American and Alaska cruises compared

There’s an excellent cruise on offer with Holland America Line (HAL) if you fancy a trip to South America – it’s a long one, a nineteen nights and you have to fly to Valparaiso in Chile to pick up the Veendam which then sails around the gorgeous and wildlife rich Chilean fjords, continuing on to Ushuaia in Argentina, round Cape Horn (remember this can be a rocky couple of days) to the Falkland Islands, then Uruguay and finishing in the gloriously lively port of Rio. It costs from £1,999 including flights.

Or if you prefer, there’s a Regent Seven Seas Cruises for just seven nights, which might be easier for the average working person. It sails from Alaska and travels from Seward to Vancouver on the Seven Seas Navigator which has recently had a refit. This cruise can be had from £1,403 but the price goes up in a couple of weeks and while you get free excursions, drinks and tips, you do have to find the cost of your own flights to Alaska.