Scandinavia, comprising Denmark, Sweden and Norway, is a popular destination for many late cruise deals, offering visitors refined culture and contemporary design set against a backdrop of breathtaking natural scenery.

Renowned for the magnificent fjords surrounding its coast, Norway is the country of the midnight sun with twenty-four hour daylight in the summer. It is also one of the very best locations for a spectacular view of the natural phenomenon Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights.

Taking a dog sled to a native Sami village, watching the reindeer in their natural habitat, or visiting the fishing villages on remote islands around the rugged coastline of the north gives the opportunity to experience a very different way of life, while the beautiful beaches in the south and the cosmopolitan capital of Oslo demonstrate clearly why Scandinavia attracts so many visitors.

Denmark is a treasure trove of art and history, the statue of The Little Mermaid which sits in the harbour at Copenhagen being a permanent tribute to the great fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen, born in Odense. The Carlsberg Gallery in Copenhagen houses paintings by van Gogh, Monet and other artists, while the National Museum has exhibits spanning many centuries.

Sweden is the largest of the Scandinavian countries. More than half of Sweden is covered in dense and wild forest dotted with numerous lakes. The capital, Stockholm, is set on a raft of fourteen islands and cultural exhibitions dating to the 13th century sit alongside some of the most contemporary art and designs of the day. Gothenburg, the second city in Sweden, dates back to the 17th century with a huge Dutch influence and offers a variety of galleries, cafes and restaurants.

From the Tivoli Christmas Market in Copenhagen to mountain or cross country skiing in Tromso, there are some fantastic cruises from Southampton to every part of Scandinavia.

There are a number of cruises from Southampton to Egypt, which has coastlines on both the Mediterranean and Red Seas.

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is the most densely populated city in Africa and is one of the most often visited destinations in Egypt, renowned for its rich and diverse heritage, with its many mosques, churches and bazaars.

The Pyramids of Giza, just outside Cairo, were built as a burial place for the Pharaohs over 3,000 years ago and are now the most popular tourist attraction in Egypt. Another must when in Cairo is the Egyptian Museum which houses exhibits from the tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamen.

There are many cruise deals to Egypt, which is a land of exotic temples built to honour bygone gods and kings. The Temple of Luxor was built around 1400 BC when the city was ancient Thebes, since when it has been a place of worship for both Christians and Muslims, while the Temple of Karnak nearby was the most important place of worship in ancient Egypt.

Sharm el-Sheikh situated on the Sinai peninsula has become a very popular tourist destination, offering a variety of attractions ranging from local products like pottery, leather goods and jewellery and superb water sports, especially diving.

The ancient city of Alexandria situated 225 km from Cairo was the cultural centre and capital of Egypt for many years. As a result of immigration from southern Europe and the Middle East Alexandria is now a commercial centre with a cosmopolitan culture and bohemian atmosphere.

To the south of Luxor is the city of Aswan on the banks of the Nile, home to the Mausoleum of Aga Khan and the Nubian Museum. Aswan became popular as a winter resort around 1800 and the atmosphere and pace of life still reflects some of that old world charm.

Last minute cruises can be the most satisfying kind. You take a moment in your life when you just want to escape the stress and boredom of daily life and you decide to just hop on a ship and disappear to somewhere spectacular. You might bring the family along or maybe you just do it to bond with that someone special. Or again you just get carried away by the fantastic list of destinations offered on cruises from Southampton or another major cruise line and you just head out on your own seeking adventure, solitude, and much-needed rest.

Whatever your reason may be for slipping away on a last minute holiday, there are some tips you might keep in mind to ensure you get the best prices on the best ships with the best cabins for the best experience possible. There is a lot of ‘best’ in that sentence, but you deserve no less than just that…the best!

Look for Date-Specific Deals

You can always find great deals for cruises if you look for bargain prices offered only on specific cruises for very specific dates. These deals are offered to help the cruise line fill up a cruise that didn’t quite sell out, but you end up getting the same amenities as everyone else who paid full price for their ticket. You can find a lot of these deals through online travel sites that offer bargains, discounts and specific deals.

You may also get word of some of these deals directly through the cruise line. So, if you are interested in cruising from Southampton you might want to check with them directly to see if they are offering any special deals on last minute cruises.

Open Your Mind

Most people have a specific type of cruise that they enjoy best, but when it comes to last minute deals it helps to keep your open mindedness. The more open you are to different types of cruise ships, different destinations, and different cruise experiences, the more likely you are to find affordable deals on cruises and other popular cruise lines. These cruise lines have a long list of cruise options, so you never know what will be the most affordable for a last minute booking.

Keep It Realistic

Think about where you will have to go to board your last minute holiday decision. If you don’t have time to take a flight or drive to Florida, then it doesn’t make sense to book a cruise leaving out of Florida. Think about where the cruise is boarding and what you would have to do to get there in time. If you can make it, then throw some clothing in a suitcase and hit the road! There is no greater sense of freedom than taking off at the last minute in a rush for the sea.

Know Your Cruise Lines

If you know which cruise lines tend to offer destinations and cruise types that you enjoy, you can constantly watch them for affordable last minute opportunities. The bigger cruise lines will give you a better chance at affordable rates for late deals.

