Five BEST cruises from Portsmouth in 2017: Book a bargain and see the world from your ship
HOLIDAYING in 2017? Look no further than Portsmouth - with the five best cruises to set sail from the UK’s southern harbour.
Cruises from Portsmouth: These are the five best journeys to take in 2017
Just an hour and a half from London by train lies the gateway to the rest of the world.
Portsmouth Harbour holds the key to some of the most exotic destinations on the planet.
Its positioning at the southern tip of England makes it the perfect spot to set sail on a luxury liner.
These are the best cruises to take for your next vacation - no-frills, no-fly.
Cruise: Swan Hellenic
Name: In search of Aurora Borealis
Destinations: Portsmouth, UK - Stavanger, Norway - Kristiansund, Norway - Tromso, Norway - Alta, Norway - Leknes, Norway - Bergen, Norway - Portsmouth, UK
Length: 16 nights
Minerva’s old world charm is enhanced in its panelled rooms, pile carpets and leather sofas.
The library is stacked with content assembled over 50 years and a 2012 refit ensures cabins are all impeccably designed.
Set sail on March 23 next year for an enchanting search for the Northern Lights, spotting unforgettable Nordic scenery along the way.
Cruises from Portsmouth: Sail around the Baltic or chase some southern sun
Cruise: Voyages of Discovery
Ship: Voyager
Name: Sail south to the sun
Destinations: Portsmouth, UK - Vigo, Spain - Leixoes, Portugal - Lisbon, Portugal - Cadiz, Spain - Gibraltar - Motril, Spain - Cartagena, Spain - Barcelona, Spain
Length: 12 nights
Seek the sun and you’ll be dazzled by all the sights this cruise has to offer.
The Voyager leaves from Portsmouth on July 23, taking in highlights such as the towering Rock of Gibraltar and Spain’s finest treasure, Alhambra Palace.
Choose from 270 cabins, almost 90 per cent of which are outside.
An explorer theme sprawls throughout the liner from the new piano bar to a look-out lounge and two mesmerising whirlpools.
Cruise: Silversea
Ship: Silver Explorer
Name: British Isles Voyage
Destinations: Portsmouth, UK - Tresco - Pembroke - Skomer Island - Waterford - Dublin, Ireland - Douglas - Church Bay, Rathlin Island - Portrush - St Kilda - Armadale, Skye - Isle of Rum - Kirkwall, Orkney Islands - Aberdeen - Leith, Edinburgh
Length: 11 nights
The British Isles boast some of the most breathtaking views in the world and on the eighth of June 2017, you can soak in the pick of the bunch.
Stunning countryside, rich history and a wide variety of exotic animal life can be spotted from this moving vantage point.
Silver Explorer spells luxury - with a crew to guest ratio of 1:1, service is as personalised as it gets.
Cruises from Portsmouth: Crystal Cruises sets sail on Crystal Symphony on June 10 2017
World's largest cruise ship takes to the ocean
Cruise: Crystal Cruises
Ship: Crystal Symphony
Name: Baltic Legends
Destinations: Portsmouth, UK - Zeebrugge, Belgium - Copenhagen, Denmark - Berlin, Germany - St Petersburg, Russia - Tallinn, Estonia - Stockholm, Sweden
Length: 16 nights
Embark on June 10 for a journey to the Baltic, including picturesque St Petersburg and Estonia’s enchanting Tallinn.
Crystal Symphony boasts excellent amenities and a sports lover’s stomping ground.
There are tennis courts, golf driving nets and a putting green.
Old Hollywood glamour transforms the spiral-design dance floor, mosaic bar and leather lounge.
There’s a piano bar and two showrooms to add to the on-board sophistication.
Cruises from Portsmouth: Ponant's Le Soleal discovers the North Sea and the Baltic
Cruise: Ponant
Ship: Le Soleal
Name: North Sea and the Baltic
Destinations: Portsmouth, UK - London, UK - Ostende, Belgium - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Harlingen, Netherlands - Kiel, Germany - Copenhagen, Denmark - Szczecin, Poland - Stockholm, Sweden
Length: 8 nights
Take to the best parts of northern Europe on Le Soleal from May 8.
Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Sweden are all stops on this indulgent trip.
The ship was designed in 2013, centring on luxury combined with intimacy and wellbeing.
There are just 132 staterooms and suites on this private liner, fitted with modern colours and nautical features throughout.