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.

Tall Ship Cruise Offers Classic Yacht Race Action

This September, tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests a chance to follow the action of the Voiles de St Tropez, one of the world’s most glamorous yacht regattas, from the comfort of the historically styled, square rigger, the 170-passenger Star Flyer.

Les Voiles de St Tropez is one of the principal events in the classic yachting calendar, bringing together magnificent racing boats with world-class crews from all over the world. The regatta runs this year from September 27 to October 2 and Star Flyer will be in the bay of St Tropez on September 30, perfectly situated to view the racing and admire the yachts from the heart of the action.

Later, the ship moves to St Tropez port, where it will remain until late at night, giving guests the chance to soak up the festive post-race atmosphere, with unrivalled opportunities for boat-spotting and people-watching.

Star Clippers’ Voiles de St Tropez sailing departs Cannes on September 24, calling at some of the Mediterranean’s finest yachting harbours: L’Ile Rousse and Bastia in Corsica; Portoferraio in Elba; Portofino in Italy; and Iles d'Hyères and Sanary-sur-Mer in France, as well as St Tropez for the racing.

The ship will also operate a seven-night Monaco to Cannes sailing, departing October 1, which coincides with the last two days of the Voiles de St Tropez, ideal for anybody wanting to overnight in or near St Tropez to watch the racing prior to joining the ship.

The sailings cost from £1,295 per person, including full board on the ship and port taxes, excluding flights. For more details, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Unleash Your Inner Picasso on Star Clippers

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers (www.starclippers.co.uk) is offering novice and experienced artists alike the chance to express themselves and refine their technique in the most inspiring of settings, the Mediterranean, on board the 170-passenger Star Flyer, one of the world’s most beautiful and graceful tall ships.

The voyage will be escorted by Suffolk-born Richard Nichols (above), a successful artist who specialises in seascapes and coastal scenes. Richard will run workshops on board the seven-night cruise in anything from sketching to watercolours, aimed at all levels of experience.

Included in the cruise price is a special artist’s backpack that converts into a seat for sitting and sketching on location. The backpack contains sketchbooks, paper, watercolours, brushes and pencils, so guests do not need to supply any equipment.

The cruise departs Cannes on September 24 and calls at Corsica, Elba, Portofino and the Hyeres islands, ending in Monaco – all perfect settings for capturing the colour and vibrancy of the Mediterranean, from the ochres and terracottas of Portofino to the jagged mountains and bottle green pines of Corsica.

The 7-night cruise costs from £1,469 per person, including return flights from London, transfers, seven nights’ full board accommodation on Star Flyer, daily art classes, the artist’s backpack and port charges. Single travellers pay just £1,659.

To book, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Star Clippers New 'Rail & Sail' Offers

Star Clippers has new `Rail & Sail’ departures this summer, allowing guests to take the train directly from the UK to the south of France and join one of its magnificent tall ship sailings, completely avoiding airports and flying.

The company’s tall ship cruises from Cannes or Monaco operate between June and October and new rail-cruise packages cost from £1599 per person, including all meals, return rail travel from London, a night’s B&B pre-cruise accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Monaco or Nice, non-UK transfers to and from the ship and all port taxes.

The sailings are on board Star Clippers’ four-masted Star Flyer, departing from Cannes or Monaco on June 4, September 10 and October 1.

For the June and October departures, the ship sails from Cannes to Calvi (Corsica), the Costa Smeralda (Sardinia), Giglio (Italy) and Lerici (Italy), returning to St. Tropez and Monaco 7 nights later.

In September, Star Flyer departs Monaco for a 7-night sailing to L’Ille Rousse (Corsica), Portoferraio (Elba), Portofino (Italy), Hyeres Island and Sanary-sur-Mer (France) and St. Tropez beach and town, returning to Cannes on September 17.

Find out more by visiting www.starclippers.co.uk or the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Tall Ship Cruise Offers Classic Yacht Race Action

This September, tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests a chance to follow the action of the Voiles de St Tropez, one of the world’s most glamorous classic yacht regattas, from the comfort of the historically styled, square rigger, Star Flyer.