For instance, if you know there are quite a few cruise lines operating from Southampton that you would love to take, you could keep a watch for the best bargains on tickets for those cruises. If you happen to be free when a cruise has an opening and cuts a deal, it could be perfect timing for a last minute escape!

Southampton has been a major sea port since Roman times. The city from which RMS Titanic sailed on her ill-fated maiden voyage, Southampton’s unique double tides and deep, natural harbour means you can cruise from Southampton on some of the world’s largest and most impressive liners.

Known as the Cruise Capital of Northern Europe, Southampton is the largest and busiest cruise port in the UK. Size is no problem when you book cruises from Southampton, as the harbour allows unrestricted access by even the world’s largest cruise ships. These include the Independence of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean Line’s Freedom class behemoth, which now cruises from Southampton all year round. The even more massive Oasis of the Seas has also berthed here, while a 10m upgrade to the City Terminal was going on.

Cunard, Carnival and P & O all have their homes at Southampton, although Cunard is the only line to have ships registered here. Look at the RMS Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth or Queen Mary 2, and you will see the iconic city name painted across the bow. Other lines with which you can book a cruise from Southampton include Princess, Celebrity, Fred Olsen, Seabourn, MSC and Silversea.

Southampton is currently experiencing its busiest time ever. In 2003, the number of passengers visiting the port numbered 500,000. In 2010, the figure rose to 1.2 million. Currently, over 300 cruise ships use the port each year, but new names are being added all the time. Recent years have seen a champagne bottle break across the bows of P & O’s Arcadia and Oriana, and Cunard’s magnificent Queen Mary 2 (the largest ocean liner ever built) to name but a few.

Those booking a cruise from Southampton can now do so from four superbly equipped passenger terminals, with a possible fifth in the pipeline. Those booking a cruise from Southampton’s Ocean Terminal may be interested to know that the nearby Ocean Dock was the spot from which RMS Titanic sailed, almost 100 years ago. Be reassured, ocean travel is a lot safer today.

Known as the Cruise Capital of Northern Europe , Southampton has long been the hub of the British cruise industry. Home port of the historic Cunard line, and a start port for many others, a cruise from Southampton takes us back to the Golden Age of sailing, when legendary vessels like the Queen Mary and Mauretania proudly lined the quayside.

The most infamous cruise from Southampton was that undertaken by the Titanic, on her maiden voyage almost 100 years ago. Officially, it was a crossing rather than a cruise, ocean liners mainly being a way of getting from A to B. Nonetheless, the glamour and luxury associated with those early crossings directly affected the way cruises from Southampton operate today.

Today, Southampton is the embarkation point for some of the world’s most famous cruise liners. Many cruises from Southampton are maiden voyages, on ships that were often named there. This includes some of the largest and fastest cruise ships in the world. Vessels like Independence of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ship which, at the time of its launch in 2008, was one of the largest cruise vessels afloat.

The Celebrity Eclipse, which was also named here, is another ship with a famous past. When the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajkull erupted in 2010, grounding all air traffic, Spanish tourists stranded in England were offered a surefire way of getting home – a cruise from Southampton! British holidaymakers were offered the same unexpected deal from the Bilbao end, on what was the vessel’s maiden voyage.

P & O have a long history of running from Southampton – after all, they invented the concept, back in 1837. Cunard, the only line whose ships are actually registered here, gained fame for the speed of its transatlantic crossings, the fastest ever recorded. Today, a Cunard world cruise can last 100 days or more.

Probably the most memorable recent cruise from Southampton was the one taken by the QE2, when she set sail for Dubai on her final voyage, in November 2008.

Cruises from Southampton have always been a very popular place to set sail, and people are even spending the night before exploring this great city. Southampton is a fantastic vibrant city to explore throughout the whole year. Situated in the South of England, it is very easy to reach from the rest of England and wider UK. You can travel to this incredible city the day before and board your cruise liner fully refreshed.

Southampton is one of the most important ports in the UK and deals with over 500,000 passengers every year. Cruises from Southampton are easy to book, and enable you to have a wide choice of different destinations. Throughout the four terminals within the port you will be able to choose a wide variety of different companies to cruise with.

Many of them are actually based in Southampton port; P&O – the largest cruise company in the country originates here. Although you will be travelling here mainly to get on your cruise, there is plenty to see and do in the city before you leave. The main city centre is a short taxi journey away, and you will find a vast array of shopping, bars, and restaurants to explore.

The nightlife in Southampton is considered as some of the best in the whole country, and you will never be bored whilst visiting. The huge student base has ensured that the prices are kept incredibly good value for money. You can enjoy a night out partying before you leave, ensuring that your vacation starts as it means to go on.

As well as fantastic nightlife the shopping in Southampton is top notch, and you can visit one of the many different shops, malls, and boutiques. The modern West Quays shopping centre is a must-visit for those who love their high-street brands.

With many incredible buildings, and fascinating sights you will love wandering throughout Southampton. The waterfront area of the city is staggering, and is steeped in a vast history that will make you think about many of the ships, and boats that have set sail from this remarkable port. One of the most famous cruises to originate from Southampton is of course the Titanic.

Cruises have become a very popular choice for vacations, and more people are taking them than ever before. Cruises from Southampton are affordable, pleasurable, and very easy to book. No matter where you want to visit in the world there is bound to be a cruise leaving this port. Once you have explored the city, checked in, and are onboard you can sit back, and enjoy your marvellous vacation.