Spring Into Europe With Voyages of Discovery

Guarantee yourself some early sunshine this year and join Voyages of Discovery’s MV Discovery for a 15-day European Icons cruise from £899 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Discover Istanbul, Rome and Piraeus, also known as the ‘Gateway to Athens,’ on this cruise through some of Europe’s most beautiful islands and countries, including Spain, Corsica, Sicily, Italy and Greece.

The price includes return flights from London, transfers and the 15-day voyage departing from Istanbul (overnight), Piraeus (for Athens), Messina (Sicily), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Ajaccio (Corsica), Almeria (Spain) Gibraltar and La Coruna (Spain) before returning to the UK at Portsmouth. Departure is April 27. Price includes all 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.

Last-Minute Bargain With Voyages of Discovery

Treat yourself to some last-minute sunshine this month by joining Voyages of Discovery’s MV Discovery on a 26-day Australia & Indonesian Islands cruise, from just £1,999 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Visit the cities of Sydney and Brisbane before exploring the magical Great Barrier Reef and the stunning islands of Bali and Komodo (Indonesia). Price includes return flights from London, transfers and the full 26-day voyage departing from Sydney (overnight) and visiting Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Darwin (overnight), Komodo, Bali (overnight), Semarang, and Singapore.

Based on February 7 departure; price includes all meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned Guest Speakers.

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

On The Frankincense Trail With Voyages of Discovery

Join Voyages of Discovery’s luxury small ship MV Discovery on two new itineraries for 2012 - The Frankincense Trail and Oman to the Holy Land.

Explore the ‘Desert Kingdom’, the Lost City of Ubar and Lawrence of Arabia’s Petra on The Frankincense Trail from just £899 per person, based on a March 23 departure (two people sharing an inside cabin). The price includes return flights from London, transfers and a 13-day voyage departing from Muscat (Oman, overnight) and calling at Salalah (Oman), Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt), Aqaba (Jordan) and the final port of Safaga (Egypt, overnight).

Oman to the Holy Land is an extended version of the Frankincense Trail, cruising along to other major historical hotspots such as Israel, Cyprus and Turkey and costs from just £1,399 per person (based on a March 23 departure and two people sharing an inside cabin). The full voyage lasts 25 days and, after 2 overnights in Safaga, continues to Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt), Sokhna (Egypt), Ashdod (Israel), Haifa (Israel), Limassol (Cyprus), Fethiye (Turkey), Kusadasi (Turkey) and the final port of Istanbul (overnight).

The price for both cruises includes all 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 this link with the UK's leading cruise agents, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Go Down Under This Winter With Voyages of Discovery

Here's a great pre-Christmas deal that is worth passing on this week: Save up to £1,370pp and snap up a great deal on Voyages of Discovery’s recently reduced South-East Asia and Australia cruise.

A remarkable melting pot of Asian and Latin cultures thick with history and flavour, Manila promises an exciting start to a voyage inviting you to meet the ‘Wild Man of Borneo’ and immerse yourself in local life on charming Indonesian islands. ‘Tamed’ territory, Darwin is an eclectic blend – modern city, Asian village and frontier town.

‘Untamed’ Australia comes in its rich rainforests and then the underwater riches of the Great Barrier Reef. Sample life on the Gold Coast with its miles of glorious beaches, or stroll along with some of the Hunter Valley’s finest wines before sailing into the ‘Harbour City’ – its twin icons Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge stealing the limelight.

With an itinerary carefully crafted to get the most out of each port of call and bring to life destinations with renowned Guest Speakers and excursions, a cruise with Voyages of Discovery is a cruise you’ll never forget.

This 20-night cruise now costs from as little as £1699 per person (based on two people sharing an inside guarantee cabin). The price includes return flights from London, transfers and the voyage departing from Manila (Philippines, overnight) and calling at Sandakan (Borneo), Bitung (Indonesia), Ambon (Indonesia), Darwin, Port Douglas, Brisbane and Newcastle before arriving at Sydney for another overnight stay. Price is based on a January 21 departure.

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

Voyages Of Discovery Go Musical In St Petersburg

Enjoy a free exclusive musical excursion in St Petersburg with Voyages of Discovery next summer on a Baltic cruise overflowing with fine art, architecture and history. As an alternative to the Mediterranean, it’s no surprise this destination is emerging as the new must-see holiday hotspot.

