Is going on one of the many cruises available your passport to fun?

There are many different types of breaks possible on modern vessels these days. Some people are reluctant to try this type of holiday, especially the longer voyages, for fear that they may get bored quickly of life on board ship, and for them a break that combines extended time inland as well as time at sea makes an ideal combination. You can find these types of holiday from Canada to Asia and in Europe and Australia as well. If the land down under appeals to you then one of the Princess cruises departing from Sydney and combining 12 days on the ship with anywhere from 5 to 7 days touring inland are one of the options you may like to consider. Certain countries that you visit will require a visa, much the same as the UK does for foreign visitors from outside the European Union. It is usually a fairly straight forward matter as long as you can show tickets back to your country of residence and sufficient funds for the trip. Although the tour operators will help you with many things, sorting out visas where necessary, for any of the destinations on your trip, is down to you. In some cases you will not need any at all. If you are an EU citizen and are going on one of the NCL cruises around Europe, as an example, then you will most likely be granted visa free entry to all the places that you stop at, but do check.

"It was our first time in Queens Grill and was a wonderful experience with great food and waiters to meet your every need." - Kirk, Hemel Hempstead on 13th Jun 2009 (Cunard Cruises)

All at sea

If on the other hand, you are keen to spend as much time at sea as possible then a trans-Atlantic crossing is the way to go. On one of these voyages you can get to spend about 9 days at sea in total, including several without seeing land. They are ideal for relaxing and letting the leisurely pace of life on board ship relieve all your tensions. MSC cruises have a selection of itineraries crossing the Atlantic, for a holiday that lasts roughly 17-19 days. If you are an immigrant to the UK and still in the process of sorting your status out here then you should get in touch with the authorities before booking your holiday to make sure it will not interfere with your visa application process. Short holidays are generally not a problem but if you are applying for indefinite leave to remain, for instance, then longer trips may be out of the question. Fred Olsen cruises, in common with most of the larger companies, offer much shorter holidays for people who just cannot afford to be away for too long, for one reason or another. A round trip from Dover to Rouen in France can be accomplished in a weekend - leaving late Friday and getting back in the early hours of Monday morning. It is even possible to get to Jamaica and back in 5 or 6 days if you have your heart set on one of the Caribbean cruises and can fly there and back.

"The crew were great, very friendly and the entertainment was superb, the shows we saw were first rate and the comedian was very funny, we also enjoyed the session with the clasical harpist that we attended." - Davies, Northallerton on 13th Jun 2009 (P&O Cruises)

Do not leave your best friend at home

If you have pets then you may find it difficult to organise annual breaks as many dogs and cats can find staying in unfamiliar surroundings with complete strangers quite a stressful experience. All is not lost however as some of the larger vessels in operation have kennelling and staff to take care of your pets, so they can come with you. The Queen Mary II, used on some Cunard cruises, is one such ship. There is space for you to visit and spend time with your pet too, so they will not pine for you. People relocating from the United States often choose this method of travel for this reason as they cannot fly with their pets. If you are one of these people then a professional visa advisory service can help smooth your arrival and stay in the United Kingdom. Whether you are bringing your pets or taking one of the celebrity cruises across the Atlantic so you can see some of Europe on your way, it is reassuring that you will not have to tackle the immigration authorities all alone. Although for many people there should not be anything to worry about, the process of applying for various different types of visa can be a lengthy and sometimes complicated one and any help is welcome. This goes for UK citizens emigrating to somewhere like Australia too. Arriving there on one of the P&O cruises departing from England will be more relaxing if your documents are all in order.

"The check in was very efficient, the liner was small but had all the ameneties of a much larger liner. The rooms were spacious and well maintained and clean." - Adamson, Hull on 13th Jun 2009 (Thomson Cruises)

A trip back home

The West Indies have been a source of immigrants to the UK for many years now and it can be nice to take a trip home for long term residents. Flying is the most popular way to do this of course but taking a boat there really lets you arrive in style. If you like this idea but do not want to spend too long getting there then you could combine the trip with a holiday starting from North America. Royal Caribbean cruises are one of the companies offering such journeys, lasting up to a fortnight, depending on the particular itinerary you choose. If other members of the family are planning a visit to the UK to see how you are getting on then getting in touch with a company online that can help out with all the paperwork makes a lot of sense. The skills that a person has can affect which category of visa they can apply for and information on this and other aspects of immigration to the UK is available from this type of company. India is another place where many visitors to the United Kingdom set out from, both for short and long term stays. The excellent university system there means that top graduates are in demand around the world for skilled IT jobs. Immigrants from India who have secured a well paid position and have time to kill can look at cruises from Southampton as a novel way to go home for a visit.

"I Have also cruised with Princess twice and would rate Celebrity a better overall experience." - England, Altrincham on 13th Jun 2009 (Celebrity Cruises)