Nov
2017
Royal Caribbean Mini Cruise Flash Sale From £199pp
Fancy trying a cruise but don't want to commit to a week or two aboard?
Or perhaps, like me, you're a cruise addict and want to see the new changes on Independence of the Seas next year.
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Either way, Royal Caribbean has a range of mini cruises and they have just gone on a flash sale. The headline rate is that prices starts from £199 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin.
Here's the options:
15th May 2018 - 2 Nights - France
Spend a couple of nights on Independence of the Seas. Sail overnight from Southampton where you'll have the day in Le Havre, France. Join an optional excursion to Paris, explore the city, or stay onboard and discover the new additions on the ship, such as the trampoline park. Sail overnight back to Southampton where you will disembark.
- Starts from £199 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin.
- See the itinerary and get a quote here.

Get a taste of ocean life on Independence of the Seas
17th May 2018 - 3 Nights - France
As soon as the ship returns, she's off again on a three-night adventure, this time to Cherbourg, France. Independence of the Seas sails overnight from Southampton where you'll awake at sea. Enjoy a relaxing day at sea to do whatever you please. Perhaps you'll test your skills in the new Escape Room?
The next day you'll arrive in Cherbourg where you can tour the city or join in an optional sightseeing excursion. There's a maritime museum right next door to the port, so you might want to just head there. The choice is yours. When the day is done, jump back onboard for an overnight sailing back to Southampton.
- Starts from £299 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin.
- See the itinerary and get a quote here.

I love watching people have a go on FlowRider
28th May 2018 - 5 Nights - France & Ireland
While the previous two mini cruises are very short tasters, this five-night option gives you more of a true feel of life on a cruise holiday. Over five nights you'll have the chance to properly relax and unwind, listing to the sound of the waves rolling by.
Sail from Southampton on Independence of the Seas where you'll zoom overnight to your first port of call in Cherbourg, France. Next is a sea day where you can begin to relax and unwind. Hopefully the sun will make an appearance as you sail bound for Ireland. The following morning you'll awake in Cobh where you might choose to join the excursion to kiss the Blarney Stone or join the factory tour at House of Waterford Crystal. Another day at sea follows where you might want to try the new waterslides if the weather is kind. Southampton is the final call the following morning.
- Starts from £469 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin.
- See the itinerary and get a quote here.

Sail overnight and wake up somewhere new each day
25th August 2018 - 3 Nights - Belgium & France
Frazzled with the kids running amok during the school summer holidays? Join the club! But respite comes in the form of a three night sailing on Independence of the Seas from Southampton - long enough for you and the kids the unwind but short enough to keep the cost affordable. They'll love the new water splash park, water slides, and trampoline park - and you'll love the variety to keep them busy.
Sail from Southampton straight to Zeebrugge. It's a relatively short distance to Bruges, a wonderfully fantastic - and small - medieval city. Enjoy a canal boat ride, a horse and carriage ride, or best of all, hit the chocolate shops. If your little ones are anything like mine, the latter option trumps everything else. As a chocoholic, I can't complain!
The next day it's onto Le Havre. If you are feeling very brave, take the kids to Paris. Otherwise, take a stroll around Le Havre, perhaps have a bite to eat, then head back onboard where they can have more fun.
The following morning the ship will steer into Southampton where you'll disembark. Three nights will whiz on by, and this is a port-intensive mini cruise, but that's a great thing as there's so much for your kids to see and do along the way.
- Starts from £339 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin.
- See the itinerary and get a quote here.

This water park will get a makeover in April 2018
28th August 2018 - 3 Nights - Netherlands & Belgium
Another one in the school summer holidays, this option is great if you've already been to Le Havre or you fancy somewhere different.
Once again, Independence of the Seas sails from Southampton but this time heads up to Rotterdam. This trendy Dutch city is easy to explore and is a foodie and arty paradise. Kids will love a trip to the zoo, a ride on a boat, and fresh Stroopwafels. Don't miss the Stroopwafels!
The following day it's Zeebrugge for Bruges. Canal boat rides, historic museums, a large and beautiful park area, and chocolate. Perfect.
The following morning it's back to Southampton. 'Short and sweet' sums up this mini cruise, but it too has everything to keep the little ones busy.
- Starts from £329 per person based on two sharing an inside cabin.
- See the itinerary and get a quote here.

Independence of the Seas at Southampton Port
The flash sale only runs for five days from Thursday 16th to Monday 20th November 2017 inclusive. 'From' prices are subject to availability and may change. As always, if you see a price you like, snap it up before it changes.
Which taster cruise itinerary has your name written all over it? Let me know in the comments below.
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