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.

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.

Garden Festivals and City Breaks

Keen gardeners should seize the opportunity to visit the World Horticultural Expo in the Netherlands between April 5 and October 7 on a choice of four AmaWaterways' luxury river cruise itineraries. The show, which takes place only every 10 years, covers 66 hectares of parkland and consists of five horticultural worlds and themed zones, connected by wooded areas, with 100 exhibitors from around the world.

Each day also features a cultural programme of music, dance, literature, theatre and visual art from all over the world.

AMA's seven-night Enchanting Rhine cruise, from Amsterdam to Basel, is a typical example, with departures starting on April 19 and costing from £1,459 per person, including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, but excluding flights.

River cruising means seeing more in less time, never having to unpack or re-pack, with three of Europe’s most spectacular and historic cities - Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest - on many itineraries.

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

Wine & Tulips With AMA Waterways

AmaWaterways’ 2012 season of wine-themed cruises gets off to an auspicious start with a President’s Wine Cruise from March 29, featuring the Company’s Provence and Spain itinerary and the debut of the luxury river cruiser MS AmaDagio on the Rhone. 

The itinerary takes guests through some of France’s most renowned wine regions and includes complimentary wine-themed shore excursions and winery visits, onboard lectures, wine tastings and wine pairings at meals. Highlights are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Arles and Avignon; the beautiful villages of Viviers, Tournon, Vienne and Trévoux and excursions to the Beaujolais wine region. 

The cruise is hosted by AMA President Rudi Schreiner and Executive Vice President Kristin Karst, accompanied by Carissa Chappellet of Chappellet Winery in Napa Valley and Archie McLaren, founder of the Central Coast Wine Classic.   

The Wine Cruise takes place from March 29 to April 5 on the Rhone from Arles to Lyon, and costs from £1,645pp based on two sharing a cabin, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

Or you can take in the Dutch bulb fields in bloom in spring time and include a trip to the amazing Keukenhof Gardens, where there are millions of tulips creating a dazzling carpet of colour.  

AMA's seven-night Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle cruise from Amsterdam to Remich (Luxembourg) costs from £1,595pp per person for a French balcony cabin, departing on April 1, based on two sharing a cabin, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

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

Short Breaks With Star Clippers

Not enough time for a full week’s holiday? Tall ship specialist Star Clippers has launched a series of short-break holidays for 2012, with a chance to experience life on board an elegant clipper ship and explore some of Europe’s most beautiful and romantic ports, as well as themed 'extras'.


Mediterranean Treasures, April 23, 2012
Experience the joys of daily yoga and meditation on this well-being themed voyage from Malaga to Rome on the 227-passenger Royal Clipper. Experienced yoga teacher Christel Vollmer, back on board by popular demand, will offer daily classes on the warm teak decks, while as usual, guests can follow a healthy or vegetarian diet if they wish. The ship sails from Malaga to Palma, Mallorca and Mahon in Menorca and the voyage includes two days at sea for maximum relaxation in the spring sunshine. From £999 per person including full board on the ship, all yoga classes, flights and transfers.

Sail from Southampton, May 5, 2012
Join the head-turning Star Flyer on her maiden call to Southampton for a five-night sailing to Hamburg, via Amsterdam, with two days at sea. The ship, with its four masts and graceful lines, is bound to attract a lot of attention in two such important seafaring cities. This package includes five nights’ car parking in Southampton; five nights’ full board on the ship, flight from Hamburg to London and transfer back to Southampton, from £1,045 per person.

A Taste of Italy, departing June 4, 2012
Make the most of Britain’s extra bank holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and take to the seas on Royal Clipper on this four-night sailing from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. The five-night break includes one night in the heart of Rome at the four-star Marcella Royal Hotel, with a welcome bottle of wine and a tour of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. The following day, Royal Clipper sails to Bonifacio in Corsica; Sardinia’s ultra-glamorous Costa Smeralda; pretty Portoferraio in Elba; and back to Civitavecchia. From £1,275 per person, including B&B accommodation in Rome, full board on the ship, flights and transfers.

