Fred Olsen Sign Up Explorer Tim Severin

Explorer, author and historian Tim Severin is the latest illustrious name to join Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Vistas programme as a special guest speaker. Perhaps best known for his Viking Series of historical novels, Tim’s new association with the cruise line is especially appropriate given the company’s Norwegian heritage.

During a spectacular career, Tim has: retraced the footsteps of Sindbad the Sailor, sailing from Muscat to China; steered a Bronze Age galley to seek the landfalls of Jason and the Argonauts and Ulysses; ridden the routes of the first Crusader knights across Europe to the Holy Land; travelled on horseback with nomads in Mongolia to research Genghis Khan; traced the origins of Moby Dick amongst the aboriginal sea hunters of the Pacific; and sailed a leather boat across the Atlantic from Ireland to Newfoundland, recreating the route taken by Irish monk St. Brendan the Navigator. One of his most recent quests has been to identify the ‘real’ Robinson Crusoe.

This eminent explorer and author will feature on ‘East of Suez: History and Culture,’ a sector of Black Watch’s 2012 World Cruise’. Departing from Southampton on January 11, this 32-night voyage covers the cruise as far as Singapore. Ports of call are Gibraltar, Cueta, Valletta, Port Said, then a transit of the Suez Canal, Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga. Tim will be joining in Safaga and stay aboard for the visits to Salalah (Oman), Mumbai (for an overnight stay), Cochin, Port Blair (Andaman Islands) and Singapore.

Prices start from £2,379 per person, based on two adults sharing an outside, twin cabin, Grade ‘D’. The cost includes return flights from Singapore to London and transfers, accommodation and all meals and entertainment on board, as well as port and airport taxes. There is no extra charge for taking part in Vistas activities.

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

Great Summer Sailing With Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas for a 14-night Mediterranean Treasures cruise-only from £1,205 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin) this June.

This excellent price includes the full two-week cruise, departing from Southampton and calling at Gibraltar, Cannes, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Lisbon and Vigo before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on a June 25 departure.

For more info, see www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or call the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Spring selection from P&O Cruises

Free car parking, free coach travel, free flights, savings of up to £880 and free on board spending money of almost £1,000 per couple is being offered in this Spring’s promotion from P&O Cruises.

The P&O Cruises spring selection includes a range of holidays from two-night party cruises to 34-night no-fly Caribbean & USA cruises. Destinations include the Mediterranean, Baltic, Norwegian Fjords and the Caribbean. The Spring Selection applies to holidays booked before March 31, and offers include:

· Free flights and transfers on Adonia Mediterranean fly cruises
· Free car parking on selected cruises, saving up to £284 per car (based on cruise R118)
· Free coach travel on selected cruises, saving up to £120 per person (based on travel between Glasgow and Southampton)
· Up to £960 per couple free on boarding spending money (based on cabin R118)
· Savings of up to £880 per couple (based on cruise E131)

Lead in fares for the Spring Selection savers are:

· Seven nights from £699, including a £50 per person discount. Departing from and returning to Southampton and calling in La Coruna, Bilbao, La Rochelle and Brest. Based on Ventura’s (above) April 22 departure (N110). Plus up to £120 per person onboard spending money.
· 10-night Mediterranean fly-cruise from £799, including a £150 per person discount. Departing from Naples and calling at Civitavecchia, Palma, Valencia, Almeria, Cadiz, Lisbon and Southampton. Based on Adonia’s January 3, 2012, departure (D201).
· 14-night Mediterranean holiday from £1,249, including a £200 per person discount. Departing from and returning to Southampton and calling at Oporto, Lisbon, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Villefranche, Barcelona and Gibraltar. Based on March 21, 2012, departure (E204).

All prices are per person and based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin on a full board basis, including all main meals, accommodation and most facilities.

For more information, visit http://www.pocruises.co.uk/ or check with the leading specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Grand Voyage to Cuba

By guest blogger Steve Newman

With only eight cabins remaining, don’t miss out on Voyages of Discovery’s 31-night ‘Grand Voyage to Cuba’. Fly/cruise from only £1,599 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Price includes return flights, transfers and a 31-night cruise departing from Malaga (Spain) and calling at Gibraltar (U.K), Cadiz (Spain), Funchal (Madeira), Antigua (British West Indies), St Kitts (Basseterre/Nevis), Dominica (Dominica), St. Lucia (British West Indies), Barbados (British West Indies), Grenada (British West Indies), Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago), Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago), La Guaira (Venezuela), Curacao (Netherlands Antilles), Aruba, Montego Bay (Jamaica) and Santiego de Cuba (Cuba) before arriving at Havana (Cuba); meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned guest speakers.

Price is based on 18 November 2010 departure.

For more information and to book visit http://www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk/