Mini cruises allow ferry companies to fill up the boats. Remember you cannot always take your car, although all offer excellent shopping services to help you get your purchases to your car on your return.

DFDS Ferries from Newcastle - Book a mini Cruise to Amsterdam

Latest Offer - 2 night Amsterdam City Cruise Break - from £69 per person

With its charming and easy-going atmosphere, Amsterdam is one of Europe's top short break destinations.

Find out why Amsterdam is one of Europe's top destinations, with a ferry cruise to Holland's captivating capital from only £67 per person.

With 2 nights onboard a DFDS Seaways cruise ferry, you'll enjoy great food and entertainment as you sail to and from Amsterdam.

Canal houses, art galleries, parks - not to mention great shopping, restaurants and bars - Amsterdam offers lots to do.

2 nights onboard cruise ferry

Coach transfers to and from the city centre

Coach Sightseeing tour

Live entertainment onboard

Sailing overnight, you arrive in the morning and are taken by coach into the centre of Amsterdam.

Either stay on the coach for a sightseeing tour (included in price) or begin exploring the city on your own before cruising home in the early evening.

- Mini Cruise to Spain (Bilbao)

Route closes September 2010.

P O ferries from Portsmouth - Book a mini Cruise to Bilbao

The impressive Pride of Bilbao is the perfect ship on which to enjoy this 3 night round trip to Bilbao in Spain.

With live cabaret entertainment, restaurants, bars, two cinemas and even a plunge pool and health spa there is plenty to do before relaxing for the evenings in your own en suite cabin.

Mini cruises usually get you a standard cabin, which are located throughout the ship, the 2, 3 or 4 berth ensuite cabins have beds or bunks and a choice of either inside or sea view. You have the choice to upgrade for a small fee. The Club cabins are all ensuite with a sea view and are located in a quiet section of the ship. You'll enjoy more space and a range of extras including a colour television, bathrobes, fresh fruit, plus tea and coffee making facilities.

With up to 4 hours ashore in Spain you can choose to book one of our three optional shore excursions from just £10 per person, allowing you to learn a little more about this beautiful area of Spain.

There are experts on hand to help you spot and identify porpoises, dolphins and whales.

- Bruges Mini cruise (Zeebrugge), Belgium

POFerrie North Sea from Hull - Book a mini cruise to Zeebrugge

From Hull you can choose to take your car with you and spend a day exploring Belgium at leisure, or travel as a foot passenger and explore the beautiful cities of Bruges (in Belgium) with inclusive city-centre coach transfers.

A 2 night minicruise includes two consecutive nights onboard accommodation in your own en suite cabin and a day ashore on the Continent. Foot passengers can upgrade to a 3 night minicruise and spend a night in their chosen city for just an additional £20 per person (does not include hotel accommodation).

Free car parking at Hull

Check the website for latest up to date information.

- Mini cruises to Holland (Rotterdam)

PO Ferries North Sea from Hull - Book a mini cruise to Rotterdam

From Hull you can choose to take your car with you and spend a day exploring Holland at leisure, or travel as a foot passenger and explore the beautiful cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam (in Holland) with inclusive city-centre coach transfers.

A 2 night minicruise includes two consecutive nights onboard accommodation in your own en suite cabin and a day ashore on the Continent. Foot passengers can upgrade to a 3 night minicruise and spend a night in their chosen city for just an additional £20 per person (does not include hotel accommodation).

Check the website for latest up to date information.

- Mini cruises to Esbjerg (Denmark)

www.dfds.co.uk

Sail to Denmark on a DFDS Seaways cruise ferry and explore the coastal town of Esbjerg - Travel on selected dates in July and August and save over 30%.

Experience 2 nights aboard the m.s. DANA SIRENA, sailing from Harwich to Esbjerg then Esbjerg to Harwich, - enjoy great restaurants and comfy ensuite cabins - and relax as we sail you to Denmark.

The DANA SIRENA offers great dining -choose from the 7 Seas buffet, Blue Riband A la Carte or Explorers Steakhouse, as your ferry sails to Denmark.

- Mini Cruise to Spain (Santander)

Brittany ferries from Plymouth - Book a ferry to Santander

- Mini cruises - from Dover to Calais

From Dover you can enjoy the luxury of a 'Cruise à la Carte' minicruise, the convenience of a 'Car Park Shopper' minicruise or a combination of the two.

The non-landing Cruise à la Carte package allows you to sail out to Calais as a foot passenger in the ambience of the Club Lounge, then enjoy a three course meal in the exclusive onboard Langan's Brasserie on the return trip.

With Car Park Shopper you can drive on board, park your car, then 'shop till you drop' safe in the knowledge that everything you buy will be carried to you car ready for you to drive off back in Dover.

The best news is if you spend more than £400, PO Ferries will refund your 'Car Park Shopper' fare. To get your refund, quote 7869 when you pay for your purchases.