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.

Experts Enrich Crystal's Autumn Med Cruises

Atlantis...the “Old City”...Constantinople...the modern Middle East conflict. Throughout time, the eastern Mediterranean has been an epicentre of historic significance. This autumn, former Ambassador Marc Ginsberg, historian and National Geographic author Dr Jean-Pierre Isbouts and Persian winemaker Darioush Khaledi are among the distinguished experts helping to illuminate that significance onboard Crystal Cruises’ October 24 sailing through the region.

From Athens to Istanbul, the 12-night Crystal Serenity sailing visits Santorini and Mykonos in Greece; Ashdod, Israel (overnight); Limassol, Cyprus; Iraklion, Crete; and Kusadasi, Turkey. As a Wine and Food Festival cruise, the sailing also boasts an impressive line-up of gastronomic pros sharing their trade

Prices for this 12-night Epicurean Discoveries voyage start from £2,176 per person, including return scheduled flights, overseas transfers, 12 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window, all meals and soft drinks, and port taxes.

For further info, see www.crystalcruises.co.uk or the UK's luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Crystal's New Autumn Med Cruises

Following its introduction of three and four-night sampler cruises last month, ultra-luxury cruise operator Crystal Cruises has added a further three shorter voyages, ideal for those who can’t be away from home (or the office) for too long.

These new six and seven-night Mediterranean voyages onboard Crystal Serenity are high in port content and value but low in hassle and cost, and feature some of Europe’s most fascinating ports.

October 17: seven-night voyage from Monte Carlo to Athens visiting Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Kusadasi and Mykonos. Prices from £2,252 per person (all based on two people sharing) including return economy class flights from London, overseas transfers, seven nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes.

November 10: six-night voyage from Athens to Venice visiting Santorini, Kotor and Dubrovnik. Prices from £1,875 per person.

November 17: seven-night voyage from Venice to Rome visiting Koper, Dubrovnik, Sicily and Naples. Prices from £2,146 per person.

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

P&O Cruises ‘Getaway’ Fares For Adonia

P&O Cruises is now offering ‘Getaway’ prices and inclusive flights on selected Adonia Mediterranean fly-cruises.

The ‘Fly Med Getaway’ promotion applies to cruises from 10-14 nights in duration that depart between October 29, 2011, and January 3, 2012. Prices are inclusive of flights and fuel supplement. Bookings must be made by in June or July.

Named last month by global singing star, Dame Shirley Basey, Adonia is exclusively for adults and carries just 710 passengers. On board there are eight bars, including P&O Cruises signature ‘Crow’s Nest’, a library, Oasis Spa and gym, classic dining room and two speciality restaurants: Sorrento Italian and Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White.

Sample Cruise:

D114. 3 -13 January 2012, seven nights.

Ports of call include Trieste, Venice, Koper, Hvar, Bari, Katakolon, Nauplia, Istanbul, Mytilene, Ephesus (from Kusadasi), Rhodes, Santorini, and Athens (from Piraeus).

‘Getaway’ fares from £1,452 (based on two adults sharing an inside cabin). This includes return flights, all accommodation, main meals and entertainment.

Bookings must be made by July 31, 2011. For more info, see www.pocruises.co.uk or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Head For The Sunshine with Celebrity

Join Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation for a sunshine-laden 12-night Greek Isles & Turkey fly/cruise from just £1,294 per person (based on two sharing an inside stateroom) this autumn.

The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers and the 12-night Greek Isleas & Turkey cruise departing Istanbul and calling at Ephesus, Bodrum, Marmaris, Rhodes, Santorini, Athens, Mykonos and Chania (Crete), before returning to Istanbul; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price based on September 19 departure.

For more info, visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk or contact the cruise-agent specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Free Flights With Star Clippers

Niche tall ship cruise operator Star Clippers is offering free flights up to £400pp with bookings for tall-ship cruises from Athens, through the Greek islands, this August. Sailings include all meals and a choice of two superb itineraries, the Southern Cyclades (August 6 and 20) and the Northern Cyclades (August 13 and 27), on board the 170-passenger, 4-masted Star Clipper.

The cruise costs from £1295 per person, based on two sharing, for bookings made by June 30. Guests on the August 6 and 20 departures can also enjoy complimentary instruction from yoga teacher Christel Vollmer who will be holding daily sessions of Astanga yoga on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. Christel will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home.

The Northern Cyclades itinerary departs from Athens and calls into Camlimani and Kusadasi (for the antiquities at Ephesus) in Turkey, and Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia in Greece. The August 13 departure has a qualified yoga teacher on board and also offers complimentary talks, classes and guided meditation.

The Southern Cyclades itinerary is a round-trip from Athens, calling at Rhodes; Bodrum and Dalyan in Turkey; and dramatic Santorini and Hydra, haunt of many artists. The August 6 departure has a qualified yoga teacher on board and also offers complimentary talks, classes and guided meditation.

For more info, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Go Yoga Cruising With Star Clippers!

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests free daily yoga and meditation in August as part of two yoga-themed cruises in the Aegean Sea on board the 170-passenger tall ship Star Clipper.

