CRUISING COASTAL CITIES- A GREAT CHOICE

Over the last few years, one of the great growth areas in UK based cruising has been in the number of ships offering coastal cruising along the waterways of Northern Europe. With durations from as short as three days to more than a dozen, it is a concept that has gained real momentum in the last ten years in particular.

There are obvious reasons why these short jaunts are so popular; you neatly side step the increasing hassle of airports, and sail on generally calm, scenic rivers most of the way. As a plus, you get to spend days (and often overnights as well) in such fascinating cities as Hamburg, Amsterdam, Antwerp and Rouen. And you get to do it all on an almost all inclusive, full board moving hotel at a price and value point that no land based establishment could even hope to get near.

The prices generally pans out as far cheaper than on a conventional river cruise. And of course, the on board facilities and entertainment are always far more extensive than on any river boat. And, of course, you have far more dining options- including that of dining out ashore on some evenings, if the mood takes you.

And boy, do you get to see the sights. From historic, gabled Rouen, with its connections to Joan of Arc to pretty, pastel shaded Honfleur, with its fleets of fishing boats bobbing idly at anchor. Amsterdam, at once both stately and sturdy with its lace like canals and beetling yellow trams, and proud, peerless Hamburg, with it's Gothic spires and gorgoeus Alster Lakes, are all moving, magnificent adventures in their own right.

So, who goes there, then? You'll find that borh Fred. Olsen and Cruise and Maritime Voyages feature a smart, attractively priced range of just such coastal and river forays right throughout the year. And few things beat the very real thrill and sense of wonder of shopping in the Christmas markets on the continent, before returning to the ship for a welcome glass or two of hot, mulled wine and maybe a gentle soak in an upper deck Jacuzzi.

The only potential downside is that all of these cruises sail from ports on the south coast of the UK, mainly Tilbury and Dover, so that might mean an additional train or car journey for people living out in the regions. But there's something that's also quite exhilarating about taking one of these short breaks; they do have quite a unique cachet, and they have more than a touch of style about them, too. Lovely stuff.