Seabourn's Free Upgrades On Select Cruises

Ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn has welcomed in the New Year with the offer of free upgrades on selected popular European cruise-only and fly/cruise itineraries. For UK travellers seeking a luxurious ocean-bound adventure, before the height of summer, Seabourn’s early-season fully inclusive cruises offer exceptional value and variety.

Whether guests opt for the charm and style of the chic 208-passenger ships Seabourn Legend and Spirit or the sleek design and modern comfort of the larger, 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey, the luxury and comfort of a Seabourn voyage is hard to beat.

All itineraries listed below offer the free suite upgrade:

10-Day Italy & Adriatic, April 5; Seabourn Spirit - ports of call: Malaga, Menorca, Naples, Lecce, Dubrovnik, Sibenik, Pula and Venice. Prices: £1,999pp cruise only, £2,419pp fly/cruise.

9-Day Mediterranean, April 11; Seabourn Legend - ports of call: Athens, Cesme, Mykonos, Corfu, Crotone, Messina, Naples and Rome. Prices: £1,799pp cruise only, £2,189 fly/cruise.

12-Day Atlantic Odyssey, March 21; Seabourn Odyssey - ports of call: Fort Lauderdale, transatlantic, Funchal and Lisbon. Prices: £1,699pp cruise only, £2,499pp fly/cruise.

Prices are all per person, based on double occupancy and fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine-dining, open bars and a fully stocked mini-bar in each suite.

For booking details, see this link for UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Royal Clipper's New Voyages

Here are some great ideas for that 'something different' cruise in 2012, courtesy of our friends at Star Clippers.

The superbly elegant five-masted Royal Clipper (above) spends winter in the Caribbean, offering seven, 10 and 11-night voyages from Barbados, alternating between the Windward Isles and the Grenadines, from £1,225pp, excluding flights. The 227-passenger ship will then offer seven and 11-night voyages round-trip from Rome, or between Rome and Venice, during the summer of 2012, cruising the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, from £1,515pp, excluding flights.

Star Clipper, with a capacity of 170, winters in St Maarten, offering seven-night voyages to the Leeward Islands and around the British Virgin Islands from £1,245 per person, excluding flights. The ship will sail the Greek Islands all summer, round-trip from Athens and between Athens and Venice and vice versa. A four-night mini-cruise from Venice starts at £770pp, excluding flights, departing July 28 and calling at popular yachting ports in Croatia.

Special offers for Christmas and New Year: receive €300 per person onboard credit on Star Flyer’s Costa Rica cruises, from £1,770pp excluding flights.; No single supplements on Costa Rica cruises; third passenger occupying a cabin pays only port taxes; 50% discount for children in Costa Rica at Christmas and on New Year cruises on all three ships.

For booking to sure to check with The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/Star-Clippers

New Oceania Late Offers

How's this for a great little pair of special offers this week from upmarket Oceania Cruises and their fabulous new ship Marina (above)?

2nd November: Sands of Time 12-night Europe/Asia cruise, from £1,199
For an exceptional cruise through some of Europe and Asia’s most iconic destinations, Oceania is offering a saving of £1,061 per person on board their brand new luxury ship Marina. The sailing from Istanbul to Athens can now be booked from just £1,199 per person for an inside stateroom, PLUS a $1,000 onboard credit. The voyage embarks in Istanbul and continues to Ephesus, Rhodes, Limassol, Haifa, Jerusalem, Crete, Patmos and Volos before disembarking in Athens.

14th November: Splendid Escapes, 10-night Athens to Rome cruise, from £1,499pp
This magnificent sailing through some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and historic islands on board Marina is now from £1,499 per person, based on two sharing, including a $1,000 onboard credit/stateroom, all meals and complimentary soft drinks and bottled water.

For more info, visit www.oceaniacruises.com or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Experts Enrich Crystal's Autumn Med Cruises

Atlantis...the “Old City”...Constantinople...the modern Middle East conflict. Throughout time, the eastern Mediterranean has been an epicentre of historic significance. This autumn, former Ambassador Marc Ginsberg, historian and National Geographic author Dr Jean-Pierre Isbouts and Persian winemaker Darioush Khaledi are among the distinguished experts helping to illuminate that significance onboard Crystal Cruises’ October 24 sailing through the region.

