Viking's Valentine Bonus

To get holidaymakers into the romantic spirit next Valentine’s Day, Viking River Cruises will send a beautiful bouquet of flowers to every customer who books a cruise with them between the 6th and 14th of February 2012. The Company offers scenic cruising along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China and Southeast Asia, sailing right into the heart of some of the world’s most beautiful and romantic destinations.

So, if you want to live out your very own fairytale romance in Heidelberg castle; walk hand in hand around Budapest; or stroll through the streets of the capital of love, Paris, Viking has the holiday for you this February.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's river-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Maiden Voyages of the MS Caledonian Sky

Noble Caledonia have acquired the MS Caledonian Sky, sister ship to their MS Island Sky, to sail an inaugural series of voyages for them from May to July next year, including The British Isles, Iceland, Norway and Russia's White Sea.

Caledonian Sky accommodates a maximum of 114 passengers in 57 spacious outside suites. Many have walk-in wardrobes and some feature tub baths. There will be seven categories of suites and 16 suites will have private balconies.

For those familiar with the Island Sky, she will feel like a second home, although there are some differences. The dining room, lounge, Lido Deck and bar are all similar. However, The Club on the Caledonian Sky has been transported to the very top deck. Here, there is a library and bar which leads out on to a lovely forward deck, with wonderful views from ceiling-to-floor windows.

For more info, check out www.noble-caledonia.co.uk or consult the UK's adventure Cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Oceania's 2012 European Collection

Oceania Cruises, the distinctive premium line that operates four mid-sized luxury ships with a strong culinary emphasis, has launched its 2012 European Collection offering 7 night voyages for the first time.

The Collection features more than 40 cruise itineraries in the Mediterranean with 13 new port calls, in the Black Sea, Scandinavia, Russia and the British Isles, and inaugural European itineraries from the company’s new ship, Riviera, due to launch next April.

Special launch offer cruise-only fares start from £348 per person, based on two sharing an inside stateroom on the company’s Aegean Marvels voyage, sailing November 1 from Istanbul to Athens onboard Marina.

The new European Collection includes Mediterranean sailings on board Riviera (above), which will spend the entire inaugural season in Europe, and sister ship Marina (launched January 2011), as well as Oceania's R-class duo, Nautica and Regatta. Cruises are 7, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 21 nights’ duration, and guests enjoy complimentary dining in the four speciality restaurants, entry to the renowned Canyon Ranch Spa Club, butler service in all suites and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout the ship.

For some of the best booking offers, be sure to check out luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.

A Volga Adventure with eWaterways

eWaterways the niche and river cruise experts have a new itinerary for 2012 on Europe’s largest and longest river - the Volga. The exceptional 11-day Russian Cruise-and-Stay package takes place on the Volga Dream, a well-appointed ship which journeys along this emblematic river and other important waterways to Russia’s ‘Golden Ring’ cities.



Starting in Peter the Great’s ‘Window on the West’ St Petersburg and ending in the medieval yet modern capital Moscow, this cruise promises a real exploration of this vast country’s vistas, history and culture.



The all-inclusive Volga Discovery Holiday is crammed with excursions, informative tours and the best of Russian cuisine. The impressive programme includes visits to the remarkable Palace Square and a tour of the Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg; a tour of the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 ‘onion’ domes on Kizhi Island; a trip to the Cyrilo-Belozersky Monastery in Goritsy and the 16th-century Monastery of the Transfiguration and Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl, as well as a city tour of the beautiful 10th century town Uglich - all before a visit to the renowned Kremlin, the Flea Market and the Dmitry Blood Church in Moscow.



The Volga Dream accommodates just 109 passengers in 56 well-appointed, spacious cabins, each of which feature a window, individually controlled air-conditioning, satellite flat-screen televisions, mini-bars and a welcome fruit basket. With a crew of 60, including an expert tour guide, the standard of service is impeccable.



One of the highlights is the onboard dining experience. With the à la carte evening dinner taking a different theme everyday, the Chef brings fine dining to each guest night after night. From the fresh steamed sturgeon to a rack of lamb or steak au poivre, tiger prawns and authentic Russian Borsch, every meal is a chance to marvel at the culinary excellence of the kitchen. The onboard facilities include a single sitting dining room where complimentary wine is served with meals, a chic lounge and bar, fitness centre, spa treatments and library with internet access.