With a rapidly growing choice of sailings, Voyages of Discovery also make this part of Northern Europe hard to resist with amazing fares and now a free excursion to the world-renowned Hermitage in St Petersburg.

Now included in the price is a magical evening in St Petersburg at the Hermitage for a musical reception reminiscent of a performance during the reign of the Tsars. Whilst the museum is closed, guests are invited to enjoy an in-depth guided tour, a champagne reception and an exclusive performance from the State Hermitage Orchestra concert.

This exclusive offer is now available on the following cruises: Baltic Treasures (from £1,649 per person in an outside cabin), 15-day voyage departing from Harwich and calling at Kristiansand, Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg (overnight x 2), Gdynia, Szczecin, Sassnitz and transit through the Kiel canal before returning to Harwich. Price is based on June 28 departure.

Timeless Baltic (from £1,599 per person in an outside cabin), 15-day voyage departing from Harwich and calling at Copenhagen, Saaremaa Island (Estonia), Tallinn, St Petersburg (overnight x 2), Gdynia, Szczecin, Sassnitz and transit through the Kiel canal before returning to Harwich. Price is based September 3 departure. Prices for all cruises include meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned Guest Speakers.

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

Voyages of Discovery's New Cruise "From Ceylon To Siam"

Encounter all the magic and mystery of Asia onboard a brand new itinerary, From Ceylon to Siam, the latest addition to Voyages of Discovery’s winter cruise programme.

The new voyage showcases the best of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia and, from just £1,349 per person, guests will have the chance to explore South-East Asia’s most stunning natural wonders and cosmopolitan city streets. Voyages of Discovery even go to the trouble of organising guest visas upon arrival, a privilege independent travellers will be envious of. But you'll have to be quick - the cruise departs on December 2!

The price includes return flights from the UK and a 17-day voyage departing from Columbo (Sri Lanka), overnight, and calling at Yangon (Myanmar; for a 2-night stay), Phuket (Thailand), Penang (Malaysia) and Port Kelang (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) before arriving at Laem Chabang (Bangkok, Thailand); meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned Guest Speakers.

Follow this link to find out more at luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Now THAT'S How Cruise Awards Should Be Done

Having given the so-called British Travel Awards a major kicking recently for their laughable selection of Cruise Awards, it was refreshing to see the Cruise Critic UK Awards come out this week with a sane, sensible and highly credible approach to pretty much the same thing.

Using their own in-house editorial experts, led by extremely knowledgeable editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer-Brown, they have 25 individual awards - from the obvious things of Best New Ship and Best For Kids to Best Itineraries and Best Buffet - and all have the ring of authenticity and genuine cruise know-how.

In full, the 2011 award winners are:

Best New Ship - Carnival Magic
Best New River Ship - SS Antoinette (Uniworld)
Best For Luxury - Seabourn Cruise Line
Best for First Timers - Ventura (P&O Cruises)
Best Line for Kids - Royal Caribbean
Best Itineraries - Cunard Line
Best for Adventure - Star Clippers
Best River Cruise Line - Viking River Cruises
Best Value for Money - Voyages of Discovery
Best for Fly-Cruises - Thomson Cruises
Best for Dining - Oceania Cruises
Best Buffet - Marina (Oceania Cruises)
Best Alternative Restaurant - The Verandah (Cunard's Queen Elizabeth)
Best for Entertainment - Cunard Line
Best for Healthy Cruising - Celebrity Cruises
Best Suites - Marina (Oceania Cruises)
Best Cabins - Holland America Line
Best Shore Excursions - Noble Caledonia
Best Guest Speakers - Voyages to Antiquity
Best for Honeymooners - Princess Cruises
Best for Wine Lovers - Celebrity's Solstice-Class
Best Cruise Ship Bar - The Glass House (P&O's Azura)
Best UK Port of Call - Newcastle
Best UK Departure Port - Southampton

All the category winners come fully explained with the 'why' of their choice and some useful info on the award-winner, and categories like Best Value and Best Suites are extremely relevant to today's cruisers (are you taking note, BTA?).

The categories like Best Bar and Best for Wine-Lovers are just plain fun, and the choice of Newcastle as best UK port of call is sure to start some earnest debate on the subject (as well as rewarding a go-ahead port authority - for my money, Lerwick in the Shetlands would be hard to beat as they simply work so hard to attract ships and provide a unique port experience, but that's a very minor quibble).

