Take me back to summer: Start planning your 2022 summer cruise

There’s no better feeling than having something to look forward to, especially if it’s a holiday. Summer might be coming to an end, but we’re already looking ahead and making plans for next year

There’s no better feeling than having something to look forward to, especially if it’s a holiday. Summer might be coming to an end, but we’re already looking ahead and making plans for next year. Luckily, there are plenty of perks to being an early bird, and we love having first picks for the dreamiest destinations.

We asked P&O Cruises about the best summer cruises to look forward to for summer 2022.

#1 Choose your cruise

There are plenty of summer cruises on offer, and many cruises in Australia include the dreamiest beaches at the amazing places they visit so you can make the most of the warm weather and sunshine.

To narrow down your options, think about where and when you want to go, and for how long. You could book a short getaway with a 3-4 day cruise, or opt for a weeklong cruise if you have more time off.

As for destinations, you really can’t go wrong. In Australia, we’re spoiled with the most scenic coastline in the world, so your decision comes down to the places or cultural experiences that are on your bucket list.

These bestselling summer cruises might inspire you:

  • P&O Cruises Whitsundays Cruise. If you want to treat yourself for a long weekend, this 4-night Whitsundays cruise is perfect. It departs from Queensland’s cosmopolitan capital, Brisbane, and cruises up the east coast to stunning Airlie Beach. Known for its white-sand shores and turquoise waters, an Airlie Beach cruise is the quintessential Whitsundays experience, and you can spend the day scuba diving, snorkelling, sunbathing or simply strolling around.
  • P&O Cruises Moreton Island – Tangalooma Cruise. Australia is home to many untouched beaches, and this 4-night Moreton Island – Tangalooma cruise will take you to one of our country’s best-kept secrets. Located off the coast of southeast Queensland, it’s one of the world’s largest sand islands and famous for its pristine beaches, rolling sand dunes and colourful coral reef. You can opt to see the Tangalooma Wrecks up close, or get a birds-eye view of the island with a helicopter ride. Don’t miss the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Feeding shore tour, it’s one of the only places in the world where you can do this!
  • P&O Cruises Barrier Reef Discovery Cruise. A week at sea is a true luxury, and this Barrier Reef cruise is the ultimate way to unwind. It departs from Brisbane, and calls at Airlie Beach then Cairns, where you’ll have plenty of time to jump on a jet boat to the Great Barrier Reef or check out the views of the rainforest from above on the Skyrail. Take a trip to the Daintree in Port Douglas or just kick back and relax in the amazing marina. You can also depart from Sydney and follow the same itinerary, which would make it a 10-night cruise instead of 7.
  • P&O Cruises Southern Getaway Cruise. Ready to explore the southern coastline? This 4-night cruise departs from Adelaide and winds its way to Port Lincoln, a modern town that’s both a foodie’s and history buff’s heaven. Learn about its rich maritime history, go wildlife watching, or feast on fresh seafood. The options are endless! The final stop on the cruise is Kangaroo Island, where you can expect to see sea lions, platypuses and kangaroos all on the same day!
Take me back to summer: Start planning your 2022 summer cruise

#2 Start thinking about onboard activities

Once you’ve picked a cruise, it’s time to look into the onboard activities. There are over 60 activities on offer on a P&O cruise every day, which means you’ll never run out of things to do and you can truly tailor your trip to be your idea of a good holiday.

For some people, that’s doing it all, from mixology and yoga classes to rock climbing, and making the most of the ship’s gym, tennis courts and running tracks. And for others, the day spa, sauna and child-free pool oases is everything they need to truly relax.

If you’re travelling with your family, P&O’s Kids Clubs will look after the kids while you go relax and enjoy yourself. You can go one step further and book a pass for the P&O Edge Adventure Park so the kids can pass the time on exciting activities like Walk the Plank or the zip line.

#3 Research shore tours

Another optional “extra” you can look into is shore tours. When a cruise stops at a destination for the day, you can either explore on your own or book a shore trip, such as a guided tour, cultural workshop, or activity like scuba diving. The list of available excursions depends on the destination, but there is usually a handful on offer.

Plus, P&O has already done the hard work for you. They’ve found the best things to do in every destination and only work with reputable operators. They also have P&O Best Price Guarantee which means that if you find the same tour cheaper, they will refund you 110% in the form of onboard spending money.

Shore tours are a great way to make the most of the amazing destinations you’ll visit and get the very best of every port of call. They can be booked anytime after booking your cruise and up to 4 days before your cruise departure, but the best ones do tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend planning ahead.

Start counting down the days ‘til your summer cruise!

The sooner you can book a cruise for 2022, the better! You’ll get first picks for your destination of choice and choice of room and you’ll get first dibs on specialty dining, spa treatments, shore tours and activities with limited availability.

To make your 2022 cruise easier to budget for, P&O Cruises also offers flexible payment plans, meaning that you could pay the initial deposit upfront and the rest in instalments.

Summer may be almost over, but wanderlust never fades and P&O Cruises’ summer cruise deals are too good to pass on. Whichever cruise you choose, you’ll return home feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the year!

Take me back to summer: Start planning your 2022 summer cruise

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