All aboard: the Cruise and stay difference

Unsure about committing to a full cruise holiday? That's where Cruise and Stay holidays shine, offering the best of both land and sea in one trip, explains Retail Partnership Executive Josh Naylor.

If you're on the fence about cruising, our Cruise and Stay options are a wonderful choice, combining some of the world's best ports of call with a week or two spent ashore.

On a traditional cruise holiday, you start and end where the ship does, but adding in time before setting sail or after docking makes even more of your holiday. Whether you're after 'big ship' cruising with something to entertain the whole family, the charm of an experiential tall ship (with fewer than 200 guests) or an ultra-luxury small ship that rivals even the top land-based resorts, we can offer personal and expert recommendations.

How about an action-packed family week at Orlando's theme parks combined with a short Caribbean cruise stopping at Royal Caribbean's private destination Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas? Or see Alaska's raw beauty up close from the comfort of a Holland America Line ship and add on a land based legendary journey such as the Rocky Mountaineer to create a truly unforgettable rail and sail itinerary. Or travel to see Australia's monumental Red Centre after a cruise along Australia's east coast.

Land and See

A small-ship Greek Islands experience is ideal for those wanting to uncover those hidden gem islands far from the tourist crowds. Expect extended stays in port on these itineraries, where you can linger for longer and soak up the atmosphere by dining on local dishes at a small taverna or strolling along the beach.

There's plenty of sports, games and activities for children of all ages on cruise ships, but if you top and tail your trip with city visits there's even more to enjoy. Kids can become gladiators for a day in Rome, learning history the fun way, or make like James Bond on a themed tour through Istanbul.

For many of our cruise and stay packages, we can seek out fares that offer exceptional value, allowing us to choose our own flights (including low-cost) and in the best hotels to suit you. This may make better sense than the packages created by cruise lines that usually have fixed flights, hotels and durations. There's a cruise for everyone, and we'll go the extra mile to create a truly memorable holiday. Whether you want to continue exploring or simply unwind, a Cruise and Stay holiday gives you huge flexibility of choice.

Josh’s three top cruise picks

Best for families:

Best for value:

Best for top-tier luxury:

Ready to set sail? Download our Cruise and Stay brochure.

This article was created on 9th September 2025. The information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.