Early birds catch the best holiday deals

Louis Cruise Lines is offering 'Smart Prices' with savings of up to 40% on bookings made by 31 March. Savings vary depending on the type of cabin booked, with the best deals on Suites and Outside Staterooms.

Louis' cruise only arrangements in the Mediterranean are ideal for combining with low-cost flights. Their smaller ships make for a more intimate atmosphere on board, with the emphasis on traditional cruising pleasures of good food, personal service and interesting shore excursions.

As an example of 'Smart Price' deals, the Cristal sails from Athens every Friday this summer on a seven-night 'Splendours of Greece and Turkey' itinerary, visiting Istanbul and sailing around the Greek Islands. A mid-range Premium Outside Stateroom starts at £699 per person if booked by 31 March, saving £230 on the brochure price of £929. That is based on two sharing, including all meals, evening entertainments and port taxes.

For more information and bookings, log on to Louiscruises.com.

Book a seven-night self-catering holiday - or short break - before 28 February and enjoy savings of up to 30% on early season getaways, courtesy of Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks in North Devon.

This extra special deal, applicable between 30 May and 24 July, means for instance a seven-night holiday - arriving on 30 May - in a two-bedroom caravan holiday home sleeping four now costs just £140 per party (saving £60) or £434 per family (a reduction of £186) in a two-bedroom Honeysuckle Lodge, sleeping six.

Visitors can also enjoy more than 40 free activities including 10 heated indoor and outdoor pools, nine-hole golf, tennis, sauna, solarium and cinema, along with kids' clubs and evening entertainment with star cabaret.

For more information, log on to Woolacombe.com/bp.