In bad news for holidaymakers, the cost of getting a new passport is set to rise once again.

The Home Office has confirmed that passport fees are set to rise by more than 7% from tomorrow, under new proposals.

This means the cost of online applications within the UK, for anyone aged 16 and over, will increase from £82.50 to £88.50.

Mikey / Flickr

Children under 16 will also see an increase in passport costs, with the price rising to £57.50 from £53.50.

Overseas and postal applications will also rise at a similar level, with postal increasing to £100 for adults and £69 for children, and an online overseas application rising to £101 for adults and £65.50 for children.

The new charges will officially be in place from tomorrow, Thursday April 11th.

Last year passport fees increased by around 9%, back in February 2023.

Ethan Wilkinson / Unsplash

The Home Office said in a statement: “The new fees will help ensure that income from these applications better meets the cost of delivering passport and associated operations, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.

“The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.

“The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.

“The increase will also help enable the Government to continue improving its services.”

If you’re dreaming of catching a jet plane to just about anywhere, well Wizz Air have launched a holiday deal where the mystery location isn’t revealed until you land.

The Hungarian airline will take a plane full of holiday hopefuls from London Gatwick for a four-day mystery getaway as part of its #LetsGetLostwithWIZZ campaign.

Those who win a ticket to the unknown location, will turn up to London Gatwick on March 7th to board a Wizz Air flight for ‘four days of fun, including cultural, culinary and adventure activities’ – it could turn out to be the trip of a lifetime!

To be in with a chance of winning a seat on the flight, UK residents can visit the Wizz Air’s Instagram page and follow the prompts on the Let’s Get Lost London pinned post.

“Entries close on February 22nd at 00.01am”, the low-cost airline says. 

The lucky chosen ones will be able to bring a plus one on the trip and winners will be contacted via Instagram.

In a post shared to its official Instagram page, the airline put: “It’s time to get onboard our latest venture to the unknown with Let’s Get Lost London, departing from London Gatwick to…

“Do this by the 22nd February and you could be in with a chance of departing with us on an exciting flight to the unknown.

“The trip will take place between 7th – 10th March. Open to UK residents only, please make sure you’re following WIZZ on Instagram and that your profile is public.”

If you’re wondering whether you’ll need your bathing suit, suncream, hiking boots, rain coat or winter woollies, don’t worry, the 35 lucky winners will be told the climate to pack for a few days before the trip.

No other clues will be given away until touch down in the unknown destination.

UK Wizz Air Managing Director, Marion Geoffroy said: “We love connecting our passengers to new countries, allowing them to meet new people and try new experiences. 

“Going on a flight to an unknown destination is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are pleased to be able to offer this to lucky winners here in the UK.

“Let’s Get Lost is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our British passengers and we hope to continue serving them as they travel the world and make new memories.”

Wizz Air flies to more than 70 destinations from the UK. Last year, the most popular destinations among Brits included Morocco, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Spain.

It is unclear whether the airline will jet the 35 lucky ticket holders and plus ones off to one of its more popular destination choices, or whether it will choose to take them somewhere a little more alternative and secluded.

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P&O is offering two-day ‘80s and ‘90s mini cruises to the Netherlands from £89.

If you’re curious about going on a cruise but not sure you could manage a long trip, look no further because P&O is offering short cruises to the Netherlands, perfect for you to give it a try.

The cruise line company has a wave of deals on mini cruises so you don’t have to splash out. But these aren’t just any old cruises, they are ‘80s and ‘90s themed cruises playing music from both decades for all those who love a bit of nostalgia.

First-time cruisers can travel between Hull and Rotterdam, and go on a day trip to Amsterdam, with return ticket prices starting from £89 per person.

The mini cruises include a two-night stay in an en-suite cabin, sailing across the North Sea from Hull to Rotterdam and back.

These short themed cruises will be filled with music, fun and entertainment for all to enjoy on board during the journey. 

The Jam’d Mini Cruise welcomes guests to party like it’s 1985 and prepare for a mini cruise full of the ‘nuttiest, loudest and best loved tracks from the ’80s onwards’.

Live tribute bands The Jam’d and Ultimate Madnezz will play on board to keep the ‘80s party flowing as it sets sail for Rotterdam on Friday, March 8th 2024.

And that’s not all – when you arrive in Rotterdam, you’ll also enjoy return coach transfers to Amsterdam for your day trip.

A P&O spokesperson said: “The Jam’d’ are now the UK’s best-known and most popular tribute to the live performance and sound of The Jam, and are totally committed to giving an unforgettable, authentic performance with all the energy, passion and style of the Woking three.”

The ’90s Mini Cruise sets sail from Hull on Friday, February 23rd 2024, offering guests a nostalgic throwback filled with all your favourite music of the decade.

P&O promises a voyage packed full of incredible entertainment including live bands, DJ’s, and a dynamic live production on stage – all while you sail to the Netherlands.

Entertainment will be provided by Ultra 90s – a ‘premier Dance Anthem Production Show’, which promises to ‘take you back to the most exciting musical movement in decades – the unforgettable era of dance anthems!’

Take That tribute band Re-Take That will also be performing.

After a night of entertainment, cruisers will disembark the ship in Rotterdam, and take a coach for a day trip to Amsterdam.

Holidaymakers can explore the city’s elaborate canals lined with beautiful architecture and visit art galleries and museums before tucking into local cuisine. Whatever you choose to do in this fascinating city, you’re sure to have a fantastic time on a short Amsterdam break.

So, if you’re thinking about trying a cruise and love the ‘80s and ‘90s, you can book a ticket today on a P&O Ferries Amsterdam Mini-Cruise and make the most of a short break in the ‘Dam. Click HERE to book and find out more.

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