Blue Water Blog
Read the latest small ship, luxury and river news and features from the experts. Read our guide to the Danube River. The Danube is the gateway to some of Europe’s most iconic cities, each with rich histories, unique cultures, spectacular architecture, and delectable cuisine. Mon 20 Jan 2025 The South of France is renowned for its gastronomic delights and magnificent vineyards. We have put together our favourite menus from Burgundy and Provence. Tue 14 Jan 2025 In this article, we take a look at the different times of the year that you can cruise the Douro River and share our recommendations for the best time to book a trip. Tue 24 Dec 2024 So you want to relax on a beach, he fancies water sports, but you want to spend romantic evenings together? Don't worry, we’ve put together our Top 9 Honeymoon destinations. Thu 07 Nov 2024 Europe’s network of rivers, canals, and tributaries weaves a tapestry that connects cities across the continent, linking not only countries but cultures too. From historic strongholds to charming settlements with bags of character, exploring Europe on its waters offers a fresh perspective to appreciate the breadth of beauty this continent has to offer. Thu 07 Nov 2024 In this article, we share our recommendations for the best month for a Danube River cruise, and take you through each of the seasons on the river to share what every time of year has in store for visitors. Mon 30 Sep 2024 With 227 inhabited islands and with so many different options to choose from, how do you decide which Greek islands to visit? The team at Blue Water Holidays has selected some of our favourites to help you decide. Fri 27 Sep 2024 The River Rhine flows from the Swiss Alps through Germany to Holland, past cliff-top castles and terraced vineyards. In this article, we share our recommendations for the best towns and cities on the River Rhine, all of which feature on the itineraries of our popular Rhine River cruises. Mon 16 Sep 2024 If you are looking for a unique and authentic way to explore France then a Hotel Barge Holiday could be just what you are looking for. This article uncovers exactly what Hotel Barging is and our suggestions on which canals to cruise. Tue 10 Sep 2024 This magnificent holiday includes a Golden Triangle tour with hotel stays in India’s most luxurious hotels in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, before sailing on the Ganges Voyager II down the sacred River Ganges. Wed 14 Aug 2024 Blue Water Holidays Exclusive South Africa Safari Cruise!
Read about our Exclusive 14-night, fully escorted cruise and safari holiday that explores the best Southern Africa has to offer, from Cape Town in South Africa to Lake Kariba and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe Mon 03 Jun 2024 One of our cruise specialists, Samantha, recently joined an APT Danube River cruise onboard Travelmarvel Polaris. Read Samantha's blog as she explores Vienna, Durnstein, Melk and many other unique destinations on a memorable three night short break cruise Wed 26 Jul 2023 One of our cruise specialists, Emmy, was lucky enough to join Ponant on an adventure of a lifetime to Spitsbergen. Read Emmy's blog for a full insight into how truly amazing this journey was. Fri 07 Jul 2023 The 19-island-archipelago was the world’s first UNESCO Heritage Site and rightly so. An astonishing 9,000 species of flora and fauna call the archipelago home, many of which are endemic. These include the Galápagos giant tortoise, the Galápagos sea lion and, of course, the charismatic Galápagos Penguin. Fri 23 Jun 2023 Football lovers, foodies, and shopaholics unite as we tell you all about one of South America's greatest gems, Buenos Aires. This thriving cosmopolitan city has so much to offer from world-class steak to the unforgettable Tango tradition, you will never be bored when in this bustling corner of the world. Wed 22 Feb 2023 At Blue Water Holidays we are experts when it comes to river cruising. From tips on when to book to shore excursions, this article contains everything you need to know about river cruising. Mon 17 Oct 2022 The three new river ships will shine bright, like the stars they were named after: Polaris, Capella and Vega. Combining state-of-the-art design with more dining options and social spaces, these contemporary river ships offer a relaxed new standard of cruise. Fri 12 Aug 2022 I have been very lucky in my time at Blue Water Holidays to have taken some wonderful trips, but when I received this invitation, it really did feel like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I had been asked to spend three nights onboard the Star Clipper sailing the Amalfi coast in Italy stopping at Amalfi, Sorrento and Ponza! Fri 15 Jul 2022 Just a small selection of cruises to Europe’s finest gardens, from France to the Netherlands, Scotland and beyond, there is a cruise to tempt all keen horticulturalists. Fri 08 Jul 2022 