Venetian Romance, departing July 27, 2012
Enjoy an evening in Venice after the crowds have departed, staying the night before your cruise at the four-star superior Liassidi Palace Hotel, within walking distance of the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square. The holiday includes entrance to the Doge’s Palace and a bottle of wine on arrival. Then, sail in style along the spectacular Giudecca Canal on the magnificent, four-masted Star Clipper, heading out across the lagoon and into the Adriatic, for a four-night adventure exploring some of Croatia’s most fashionable anchorages: Mali Losinj, Hvar and Rovinj. From £1,195 per person, including B&B accommodation in Venice, full board on the ship, flights and transfers.

For more information and booking offers, use this link to visit luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

P&O Double Ex-UK Winter Sailings

P&O Cruises has doubled its ex-UK capacity next year from one ship to two as both Oceana and Oriana will sail from Southampton throughout winter 2012/13 on cruises of two to 35 nights in duration.

Oceana’s second year of winter cruising from Southampton also includes, for the first time, two short cruises for Christmas and New Year. These voyages offer the chance to spend Boxing Day in Copenhagen or New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam, for some authentic festive celebrations whilst being away for only four or seven days.

Oriana will offer seven ex-UK sailings, including a 10-night Baltic cruise in December calling in at popular Christmas market destinations such as Copenhagen and Hamburg; and a 12-night Canary Islands cruise in late January to ports including Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Casablanca.

This is in addition to the four grand winter World Cruises from January to April 2012, round-trip from Southampton, including Azura’s maiden world cruise.

For more details and booking info, be sure to check out the P&O Cruises section of leading UK cruise agents, The Cruise Line Ltd, on this link.

Free European Flights From Azamara

Enjoy Jazz in the Norwegian Fjords, marvel at the blooms at the Chelsea Flower Show or simply sit back and watch the world go by on the Amalfi Coast - and all with free flights from Azamara Club Cruises. Book an ocean view room on a selected 2012 cruise onboard Azamara Journey or Azamara Quest by November 30 and you’ll receive a free return flight to Europe, plus an opportunity for a pre or post-cruise hotel stay. 

This exclusive offer is available on 32 European sailings from May 6 to October 27, 2012 and include Azamara Quest's 13-night Chelsea Flower Show Cruise from £2,400.00 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom), with free return flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow or Dublin to Amsterdam and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Holland's vibrant city.

For more info, see www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Cruise & Shop on a Christmas Market Voyage

Why visit one Christmas Market, when you can take in several? This November and December luxury river cruise operator AmaWaterways is offering the opportunity to cruise Europe’s finest Christmas markets from the comfort of a festive five-star river cruiser.

As well as being able to shop for traditional crafts, gifts and Christmas decorations guests on board this winter’s Christmas market cruises will enjoy a festive atmosphere as the ships are decorated with Christmas trees, garlands, swags and lights, and festive fun includes carolling performances, hot spiced mulled wine and seasonal entertainment.

DANUBE CHRISTMAS MARKET CRUISES: AmaWaterways’ seven-night 'Christmas Time Cruise' sails between Nuremberg and Budapest allowing guests time to browse the markets at Nuremberg, Regensberg, the numerous different Christmas markets in Vienna and finally in Budapest, where the ship cruises past the city’s dazzling Christmas illuminations.

There are nine departures: November 27 and December 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 19. The itinerary operates in both directions, Nuremberg-Budapest and Budapest-Nuremberg and costs from £995 (saving £381) per person, including breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine, soft drinks and beer, free wi-fi and free use of onboard bicycles.

RHINE CHRISTMAS MARKET CRUISES: AMA's 'Rhine Winter Voyages' from Basel and Amsterdam (and vice versa) include the many and varied Christmas markets in Freiburg, Strasbourg, Wurms, Rudesheim and Cologne, from the medieval themes of French Strasbourg to the pretty market in Rudesheim and the impressive display in Cologne, in the shadow of the magnificent cathedral with over 160 wooden stalls.

There are 5 departures weekly, every Saturday from November 26 until December 17, with prices from £1,145 (saving £231) including including breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine, soft drinks and beer, free wi-fi and free use of onboard bicycles.

See more at www.amawaterways.co.uk or the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Spend New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam FREE with AmaWaterways

For bookings made during National Cruise Week (all this week, September 18-25) AmaWaterways is offering a FREE additional two-night stay on board the luxury five-star river cruiser AmaLegro for all clients booking a week-long Christmas cruise from Nuremberg to Amsterdam, departing on December 23.