The 11-day Volga Discovery Cruise will run from May-September 2012. Prices start at £2,059 per person (including taxes), which includes 5-star hotel stays in Moscow (2 nights) and St Petersburg (2 nights), a 6-night deluxe cruise aboard the Volga Dream (full board basis), all transfers, tours and excursions, house wine and soft drinks with meals onboard and lunches and dinners in local restaurants. Flights and visas are not included.



For more info, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Voyaging To World's Last Frontier

Aurora Expeditions is once again pushing the boundaries of expedition travel with voyages to the Russian Arctic and Russian Far East; a land of complex history, unique cultures, inspiring landscapes and astounding wildlife.

Aurora Expeditions' ‘Voyage to the End of the Earth’ is a 14-day adventure to the Russian Arctic departing Murmansk, with prices starting from $8,080 per person.

Discover a region so remote and wild that few have ever been. The 191 pristine islands that make up Franz Josef Land were the planet's last major landmass to be discovered. Uninhabited, minus a few Russian border guards, this is the realm of the polar bear, walrus, seals and the elusive beluga whale.

Only accessible by sea, the region has been open to foreigners only since 1991. This geological wonder really is the world’s last frontier, virtually untouched and waiting to be explored.

Last Minute offer: Receive 15% off 'Voyage to the End of the Earth'

Aurora's ‘The Ring Of Fire’ voyage will then unlock the mysteries of the Kurils, taking you deep into a wildlife and geological wonderland. Departing Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, this 13-day voyage will showcase the lush valleys, lakes and rivers, and snow-capped volcanoes of Kamchatka’s east coast, where brown bears feast on berries and salmon. The ship's fleet of Zodiacs will take visitors to intimate viewings of spectacular seabirds, Stellar sea lions, whales, otters and seal colonies. Prices start from $7,250 per person.

Special offer: Receive 10% off 'Ring Of Fire – Kuril Islands'

Both voyages will set sail on Aurora Expeditions' brand new ship, Akademik Shokalskiy. This ice-strengthened research ship was built in Finland in 1982. Fully refurbished in 2008, it provides accommodation for a maximum of 54 passengers as well as two dining rooms, lounge bar, lecture theatre, sauna and an ‘Open Bridge’ policy.

For more info, see www.auroraexpeditions.com.au or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sail ex-UK with Oceania Cruises in 2011

Following her debut in January, Oceania Cruises’ first new-build luxury cruise ship Marina will offer two ex-UK cruises in summer 2011 as part of her inaugural European cruise season, before returning to her current winter destination of the Caribbean for winter 2011/12. The company will offer a further three ex-UK cruises, from Dover and Greenwich, on board their two mid-sized luxury cruise ships Regatta and Insignia.

Regatta will cruise a 12-night sailing from Greenwich through the North Sea to call into ports along Norway’s west coast and down to Copenhagen, with fares from £2,421pp, departing on June 11.

Insignia sails from Dover on July 11 and August 8, offering cruises to ports in Belgium, Holland, the Baltic States, Russia and Scandinavia, with fares from £2,790pp.

The beautifully appointed 1,250-guest Marina will sail from Dover on July 15 on her 14-night 'Northern Knights' round-trip cruise off the coast of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, also calling into Norway, the Shetland Islands and the Isle of Man, with fares from £3,102pp.

Marina's second ex-UK ‘no-fly’ departure, on July 29, leaves Dover for Amsterdam, Bruges and a cruise of France's Atlantic west coast, down to Santander in Spain and returning to Dover 12 nights later. Fares are currently on special offer from just £1,199pp, including a saving of up to 50%, PLUS $1,000 onboard credit per stateroom.

Oceania Cruises voyages include all meals (including speciality restaurants), complimentary soft drinks and bottled water.

To find out more, visit http://www.oceaniacruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury-cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Black Sea Circumnavigation

By guest blogger Steve Newman

In 2011, Zegrahm Expeditions will return to the Black Sea and offer one of the most comprehensive itineraries available to travellers. Their Circumnavigation of the Black Sea visits all six countries that rim this legendary sea - Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria - with the voyage characterised by striking landscapes, stunning historical monuments and the friendly people you meet along the way.

September 13-27, 2011 & September 25-October 9, 2011; aboard the deluxe 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey; a highlight of the journey is a private tour of the Odessa Opera House. Closed and under renovation for seven years, it is now open to the public and a truly grand experience once again.

