Oceania's Big New Year Savings

Oceania Cruises, who operate four mid-sized luxury cruise ships specifically designed for lovers of good food and elegant living, is offering savings of up to £1,687 per person on selected departures between January 17 and March 29.

The offer is part of Oceania's `Explore your World’ promotion, which, on selected cruises, also gives clients free gratuities (worth up to $925 per booking) and a $1,000 shipboard credit per stateroom to spend on spa treatments, drinks, shore excursions or gifts from the onboard shops.

The sailings include a 25-night cruise from Bangkok to Beijing on board the 650-guest Nautica, departing on February 28, with port calls in Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and China, now from £3,025 (was £4,712, saving £1,687); and two cruises on board sister ship Regatta - a 21-night sailing from Auckland to Sydney, departing on March 8, now £2,541 (was £2,942, saving £401); and a 25-night voyage from Sydney to Papeete departing March 29 (now £3,025, saving £539), which also include the $1,000 per stateroom shipboard credit and free gratuities. 

Then there is an 18-night South Pacific sailing departing January 17 from Papeete to Auckland on board Regatta, which now costs from £2,178* (was £2,656, saving £478), with $1,000 credit per stateroom and free gratuities. 

And, in South America, the January 22 sailing on board Insignia, exploring Peru and Chile as the ship cruises the west coast of South America, now costs from £2,176 (was £3,080, saving £904), with $1,000 credit per stateroom and free gratuities.

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

Paul Gauguin's Special Guest Line-Up

Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced details of an array of 2012 itineraries with special guest hosts appealing to a variety of interests – from cooking and astronomy to marine biology.

These include:

· 11th February: Daniel Baron, winemaker for Silver Oak Cellars will be joining the Paul Gauguin on this seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing.

· 3rd March: Legendary celebrity chef Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef for 10 years, will join the 11-night Cook & Society Islands sailing, bringing his culinary expertise on board.

· 2nd June: Joining this seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing is Bill Kramer, an acknowledged expert in solar eclipse prediction mathematics. Kramer will share with guests the opportunity to witness a rare astronomical event on 5th June – the Transit of Venus.

· 23rd June: Celebrated chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, Chef Propriétaire of the two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius in Paris, will prepare gourmet dishes and offer culinary demonstrations featuring his gastronomic techniques on this seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing.

· 23rd May/11th July/20th November/1st December: World-renowned oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau will join these four sailings, providing lectures with videos of his work and accompanying guests on several dives throughout the cruise.

· 11th July: For music lovers, what is better than opera in the South Pacific? Join American lyric soprano Kristin Clayton, star of the world-premiere of At the Statue of Venus, and renowned bass-baritone Bojan Knezevic on this 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus sailing for an extraordinary opportunity to hear these legendary performers in concert throughout the cruise.

Following her multi-million dollar refurbishment in January 2012, the MS Paul Gauguin will embark on a series of 40 stunning itineraries with prices starting from just £3,933 per person for a seven-night Society Islands cruise including return economy flights from the UK, overseas transfers, a night in Los Angeles and use of a day room post cruise.

For further information and booking, check out this link to luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Celebrate the Festive Season with Silversea

Silversea Cruises is inviting travellers to wrap themselves in pampering luxury this festive season with a collection of enticing voyages that span the globe from Africa and the South Pacific to the Caribbean and South America.



This year, the all-suite, intimate ships of the Silversea fleet offer an elegant way to revel in the joy of the festive season with cruises ranging from 14 to 17 days. Designed to be a "home upon the oceans of the world," the all-inclusive vessels feature spacious ocean-view suites, most with private veranda, and the highest level of personalised service.



Highlighting the onboard ambiance for these voyages will be festive decorations, parties, menus and entertainment. With the exception of expedition cruises, clergy will be on board to conduct religious services, including a rabbi for Hanukkah. Plus distinguished guest lecturers and destination experts will also be on hand to host enlightening presentations.



And with "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credits of up to $1,000 per suite offered on these festive voyages, guests might choose to indulge in a little extra pampering in the spa or use their credit toward a host of other options, including any Silver Shore excursions (none are excluded), premium selections from the Connoisseur's List of wines and spirits, speciality restaurant dining fees, and/or purchases in the Internet Café and onboard boutiques.



