Cruise Holidays PLUS

03/06/2026

Our office is currently CLOSED (Friday March 6) due to a power outage in the area.

02/12/2026

IMPORTANT TRAVEL UPDATE FOR UK DUAL CITIZENS

New changes to the British passport system mean that dual nationals will no longer be able to enter the U.K. on a foreign passport and must declare their British nationality. Effective February 25, 2026, UK dual citizens must use a valid British or Irish passport to enter the UK or face potential boarding and entry refusals. The new rules, linked to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, prohibit British citizens from using foreign (including Canadian) passports alone for entry. If you do not have a UK passport, a costly Certificate of Entitlement is required.

What Has Changed?

Previously, dual nationals were able to use their other passport (e.g. Canadian, Australian) to enter the UK. The change comes as part of the U.K.’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation rollout which requires all visitors to the U.K. who don’t need a visa to buy a £16 digital authorization permit, valid for two years. Since the ETA is mandatory for all overseas passports, British dual citizens entering the U.K. on one of these passports would also require an ETA. But, you cannot get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) if you’re a British or Irish dual citizen. Hence, the enforcement of these new passport rules which apply even if you live abroad permanently.

What should you do if you are a dual citizen?

If you are a dual British citizen, ensure your British passport is valid. If it has expired or you never obtained one, apply for a renewal or a first-time passport immediately to avoid the high cost of a Certificate of Entitlement. Alternatively, you could renounce your British citizenship and travel as a citizen of your home country with an ETA. While that may sound drastic, if you have no British passport and don’t have emotional or familial connections to the U.K., it could be the simplest option.

Key 2026 Passport Rules for UK Dual Citizens

Mandatory UK Passport: Dual citizens must travel with their British passport, as they cannot apply for an ETA, which is now mandatory for other visitors.
Certificate of Entitlement: If you do not hold a British passport, you must get a "Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode" placed in your foreign (Canadian) passport, which costs roughly £589 (approx $1,100 CDN).
Airline Compliance: Starting February 25, 2026, airlines will deny boarding to passengers who claim British nationality but cannot produce a UK passport or a Certificate of Entitlement.
Emergency Travel: In specific cases, an Emergency Travel Document can be used for one-time entry.
Children: Children born to British parents who only hold a foreign passport must obtain a British passport or certificate to enter the UK.

Still have questions or need further clarification?

If you are not clear on how or if these changes relate to you, please contact your Member of Parliament or local UK embassy. Further information can be found in the research briefing from the UK Parliament.

01/06/2026

Why not make 2026 the year you experience Summer Solstice in the land of the Midnight Sun? We only have 2 cabins left on our 14-night Princess Alaska Cruise & Tour in June 2026. First come, first served - offer ends on January 16th so call us ASAP at (705) 324-3110.

Enjoy almost 24 hours of daylight during the summer solstice on this popular (PB7) "Off the Beaten Path" land tour and cruise on Discovery Princess, starting on June 20th in Fairbanks, Alaska and ending on July 4th in Vancouver.

On the 7-night land package, you'll spend 2 nights in Fairbanks, 2 nights at the Denali Wilderness Lodge, 1 night at the Mt McKinley Wilderness Lodge and 2 nights at the Kenai Wilderness Lodge before joining the ship in Whittier, just south of Anchorage. On your 7-night southbound cruise you'll visit Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver.

This amazing 14-night package to the 'Great Land' is SOLD OUT except for the 2 remaining staterooms in our contract, which expires on January 16th. While there is still limited space on the ship for the cruise-only option, the land tour portion is limited to the number of seats on the train and/or motor coach transfers between each of the lodges.

PRICING: Includes our group booking discount and is per person based on double occupancy BASED ON AVAILABILITY until JANUARY 16 (first come first served).

Balcony Category BD - SOLD OUT
Deluxe Balcony Category DB - $7,993 (only 1 left)
Mini Suite Category MB - $8,536 (only 1 left)

Pricing includes the land accommodation & tours, cruise fare, taxes & port charges and rail & bus transfers on the land tour (airport - Fairbanks lodge, transfers between lodges and from the Kenai lodge to ship). An additional night pre-tour in Fairbanks, a meal plan for the land portion and Princess Plus perks on the cruise (beverage package, Wifi, gratuities) and Vancouver airport transfers are available at additional cost. Flight schedules and pricing are now available. Travel Insurance is highly recommended.

12/08/2025

LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER - We have had 3 couples that have had to cancel their cabins on our 20th Anniversary hosted Emerald Waterways river cruise. Emerald has agreed to honour the original early booking discounted pricing on these 3 cabins, a savings of over $700 per person over current pricing! But the offer expires the earlier of December 22nd or whenever the 3 cabins have been rebooked so you need to act now - first come first served.

September 18, 2026 marks our travel agency's 20th Anniversary! We are celebrating with a special 10-night Zurich, Lucerne and "Jewels of the Rhine" river cruise hosted by agency owners Cheryl & Robert McDonald. Travel through Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands from Zurich to Amsterdam on Emerald Waterways October 21st to 31st, 2026. Emerald Waterways is an Australian owned company, established in 2013, with a Canadian office in Vancouver.