Do I agree with all the selections? No, but then you probably would struggle to get any two major cruise experts to agree anyway as there is so much that's subjective about these types of awards (as well as so much choice these days).

I probably wouldn't have given Cunard Best Itineraries as their ships are all so big there are many ports they CAN'T visit (unlike, say, Crystal, Silversea or even someone like Orion Expedition Cruises, whose itineraries are truly eye-catching), while I also think there are many other better contenders for Best Alternative Restaurant than QE's Verandah.

Ideally, I'd also like to see more categories to highlight the major differentiation these days between the large mega-ships and the smaller, more boutique types (for instance, how do you compare a new ship like Carnival Magic against the tiny-by-comparison Seabourn Quest?).

But that is really just nit-picking as against the big beefs I have with the comparable cruise section of the BTA. All in all, the Cruise Critic UK awards are a laudable and highly worthwhile exercise, and all the winners are to be congratulated.

For the full story, go to this page on Cruise Critic UK and click on the necessary link to see the Winners.

Unlock Your Past On A Genealogy Cruise

Tracing your family tree has never been more popular and, with so many different options available, your family history is just waiting to be discovered. Voyages of Discovery hopes to spark more interest in people’s ancestries by inviting guests onboard two cruises, Trade Routes to Bombay and Tales of India & Arabia, to start their genealogy journey sailing the high seas.

This winter MV Discovery will be joined by genealogy experts Paul Blake and Maggie Loughran, heritage event organisers with over 20 years’ experience. Both Paul and Maggie will be on hand to help passengers delve into their family history through guest lectures on a wide range of fascinating historical topics and via hosted workshops at sea and in port.

Continuing the historical theme, guests can take part in Discovery's 'Antiques Seashow' with resident antiques expert David Barby (above). Famous for his appearances on Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, David invites passengers to come prepared with photos of relics and heirlooms to offer his valuations.
Unravel your past and sail on Voyages of Discovery's Trade Routes to Bombay - save up to 55% and get away on a 15-day cruise from as little as £899 per person.

Price includes return flights from London, transfers and the 15-day voyage departing from Safaga (Egypt) overnight and calling at Massawa (Eritrea), Salalah (Oman), Muscat (Oman) and Porbandar (India) before arriving at Mumbai (India), overnight; meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned guest speakers.

Price is based on a November 14 departure. Or choose to sail next March on Tales of India and Arabia from as little as £1,399, saving up to 30%.

For more info, visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk or the adventure cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Swan Hellenic's Highlights of the Ancient World

Two offers for you this morning everyone!

1) Swan Hellenic's Highlights of the Ancient World

Prices start from only £1,495 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin) and include return flights, transfers and a 13-night cruise departing from Valletta (Malta) and calling at Sousse (Tunisia), Heraklion (Greece), Alexandria (Egypt), Rhodes (Greece), Kusadasi (Turkey) and Nauplion (Greece) before arriving at Piraeus (Greece); gratuities and service charges, meals and entertainment, on board talks from a team of renowned Guest Speakers and a full programme of tailor-made shore excursions. Price is based on October 28 departure.

For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com or he cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

2) Voyages of Discovery’s Classic Mediterranean

Explore the Mediterranean this September with Voyages of Discovery’s 12-day Classic Mediterranean for only £999 per person aboard the classic MV Discovery (above).

As the temperatures drop and the crowds disperse, September presents the ideal month to explore the Med. Travel at ease while visiting Europe’s finest cities from Rome to Dubrovnik taking in the breathtaking scenery and varying cultures of this colourful continent.

Price includes return flights from London, transfers and a 12-day voyage departing from Lisbon (Portugal) and calling at Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Cartagena (Spain), Ajaccio (Corsica), Livorno (Italy), Civitavecchia (Italy), Messina (Sicily) before arriving at Dubrovnik (Croatia; overnight); meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned guest speakers. Price is based on September 19 departure.

For more info, visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk.

Save With Voyages of Discovery

Here's a good cruise saving to be had today, as announced in this press release from one of our favourite 'discovery' cruise lines:

Further reductions have been made to Voyages of Discovery’s 12-day Classic Mediterranean – save up to £740 and cruise from as little as £859 per person.

