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.

Royal Clipper's New Voyages

Here are some great ideas for that 'something different' cruise in 2012, courtesy of our friends at Star Clippers.

The superbly elegant five-masted Royal Clipper (above) spends winter in the Caribbean, offering seven, 10 and 11-night voyages from Barbados, alternating between the Windward Isles and the Grenadines, from £1,225pp, excluding flights. The 227-passenger ship will then offer seven and 11-night voyages round-trip from Rome, or between Rome and Venice, during the summer of 2012, cruising the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, from £1,515pp, excluding flights.

Star Clipper, with a capacity of 170, winters in St Maarten, offering seven-night voyages to the Leeward Islands and around the British Virgin Islands from £1,245 per person, excluding flights. The ship will sail the Greek Islands all summer, round-trip from Athens and between Athens and Venice and vice versa. A four-night mini-cruise from Venice starts at £770pp, excluding flights, departing July 28 and calling at popular yachting ports in Croatia.

Special offers for Christmas and New Year: receive €300 per person onboard credit on Star Flyer’s Costa Rica cruises, from £1,770pp excluding flights.; No single supplements on Costa Rica cruises; third passenger occupying a cabin pays only port taxes; 50% discount for children in Costa Rica at Christmas and on New Year cruises on all three ships.

For booking to sure to check with The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/Star-Clippers

Star Clippers Brings Costa Rica Expert on Board

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has announced that it will carry a guest lecturer, German-born Steffi Adels (above), on board Star Flyer for the ship’s forthcoming 2011/2012 Costa Rica season.

During each voyage, Steffi will talk to the guests about her experiences in Costa Rica, where she worked for a year as a tour guide. She has guided and travelled in all the most beautiful and popular areas of the country, including the volcanoes, the cloud forests, the rivers and canopy trails, the rainforests and national parks, as well as being a regular visitor to neighbouring Nicaragua.

The 170-guest Star Flyer spends from November to March each winter sailing the tropical waters of Central America’s Pacific coast, visiting dramatic rainforests, sweeping beaches and secluded inlets and islands, with plentiful opportunities for spotting wildlife and birds, as well as snorkelling over the reefs and hiking the forest trails.

Star Clippers offers a seven-night Costa Rica and Nicaragua cruise from just £1,140, cruise-only, round-trip from Puerto Caldera, calling at San Juan del Sur, Playa del Coco, National Park Santa Rosa, Samara, Puerto Carrillo, National Reserve of Curu and Isla Tortuga.

For more info, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or sailing cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Gap Adventures Seeing Double In Costa Rica

A big increase in visitors to Costa Rica has been reported by a leading independent adventure tour operator, with Gap Adventures claiming bookings have more than doubled for their small-group guided tours this year.

It's easy to see why, though, with spectacular volcanoes, lush rainforests, unique wildlife and beautiful beaches all contributing to the appeal for this fabulous and versatile Central American destination.

Now, due to the immense popularity, Gap Adventures has introduced seven new tours for 2011.

Spotting wildlife while cruising through canals, searching for the elusive quetzal bird, hiking through jungles, chilling on the gorgeous Pacific coast, searching for dolphins on a sunset sail and whitewater rafting are all on offer, making for some wonderful cruise-tour opportunities.

Take this tour, for example:

Costa Rica Learn to Surf; Price, £649pp; Departs, 19 November

Highlights: Standing up on your first wave in Costa Rica, breathtaking sunsets over the Pacific and chilling on the beach. Enjoy an eight-day trip from just £649 per person. Price includes seven nights’ hotel accommodation, some meals, local transport, surfboard, rashguard and leash for four days, five surf lessons, two "surf safari" excursions to explore different breaks and a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.

For full details, visit www.gapadventures.com or contact the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Central and South America With eWaterways

From this December, luxury cruise liner the Deutschland will embark on an exciting Central and South American sailing programme in conjunction with eWaterways, the niche and river cruise specialists.

Hailed as the ‘Grand Hotel at Sea,’ the elegant five-star cruiser is soon to be recognised under a different moniker, as a London 2012 Olympics hotel ship! But, before mooring in London’s docklands next July, the intrepid ship will offer the ultimate blend of expedition and luxury cruising. With many different itineraries to suit those seeking urban cultural encounters, off the beaten track adventures, nature discovery or relaxation on sun-kissed beaches, eWaterways and the Deutschland will start by showcasing the best of Latin America’s diverse and magical landscape.