The seven-night cruise costs from £1,195 per person and includes two additional free nights on board, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, with complimentary house wine), free Wi-Fi, free use of onboard bicycles and daily tours hosted by knowledgeable guides, or £1,425 with return UK flights and overseas transfers.

Guests booking the festive cruise during National Cruise Week will be entitled to stay on for the two extra nights in Amsterdam, on December, 30 and 31 inclusive of all meals and wine with dinner.

In keeping with the Christmas spirit, clients leaving their shoes outside cabin doors on Christmas Eve will wake to find them filled with sweets, while the ship itself is lavishly and festively decorated. Guests can also join staff with Carol-singing and Santa himself due on board at some point.

For more information, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Spend New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam FREE with AmaWaterways

For bookings made during National Cruise Week (18-25 September), AmaWaterways is offering a free additional two-night stay on board the luxury five-star river cruiser AmaLegro for all clients booking a week-long Christmas cruise from Nuremberg to Amsterdam, departing on December 23.

The seven-night cruise costs from £1,195 per person and includes two additional free nights on board, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, with complimentary house wine), free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles and daily tours, hosted by knowledgeable guides, or £1,425 with return UK flights and overseas transfers.

Guests booking the festive cruise during National Cruise Week next week will be entitled to stay on for two extra nights in Amsterdam, on December 30 and 31, inclusive of all meals.

For more information, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sea Cloud and River Cloud Cruises

Sea Cloud and River Cloud are renowned for their luxury sailing and River boat cruises and have spaces on the following cruises.

SEA CLOUD Cruises

October 17-25; Valletta (Malta) to Piraeus (Greece)

October 25-November 1; Piraeus (Greece) round-trip

RIVER CLOUD II cruises

October 15-22; Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Basel (Switzerland)

October 22-29; Basel (Switzerland) to Koblenz (Germany)

For more information, visit www.seacloud.com or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Star Flyer's Big Southampton Date in 2012

In 2012, as part of a maiden summer season of Baltic tall-ship cruises, Star Clippers will offer a sailing from Southampton on the 170-passenger, full-rigged tall ship Star Flyer, the first time one of the Star Clippers’ tall ships has been in British waters since the ship’s launch in 1991.

To celebrate the occasion, the line is offering a voyage that includes five nights’ full board on the ship; five nights’ parking at Southampton; port transfers to Hamburg airport; a return flight to Heathrow; and a private taxi transfer back to Southampton to collect parked vehicles. Prices start from just £999 per person.

Star Flyer will depart from Southampton on May 5 on this epic one-off voyage between two of northern Europe’s greatest maritime cities, Southampton and Hamburg, sailing via Amsterdam, which has a great sailing heritage of its own, prior to cruising Baltic waters in Summer 2012. The ship will be the most head-turning in port and is guaranteed to draw much attention when she arrives in the Solent from a transatlantic crossing earlier in the day on May 5.

The five-day sailing offers plenty of time at sea to learn about sailing a tall ship, navigation and operating the sails or simply relaxing on the teak decks or in the al fresco Tropical Bar.

For more info, see www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Avalon Launches Europe-Wide River-Cruise

Avalon Waterways has launched its longest ever European river cruise itinerary for 2012, the 21-night ‘North Sea to the Black Sea’ cruise from Amsterdam through to Bucharest or vice versa. Sailing through the Netherlands and Germany on the Rhine before joining the Danube through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, the cruise provides an incredible journey to see the many historical, cultural and scenic highlights across Europe.

A broad range of guided sightseeing is included in the cities, towns and famous places along the itinerary, including Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Grein, the Benedictine Abbey at Melk, Vienna and the Heillgenkreuz Monastery. Also included is Budapest, Vukovar, Belgrade and the Iron Gates Gorge. Visits to Bulgaria’s Veliko Tarnovo and the Patriach’s Church, the Ethnographical Museum at Arbanassi, Constanta, and Bucharest’s Parliament Building and National Art Museum are also included.

Prices are from £3,745 per person based on a category E stateroom to include return flights, 21 nights full board cruise accommodation, regional wines and beers served with dinner, 1 night at the Athénée Hilton Palace in Bucharest, guided sightseeing, a private door-to-door home pick-up service, overseas transfers, and the services of a professional cruise director. Stateroom upgrades are available from £880 per person.

Extra nights are available in Amsterdam from £95 per person per night and from £85 per person per night in Bucharest based on a twin share.