That's just one of 15 extraordinary days spent exploring the Black Sea. In the company of cultural experts and historians, travellers wander through the ruins of Greco-Roman sites, exquisitely tiled Ottoman mosques, Byzantine basilicas and monasteries adorned in colourful mosaics and charming red-roofed villages laced with cobblestone lanes.

Throughout the journey, Zegrahm guests will also enjoy local dining traditions, discover vibrant bazaars and sample regional wines.

Learn more about the Circumnavigation of the Black Sea on http://www.zeco.com/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Titan Escorted River Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Titan HiTours, the escorted tours specialist, has unveiled its first brochure totally dedicated to escorted river cruises. This constitutes the company's widest ever choice of escorted river cruises and features an enticing range of upmarket options on some of the world's grandest and most scenic waterways, including the Nile, the Danube and the mighty Yangtze, as well as 10 brand new itineraries.

Every Titan holiday is guaranteed to offer great value for money, and the company's river cruise selection is no exception. Prices include flights, meals, a fantastic array of shore-based excursions and even door-to-door transfers from customers' own homes to their nearest airport.

This VIP Home Departure Service is available for all passengers living in mainland England, Scotland and Wales (plus Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man), meaning that Titan guests can enjoy complete convenience and peace of mind no matter where they live in the United Kingdom. In addition, early-booking discounts are available on several cruises, providing even better value for money for those reserving their holidays in good time.

The Escorted River Cruises brochure features holiday options as far afield as Canada, China, Russia and Egypt, the Volga, Nile, Yangtze and St Lawrence Rivers, leading in at £995 per person for the 8-day Egypt's Timeless Riches itinerary. Departures are available in all but the hottest months of the year, with the price including flights, transfers, full-board accommodation, sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary, port taxes and the VIP Home Departure Service.

For more details, look up http://www.titanhitours.co.uk/

APT River Crusies new Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

As part of APT’s trademark world-class touring collection, they are proud to launch their new 2011 Boutique River Cruise brochure featuring a selection of 19 incredible cruises in Europe, Russia and Egypt and - new for 2011 - Vietnam. APT is also pleased to introduce three distinct touring styles – Premier Plus, Premier and Affordable – so they have just the river cruising holiday to suit every taste and budget.

From cruising the mighty Danube and Rhine Rivers visiting highlights such as Amsterdam, Vienna and Budapest; the impressive Volga that winds between the cities of St Petersburg and Moscow; the majestic Nile, where you’ll enjoy your own Egyptian adventure; to the mystery, beauty and intrigue of the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia – there really is no better time to experience an APT boutique river cruise.

The company are excited to introduce the beautiful region of Vietnam & Cambodia to ther clients. With four tours ranging from nine to 21 days and all including land touring and a seven-night Mekong river cruise, they believe they have a tour to cater to every taste.

And, with APT, there are no hidden extras as all of their cruises are fully inclusive and include return flights from a selection of UK airports; return airport to ship/hotel transfers; all meals as per itinerary with local wines, beer and soft drinks included on all cruises; a full range of small group sightseeing excursions; tipping and port charges.

APT’s lead-in prices for 2011:

Premier Plus Cruising: 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest (also operates in reverse direction) starts from £3375 per person

Premier Cruising: 8-day Tulip Time cruise sailing from and returning to Amsterdam and their 8-day Christmas Time cruise sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest (also operates in reverse direction) both start from £1745 per person

Russia Premier Cruising: 12-day Russian Waterways cruise sailing from Moscow to St Petersburg (also operates in reverse direction) starts from £2765 per person

Egypt Premier Cruising & Land Tour: 10-day Majesty of Egypt cruise departing from and returning to Cairo including a 4 night cruise starts from £2620 per person

Vietnam Premier Cruising & Land Tour: 13-day Angkor, Mekong & Ho Chi Minh City tour travelling from Siem Reap in Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, including a 7-night Mekong cruise (also operates in reverse direction) starts from £3405 per person

There are also special Early Bird savings of up to £930 per couple for all bookings received by 31 December 2010.

(Saving shown is based on a saving of £465 per person when booking an Owner’s Suite on 22-day Rivers of the Emperor cruise. Prices shown above include the appropriate Early Bird Discount)

For more information, log on to APT River cruises or visit the river cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd or call them on 0800 008 6677.

A Russian Odyssey (plus Scandinavia!)

By guest blogger Steve Newman

After the demise of the Soviet Union there has been a renaissance in the cities of the Baltic and, as such, the area is becoming ever more popular as a cruising destination. From medieval architectural styles to modern, world-renowned museums and theatre to excellent shopping, gentle rolling hills and dramatic towering fjords, an amazing adventure awaits you around every corner.