From Athens to Istanbul, the 12-night Crystal Serenity sailing visits Santorini and Mykonos in Greece; Ashdod, Israel (overnight); Limassol, Cyprus; Iraklion, Crete; and Kusadasi, Turkey. As a Wine and Food Festival cruise, the sailing also boasts an impressive line-up of gastronomic pros sharing their trade

Prices for this 12-night Epicurean Discoveries voyage start from £2,176 per person, including return scheduled flights, overseas transfers, 12 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window, all meals and soft drinks, and port taxes.

For further info, see www.crystalcruises.co.uk or the UK's luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Discover the Ancient World with Swan Hellenic

Embark on a voyage of discovery in October with Swan Hellenic and explore some of the world’s most fascinating historical sites. Their 'Highlights of the Ancient World' cruise provides a fantastic opportunity to experience four of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, accompanied by insights from expert speakers to bring their stories to life.

Passengers will visit the magnificent Pyramids of Giza and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, as well as travelling to where the Lighthouse of Alexandria and Colossus of Rhodes once stood. The cruise also takes in other key historical sites across the Mediterranean, from the Minoan palace of Knossos in Crete to the iconic Acropolis in Athens. 

Prices start from only £1,495 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Price includes return flights, transfers and a 13-night cruise departing from Valletta (Malta) and calling at Sousse (Tunisia), Heraklion (Greece), Alexandria (Egypt), Rhodes (Greece), Kusadasi (Turkey) and Nauplion (Greece) before arriving at Piraeus (Greece); gratuities and service charges, meals and entertainment, on board talks from a team of renowned Guest Speakers and a full programme of tailor-made shore excursions. Price is based on 28 October 2011 departure.

For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.  Subscribe to World of Cruising magazine.

Crystal's New Autumn Med Cruises

Following its introduction of three and four-night sampler cruises last month, ultra-luxury cruise operator Crystal Cruises has added a further three shorter voyages, ideal for those who can’t be away from home (or the office) for too long.

These new six and seven-night Mediterranean voyages onboard Crystal Serenity are high in port content and value but low in hassle and cost, and feature some of Europe’s most fascinating ports.

October 17: seven-night voyage from Monte Carlo to Athens visiting Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Kusadasi and Mykonos. Prices from £2,252 per person (all based on two people sharing) including return economy class flights from London, overseas transfers, seven nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes.

November 10: six-night voyage from Athens to Venice visiting Santorini, Kotor and Dubrovnik. Prices from £1,875 per person.

November 17: seven-night voyage from Venice to Rome visiting Koper, Dubrovnik, Sicily and Naples. Prices from £2,146 per person.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Great Offers From Oceania

Those looking for a real cruise bargain this month could do a lot worse than consider these eight special offers from Oceania Cruises for the autumn:

7th September: Venice to Istanbul, 12 nights from £1,799

Oceania has a saving of up to £1,451pp off a 12-night cruise through the Mediterranean from Venice to Istanbul on board Marina, the company’s new, luxury ship, plus a credit of $1,000 per stateroom. The sailing now costs from £1,799pp or upgrade to a Penthouse suite for £2,399pp (saving £2,245pp). Prices in all cases are based on two sharing and include gourmet dining in a choice of six restaurants at no supplement, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks, but exclude flights.

19th September: 12 night Greek island cruise from £1,499pp

Marina has a spectacular 12-night sailing from Istanbul to Athens (plus $1,000 per stateroom onboard credit) with a saving of £1,327pp. The voyage embarks from Istanbul and visits Rhodes, Limassol, Haifa, Jerusalem, Crete, Patmos and Volos before disembarking in Athens.

1st October: 14 nights Istanbul to Barcelona from £1,399pp

Cruise from Istanbul to Barcelona via Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Marmaris, Alanya, Limassol, Haifa and Valletta on board Oceania's mid-sized luxury cruise ship Nautica. The 14-night sailing now costs from £1,399 per person with $1,000 on board credit, saving up to £1,467 per person.

3rd October: 12 nights from Venice to Istanbul saving £1,061

Oceania has a saving of up to £1,618 off this Med cruise from Venice to Istanbul on board mid-sized Insignia, plus a credit of $1000 per stateroom. The sailing now costs from £1,199pp (was £2260, saving £1,061), with Penthouse suites from £2,399pp (was £4,017).

