Orion's Photo Focus On Vietnam

Orion Expedition Cruises is delighted to announced that award-winning British wildlife photographer, author and filmmaker, Sue Flood, is to join international photographer Nick Rains as a guest presenter onboard Orion II during a nine-night Vietnam Explorer photographic voyage departing March 30.

This voyage is an opportunity for enthusiasts of all levels to improve their photographic skills while on location in one of the world’s most photogenic settings, Vietnam.

 

Starting in Ho Chi Minh City, this voyage includes four photogenic World Heritage sites - Hue, Hoi An, My Son (above) and Ha Long Bay. There will be ample opportunity to experience and capture the cultural, historic and geographic diversity of Vietnam, including the Saigon River busy with sampans, the traditional fishing village of Baie de Cu Mon, which is rarely seen by outsiders, and Nha Trang’s Communist Party headquarters.

 

Nick and Sue will hold regular workshops onboard before taking guests ashore on location along with members of Orion’s specialist expedition team.

 

Photography workshops include professional advice and instruction on understanding and optimising camera settings, selecting the best lens for the occasion, framing your subject and ‘capturing the moment’ along with instruction on the dark art of digital editing-software and printing.

Explore, experience and shoot from dawn to dusk, with internationally recognised and awarded professional photographers; then relax, compare images and enjoy superb cuisine, wines and company by night onboard Orion II.

 

The nine-night Vietnam Explorer photo expedition departs Ho Chi Minh City to Haiphong (for Hanoi), and includes Nha Trang, Baie de Cu Mon/Bai Nam Beach, Da Nang (for My Son and Hoi An), Chan May (for Hue), Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba.  

 

Book before the end of February and save 30%, with prices from £3,850 per person, including eight nights on Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

 

About Sue Flood

Sue is an award-winning wildlife photographer, author and filmmaker. She joined the BBC Natural History Unit in 1993 and spent 11 years at the BBC, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to work with her childhood (and adult!) hero, Sir David Attenborough. Her experience including working as Associate Producer on the award-winning series The Blue Planet and also Planet Earth and the Disney nature movie Earth. Sue also produced four films for the BBC:  Polar Bears on Thin Ice; A Boy Among Polar Bears; Killer Whale Special; and Life of Mammals. In March 2005 Sue left to pursue her wildlife photography career and she is now a professional photographer, represented by Getty Images. Recognition of Sue’s work includes awards in the following competitions: International Photographer of the Year, Travel Photographer of the Year, the Art Wolfe (Best of Festival) Award in the International Conservation Photography Awards, and Royal Photographic Society Silver Medal.

 

About Nick Rains

Nick Rains, studied Zoology at university in Britain which led him to a career in photography. Over the years, Nick has worked with the Australian Tourism Commission, Tourism NSW, Penguin Books, Readers Digest Books, Shell Petroleum, BBC TV, Sports Illustrated, World Heritage Commission, Australian Geographic plus many more. Nick is involved with teaching and writing and is the editor of Better Digital Camera magazine. 

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

Crystal's VIP Fireworks To Ring In New Year In Sydney

Although it’s only February, Crystal Cruises is reminding travellers it’s never too early to start planning New Year’s Eve by releasing details of an ultra-luxury, private floating party in Sydney Harbour to welcome in 2013. The over-the-top celebration offers exclusive front-row “seats” to the world’s biggest New Year’s fireworks, free for guests of all ages on Crystal Symphony’s culinary-themed seasonal cruise through New Zealand and Australia beginning December 20.

The New Year celebrations unfold onboard two luxury catamarans, sailing past Sydney’s crowd-lined shores in the exclusive, select-vessel Harbour of Light Parade flotilla. Crystal has specially-arranged final VIP stationing under Sydney Harbour Bridge, inside the off-limits Harbour Exclusion Zone, for the pre-eminent fireworks vantage point. The intimate post-dinner soiree includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, premium open bar, music, dancing, midnight champagne countdown, Crystal’s renowned six-star service and spectacular city views, with guests among the globe’s first ringing in 2013.

