I've been putting together a pre-cruise tour that brings together Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace and Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) and it has set me thinking about how other historic castles can attract serious interest in tailor-made cruise extensions.

This week's Read More reveals a sumptuous Royal Windsor and Hampton Court Palace combination and shows how the Kent towns of Royal Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone become the perfect base for castle-filled visits to the World Garden at Lullingstone, the eclectic art collections at Chiddingstone, the wonderful gardens at Hever, Scotney and Sissinghurst not forgetting the 16th century castles at Deal and Walmer and at the cruise port of Dover, dominated by its great fortress on top of the famous White Cliffs.

Picking, mixing and delivering an interesting selection is what I'm good at. Use the Read More for ideas that will increase your profits from UK arriving and departing cruises.

Don't forget that these magnificent castles can also provide the foundations for a travel less, experience more tour that doesn't have to precede or follow a cruise.