Whereabouts in the Mediterranean can you find an unspoiled island with astounding natural beauty, quirky towns, vibrant small cities and a fascinating history? This island gem off the coast of Italy has myriad attractions and relatively few tourists! Fri 24 Jun 2022 A sparkling jewel in the Caribbean, Barbados is on every must-visit list. A colourful fusion of the Caribbean’s best beaches, colonial history, spectacular scenery and a mouth-watering cuisine, Barbados has something for everyone. Why not extend your Caribbean cruise with a few days on this beautiful island, where the superb resorts, dramatic east coast and white-sand west coast offer a multitude of exciting and unique ways to pass the time. Read our guide on the top things to do in Barbados. Fri 10 Jun 2022 Cruising in the Middle East brings a sense of luxury with the region’s 5-star amenities, sun-drenched beaches, and culture-rich cities. Relax on pristine beaches, splash out in air-conditioned malls, or haggle at authentic souks. There is warm sun all year round and many opportunities to check off a number of items on your bucket list. Fri 03 Jun 2022 With its picture-perfect white-washed towns, gleaming sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, it’s no surprise that Greece is a favourite destination for film-makers. Many famous films have been set and filmed in the Greek Islands, and here are just some of our favourites. Fri 27 May 2022 Norway is one of our most popular cruise destinations and it is easy to see why. Spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, summer’s Midnight Sun and winter’s magical Northern Lights are just a few things that make this exquisite country one of our favourites too. Read our top 10 reasons to visit Norway for even more destination highlights Tue 17 May 2022 Looking to book a river cruise but aren't sure when to travel? The good news is that there isn't a wrong choice, as every season offers something different. The bad news is that doesn't make your decision any easier! Read our top tips for choosing which season and river will suit you. Fri 11 Feb 2022 Sales Supervisor Rebecca and Marketing Executive Laura recently joined Uniworld's Authentic Danube river cruise. Read on to find out what to expect on a Uniworld river cruise! Wed 21 Aug 2019 Our Product and Marketing Manager, Kathryn, recently enjoyed Emerald Waterway's Danube Delights cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. Read her exclusive review! Wed 14 Aug 2019 Samantha, one of our cruising specialists, recently enjoyed Avalon Waterway's Active and Discovery on the Rhine river cruise. Read her exclusive review! Tue 13 Aug 2019 Our Cruise Specialist, Emmy, recently enjoyed a river cruise through Holland and Belgium on board Emerald Waterways' 182-passenger ship, Emerald Star. Read her exclusive review! Wed 29 May 2019 The incredible Seven Wonders of the Modern World are architectural marvels, some built by ancient empires and others relatively more recently but no less impressive. Spread across the globe, they can all be visited whilst enjoying a cruise. Fri 01 Mar 2019 We have just released our superb Escape to Faraway Shores brochure, featuring a selection of our exotic river, small ship and luxury cruises that travel to far-flung lands, all with fantastic offers. Tue 26 Feb 2019 Cruising is the perfect way to experience Norway’s contrasting seasons. Hurtigruten’s small ships have been sailing the breathtaking Norwegian coastline for 125 years and continue to offer authentic voyages, departing daily all year round. Wed 16 Jan 2019 Regent Seven Seas believe that travel should not be a reason to compromise. Tue 13 Nov 2018 Magical Iceland is still being shaped by mighty forces; geysers gush, volcanoes rumble, waterfalls cascade down majestic mountains and huge glaciers carve great pathways through the landscape. Mon 12 Nov 2018 Cruising Specialist Karen was lucky enough to be invited on board Viking Cruises' superb ocean ship Viking Sun when she docked in Liverpool. Mon 01 Oct 2018 Staying in shape and keeping fit whilst on a river cruise may seem like a challenging task! Mon 16 Jul 2018 Cruise in style and comfort to remote corners of the world in search of exciting wildlife. Wed 11 Jul 2018 Discover six of our favourite reasons to cruise, then call our cruising specialists on 01756 706537 to secure your cabin today! Thu 21 Jun 2018 Our Cruising Specialist, Ann, recently enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Canada and the America East Coast on board Hurtigruten's expedition ship Fram. Read her exclusive review: Mon 14 May 2018 Our Product and Marketing Manager, Kathryn, recently enjoyed a Christmas Markets River Rhine Cruise with AmaWaterways. Read her exclusive review: Fri 29 Dec 2017 Our Cruising Specialists, Karen and Fay, recently enjoyed a luxury, all-inclusive Scotland cruise on 50-passenger Hebridean Princess. Read their exclusive review. Sun 