This 16-night Christmas and New Year sailing from Auckland to Melbourne features stunning festive decorations, gourmet Christmas dinner, Chanukah traditions and other seasonal delights during overnights in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney (two nights), plus calls in Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch/Lyttleton and Dunedin. Numerous experts - including guest chefs, mixologist, oenologist, oceanographer, conservation biologist, CBS News correspondent and South African Ambassador - are also scheduled to host enlightening destination-related presentations.

Until February 28, “Book Now” cruise-only fares for the 16-night voyage start at just £8,005 per person, based on two sharing a deluxe stateroom with picture window on an all-inclusive basis, including fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship plus pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Don't Miss The South of England Cruise Show!

OK, we're slightly biased as our main sponsors The Cruise Line Ltd are behind this, but the new South of England Cruise Show on February 18 is definitely a date for all cruise lovers' diaries.

From 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm at Hurstpierpoint College in West Sussex, it promises to be the ideal forum for all those looking for their next (or first) cruise, with a host of cruise lines presenting their wares.

Plus, there is the chance to win a FREE cruise with luxury French line Le Compagnie du Ponant, hence there is plenty of reason to visit.

Under the banner headline of 'Discovering The World,' the Cruise Line Ltd will showcase no less than 14 of their brands, including the leading luxury cruise companies and some of the most exclusive niche and boutique lines.

The full line-up reads: Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Oceania, Hapag-Lloyd, Titan Travel, Cunard, Hebridean International, Crystal, Princess, P&O, Hurtigruten and Compagnie du Ponant.

There will be nine special 30-minute presentations on cruise lines or companies, featuring everything you need to know about their distinctive style, with the chance to ask questions and learn even more about the wonderful range of choice on offer these days. The nine sessions are as follows:

10am: Seabourn
10.30am: Silversea
11am: Crystal Cruises
11.30am: Oceania Cruises

12 noon: Regent Seven Seas
12.30am: SeaDream 
2pm: Hebridean International
2.30pm: Hapag-Lloyd
3pm: The Rocky Mountaineer railroad (Canada)

There will also be additional special offers and features on the day, and best of all, it is FREE to all visitors. However, you must call in advance to reserve a place on 0800 008 6682 or email info@cruiseline.co.uk.

Be sure to have a great time, and remember to say World of Cruising sent you!

Cruise Ex-UK In 2012 With Oceania

Oceania Cruises will be offering four ex-UK cruises and three cruises returning into the UK during 2012, enabling guests to combine no-fly cruising or cruises with a simple ferry crossing or single outbound flight to join the line’s luxurious, mid-sized ships.

Oceania's first new-build luxury cruise ship Marina will offer two ex-UK sailings in June, a 12-night round-trip from Dover (embarking June 6), calling into Scotland, the Orkney Islands and Skye, four port calls in Ireland and returning to Dover via Fowey (Cornwall); and a voyage from London to Copenhagen, via Ireland, Iceland, Faroe Islands and Norway (embarking June 18). 

British guests will also be able to disembark in the UK following a 12-night sailing on board Marina from Copenhagen to Dover, boarding in Denmark’s capital on August 31 and calling into Norway, the Shetland Islands, Scotland, three ports in Ireland (including an overnight in Dublin), and returning to Dover via Falmouth (Cornwall).

Oceania's smaller 650-guest Nautica will offer two ex-UK sailings, a magnificent 21-night round trip from Dover, departing on July 3, that calls into Scotland, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, the Isle of Skye, Belfast and Dublin, Falmouth, Cherbourg and Zeebrugge, before returning to Dover. Nautica will also sail a 12-night cruise around the British Isles, departing from Dover on July 24, calling into Scotland, the Orkney Islands, Skye, four ports in Ireland, Fowey and Le Havre.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Spring Into Europe With Voyages of Discovery

Guarantee yourself some early sunshine this year and join Voyages of Discovery’s MV Discovery for a 15-day European Icons cruise from £899 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Discover Istanbul, Rome and Piraeus, also known as the ‘Gateway to Athens,’ on this cruise through some of Europe’s most beautiful islands and countries, including Spain, Corsica, Sicily, Italy and Greece.

