Amazing Prices With Regent For 2012

For travellers looking for a truly all-inclusive cruise at unbelievable value in the Mediterranean next spring, Christmas may well have arrived early as six-star ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced some extraordinary fares on three voyages in 2012.

Sailing on the line’s all-suite, all-balcony vessels Seven Sea Voyager and Mariner, the cruises include free flights and transfers, overnights in ancient cities including Safaga, Haifa and Istanbul, as well as all onboard dining, beverages and gratuities.

And, with the privilege of unlimited shore excursions in every port, these itineraries boast up to 38 free excursions for guests to choose from to further enhance their cruise experience. The fares for a Deluxe Balcony Suite on a 10-night Med cruise now start from just £2,153 per person.

Details of the three voyages are: Seven Seas Voyager, Dubai to Athens (17 nights), departing March 30 and calling at Muscat, Salalah, Luxor (from Safaga), Petra, Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo, Ashdod and Haifa; Seven Seas Mariner, Barcelona to Istanbul and Tarragona to Istanbul, departing April 2 and 30 (10 nights) and calling at Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Capri/Sorrento, Taormina, Santorini and Ephesus.

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

Silversea's Grand 2012 Programme

Silversea has unveiled its new full-colour, 200-page 2012 Voyages brochure. The visually captivating picture-book details over 200 itineraries exploring seven continents, over 100 countries, and more than 450 destinations.



Plus, for the first time, the brochure features a Microsoft Tag 2D bar code on its back cover that enables smartphone users to view The World of Silversea, the company's exciting new video that invites travellers to step aboard and experience the award-winning luxury and pampering ambiance of Silversea.



The 2012 Voyages brochure opens with an easy-to-read, voyage-by-voyage summary followed by a section revealing the hallmarks of Silversea's unique luxury lifestyle. The balance of the brochure provides detailed worldwide cruise itineraries by region, including highlights of shore excursions, descriptions of land programmes, deck plans and general information, while new for 2012 is a pricing summary booklet inserted into the back cover pocket.

2012 Highlights:

The company's popular "Passport to Luxury" promotion is available on all voyages in 2012, with the exception of Silver Explorer expedition cruises. The multi-tiered programme provides an Onboard Spending Credit of up to $1,500 per suite ($750 per person).

World Cruise 2012

Silver Whisper will embark 6th January from Fort Lauderdale on her first-ever World Cruise, a remarkable 115-day journey that concludes in glamorous Monte Carlo. On this magnificent odyssey, her guests will visit 45 ports in 27 countries stretching from the Caribbean and South America to Africa, the Far East, Arabia and Europe. Along the way, they will enjoy multi-day stays in 13 major cities and exclusive insider access to seldom-seen global treasures.

Grand Voyages

Created for the sophisticated traveller who has the time and passion to indulge in travel on a grand scale, this special collection offers extended voyages from 24 to 61 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard the line's elite, all-suite ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, featuring visits to must-see traditional ports, as well as exotic destinations that are off the beaten path - all on one cruise.

West Africa Expeditions

Silversea has created three new West Africa expedition itineraries for 2012 that visit the once colonised north-west countries, travelling along coastlines infamous for their historic role in the slave trade and exploring the southern waters where vast seabird colonies are sustained by the nutrient-rich upwelling of the icy Benguela current.

For more information, visit www.silversea.com or the UK's luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silversea Reveals 20 Grand Voyages For 2012

Those who yearn for the days when travel was an adventure to be savoured will be pleased to learn that Silversea is offering a new series of 20 "Grand Voyages" in 2012.

Designed exclusively for the traveller who relishes a more leisurely pace, this special collection offers extended voyages from 24 to 64 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard intimate, elegant ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, featuring visits to must-see traditional ports, as well as exotic destinations that are off the beaten path.

Highlighting the Grand Voyages are generous savings incentives and a $1,500 per suite "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit. Some of the voyages also include round-trip economy air (from select gateway cities) and transfers between airport and pier on embarkation and disembarkation days.

AFRICA & MEDITERRANEAN: Silver Wind departs February 3, 2012, on a 53-day "Safaris & Mediterranean Sun Coasts" voyage from Cape Town to Istanbul, sailing around the southern tip of Africa and northward along the continent's Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean, with calls in 15 countries, including exotic Mozambique and Morocco. Guests will also enjoy such marquee cities as Monte Carlo, Rome and Athens. Other highlights include a three-day, two-night stay in Barcelona and overnight visits in Richards Bay, Walvis Bay and Livorno (Florence). Fares from £14,261, with complimentary economy class air.