For more info, see www.avaloncruises.co.uk or contact one of the river-cruise experts at specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sample A 'Mini-Cruise' With Fred. Olsen

The popularity of city breaks and long weekends away has grown enormously in recent years as people have less holiday time, and want to make the most of it. A great value-for-money option in this area is a ‘mini cruise’ - your holiday starts from the moment you embark, and there are no frustrating restrictions on what you can, and can’t, pack in your luggage.

Fred. Olsen has no fewer than 12 mini-cruises in 2012, from a range of regional UK ports, and many of them visit popular European cities, such as Amsterdam, Antwerp or Rouen.

These attractive short cruises offer wonderful value for money, as all your meals and the onboard entertainment are included in the price, and there are excellent onboard facilities, such as heated pools, hot tubs, fitness centres and beauty salons, plus a library, internet room and wi-fi access (so that you can always stay in touch), and spacious lounges and bars. There is also excellent onboard cuisine, and a busy programme of daily activities for those who want to join in. Here are just a few examples of some Fred. Olsen mini-cruise options:

Braemar has a three-night cruise departing from Dover on May 5, 2012, and visiting two lovely northern European cities – Ostende and Amsterdam. The Belgian city is an attractive port and, from here, you can opt for an excursion to the medieval city of Ghent. Amsterdam, of course, is one of the most popular European cities for a short break, with its lovely gabled houses, network of canals, and some of the finest art galleries and museums, alongside cafés and marvellous shops. The cruise returns to Dover, and prices start from £339 per person.

Balmoral has another three-night cruise, this time departing from Southampton, on August 25, 2012. This Bank Holiday weekend break visits the delightful medieval town of Antwerp, in Belgium, for an overnight stay. The cobbled streets and quirky old buildings are truly picturesque, and horse-drawn carriages give rides to visitors around the centre. You can relax at a pavement café, visit one of the many old churches or museums, or treat yourself in some of the exclusive boutiques and stylish shops. Antwerp is the centre of the European diamond industry, so there is no shortage of desirable jewellery on offer! Cruise prices start from £349 per person.

For an early autumn break, join Black Watch’s three-night cruise from Dover, departing on September 9, 2012, and visit the historic French city of Rouen, with its majestic cathedral immortalised by Monet. The city is steeped in history, and the Musée des Beaux Arts is a highlight. Prices start from £339 per person.

All prices are quoted per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes the accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

For more info, visit www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the special cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Fred. Olsen's Eagles Tribute Cruise

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is pleased to announce a very special mini-cruise in 2012, which will be a real treat for rock fans. Black Watch’s mini-cruise, W1206, to Antwerp and Amsterdam, will play host to ‘Talon, the Best of Eagles’, who are celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2012.

The band will be joining guests embarking on this attractive cruise of three nights, which departs from Dover on June 21, 2012. The cruise visits the diamond centre of Antwerp for a full day, then spends a half day in vibrant Amsterdam, where guests can discover the historic buildings and galleries which line the many picturesque canals, as well as visiting Ann Frank’s House.

Talon formed in September 1997 and played their first gig in January 1998. The band celebrated their tenth anniversary in September 2007, and have been going from strength to strength ever since.

The band’s unusual name comes from the word for an eagle’s claw, and was suggested by Paul Outen, a drummer and colleague of band members Chris Lloyd and Peter Anderson from their cruising days. When choosing the name, they felt it was important to give the band its own identity, and did not want to play on the word ‘Eagles’ or use an Eagles song title.

During this exclusive mini-cruise, Talon will perform three shows, including ‘Acoustic Collection’, ‘The Best of Eagles’ and ‘The Talon Factor.’ Additional musical entertainment will include ‘Jazzlines’ – late night jazz with Chris Lloyd, and ‘Jam House’ jamming sessions with the band, as well as the Talon Quiz.

Prices for this unique musical mini-cruise start from £299 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. This price includes accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, including the full Talon programme, and port taxes.

For further info, visit http://www.fredolsencruises.com/ or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Big New Savings With AmaWaterways

Here are four great summer river-cruises with AMAWaterways that all offer terrific savings on their luxury Europe voyages. Well worth booking as these kinds of discounts are not likely to be around for long this year!

