Thinking about a cruise but can’t decide where to sail? You’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest questions cruisers faces, and with your NHS discount, whichever you pick, you’ll pay less than everyone else on board.
This Cruise Week, we’re breaking down the big three: the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Norwegian fjords. Here’s what each one offers, when to go, and which cruise lines to book with, plus the savings you can grab through Health Service Discounts.
Mediterranean cruise: sunshine, cities and something for everyone
If it’s your first cruise, the Med is hard to beat. Short flights (or no flights at all if you sail from Southampton), reliable summer sun and a new city almost every morning.
What to expect: A Western Mediterranean cruise typically takes in Spain, France and Italy: think Barcelona, Marseille and Rome. Head east and you can cruise the Greek islands, hopping between Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu with the odd Turkish port thrown in.
Best month for a Mediterranean cruise: May, June and September are the sweet spots: warm enough for the beach, without August’s peak crowds and peak prices. September is especially good value once the school holidays end.
Who it suits: First-time cruisers, families, foodies, and anyone who wants beaches and sightseeing in one trip.
Book it with:
- P&O Cruises: no-fly Med sailings from Southampton, plus fly-cruise options. Get up to £200 on board spend with your NHS discount.
- TUI Marella Cruises: all-inclusive as standard, with great-value Greek island itineraries. NHS staff can get last-minute Marella sailings from £729pp, plus up to £100 off with the TUI Holidays for Heroes sale.
Caribbean cruise: big ships, white sand and winter sun
When it’s grey and drizzly at home, the Caribbean is where cruise ships go to escape, and it’s the most searched-for cruise destination for a reason.
What to expect: Island-hopping between the likes of Barbados, St Lucia, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Days split between palm-fringed beaches and some of the biggest, most feature-packed ships at sea: water parks, surf simulators, Broadway-style shows, the lot.
Best month for a Caribbean cruise: December to April is the dry season, with January to March offering the most reliable sunshine. It’s the perfect antidote to a British winter. Just book early, because winter sun sailings fill up fast.
Who it suits: Sun-seekers, families with older kids, and anyone who wants the ship to be as much of a destination as the islands.
Book it with:
- Royal Caribbean: the biggest ships in the world, built for the Caribbean. NHS staff save 10%.
- P&O Cruises and TUI Marella Cruises also sail the Caribbean in winter, with fly-cruise packages from the UK. Get up to £200 on board spend with P&O, or up to £100 off Marella sailings, all through Health Service Discounts.
Norwegian fjords cruise: scenery you’ll never forget
A fjord cruise is a different kind of holiday altogether. Swap sun loungers for staggering views: sheer cliffs, waterfalls and villages that look like they’ve been painted on.
What to expect: Sailing deep into fjords like Geiranger and Flåm, where the ship itself becomes the best viewing platform in Norway. Ports are small and walkable, excursions range from mountain railways to kayaking, and in summer the days barely end.
Best time to cruise the Norwegian fjords: May to August, when the waterfalls are at full flow and daylight stretches late into the evening. June and July give you the famous midnight sun.
Best cruise ship for the Norwegian fjords? Smaller and mid-sized ships get closer to the scenery and into the narrower fjords, so this is one destination where bigger isn’t always better.
Who it suits: Couples, photographers, walkers, and anyone who’d rather have jaw-dropping views than a beach.
Book it with:
- P&O Cruises: no-fly fjords sailings from Southampton, ideal for a week’s leave. Get up to £200 on board spend with your NHS discount.
- TUI Marella Cruises: all-inclusive fjords itineraries in summer. NHS staff can get last-minute Marella sailings from £729pp, plus up to £100 off with the TUI Holidays for Heroes sale.
- DFDS: not ready to commit to a full week? A DFDS mini cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam is a brilliant, budget-friendly way to test your sea legs. Plus, save 15% on DFDS Dover–France crossings for up to 5 passengers.
Still deciding? Ask yourself this
- Want guaranteed sun on a budget? Mediterranean.
- Escaping the British winter? Caribbean.
- Prefer views to sunbathing? Norwegian fjords.
- Just want a taste of life at sea? Try a DFDS mini cruise first or start even smaller with a trip across the Solent. Wightlink Ferries will get you to the Isle of Wight for a sea-breeze weekend, with 20% off for NHS staff.
Save on every sailing with Health Service Discounts
Whichever cruise you choose, don’t pay full price. NHS staff and health service workers can save with:
- Royal Caribbean: 10% off
- P&O Cruises: Up to £200 on board spend
- TUI Marella Cruises: Last-minute sailings from £729pp + up to £100 off
- DFDS: 15% off Dover–France crossings for up to 5 passengers
- Wightlink Ferries: 20% off
Browse all our cruise deals this Cruise Week and book your next escape for less.
Offers correct at time of publishing. See individual offer pages for full terms.