Cruise Extensions
For a magnificent cruise prelude or grand finale, plan an insider’s view of England and explore the hidden treasures of the area near your cruise port. For many, London is the place to visit before or after their voyage. Most cruise lines offer London hotel packages which can make your vacation seamless. However, some cruisers have been to the capital city on numerous occasions and are interested in other options. As an alternative to dealing with London as the base for a pre cruise extension, why not let the English countryside and gardens provide the backdrop for a 3-4 night add-on to a Harwich, Dover or Southampton departure? Click on the links at left for a few day-by-day itinerary suggestions which work just as well in reverse. Here are some snippets to get you started.
Cruising and the Cotswolds
Birmingham, Bristol and Heathrow give good access to one of the most charismatic of English 
destinations. With a wonderful collection of fine hotels and stunning gardens like Hidcote, Kiftsgate and Sudeley Castle, it is absolutely spot on for a pre or post cruise 3-4 nighter.
Tetbury, Stow on the Wold, Chipping Campden, Broadway, Moreton in Marsh... need we say more? The area is riddled with fabulous antique shops, all of which are listed with their specialties defined so that no time is lost if you are specialist collectors. Beckford Silk Mills is a unique country workshop where about ten people, mainly printers, designers, dyers and colorists hand print silk and other fine textiles. It gives you an insight into the art and craft of contemporary textiles and has a small but attractively stocked fabric shop. Add some delightful small privately owned gardens and some truly fabulous pubs for lunch and/or dinner as well as some wonderful ancient parish churches for Sunday worship.
It's Bath Time
Southampton via Salisbury and Glastonbury Abbey to Bath is another picturesque run. In the city itself you're spoiled for choice as to what to do for the next 3-4 nights. You'll find masses to see whether your interests lie with Roman history, Jane Austen, Georgian architecture, antique hunting, theatre at less than West End prices or sheer indulgence at the Thermae Bath Spa where historic spa buildings blend with contemporary design. Bathing in natural, warm, mineral rich waters including an open air roof top pool with spectacular views will do you the power of good.
Agatha Christie on the English Riviera
For Agatha Christie fans, leave Southampton and head to the English Riviera (aka Torquay) via Dorset and the New Forest. Awareness of this hidden gem is growing slowly, especially amongst anglophiles who know that large parts of Dorset still looks just like it did when Thomas Hardy lived there in the late 1800s. Some may also be aware of the stunning gardens at Exbury and others will know about the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. An additional refinement would be a visit to the extraordinary Church of All Saints at Minstead where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is buried. 
Over a two to three day period discover the many places associated with the 'Queen of Crime Writers' before boarding a direct train to London where the final night at the theatre has to be a performance of the Mousetrap.
Foyle's War, the cruise extension
The first series of Foyle’s War aired in 2002 and there are six in all. This popular TV fiction can be included in a tailor made pre or post cruise extension.
The traditional charm and gentle pace of this Hastings-set WWII detective drama attracts nearly 9 million viewers for every feature-length episode in the UK alone. Worldwide, over 60 million people watch the show.
The title character DCI Foyle is kept out of the war by an injury and so devotes his time to solving homeland crimes in the south east of England. Almost every location for the show is renamed but Hastings keeps its name and is often mentioned several times during the course of an episode!
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