17 Dec 2017 One of our customers recently enjoyed her first river cruise, joining the luxurious AmaPrima on a Rhine Christmas Markets itinerary. Read her exclusive review. Wed 13 Dec 2017 Our Cruising Specialist, Ann, recently enjoyed a cruise along the River Rhine on Riviera Travel’s stunning new ship, Oscar Wilde. Read her exclusive review. Thu 16 Nov 2017 Our Marketing Executive, Laura, and Cruising Specialist, Jade, recently enjoyed a cruise along the beautiful River Rhine, courtesy of Amadeus River Cruises. Read their exclusive review. Fri 13 Oct 2017 Sarah in our Sales Support team recently joined Cruise and Maritime's flagship, Columbus, for a Scotland and Faroe Islands cruise. Read her exclusive review. Tue 19 Sep 2017 Our Cruising Specialist, Jade and Marketing Executive, Margaret, were lucky enough to be invited onboard Hurtigruten's refurbished expedition ship Midnatsol when she docked in Edinburgh Leith. Fri 26 May 2017 Our Product and Marketing Coordinator, Kathryn recently enjoyed a trip exploring Spitsbergen with Hurtigruten in the winter. Read her exclusive review. Tue 07 Feb 2017 Our Cruise Specialist Sam recently enjoyed a Travelmarvel by APT tour through Vietnam and Cambodia. Read her exclusive review. Mon 26 Sep 2016 European city tours are becoming increasingly popular with UK tourists, but most of us don’t visit the same city twice. We've discovered some interesting places and unusual activities for those who have seen the most famous landmarks in our top five cities Wed 30 Mar 2016 Incredible India - the official slogan is entirely accurate. India has amazing sights, sounds and smells to assault the senses like no other country. Tue 02 Feb 2016 We had visited Vietnam on a sea cruise, but felt we had barely seen the country. So we were keen to go on the Mekong river through the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia, and particularly to see Angkor Wat at Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnamese capital Hanoi. Thu 05 Nov 2015 Heather and Jade, two of our cruising specialists, were lucky enough to be invited on an all-inclusive cruise along the River Seine on the luxurious Scenic Gem. Wed 16 Sep 2015 Paris to the Normandy Landing Beaches Review. Our cruise specialist Sam has recently returned from her River Seine cruise with Avalon Waterways
Thu 25 Jun 2015 Ann, one of our cruising specialists, was recently invited to experience Star Clipper in the Greek Islands and she shares her amazing experience with us. Wed 17 Jun 2015 Sam, one of our Cruising Specalists was lucky enough to be invited on Scenic Jasper's inaugural sailing from Amsterdam along the Dutch waterways. Read her exclusive review. Wed 20 May 2015 I was most excitied to be taking my first cruise with Viking River Cruises and would be sailing from Budapest to Passau over 4 nights on part of their Romantic Danube itinerary. Mon 19 Jan 2015 As a fan of French culture and wines, in particular the reds of the Bordeaux area, this CroisiEurope river cruise exploring the chateaux and vineyards of south-west France proved an excellent holiday choice. Wed 31 Dec 2014 Asia has a lot to offer, from ancient cities to ornate pagodas and breathtaking natural wonders. There is so much to see but we've handpicked our top three sights along four fascinating rivers; the Mekong, Yangtze, Irrawaddy and Ganges. Wed 03 Dec 2014 I have spent several years trying to convince my partner to accompany me on a river cruise, as despite the stereotype that they are for the older generation, I knew he would love river cruising just as much as I do even though we are in our 30s. Fri 28 Nov 2014 A relaxed island-hopping cruise on Panorama II is the best way to enjoy the private yacht experience. Read our review of a 7-night cruise around the stunning Greek Islands. Thu 11 Sep 2014 Read an exclusive review of a 7-night river cruise from Paris along the beautiful River Seine which is renowned for inspiring many Impressionist artists Wed 25 Jun 2014 A Mississippi river cruise lets you step back in time to the grand era of steamboating on an authentic paddlewheeler, cruising through America's Deep South. Read our customer's review cruise from their Mississippi holiday Mon 09 Jun 2014 According to our latest figures, Mekong river cruises are becoming increasingly popular whilst Rhine River Cruises remain the most popular overall Mon 09 Jun 2014 The Danube is one of Europe's most popular rivers and it's not surprising! With its art, history, scenery and fascinating capital cities, it is a delight to explore. Read Ann's blog about her cruise from Vienna to Budapest on board the brand new Scenic Jade. Tue 13 May 2014 All eyes will be on Brazil this year with the annual Rio Carnival starting on Friday and the FIFA World Cup kicking off on the 12th June. Wed 26 Feb 2014 With Valentine's Day fast approaching, why not treat your loved one to a romantic break. We've put together