This price includes return flights from London, transfers and a 12-day voyage departing from Lisbon (Portugal) and calling at Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Cartagena (Spain), Ajaccio (Corsica), Livorno (Italy), Civitavecchia (Italy) and Messina (Sicily) before arriving at Dubrovnik (Croatia) for an overnight stay; all meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned guest speakers. Price is based on a September 19 departure.

For more info, visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk or contac the specialist cruise booking agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Scroll down for a superb offer at New Year with SeaDream Yacht Club

Voyages of Discovery ‘Cruise Party’ to Celebrate Royal Wedding

Millions of Britons are expected to hold street parties to celebrate Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton this year – and guests on board Voyages of Discovery’s 'French and Spanish Sojourn' cruise will be joining in the royal fun, but at a street party with a twist – on a ship! Guests needn’t worry about missing the event as Voyages of Discovery will be televising the wedding onboard the MV Discovery for all to see. Revellers will be commemorating the marital union whilst cruising the picturesque borders of Spain and France from as little as £499 per person.

Price includes a 7-night cruise departing from Portsmouth and calling at Ferrol/La Coruna, Bilbao, Le Verdon, Nantes and St Peter Port, Guernsey, before eturning to Portsmouth; all meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees - no hidden extras, plus accompanied by expert guest speakers. Price is based on April 23 departure.

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

Voyages of Discovery - Best Niche Cruise Line

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Voyages of Discovery was awarded Best Niche Cruise Line at the British Travel Awards this week, with an impressive 34 percent of votes. Swan Hellenic were also recognised for excellence at the awards, receiving silver in the Best River Cruise Line category.

Voyages of Discovery offers passengers a unique and specialised cruising experience. MV Discovery’s smaller size accommodates around 650 passengers, allowing it to visit ports and destinations which larger cruise liners are unable to, bringing each destination to life with renowned guest speakers.

For more information, visit Voyages of Discovery or cruise specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Grand Voyage to Cuba

By guest blogger Steve Newman

With only eight cabins remaining, don’t miss out on Voyages of Discovery’s 31-night ‘Grand Voyage to Cuba’. Fly/cruise from only £1,599 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Price includes return flights, transfers and a 31-night cruise departing from Malaga (Spain) and calling at Gibraltar (U.K), Cadiz (Spain), Funchal (Madeira), Antigua (British West Indies), St Kitts (Basseterre/Nevis), Dominica (Dominica), St. Lucia (British West Indies), Barbados (British West Indies), Grenada (British West Indies), Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago), Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago), La Guaira (Venezuela), Curacao (Netherlands Antilles), Aruba, Montego Bay (Jamaica) and Santiego de Cuba (Cuba) before arriving at Havana (Cuba); meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned guest speakers.

Price is based on 18 November 2010 departure.

For more information and to book visit http://www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk/

Voyages of Discovery Cruise Videos

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Voyages of Discovery has launched its latest winter cruise videos following the success of its summer cruise video series. Offering an insight into what can be expected on a typical Voyages of Discovery cruise first-hand, the videos bring itineraries to life for both agents and customers.

Leading the way within the cruise industry with the two-minute video ‘brochure’, Voyages of Discovery uses onboard and destination-led footage to showcase each cruise, highlighting the discovery cruising destinations, cultural excursions and renowned guest speakers onboard. The 21-day Empires of the Sun cruise and 17-day Tales of India & Arabia voyage, both new to the winter 2011/12 brochure, are also available as cruise videos.

Accessible on www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk/cruisevideos, you can use the videos to experience a flavour of new itineraries and destination offerings off the beaten track in the new brochure, such as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam and China.
Brochures can also be viewed online at www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk/brochure.php.

Voyages of Discovery, New Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Voyages of Discovery’s winter 2011/12 brochure is offering exciting new destinations, cruises and excursions, including a three-day visit to the vibrant, colonial Yangon (formerly Rangoon) in Myanmar and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

With MV Discovery visiting Japan and China for the first time, excursions to Kyota, the former Imperial capital of Japan, the island city of Xiamen, China, and Bund waterfront in Shanghai are also highlights of the new brochure.

The gateway to Mecca; blue waters and white beaches of Australia’s Whitsunday Islands; hustle and bustle of Phuket; and Vietnam’s colonial history also all await travellers as part of the new programme through 2011/12.

Discovery’s smaller size accommodates around 650 passengers, allowing it to visit ports and destinations which larger cruise liners are unable to, providing guests with an opportunity to discover some of the great cities, both ancient and modern, across Australia, The Orient and Middle East, while also listening to renowned guest speakers along the way.

Highlights of the new winter 2011/12 season for Voyages of Discovery include:

23-day South East Asia & Australia cruise embarking on 21 January 2011 – emerge yourself in local life in Manila and experience untamed Darwin and underwater richness of the Great Barrier Reef. Prices start from £2,599.

18-day Treasures of the Orient & Vietnam explores Hong Kong, Yangon, mystical Myanmar, the UNESCO listed Ha Long Bay and the Road to Mandalay, setting off on 18 December 2011, with prices starting from £2,549.

21-day Empires of the Sun, from £2,499, allows travellers to experience the bustling city of Shanghai, the poignant Hiroshima and a peak tram ride showcasing Hong Kong’s skyline, as well as the ever culturally diverse and contrasting Taiwan and Naga.

17-day Tales of India & Arabia from £1,999 uncovers Kirti Mandir - the birthplace of Ghandi - the Egyptian Temples of Dendera & Abydos and UNESCO listed Elephanta Caves in Mumbai

All prices include return flights from the UK, transfers, gratuities and service charges, meals and entertainment and the guest speaker programme on board the ship.

The recently launched Voyages of Discovery summer 2011 brochure second edition is already reporting a number of cruises as nearing 50% full and all itineraries are selling quickly. More information can be found at www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk/2011summer

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

A True Voyage of Discovery

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Cruise passengers are fast becoming ever more adventurous with their destination choices and the latest cruise announced by Voyages of Discovery is in this vein. The 'Norwegian Explorer' cruise will take their boutique little MV Discovery across the whole coast of Norway on a 13-day voyage beginning 30th July 2011.

July is the perfect time to experience the rugged coastal landscapes of Norway at their most tranquil and beautiful. Travelling by sea is also the best way to reach its many remote islands, inlets, coves and giant fjords. And the 650-passenger, 4-star Discovery is the perfect vessel for these waters.

Small enough to reach out-of-the-way ports, yet large enough to make light work of crossing the North Sea, Discovery avoids the hustle and bustle of today’s larger liners. Instead ,she has been expressly conceived for the company’s special brand of discovery cruising to create an atmosphere on board that is friendly and relaxed.

The cruise is also renowned for attracting budding historians, wildlife lovers and walkers who know Voyages of Discovery will take them closer to the incredible landscapes and wildlife that thrives in these challenging but often magical environments, including the breathtaking Geiranger Fiord.

Onboard, there will be two inspirational guest speakers. Greg Neale, the founder of the BBC's History Magazine, will be on hand to discuss the rich heritage of this enchanting region. Alongside him, Dr Mark Baldwin, the UK’s leading speaker on WWII code breaking, will bring a 1944 Enigma – the original code breaking machine - onboard to discuss its dramatic influence on the course of the War.

With convenient road and rail links to the port of Harwich, joining Discovery’s range of no-fly cruises is made even easier. You can find out more at http://www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk/

Voyages of Discovery are also among the lines exhibiting at the Cruise Show in Birmingham in October.

Voyage to Murmansk

No sooner, it seems, do we put our focus on adventure-style cruising than all kinds of exciting opportunities for this more offbeat voyaging crop up.

We have already detailed some of them on here at Time Spent At Sea (notably the amazing Chilean Patagonia voyages of Nomads of the Seas), but the latest press release to hit my Inbox highlights yet another aspect of this trend.

Voyages of Discovery have been around for a few years now, using their boutique little MV Discovery (the former Island Princess and 'Love Boat' of Princess Cruises) to explore some of the lesser-known parts of the cruise world.

But the announcement of one special cruise for 2011 really caught my attention, especially for the huge slice of World War II history it represents. Voyage to the White Sea and Archangel is a fabulous-looking opportunity to travel in the wake of the great Northern convoys that played such a big part in winning the War.

It is probably one of the more unusual itineraries, even by Voyages of Discovery standards, and it is certainly one that would pique my interest (if ever I could afford to take 18 days off!). Not only does it include a terrific sequence of ports of call, VoD will also have a superb range of guest speakers to accompany the voyage, including Enigma machine expert Mark Baldwin.

