“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did.
So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbour. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain

Cruise Options has been operational for 21 years and our main reason for starting the business was to ensure that you, the traveller is given a choice of cruises as we believe that your needs for each holiday are often quite different depending on the area or type of holiday that you’re interested in; you may want to do a lot of exploring or prefer to spend time just relaxing on the ship.

Cruise Options is South Africa’s first cruise specialist agency, dedicated to providing a personalised service and advising on cruises to meet specific requirements unique to each traveller. We are passionate about cruising and the wonderful opportunities constantly on offer to see and experience varied cultures and places around the world. We only sell select products that after 20+ years in the business, we feel are best for most of our clients.

Cruising offers you travel opportunities unlike any other with new and different destinations each year, a comfort and style to match your needs and the added benefit of not having to continuously pack and unpack.

“Cruise Options have repeatedly provided us with a friendly, professional and exemplary service resulting in many first class experiences. We have travelled together with Jann as well as independently and her team have always had the knowledge and expertise to create many memorable holidays. Their attention to detail and hands on approach to each individual makes them the leaders in luxury cruise travel. We highly recommend Cruise Options and thank them for their past and ongoing service.”
Jim and Liz Volkwyn

EXCLUSIVE OCEAN CRUISES

Our core business is the more exclusive cruise lines with small to medium ships which have a guest capacity of 100 to 1,000. These include Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, SeaDream, Silversea as well as Azamara, Oceania, Windstar and Viking Ocean Cruises.

LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISES

Discovery and Expedition Cruises are a key part of our business and include Alaska, the Amazon, Asia, Antarctica, the Arctic, Europe, the Galapagos, North West & North East Passages and the South Pacific, amongst other fascinating destinations.

These cruises are mostly on smaller ships with a guest capacity of 22 to 260 and our preferred companies are Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal Expedition Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, Ponant, Seabourn Extraordinary Expeditions, Silversea Expeditions, UnCruise Adventures, Viking Expedition Cruises and Zegrahm Expeditions.

“We’ve used Cruise Options regularly over the years for “expedition” cruises on small ships with zodiacs to facilitate multiple shore excursions. The pre-cruise arrangements have always been hassle free and received well in advance. Jann, the owner, has vast knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the reputable cruise lines, backed up by multiple personal evaluation cruises with those companies. Thus, she can advise her clients which ships are likely to work for them and which to avoid. On most of our cruises Jann has accompanied her guests and what a difference it makes! Being on the spot, she attends to little niggles that might arise and ensures, where practical, that all her guests receive “most favoured nation” status. Her back-up team in the office are on the ball and a pleasure to deal with. All in all, we cannot think of any reason to go anywhere else when planning a cruise to any destination. While our preference is expedition cruising, Cruise Options can advise on cruises across the spectrum.” Ian and Karin MacLarty

RIVER CRUISES

River cruising is a wonderful way to explore a region, with smaller guest numbers, and higher staff to guest ratios, everything is handcrafted to make your journey unique. With the ability to access narrow ports and glide through shallow waterways, river cruising is a fantastic way to visit historical sites, experience new cultures and relax in luxury.

Europe is well known for its historic waterways, and a luxurious river cruise is a great way to explore the old continent by gracefully gliding through the endless maze of waterways. It’s a great choice for guests who like to be ashore every day, and you’ll have the freedom to explore independently or with expert guides. With most river cruises being all-inclusive, you can enjoy your vacation without having to reach for your wallet at every turn.

Discover the unique spectacles of the world’s greatest river journeys: the baroque Danube, the ancient Nile, the vibrant Mekong, the abundant Amazon and many more. Every river brings a new adventure and we’ll help you choose
your perfect journey.

Our preferred companies include Aqua Expeditions, Crystal River Cruises, Scenic Cruises, Tauck European River Cruising, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Viking River Cruises with guest capacities of 30 to 196.

