Two of the best cruises

published 16 October 2015

764-river-cruise-634 — Beer lovers will feel at home on the AmaPrima

Nuremberg to Budapest

The highlight is an overnight stay in Vienna, the "big daddy of Christmas merriment", where the city centre has been transformed into a "sparkling wonderland". The festive market on Rathausplatz features traditional nutcracker men, gingerbread houses and "glittery tree ornaments".

From £2,229 per person including flights and two nights in Prague (0808-223 5009, AmaWaterways.co.uk).

The Greek islands

Having undergone a major refurbishment, the Celestyal Nefeli is due to cruise the eastern Mediterranean from next year. That the ship is named after the Greek goddess of hospitality reflects the Greece-based operator's approach to cruises, says Deborah Stone in the Daily Express. Activities on board the Greek culture, food, history and wine-themed voyages include cooking demonstrations run by local chefs, archaeological talks and Greek music and dancing.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Celestyal has added 15 new destinations around the Greek islands, while cruises from Turkey will be extended in 2016. Cruises begin in March and run through to October.

Prices from £215 for a three-dayfull-board cruise, not including flights. See CelestyalCruises.com.

Cruises for those who love

Zombies

Surviving a zombie apocalypse on aCaribbean cruise isn't everyone's ideaof a relaxing break. But for fans of thehit US series Walking Dead, the three-dayvoyage to Nassau in the Bahamasis the perfect chance to get fullyimmersed in fake blood and gore, saysKatie Amey in the Daily Mail, and meetstars from the show. The tour leavesMiami on 15 January.

From $750 per person, plus taxes andfees. See WalkerStalkerCruise.com.

Heavy metal

"Rocking the boat" is very much theorder of the day on what is billed as"the world's biggest heavy metalcruise". Sixty hard rock bands,including "goth heroes" Cradle ofFilth and Children of Bodum, havesigned up to play the cruise, says TheIndependent's Liz Dodd. It departs fromFort Lauderdale in Florida on 4 Februarynext year, bound for Falmouth, Jamaica.

Double cabins from $1,366.See 70000Tons.com.

Star Trek

Less star ship than cruise ship, the firstofficially licensed Star Trek-themedcruise sets sail on 9 January 2017 fromFlorida, with William Shatner at the"metaphorical helm", says Liz Dodd inThe Independent. The actor, who playedCaptain Kirk in the original series, willjoin the tour as part of the series' 50thanniversary celebrations next year. Thesix-day trip takes in the Mexican islandof Cozumel, and the Bahamas.

From $2,750, StarTrekTheCruise.com.

Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.

Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.

You can follow Chris on Instagram.