The price includes return flights from London, transfers and the 15-day voyage departing from Istanbul (overnight), Piraeus (for Athens), Messina (Sicily), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Ajaccio (Corsica), Almeria (Spain) Gibraltar and La Coruna (Spain) before returning to the UK at Portsmouth. Departure is April 27. Price includes all meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned Guest Speakers.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Cruise the Canaries with Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas on a 14-night Spain & Canary Islands cruise-only from just £895 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom) this spring.

For less than £64 per night, this superb price includes the full two-week voyage, which departs Southampton on March 17 and calls at Vigo, Lisbon, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Tenerife and La Coruña before returning to Southampton, plus all meals and entertainment on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link  with the UK's leading cruise agent specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Last-Minute Bargain With Voyages of Discovery

Treat yourself to some last-minute sunshine this month by joining Voyages of Discovery’s MV Discovery on a 26-day Australia & Indonesian Islands cruise, from just £1,999 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Visit the cities of Sydney and Brisbane before exploring the magical Great Barrier Reef and the stunning islands of Bali and Komodo (Indonesia). Price includes return flights from London, transfers and the full 26-day voyage departing from Sydney (overnight) and visiting Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Darwin (overnight), Komodo, Bali (overnight), Semarang, and Singapore.

Based on February 7 departure; price includes all meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned Guest Speakers.

For more booking details, and more on Voyages of Discovery, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Fred. Olsen To Sail From Belfast In 2013

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will commence cruises from Belfast next year, with 880-guest Boudicca making two turnaround visits in October 2013 - a 12-night Iberian titinerary and a 2-night mini cruise to Liverpool.

The traditionally British cruise line will also be adding Harwich to its list of regional departure ports in 2013, with Boudicca’s sister ship Black Watch operating four fascinating itineraries from the port in May and June, meaning guests living in the local area can take advantage of Harwich International Port’s excellent road and rail connections, and state-of-the-art facilities.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

The Art of Japan With Orion

Orion Expedition Cruises has released details of an exclusive eight-night Art of Japan voyage featuring visits to some of the most culturally significant high points around the Inland Sea of Japan.

Departing Busan, South Korea, on April 19, the itinerary has been tailored especially for art lovers and those with a curiosity about Japanese art seeking to better understand and experience the breadth of the country's art culture, including some fine collections of Western art.                         

Developed in conjunction with the Art Gallery of New South Wales, this tour embraces ancient Shinto shrines, exquisite formal gardens, art complexes and museums, samurai culture, medieval castles and contemporary architecture. From the floating red shrine of Itsukushima to collections of Claude Monet, the formal gardens of Korakuen and the contemporary art of Tatsuo Miyajima, this Art of Japan voyage onboard Orion II promises to be an artistic revelation.

The voyage visits Sakai Ko, Honshu Island; Hagi, Honshu Island; Hiroshima; Miyajima, Inland Sea; Uno Ko, Honshu Island; Naoshima, Honshu Island; and Takamatsu, Shikoku Island; before arriving at Kobe, Japan. Prices start from £3,825 per person (a saving of £670) including eight nights onboard, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury adventure cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Historic Day For Silver Explorer

Silversea Cruises are proud to announce their Silver Explorer and its Expedition Team accomplished a first in the ship’s history late last month, landing guests at Point Wild, Elephant Island – the location where survivors of the Shackleton Expedition lived under two lifeboats for more than four months while hoping for rescue.

After attempting to take guests to Elephant Island for nearly 10 years, Silver Explorer’s Captain Alexander Golubev was able to tuck the ship into a small and slightly sheltered bay just to the West of Point Wild, due to good weather conditions. Explorer’s unstructured itinerary to ‘Cruise and Explore the Antarctic Peninsula’ allows the Captain and the Silversea team to determine the exact itinerary as the voyage progresses, as conditions can vary so much in the Polar regions. 

