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If you are looking for a cheap short break, then look no further and consider taking a mini-cruise!

A mini-cruise is usually 2 nights, and the price includes your accommodation, coach transfers to and from the city you visit abroad, as well as entertainment onboard. It’s a fun way to really ‘get away from the daily grind’ and check out a nearby city like Amsterdam or Bruges, without breaking the bank or having to take much time off work.

My son and I love any kind of holiday. but we have a particular passion for ships and being at sea. The sense of adventure you get from arriving at a new destination by sea as the sun comes up is really special – even if it’s Ijmuiden on a particularly grey, icy morning!

Travel Tip: Take a travel kettle and breakfast supplies / snacks with you, as food onboard can be expensive. Have a proper meal somewhere on land too, as it will very likely be cheaper and nicer!

There are some brilliant deals currently on offer, both with DFDS Ferries from Newcastle visiting Holland, and P&O Ferries from Hull visiting Holland or Belgium:

DFDS Ferries: Newcastle – Amsterdam, Holland (Port of Ijmuiden)

DFDS Ferries offers a 2 night mini cruise onboard either the Seaways King or Seaways Princess. Both Ferries have at least one cinema, various restaurants and bars, kids facilities, etc.

Prices start from £85.00 (total for two people), and for that you get a two night mini-cruise including en suite cabin, coach transfers from the ship to/from Amsterdam and some time to do some exploring.

P&O Ferries

Hull to Zeebrugge, Belgium – for visiting at Bruges, Ghent, Ostend & Ypres.

P&O Ferries offer a 2 night cruise onboard either the Pride of York or Pride of Bruges.

Hull to Rotterdam, Holland for visiting Rotterdam or Amsterdam.

P&O Ferries offer a 2 night cruise onboard either the Pride of Hull or Pride of Rotterdam.

All P&O Ferries have onboard cinemas, shops, entertainment and plenty of bars and restaurants.

Offers currently start from just £40.00 per person on a 2 night mini cruise that includes en suite accommodation, coach transfers and time to do some exploring.

Ferries have come along way in recent years, partly due to the huge success of the wider cruising market. P&O Ferries and DFDS have regular offers to try and remain competitive and these mini breaks are a great way to test the water (‘scuse the pun!) and see if you might enjoy a longer cruise on a proper cruise ship.

Remember you can use Avios Points to lower the cash cost too – you only get 0.5p per Avios though, so it’s not a great deal. Groupon sometimes have good mini cruise offers too, so if you’re interested, it’s definitely worth checking them out as well.

My son and I are travelling with DFDS Ferries later this month from Newcastle to Holland, and so will report back on what it’s like for families in a later post.

A two-night break for two people for less than £100.00 is a great deal. If you happen to like ships and exploring new cities, then I’d say it’s more or less a perfect weekend trip!