Choose from this luxury collection:



VOYAGE 4137: Valparaiso (Santiago) to Fort Lauderdale, Silver Whisper, 17 Days, Dec 20-Jan 6. Calls in Coquimbo, Arica, Matarani, Callao (Lima), Salaverry, Manta, Puerto Limón and Key West. Highlights include $1,000 "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit, a crossing of the Panama Canal and overnight stay in Callao. Guest Lecturers: Adrian Sindall, former British ambassador, and Dr. Carolyn Dudek, associate professor of political science. Fares start at £5,403.



VOYAGE 5138: Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale, Silver Spirit, 14 Days, Dec 20-Jan 3. Calls in Grand Turk, St. John’s, Bequia, Bridgetown, Castries, Gustavia, Spanish Town and Key West. Highlights include $500 "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit. Guest Lecturers: Rick McKay, award-winning filmmaker, and Dr. Jay Wolff, historian and destination expert. Fares start at £4,623.



VOYAGE 3134: Sydney to Auckland, Silver Shadow, 15 Days, Dec 21-Jan 5. Calls in Melbourne, Hobart, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Picton, Napier and Tauranga. Highlights include $1,000 "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit, overnight stay in Melbourne and cruising through the Milford and Dusky sounds. Guest Lecturers: Richard Tallboys, former British ambassador, and Dr. Lew Deitch, destination consultant. Fares start at £5,378.



VOYAGE 1131: San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, Silver Cloud, 16 Days, Dec 22-Jan 7. Calls in Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Puntarenas, San Blas Island and Cartagena. Highlights include $1,000 "Passport to Luxury" Onboard Spending Credit and a crossing of the Panama Canal. Guest Lecturers: Lawrence Rudner, former professor and aerospace engineer, and Michael Freedland, journalist, broadcaster and author. Fares start at £4,068.



NB: Fares listed above are cruise only, per person based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite and include port charges and handling.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or consult the UK's leading luxury-cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Big South Pacific Savings With Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering fabulous savings of up to £1,584 per couple on a selection of late 2011 South Pacific voyages booked before July 15. Savings are available on the following seven-night Society Island voyages round trip from Papeete:

· 20th August - prices from £3,119 per person fly/cruise with a saving of £1,584 per couple.

· 5th November – prices from £3,119 per person fly/cruise with a saving of £1,116 per couple.

· 12th November – prices from £3,119 per person fly/cruise with a saving of £1,116 per couple.

· 3rd December – prices from £3,119 per person fly/cruise with a saving of £916 per couple.

· 21st December – prices from £3,379 per person fly/cruise with a saving of £1,116 per couple.

Prices include return scheduled flights, transfers and seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages and gratuities.

For more info, visit www.pgcruises.com or contact the luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

More Special Guests For Paul Gauguin Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced an expanded line-up of renowned artists, lecturers and entertainers for its 2011-2012 sailings. The impressive roster of onboard presenters, as well as exclusive excursions and exhibits on board MS Paul Gauguin, provides guests with educational experiences to enhance their appreciation for the natural and cultural history of French Polynesia.

As part of the authentic Polynesian experience, guests are invited to sample the local cuisine and watch electrifying performances, or choose to indulge in traditional Tahitian spa treatments and experience the beauty of French Polynesia through an array of optional shore excursions.

To further enrich the onboard experience, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers lectures by special guests in art, history, ecology and Polynesian culture. Lecture topics include the history of the South Pacific, the conservation of coral reefs and marine creatures, astronomy, island formation, black pearl farming and much more. In addition, respected Polynesian artists offer regular exhibits of paintings and photography. Celebrated guests include:

Bobbie Verdegaal: The ships's onboard naturalist, Verdegaal is a trained marine biologist and environmental educator with extensive experience in the waters of French Polynesia. With her wealth of knowledge and engaging manner, she is well equipped to teach and discuss a wide range of topics associated with the marine environment of the beautiful South Pacific.

Mark Eddowes: An acknowledged authority and researcher in the field of Polynesian anthropology, this renowned archaeologist, scholas and gifted raconteur is on almost every voyage with entertaining and enlightening lectures.

Cecile Gaspar: President of Te Mana O Te Moana, a non-profit organisation dedicated to conservation, education and research, Gaspar will enlighten guests on the organisation’s efforts to rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles and return them to the deep.