Both guests and crew can take full advantage of the available conditions to explore as many sights and make as many zodiac excursions and landings as possible, and this was especially true in the case of Point Wild.

Guests can also combine true expedition cruising with an elegant onboard lifestyle with Silversea Expeditions. Offering two 10-day trips from £6,339 per person, on an all-inclusive basis, voyage 7226 departs December 3 and voyage 7227 departs December 13 from Ushuaia. Silver Explorer departs from the Argentine port and cruises through the Drake Passage and then the Antarctic Peninsula, before returning to Ushuaia. Price is per person, based on two people sharing a View Suite and includes all shore excursions, port charges, government fees and taxes. Economy flights are available from £2,299 per person.

Fares for voyages embarking/disembarking Ushuaia include economy class charter air service between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, plus transfers between Ushuaia airport and pier, on day of embarkation and disembarkation.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

SeaDream Taps Into The Hippocrates Health Institute

SeaDream Yacht Club is taking wellness and well-being holidays a step further with a unique programme in conjunction with The Hippocrates Health Institute, introducing the first of its kind at sea, a “Raw Food” menu option. 

A once-radical form of vegetarianism called the “raw foods” or “living foods” movement is creeping into mainstream. Now, aboard the twin mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, gourmet raw food is offered in addition to the regular menu.

The Hippocrates Health Institute was created over five decades ago. Over the years, it has developed the Life Transformation Programme into the definitive blueprint for transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. SeaDream’s Corporate Chef, Sudesh Kishore (above) shares dishes and beverages such as Watercress Tang (a liquid mélange of watercress, Anjou pear, lime and pineapple) and the Blood Apple Blaster (a blend of apple, ginger, red beet, lime juice and agave). Salad options include Asian-style Cashew Curry Salad (crunchy and slightly spicy) while an entrée such as Vegetable Lasagna uses pasta-like noodles made from spinach leaves and coconut meat, layered between a spicy cauliflower mash topped with a sun-dried tomato marinara.

A sample 7-night Mediterranean voyage aboard SeaDream I (including the new Raw Food menu options), sailing May 12 from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Monte Carlo now costs from $3,999, representing a saving of 55%.

A sample 7-night Caribbean voyage aboard SeaDream II (also including the new Raw Food options), sailing March 31 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, now costs from $2,899, a brochure saving of 58%.

These cruise-only fares include: accommodation, all meals, onboard gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, a complimentary open bar and use of the yachts' “water toys” and Marina (weather permitting).

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

New 'No-Fly’ Voyages For Star Clippers

Star Clippers has introduced new travel-inclusive, no-fly holidays in the Mediterranean and the Baltic in 2012 for those tired of airport delays and luggage restrictions. Travelling outbound or return by rail to within a short transfer of the ship, there’s no need to check in hours in advance and there are no restrictions on how much luggage to take.

The new rail-sail combination holidays combine the romance of train travel through Europe with the gentle pace of life on board a genuine sailing ship, where guests can either help the crew hoist the sails and try their hand at mast climbing, or simply soak up the sun and relax in the al fresco Tropical Bar with the cocktail of the day. All packages include train travel to or from the UK to the port, transfers and all meals on board. 

Choose from the following selection of dates:

May 5: Join the head-turning tall ship Star Flyer in Southampton, where the four-masted, full-rigged clipper will be making a rare appearance in 2012, the first time one of the Star Clippers vessels has been in British waters since her launch in 1992. The cruise sets sail from Southampton to Hamburg, with two days at sea to enjoy life under sail, followed by a full day in Amsterdam. The five-night holiday costs from £1,095 per person and includes a transfer from Hamburg port to the station; and rail travel home in an overnight double sleeper from Hamburg to Paris, followed by Eurostar to London. 

May 16, Sail & Rail to Hamburg & Amsterdam: Enjoy the excitement of sailing on Star Flyer as she cruises from one great maritime port to another on a three-day mini-break from Amsterdam to Hamburg. The voyage also includes a day in the Frisian holiday island of Borkum and costs from £945 per person, including three nights on board, with all meals, return transfers to the ship and Eurostar/InterCity rail travel to Amsterdam, via Brussels, and overnight/Eurostar rail from Hamburg to London, via Paris.

