Fred. Olsen Launches ‘Captains’ Collection’

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new brochure of 73 specially-selected, ex-UK cruises for 2012/13, offering exceptional value for money – the ‘Captains’ Collection’. All the featured cruises offer additional savings and selected cruises offer both Double Savings and Free Onboard Spend for selected cabin grades, including both Boudicca and Braemar’s Christmas cruises for 2012, so there are superb deals to be had for early bookers.

The special rates are applicable on bookings made by February 29. Guests booking earlier – by January 10 – can also benefit from free coach travel or car parking, making the offer even better value for money. Fred. Olsen’s ‘No Fuel Surcharge Guarantee’ also applies on all bookings made by January 31, for departures from January 1 onwards, so value for money is guaranteed.

The ‘Captains’ Collection’ brochure includes cruises on all four Fred. Olsen ships: Balmoral, Braemar, Black Watch and Boudicca, sailing from a variety of convenient regional UK ports. Destinations include Norway, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Iberia, Canada and the Canary Islands. Savings can be up to £500 per booking, and discounts vary, depending on the cabin grade and duration of the cruise. On a cruise of 14 nights or more, savings range from £100 on a single cabin to £500 for a suite. 

For example, Braemar’s ‘The Azores & the Canaries’ cruise (M1208), a 14-night voyage from Dover on April 14, visits Lisbon (Portugal), Arrecife (Lanzarote), Santa Cruz (Tenerife), Santa Cruz (La Palma), Praia da Vitoria (Azores) and Ponta Delgada (Azores) before returning to Dover, now has prices from £1,229 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. Prices also include all meals, onboard entertainment and port taxes, representing exceptional value for money.

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

Save Big With NCL This Winter

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching its new “Norwegians set SALE in Europe” promotion where customers can save up to £400 per stateroom on European and Atlantic crossings. The sale launches today (Dec 7) and is valid on sailings of six nights or more, including in peak holiday periods. Customers can make savings on bookings made until February 29, 2012.

Guests will be able to enjoy savings from a choice of four ships as Norwegian’s largest ever European deployment arrives in 2012. Sailings included in the offer are Norwegian Epic’s ‘Western Mediterranean from Barcelona’, Norwegian Spirit’s ‘Grand Mediterranean from Venice or Barcelona’, Norwegian Sun’s ‘Baltics from Copenhagen’ and Norwegian Jade’s ‘Greek Isles from Venice’.

A seven-night Western Med voyage from Barcelona, fly-cruise, on Norwegian Epic departs on various dates between April and October, sailing from Barcelona, to Naples, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Villefranche (for Nice/MonteCarlo), Marseille and back to Barcelona. It is priced from £849 per person based on an October 14 departure.

A 12-night Grand Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona fly-cruise on Norwegian Spirit also departs on various dates from April-October, sailing from Barcelona, to Toulon (for Provence), Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, Mykonos, Istanbul, Izmir (Ephesus) and Venice. It is priced from £1,176 per person based on an April 28 departure.

A nine-night Baltic Capitals from Copenhagen fly-cruise on Norwegian Sun departs on various dates from May-September, sailing from Copenhagen, to Warnemunde (for Berlin), Tallinn, St Petersburg (overnight), Helsinki, Stockholm and back to Copenhagen. It is priced from £1,339 per person based on a May 13 departure.

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

Oceania's Big New Year Savings

Oceania Cruises, who operate four mid-sized luxury cruise ships specifically designed for lovers of good food and elegant living, is offering savings of up to £1,687 per person on selected departures between January 17 and March 29.

The offer is part of Oceania's `Explore your World’ promotion, which, on selected cruises, also gives clients free gratuities (worth up to $925 per booking) and a $1,000 shipboard credit per stateroom to spend on spa treatments, drinks, shore excursions or gifts from the onboard shops.

The sailings include a 25-night cruise from Bangkok to Beijing on board the 650-guest Nautica, departing on February 28, with port calls in Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and China, now from £3,025 (was £4,712, saving £1,687); and two cruises on board sister ship Regatta - a 21-night sailing from Auckland to Sydney, departing on March 8, now £2,541 (was £2,942, saving £401); and a 25-night voyage from Sydney to Papeete departing March 29 (now £3,025, saving £539), which also include the $1,000 per stateroom shipboard credit and free gratuities. 

Then there is an 18-night South Pacific sailing departing January 17 from Papeete to Auckland on board Regatta, which now costs from £2,178* (was £2,656, saving £478), with $1,000 credit per stateroom and free gratuities. 