15th October: Mediterranean Rhapsody 14-night Med cruise from £1,749pp

Cruise through the magical Aegean Sea on a 14-night Insignia cruise, saving up to £1,420 per person. The sailing from Istanbul to Barcelona offers a $1,000 on board credit per stateroom and visits Kavalla, Ephesus, Rhodes, Santorini, Taormina, Amalfi, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Tuscany, Monaco and Marseille before disembarking in Barcelona.

1st October: Venice to Athens, just £999pp

Cruise from Venice to Athens along Croatia’s Adriatic coastline, visiting Kotor, Corfu, Kusadasi in Turkey and the Greek islands. This 10-night sailing on Marina was £1,890, and also offers a $1,000 per stateroom credit for onboard purchases.

25th October: Rome to Athens, £999pp

A 10-night sailing from Rome to Athens, along Italy’s west coast, visiting Sicily, Sardinia, mainland Greece and Kusadasi in Turkey can be booked for just £999 per person, with a $1,000 per stateroom credit for onboard purchases.

21st October: `Legacies of Antiquity’, 12-night Med cruise from £1,499pp

Marina sets sail from Rome to Istanbul with prices from £1,499 per person and a $1,000 on board credit, saving £1,185 per person. The voyage embarks from Rome and continues up Italy’s west coast to Istanbul via Florence, Pisa, Tuscany, Corsica, Sardinia, Sorrento, Palermo, Malta, Athens, Volos and Ephesus.

For more info, see www.oceaniacruises.co.uk or contact the UK's luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Lin Ltd.

Introducing The New Seabourn Quest

As the sun set over the waterfront of Barcelona, Seabourn introduced the new 450-guest Seabourn Quest to the world on June 20 during a glittering naming ceremony presided over by Blythe Danner. The award-winning actress served as godmother to the new luxury vessel, Seabourn’s third new ship and the sixth to join its fleet, completing a three-year expansion for the line.

Guests booked on Quest’s Maiden Voyage had the unique opportunity to participate in the festivities. A full orchestra was arrayed on either side of the swimming pool, and a projection screen set above the deck allowed guests to view the climactic moment when a bottle of champagne smashed against the bow of the ship. Adjacent to the screen, a contingent of crew members who had served in the start-up teams of all three new-ship launches instantaneously broke confetti-filled champagne bottles in a synchronised wave pattern as the bottle crashed. The memorable evening was capped off by a dazzling fireworks display sparkling against the city’s skyline.

Quest is the third iteration of the sleek and widely admired design that first appeared as Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009, and has been hailed as "a game-changer for the luxury segment." The second sister-ship, Seabourn Sojourn, entered service in June of 2010.

Quest’s 225 luxurious and spacious suites, 90 per cent of which offer private verandas, feature separate living areas and bedrooms, writing desks with personalised stationery, and generously sized granite bathrooms with separate bath and shower and twin sinks. Suites are fitted with walk-in closets, an interactive flat-screen TV with a wide selection of music and movies, and iPod and MP3 connections. There are a host of other amenities and features, including two swimming pools, six whirlpools and a unique marina with a variety of watersport activities.

Following the naming ceremony, Seabourn Quest departed on a 14-day Maiden Voyage to Athens, stopping at beautiful seaside towns and ports in France, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Her maiden season includes seven-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises, operating alternately between Athens, Istanbul and Venice, as well as a seven-day Black Sea voyage. In the Autumn, the ship will cross the Atlantic Ocean from Malaga, Spain, to Fort Lauderdale, from where it will sail on a series of round-trip voyages in the Caribbean. On January 5, Quest will begin a 109-day Maiden World Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Venice on a unique eastbound course via South America, South Africa, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

For more info, visit www.seabourn.com or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

BIG Savings (And More!) with Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises has savings of up to 56% off cruises on board its mid-sized luxury cruise ships, plus an additional $1,000 on board credit per stateroom, allowing guests to make their cruise as inclusive as they want it to be. All prices are quoted per person, based on two guests sharing an inside stateroom and include all meals, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

Check out these examples:

7th September: ‘Jewels of the Aegean’, 12-night cruise Venice to Istanbul from £1,799pp

New ship Marina has a spectacular sailing from Venice with $1,000 onboard credit and a saving of £1,654pp. It cruises through the Aegean Sea via Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Corfu, Patras, Zakynthos and Athens before disembarking in Istanbul.

19th September: `Sands of Time’, 12-night Greek island cruise from £1,199pp

Marina has a spectacular sailing from Istanbul to Athens with $1,000 onboard credit and a saving of £1,264pp. It voyages through Rhodes, Limassol, Haifa, Jerusalem, Crete, Patmos and Volos before disembarking in Athens.

3rd October: ‘Jewels of the Aegean’, 12-night Aegean Sea cruise from £1,999pp

Cruise from Venice to Istanbul through the beautiful Aegean Sea via Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Corfu, Patras, Zakynthos and Athens on mid-sized ship Insignia with a saving of £1,182 per person, plus $1,000 onboard credit per stateroom.

1st October: `Roman Revelations’, 14-night Med cruise from £1,399pp

Cruise from Istanbul to Barcelona via Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Marmaris, Alanya, Limassol, Haifa, Jerusalem and Valletta on Oceania's Nautica, with $1,000 onboard credit and saving up to £1,467 per person.

For more info, visit www.oceaniacruises.co.uk or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

P&O Cruises ‘Getaway’ Fares For Adonia

P&O Cruises is now offering ‘Getaway’ prices and inclusive flights on selected Adonia Mediterranean fly-cruises.

The ‘Fly Med Getaway’ promotion applies to cruises from 10-14 nights in duration that depart between October 29, 2011, and January 3, 2012. Prices are inclusive of flights and fuel supplement. Bookings must be made by in June or July.

Named last month by global singing star, Dame Shirley Basey, Adonia is exclusively for adults and carries just 710 passengers. On board there are eight bars, including P&O Cruises signature ‘Crow’s Nest’, a library, Oasis Spa and gym, classic dining room and two speciality restaurants: Sorrento Italian and Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White.

Sample Cruise:

D114. 3 -13 January 2012, seven nights.

Ports of call include Trieste, Venice, Koper, Hvar, Bari, Katakolon, Nauplia, Istanbul, Mytilene, Ephesus (from Kusadasi), Rhodes, Santorini, and Athens (from Piraeus).

‘Getaway’ fares from £1,452 (based on two adults sharing an inside cabin). This includes return flights, all accommodation, main meals and entertainment.

Bookings must be made by July 31, 2011. For more info, see www.pocruises.co.uk or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Head For The Sunshine with Celebrity

Join Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation for a sunshine-laden 12-night Greek Isles & Turkey fly/cruise from just £1,294 per person (based on two sharing an inside stateroom) this autumn.

The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers and the 12-night Greek Isleas & Turkey cruise departing Istanbul and calling at Ephesus, Bodrum, Marmaris, Rhodes, Santorini, Athens, Mykonos and Chania (Crete), before returning to Istanbul; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price based on September 19 departure.

For more info, visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk or contact the cruise-agent specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Free Flights With Star Clippers

Niche tall ship cruise operator Star Clippers is offering free flights up to £400pp with bookings for tall-ship cruises from Athens, through the Greek islands, this August. Sailings include all meals and a choice of two superb itineraries, the Southern Cyclades (August 6 and 20) and the Northern Cyclades (August 13 and 27), on board the 170-passenger, 4-masted Star Clipper.

The cruise costs from £1295 per person, based on two sharing, for bookings made by June 30. Guests on the August 6 and 20 departures can also enjoy complimentary instruction from yoga teacher Christel Vollmer who will be holding daily sessions of Astanga yoga on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. Christel will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home.

The Northern Cyclades itinerary departs from Athens and calls into Camlimani and Kusadasi (for the antiquities at Ephesus) in Turkey, and Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia in Greece. The August 13 departure has a qualified yoga teacher on board and also offers complimentary talks, classes and guided meditation.

The Southern Cyclades itinerary is a round-trip from Athens, calling at Rhodes; Bodrum and Dalyan in Turkey; and dramatic Santorini and Hydra, haunt of many artists. The August 6 departure has a qualified yoga teacher on board and also offers complimentary talks, classes and guided meditation.