Here is the full press release:

‘Voyage to the White Sea and Archangel’, a new 18 day cruise from Voyages of Discovery departing 15^th June 2011 has sold 10% of its cabins within the first few days of release. For the majority of passengers the cruise represents a journey to the unknown so this is a remarkable feat in the current market. Tellingly, it is one of the best sold cruises from the summer 2011 programme, despite being one of Discovery’s most expensive cruises with prices from £1,899.

In an industry dominated by ever larger ships and crowds, the team at Voyages of Discovery has taken a bold view on the future of cruising which is paying dividends. It has returned to its grass roots by putting product at the heart of its marketing strategy by offering some of the most fascinating, spectacular and unusual destinations available anywhere on the cruise market.

While other brands build ever larger ships, resulting in compromises on destinations, Voyages of Discovery has capitalised on the benefits of a small ship by visiting new, off the beaten track destinations which will appeal to an increasingly sophisticated and well travelled cruise market. While others have cut corners or added hidden charges in order to woo customers with discounts, Voyages of Discovery has focused on providing unique, great-value travel experiences which are planned meticulously to offer more time on shore.

Voyage to the White Sea and Archangel will see Discovery travelling to the lesser-visited Solovestky Islands, a symbol of Russia’s spiritual past; historic Trondheim, Norway’s ’coronation city’; Archangel, where revolution, war and communism have all left indelible marks; and Murmansk, terminus for the most perilous and infamous of the World War II Allied convoys.

On route, passengers will witness the spectacular view of the midnight sun from the North Cape accompanied by experts including Mark Baldwin from Bletchley Park, who will be bringing one of the few original, working 1944 Enigma machines on board. The guest speakers also include a celebrated historian and natural scientist who will unlock the mysteries of wartime espionage, the legacy of revolution and the Soviet Union.

Voyage to the White Sea and Archangel follows the success of Discovery’s ambitious Winter 2010/11 programme which includes a 79-day complete circumnavigation of South America, with opportunities to explore landscapes such as the Amazon, the Orinoco, the Falklands and the magnificent Galapagos.

The Med's Top 10

I thought this press release, ahead of the April launch of the new Voyages to Antiquity operation (using the former Aegean I, heavily rebuilt as Aegean Odyssey), was worth repeating for those who like to enjoy the classical side of the Mediterranean.

With the new operation - which is being pioneered by Gerry Herrod, the man who created Orient Lines and Discovery Cruises (now Voyages of Discovery) - now just 2 months away, the company asked its historical advisor and author John Julius Norwich (aka Lord Norwich) to select his Top 10 historical sites from around the Med.

Here's what he said:

“To list one’s 10 favourite places in the Mediterranean and its hinterland is a tall order indeed. No other area on earth possesses a tenth of the quantity of superb historical sites to be found between the Pillars of Hercules and the coast of the Levant; and if we extend our range – as Voyages to Antiquity does – to cover Upper Egypt and St Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, Petra and Palmyra, the task becomes more difficult still.”

However, Lord Norwich has been able to complete the task, and his 10 ‘never-to-be-forgotten’ sites are listed below. More importantly, all the destinations are offered in Voyages to Antiquity's inaugural season (personally, I'd have Istanbul No 1, but I'm not going to quibble!):

1. Palermo, Sicily - Visit the Sicilian capital to experience the dazzling Palatine Chapel and the Cathedral of Monreale, with its almost unbelievable 12th-century mosaics and equally magical cloister.

2. Cefalu, Sicily - The mosaic of the Pantocrator in the apse of Cefalu Cathedral is among the greatest portraits of Jesus in all Christian art.

3. Istanbul, Turkey - Istanbul is home to the Church of St Sophia, one of the greatest buildings in the world. And don’t miss the Harrowing of Hell fresco in the 14th-century Church of St Saviour in Chora.

4. Venice, Italy - You could single out St Mark’s Square or any one of a number of churches, but the ultimate miracle is the city itself.

5. Petra, Jordan - To come upon the ‘Treasury’ – a spectacular example of rock-cut architecture probably dating from the first century BC – is one of the great coups de theatre that the world has to offer.

6. Palmyra, Syria (pictured above) - The ruined capital of Queen Zenobia, far out in the Syrian desert, is a site as mysterious as it is beautiful.