And, in South America, the January 22 sailing on board Insignia, exploring Peru and Chile as the ship cruises the west coast of South America, now costs from £2,176 (was £3,080, saving £904), with $1,000 credit per stateroom and free gratuities.

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

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.

Dubai Delights With Royal Caribbean

Here's another great winter cruise offer (and another featuring the very happening destination of Dubai) from the folks at Royal Caribbean, who seem to come up with one of these excellent-priced specials every week: Join Brilliance of the Seas for an eight-night Dubai fly/cruise from £849 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers and a seven-night cruise departing Dubai (UAE) and calling at Fujairah (UAE), Muscat (Oman) and Abu Dhabi (UAE) before returning to Dubai; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. The price is based on a December 12 departure.

For more info, see www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or the cruise agent experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Fred. Olsen's Weekend ‘Summer Sale’

For a limited period over the Bank Holiday period, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be offering special reduced prices on six summer cruises, with durations ranging from 7 to 16 nights, to a variety of exciting destinations. These deals will be available from Friday 27th to Monday 30th May 2011 inclusive, and offer, amongst others, the chance to view the volcanic region of Iceland from the comfort and safety of a cruise ship!

Available from a choice of convenient regional UK departure ports – Southampton, Rosyth (Edinburgh) and Dover – these great prices start from just £56 per person per night, representing incredible value, with sale fares available across a range of cabin types.

The cruises selected for the special sale are:

· M1114 – a 13-night cruise to the Baltic, departing Dover July 2, priced from £799 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin cabin.

· D1115 – a 16-night cruise to Greenland and Iceland, departing Rosyth (Edinburgh) July 28, from £899 per person.

· M1116 – a 14-night cruise to the Canary Islands, departing Dover July 30, from £849 per person.

· L1111 – a 7-night cruise to France, departing Southampton on August 1, from £599 per person.

· W1112 – a 16-night cruise to Greenland and Iceland, departing Dover on August 11, priced from £899 per person.

· L1113 – a 14-night cruise to the Baltic, departing Southampton on August 18, from £899 per person.

Prices include accommodation, all meals and entertainment, port taxes and any applicable Fuel Supplement. Themes of ‘The History of Weather’ and ‘Classical Music’ are available on cruises W1112 and D1115 respectively through Fred. Olsen’s onboard enrichment programme, Vistas, which is free to guests.

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the cruise-agent specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

A Med Cruise For Less than £55 Per Night? Yes, With Royal Caribbean!

Join Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas for an 18-night Ultimate Mediterranean cruise from just £948 per person this November (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). That's less than £55 per person, per night - including meals.

The price includes the full 18-night voyage departing Southampton and calling at Lisbon, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples (for Capri and Pompeii), Gibraltar and Cádiz before returning to Southampton; plus all meals and entertainment, and relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on November 11 departure.

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

Fred Olsen's Easter Door-Busters!

Fred Olsen's unbeatable array of special cruise deals over the Easter period will be available only over the Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday 22nd to Monday 25th April 2011 inclusive.

The cruises selected for the special sale are:

D1113 – a 16-night cruise to Italy, departing from Greenock on 28th June 2011, priced from £949 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’.

D1114 – a 14-night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, departing from Greenock on 14th July 2011, priced from £799 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

M1113 – a 13-night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, departing from Dover on 19th June 2011, priced from £799 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

M1114 – a 13-night cruise to the Baltic, departing from Dover on 2nd July 2011, priced from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

L1107 – a 14-night cruise to the North Cape, departing from Southampton on 10th June 2011, priced from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

L1108 – a 14-night cruise to the Baltic, departing from Southampton on 24th June 2011, priced from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’

Prices include accommodation, all meals and entertainment, and port taxes. Anticipating enormous demand for these bargain cruises, Fred. Olsen's reservations department will be opening especially over the Easter period, and can be contacted on 01473 742424 as follows:

Friday 22nd April 10am-4pm

Saturday 23rd April 9am-5pm

Sunday 24th April 10am-4pm

Monday 25th April 10am-4pm

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the UK's leading cruise specialist travel agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.

Big Savings on Grandeur

Here's another eye-catching bargain to start the week: join Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas for a seven-night Spanish Mediterranean fly/cruise from just £699 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean-view stateroom) this summer.

The price includes return flights from London Gatwick, transfers and a seven-night cruise departing Palma De Mallorca and calling at Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga and Gibraltar, before returning to Palma; all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on a July 17 departure.

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

Oceania's Great Spring Offers

Oceania Cruises is offering savings of up to 43 per cent off selected cruise departures in April, including a sailing on the company’s brand new cruise ship, Marina (above), and an onboard credit of $1,000 per stateroom (all prices exclude flights).