With settings including the emerald and turquoise coastline of Turkey, or the dramatic, black volcanic cliffs of Santorini as a background, yoga classes will take place in the open air, on Star Clipper’s sun-warmed teak decks, under thousands of square feet of billowing sails – the ultimate relaxation for body and soul, enhanced by the fresh sea air.

Qualified yoga teacher Christel Vollmer will be holding the daily sessions of Astanga yoga, also known as power yoga, on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. Christel will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home.

For those who want to follow a healthy or vegetarian diet during the cruise, Star Clippers’ usual sumptuous breakfast buffets, piled with fresh, seasonal 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.

There are two yoga cruises to choose between. 'Southern Cyclades' departs Athens on August 6 and calls at Rhodes, Bodrum, the Dalyan River, Santorini and Hydra. 'Northern Cyclades', also on Star Clipper, departs Athens on August 13 and calls at Kusadasi, Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia. Each itinerary includes a day at sea for extra relaxation and contemplation.

Prices start from £1,160 per person, including flights from London (to the value of £350 per person), port taxes and full board on the ship (transfers are extra).

For more info, see www.starclippers.co.uk or the adventure-cruise specialists of 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.

French Riveria and Greek Islands Reductions

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The French Riveria and the Greek Islands have always been major attractions for a cruising holiday, and the chance of late booking reductions can make them even more attractive. With that in mind, why not have a look at two short cruises from luxury Tall Ship sailing company Star Clippers?

Departing from Cannes on 25th September, the company has a 4-night tall-ship cruise along the French Riviera to Calvi, Corsica, Portofino and Cannes for £649pp (was £730), sailing on the head-turning Star Flyer and including all meals on board and free places for up to two children (accompanying two adults) in their own cabin, paying just port taxes of £85 per person.

The Flyer (above) with its four masts and 36,000sq ft of sails is fully stabilised and has two pools; massage and beauty treatments; water sports equipment; library; internet access; indoor/outdoor bar; and a Sloop Shop. The ship has a smart-casual open dining policy and there are seven cabin grades. from the luxurious Owner’s Cabin with whirlpool bath to inside cabins. Fully 81 of the 85 cabins have a porthole or open on to the deck.

The company is also offering a £200 saving off its 3-night 'Cruise & stay’ short break, also on board Star Flyer, departing from Athens on 28th September, sailing the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, now from just £799 per person (was £999), including all meals and a night’s B&B accommodation in Athens at the 5-star St. George Lycabettus Hotel on 28th September.

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

Cruise and snooze, anyone?

Cruise-and-stay holidays are becoming big business. I know, because Thomson Holidays told me so this week in their latest press release:

Cruise and Stay – The Best of Both Worlds

Thomson Celebration’s New Home Port Increases Cruise and Stay Options

In the past decade. the number of British cruisers has increased by over one million per year, and cruise holidays now account for one in 10 package holiday bookings, according to the 2009 PSA review. When comfort and experiences compete with value for money in the holiday decision making process, Brits are searching for ever more ways to make the most of the holiday budget. That’s why the UK ’s second largest cruise line, Thomson Cruises, has introduced Turkey into its ‘cruise and stay’ programme.

This combination of time at sea with time at a beach resort sees Thomson Cruises not only offer great value on their cruise ships, but to go one better. Teaming a week of cruising around the Med, the Aegean or even the Caribbean on a Thomson cruise ship with a week in a stunning beach resort, quite often on an all-inclusive basis, allows customers to budget for a two-week holiday and get so much more.

For the first time, Thomson Cruises has positioned Thomson Celebration in Marmaris, Turkey. Itineraries sail around the Aegean towards the islands of Mykonos and Santorini as well as the historical ports of Canakkale and Istanbul . The ship being based in Turkey means passengers are able to opt to extend the holiday to two weeks and stay at a selection of 3T to 5T hotels in the beautiful resorts of Olu Deniz, Marmaris or Sarigerme from just £1,171 per person*.

With the rise in people seeking experiences above and beyond traditional ‘bucket and spade’ holidays, Thomson Cruises on board offering of West End-style entertainment, fantastic service from attentive and friendly crew (at no extra charge) and great dining options combine with a fabulous array of destinations to create the very best of both worlds.

OK, I'm definitely prepared to buy into the good-value nature of the cruise-and-stay idea (especially with Thomson's patent charter holiday approach), but unless you do the week's 'stay' part of the holiday first, do you see this being anything other than a 'cruise-and-snooze' on the sybaritic beaches of the Med (or Caribbean)?

To be honest, if I'm going to go away for a full 2-week spell (which, admittedly, is highly unlikely these days; where 'highly' translates to about a 150% chance!), I would much rather opt for a full 2-week cruise which includes some relaxing sea days (and only one set of transfers, packing and unpacking) but still affords the ever-changing scenario that cruising provides par excellence.

But maybe I'm wrong. Is cruise-and-stay the wave of the future; am I in the minority; or am I just wrong? Answers on a postcard, please.....!