Now there is the opportunity to see not only these ancient trading cities but explore the famous architecture, winding canals and local Russian culture with Royal Caribbean International’s Jewel of the Seas on a twelve-night Scandinavia and Russia cruise from just £1,326 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

As a ship, Jewel (above) has a guest capacity of 2, 501 and has a lot going for her. Amongst the spectacular features are the 10-storey Centrum glass lifts facing the sea, and the highest percentage of outside staterooms in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

The cruise begins and ends at Harwich and takes in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki.
A full day is in store at St Petersburg, with famous palaces and museums including The Hermitage, one of the world's greatest treasures, which features more than 3 million exhibits. The most European-influenced city in Russia, St Petersburg is also the most spectacular. Finally, the voyage calls at Tallinn, Estonia, and Gothenburg in Sweden.

Price is based on 23 June 2011 departure. For more information or to book, see http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/

Royal Caribbean are also exhibiting at the Cruise Show in Birmingham in October.

River v Ocean Cruising

It's a question I hear time and time again - what's the difference between river cruising and it's Big Brother ocean variety?

It goes hand in hand with the alternative version (usually from die-hard big-ship cruisers), why would I want to down-size to a river-boat?

Both are valid queries, but both can be met with an equally emphatic response: river-cruising IS a very different animal to the ocean-going variety, but it also affords a rich and diverse experience that big-ship folk ignore at their peril!

To take the first issue, the difference between the two, requires a lengthier reply, though.

The differences between the two types of cruising are significant but well worth detailing. The obvious issue is one of size - river-boats rarely hold more than 150 people (although the new Victoria Jenna on the Yangtze in China will hold an amazing 378 passengers), and there are far fewer public rooms.

Fewer rooms means less space and fewer frills in terms of big-ship glamour and glitz. You won't find fancy casinos, high-tech Spas (although, again, the Jenna is an exception), elaborate theatres and multiple dining venues. If you're looking for expansive pool facilities, water-slides and rock-climbing walls, this isn't the right choice for you either.

But you will find plush, comfortable surroundings, well-fitted cabins, high-quality fittings and furnishings, and an overall commitment to service and attention to detail normally found only on the more deluxe, smaller-scale ocean vessels.

There is also a substantial difference in pace, both in terms of your actual travel and also of the onboard ambience. River-boats typically procede at a very leisurely speed, sometimes not much above walking pace, and the need for periodic negotiations of locks and other river traffic means you can't count on vast changes of scenery as you can in places like the Baltic and Alaska.

But this also lends itself to a more relaxing and comfortable vibe, with no discernable hustle and bustle, no need to go dashing from one show to another or requirement for lengthy daily activity programmes.

River-cruising really allows you to unwind, decompress from the real world and chill out, in a comfy environment that provides no great demands of time or choice.

Finally, and this is an important distinction as cruise ships get ever larger, it is an immensely personal experience, both in terms of your fellow passengers and the destinations you visit.

The slow pace affords plenty of time to get the know the people around you, with plenty of opportunity for conversation and social intercourse, while at the same time providing an almost slow-motion tableau of scenery and cities.

Cities are also the bread and butter of the typical river cruise, especially in Europe, with the river routes offering all manner of wonderful urban backdrops (as well as fabulous rural scenes).

In France, you can take in the likes of Lyon, Tournon, Viviers and Avignon ; in Germany, you can enjoy a cruise that includes Frankfurt, Mainz, Nuremberg and Heidelberg; further along the Danube, the routes takes in Vienna, Prague, Budapest and Bratislava; and in Russia you can cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg, and unveil some marvellous mysteries along the way.

And that's before you consider the alternative destinations of the Nile, China and Myanmar, all of which can add the a taste of the exotic to the river-cruise experience.

River-cruising is probably not ideal for families with younger children, but for those with children of senior school age (especially those learning a language), it can also be a wonderful opportunity, and for the river-cruise exec who recently stated that his product was not for "the 40-somethings," that is a shocking undervaluing of the possibilities.

Put simply, river-cruising is for those who really like to get under the skin of a destination, to take their time and savour a country, a city or a countryside. It is highly personable and often provides memorable dining. And it reconnects us with our fellow traveller.

There are other reasons why you might want to give river-cruising a try - notably the chance to avoid any vestige of seasickness! - but I'll save those for another day and another argument.