our top 3 'loved up' holiday destinations that are sure to impress that special person in your life! Thu 13 Feb 2014 Explore the idyllic Caribbean islands of Antigua, St Kitts and Martinique on a spectacular voyage under full sail. Read Sam's review of her sailing holiday on five-masted tall ship Royal Clipper. Wed 22 Jan 2014 This was our fourth Star Clippers cruise. The others were in the Mediterranean, and this time it was the Caribbean at Christmas-time. We were looking forward to warm sunny days, superb sailing conditions, and particularly the British Virgin Islands, famous for links to the real pirates, idyllic scenery and a laid-beck style. We were not disappointed. Wed 13 Nov 2013 Holiday of a lifetime - we saw the Northern Lights on five separate nights which fulfilled a life long ambition and left us speechless each time. Fri 18 Oct 2013 The best way to explore the romantic city of Venice and its picturesque Lagoon is on a luxury river cruise. Read our customer's diary about their holiday. Wed 11 Sep 2013 With her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge christening the Royal Princess in Southampton, we were honoured to spend a preview night on board this superb new ship. Tue 11 Jun 2013 A city cruise break is an ideal way to explore the romantic city of Venice and its lagoons. Moor in the heart of Venice and explore the highlights including St Mark’s Square and Burano. Wed 29 May 2013 Explore the idyllic Caribbean islands of Antigua, St Kitts and Martinique on a spectacular voyage under full sail. Read Sam's review of her sailing holiday on five-masted tall ship Royal Clipper. Thu 16 May 2013 With such a wealth of history and culture in the Mediterranean, we have picked out our favourite five UNESCO World Heritage Sites to help you decide where to start. Mon 01 Apr 2013
The 6 Best Cities on the Danube
Burgundy and Provence Cuisine: Everything You Need to Know
What is the Best Time to Cruise the Douro River?
The 9 Top Honeymoon Destinations Around The World
The 5 Best Places to Visit on the Rhine River
What is the Best Month to Cruise the Danube?
What Are The Best Greek Islands To Visit?
The 8 Best Towns on the Rhine River
The Ultimate Guide to Hotel Barge Cruises in France
India' Golden Triangle and River Ganges Cruise
Southern Africa Safari Cruise
Samantha’s Danube Adventure with APT TravelMarvel on new ship Polaris
Cruise the Fjords and Glaciers of Spitsbergen with Ponant
Ask the Expert - Cruising the Galapagos Islands with Silversea
Highlights of Buenos Aires
Top 10 Tips for First Time River Cruisers
Three Shining Stars! APT Travelmarvel’s New River Cruise Ships
The Amalfi Coast on Board Star Clipper
Blooming Marvellous Cruises!
The Best Places to Visit in Corsica
What to do in Barbados
Highlights of the Middle East
Top Films Set in the Greek Islands
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Norway
River Cruising Through the Seasons
Uniworld Danube Cruise on River Princess
Danube Delights with Emerald Waterways
The Rhine Revisited
The Charms of Holland and Belgium
The Modern Magnificent Seven
Escape to Faraway Shores Brochure
Norway Through the Seasons
Experience Luxury with Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Cruising the Land of Fire and Ice
A Day On Board Viking Sun
How to Stay in Shape on a River Cruise
Wild World
Best for Cruising
Exploring Canada and the American East Coast on Fram
AmaWaterways Rhine Christmas Markets Cruise
Exploring the Scottish Isles in luxury on Hebridean Princess
Exploring the Christmas Markets along the Rhine
Exploring the Rhine on board Oscar Wilde
Amadeus Silver River Cruise Review
Exploring Scotland and the Faroe Islands
Stepping Onboard Midnatsol
The Polar Night in Spitsbergen
Vietnam and Cambodia Cruise and Tour - A Personal Perspective
Been there, done that?
Spirit of India Cruise and Tour with APT
Timeless Vietnam and Cambodia with Uniworld River Cruises
Gems of the Seine Cruise Review
Paris to the Normandy Landing Beaches Cruise Review
Turkey and the Greek Islands on Star Clipper
Exclusive Review of Scenic Jasper's Inaugural Sailing
Romantic Danube on Viking Longship Rinda
Chateaux and Vineyards of South West France - Review
Exploring the rivers of Asia
Treasures of the Rhine on Scenic Jade
Greek Island-Hopping Small Ship Cruise Review
The Meandering River Seine Cruise Review
Mississippi River Cruise Review
Mekong River Cruise Bookings Soar
Exclusive review of Scenic Jade's inaugural cruise on the River Danube
Brazil welcomes Rio Carnival and FIFA World Cup
Our Top 3 Romantic Holiday Destinations
Caribbean on board Royal Clipper - Review
Caribbean Treasure Islands Sailing Cruise on Star Clipper
In Search of the Northern Lights - Customer Review
Exploring Venice and its Lagoon on a luxury river cruise
A Sneak Preview of Royal Princess
Exploring Venice on a City Cruise Break
Sailing on Royal Clipper
Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mediterranean