ASIA & AUSTRALIA: Silver Shadow departs December 11, 2012, on a 24-day "Grand Asia & Australia" voyage from Hong Kong to Sydney with calls in Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia. Highlights include an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Fares from £6,566. Economy class air from £1,774.

MEDITERRANEAN & NORTHERN EUROPE: Silver Whisper departs May 1 on a 34-day "Springtime Grand Europe" voyage from Monte Carlo to Copenhagen with calls in Spain, Portugal, France, U.K., Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Russia and Estonia. Highlights include a three-day, two-night stopover in St. Petersburg and an overnight in Bordeaux. Fares from £11,863, with complimentary economy class air.

SOUTH AMERICA: Silver Spirit departs January 10 on an exciting 64-day "South America & Rio Carnival" voyage. Sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Spirit will circumnavigate South America, first heading southward along the Pacific coast, then passing through the Strait of Magellan and on to the Falkland Islands, before voyaging up the east coast to the Caribbean. In total, 18 countries will be visited. Highlights include a 2-night stay in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival and overnight stays in Callao (Lima), Punta Arenas and Buenos Aires. Fares from £20,902.

WORLD CRUISE 2012: The grandest of all voyages, and in a class all its own, is Silversea's grand World Cruise. On January 6, Silver Whisper will embark guests in Fort Lauderdale for a remarkable 115-day voyage that concludes in glamorous Monte Carlo. On this magnificent odyssey, her guests will visit 45 ports in 27 countries stretching from the Caribbean and South America to Africa, the Far East, Arabia and Europe. Along the way, they will enjoy 13 overnight visits and exclusive insider access to seldom seen global treasures. Fares from £36,883.



For more info, visit www.silversea.com or consult the luxury-cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sample Luxury Cruising With Crystal

One of our favourite cruise lines, the all-luxury of Crystal Cruises, is inviting cruisers and non-cruisers alike to experience the outstanding service and value of one of their stylish voyages on two brand new three and four-night sampler cruises in the Mediterranean this October and November.

Take your pick from:

October 13: three-night cruise on Crystal Serenity from Barcelona to Monte Carlo. This cruise includes an overnight stay on board in the vibrant city of Barcelona and one sea day to give guests the chance to sample the vast array of activities available. Prices start from £899 per person (based on two sharing), including return economy class flights from London, overseas transfers, three nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes.

November 23: four-night cruise on Crystal Serenity from Rome to Barcelona. On this voyage, guests will enjoy calls to Florence/Livorno, an overnight stay in Barcelona and one sea day to provide a full sample of the ship's style. Prices start from £998 per person (based on two sharing), including return economy class flights from London, overseas transfers, four nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes.

At these prices, the 'sampler' cruises really do represent fantastic value, with numerous extras included at no additional cost, including:

· All non-alcoholic beverages
· All meals, including dining in speciality restaurants featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio
· Ice cream and frozen yoghurt bar
· Gym, steam, saunas and whirlpools
· Fitness classes
· Golf lessons with PGA pros
· Yamaha keyboard, Berlitz language and art classes
· Dozens of computer/technology classes
· Crystal Visions lecture series, featuring distinguished speakers
· Award-winning entertainment
· In-stateroom movie and CD rentals
· Film screenings in the onboard cinema
· Dance lessons
· Dedicated junior cruiser facilities
· Early embarkation luncheon
· Welcome champagne
· Comfortable shuttles to town
· Pillow menus
· Self-service laundries
· Twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service
· 24-hour room service.

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

New 'Chill and Cruise' Yoga Sailings

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers has added two new dates to its programme of yoga and meditation themed cruises this summer. Yoga expert Christel Vollmer will now be on board the head-turning tall ship Star Flyer this October in the western Mediterranen as well as August, when cruising the Greek Islands and Turkey’s coastline.

The two new yoga cruises are the `Tyrhennian’, departing Monte Carlo on October 1 and calling at Calvi, Bonifacio, Costa Smeralda, Giglio (Italy), Lerici (for Florence) and St Tropez, ending in Cannes. And `Spain and the Balearic Islands’, departing Cannes on October 8 and calling at Mahon, Pollenca, Formentera and Cartagena. This itinerary includes two days at sea for extra relaxation and contemplation.