1. Daily Discoveries

River cruises stop at new ports almost daily offering passengers an itinerary full of unique destinations to discover.

2. Scenic Sailing

Looking to unwind on the water while taking in the sights? While river cruise lines do not spend a full day cruising, there is typically no shortage of time to take in the beautiful scenery when passing through scenic stretches such as the Danube's Wachau Valley and the Rhine's River Gorge.

3. All Inclusive

All-Inclusive— Most food, beverages, and often excursions are included in the overall price, allowing travelers to enjoy a decadent vacation without the stress of planning every detail and pinching every penny.

4. One-of-A Kind Experiences

With access to narrow ports and through shallow waterways, river cruising offers a cruise for travelers who love to experience new cultures, visit historical sites and relax in cruise luxury.

5. Maximum Return On Experience

River cruises offer a fantastic return on experience and investment, by allowing the chance to see multiple destinations under one price tag.

6. Local Tastes and Cultures

Travelers get whisked away and drenched in local cultures with unique excursions and culinary experiences available only on river cruises, including authentic experiences at historical sites and tasting culinary masterpieces made with locally sourced ingredients.

7. Love for Luxe

River cruises offer an exclusive, luxurious option for travelers. A smaller vessel means a more intimate vacation setting with staff focused on each guest.

8. New Options

River cruising allows travelers to visit more intimate corners of the world and experience lands previously thought hard to get to by cruise, such as pockets along the Mekong and Amazon Rivers.

LUXURY HOTEL BARGES CRUISES

Luxury hotel barges cruise the charming inland waterways of England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Holland and Italy. This is a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans as the pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise often covering little more than 80 km’s along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along.

There is a wide selection of cruises to choose from, such as the canals of Burgundy, Alsace and the Canal du Midi, as well as the Venetian Lagoon and Po Valley in Italy, Holland in the spring time and the spectacular Scottish Highlands. The relaxing cruises along the smaller inland waterways of these regions feature wonderful scenery, stimulating history, local culture and of course fine cuisine and wines.

The barges accommodate between 6 and 20 guests and you can choose to join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis, or you can charter a whole hotel barge with family and friends, perhaps for a special occasion or to enjoy a specific theme cruise such as golf, walking, or wine appreciation.

Our preferred companies are European Waterways and French Country Waterways.

“If you REALLY want help, advice and top personal service when it comes to cruising (especially expedition cruising), as well as the merits and demerits of the various cruise lines, you probably won’t do better than tapping into the professional knowledge and experience of Jann and her team at Cruise Options.”
Denzil and Lydia Busse

“Over the past several years, it has been a pleasure dealing with the excellent and knowledgeable staff at Cruise Options. We, unhesitatingly, recommend their agency to anyone wishing to enjoy the luxury of cruising on superb ships. We appreciate that they operate in the higher class of cruise ships on the market, a distinction we identify with totally. We wish them continued success for the future.”
Sam and Pat Abrahams

“We are always delighted to plan our travels with the Cruise Options team. Their professional and very personalised services make us feel like VIPs before we even leave home, and we are welcomed back like friends on return. Our thanks to you all.”
Ken and Stephanie Logan

“We love travel, and especially to places not frequented by the masses. We have used Cruise Options for over 10 years to help us organize 10+ trips to the Mediterranean, Middle East, Arctic, Antarctic, to name a few. They were all very professionally organized and included helpful tips and recommendations that you can only get when people of the agency have been there themselves. We enjoyed them all and the cruise over Christmas and New Year to the Antarctic especially was simply outstanding and unforgettable. We’d like to thank them for their friendly and professional assistance over the years, including birthday greetings. We look forward to our next two cruises booked to the Arctic and Greenland, and the Danube River.”
Ulrich and Vivienne Schmauke

“We’ve been on a number of adventures organized by Cruise Options and we have nothing but praise for their friendly efficient service and expertise.”
Graham and Jill Cox