July 27: Rail-sail from Venice, the most romantic small-ship port in the Med. Travel by train from the UK to Venice to join Star Clipper, en route to Croatia, exploring Losinj, Hvar and Rovinj, the true yachting ports of the Adriatic, calling at harbours and secluded anchorages inaccessible to bigger ships. The four-night cruise costs from £1,245 per person, including all meals on board, transfers to and from the railway station in Venice, return overnight sleeper train between Venice and Paris, and return Eurostar travel between London and Paris.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

See The Northern Lights The Easy Way

Here's great news for anyone thinking of a Northern Lights adventure this year - new charter flights from Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh with Norwegian cruise specialists Hurtigruten.

The Aurora Borealis are likely to be on a holiday wish-list for many a traveller in 2012 as it is rated one of the best years for this amazing phenomenon, and the new charter flights launched for this winter makes it easy to do so. A new direct flight from Bristol is featured for the first time and additional dates have been made available for Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh on a number of departures between October and December – the first time Hurtigruten has committed to them during this period.

The charter flights are offered on select departures for the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back (prices from £1,299pp) and the five-day Arctic Highlights itinerary, which is spent entirely above the Arctic Circle sailing from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back, maximising the opportunity to see the Northern Lights (prices from £949pp).

In addition, a pre-Christmas departure is being offered for the ever-popular Astronomy Voyage (prices from £1,899pp) and, following requests, this has been extended to a full round-trip. Whatever the choice of itinerary, there is no better way of experiencing the Northern Lights than from a Hurtigruten ship as the aurora are set against a dark night sky, free from artificial light.

Classic Round Voyage: Direct flights to Bergen from Manchester (8 November), Bristol (19 November), Gatwick (30 November) and Edinburgh (11 December) for the 12-day voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Priced from £1,299pp, to include flights (based on two sharing).

Arctic Highlights: Direct flights to Tromsø from Gatwick and Manchester on 29 November, 6 December and 10 December for the five-day Arctic Highlights voyage from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back. An extended six-day stay is also available. Prices are from £949pp, based on two sharing, and include flights. 

Astronomy Voyage: Departs London Gatwick on 28 October to Bergen. Join MS Finnmarken as it follows the 12-day Classic Round Voyage itinerary from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Guests will be accompanied by Ian Ridpath, editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy, who will bring the world of stars, planets and meteors ever closer through a guided tour of the night sky from the deck of the ship and a series of onboard lectures. Prices start from £1,899pp, including flights, and are based on two sharing.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

 

Last Chance For Savings With Star Clippers!

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering generous discounts of up to 20% on selected voyages on the line’s three square-riggers for bookings made by January 31. In addition, returning guests qualify for an extra 5% discount.

The savings apply to exciting and romantic cruises under sail in the Caribbean, the Baltic, the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, Central America and on transatlantic crossings during 2012.

Examples of Star Clippers’ 2012 voyages include:

• Up to 10% off Mediterranean cruises on Star Clipper, now from £629 per person for four nights, round-trip Venice departing July 28.
• Up to 10% off Mediterranean cruises on Royal Clipper, now from £702 per person for four nights, round-trip Rome departing June 5.
• Up to 10% off Baltic cruises on Star Flyer, now from £499 per person for three nights Amsterdam-Hamburg, departing May 16.
• Up to 20% off Costa Rica cruises on Star Flyer, now from £824 per person for seven nights round-trip Puerto Caldera, departing in December.
• Up to 20% off Caribbean cruises on Royal Clipper, now from £932 per person for seven nights round-trip Barbados, departing various dates in December.
• Up to 20% off Caribbean cruises on Star Clipper, now from £824 per person for seven nights round-trip St Maarten, also departing various dates in December.
• Up to 20% off transatlantic crossings, now from £724 per person for 14 nights on Star Clipper, Las Palmas-St Maarten, departing November 10.

All prices include full board on the ship and all port charges/taxes. Flights are extra.

