P&O To Feature More 'Sampler' Cruises In 2012

P&O Cruises has pioneered a series of two, three and four-night voyages in recent years, and will offer more of these 'sampler' cruises than ever before in 2012.

With 13 sailings of four nights or less, these breaks provide unbeatable value for money, with prices from just £239 per person. The cruises also enable passengers to visit up to three European cities in one short break.

Each morning provides a new destination and, after a busy day exploring, passengers can enjoy P&O's stylish silver-service dining, West End-style shows and a world class spa, as well as a number of bars, pools, lounges, restaurants and casino. For families, children are also well looked after by the fully-inclusive childcare programme.

A two-night cruise on board Azura departing December 2, 2012, is priced from £249. It departs from Southampton and calls at Bruges (from Zeebrugge). A three-night cruise departing September 15 is priced from £349 and takes in Bruges and Le Havre, while a similar voyage on Oriana (exclusively for adults), departing June 16, is priced from £359.

All prices are per person and based on two adults sharing an inside cabin on a full board basis.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Fred Olsen Sign Up The Osmonds!

Three of The Osmonds, perhaps the world’s best-known pop family, are to perform live on two Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ voyages on Balmoral in 2012.

Wayne, Jay and Jimmy will be bringing a touch of ‘Osmondmania’ to the high seas on L1205, a 14-night cruise of the Western Mediterranean, departing on May 12 from Southampton, and on L1206, a three-night mini-cruise to Ostende and Le Havre from the same port, departing on May 26.

The Osmonds have enjoyed a string of massive hits on both sides of the Atlantic throughout their long career, and have sold millions of albums, with several gold and platinum discs to their credit. Well known for their close harmonies, The Osmonds now perform all styles of music, from barbershop to pop, rock, country and jazz.

The Western Med voyage calls at Lisbon, Almeria, Alicante, Palma, Mahon (Menorca), Gibraltar and La Coruna before returning to Southampton. It also has a theme of ‘Drawing’ as part of the onboard enrichment programme Vistas. Prices for this cruise start from £1,549 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’, and include all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes – and, of course, live performances by The Osmonds.

The mini-cruise L1206 is an ideal ‘taster’ for those who are new to cruising, with visits to Ostende and Le Havre before returning to Southampton. Prices for this Bank Holiday Weekend cruise start from £379 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘H’. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

For Fred Olsen booking details, be sure to check with specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.

Cruise For A Tenor With Cunard!

Cunard has introduced a new four-night winter voyage on board Queen Mary 2, departing Southampton on December 81. With prices starting at just £599 per person, the voyage’s star entertainment will be the four-tenor classical pop group, Blake.



Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, explains: “We have been able to introduce this extra pre-Christmas sailing because the ships' planned refit in November can be completed in less time than we allowed. Passengers on this additional voyage will not only benefit from keen pricing and top quality entertainment, but they will also be the first to experience the totally refurbished Queen Mary 2!”



In the November dry-docking, all the cabins and most of the public rooms on the ship will be refurbished. The itinerary for the Southampton round-trip voyage features Le Havre (for Paris) and Zeebrugge (for Bruges), as well as a whole relaxing day at sea.



Blake launched their first album in 2007, and saw it go straight to number one in the UK Classical Album Chart. In 2008, the group secured a Brit Award for Album of the Year. They have subsequently sold over half a million albums. This short voyage is an ideal way to experience Queen Mary 2 for the first time, and it will make an ideal Christmas break for those anxious to get into the festive mood.



For more information, vist www.cunard.com or contact the luxury crusie agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Short but sweet deals with Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas (above) for a three-night Paris cruise-only from £299 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). This price includes a three-night cruise, departing Southampton and calling at Le Havre before returning to the south coast port; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on April 27 departure.

Or try a four-night cruise to that Irish gem, Cork (Cobh).

Head to the Emerald Isle this spring on Independence's four-night Cork, cruise-only from £400 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Price includes a four-night cruise departing Southampton and calling at Cork, before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price is based on April 30 departure.

For more information or to book, see http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Head to Paris with Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas for a short break to the most romantic city on earth, Paris.

A three-night cruise, including a trip to the wonderful French capital, costs from just £349 per person in the spring (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

The price includes three nights aboard Royal Caribbean's UK-dedicated vessel, sailing from Southampton and calling at Le Havre (for trips to Paris) before returning to Southampton; all meals and entertainment onboard; and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Independence (above) is brimming with 15 decks of activities, including Royal Caribbean's signature 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, miniature golf course and shopping.

Price is based on an April 27 departure in 2011.

For more information, visit http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ or check out The Cruise Line Ltd for a good range of deals on all Royal Caribbean voyages on 0800 008 6677.