Tight squeeze! Minerva In The Corinth Canal

Here's a fab Photo of the Day - Swan Hellenic’s boutique little ship MV Minerva gave passengers a REAL close-up of the famous Corinth Canal in Greece this week as she squeezed carefully through on her Aegean Sea voyage.

With only 350 passengers, Minerva boasts a real country house ambience on board, and is renowned for her off-the-beaten-track itineraries and ability to go where other ships can’t. And there are certainly not many who can transit this Canal these days!

For more info, visit www.swanhellenic.com or the UK's leading cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd.

Costa Pacifica and Mediterranea To Sail New Routes This Autumn

Costa Pacifica (above) will return to Israel and Costa Mediterranean will cruise to Lisbon/Casablanca the Canary Islands and Western Mediterranean instead of the Eastern Med this autumn as Costa Cruises announces new routes for the duo.

Costa has reinstated calls to the Israel ports of Ashdod and Haifa on Costa Pacifica itineraries, where they were previously removed. On seven cruises, from September 12 to November 17, Costa's clients will once again be able to experience the unique charm of Israel.

Also during autumn 2011, instead of the previously scheduled Eastern Mediterranean cruises to Greece & Turkey, Costa Mediterranea will cruise to Lisbon and Casablanca, the Canary Islands, or Western Mediterranean, in order to meet the growing demand for these destinations.

From the beginning of October to mid November, five Greece and Turkey cruises will be replaced with three Lisbon and Casablanca and two Canary Islands cruises. Two mini-cruises, sailing November 21 and 26, will be added between the Canary Islands programme and the positioning cruise to Abu Dhabi, where Mediterranea will be deployed during winter 2011/12.

For more info, visit www.costacruises.co.uk or specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

More Big Savings With Oceania

Oceania Cruises is offering savings of up to 57% off selected cruise departures in spring and summer, including sailings on board new Marina, with an onboard credit of $1,000 per stateroom. All prices include all meals and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks but exclude flights.

Route of the Vikings: 14 nights from £1,399 saving £1,829 PLUS $1,000 on board credit.

Departing July 1, Oceania has a 14-night sailing from Copenhagen to London on Marina, crossing the North Sea and Atlantic through Norway, the Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland (above) and Ireland before disembarking in London.

Greek Isles Odyssey: 12 nights from £1,499, saving up to £1,235pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit.

Departing July 9, this cruise sails from Istanbul to Athens through some of the Greece’s most beautiful and historic islands on board the mid-sized Nautica, with with savings up to £1,235 per person for an Outside ocean-view stateroom, based on two sharing.

Myths and Legends: 12 nights from £1,199, saving up to £1,160pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit.

Departing July 21, this magnificent sailing from Athens cruises the Greek Islands, Montenegro and Croatia before disembarking in Venice on Nautica, now from £1,199 per person for an Inside stateroom.

Majestic Inspiration: 14 nights from £1,399, saving up to £1,529pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit.

Departing August 2, cruise through the magical Aegean Sea on a 14-night cruise on board Nautica and save up to £1,529pp for an Inside Stateroom, based on two sharing, with a $1,000 credit/stateroom. The sailing departs from Venice and continues into the Aegean Sea cruising through Croatia, Greece, Italy, Monaco and France before disembarking in Barcelona.

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

Turquoise Coast & Eastern Aegean

You can now travel with Noble Caledonia to some of the greatest ancient sites and hidden islands as you make your way through the Dodecanese and along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. The journey is perfectly timed to take advantage of the gentle spring temperatures and enjoy the islands at their quieter time of year when the high season crowds have yet to arrive.

The private yacht, with just 24 guests, is a wonderful way to experience the lesser known islands of the Aegean. The laid-back atmosphere of the islands will complement the small, informal vessel as you explore delightful towns, sleepy villages and visit some magnificent ancient sites, all in the company of like-minded travellers and informative guides.

With a nice mix of time spent at sea and explorations ashore, you will visit some fascinating Greek islands, many that are out of bounds to the big ships. Some highlights include untouched Fourni, delightful Simi (above), and Kos with its white-washed buildings and 14th century fortress. You will also see some splendid archaeological sites such as Ephesus, Pergamon and Asklepion. This is an incomparable region of Greek and Roman architectural treasures and offers opportunities to learn more about the many facets of ancient Greek society, and how much of this culture has influenced Western civilisation.

Split into two sections from April 20-May 31, the price includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 10 or 11 nights aboard the Halis Temel on full board, shore excursions, tour manager, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes. 10/11 nights from £2,795.

For more information, visit http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk/ or cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Celebrity Cruise Europe

Celebrity Cruise Europe

If you plan going on a cruise, the first you ought to do, beside setting a budget, is looking for a destination. If you are a person who likes history, likes following the traces of its ancestors, the best recommendation is going to Europe. If you decided for this destination you should know that Celebrity Cruises offer you more than one destination in Europe. If you are thinking on pizza, flamenco dance and culinary excellence you would probably choose a western Mediterranean cruise. If your mind is on uzo, Scottish beer, windmills or tulips you will choose an Eastern Mediterranean cruise to visit Greece, British Isles and other countries in western Europe. Or there are also cruises to Northern Europe and Baltic Sea.

Celebrity Cruise Europe

Celebrity Cruise Europe

Celebrity Cruise Europe

Celebrity Cruise Europe

Going to Europe is best from May up to September, but you should check the weather forecast for the period chosen for your trip. You should also have in mind that summer months are crowded in some areas in Europe. It is highly recommended that you check the reviews of other travellers, so that you get a clear picture of what you need and what you will find there.