For more info, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Royal Caribbean's Kid-Friendly Half-Term

Join Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas for a seven-night Eastern Mediterranean fly/cruise from £669 per adult and £599 per child (based on two adults and two children sharing an inside cabin). Plus receive $100 onboard spending money per booking if you book by April 30.

The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers and the seven-night cruise departing Civitavecchia (Rome) and calling at Messina (Sicily), Piraeus (Athens), Kusadasi (Turkey) and Chania (Crete) before returning to Civitavecchia; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on May 29 departure.

For more info, www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or visit the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Go Yoga Cruising With Star Clippers!

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests free daily yoga and meditation in August as part of two yoga-themed cruises in the Aegean Sea on board the 170-passenger tall ship Star Clipper.

With settings including the emerald and turquoise coastline of Turkey, or the dramatic, black volcanic cliffs of Santorini as a background, yoga classes will take place in the open air, on Star Clipper’s sun-warmed teak decks, under thousands of square feet of billowing sails – the ultimate relaxation for body and soul, enhanced by the fresh sea air.

Qualified yoga teacher Christel Vollmer will be holding the daily sessions of Astanga yoga, also known as power yoga, on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. Christel will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home.

For those who want to follow a healthy or vegetarian diet during the cruise, Star Clippers’ usual sumptuous breakfast buffets, piled with fresh, seasonal fruits, and magnificent arrays of salads at lunchtime will be available, as well as vegetarian choices at dinner.

Astanga yoga is a dynamic and powerful style of yoga based on a sequence of easy-to-learn movements called asanas. Christel’s classes, which take place in English, will be suitable for all levels and no prior experience is required. There is no upper age limit for practicing yoga; Christel herself is in her fifties, with many years of teaching experience, having trained under West Coast-based Bryan Kest, yoga guru to stars including Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Sting.

There are two yoga cruises to choose between. 'Southern Cyclades' departs Athens on August 6 and calls at Rhodes, Bodrum, the Dalyan River, Santorini and Hydra. 'Northern Cyclades', also on Star Clipper, departs Athens on August 13 and calls at Kusadasi, Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia. Each itinerary includes a day at sea for extra relaxation and contemplation.

Prices start from £1,160 per person, including flights from London (to the value of £350 per person), port taxes and full board on the ship (transfers are extra).

For more info, see www.starclippers.co.uk or the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Oceania's Big Spring Savings

Oceania Cruises is offering savings of up to 50% off selected cruise departures this spring, including sailings on the company’s brand new cruise ship, Marina, and an on board credit of $1,000 per stateroom. All prices include all meals and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks. Prices exclude flights.

Southern Treasures, 14 nights from £2,399pp with up to £632pp saving, PLUS $1,000 on board credit per stateroom.

Departing April 12, Oceania has a 14-night Caribbean sailing on the mid-sized luxury ship Regatta, now £2,399 per person (was £3,031) for a Concierge Veranda room, based on 2 sharing, including a $1,000/stateroom onboard credit. The ship embarks in Miami cruising the Atlantic Ocean through Charlestown and Williamsburg to Bermuda, San Juan and the Dominican Republic before sailing back through the Turks and Caicos Islands to port in Miami, USA.

Grandeur of Rome, 10 Nights from £1,249pp with up to £635pp saving, PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Wonders of the Ancients, 14 nights from £1,399, save up to £1,360pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit

Passage to Panama, 16 Nights from £1,599pp with up to £557pp, PLUS $1,000 on board credit

Departing April 26, there is a fantastic 16-night sailing on mid-sized Regatta from Miami to San Francisco, now £1,599 per person (was £2,156) for an Inside Stateroom, based on 2 sharing, and including a $1,000/stateroom credit.