Prices for all four yoga cruises are from £1,295 per person, including port taxes, all yoga classes and all meals on board. Prices exclude flights.

All four cruises include free daily Astanga (power) yoga and meditation sessions on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. They are hosted by Christel Vollmer, who will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home. For those on a diet, Star Clippers’ sumptuous breakfast buffets, piled with fresh fruits, and magnificent arrays of salads at lunchtime will be available, as well as vegetarian choices at dinner.

Astanga yoga is a dynamic and powerful style of yoga based on a sequence of easy-to-learn movements called asanas. Christel’s classes, which take place in English, will be suitable for all levels and no prior experience is required. There is no upper age limit for practicing yoga; Christel herself is in her fifties, with many years of teaching experience, having trained under West Coast-based Bryan Kest, yoga guru to stars including Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Sting.

Look up more at www.starclippers.co.uk or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Crystal's 2012 Programme Now on Sale

Crystal Cruises’ exciting line up of 2012 worldwide itineraries is now on sale with free return flights available on ALL sailings. Plus, as of Spring 2012, all cruises on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will include FREE fine wines and premium spirits in all restaurants, open bar service in all lounges and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff.

The complimentary gratuity amenity includes butler service and service in all of Crystal’s fine specialty restaurants and sushi bar.

In 2012, Crystal will offer 68 global itineraries onboard their award-winning duo, including:

A 94-night “Epic Islands and Empires” Pacific Rim World Cruise through Hawaii, the South Pacific, eastern and western Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Alaska, British Columbia and San Francisco, including a three-day inclusive overland adventure in Beijing; a maiden call in Newcastle, Australia; and a return to South Korea for the first time since 1994.

Christmas/New Year cruises in Australia/New Zealand; an expanded collection of Mediterranean itineraries, including late Autumn options; and more Baltic and Northern European cruises; more seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean and New England/Canada, as well as a seven-night voyage during Thanksgiving through the Mexican Riviera; and transatlantic cruises from New York to Dover and Miami to Lisbon, which can be combined with European cruises.

There will also be more overnight stays in destinations including Ashdod, Reykjavik, Odessa, Honfleur, Hamburg, Edinburgh, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Istanbul, Venice, Sorrento and Bordeaux as well as destinations throughout Asia, Australia and South America.

2012 prices start from just £2,336 per person based on a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Rome departing 8th April. Price includes free return flights from the UK, transfers, seven nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window on an all-inclusive basis to include all meals, drinks and gratuities plus port taxes.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Seabourn's 2012 Europe Season Now Open!

Seabourn is delighted to offer up an expanded array of voyages in Europe during 2012. The luxury line's six stylish ships will explore an unprecedented 165 different destinations among the continent's landmark cities, historic sites and natural splendours on cruises from seven to 19 days. The extended eight-month season, from April to November, is now open for sale, and itineraries, fares and other details can be viewed on www.seabourn.com.

Popular European itineraries include:

Greek Isles & Golden Treasures – Seabourn Quest – 7 days
Departures: 10 August, 21 September 2012
Athens to Istanbul: Mylos, Mykonos, Patmos, Kusadasi, Khylos, Troy. Fares start from £2,450pp based on two people sharing a Seabourn Suite.

Adriatic Gems & Venice – Seabourn Spirit – 10 days
Departures: 15, 25 April; 5, 15, 25 May; 4, 14, 24 June; 3, 13, 23 July; 2, 12 September 2012
Ports of call: Venice, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Split, Rovinj. Venice round trip, with option to stay overnight in Venice. Fares start from £2,240pp based on two people sharing a Seabourn Suite.

Idyllic Rivieras & Spain – Seabourn Legend – 10 days
Departures: 20 April; 10 May; 7, 27 June; 17 July; 6, 26 August; 15 September
Rome to Monte Carlo: calling at Elba, Portofino, Cannes, Sanury-sur-mer, Barcelona, Menorca, Collioure, Porquerolles, and Monte Carlo. Fares start from £2,800pp based on two people sharing a Seabourn Suite.

The full 2012 cruise season in Europe starts from £1,890 per person, including return air, based on double occupancy. For bookings, visit www.seabourn.com or see the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Regent's New Med Offers

FREE FLIGHTS - FREE SHORE EXCURSIONS - ALL-INCLUSIVE

And Now: FREE Business Class Air on Penthouse Suite and higher!

