Singles Never Had It So Good With Swan Hellenic

Travelling alone can often be expensive but, to ease singles’ travelling costs, Swan Hellenic is now offering new low single fares on a selection of spring cruises. Making sure they always go the extra mile for their solo passengers, Swan has introduced single fares from as little as £2,000 per person (available on inside Cat N only).

The reduced fares apply to a number of cruises departing from March to May, offering an exciting mix of itineraries across the Mediterranean. At discounted prices, cabins aren’t expected to be available for long so book now to avoid disappointment! Single fare voyages include:

Vintage Iberia and Italy – Cruise from £2,065 per person based on an inside Cat N only; price includes a 14-day voyage departing from Funchal (Madeira) and calling at Cadiz (Spain), Seville (Spain), Tangier (Morocco), Malaga (Spain), Palma de Mallorca (Spain, above) and Livorno (Italy) before arriving at Rome (Civitavecchia). Price is based on a March 16 departure.

Postcards from the Mediterranean – Cruise from £2,000 per person based on an inside Cat N only; price includes a 14-day voyage departing from Civitavecchia (Rome), and calling at Naples (overnight), Sorrento, Sousse (Tunisia) and Valletta (Malta, overnight) before arriving at Piraeus (for Athens). Price is based on March 29 departure. 

All prices include return flights from the UK, meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned Guest Speakers.

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

Off Amalfi with Royal Clipper

Continuing the live blog from the decks of Royal Clipper...

Just about a mile off Amalfi (above) and what a superb sunrise. Last night leaving Naples was magical, with the lights on the sails and Vangelis blaring out from the speakers. We lost four sails in the high winds the other night but the ship was so stable you would not have known.

We are waitng for our achorage time and then the tenders will take us ashore to explore. I may also go snorkelling before I leave the ship to head home.

What a fabulous experience this is on board. Or, as an American guest said to me, "Royal Clipper Rocks!"

Steve Newman

To find out more about Star Clippers go to www.starclippers.co.uk or talk to the adventure and luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Capri, Naples and Amalfi on Royal Clipper

More from my live blog from the wonderful Royal Clipper...

Hello again. Very hot here, with a clear blue sky. I hate to think what it's like in summer. The others have gone to Capri for the afternoon but I have always been fascinated by Naples so I will be wandering around here.

We got back from Pompeii late but the ship held lunch back for us. If I have one complaint about this ship it is that the food is just TOO tempting. I am going to have to start Weight-watchers when I get back!

We sail to Amalfi tonight and I am so looking forward to seeing those houses clinging to the cliffsides.

Take care now and have a good night.

Steve Newman

For more on this cruise, see www.starclippers.co.uk or visit The Cruise Line Ltd, the luxury sailing cruise specialists.

Crystal's Maiden Slovenia Call

With 2011 marking the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s foundation as an independent nation, it’s only fitting that Crystal Cruises is making a maiden call there this autumn.

As part of its November 16 “Italian Splendour” sailing, ultra-luxury Crystal Serenity (above) will visit medieval Koper, Slovenia’s largest coastal town. Six new shore excursions, spread throughout the tiny Italo-Slavic nation, provide an in-depth exploration of the history and culture well beyond the Adriatic port.

Fairytale castles, oenophile indulgences, coastal hamlets and underground geological wonders are all part of the authentic local experiences planned. Guests can explore Koper, full of historical charm from centuries of Venetian rule…or join a Crystal Adventure to:

Ljubljana: The country’s picturesque capital and a former centre of Yugoslavian music and arts, full of cobblestone streets and architecture ranging from the Baroque to the neo-classical of famed local architect Joze Plecnik.

Bled & Miramare Castles: Two majestic, storybook castles - one, the oldest in Slovenia (dating to 1011); the other, a 19th century Austro-Hungarian relic of the Habsburg era.

Postojna Cave: Twelve miles of underground stalactite-filled passages, galleries and cathedral-like chambers, with the world’s only operating cave train.

Wine Region: A wine-tasting visit to Slovenia’s most prominent winemaker (out of 40,000 in the country), where the vines pre-date those of Italy, France and Spain.

Piran: A quaint, Mediterranean-style coastal town, full of Venetian Gothic buildings and narrow, atmospheric streets.

Portorož: A modern, beachside resort hub for sunbathing, swimming and thermal spas.

Trieste: A crossroads of Germanic, Latin, Austro-Hungarian and Slavic trade and culture, situated just over Slovenia’s border in Italy.

This 11-night “Italian Splendour” sailing starts with an overnight in Venice on November 16 and visits Koper, Dubrovnik, Sicily, Naples, Rome and Florence before finishing with an overnight in Barcelona. Prices start from £1,854 per person (a saving of £419 per person) including return economy flights from London, overseas transfers, 11 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes.

