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Six mini-cruises that are perfect for a party

There's a variety of taster cruises to try for a party in Amsterdam - Getty
There's a variety of taster cruises to try for a party in Amsterdam - Getty

Fancy combining cocktails and dancing with 360-degree ocean views? Many taster cruises allow you to do just that before stopping off in a city that’s primed for a party. Whether you have a big occasion to celebrate – from a 50th birthday to a hen do – or simply fancy a weekend away from reality, there’s a mini cruise from the UK or Ireland to suit your needs.

The refined reveller might spring for Cunard’s Big Band Ball while a 1990s music cruise could tempt a nostalgic millennial. Here are six cruises departing from the UK and Ireland that are ready-made for a party:

Go back to the nineties

From rave fans to boy band groupies, anyone with a love for ‘90s music will find something to enjoy on Marella’s Electric Sunsets cruise. Taking in four cities, they’ll be plenty of opportunity for land-based parties and touring the breweries of Amsterdam and Bruges. You could extend the festivities with an overnight stay pre-cruise in Newcastle or post-cruise in Southampton.

Of course, the main event will be the impressive, on board line-up of ‘90s favourites, including B*witched, 911, S Club Party (Jo and Bradley, who were members of S Club 7), Judge Jules and DJ SASH! along with tribute acts, Definitely Oasis, Spice Forever and The Stone Mondays.

When you've soaked up enough nostalgia try Marella Explorer’s on board drinking holes, including The Shack for frozen cocktails and the Squid and Anchor, the cruise line’s first pub at sea.

Jo and Bradley from S Club 7 - Credit: Marella Cruises
Get ready for an S Club party with Jo and Bradley Credit: Marella Cruises

Marella’s Electric Sunsets Cruise Back to the Nineties sails from Dublin and stops at Ijmuiden for Amsterdam and Zeebrugge for Bruges before finishing in Southampton. From £465pp, departs September 1, 2019 (020 3451 2688; tui.co.uk/cruise).

Prepare to be spooked

Is Halloween a favourite fixture on your calendar? Make this year’s especially memorable and join Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ Halloween Weekend cruise. Last year's sailing included a themed on board show of Halloween songs, such as Rocky Horror Show's Time Warp and Thriller. Cocktails and decorations also had an eerie bent, with many passengers bringing out their best fancy dress.

Magellan departs from Dublin so you could lengthen the celebrations with a stay in the Irish capital on the Thursday evening (Halloween night) before the voyage. Kick things off with a ghost tour of Dublin complete with tales of the ‘hanging judge’, the mummies of Saint Michan’s Church and a haunted hospital. Afterwards grab a stiff drink or two in the city’s famous bars, pubs and clubs.

Temple Bar Dublin - Credit: iStock
An eerie walk could be rounded off with a drink in Temple Bar Credit: iStock

When you stop in Liverpool for the night be sure to sample the Baltic city’s lively nightlife, perhaps after the requisite Beatles Tour and an evening on Matthew Street. Round things off with a dance at the Cavern Club where the band performed over 300 times.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Halloween Weekend Cruise sails from Dublin. From £169pp, departs November 1, 2019 (01708 893100; cruiseandmaritime.com).

Party in style

Looking for a black tie kind of party? Join P&O Cruises four-night voyage to the Netherlands on board Aurora, which includes two days in Amsterdam. All meals are included in the price and feature Marco Pierre White’s five course menu on the Black Tie Gala evenings. Dance classes and musical and theatre entertainment are also on offer.

Amsterdam sunset city skyline - Credit: iStock
An overnight stay in Amsterdam gives plenty of time to explore Credit: iStock

With an overnight stay in Amsterdam, you could sink a couple of pints of the city’s beer – Heineken – after touring its canals. Alternatively, opt for a sophisticated evening in its wine bars or test your palette in its proeflokaals, or tasting houses, where you can sample beers and spirits including jenever – a precusor to gin.

P&O’s The Netherlands cruise is a round-trip voyage from Southampton. From £359pp, departs November 22, 2019 (0345 355 5111; pocruises.com).

Go big on your way to Paris

For a chance to really indulge in food, drink and big show entertainment, join one of the largest ships traversing the oceans. With over 3,000 passengers on board, Independence of the Seas serves up meals for every taste, while you have a choice of six bars for a post-dinner tipple. Get some playtime in on the Sky Pad bungee trampoline, with a game of glow in the dark laser tag or an afternoon at the Splashaway waterpark.

Bruges' Canal - Credit: Getty
On Royal Caribbean's Royal Sampler you'll spend a leisurely day in Paris Credit: Getty

On the ship's first stop sample the chocolate, and brews, of Bruges. Next you’ll head to Paris where your 10pm departure should leave plenty of time to dip into the city’s cuisine – and bars.

Royal Caribbean’s round-trip three-night Royal Sampler sails from Southampton. From £449pp, departs 25 May, 2019 (0844 493 4005; royalcaribbean.co.uk).

Indulge in twenties glamour

If you prefer your parties with a touch of history, Cunard’s Big Band Ball themed Amsterdam Short Break voyage on board Queen Elizabeth could be for you. On board speakers will include singer, pianist and song writer Joe Stilgoe who’s released five critically-recommended albums, three of which reached the top spot of the UK jazz chart.

While ashore make the most of your evening in Amsterdam – with the least organisation required – by booking onto an excursion through the cruise line. On the Evening Walking Tour and Tipple your tour guide will escort you to recommended bars while giving you an insight into some of the city’s historic sites, from the old Stock exchange to the royal palace.

Cunard’s Amsterdam Short Break cruise is a round-trip from Southampton. From £748pp, departs October 4, 2019 (0344 338 8650; cunard.co.uk).

BeatlesPlatz hamburg - Credit: iStock
Stroll through the Fab Four's old haunts Credit: iStock

Follow in the Beatles’ footsteps

Voted the world’s best city for a night out back in 2017, Hamburg’s bars and clubs are the perfect conclusion to a two night cruise from Southampton. In a survey by Hostelworld, which covered 41 cities around the globe, Hamburg scored points for its friendliness, openness and ease of getting around. Head for the entertainment district of St Pauli to visit the Beatles’ former haunts – the band honed their craft in the city’s seedier joints in the early 1960s.

While sailing on MSC Orchestra you can rest up ready for a raucous evening in Hamburg. Perhaps catch a show at the Covent Garden Theatre, soak in the Turkish baths in MSC Aurea Spa or try your luck in the Palm Beach Casino.

MSC’s three day cruise to Hamburg sails from Southampton. From £389pp, departs May 12, 2019 (0203 426 3010; msccruises.co.uk).