Mediterranean Mosaic, 10 Nights from £1,749pp with up to £947pp saving, PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Grecian Glory, 10 nights from £1,749, save up to £1,379pp PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Jewels of the Aegean, 12 nights from £1,199, save up to £1,179pp PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Gems of Europe, 15 nights from £1,499, save up to £1,379pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit

Greek Isles Odyssey, 12 nights from £1,499, save up to £1,235pp PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Treasures of the Continent, 12 nights from £2,099 save up to £1,572pp PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

No need to negotiate international airports on Oceania's 12-night Atlantic Coast sailing, departing from Dover on July 29, cruising the English Channel to Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Guernsey, Saint-Malo, Port-Aven, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Biarritz and Santander. The cruise is on the new 1,250-guest Marina and costs from £2,099 per person for a Concierge Level Veranda room, with savings of up to £1,572pp, based on two sharing, including $1,000 onboard credit/stateroom, all meals and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

For more about Oceania Cruises, visit www.oceaniacruises.co.uk or contact luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Windstar's Free Stays in Athens, and More!

Windstar Cruises has announced details of two generous new spring offers giving guests a free two-night stay in Athens plus the choice of cabin upgrade or onboard credit on bookings made before May 15.

Guests booking selected Greece & Turkey voyages starting or finishing in Athens can enjoy a complimentary two-night stay at the Hotel Amalia in Athens. Valid on selected cruises on Wind Star, Wind Surf and Wind Star taking place between May 6 and October 29.

For all 2011 full fare bookings made before May 15, guests can choose from either a complimentary upgrade from a category B stateroom to a category A stateroom OR a $100 per person onboard credit ($150 per person for Suites)

This year's prices start from £2,044 per person cruise-only (based on a seven-night cruise from Rome to Athens departing May 7 on Wind Spirit) including seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals and entertainment and port taxes. Price also includes two nights complimentary accommodation at the Hotel Amalia in Athens and either a cabin upgrade or $100 per person onboard credit.

For reservations or further info, call Windstar Cruises on 020 7292 2369, visit www.windstarcruises.co.uk or contact the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Star Clippers Offers Free Flights

Star Clippers, which operates three of the world’s most romantic tall ships, is offering complimentary flights from London for UK-based passengers to join select sailings for summer Mediterranean cruises on the 170-passenger Star Clipper and her sister ship Star Flyer, saving up to £350 per person off published airline fares.

The voyages on these beautifully appointed clipper ships include itineraries around the Greek islands and Turkey in the Eastern Med. The complimentary flights offer is for bookings received by April 30 on return travel from London to the airport closest to the embarkation/disembarkation point and includes a choice of nine sailing dates and cruises of 7 nights’ duration.

The offer applies to the following itineraries:

Star Clipper, Northern Cyclades on June 25, July 9 and August 13 and 27, round trip from Athens, calling at Camlimani and Kusadasi (for the antiquities at Ephesus) in Turkey, and Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia in Greece. The August 13 departure has a yoga theme, with complimentary talks, classes and guided meditation. From £1,160 per person, including flights from London to the value of £350 per person, full board on the ship and port taxes (transfers extra).

Star Clipper, Southern Cyclades on August 6 and 20, round trip from Athens, calling at Rhodes; Bodrum and Dalyan in Turkey; dramatic Santorini and Hydra, haunt of many artists. The August 6 departure also has a yoga theme. From £1,160 per person, including flights from London to the value of £350 per person, full board on the ship and port taxes (transfers extra).

Star Flyer, Greek Isles & Turkey on July 23, departing Athens and calling at Mykonos, Kos, Patmos, Chios, Dikili (for Pergamum), Cannakale (for Troy) and Istanbul. From £1,160 per person, including flights from London to the value of £350 per person, full board on the ship and port taxes (transfers extra).

Star Flyer, Yachtsman’s Paradise on July 16 and 30, departing Istanbul and calling at Canakkale (for Troy), Myrena, Sarti, Skopelos, Skiathos (where the movie Mamma Mia was set), Skyros, Poros and Athens. From £1,160 per person, including flights from London to the value of £350 per person, full board on the ship and port taxes (transfers extra).

For more info, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line

Regent's Mediterranean Discoveries

Why not take a cruise on Seven Seas Voyager with luxury line Regent Seven Seas from May 17 for seven nights? They now have balcony suites on this sailing from a bargain £2,435 per person (with alternative suite categories also available). Highlights of this voyage include Cairo (Port Said), Ashdod (overnight, for Jerusalem), Haifa, Capri (Sorrento) and Rome (Civitavecchia). They also include Regent's trademark unlimited FREE shore excursions. Take a look at this range of examples from the Voyager cruise:

Tel Aviv Orientation & Jaffa, Ashdod; originally £66, now FREE; Jerusalem Old City, Ashdod; originally £86, now FREE; Panoramic Jerusalem, Haifa; originally £86, now FREE; Nazareth & the Sea of Galilee, Haifa; originally £86, now FREE; Scenic Riviera & Taste of Sorrento; originally £66, now FREE. Total saving: £390pp (or£780 per couple!)