Gold Coast of South America: Rio to Buenos Aires (Visiting Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina) Dec 19-Jan 5

Guests aboard this 18-day cruise will be able to celebrate the festive season in the party capital Rio de Janeiro, before setting sail for the historic towns of Buzios and Paraty along the Costa Verde. After visiting Punte del Este and Montevideo in Uruguay, the cruise crosses over to Argentina, where passengers will cruise the Parana River - the continent’s second longest river after the Amazon - docking in Rosario, a city famed for its neoclassical architecture. From here the glistening skyline of capital city Buenos Aires beckons, the final destination on this remarkable cruise where guests can celebrate the New Year in style.

Prices start from £5,610 on a full board basis, including sightseeing and excursions. Cruise only price excluding visas.

Central American Exploration: February 27-March 16, 2012

Starting in the Mexican city of La Paz, this 19-day cruise offers a full exploration of Central America. Cruising to the peaceful, secluded bays along the Pacific Coast there is opportunity to partake in an educational trip to the ancient Mayan pyramids in the middle of the Guatemalan rainforest.

The cruise continues along the coast for an exploration of less visited destinations like El Salvador and Nicaragua. Mooring at Acajutla, passengers will be able to spend a day exploring the main sea port of Central America’s smallest country before arriving in the sleepy town of Corinto in Nicaragua. A real treat for the Deutschland’s guests, Corinto’s virtually untouched beaches and idyllic tropical surroundings evoke a romantic bygone age. In Costa Rica, there are the naturally beautiful landscapes of Punta Arenas, a surfers’ favourite, and the lush port town Golfito.

The final destination on this cruise is Panama starting with Isla Coiba, a UNESCO Heritage Site and home to many indigenous plant and wildlife species. The voyage concludes with a visit to Isla del Rey, the largest island of the Pearl Islands before drawing to a close in Panama City.

Prices start from £5,895 on a full-board basis including sightseeing and excursions. Cruise only price excluding visas.

For more info, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Early Christmas Presents with Star Clippers

Tall-ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering an early Christmas present for those booking a cruise along the coast of Costa Rica over Christmas on the graceful, four-masted, 170-passenger square rigger Star Flyer.

On either the Christmas departure, a ten-night voyage departing Puerto Caldera on December 18, or the 11-night New Year sailing, which departs on December 28, the following special offers apply:

• In all double cabins, there will be a €300 per person onboard credit towards drinks in the restaurant and Tropical Bar, shore excursions, purchases in the Sloop Shop and beauty and massage treatments.
• In triple cabins, the third person sails free (port taxes still apply) and the first two occupants qualify for onboard credit of €300 per person.
  
• For single travellers, there will be no single supplement in cabin categories 2 to 6.

In the New Year departure only, these additional offers apply:

• Children only pay 50% of the published fare.
• Repeat Star Clippers passengers qualify for a loyalty discount of 5%.

The Christmas cruise includes calls at San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua; Costa Rica’s Playa del Coco and National Park Santa Rosa; the gorgeous beaches and rainforest walks of Quepos, Isla del Cano and Drake Bay; and the desert island paradise of Isla Tortugas. Christmas day is spent anchored in Golfito, a lush bay surrounded by mountains and known for its wildlife refuge, orchid garden and jungle canopy expeditions. From £1,770 per person, excluding flights.

On December 28, Star Flyer departs Puerto Caldera once more for the New Year cruise, which includes all of the ports above and in addition, Panama’s Isla Gamez, with superb snorkelling and palm-fringed sandy beaches. New Year’s Eve will be spent in Playas del Coco, sailing overnight to toast the New Year in the Tropical Bar, where there will be dancing until late, and recovering on the beach the following day at Santa Rosa National Park. From £2,051 per person, excluding flights.

To take advantage of these fantastic deals, see www.starclippers.co.uk or the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Star Clippers - And a Load Of Rubbish!

Guests from niche tall ship operator Star Clippers have removed 1,700lbs of rubbish from North Friar’s Beach and Keys Beach in St. Kitts in a beach-clean operation organised by on-board marine biologist Mariano Peruzzo. This is the third time Star Clippers guests have taken part in clean-ups, on this occasion joining volunteers from a local charity to rid the island’s beaches of plastics and other litter.

