vibo Valentia, Milazzo, Porto Rosa, Sant Agata, Cefalu, Palermo, Lipari, Salina and Riposto.
A sailing trip here will offer you some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe. The World Heritage-listed fjords were formed by glaciers (during the last ice age) and today they are a dramatic sight where tranquil blue waters gently lap at lush green shores which rise to majestic granite peaks. Gaze at picturesque villages, isolated farms and gushing waterfalls on your journey through the deep dark waters.
From April to October, Sicily enjoys one long Mediterranean summer, which means low rainfall, northwesterly breezes, and temperatures hitting 30C (86F) in July and August. It rarely gets hotter at sea. Winds pick up in mid-summer to a regular 10 knots and frequently tail off each evening. Novice sailors should avoid the far windier Straits of Messina between Sicily and mainland Italy. Especially as there’s so much to see in northern Sicily and the Aeolian islands. Sicily has two equally busy airports. Aeroporto di Palermo Falcone e Borsellino is a 30-minute cab ride to Palermo’s marinas via the ritzy seaside resort of Mondello. Aeroporto di Catania–Fontanarossa sits under the shadow of Mount Etna in eastern Sicily, serving the northeastern marinas closest to the Aeolian islands. Read extra details at cruisebooking.com.
Iceland is the perfect playground for those who love nature and wildlife. This island country is famed for its dramatic natural landscapes with towering mountains, magnificent fjords, geothermal springs, and volcanoes to discover. There’s also a wonderful array of wildlife to be found here. Humpback whales can often be spotted breaching in icy waters, and native birds soar in the skies overhead. An adventure cruise is a great way to see the mesmerising landscapes of Iceland, and a wonderful two-week trip in September 2023 will take you to many highlights of this magical country. Making the trip extra special is the chance to meet weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who will join you on an excursion and give an insightful talk and Q&A in Reykjavik.