May 14: A week in Provence with £590 savings per person; a 7-night cruise through Provence along the Rhone, from Arles to Lyon, visiting Trevoux, Vienne, Tournon, Viviers and Avignon, with wine tasting in beautiful wine-growing regions where famous wines like Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape are produced; now from £1,595pp (was £2,052), including cruise and port taxes, all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner, daily excursions, return flights and transfers.

June 24 : Vineyards of the Rhine, saving £870 per person; AMA has cut the cost of a 7-night cruise on board the luxury river cruiser AmaCello from Amsterdam to Luxembourg. Now available from £1,139pp (was £2,009), including cruise and port taxes, all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of onboard bicycles, daily excursions and return flights from London.

July 22: Europe’s Rivers and Castles, saving up to £540pp; a 7-night luxury river cruise along the Rhine, from Luxembourg to Nuremberg visiting Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, Rudesheim, Mainz, Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg and Bamberg, sailing through the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine; now from £1,529pp (was £2,009).

June 27: Legendary Danube, with £520pp saving; a 7-night Danube River cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest, with prices from £1489 per person (was £2,009pp). The sailing cruises to Budapest through the charming towns and beautiful vistas of Hilpoltstein, Regensburg, Passau, Salzburg, Linz, Melk and Vienna.

For more info or to book, contact www.amawaterways.co.uk or specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Oceania's Big Spring Savings

Oceania Cruises is offering savings of up to 50% off selected cruise departures this spring, including sailings on the company’s brand new cruise ship, Marina, and an on board credit of $1,000 per stateroom. All prices include all meals and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks. Prices exclude flights.

Southern Treasures, 14 nights from £2,399pp with up to £632pp saving, PLUS $1,000 on board credit per stateroom.

Departing April 12, Oceania has a 14-night Caribbean sailing on the mid-sized luxury ship Regatta, now £2,399 per person (was £3,031) for a Concierge Veranda room, based on 2 sharing, including a $1,000/stateroom onboard credit. The ship embarks in Miami cruising the Atlantic Ocean through Charlestown and Williamsburg to Bermuda, San Juan and the Dominican Republic before sailing back through the Turks and Caicos Islands to port in Miami, USA.

Grandeur of Rome, 10 Nights from £1,249pp with up to £635pp saving, PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Wonders of the Ancients, 14 nights from £1,399, save up to £1,360pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit

Passage to Panama, 16 Nights from £1,599pp with up to £557pp, PLUS $1,000 on board credit

Departing April 26, there is a fantastic 16-night sailing on mid-sized Regatta from Miami to San Francisco, now £1,599 per person (was £2,156) for an Inside Stateroom, based on 2 sharing, and including a $1,000/stateroom credit.

Mediterranean Mosaic, 10 Nights from £1,749pp with up to £947pp saving, PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Grecian Glory, 10 nights from £1,749, save up to £1,379pp PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Jewels of the Aegean, 12 nights from £1,199, save up to £1,179pp PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Gems of Europe, 15 nights from £1,499, save up to £1,379pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit

Greek Isles Odyssey, 12 nights from £1,499, save up to £1,235pp PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

Treasures of the Continent, 12 nights from £2,099 save up to £1,572pp PLUS $1,000 onboard credit

No need to negotiate international airports on Oceania's 12-night Atlantic Coast sailing, departing from Dover on July 29, cruising the English Channel to Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Guernsey, Saint-Malo, Port-Aven, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Biarritz and Santander. The cruise is on the new 1,250-guest Marina and costs from £2,099 per person for a Concierge Level Veranda room, with savings of up to £1,572pp, based on two sharing, including $1,000 onboard credit/stateroom, all meals and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

For more about Oceania Cruises, visit www.oceaniacruises.co.uk or contact luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

A 'Royal' European River Cruiser

eWaterways, the niche and river cruise experts, continue to expand their luxury cruise portfolio with the addition of five-star river yacht Royal Crown. The luxury cruiser renowned for its private members’ club feel and bespoke client service will begin a new sailing programme with eWaterways this April, offering an authentic exploration of some of Europe’s most iconic cities via historic rivers and lesser known waterways. To promote the launch, there will be NO single supplement for solo travellers throughout 2011.

Royal Crown will launch 10 thoughtfully assembled itineraries across 12 European countries for a rediscovery of popular destinations such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest from a more intimate, relaxing perspective. Taking in the myriad sights along the enchanting Rhine; encountering the less familiar but infinitely beautiful Mosel as it winds through the Black Forest or enjoying the magnificent Danube as it traverses fairytale landscape on its way to the Black Sea, each cruise ensures that every stage of the journey is an awe-inspiring and integral part of the travelling experience.