Star Clippers’ vessels operate under wind power up to 70% of the time. All ships use high-quality low-sulphur gas oil, for which the company has been awarded the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate. And all three ships’ crews operate on a ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ policy, while only eco-friendly, biodegradable products are used for cleaning on board the three ships.

Other eco-initiatives include the appointment of a qualified naturalist/marine biologist to accompany all cruises on the 170-passenger square rigger Star Flyer on winter sailings in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua, providing passengers with first-hand information about the incredible diversity of flora and fauna in the region, as well as the volcanoes and cloud forests.

On December 11, one of Britain’s most respected authors, environmental campaigners, broadcasters and botanists, David Bellamy, will be on board Flyer in Central America to host a shore excursion, mingle with guests and give presentations about the environment.

Including an additional three days land stay, the 10-night Central America holiday costs from £2239pp, with return flights from London, transfers, 3 nights’ hotel accommodation and the seven-night cruise with David Bellamy, including all meals on board.

Star Flyer also carries a highly qualified dive master, who will give talks on board on invertebrates, crustaceans, fish and marine mammals.

To find out more, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Big Early-Booking Savings With Crystal For 2012

Crystal Cruises is offering savings of up to £1,272 per couple when booking selected early 2012 departures before the end of the month. Massive savings of up to £6,308 are also available on the full 2012 World Cruise if booked before the end of April.

Prices for the early 2012 voyages start from £2,572 per person, cruise-only, based on the January 17 Panama Canal voyage from Miami to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica.

And there is still plenty of time to book for this year as the freshly redesigned, 922-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony and the 1,070-guest, 68,870-ton Crystal Serenity cruise through the Middle East, Africa, Caribbean, South America, Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Black Sea, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific, British Isles, Baltic Sea, Arctic Circle, Alaska and New England/Canada.

For further info, see www.crystalcruises.co.uk or the UK's leading luxury cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Early Booking Discount with Star Clippers

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering up to 20% off 2011 cruises in the Mediterranean for bookings made by January 31, and 2011 sailings in the Caribbean and Central America for bookings made before April 30.

Save £177 per person on a six-night Caribbean pre-Christmas cruise on the 170-passenger Star Clipper, departing St Maarten on December 17 and calling at some of the smaller, more exclusive Caribbean ports inaccessible to big ships. The itinerary includes either Nevis or Saba (depending on the wind), Iles des Saintes, Falmouth Harbour in Antigua and St Barths. Now from £708 per person (was £895), including all meals and a 6-night sailing itinerary.

Save £206 per person on a seven-night Costa Rica sailing on the 170-passenger Star Flyer, departing Puerto Caldera on December 19, 2011, and exploring rainforested islands, remote bays and beautiful beaches, with plenty of chances to spot the incredibly diverse wildlife of the region. The ship calls at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Playa del Coco, Costa Rica; National Park of Santa Rosa; Samara; Puerto Carillo; National Reserve of Curu; and Isla Tortuga. Now from £824 per person (was £1030), including all meals and a 7-night sailing itinerary..

Save £168 per person on a short break, five-night Mediterranean sailing on board Star Clipper, departing Athens on October 8, 2011, and calling at the unspoilt Greek ports of Monemvasia and Pilos; Siracusa in Sicily; and Valletta, Malta. Now from £672 per person (was £840), including all meals and a 5-night sailing itinerary.

For more information, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Cruise the Panama Canal & Explore the Rain Forest

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Ever wanted to cruise the Panama Canal and explore the Costa Rican rainforest expedition-style?

Linblad Expeditions active, engaging and casual style of expedition travel may well be for you, as their resources and knowledge are tailor-made to immerse guests in the region's wild landscape, enabling active explorations rather than the more passive tourism of other cruises.

They also claim they are the 'More Naturalists Per Guest Than Any Other Cruise' company, exploring the magnificent cloud forests, volcanoes and oceans with 1 expert for every 15 guests aboard their intimate, 60-passenger expedition ship. You can snorkel with undersea experts and allow the Expedition Leader to tailor the day’s events to your preferred activity level.

The Lindblad-National Geographic Alliance also means more than just top naturalists and photographers on board, as their ship has exclusive access to Barro Colorado Island’s Smithsonian Research Station in the Panama Canal, where Smithsonian experts come aboard to help explore this unique ecosystem.