Gotz Donaghy Philippe: Appearing on the July 9 sailing, painter and artist Philippe uses his in-depth knowledge of Polynesian life to pen a humorous comic strip. Donaghy is also an expert on the Polynesian art of tattooing, having written several books on the subject. Guests will gain a unique perspective of French Polynesia through his artwork.

Jean-Pierre Vigato: Parisian Celebrity Chef Vigato - owner and Chef Propriétaire of the two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius in Paris - will join guests aboard the July 30 culinary sailing where he will personally prepare gourmet dishes and offer demonstrations of his culinary techniques.

Devlin, the Matador of Magic: A professional magician for more than 30 years, Devlin brings a Latin flair to his style of magic, which has earned him the sobriquet "Matador of Magic!" The recipient of the Society of American Magicians’ highest honour, Magician of the Year, he has appeared (and disappeared!) on stages around the world - including select sailings onboard Paul Gauguin.

For more info, visit www.pgcruises.com or contact the UK's leading luxury and adventure-cruise specialist, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Big Early-Booking Savings With Crystal For 2012

Crystal Cruises is offering savings of up to £1,272 per couple when booking selected early 2012 departures before the end of the month. Massive savings of up to £6,308 are also available on the full 2012 World Cruise if booked before the end of April.

Prices for the early 2012 voyages start from £2,572 per person, cruise-only, based on the January 17 Panama Canal voyage from Miami to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica.

And there is still plenty of time to book for this year as the freshly redesigned, 922-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony and the 1,070-guest, 68,870-ton Crystal Serenity cruise through the Middle East, Africa, Caribbean, South America, Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Black Sea, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific, British Isles, Baltic Sea, Arctic Circle, Alaska and New England/Canada.

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

Crystal's Taste of the Exotic in 2012

Ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises has announced its 2012 cruise collection, unveiling an enticing choice of exotic voyages. Now offering 68 worldwide itineraries - including brand new coveted destinations - the line frequently voted 'World’s Best' introduces its most extensive global presence yet.

Continuing to maintain the highest number of repeat customers and with an ongoing commitment to selling only through the trade, Crystal will offer even greater choice in 2012. These new itineraries and voyages have been meticulously crafted to appeal to today’s discerning luxury traveller.

The 2012 voyages are now available for waitlist and include:

· 94-day “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 and the Mediterranean

· Expanded collection of Mediterranean itineraries, including late Autumn options

· Expanded collection of Baltic and Northern European cruises

· More seven-day cruises in the Mediterranean and New England/Canada, as well as a seven-day voyage during Thanksgiving through the Mexican Riviera

· Transatlantic cruises from New York to Dover and from Miami to Lisbon, which can be combined with European cruises

· Late Autumn cruises in the South Pacific and New Zealand

· 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.

Andy Harmer, UK sales and marketing director for Crystal says: “Globally renowned not only for its unrivalled luxury but for leading the way with unique and compelling offerings, the 2012 itineraries promise to be another milestone for Crystal Cruises. It is extremely exciting to have both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in European waters for an expanded season and to announce new Christmas and New Year cruise destinations as part of our commitment to remain the World’s Best.”

Agents can access the day-by-day itineraries from October 30 at http://www.crystalcruises.co.uk/.

Now available for waitlist; contact Crystal Cruises on 020 7287 9040 or online. Or call specialist agent The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677 or http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/.

Winter Collection from Oceania

By guest blogger Steve Newman


Winter blues starting already? If so, upmarket Oceania Cruises has announced its 2011-12 winter line-up of 27 exotic itineraries in Asia, South America and the Caribbean, including new sailings to ports in Hawaii, the South Pacific and Australia/New Zealand.

The line’s Winter Collection also includes special introductory fares, which means 10-day cruise-only fares begin at just £499 per guest.