”A Passion for Cruising” in our minds expresses exactly how all of you at Cruise Options feel about cruising and your passion rubs off on Ian and I. Nothing is ever too much trouble, your warm friendliness is catching and much appreciated, your attention to detail perfection and your enthusiasm exceptional. You are all so in tune with your clients and their personal needs and wishes, no easy task. We salute Jann and your team, it is because of you all that we are now passionate cruisers and will continue to use this incredible cruise company again and again God willing, and more importantly recommend you to all our friends who show an interest in cruising. Congratulations to Cruise Options for your “passion”.
Ian and Annzie Hancock

“Love Cruise Options and would never dream of doing a trip without Jann and her team organizing it all, the girls are wonderful. So helpful, knowledgeable and their attention to detail is fabulous.”
Helen Boonzaier

“We’ve used Cruise Options regularly over the years for “expedition” cruises on small ships with zodiacs to facilitate multiple shore excursions. Jann, the owner, has vast knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the reputable cruise lines, backed up by multiple personal evaluation cruises with those companies. On most of our cruises Jann has accompanied her guests and what a difference it makes! Being on the spot, she attends to little niggles that might arise and ensures, where practical, that all her guests receive “most favoured nation” status. Her back-up team in the office are on the ball and a pleasure to deal with. All in all, we cannot think of any reason to go anywhere else when planning a cruise to any destination.”
Ian and Karin MacLarty

“We have always had only the best service from Jann and her team - from suggestions on which trip to do, to easy booking, information being sent regularly and support given . The trips with Jann have been very special as she takes extra care in looking after her group and organises special treats for everyone. She is a lovely person to be with. Warm, thoughtful and professional. All trips booked through her have been top quality and wonderful holidays.”
Martin and Maren Stallmann

“Cruise Options have been part of our travel lives for many years. We first got to know Jann and her crew at a presentation on Antarctica and subsequently had the most amazing trip to the Continent. Memories of that trip from the early stages of booking, inquiries, itinerary and travel documents were always handled with professionalism and a passion to please. We have booked and undertaken many cruises since and all handled by Cruise Options. Nothing is too much trouble and the staff at Cruise Options have always been excellent; extremely helpful and courteous. And the cherry on the top is the floral arrangement received on our return to South Africa to just say “thank you for booking with Cruise Options. We trust you enjoyed your cruise.” When deciding to cruise, it is always Cruise Options we think of first. Is there any other?!”
Barbara Wood and Hugh Brown

“ Twenty years ago Jann Porter introduced us to the wonderful world of cruising. After 30 cruises I still enjoy everyone and thanks to Cruise Options everyone is special. My 2020 world cruise ended abruptly due to the corona virus. At very short notice – one day – we had to disembark in Perth and leave instantly or go into quarantine. Jann and her dedicated and helpful staff instantly arranged and paid for a flight for me. I was able to leave that same day and arrive safely in Cape Town where they had transport laid on for me to my home. They always travel that extra ‘sea’ mile with every passenger. I am always in good hands!”
Anne Marais

“I have engaged with the CRUISE OPTIONS team since 2013, when I wanted to take our extended family to Antarctica. Many trips have followed since then to unexpected destinations - all of them being superb and unforgettable. Jann is company-agnostic, so she finds suitable options for YOU, the traveller. I appreciate this intuition and knowledge. Her team are flawless in their preparation and angelic in their patience with jangling traveller nerves. They truly are the perfect package.”
Andrea Rademeyer (Gevers)

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did.
So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbour. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain

EXCLUSIVE OCEAN CRUISES

LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISES

RIVER CRUISES

LUXURY HOTEL BARGES CRUISES

JANN

KAUTHAR

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbour. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

EXCLUSIVE OCEAN CRUISES

LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISES

RIVER CRUISES

LUXURY HOTEL BARGES CRUISES

JANN

KAUTHAR

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did.
So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbour. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain