Shearings Holidays launches biggest ever cruise sale

Shearings Holidays has launched its biggest ever cruise sale, offering great deals on three of its award-winning river cruise holidays, as well as a free £50 per person gift voucher with selected ocean cruises.

River Cruise Holidays departing in May now start from just £499 per person, with savings of over £400 per person compared to brochure price.

The company is also offering free coach pick-ups and a free £50 gift voucher to customers booking its British Isles Heritage Trail or North Cape & Spitsbergen ocean cruises.

Caroline Brown, commercial director for Shearings, said: "Our cruise programme has continued to grow over the last 12 months, and we're fast becoming renowned for our great value holidays in this ever-growing sector.

"Our cruises are perfect for customers new to cruise holidays, as well as seasoned cruisers. Customers can travel along some of Europe's most picturesque waterways on our river cruises, while our ocean cruises offer all the facilities that one expects from a cruise liner but on a smaller scale, with a friendlier, more relaxed atmosphere.

"What's more, the fantastic prices offered in this sale make these cruises even more attractive. Places are limited, and we're sure they'll be snapped up quickly."

Shearings river cruises are available by coach, air or rail. Coach departures include return coach travel and 2 nights' en route half board accommodation, air departures include return flights and resort transfers, and rail departures include a return Eurostar standard ticket from London to Brussels and a standard Thalys ticket to Cologne.

Shearings ocean cruises take place on the mv Discovery, an impressive four-star cruise ship in classic liner style. The cruises featured in the sale depart from Harwich, meaning that customers don't need to fly to their departure port, allowing a faster start to the cruise.

Included in the price are all meals, Captain's cocktail party, entertainment, port charges, all on-board gratuities, all on-board service charges, and free car parking at Harwich.

Both ocean cruises on offer also include coach pick ups from over 120 joining points, as well as a free £50 gift voucher per person.

River cruises offered in the sale are:

Classic Rhine Cruise – from £499, save up to £370 per person
The Classic Rhine Cruise takes place on the MV Virginia, offering a quality cruise experience on a more intimate scale. Highlights of the 7-night full board cruise include Cologne, Rudesheim, Koblenz and Boppard. The cruise departs on May 25 (by coach) or May 26 (by air or rail).

RHINE & MOSELLE DISCOVERY – from £569, save up to £430 per person
Taking place on the MPS Rotterdam, a stylish, luxurious 4-star ship providing an air of elegance, the Rhine & Moselle Discovery takes in Cologne, Cochem, Koblenz, Boppard and Linz. The 7-night full board cruise departs on May 18 (by coach) or May 19 (by air or rail).

MAGIC OF THE MOSELLE VALLEY – for £599, save £400
Also on board the MPS Rotterdam, this 7-night full board cruise includes the chance to sample wonderful wines at Alken, Cochem and Zell, and a visit to Bernkastel's charming market square. The cruise departs on May 11 (by coach) or May 12 (by air or rail).

Ocean cruises offered in the sale are:

BRITISH ISLES HERITAGE TRAIL – 12 DAYS FROM £999
Highlights of this 11-night full board cruise include the stunning scenery of Giant's Causeway, cosmopolitan Dublin, the serene Scottish Highlands, bustling Edinburgh and historic Holyroodhouse, beautiful Tresco Abbey Gardens and the cultural city of Liverpool. The cruise departs on 22nd June 2010.

NORTH CAPE & SPITSBERGEN – 15 DAYS FROM £1499
Highlights of this 14-night full board cruise include the 'Midnight Sun' phenomenon at the North Cape, the arctic wilderness of Spitsbergen, the rugged beauty of the Lofoten Islands, Tromsø's Arctic Cathedral, scenic Fläm Railway and the beautiful Norwegian fjords. The cruise departs on 3rd July 2010.

For more information, or to book your cruise holiday, call Shearings Holidays on 0844 209 7143 or visit www.shearings.com