Current offers from Oceania Cruises include a 14-night sailing on the mid-sized Regatta, departing on April 12, now from just £1399 per guest (a saving of up to £1,697), PLUS a $1,000 onboard credit. Regatta departs from Miami to cruise up the east coast of the US, across to Hamilton, Bermuda, and on to Turks & Caicos islands and Dominican Republic, before returning to Miami. Prices include all meals, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

Or, departing on April 13, Oceania has a magnificent 10-night sailing through some of Europe’s most picturesque and historical regions on Insignia, now from just £1249 per person (saving up to £1,447 pp), based on two sharing, and including a $1,000/stateroom onboard credit. The ship embarks in Athens, sailing to Kusadasi, Turkey, through the Greek islands to Sicily, Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, and Monte Carlo, returning to Livorno and Civitivecchia (Rome).

Or, cruise from Rome to Venice, via Monte Carlo, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Corfu, Montenegro and Croatia on board Oceania's new Marina, departing on April 26. This 10-night 'Grandeur of Rome' sailing now costs £1,249 per person (again saving up to £1,447 pp), with a $1,000 onboard credit. Guests are treated to a choice of 10 dining venues on this magnificent new ship, with no charges for dining in its six speciality restaurants. Complimentary bottled water & soft drinks are also available throughout the ship.

Other European sailings currently with a $1,000 per stateroom onboard credit include sailings on board Marina on May 6 from Venice to Athens (from £1,877pp) and a 12-night cruise ex-UK on July 29 (from £2269 pp), including all meals, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water, but excluding flights.

To find out more about Oceania Cruises, visit www.OceaniaCruises.co.uk or contact luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Oceania Savings on selected Far East Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Oceania Cruises has savings of up to £5,281 off selected Far East cruises in 2011, with up to 63% off original fares and prices now from just £1,172 per person, including all meals, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks and no charge for their speciality dining.

Take One: 15th January 2011, Singapore to Hong Kong

Oceania has savings of up to £2,624pp off its 15-night cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong (above) on mid-sized ship Nautica. Prices now from £1172 (was £3,124) rising to £1,875 (was £4,499) saving up to £2,624pp for a Veranda suite. Prices include port taxes, complimentary soft drinks and speciality dining; prices exclude flights.

Take Two: 15th February 2011, Far East cruise

Oceania has an amazing 63% saving off this 24-night voyage from Bangkok to Beijing, departing on February 15 on Nautica and calling in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, China and South Korea. Prices are from £1,875pp for an inside stateroom (was £5,124), including port taxes, complimentary soft drinks and speciality dining. For those booking a Penthouse Suite, the saving increases to £5,249 per person with a fare of just £3,750pp (was £8,999). Prices exclude flights.

Take Three: 26th March 2011, Hong Kong to Dubai

Try 25 nights of luxurious cruising on Nautica from just £1,953pp for an inside stateroom (was £5124), saving 62% of the original fare. The voyage embarks in Hong Kong and makes calls in China, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar and India, before disembarkation in Dubai on 20th April. Other staterooms available in various categories, up to the Penthouse Suite for £3,906 (was £9187). Prices include port taxes, complimentary soft drinks and speciality dining. Prices exclude flights.

For more details, contact http://www.oceeaniacruises.co.uk/ or visit specialist cruise agents The Crusie Line Ltd.

Christmas in the Med

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Two press releases about cruising at Christmas popped in to my inbox this morning. Both are completely different, so I thought I'd put them both on for you. Here's the first with the second one below (on Hurtigruten in Antarctica).

You can escape the traditional turkey and tinsel at home this Christmas and head to the Med on an 18-night Ultimate Mediterranean cruise on Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas from just £1,633 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Activities on board during the cruise include Christmas themed ice-skating, a Santa parade, festive films, music and decorations, plus carolling with cast and staff.

Independence is brimming with 15 decks of activities, including a Flowrider surf park at sea, an onboard ice-skating rink, rock climbing wall, a children’s water park, a teen-only nightclub, mother-and-daughter/father-and-son spa facilities, basketball and volleyball courts, a miniature golf course and shopping.

The price includes an 18-night cruise departing from Southampton, calling at Lisbon, Palma De Mallorca (above ), Barcelona, Livorno, Civitavechia (for Rome), Naples, Capri, Gibraltar and Cadiz before returning to Southampton; all meals and entertainment on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Departure is December 21, 2010.

For more information or to book, see http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ or http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/royal-caribbean-cruises/

And why not have a look at Royal Caribbean at The Cruise Show venues at the NEC in Birmingham (October 16-17) and Olympia, London (March 26-27, 2011)?