Lindblad Expeditions also partner with MarViva in Central America to safeguard and create marine protected areas in oceanic and coastal areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. Their work supports community education, enforcement of regulations in National Parks and the protection of coral reefs.

For more information, look up www.expeditions.com or visit adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

New Brochure for Star Clippers

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Niche saling cruise specialist Star Clippers, who operate fully crewed sailings on board its four and five-masted tall ships, has launched a new brochure for 2011 and winter 2012 featuring new destinations and maiden calls in Central America and the Mediterranean.

All itineraries are also featured on Star Clippers’ new-look, re-designed website, dedicated to UK guests. Visitors to the site can take virtual tours of the ships and look at detailed maps and satellite images to see exactly where each itinerary goes. There’s extensive detail on ports of call and beautiful new imagery to depict in clear detail the pleasure of sailing on a genuine tall ship.

New itineraries an entire maiden season in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua, where the 170-passenger Star Flyer will sail six, seven, 10 and 11-night cruises out of Puerto Caldera to explore the bays and inlets of the Pacific coastline, with visits to lush rainforests and hidden lagoons. Priced from £1,065 for a six-day cruise in March 2011, including port charges and all meals on board (excluding flights).

Sister ship Star Clipper returns to the Caribbean island of St Maarten for 2011, with regular seven-night departures to either the Leeward Islands (Nevis, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes, Antigua, St Barths) or the British Virgin Islands on the Treasure Islands cruise (Anguilla, four calls in the BVI, St Kitts and St Barths). Six and eight-night sailings are also available. From £980 for six nights in December 2011, including port charges, cruise-only.

Also new for 2011 are the 228-passenger Royal Clipper’s itineraries from Barbados to the British Virgin Islands, with calls at Norman Island, Soper’s Hole, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda, some of the finest sailing areas in the Caribbean. From £1,940 for 10 nights, departing December 17, 2011 (a special Christmas sailing), including port charges and all meals on board (excludes flights).

For further information, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the UK cruise specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Spend Christmas on a tall ship

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering 25% off spectacular Christmas cruise itineraries, with no single supplement on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Costa Rica.

The magnificent, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper, which carries 228 guests, will be sailing an eight-night round trip from Barbados, departing December 18 and calling at various islands in the Grenadines, including the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, returning to Barbados on Boxing Day (from £999 per person, plus £130 port taxes; flights excluded).

The 170-passenger, four-masted Star Clipper sails on December 18 from St Maarten on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths (from £769 per person, plus £130 port taxes; flights excluded).

Meanwhile, the third ship in the fleet, Star Flyer, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica on a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera. This head-turning ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight (from £769 plus, £110 port taxes; flights excluded).

Visit Star Clippers on http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or call specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Yachts of Seabourn offers Fantastic Savings

By guest blogger Steve Newman

A selection of luxurious winter itineraries and destinations, including the Caribbean on the new Seabourn Sojourn, are being offered by The Yachts of Seabourn. Guests booking this week can make substantial savings on a variety of Winter Sun destinations as per the below selection.

30th November 2010 - Seabourn Sojourn departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day round-trip 'Yachtsman's Caribbean' cruise. Highlights of the itinerary include San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gustavia, St Barths, St Kitts and Cruz Bay, St John. Fares start from £3,099pp (air inclusive).

20th December 2010 - Sojourn departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 16-day 'Christmas and New Year's Sojourn' to Los Angeles. Highlights of the itinerary include Cartagena, Colombia, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, Huatulco, Mexico and San Diego. Fares start from £5,199pp (cruise only).

3rd December 2010 - Seabourn Legend departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day round-trip 'Caribbean Splendor' cruise. Highlights of the itinerary include Nassau, Bahamas, Gustavia, St Barths, Prickly Pear Island and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fares start from £2,599pp (air inclusive).

Prices are all person, based on two sharing a suite, fully inclusive, including all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bar and fully-stocked mini-bar.

For more information, vist http://www.seabourn.com/ or call the specialist luxury cruise agents at the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Christmas Under Sail

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering spectacular stay-and-cruise packages this Christmas, combining a few days on the beach in a luxury hotel with a voyage on a romantic square rigger in either the Caribbean or Costa Rica.

