The travel industry likes to call the period between the peak and the off-peak seasons the "shoulder season", it being the critical 'joint' between the expense of peak and the poorer weather of off-peak. And certainly sometimes it really is a great idea to pick a shoulder season cruise - yes, the weather may not be totally perfect, but there will be many other good reasons to travel at that time; the price, the uncrowded ports of call, and - our favourite - the beauty of the springtime blossoms.

Some of our choice spring cruises will take place in the Mediterranean. Fresh sunny days can certainly be cool, but sightseeing is so much easier when you don't have to drag yourself around in the dusty heat. And, of course, when you don't have to queue everywhere: Italy is, for example, a very different country in the spring than it is in hotter seasons!

We also like the repositioning voyages back from the Orient to the Med - great calls in India, the Middle East and the Red Sea, including Egypt, Jordan and the Holy Land. Most of them represent remarkable value for money, and all of them happen at a much balmier time of year. Do call us for the latest deals: they can go fast!

Spring is also one of the very best times to visit China and Japan. The ships that go there then reposition themselves across the Pacific to enjoy springtime in Alaska, which is just coming to life as the ice melts. Any of these journeys can make for wonderful, and excellent value, holidays.