Thousands of British cruise holiday passengers every year enjoy the welcoming, traditional cruising experience offered on Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ two elegant, classically styled ships, the Marco Polo and the Ocean Countess.

With exciting ‘no fly’ itineraries embarking from a range of ports around the UK and Ireland, it couldn’t be easier for you to take a fabulous, exceptional value cruise holiday to some of the most fascinating and spectacular destinations throughout Europe and beyond.

These relaxed and intimate smaller ships visit some of the less well-trodden ports of call that today’s mega-liners just can’t reach and offer a great option for first-time cruisers as well as regular passengers looking for magical new horizons.

The emphasis is very much on a leisurely time at sea with exceptional customer service from friendly and attentive crew members who take pride in looking after your every need without ever being pushy or intrusive.

And it’s this relaxed, home from home environment that has attracted many repeat bookings, season after season, from cruise holiday enthusiasts who find it the perfect way to explore the world.

There’s a variety of leisure activities on offer during the day and high quality entertainment with shows, cabaret-style acts and live music in the evenings.

Or if you merely wish to unwind and recharge your batteries, you’ll find lovely pool areas, comfortable lounges and expansive deck space where you can take a stroll or just sit back and watch the world go by in sublime tranquillity.

Many Cruise and Maritime passengers opt for the cruising tradition of fine dining in the company of their fellow guests at one of the two nightly dinner sittings in the elegant main restaurants, while sumptuous buffet-style dishes are available in the ships’ casual eateries.

Both ships appeal mainly to the adult market with Marco Polo being exclusively adult-only, while Ocean Countess welcomes accompanied children (under 18 years of age).

Cruise and Maritime Voyages presents a range of itineraries and cruise durations around the British Isles, as well as to Norway and the Fjords, the Baltic Cities and Russia, East and West Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. Longer cruise holidays visit the Caribbean and South America, even venturing up the Amazon! – all direct from the UK.