Winter Collection Highlights:

* 27 unique itineraries, 16 of which are all new
* 33 new ports of call
* New Hawaii and South Pacific voyages, including Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and American Samoa
* A return to Australia and New Zealand
* Diverse and distinctive voyages in Asia
* A new Dubai-to-Cape Town cruise, showcasing Arabia and Africa
* New ship Marina (above) debuts on her first full season of voyages to the Caribbean
* Popular Amazon River cruise to depart from New York City
* New 16-day South America cruise round-trip from Valparaiso, which offers the opportunity to discover rarely visited Nazca Lines, plus Machu Picchu
* A grand 35-day Hong Kong-to-Athens adventure via the Suez Canal

For more information, contact Oceania Cruises on 0845 505 1920 or http://www.oceaniacruises.co.uk/

Oceania Cruises are exhibiting at The Cruise Show in Birmingham on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia March 26-27, 2011.

Global Adventure, All the Stars of The Zodiac

By guest blogger Steve Newman

One of the fastest growing areas of cruising is the eco-adventure sector, with some companies offering you the chance to be literally the first human to land on particular places for possibly hundreds of years.

So, if you like adventure, untouched wilderness, expertly operated tours, and lecturers and leaders rich in field experience, then do have a look at Zegrahm. From small-ship expedition cruises through the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica to tropical adventures in the South Pacific, this company offers what comes close to the ultimate expedition travel experience.

You’ll need to be reasonably fit but age is no barrier. Their policy is that if they see something of interest, they will actually stop the ship and give you the chance to hop into the zodiacs and go and see it up close.

Onboard amenities include spacious lounges, fine dining and ocean-view cabins, ranging from 16- to 110-passenger capacities. The other good thing about these trips is you can eat as much as you like in the five-star vessels as you know you’re going to burn it off anyway!

The company has a great mix of natural history and cultural destinations for 2011. Their ships will be covering destinations around the Pacific and exploring new ports in the Arabian, Mediterranean, and North Seas.

They are are also introducing several new expeditions, including circumnavigations of islands such as Sicily’s archaeological wonders and famed cuisine, and Sumatra’s abundant wildlife and diverse landscape.

Zegrahm’s expeditions to Antarctica offer the opportunity of treading where no one may have been before as they ride Zodiacs through waters populated by whales and seals to land amid the cacophony of penguins or albatross colonies, or negotiating pack ice and tabular icebergs aboard an icebreaker.

With this company you can find yourself in Zodiacs in the islands of the South Pacific or the North Atlantic (above).

Expeditions range from two to three weeks in length, ensuring an in-depth look at the regions. Keeping the number of travellers on each expedition small also allows members personal contact with the leaders and naturalist experts.

Zegrahm will also be exhibiting at the Cruise Show at London's Olympia in April, so you can find out more about them in person.

In the meantime, for more info go to http://www.zeco.com/

Learning the Ropes in the South Pacific

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Ever thought about discovering the hidden Pacific on an adventure of a lifetime on a tall ship voyage through the tropical islands of Polynesia and Melanesia?

Well, you can now sign on for an island cruising or ocean sailing experience and see places beyond the reach of conventional travel aboard the magnificently restored square rigger Soren Larsen.

The ship works from her home base in Auckland, New Zealand, during the southern hemisphere summer and explores the tropical waters of the South Pacific from March to November.

Built in Denmark in 1948, she offers guests a chance to reach places far beyond the reach of conventional tourism, experiencing the real Pacific and seeing local village life in places such as The Cook Islands, far removed from the usual tourist resort environment.

Soren Larsen sails with a permanent crew of 12 and a paying Voyage Crew of up to 22. People of all ages from all over the world join the ship for voyages of three weeks or more to experience the authentic tropical South Seas – arriving by tall ship to destinations such as Tonga (above) and Samoa as Captain Cook and the early European explorers would have done.

The New Zealand-based brigantine specialises in coastal and ocean voyaging through the South Pacific offering authentic crewing opportunities for people of all ages. In choosing a holiday that is an adventure and signing on as voyage crew, people of all ages and backgrounds have a rare opportunity to participate in authentic square rig seamanship.

Guests acting as crew on board are accommodated in 2 and 4-berth cabins, all of which open out into the large, comfortable saloon and library.

You can take a turn on the helm, learn how to navigate and how to set the sails. For sailors and non-sailors alike, this is part of the experience on board the square rigger, and most want to really get involved, although it isn’t compulsory.

When at anchor at places such as Fiji, you are free to explore, go on shore excursions, walking the beaches and snorkelling or just swim and enjoy the cultural activities.

For more information, contact www.sorenlarsen.co.nz.