Pushing the Boat out on an Austerity Break
With no sign of a calm approaching the troubled waters of Britain’s economy ‘austerity’ is a word that is likely to define the first part of this decade at least. Many commentators expect to see Britons learning to live with a simpler lifestyle over the next few years and returning to a lifestyle our grandparents may well remember. When it comes to holidays is it time to buy a family tent and teach the kids all about the joys of camping? Or are there alternatives to the holiday at home? One leading cruise company, Thomson, is offering a new take on the ‘austerity holiday’ with it’s one off Austerity Cruise which costs a humble £100.
Exotic destinations?
The Austerity Cruise is sailing from South Shields in the north east to the comparatively exotic destination of Harwich in Essex and will last only sixteen hours. Despite the fact that the cruise is not embarking until 1 August tickets are already in short supply with only standard cabins remaining. For passengers already booked on the “Thomson Spirit” the offering gives the chance to experience life on board a luxury cruise ship for an austerity price, without having to travel steerage or stow-away. In some respects this is a marketing ploy or the sensible use of a ship that’s going to be sailing from Newcastle to Harwich anyway. But it’s a great opportunity for those who aren’t sure if a cruise is the sort of holiday for them.
Old news
Ferry companies have long been offering a ‘mini-cruise’ option and while the “Voyage of the Thomson Spirit” is currently a one-off opportunity the ‘mini-cruise’ option might be a great idea for those tired of the damp weekend in a tent option. Lines operating to Spain, France, Ireland and Nordic destinations have long offered the short-break solution. If you’ve had to cut the foreign family holiday this year, a mini-cruise is an affordable trip that gives you the chance to get away from it all. Brittany Ferries offer 2 night cruises to and from Santander in Spain. The destination on these mini-cruises is not generally relevant as life on board is designed to be the main attraction. With many facilities that are available on the large cruise ships, including shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment and leisure facilities. Other companies like P&O offer trips to Amsterdam or combine mini-cruises with city breaks to Bruges and Rotterdam. Many of these cruises start at well under the £100 per person price offered by Thomson.
A life on the ocean wave
OK, so a mini-cruise down the North Sea, across the Channel or Bay of Biscay, may not exactly be the same as one featuring the Caribbean or Mediterranean. However, as an alternative to holidaying at home, the one night austerity cruise on offer from Thomson or the mini-cruises offered by the ferry companies is a short break with a difference and one that may well just float your boat and need not be a once in a lifetime experience.
Written by The Spy, 22 January, 2012 - 09:00