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Free return Economy flights & transfers on every cruise; unlimited FREE shore excursions in every port; exquisite choice of fine dining, with no extra charge for speciality restaurants; fine wines, premium spirits, cocktails and selected Champagnes; speciality tea, coffee, afternoon snacks and light refreshment at any time of the day; exceptional personal service, with all gratuities included; and 24-hour room service & in-suite dining served course-by-course.

Fares are guaranteed until March 31 (terms and conditions apply). Please see www.rssc.com or visit the luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Regent's New Med Offers

FREE FLIGHTS - FREE SHORE EXCURSIONS - ALL-INCLUSIVE

And Now: FREE Business Class Air on Penthouse Suite and higher!

Regent Seven Seas has the following new deals for select Mediterranean cruises this year:

ROME TO ATHENS
Seven Seas Mariner June 7, 10 nights; highlights, Rome (Civitavecchia), Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Amalfi/Positano, Taormina (Sicily), Valletta, Monemvasia, Santorini, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Athens (Piraeus); D Balcony Suite was £5,129pp, NOW £3,334pp.

ISTANBUL TO VENICE
Seven Seas Mariner July 16, 10 nights: highlights, Istanbul (overnight), Ephesus (Kusadasi), Santorini, Athens (Piraeus), Zakinthos, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Venice (overnight); E Balcony Suite was £5,249pp, NOW £3,412pp.

ATHENS TO BARCELONA
Seven Seas Mariner August 24, 10 nights: highlights, Athens (Piraeus), Ephesus (Kusadasi), Santorini, Zakinthos, Taormina (Sicily), Amalfi/Positano, Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Monte Carlo, Provence (Marseille), Barcelona; F Balcony Suite was £4,999pp, NOW £3,255pp. Alternative suite categories available.

All-inclusive with Regent are FREE return flights & transfers, FREE unlimited shore excursions, ALL fine dining, ALL drinks & beverages, ALL gratuities & ALL activities onboard. Fares guaranteed until March 31. Terms and conditions apply. Please see http://www.rssc.co.uk/ or call the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Grab An Early Booking Discount With Star Clippers

By Steve Newman

Book by January 31 and receive up to 20% early-booking discount with tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers, who are offering the spectacular saving off all 2011 cruises in the Mediterranean PLUS all 2011 sailings in the Caribbean and Central America if booked by April 30.

You can save £177 per person on a six-night Caribbean pre-Christmas cruise on the 170-passenger Star Clipper, departing St Maarten on December 17 and calling at some of the smaller, more exclusive Caribbean ports inaccessible to big ships. The itinerary includes either Nevis or Saba (depending on the wind), Iles des Saintes, Falmouth Harbour in Antigua and St Barths. Now from £708 per person, cruise only.

Save £206 per person on a seven-night Costa Rica sailing on the 170-passenger Star Flyer, departing Puerto Caldera on December 11 and exploring rainforested islands, remote bays and beautiful beaches, with plenty of chance to spot the incredibly diverse wildlife of the region. The ship calls at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Playa del Coco, Costa Rica; National Park of Santa Rosa; Samara; Puerto Carillo; National Reserve of Curu; and Isla Tortuga. Now from £824 per person, cruise only.

Save £168 per person on a short break, five-night Mediterranean sailing on board Star Clipper, departing Athens on October 8, and calling at the unspoilt Greek ports of Monemvasia and Pilos; Siracusa in Sicily; and Valletta, Malta. Now from £672 per person, cruise only.

All prices exclude port charges.

Passengers can enjoy the romance of sailing on board a true tall ship in a relaxed atmosphere with high standards of service provided by an attentive crew. All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, a convivial Tropical Bar on deck and a comfortable piano bar and are large enough to offer first class accommodation and dining, but small enough to call into intimate ports, untouched by large cruise ships.

For more information, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or check with the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.