Cruise to Holland

And before and after visting Amsterdam you can have quite good food. Not so cheap, but they know how to cook it. You can have something simply British or forget about tradition and experiment with menu.

It is my sin - I cannot save on food!

Please read next part of this research and tell us your opinion. Write to: jack.alty@googlemail.com

All hands on deck!

Many of us dream about a cruise. Sea offers something romantic and it is interesting to be on a ship. There are so many things to do. You can play, gamble, swim, dance or just sit on deck and watch the sea.

Years ago people were forced by press-gangs to join crews and work on ships. Nowadays they pay to travel by ship and pay sometimes enormous sums of money.

But there are some possibilties of such excursion for much less - sometimes even for free.

We found one, three years ago and we still use those services.

In one of British tabloids there was a discount coupon for DFDS Seaways crossing to Amsterdam. I opened their website and got night-day-night travel form Newcastle to Amsterdam for 39 pounds.

This is actually mini-cruise, which gives you a taste of a real sea travel. How does it look like?

First you have to get to Newcastle. Remember, if you come from the South, you have to cross river Tyne, as North Shields, with its Ferry Terminals, is on the other bank of the river. Quite often there is a queue to the tunnel under the river. It is good to add addtional 45 minutes for the crossing, especially if you drive in peak hours or sunny, summer Saturday.

When you get to the harbour, you can leave your car at the car park, for something like 8 pounds a day.

A queue in the terminal seems to be enormous at the first sight, but it goes quickly. Just don't put your Manchester United hat on, as Geordie custom officer can stop you for a bit longer time.

You get onto the ship and you feel like a very special guest. You are being welcomed by those guys in their navy-blue uniforms. And your child is being greeted by Parrot the Pirate!

Cabins for the price given are standard: four beds, table, bathroom with shower. And window or not - it depends on what you have chosen. If you have few pounds more in your budget - take the one with the window.

Almost immediatley after boarding you can go and have a good time. Something is going on in Columbus Club - main party area on the ship. There is a live band (decent Bulgarian musicians), ballet etc. In the bar next door there is a piano player who can play most of world evergreens. There is a disco upstairs and a casino. You can also visit duty free shop. And they they have kids play area on lower deck. Just have fun!

On the other day they take you from Ijmuiden (harbour) by coach to Amsterdam's downtown. You can choose - organized excursion with a guide or sightseen tour on your own. However, you can spend six hours in Dutch capital city. What you can see there is a another story.

But after that, you are back on the ship and party starts again!