Mervyn Hancock takes his monthly look at holidays afloat.

There are some outstanding bargains out there for anyone looking for either a cruise from Dover or Southampton or travel by air to Europe or the Caribbean. Cruise operators have been badly affected by the credit crunch both in Europe and America, and are trying to woo customers onboard with offers of cabin upgrades, onboard spending money and even free shore excursions.

Sail away to the Caribbean from only £816 per person. Join Royal Caribbean International's Liberty of the Seas on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean fly/cruise on May 9. Price includes return flights to Miami from Heathrow, transfers and a seven-night cruise calling at Philipsburg (St Maarten), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Labadee (Haiti) before returning to Miami, meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Liberty of the Seas has 15 decks of activities including a surf park, ice rink, rock climbing wall, children's water park, Johnny Rockets American Diner, a video arcade, computer stations, video games, a teens-only nightclub, basketball and volleyball courts, miniature golf course and a shopping "street" running through the centre of the ship. For more information and to book call 0845 165 8330 or log on to the website www.royalcaribbean.co.uk

Cruise the Caribbean from £749 by joining Ocean Village for seven nights taking in Barbados, Tortola, St Barts, Antigua, Martinique and Grenada before returning to Barbados. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and include flights from Gatwick and transfers. Prices are based on selected departures in February and March and include all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Details from the wesbite at www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk – 0871 781 9893

Pay £699 and sail onboard Queen Mary 2 across the Atlantic for six nights from Southampton to New York. Prices are per person for April and May based on two adults travelling and sharing a balcony cabin on a full-board basis and include a flight with Virgin Atlantic from New York to Heathrow. Details: www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk – 0871 781 9893.

Take a 14-night Red Sea Cruise from £799. After a seven-night stay in 4V Dreams Vacation (all-inclusive), join Thomson Celebrationfor seven nights with Virgin Holidays Cruises. Sail from Sharm el Sheik to Aqaba, Port Sokhna and Safaga before returning to Sharm el Sheikh. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on an all-inclusive basis (free upgrade from full-board) and includes flights from Luton and transfers. Hotel stay is on an all-inclusive basis. Prices based on selected departures from November to March 2010. Details: 0871 781 9893.