CORK company Hello France specialises in flexible holidays which the company says have been tested by experienced staff — holidays can start and finish on any day of the week, allowing clients to match their dates with mid-week flight and ferry savings.

WETRAVEL2, an offshoot of Topflight, are promoting a range of long-haul destinations for the coming year.

PANORAMA Holidays is offering a huge range of deals for family holidays in summer 2010, with many hotel and apartment complexes featuring entertainment and Kids Clubs.

AEROPHOBIA, or fear of flying, affects thousands of people in Ireland and it can develop very suddenly.

Cruise giant Carnival today said it would take a financial hit after the Mexico swine flu outbreak forced it to change routes for 27 ships.

More than 200 passengers fell ill with a viral infection on an American cruise ship that docked today in north-west Spain, officials said.

Fire broke out on a cruise ship in the Caribben today and spread to several cabins, killing one person and injuring several others, authorities said.

Cruise operator Carnival warned today it expected to take a hit of up to $24m (€19.1m) from the impact of Hurricane Katrina.

Cruise ship operator Carnival Corporation today said it expected the hurricane that wrought havoc in Florida would cost it up to £18m (€27m).

Ten giant cruise liners will call at the port of Dublin next year under the terms of a deal struck with Princess Cruises, one of the world’s biggest holiday companies.

Dublin city is set for a €23m windfall after it was revealed that 10 giant cruise liners will dock at Dublin Port next year.

One of the world’s biggest cruise liners has sailed into Southampton today to be greeted by thousands of spectators.