Regent Seven Seas has the following new deals for select Mediterranean cruises this year:

ROME TO ATHENS
Seven Seas Mariner June 7, 10 nights; highlights, Rome (Civitavecchia), Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Amalfi/Positano, Taormina (Sicily), Valletta, Monemvasia, Santorini, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Athens (Piraeus); D Balcony Suite was £5,129pp, NOW £3,334pp.

ISTANBUL TO VENICE
Seven Seas Mariner July 16, 10 nights: highlights, Istanbul (overnight), Ephesus (Kusadasi), Santorini, Athens (Piraeus), Zakinthos, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Venice (overnight); E Balcony Suite was £5,249pp, NOW £3,412pp.

ATHENS TO BARCELONA
Seven Seas Mariner August 24, 10 nights: highlights, Athens (Piraeus), Ephesus (Kusadasi), Santorini, Zakinthos, Taormina (Sicily), Amalfi/Positano, Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Monte Carlo, Provence (Marseille), Barcelona; F Balcony Suite was £4,999pp, NOW £3,255pp. Alternative suite categories available.

All-inclusive with Regent are FREE return flights & transfers, FREE unlimited shore excursions, ALL fine dining, ALL drinks & beverages, ALL gratuities & ALL activities onboard. Fares guaranteed until March 31. Terms and conditions apply. Please see http://www.rssc.co.uk/ or call the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

New Year Offers from Regent Seven Seas

FREE FLIGHTS FREE SHORE EXCURSIONS ALL-INCLUSIVE

Now you can explore the small harbours of the Mediterranean or the western Caribbean with some amazing offers from Regent Seven Seas.

ALMOST EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED...

* FREE flights & transfers

* FREE unlimited shore excursions

* ALL fine dining

* ALL drinks & beverages

* ALL gratuities & ALL activities onboard

WESTERN CARIBBEAN

Sail Date Nights Itinerary WAS pp NOW pp

12 March 2011 7 Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale £2,519 £1,637

08 April 2011 7 Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale £2,519 £1,889

MEDITERRANEAN

Sail Date Nights Itinerary WAS pp NOW pp

07 June 2011 10 Rome to Athens £4,189 £2,723

16 July 2011 10 Istanbul to Venice £4,499 £2,924

12 Aug 2011 12 Istanbul to Athens £4,499 £3,464

24 Aug 2011 10 Athens to Barcelona £3,569 £2,855

9 Oct 2011 10 Monte Carlo to Athens £3,879 £2,909

10 Oct 2011 14 Athens to Rome £5,129 £3,847

19 Oct 2011 10 Athens to Istanbul £3,879 £2,832

10 Nov 2011 10 Venice to Rome £2,939 £2,351

To take advantage of these great special deals, book by March 31, 2011.

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

Head to the Med with Silversea

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Explore the Med next summer and join Silversea Cruises for a nine-day voyage (5113) onboard Silver Spirit (above) from £3,803 per person on an all-inclusive basis.

Departing 2 June, 2011, from Civitavecchia (Rome) and calling at Sorrento for an overnight stay onboard; Taormina; Valletta; Livorno (for Florence); Monte Carlo; and Saint Tropez before arriving at Barcelona.

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include port charges, government fees and taxes. Free return flights are also offered on this voyage.

For more information, visit http://www.silversea.com/ or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sails in St Tropez

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Ever felt like being part of the jet-set, even if only for a short while? Perhaps after playing a few chukkas in Berkshire, why not nip down to St Tropez for a bit of lazy beach wallowing, followed by watching some top-notch sailing sipping a gin and tonic on your own deck?

Well, thanks to Star Clippers now you can mingle with the A-List by picking up your ship at Monte Carlo and sailing on her to do some serious celebrity watching in St Tropez.

One of the classic events in the international racing calender, Les Voiles de St Tropez, hosts some of the most beautiful yachts in the world and can be seen this year from the deck of your own sailing ship the chic Star Flyer (above). If you're so inclined, you can even help the crew with the rigging.

The 170-passenger square rigger has teak decks, a swimming pool, informal dining and a convivial tropical bar. What you get here is 19th century tall-ship sailing with 21st century luxury.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that if you take the inclusive flight, there's a Eurostar option too, while from the UK you get a helicopter transfer to Monaco (Star Clippers call in here when the Grand Prix is on as well).

The ship sails from Monte Carlo on September 29, calling at L'Ile Rousse in Corsica and returning to Cannes (for more people watching - or maybe they're watching you by now?) on October 2.

For more information, go to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/