For further information, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Great Celebrity Winter Offer

Join Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice for a 12-night Mediterranean & Greek Isles fly/cruise from £974 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom). That’s just £81.17 per person per night.

This price includes return flights from Heathrow, transfers, a 12-night cruise departing from Barcelona and calling at Livorno (for Florence), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples/Capri, Chania (Crete), Ephesus (Kusadasi, Turkey), Piraeus (Athens, Greece) and Valletta (Malta) before returning to Barcelona; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price is based on a November 4 departure.

For more info, visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk or, for bookings, contact the cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Discover New Experiences With Celebrity Silhouette

Be among the inaugural cruise season crowd aboard Celebrity Cruises’ brand new ship Celebrity Silhouette on a 12-night Holy Land fly/cruise from just £1,072 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom).

Silhouette offers a host of brand new onboard venues and experiences including the interactive “Lawn Club Grill,” where guests can select and grill their own meats alongside expert chefs; “The Alcoves” relaxing, private, Wi-Fi-equipped cabanas on the real grass lawn; and “The Hideaway” with private tree-houses available where guests can read, listen to music and surf the net.

The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers and a 12-night cruise departing from Civitavecchia (Rome) en route to Palermo (Sicily), Haifa (Israel), Ashdod (for Jerusalem), Mykonos (Greece) and Naples/Capri (Italy) before returning to Civitavecchia; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price is based on an October 10 departure.



For more info, visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk. or, for bookings, consult the specialist cruise travel agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

A Med Cruise For Less than £55 Per Night? Yes, With Royal Caribbean!

Join Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas for an 18-night Ultimate Mediterranean cruise from just £948 per person this November (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). That's less than £55 per person, per night - including meals.

The price includes the full 18-night voyage departing Southampton and calling at Lisbon, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples (for Capri and Pompeii), Gibraltar and Cádiz before returning to Southampton; plus all meals and entertainment, and relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on November 11 departure.

For more info, visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sail Into Summer With Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas for a seven-night Western Mediterranean fly/cruise from just £649 per person (based on two people sharing an interior stateroom). Plus, book now and also receive $100 per stateroom onboard spend!

This great low price includes return flights from London Heathrow, ship transfers and the seven-night cruise, departing Barcelona and calling at Provence, Villefranche, Livorno (for Florence), Civitavecchia (for Rome) and Naples before returning to Barcelona; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on June 4 departure.

For more info or to book, see www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

MSC Lirica to be based in Abu Dhabi

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Abu Dhabi's ambition to become an international cruise hub has received a significant boost following the signing of a landmark co-operation agreement between Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and MSC Cruises that will see the company deploy one of its top vessels to the UAE capital on a home-port basis from October 2011. Abu Dhabi's Mina Zayed Port will serve as the primary embarkation and disembarkation point for MSC Lirica.

Surrounding Lirica's 19 regional forays will be repositioning cruises from and to Genoa in Italy. On October 14, 2011, the vessel will depart Genoa for a 17-day/16-night maiden voyage to Abu Dhabi, where she will begin her maiden regional season.

A southland course will take Lirica through the Mediterranean, calling at Naples and Port Said (Egypt), before going through the Suez Canal and reaching Aqaba (Jordan). The vessel stops in Salalah and Muscat in Oman, then Dubai, before reaching her home port in Abu Dhabi. The luxury ship then leaves the UAE for Genoa on March 9, 2012.

With regional tours departing Abu Dhabi every Sunday from October 28, 2011, Lirica will travel round the Arabian Gulf peninsula to Muscat, before turning round en route for the UAE's eastern emirate of Fujairah on the Indian Ocean. It will continue heading north to Bahrain, then sail southwards to Dubai, before completing its journey in Abu Dhabi.

For further information log on to http://www.msccruises.co.uk/ or visit specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Christmas in the Med

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Two press releases about cruising at Christmas popped in to my inbox this morning. Both are completely different, so I thought I'd put them both on for you. Here's the first with the second one below (on Hurtigruten in Antarctica).

You can escape the traditional turkey and tinsel at home this Christmas and head to the Med on an 18-night Ultimate Mediterranean cruise on Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas from just £1,633 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Activities on board during the cruise include Christmas themed ice-skating, a Santa parade, festive films, music and decorations, plus carolling with cast and staff.

Independence is brimming with 15 decks of activities, including a 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, a miniature golf course and shopping.

The price includes an 18-night cruise departing from Southampton, calling at Lisbon, Palma De Mallorca (above ), Barcelona, Livorno, Civitavechia (for Rome), Naples, Capri, Gibraltar and Cadiz before returning to Southampton; all meals and entertainment on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Departure is December 21, 2010.

For more information or to book, see http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ or http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/royal-caribbean-cruises/

And why not have a look at Royal Caribbean at The Cruise Show venues at the NEC in Birmingham (October 16-17) and Olympia, London (March 26-27, 2011)?