7. Krak des Chevaliers, Syria - The most complete Crusader castle to be found anywhere, and the most impressive. To step into this fortress atop a 650-metre-high hill is to return to the 11th century.

8. Aphrodisias, Turkey - Thanks to its remoteness in the hills surrounding the valley of the Meander River, this remarkable ancient city is relatively free of tourists and utterly unspoilt.

9. Luxor and Karnak, Egypt - Ancient Egypt exerts an extraordinary spell on all visitors. The temples open at 6am, so get up early and enjoy the cool of the morning. (You will also have them virtually to yourselves.)

10. Leptis Magna, Libya - Roman ruins don’t come more magnificent than these – and they remain utterly unspoilt by the modern world.

Cruise note: The 382-passenger Aegean Odyssey will be sailing around the Mediterranean from May to November 2010. Fares start from £1,995 for a 15-day cruise, including shore excursions, gratuities, wine with dinner and scheduled flights on British Airways.

Set Sail for Adventure!

Adventure cruising is promising to become one of the big, growing options for savvy cruisers in the near future, with various types and levels of this expedition-style of voyaging.

The All Leisure Group, who operate Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and the boutique little Hebridean Island Cruises, have recently taken ownership of the 15,000-ton MV Alexander von Humboldt (originally the Crown Monarch of Crown Cruise Line) , which has recently been sailing or German operator Phoenix Reisen. And, while they have yet to indicate which of their brands it will sail under, it is clear ALG have significant plans to grow this 'niche' market into something not-quite-so-niche.

When you also look at how other adventure/expedition companies continue to do well, the likes of Norwegian Hurtigruten, Abercrombie & Kent, Noble Caledonia, Hapag-Lloyd, Lindblad Expeditions and many more, there is clearly a keen and expanding appetite for this type of holiday.

And now comes a new Dutch operation which promises to add still further to this highly enticing array of cruise choice. Oceanwide Expeditions is offering more small-ship adventuring specialising in polar expedition voyages using the 110-passenger MV Plancius. here's what they say:

MV Plancius – Oceanwide Expeditions’ new Polar expedition vessel is now afloat

This is the start of a new Era in polar expedition cruising: the Dutch flagged expedition vessel Plancius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions from Vlissingen, the Netherlands, is almost ready to set sail to Antarctica, offering the maiden voyage on 8 January 2010. Plancius shall be christened on 14 November and will depart on 5 December for her ocean voyage to Ushuaia in Tierra Del Fuego , Argentina , the starting point of Antarctic voyages.

Oceanwide Expeditions: the pioneer in the Polar regions

Oceanwide Expeditions is the pioneer and one of the market leaders in the Polar Regions and has – since 1996 - been offering expedition-style cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic regions with chartered ice-strengthened Russian vessels, very suitable to offer exploratory voyages with passengers. However, in order to increase comfort-standards, Oceanwide Expeditions decided to build its own vessel, complying with the latest safety regulations and technology.

Oceanwide Expeditions: World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator 2009

We proudly announce that Oceanwide Expeditions has won the World Travel Award 2009 in the category World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator. The presentation of this international prize took place during a gala performance in London on Sunday 8 November. It was the second time that this prestigious award was categorized by the World Travel Awards Committee. The first time was in 2005 and Oceanwide Expeditions was also the winner of the contest.

MV Plancius: Setting new standards in expedition cruising

Plancius will set new standards to the world of expedition cruising: spacious yet small ship character, comfort & style, modern technology and safety appliances. A base camp for active, adventure and wildlife minded modern explorers, including hiking trips, kayaking, overnight field camping and even scuba-diving.

Plancius was built in 1975 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named Hr. Ms. Tydeman. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was finally purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions in December 2006. The vessel was completely rebuilt and converted to a 110-passenger vessel which complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea) and is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London . The ship sails under the Dutch flag.

It’s a small ship operation: Plancius can accommodate 110 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 triple private cabins, 39 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters ) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters ).

The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) with large windows, offering full panorama view. Plancius has large open deck spaces with full walk-around possibilities, giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. The vessel is comfortable and nicely decorated, but the ship is not a luxurious vessel. Voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible.

The vessel measures 89 meters in length (267ft), has a breadth of 14.5 meters (43ft) and a draft of 4.8 meters (15ft) and is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10-12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.

Plancius is manned by 17 nautical crew, 18 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 10 stewards/cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.