Choose from three alternatives:

Christmas cruise & stay; Beach & Grenadines

Spend four days topping up your tan in Barbados at the newly-renovated Tamarind, one of the finest boutique hotels on the island’s ritzy Platinum Coast, before boarding the magnificent, five-masted flagship, Royal Clipper, which carries 227 guests, for an eight-night, round-trip sailing from Barbados. Ports of call include various islands in the Grenadines, among them the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia, in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, and returning to Barbados on Boxing Day. Departs December 14, from £2,199 per person including four nights’ hotel accommodation, eight days full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

Christmas cruise & stay; Caribbean gems

The 170-passenger Star Clipper sails from St Maarten for her Christmas cruise on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths. Spend five nights before the cruise at the four-star Grand Case Beach Club on St Maarten, on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Departs December 13, from £1,999 per person including five nights’ hotel accommodation, eight days full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

Christmas cruise & stay; Central America

Star Flyer, meanwhile, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica, offering a chance to escape completely. On a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera, the ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight. Spend four nights before the cruise in the four-star Hotel Parador, a stunning beach resort set in 12 acres of tropical rainforest, adjacent to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Departs December 15, from £2,299 per person including four nights’ hotel accommodation, seven nights full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

For more details, log on to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or call the specialist cruise agents of the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

South America with Noble Caledonia

By guest blogger Steve Newman

In 2012, Noble Caledonia are repositioning MS Island Sky to South America and have just launched the new brochure which features itineraries from the tip of Patagonia up to the West Indies.

From January to April 2012 she will operate a number of cruises throughout Latin America, up as far as Central America and through the Panama Canal to little known areas of the Caribbean.

Having been involved with many small ships in South America and the West Indies, Noble Caledonia know this area to be ideally suited to expedition cruising. The wild, open spaces of Patagonia and the dramatic coastal scenery of the Chilean fjords make for an unforgettable trip particularly if you prefer the cooler temperatures.

Alternatively, Chile’s lake region and northern territory with its magnificent national parks combines well with the natural and cultural wonders of Peru. Continuing north along the Pacific coastline, there is the chance to explore Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica, including the remote Cocos Island, a mini Galapagos located some 300 miles out in the Pacific and an area much favoured by Jacques Cousteau, known for its sea turtles, rays, dolphins and hammerhead sharks.

Later in the season finds Island Sky exploring the little known but remarkably beautiful islands of the southern Caribbean Sea as well as the Caribbean Coast of Panama and Costa Rica. There will also be the opportunity to visit Cuba, the Southern Bahamas, Turks & Caicos islands and the pristine waters of the British Virgin Islands.

Why not join them for the Island Sky’s maiden visit to these endlessly fascinating waters and explore the wonders of nature and man with our accomplished expedition team and guest speakers?

For more information, visit http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk.

Star Clippers New Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

It’s that time of year again and the new brochures are now available featuring a wide range of cruises for 2011. Luxury boutique cruise line Star Clippers is no exception and their new brochure is now hitting the doormat. They have exciting itineraries in Central America (Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua) and the Caribbean, where the Clipper ships will visit dream locations in the Grenadines and British Virgin Islands among others. The company’s ever popular ocean crossings are ideally suited to those who dream of long sea voyages whilst the summer season will find the ships roaming the Mediterranean (French or Italian Riviera), the Greek Islands and a fascinating new route between Athens and Istanbul. To find out more, look at http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or check out cruise specialists the Cruise Line.

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Niche tall ship cruise operator Star Clippers operate three of the world’s most head-turning ships, the magnificent four-masted, 170-passenger Star Flyer and Star Clipper and the flagship, five-masted, 228-passenger Royal Clipper.

2010/2011 is an exciting time for Star Clippers, with many new destinations and itineraries including new sailing areas, new home ports, several maiden calls and some unique cruise-and-stay ideas.

For example, this November sees the Star Flyer embarking on an exciting series of tall-ship sailings in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua for the first time, exploring the bays and inlets of the Pacific coastline, with visits to lush rainforests and hidden lagoons. Prices are from £1,140 for a week’s cruise, including all meals on board, low-key evening entertainment and port charges, excluding flights.

Flyer will also make two spectacular transits of the Panama Canal, one at each end of the season, skimming the north coast of South America, visiting Cartagena (Colombia) and Margarita (Venezuela), as well as the southern Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao.

For more details, check out www.starclippers.co.uk

Are you going to the Cruise Show in Birmingham in October (16-17) or London in March (26-27)? You can learn more about Star Clippers - and the whole wide world of cruising!