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

Wine Experts To Lead Six Silversea Voyages

Silversea Cruises has chosen renowned wine experts Lyn Farmer and Richard Nurick to host a Wine Series enrichment programme on six voyages this year.

On each wine-themed cruise, discerning travellers with a passion for fine wines will enjoy sampling great vintages and learning about the tradition and art of wine-making in special tastings and lectures. Depending on the itinerary, guests may also have the chance to explore some of the world's most celebrated wine regions on optional guided shore excursions.

The following Wine Series voyages will be hosted by Lyn Farmer: 

Voyage 3203: Silver Shadow departs Auckland February 4 on a 19-day sailing to Fremantle (Perth) with calls in Napier, Wellington, Picton, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, and Albany. Fares start at £6,599.

Voyage 4210: Silver Whisper departs Monte Carlo May 1 on a 12-day sailing to Southampton with calls in Palma de Mallorca, Cadiz, Portimao, La Coruña, Bilbao, Bordeaux and Le Verdon. Fares start at £3,899. 

Voyage 1220: Silver Cloud departs London August 13 on a 14-day sailing to Monte Carlo with calls in Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga and Sete. Fares start at £4,999.

Voyage 1232: Silver Cloud departs Buenos Aires December 22 on a 16-day sailing to Valparaiso (Santiago) with calls in Montevideo, Punta del Este, Puerto Madryn, Stanley (Falkland Islands), Punta Arenas, Laguna San Rafael, Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Montt. Fares start at £6,199.

Richard Nurick will host the following: 

Voyage 4220A: Silver Whisper departs Southampton July 26 on a nine-day sailing to Lisbon with calls in Bordeaux, St. Jean de Luz, Bilbao, Gijon, La Coruña and Vigo. Fares start at £3,899

Voyage 4220B: Silver Whisper departs Lisbon August 4 on a nine-day sailing to Southampton with calls in Oporto (Leixoes), Bilbao, Bordeaux, Saint-Malo and Honfleur. Fares start at £3,899. 

All fares are per person, based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite. Silver Savings is a capacity-controlled programme and subject to availability.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Late Deals from AMA Waterways

Top European river-cruise operator AMAWaterways have just announced a series of tempting reduced fares for this year, featuring three different cruises on the Rhone, Mosel, Rhine and Danube.

Here are the highlights:

April 13, Black Sea Cruise: Sail from Budapest along the Danube through Romania, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria to the Bulgarian port of Rousse, including passing through the `Iron Gates’, the narrow divide between the Balkans and Carpathian mountains, to conclude the cruise with an excursion to Bucharest.

This week-long luxury cruise now costs from £1,187 per person (previously £1,654), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes. 

May 24, Rhone cruise: A late evening stay alongside the largely abandoned medieval town of Viviers, including an after-dinner 'ghost walk' through streets that once were home to 30,000 people, is part of this 7-night luxury river cruise from Lyons to Arles on board the luxury cruiser AmaDagio. With plenty of time in each port call, overnight stays during a week of castles, vineyards, wine tastings, fine wine and excellent cuisine include the cobbled medieval towns of Lyon and Touron, the rural riverside town of Vienne for an evening stroll past the waterside cafes, and Arles, home to Vincent van Gogh during his most productive last years, where some of his greatest works were painted. 

The week-long cruise now costs from £1,837pp, (previously £2,277), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

July 18; Cruise past Europe’s steepest vineyards in the Mosel Valley and along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine through the Rhine Gorge, with its castles and medieval half-timbered villages, from Luxembourg to Nuremberg along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal. The seven-night sailing departs from Remich (Luxembourg) and includes a late evening stay in Rudesheim, with its narrow streets lined with wine taverns, and in the lovely town of Koblenz and city of Frankfurt, allowing time to sample the relaxed evening ambience. 

This week-long voyage now costs from £1,487pp, (was £1,841), again with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

For booking details, follow this link to the river cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd.

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.

Norwegian Cruise Line Introduce Kids Upgrade

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced it is revitalising its current youth programme and will implement a new best-in-class programme fleet wide in order "to better meet the needs of the growing family holiday market."