Les Voiles de St Tropez is one of the principal events in the classic yachting race calendar, bringing together magnificent racing boats with world-class crews from all over the world. The regatta runs this year from September 27 to October 2 and the 170-passenger Star Flyer will be in the bay of St Tropez on September 30, perfectly situated for guests to view the racing and admire the yachts from the heart of the action.

Later, the ship moves to St Tropez port, where it will remain until late at night, giving guests the chance to soak up the festive post-race atmosphere, with unrivalled opportunities for boat-spotting and people-watching.

Star Clippers’ Voiles de St Tropez sailing departs Cannes on September 24, calling at some of the Mediterranean’s finest yachting harbours: L’Ile Rousse and Bastia in Corsica; Portoferraio in Elba; Portofino in Italy; and Iles d'Hyères and Sanary-sur-Mer in France, as well as St Tropez for the racing.

The ship will also operate a seven-night Monaco to Cannes sailing, departing October 1, which coincides with the last two days of the Voiles de St Tropez, ideal for anybody wanting to overnight in or near St Tropez to watch the racing prior to joining the ship.

Both sailings cost from £1,295 per person, including full board on the ship and port taxes. Flights are extra.

To book, visit www.starclippers.co.uk coontact adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd

New `Rail and Sail’ Tall-Ship Cruises

Star Clippers is offering a new selection of 'Rail & Sail' departures for summer 2011, allowing guests to take the train directly from the UK to the south of France to join one of its magnificent tall-ship sailings, completely avoiding airports and flying.

The company’s tall-ship cruises from Cannes or Monaco operate between June and October and new rail-cruise packages cost from £1599 per person, including all meals, return rail travel from London, a night’s B&B pre-cruise accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Monaco or Nice, non-UK transfers to and from the ship and all port taxes.

The sailings are on board Star Clippers’ four-masted, head-turning tall ship Star Flyer, departing from Cannes or Monaco on 4th June, 10th September and 1st October 2011.

On 4th June and 1st October, the ship sails from Cannes to Calvi (Corsica), the Costa Smeralda (Sardinia), Giglio (Italy) and Lerici (Italy), returning to St. Tropez and Monaco 7 nights later.

On 10th September, Star Flyer departs from Monaco for a 7-night sailing to L’Ille Rousse, Corsica, Portoferraio (Elba), Portofino (Italy), Hyeres Island and Sanary-sur-Mer (France), St. Tropez beach and town, returning into Cannes on 17th September.

Sail cruises cost from £1599 for an inside cabin and £1739 for an outside cabin, including return travel from London, non-UK transfers to and from the ship, one night’s B&B, all taxes and 7 nights cruising, with all meals.

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

Azamara's All-Inclusive Golf & Cruise Package

Azamara Club Cruises has announced a new relationship with PerryGolf, the luxury golf tour operator. Azamara Club Golf Cruises will offer escorted and all-inclusive golf tours and cruise programmes that feature some of the world’s premier golf courses.

The Golf Cruises will combine a range of itineraries with the full golf experience. The golfing add-ons are available through travel agents and Azamara Club Cruises directly, starting at $2,682 per person, as well as non-golfing companion rates starting at $669 per person. Also included in the programme are green fees, golf cart rental, ground transportation, golf bag delivery to the first tee as well as return to hotel or ship and storage after the round and overnight golf shoe shining.

Onboard, Golf Cruises guests enjoy an inclusive drink package, post-game cocktail receptions and two group dinners, one in a speciality restaurant. Single supplements starting at $263 also apply for the pre-voyage portion of the programme.

All golf programmes commence with a one or two-night pre-voyage golfing land stay, which includes luxury hotel accommodation, a welcome cocktail reception and dinner to meet fellow guests, as well as optional sightseeing tours for an additional charge. During their voyage, guests will play at four or five of the world’s most heralded courses, such as Old Head and Portmarnock, Ireland; Oitavos Dunes, Portugal; Montgomerie Links, Vietnam; Mission Hills, China; Four Seasons Provence, France; and Sperone, Corsica, depending on the itinerary.

Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for upmarket travellers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. The two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, offer a boutique European hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships can't reach, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region.

For more information on Azamara Club Cruises, visit http://www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury and adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Cruise the Moorish Mediterranean and stay in a Moroccan riad

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering a unique opportunity to explore the history of the Mediterranean, combining the romance of a voyage through the Balearic Islands and Andalucia to Morocco with a stay in a beautiful riad in Marrakech.

This one-off cruise, on the line’s flagship, the five-masted square rigger Royal Clipper, departs Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on October 15.

After a day exploring the dramatic medieval fortress town of Bonifacio in Corsica, the ship sets a course to Mahon, Menorca (above), Lord Nelson’s chosen base for the British fleet during the Napoleonic wars. There’s a day in Ibiza, best known for its nightlife but actually rich in history, from its Carthaginian origins to 500 years of Moorish rule. Ibiza is especially lovely in autumn, when the summer crowds have left but the sea is still warm enough for swimming.

Royal Clipper next calls at Motril on southern Spain’s Costa Tropical, an easy hop from Grenada and the magnificent Alhambra Palace. Then there’s a day at Safi in Morocco, famous for its pottery, before disembarking in Casablanca and being transferred to Marrakech.

Here, in conjunction with short break specialist Kirker Holidays, guests will spend four nights in the Riad Kniza, an exquisite town house that has been restored by one of the city’s top antique dealers, situated in the heart of the old Medina, just minutes’ walk from the famous Djemaa el Fna Square.

The riad, built around three open air courtyards, has just 11 rooms, as well as a pool, traditional hammam and roof terrace. Marrakech is a wonderful city for browsing the tangled streets of the souks, walking along the massive ramparts, soaking up the carnival atmosphere of the Square, or taking day trips into the Atlas Mountains.

From £2,199 per person, including flights to Rome and from Marrakech; eight nights’ full board on Royal Clipper; four nights’ B&B at the Riad Kniza, a three-hour private tour of Marrakech, transfers and the services of a Kirker Holidays concierge.

For more information, please visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Mini Med Cruise, Sail Style

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering a new, three-night mini-cruise of the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Elba on its flagship, five-masted Royal Clipper (above), the world’s largest vessel of its kind. The cruise departs Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on June 1, and costs from £585 per person, excluding flights and port charges.

After embarkation, Royal Clipper sails to the chic Corsican resort of Porto Vecchio, surrounded by mountains that give way to powdery, unspoiled beaches. After a sunset sailaway, the ship sets a course for Portoferraio, capital of tiny Elba, where Napoleon was exiled in 1814. There’s a whole day to explore the historic town, shop, indulge in a gelato or two, visit the island’s fortresses or simply relax over an extended lunch in one of the many picturesque squares. Finally, there’s a third night on board to enjoy the facilities of the ship before returning to Civitavecchia on June 4.

June is one of the best times to visit the Mediterranean; temperatures are usually pleasant, the sailing conditions should be perfect and the summer crowds have yet to arrive. One of the biggest advantages of sailing on a small ship like Royal Clipper is that it can access ports favoured more by yachts than large cruise ships.

For more information, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sailing to Monaco Grand Prix

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Boutique cruise operator Star Clippers, who offer fully crewed sailings on board the world's most spectacular tall ships, has a new 16-night land-cruise package for 2011 that takes in not only the Cannes film festival, but both the time trials and the race itself at the Monaco Grand Prix, combined with 14 nights sailing on the magnificent Star Flyer.

The experience begins on May 19 with two nights at the 4-star Cannes Riviera Hotel, during the final days of the 2011 Cannes film festival, when this stylish resort will be patronized by the rich and famous.

On May 21, guests embark the magnificent Star Flyer en route to 11 different ports during a 14-night sailing that takes in the Monaco Grand Prix on the weekend of May 28-29.

