Boat Travel

Ferries and other boats travel regular routes to France, Spain, Ireland, and Scandinavia. P&O runs ferries between Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands. Norfolk Line covers Denmark, Holland, France, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Stena Line serves Ireland and the Netherlands.

Low-cost airlines and Eurotunnel (which lets you take a car to France on the train) have cut into ferry travel, but companies have responded by cutting fares and upgrading equipment.

Prices vary; booking early ensures cheaper fares, but also ask about special deals. Seaview is a comprehensive online ferry- and cruise-booking portal for Britain and continental Europe. Ferry Cheap is a discount Web site.

Information

Ferry Cheap (01304/501100. www.ferrycheap.com.)

DFDS Seaways (0871/574-7235. www.dfdsseaways.co.uk.)

P&O (0871/664-2121. www.poferries.com.)

Seaview (www.seaview.co.uk.)

Stena Line (0844/770-7070. www.stenaline.co.uk.)

Transatlantic and Other Cruises

Most cruise ships leave from southern England—particularly Southampton and Portsmouth. Some ships leave from Liverpool and Dover as well, or from Harwich, near London.

Cruise Lines

Cunard Line (800/728-6273 in U.S.; 0845/678-0013 in U.K. www.cunard.com.)

Holland America Line (0843/374-2300. www.hollandamerica.com.)

Norwegian Cruise Line (0845/201-8900 in U.K; 866/234-7350 in U.S. www.ncl.com.)

Princess Cruises (800/774-6237 in U.S.; 0845/075-0031 in U.K. www.princess.com.)

Royal Caribbean International (866/562-7625 in U.S.; 0844/493-4005 in U.K. www.royalcaribbean.com.)