TRIP DETAILS:

Oct 21 - Zurich hotel
Oct 22 - Guided tour of Zurich, transfer to Lucerne hotel
Oct 23 - Guided tour of Lucerne
Oct 24 - Transfer to Basel to board your ship
Oct 25 - Freiburg (Breisach)
Oct 26 - Kehl - Strasbourg
Oct 27 - Heidelberg (Germersheim)
Oct 28 - Koblenz
Oct 29 - Cologne & Dusseldorf
Oct 30 - Arrive in Alkmaar (for Amsterdam) (overnight)
Oct 31 - Bid farewell

PRICING: Includes our group booking discount, early booking discount and is per person based on double occupancy BASED ON AVAILABILITY.
Panorama balcony (category C) is $7,510 CDN (2 available)
Panorama balcony (category B) is $7,790 CDN (1 available)

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:

Cruise fare, port charges and government taxes
Round trip economy flights from 11 major Canadian cities
1 night hotel pre-cruise in Zurich (breakfast included)
2 nights hotel pre-cruise in Lucerne (breakfast included)

All transfers airport - hotels - ship - airport
Small group excursions
Private evening concert in Heidelberg
All gratuities onboard and onshore
Wine, beer & soft drinks at lunch & dinner
Wi-Fi onboard
First class service from an English speaking crew

THE SHIP: Emerald Star was built in 2014, is 3 decks high and carries 182 passengers in a range of well-appointed staterooms and suites. Enjoy your all-weather balcony, fine dining, indoor pool, spa and more.

THE FINE PRINT: Full payment is required at the time of booking to take advantage of the discounts and flight promotion. Of this amount, $500 per person is NON REFUNDABLE (additional cancellation penalties begin at 90 days prior to departure). Maximum flight cost including taxes not to exceed $1,800 per person and must be booked by Emerald Cruises at least 6 months prior to departure. Air deviations, flight upgrades to Premium Economy or Business class available at additional cost. Additional hotel night in Zurich and / or post cruise package in Amsterdam available on request at additional cost. No name changes allowed after final payment or when air tickets have been issued, whichever is sooner.

The very nature of a river, its sources and the networks of bridges and locks means that there will be times when weather or other conditions in a region require adjustments to an itinerary. Therefore, the cruise line reserves the right to substitute or modify itineraries, hotels or ships. Water levels, wind factors or other conditions may be such that all or part of your itinerary must be completed by motorcoach and hotels. Note that such changes are not eligible for refund, and are subject to change without notice. Other terms & conditions may apply.

06/16/2025

Are you interested in a North American cruise that does NOT start or end in or visit an American port? The Holland America Volendam sails an 11-night cruise round trip from Montreal on September 1st, 2026. Cruise the St. Lawrence river with port calls in Quebec City, Saguenay, Charlottetown, St. Johns, Saint Pierre & Miquelon (a French archipelago), and Havre-Saint-Pierre.

But don't wait to book this popular itinerary! All categories of balconies and suites and some ocean view categories are already sold out and on a waitlist. Call the Cruise specialists at Cruise Holidays Plus today at (705) 324-3110 to get onboard!

CRUISE HOLIDAYS PLUS is PROUDLY CANADIAN - locally owned & operated. Opening in 2006, we've grown to a dedicated team of travel advisors committed to ensuring your vacation exceeds your expectations. We are your ocean & river cruise experts PLUS more!

06/05/2025

Join Cruise Holidays Plus travel agency owners Cheryl & Robert McDonald on a 14-night Princess Alaska Cruise & Tour in June 2026 from Fairbanks, Alaska to Vancouver. But you will need to act quickly, as only 4 cabins remain in our group contract.

Enjoy almost 24 hours of sunlight during the summer solstice on this (PB7) "Off the Beaten Path" land tour and cruise on Discovery Princess, starting on June 20th and ending on July 4th, 2026.

On the 7-night land package, you'll spend 2 nights in Fairbanks, 2 nights at the Denali Wilderness Lodge, 1 night at the Mt McKinley Wilderness Lodge and 2 nights at the Kenai Wilderness Lodge before joining the ship in Whittier. On your 7-night cruise you'll visit Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver.

This amazing 14-night package to the 'Great Land' is SOLD OUT except for the 4 remaining staterooms in our contract. While there is still space on the ship for the cruise-only option, the land tour portion is limited to the seats on the train and/or motor coaches transfers between each of the lodges.

PRICING: Includes our group booking discount and is per person based on double occupancy BASED ON AVAILABILITY (first come first served).
Balcony Category BD - $7,883 (only 1 left)
Deluxe Balcony Category DB - $8,058 (only 3 left)
Mini Suite Category MB - SOLD OUT

04/08/2025

WE HAVE POWER!!! After the devastating ice storm that hit the area our office was closed for 10 days with no heat, hydro, internet or phones. Our power has now been restored and we are open again. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

04/02/2025

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: Due to the devastating ice storm that hit the region on March 29th, the CRUISE HOLIDAYS PLUS OFFICE IS CLOSED. Our phone lines are still down, and we still have no power, heat, lights or internet. The City of Kawartha Lakes has declared a state of emergency and Hydro crews are working to restore power but we have no reliable estimate as to when we will be able to re-open. In addition, many of our travel advisors are still without power so our ability to work from home has also been seriously compromised. We appreciate your patience and look forward to returning to full service as soon as we can to help make your travel dreams come true.

03/31/2025

Cruise Holidays Plus will be back making travel dreams come true when power is restored after the devastating ice storm that hammered the kawarthas!

02/24/2025

YOU ARE INVITED to a complimentary, information event to learn more about European River cruising in general and about our agency's 20th Anniversary "Jewels of the Rhine" river cruise specifically. Please RSVP to reserve your seats.

02/08/2025

IGUAZU FALLS! An indigenous term meaning “great water”. A series of approx 150 waterfalls in a horseshoe shape on the border of Argentina & Brazil that make up the largest waterfall system in the world - with a height of approx 269 feet and width stretching over approx 8900 feet. Access on the Argentina side is by train through the jungle to trails along the upper and lower sides. On the Brazil side a walkway along the canyon provides spectacular views in a humid subtropical climate with high temperatures year round.

01/25/2025

Antarctica! Holland America Oosterdam. Stunning Icebergs, icebergs & more & bigger icebergs!