If you’re considering your first-ever cruise-and-stay package, you’re far from alone. This approach to travel has seen a surge in popularity, and it’s easy to see why it holds such broad appeal.
There’s been a marked shift in how Brits, ranging from Baby Boomers to Gen Z, regard the idea of a holiday at sea. A huge number have gone from cruise-sceptics to cruise-curious, and this two-in-one style of holiday presents a convenient way to sample cruising without giving up your land-based getaway altogether.
In fact, you enjoy the best of both worlds: the chance to see multiple destinations in a single voyage, paired with the immersion of a city break or beachside retreat.
That said, for many people, the make-or-break factor when deciding on a holiday is still value. In an age of sky-high airfare and tourist taxes, it’s not necessarily about spending the least, so much as knowing your money is doing the most.
Here’s everything you need to know about cruise-and-stay packages, and how wallet-friendly they really are.
Is booking a cruise-and-stay package cheaper?
The slightly frustrating but honest answer is yes and no.
Some tour operators do build considerable mark-ups into the price that they offer customers. This typically lands in the region of 15 to 40 per cent, depending on factors like the season, destination and how tailored the trip is.
The reasoning is simple: tour operators are businesses and need to make a profit. What you’re paying for is a holiday without the hassle of logistics, plus a professional level of curation and know-how. That can mean the final package is noticeably more expensive than booking your cruise, hotel and flights separately.
There are, however, a few disruptors who make the numbers swing the other way, with packages that are significantly cheaper than DIY itineraries.
Chief among them is Cruise Nation, a value-focused tour operator that debuted in 2009. Its founders, Phil Evans and Steve Boardman, had spent years in senior roles at major tour operators and agencies. Together, they decided to take what they’d learned and launch an independent cruise specialist designed to pass on savings to customers.
The brand’s Smart Packages, which each combine a cruise, return flights and a free hotel stay, can work out as up to 30 per cent cheaper than if you’d booked the different elements yourself.
The team at Cruise Nation, which has more than 400 years of combined experience in the travel industry, are so confident they’ve secured the most competitive prices available that they’ll even offer a Best Price Guarantee: in the unlikely case you do find a lower fare, they’ll match it.
The reason they can offer these market-leading rates is that they’ve spent the last 17 years negotiating directly with cruise lines, airlines and hotels. By leveraging hard-earned expertise and relationships, as well as accessing bulk pricing that isn’t available to the public, they create honest value for guests while also remaining profitable as a business.
The cruise-and-stay packages with the best value
Since its early days as an up-and-coming disruptor, Cruise Nation has grown considerably. In 2025 it was voted the world's best cruise booking website, and in 2026 it's been named the small cruise agency of the year. Today, it offers fully ATOL-protected cruise-and-stay packages to over 200 destinations across the globe, with a huge number of cruise lines to choose from. Crucially, its Smart Packages aren't limited to city breaks, with stays of seven nights or longer also available, so you get a true two-in-one holiday that pairs adventure with genuine downtime.
Here are just three of its cruise-and-stay packages that promise excellent value:
A stay in Tokyo + a cruise of Japan
Japan has officially cemented its status as an ‘it’ destination for travellers, with a run of record-breaking years for international tourism. Its heady blend of ancient temples, neon-lit alleys and futuristic cityscapes means Tokyo in particular captures the imagination.
That said, the surge in demand has made it harder to secure good accommodation at a reasonable price, with popular hotels frequently booked up far in advance, forcing tourists to pay higher rates or stay further out.
This makes Cruise Nation’s cruise-and-stay itineraries to Japan extremely attractive. It has a strong collection of Smart Packages including complimentary hotel stays in Tokyo, giving you time to experience the capital, from its electric nightlife to its sacred shrines, before embarking on your cruise.
It also partners with an impressive selection of cruise lines, including Princess Cruises, which often ranks as a top choice for sailing Japan and Southeast Asia. Many of its voyages are timed to coincide with cherry blossom season or autumnal foliage, and frequently extend to Taiwan or South Korea, too. Aboard its ships, you have opportunities for cultural exploration, including traditional tea-making ceremonies, Japanese storytelling known as rakugo and, exclusively on Diamond Princess, an onsen-style spa.
