Azamara's 'Extended Voyages'

Azamara Club Cruises has launched 'Extended Voyages' which allow guests to join two, three, four or more consecutive cruises into one experience. By combining select consecutive cruises onboard Azamara Quest or Azamara Journey guests can embark on a holiday of a lifetime, ranging from 11 to 78-nights without repeated ports of call.

In addition, guests booking consecutive cruises will receive £200 per cruise, per stateroom for cruises of eight days or less and £300 per cruise, per stateroom for voyages of nine days or more for greater value. Savings double on sailings between October 1 and December 31 this year, if booked by July 31.

Guests wanting a longer adventure can book Journey's 77-night cruise from Stockholm to Civitavecchia (for Rome). Departing June 27, 2012, the sailing features 25 overnight stays, four being two consecutive nights, where guests can experience the nightlife of Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris and Seville. This Extended Voyage features the Norwegian Fjords itinerary, which highlights the North Seas Jazz Festival, one of the world's premiere musical festivals.

For those keen on exploring the Far East, Journey's Piraeus (Athens) to Hong Kong cruise departs on October 26, 2012. This 72-night cruise, combines six cruises - Holy Land, Egypt & Suez Canal; Luxor, Petra, Sinai & Eilat; Luxor, Petra & Sinai; The Spice Coast & Ceylon; Burma & Andaman Sea Islands; Vietnam & Thailand, Christmas and New Year - for an in-depth exploration of the region, plus an opportunity to spend Christmas and New Year in Hong Kong through a Land Discoveries excursion.

Quest departs Singapore on February 29, 2012, on a 78-night cruise, sailing from Singapore to Piraeus. This combines six cruises - Trade Routes to the Orient; Japan & Taiwan; Manila, Sabah, Borneo, Komodo & Bali; Spice Route; Petra, Sinai & Luxor; Holy Land, Egypt & Suez Canal.

For more info, look up http://www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

New Brochure from Swan Hellenic

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The winter 2011-2012 season brochures are going on sale now and Swan Hellenic’s latest features cruises throughout northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Following particularly successful sales for Far East cruises this year, the cruise line will return to the region in late 2011 with ports of call throughout India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and the Philippines , including a return to Yangon in Myanmar.

New ports, all accessible only by smaller ships like Swan Hellenic's Minerva, featured in the brochure across Europe, Asia and Middle East include the wildlife conservation reserve of Sir Bani Yas island in the United Arab Emirates, the Vietnamese coastal city of Qui Nhon, and the French fishing town of Port Vendres close to the Spanish border. The 320-guest ship (above) is also small enough to transit the Corinth Canal in Greece, the Kiel Canal in Germany, the Yangon River in Myanmar and the Saigon River in Vietnam.

One of the highlights is an insight into the tribes, religions and cultures of Indonesia and South East Asia, with a 22-day ‘East of Java’ cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong and ports of call that Semarang in Java, Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Sandakan in Malaysia for a visit to an orangutan sanctuary, and Manila in the Philippines, before arriving in Hong Kong. Prices are from £3,345 per person for a 22-day fly-cruise in January 2012.

Brochures can also be viewed online at www.swanhellenic.com/2012brochure.

Swan Hellenic will be exhibiting at the Cruise Show in Birmingham on October 16-17. and at London's Olympia on March 26-27 2011.

Treasures of the Far East.

By guest blogger Steve Newman

It’s that time of year when the annual intake of new students leave home for university and college. This regular migration often leaves their parents with empty houses, a taste of freedom and some spare time and cash. If you're one of these sudden empty nesters, why not take a cruise and spend some time on yourselves for a change?

From only £1,209, Costa Cruises suggest you take their Treasures of the Far East voyage - the ultimate trip to the Oriental Far East - on a 14-night cruise of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and China.

Enjoy leisurely days at sea onboard the elegant Costa Classica, free of the “are we nearly there yet?” whines and potter to your heart’s content through the streets of Hong Kong or take the world famous Star Ferry over to Kowloon (above). Then wander around the likes of Manila, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. Other highlights include the tropical island retreat of Hainan – known as China’s Hawaii – and the untamed jungles of Kota Kinabalu and Borneo.

With its two restaurants and seven bars, Classica is one of the best-loved ships in the Costa fleet, perhaps because of its welcoming and surprising personality or the recently refurbished furnishings, or perhaps simply because it is a modern and comfortable ship on which to travel in total relaxation.

A relaxing break or a snack at the Alfresco Café will immediately put you in the holiday mood. Shaded by a large white sail, it provides a magnificent terrace overlooking the sea, where you can eat outdoors and enjoy the unique view afforded by your cruise.

Departing Hong Kong on November 20, 2010, the price is based on a cruise-only basis, including all meals, entertainment and activities. Flights and transfers can be added for an additional charge.

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