It is not always known that cruising isn’t just about sipping cocktails around the pool and getting dressed up for formal dinners. As fun and lovely as that is – it is not everyone’s cup of tea… but there are alternatives as  organisers of The CRUISE Shows this Autumn outline.

Take a quick look at the cruises below that are sure to appeal to even the most hardy anti-cruiser’ – how could you resist one of these…

Culture

River Cruise Tours Through Vietnam & Cambodia – Viking River Cruises

Explore the stunningly scenic and culturally distinctive lands that lie along the remarkable Mekong River on this 15-day cruise-tour. Encounter ancient Khmer monuments and the elegant French colonial capital of Phnom Penh in Cambodia; and in Vietnam, visit the floating markets of the Mekong delta, experience the intimate charm of Hanoi’s old city and tour dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon.

Adventure

Polar Bear Adventures in the Midnight Sun – Noble Caledonia

Svalbard is a remote and spectacular archipelago of immense glaciers, narrow fjords and abundant wildlife. In Spitsbergen there are twice as many polar bears and walrus as there are people. On this cruise you will witness a vast geological spectacle of soaring mountains and immense glaciers. Within this dramatic landscape resides a wealth of wildlife: seals, walrus, whales, Arctic foxes, and the ultimate goal, polar bears. The area is also home to hundreds of thousands of breeding seabirds and you will take full advantage of the long daylight hours and embark on numerous Zodiac excursions to view the profuse wildlife up close.

Luxury

Lisbon to Barcelona – Crystal Cruises

Departing from Lisbon this voyage sails along the Atlantic Ocean to the Canary Islands, stopping over at Casablanca in Morocco on route to the Mediterranean Sea – with further visits to Cadiz and Malaga before reaching the final destination of Barcelona. In addition to its abundance of artistic and architectural treasures, Barcelona serves as the gateway to one of the world’s most impressive mountainside enclaves at Montserrat. Your All Inclusive fare includes: Free return flights from London (on selected sailings). Free fine wines, premium spirits and beers throughout the ship. Open bar service throughout the ship. Pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff, Butler service in their Penthouses. Complimentary speciality dining including Nobu Matsuhisa’s Silk Road and Sushi Bar, and Piero Selvaggio’s Prego. Non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soft drinks, speciality coffees and so much more.

Sport

Monaco Grand Prix Cruise May 2014 – Azamara Club Cruises

This 4 night cruise is truly a life-time experience at this chic, fashionable and glamorous part of Europe! Sailing from Nice on the 22nd May, you will be docking at Monaco on the Sunday where Formula One will be in town. Enjoy the thrill of a lifetime at the last street course’ remaining on the Grand Prix calendar, the 79-lap course offers no margin for error and every chance to be amazed. Elsewhere in Monaco you will find the Prince’s Palace, and the Rock of Monaco, where magnificent gardens cascade to the sea. And, of course, the city’s sun-drenched beaches and sapphire-blue waters will always be waiting for you. This is the perfect his and hers’ cruise! (Grand Prix tickets have to be bought separately.)

Family

Norwegian Breakaway – Norwegian Cruise Line

Onboard Norwegian Breakaway you can enjoy the ultimate family holiday, where you have the freedom and flexibility to cruise at ease knowing everyone in the family is catered for. The ship has a specifically designed Splash Academy to engage active and creative kids aged 6 months – 12 years old. Whether it’s learning to juggle at circus school with Cirque du Jour presented by Hilario Productions, working on arts & crafts projects or getting the highest score on the Wii™ wall, there’s plenty of fun for everyone. The ship also offers Entourage, Norwegians latest and greatest programme for teens aged 13 – 17, where they can play a game of football, take part in a theatre or fashion workshop or dive into an interactive pool party. With so much to do around the ship, teenagers can choose the activities they want to do. While the kids are entertained in Splash Academy or Entourage, there is plenty to do for grown ups from spa treatments to speciality dining and entertainment. This is the perfect cruise for all the family.

The CRUISE Show is at Manchester Central on 7-8 September 2013, at Birmingham’s NEC on 21-22 September 2013 and at Glasgow’s SECC on 5-6 October 2013!