The price of £3,399 per person includes return flights from the UK, transfers, two nights B&B accommodation at the Cannes Riviera Hotel, 14 nights on Star Flyer, with all meals, 'N' Grandstand tickets for the Monaco Grand Prix and a sailing itinerary that includes the French Riviera, Corsica, Sardinia's Costa Smeralda and the north-west coast of Italy.

For more information, contact http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or check with the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

French Riveria and Greek Islands Reductions

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The French Riveria and the Greek Islands have always been major attractions for a cruising holiday, and the chance of late booking reductions can make them even more attractive. With that in mind, why not have a look at two short cruises from luxury Tall Ship sailing company Star Clippers?

Departing from Cannes on 25th September, the company has a 4-night tall-ship cruise along the French Riviera to Calvi, Corsica, Portofino and Cannes for £649pp (was £730), sailing on the head-turning Star Flyer and including all meals on board and free places for up to two children (accompanying two adults) in their own cabin, paying just port taxes of £85 per person.

The Flyer (above) with its four masts and 36,000sq ft of sails is fully stabilised and has two pools; massage and beauty treatments; water sports equipment; library; internet access; indoor/outdoor bar; and a Sloop Shop. The ship has a smart-casual open dining policy and there are seven cabin grades. from the luxurious Owner’s Cabin with whirlpool bath to inside cabins. Fully 81 of the 85 cabins have a porthole or open on to the deck.

The company is also offering a £200 saving off its 3-night 'Cruise & stay’ short break, also on board Star Flyer, departing from Athens on 28th September, sailing the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, now from just £799 per person (was £999), including all meals and a night’s B&B accommodation in Athens at the 5-star St. George Lycabettus Hotel on 28th September.

For more information, log on to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/

Sails in St Tropez

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Ever felt like being part of the jet-set, even if only for a short while? Perhaps after playing a few chukkas in Berkshire, why not nip down to St Tropez for a bit of lazy beach wallowing, followed by watching some top-notch sailing sipping a gin and tonic on your own deck?

Well, thanks to Star Clippers now you can mingle with the A-List by picking up your ship at Monte Carlo and sailing on her to do some serious celebrity watching in St Tropez.

One of the classic events in the international racing calender, Les Voiles de St Tropez, hosts some of the most beautiful yachts in the world and can be seen this year from the deck of your own sailing ship the chic Star Flyer (above). If you're so inclined, you can even help the crew with the rigging.

The 170-passenger square rigger has teak decks, a swimming pool, informal dining and a convivial tropical bar. What you get here is 19th century tall-ship sailing with 21st century luxury.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that if you take the inclusive flight, there's a Eurostar option too, while from the UK you get a helicopter transfer to Monaco (Star Clippers call in here when the Grand Prix is on as well).

The ship sails from Monte Carlo on September 29, calling at L'Ile Rousse in Corsica and returning to Cannes (for more people watching - or maybe they're watching you by now?) on October 2.

For more information, go to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/

Vintage Cruising

By guest blogger Steve Newman.

Fine wines and elegant dining have always been part of the cruising experience but now Oceania have taken that tradition a step further with their new luxury ship Marina due to launch in January next year.

Teaming up with Wine Spectator magazine the company have incorporated into the design a specially designed wine tasting centre where guests can sample some of the world's finest vintages as chosen by the magazine's connoisseur experts.

Quaffing wines from the region where you are anchored does sound eminently appealing, plus the lectures given on the production, history and ethos of the wines should ensure you enjoy them that much more - and help get the tastebuds into top gear.

It doesn't stop there either as Oceania have set up seven-course (yes, 7!) tasting menus to help you appreciate the wines that much more, while the magazine's editors will also recommend reds and whites to accompany the evening menus.

As with all Oceania's cruises, there are ample choices when it comes to dining areas, - it's something they are renowned for.

So, if sipping one of those unique red wines from Ajaccio, watching the sunset bathe the Corsican hillside in that beautiful orange light, or raising a glass of Bianco D'Alcamo as you sail gently pass Sicily appeals, then why not find out more?

The only trouble I can see is that it's not the cruise line but the waistline that's going to be the problem. Great, isn't it!