Cruise Nation also gives you no shortage of routes to pick from, including a good number that stop in Shimizu, the best port for visiting Mount Fuji, as well as lesser-visited destinations away from the heavily touristed hotspots. For instance, you might spend a day in Kochi, known for its Edo-period castle and a temple dating back 1,300 years, or Kagoshima, renowned for its samurai history and hot springs.
An Athens stay + a Greek Island cruise
Athens has attracted visitors from far and wide for millennia and remains a destination that ranks high on many Brits’ bucket lists. The ancient city, which dates back over 3,000 years, has far more to offer than just archaeological sites and museums, though of course, those could easily fill an entire summer. Open-air bars beneath the illuminated Acropolis, artisan workshops selling hand-painted ceramics modelled on classical amphorae and historic tavernas serving mouthwatering moussaka vie for attention.
It’s also seen a surge in demand in recent years, with a newfound reputation as one of Europe’s most coveted destinations. A palpable energy fizzes through the trendy craft bars, large-scale street murals and indie galleries that have cropped up on every corner. Considering the competition for hotel rooms and Airbnbs, scoring a free two or three-night stay feels like a real win, particularly given how much you can tailor your break with Cruise Nation.
When it comes to your odyssey through the Greek Isles, the cruise specialist affords you ample choice, too. It partners with a good number of cruise lines, including family-friendly options like Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as Virgin Voyages, which offers adults-only sailings with a contemporary edge designed to appeal to travellers who don’t consider themselves ‘cruise people’.
Once on board, you’ll enjoy an island-hopping adventure without the hassle and expense of catching multiple ferries and flights and unpacking every time you check into new accommodation. You’ll simply be whisked to marquee ports like Mykonos, Rhodes and Chania, with the chance to enjoy them from a unique vantage point. Picture the volcanic, multi-coloured cliffs of Santorini rising from the Aegean, lit up by a fiery sunset.
A stay in Orlando + a Caribbean cruise
This is a dream combination for families, multi-gen groups and the young at heart. Cruise Nation takes care of the cost of a weeklong hotel stay in Orlando, often called the theme park capital of the world, so you can put your money towards making the most of the attractions.
Highlights include Walt Disney World and its six parks. Expect Cinderella's castle at Magic Kingdom, Star Wars characters at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Lion King shows at Animal Kingdom.
Universal Orlando is another major draw, and Cruise Nation's access to discounted tickets make working through all four parks more affordable. The newest, Universal Epic Universe, is a particular crowd-pleaser thanks to Super Nintendo World and the Ministry of Magic.
Between Universal and Disney, there’s plenty to fill all seven days, from meeting Snow White or Elsa to breaking into Gringotts. And that’s before you consider Orlando's lesser-visited parks, like Peppa Pig Theme Park.
Older members of the family will find no shortage of alternatives to keep them entertained too, including daytrips to the Kennedy Space Center and the sugary sands of New Smyrna Beach.
After your Floridian getaway, it’s time to embark on a Caribbean cruise, with the promise of beach hopping in the Bahamas, snorkelling with turtles off the US Virgin Islands and exploring the lush rainforest of St Kitts.
With Cruise Nation you have your pick of lines, too, with ample family-friendly options to choose from. MSC and Royal Caribbean are strong contenders, thanks to their private island access and excellent kids' clubs.
How to book
You can find hundreds of cruise-and-stay packages to destinations such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska, Asia and many more on the Cruise Nation website.
If you’d rather speak to a real person who can help you explore your options, taking your specific budget and interests into account, you can also call 0333 455 8569 between 8am and 8pm on Monday through Saturday or 10am to 6pm on Sundays.
Or if you're in need of some inspiration, consider signing up to the Cruise Nation newsletter here for the latest deals directly to your inbox.
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