On the Dutch Golden Age Journey, guests will see up close the charming canals and gabled town houses of 17th century Amsterdam onboard the Royal Crown II, the river yacht’s private sloop, before setting sail on the Ijsselmeer for the picturesque port towns Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Volendam. Those opting for a longer cruise holiday, such as the two-week Grand Europe Journey. will follow in the steps of the Romans as they voyage to celebrated cities including Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and the Bavarian region.

At full capacity, Royal Crown caters for just 88 guests in a total of 44 luxuriously appointed cabins with flatscreen TVs and fully-stocked mini-bars to promise an all-inclusive and sophisticated cruise holiday. Often described as an 'Orient Express on Water', the river yacht exudes 1930s glamour and style with Art Deco design and bespoke butler service.

The 52-strong team caters to each individual’s needs with every comfort onboard considered, from the choice of pillow to a favourite drink, everything is taken care of. The traditional ambiance and décor is propelled into the 21st century with modern facilities, including a deluxe spa, golf putting area, well-equipped fitness room and 24-hour multimedia business lounge. On each cruise, guests - and particularly solo travellers - will enjoy a luxurious offering: exquisite fine dining, classical music concerts and, of course, Europe’s most stunning vistas, all at great value.

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

Royal Caribbean's Big 2012 Deployment

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled its 2012 Europe cruise and cruise-tour season, upping the ante with no less than 12 ships in the region. This will include two Freedom-class ships, the largest and most ground-breaking in the line’s fleet to sail European waters.

Highlights for the 2012 Europe season include:

Independence of the Seas (above) positioned year-round from Southampton.

New for 2012, Amsterdam will debut as a home port.

New for 2012, Serenade of the Seas will make its European debut from Barcelona.

Brilliance of the Seas will operate a new series of Northern Europe itineraries out of Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Mariner of the Seas will add new Holy Land cruises and seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Rome

Liberty of the Seas will offer new five-night Western Mediterranean itineraries

Maiden calls will be made at Aarhus (Denmark), Klaksvik (Faroe Islands) and Leknes (Lofoten, Norway). Itineraries as short as three nights or as long as 16 will all be available.

For the third consecutive year, Independence will be positioned year-round in Southampton, primarily operating on an alternating series of 14-night “Mediterranean Treasures” and “Italian Mediterranean” programmes, but three 10 and 11-night Canary Islands itineraries will be available in October and November. Independence will also offer one three-night sailing, overnighting in Paris (port of LeHavre) in May and a four-night cruise spending the night in Cork.

For more info, see http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ or call the UK's cruise specialists, The Cruise Line on 0800 008 6677.

Uniworld's Fabulous New River Cruiser

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have christened their latest vessel, SS Antoinette at the Port of Amsterdam, bringing a new class of super-ship to the world of river cruising.

In a first for the industry, the Antoinette boasts unique conservatory balconies in its top deck suites and staterooms. Each has a full open-air private balcony that, with a touch of a switch, raises the glass to create a completely enclosed conservatory, ensuring a connection with the open air and the river’s scenery, whatever the weather.

There are many other innovative features designed not only for the guests’ ultimate comfort and enjoyment, but also to ensure it is among the most environmentally friendly ships in river cruising.

The swimming pool, designed with stunning blue mosaic tile, is enclosed and provides the perfect place for a quiet nap, an invigorating swim or a place to simply watch the passing scenery as the entire area is enclosed in glass with floor-to-ceiling windows that open up. On the Sun Deck, guests can enjoy the Leopard Lounge and the elegant L'Orangerie, an indoor/outdoor dining venue. Both venues’ ceilings and windows can collapse on demand if the ship needs to pass under a low bridge. There is also a 22-seat cinema with Dolby Surround sound, the first movie theatre on any river cruise ship.

The Antoinette has just begun her inaugural season on Uniworld’s popular ‘Castles along the Rhine’ itinerary. Prices for this 8-day itinerary start from £1,850 and include accommodation in a category 5 room, shore excursions with local guides, all meals with complimentary European wines, beer and soft drinks during dinner, return flights, UK private car door-to-door transfers, and airport transfers on arrival and departure day.

For more info, see http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/ or the river-cruise specialists of cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.