The re-branded programme will be introduced on Norwegian Gem in mid-February and will be rolled out to all of the line’s Freestyle Cruising ships subsequently. The current programme, NCL’s Kid’s Crew, has been in place since 1999 and will be renamed, with the age groups being redefined to better address the skills and interests of children. The new age groups will be: three to five years; six to eight years; nine to 12 years; and two teen groups, 13 to 14 and 15 to 17 years. There will also be programming for babies and toddlers from six months to two years. 

The new fully developed and enhanced curriculum tailored to each age group is being produced in conjunction with The King’s Foundation and Camps, a UK-based organisation that provides high quality sport and activity programmes designed to make a positive impact on children. More focus will be placed on sporting activities, arts and crafts, theatre and technology.

The company has engaged Cirque Du Jour, a New York-based company that specialises in teaching children real circus skills such as scarf juggling, ball juggling, plate spinning, clowning and acrobatics. Circus workshops and shows will also be offered for the entire family. 

The youth programmes will also be expanded to utilise other areas of the ships, including the sports courts, rock walls, theatres, lounges and public spaces and will feature more family events such as parades and scavenger hunts. In addition, other family activities will be offered, including Nick Jr. story time, family trivia and special arts and crafts sessions.

For all NCL booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Crystal Combine Fitness with World Exploration

Crystal Cruises is combining fitness with its regular world exploration on more than a dozen 2012 cruises, offering expanded Pilates and yoga programmes, including Pilates Reformer, starting this month. 

Dedicated instructors from high-profile institutions will teach complimentary classes on both Crystal Symphony and Serenity on nine sailings each throughout the year.  Serenity’s group Pilates programme utilises new Reformer equipment, while Symphony offers classic floor training utilising mats, exercise balls, rollers and other core-strengthening accessories.

Men and couples-only yoga instruction provides new approaches to the more traditional Yoga practices also offered. Travellers can attend several classes per day during their cruise or arrange private one-on-one sessions of either interest.

The 18 sailings with enhanced fitness instruction include: 

World Cruise/Australia, Asia, Trans-Pacific (winter/spring): Yoga and Pilates – 18th Jan, 7th and 26th Feb and 13th and 31st March.

Caribbean, Central and South America: Yoga – 6th and 20th Feb and 3rd March; Pilates – 27th Jan.

Panama Canal: Yoga – 21st April; Pilates – 31st Oct.

Trans-Atlantic: Pilates – 19th March, 8th May, 15th Sept and 9th Dec,

Trans-Pacific (autumn): Yoga – 25th Nov and 8th Dec .

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Carnival's Free Caribbean Cabin Upgrade

Here's a neat incentive to join a sparkling Caribbean cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines this year - a FREE cabin upgrade for the sailing in March.

Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida – just a short hop away from the thrills of Orlando - to the heavenly Western Caribbean, the voyage features visits to Cozumel, Mexico’s only Caribbean island (brimming with silver and colourful crafts) and beautiful Belize, boasting its own special brand of eco-tourism and the world’s second largest barrier reef, before cruising on to the new Mahogany Bay resort on scenic Isla Roatan, and then Costa Maya, gateway to ancient Mayan temples and white sand beaches of the Mexican mainland.

The ship involved, the spectacular 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream, features some of the best resort amenities afloat, including deck after deck of spacious private balconied staterooms offering breathtaking panoramas, plus 18 bars and lounges, a duty-free shopping mall, a huge Cloud 9 health spa and gym, including a hydrotherapy pool, “Serenity” deck areas for adults only, a glittering casino, a 2,400sq ft children’s area, four swimming pools and several cascading water slides.

This 9-night Caribbean fly/cruise onboard the Dream starts from just £1,099 per person, including a free upgrade from an inside to a sea-view stateroom. This holiday departs from London on March 1 and includes scheduled flights between London and Orlando, one night pre-cruise hotel (room only) and a 7-night cruise, full board basis per person based on inside twin accommodation. 

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.