Northern Lights & Midnight Sun with a Pool and Balcony

Hurtigruten has announced that MS Finnmarken, which has been chartered in Australia for two years, is to return to sailing the Norwegian Coast from February 16. As one of the operator’s newest and largest ships, she will sail the traditional coastal voyage route from Bergen to Kirkenes, replacing MS Nordlys for a short time and then MS Nordstjernen, which will head to Spitsbergen.

Finnmarken (above) is currently undergoing a thorough refurbishment to be in peak condition when she resumes services. She is typically one of the favourite ships among Hurtigruten guests, the only one in the fleet with a pool and with balcony cabins. The ship has 283 cabins and 639 beds in all.

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

New Ship for Paul Gauguin Cruises

The best thing about deadlines is that they are fixed, immovable, and they get the job done. The worst thing about deadlines is they are fixed, immovable - and new stories crop up the minute a deadline has passed.

That was certainly the case with the latest edition of World of Cruising magazine (our Autumn issue - see it here). No sooner had we gone to print with issue 52 than Paul Gauguin Cruises announced a new ship for 2012, MV Moana.

The current Tahiti-based one-ship South Seas operation has been offering the Paul Gauguin for five years now, a deluxe one-off adventurer in this blissful region.

But now they are stepping things up with the acquisition of the sleek, 90-passenger Le Levant (above) from La Compagnie du Ponant, which will get a major makeover next year and then offer a greatly-enhanced range of cruises under the Gauguin banner, including the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Moana will begin operations in December 2012, starting with a winter season in the West Indies and Latin America before repositioning to the Med for the summer. She will offer an upmarket choice for the destinations, and add to Gauguin's reputation for a distinctive, niche style.

Diane Moore, president of Paul Gauguin Cruises, said: "We are monumentally proud to add a second ship to our Pacific Beachcomber portfolio and Paul Gauguin Cruises family. This is an incredibly huge branding achievement for the growth of our cruise line and I look forward to welcoming fans of The Gauguin onboard our latest addition."

The 332-passenger Paul Gauguin is currently undergoing a $7million refurbishment and will be back in business in January.

Tight squeeze! Minerva In The Corinth Canal

Here's a fab Photo of the Day - Swan Hellenic’s boutique little ship MV Minerva gave passengers a REAL close-up of the famous Corinth Canal in Greece this week as she squeezed carefully through on her Aegean Sea voyage.

With only 350 passengers, Minerva boasts a real country house ambience on board, and is renowned for her off-the-beaten-track itineraries and ability to go where other ships can’t. And there are certainly not many who can transit this Canal these days!

For more info, visit www.swanhellenic.com or the UK's leading cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd.

Island Sky's Refit A Hit With Noble Caledonia

Boutique little adventurer Island Sky underwent a significant multi-million pound refurbishment last year to make her one of the finest small ships in the world. Now, Noble Caledonia are offering a full season aboard this smart vessel, with some 37 cruises across the globe, including visits to the Pacific Coast of South America, Catalonia, Casablanca, The Baltic, The Azores, Cuba and the islands of the British Coast.

With a maximum passenger capacity of only 116, a vessel of her size is usually capable of carrying many more but, instead, the MS Island Sky has the benefit of unusually large suites, luxuriously appointed public areas and spacious outside decks.

Having cruised on her myself, I can vouch for what a luxurious ship she is and her small draft allows her to visit places other larger cruise ships cannot get to.

To find our more, visit MS Island Sky or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Majestic Line's 'Wild' New Itinerary

Boutique Scottish cruise operator The Majestic Line has launched a new “wild” itinerary for 2011, responding to customer requests for a more remote experience: Inlets and Islands of Wild Argyll, a 6-night cruise from Holy Loch, sailing on August 13 and 27 and September 3.

Majestic is one of the world’s smallest sea-cruising companies, with only two vessels sailing the Argyll coastline on the West Coast of Scotland, each carrying 11 guests on board. With their seventh season approaching, more than half the guests are repeat customers, hence the company is keen to provide exclusive new experiences to keep tempting previous guests back on board.

Every night, the boats anchor in secluded bays where sun-downer drinks will be served on the outside stern deck to a sunset over the hills and sea, prior to being served a sumptuous dinner from a menu sourced locally from the sea and land.

The latest itinerary has been chosen for its beauty, tranquility, natural environment and wildlife and the opportunity to go ashore for a walk or visit a remote historical monument. There is a choice of many delightful stopovers and anchorages, but the decision on which to visit will depend on wind direction and tide and will be at the discretion of the skipper. Kintyre and Ailsa Craig are the most weather dependent. The cruising area is also rich in wildlife and the stopovers will visit places where it is most likely to be seen, but for obvious reasons they cannot guarantee particular sightings.

For more info, visit http://www.themajesticline.co.uk/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Star Clippers New Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

It’s that time of year again and the new brochures are now available featuring a wide range of cruises for 2011. Luxury boutique cruise line Star Clippers is no exception and their new brochure is now hitting the doormat. They have exciting itineraries in Central America (Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua) and the Caribbean, where the Clipper ships will visit dream locations in the Grenadines and British Virgin Islands among others. The company’s ever popular ocean crossings are ideally suited to those who dream of long sea voyages whilst the summer season will find the ships roaming the Mediterranean (French or Italian Riviera), the Greek Islands and a fascinating new route between Athens and Istanbul. To find out more, look at http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or check out cruise specialists the Cruise Line.

Welcome to the new Azamara Club Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

One of the most interesting stands at the Cruise Show at Birmingham's NEC this weekend was the one for the new, updated Azamara Club Cruises, a boutique cruise line of no small distinction.

The name is not the only change you will notice, either. The company has added a whole raft of new features and onboard enhancements for the enjoyment of their guests. Azamara Club Cruises also takes guests to a wide range of enticing destinations, creating experiences that are once in a lifetime, such as the Panama Canal with its stunning wildlife (above). You can see the world through the local culture with its music, dance, art and history, or enjoy a more active excursion on extended biking trips, golf, walking or hiking. Shopping and dining are musts, of course, and the company's local experts can prepare you for your time ashore with insights about the right local flavours and tastes, as well as in-depth knowledge about local artisans and shops.

Why Azamara Club Cruises? Because their guests are truly part of a club whose members love to explore the globe, and enjoy being treated to the warmth and hospitality of their onboard staff, on their two smaller, more intimate ships. You can join them and become an instant member of Le Club Voyage. Membership is complimentary and includes up to two adults, over the age of 18, who live in the same household.

You can find out more at Azamara Club Cruises or through cruise specialists, The Cruise Line or check them out at the next Cruise Show, presented by the Daily Telegraph, at London's Olympia next March 26-27. And don't forget to check out the big Azamara feature in the latest edition of World of Cruising magazine, which has more insight into this unique operator.

Berlitz Cruising

By guest blogger Steve Newman

When it comes to life on the ocean waves, small is beautiful according to the eagerly awaited 2011 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships, the world’s most trusted guide (published Oct 4, 2010). Having reviewed 285 cruise ships, the new Berlitz Guide names the top-rated vessels for 2011, with the 10 most highly-rated being officially ‘small’ or ‘boutique’, and explains why they scored as highly as they did.

Europa (above), a ‘Small Ship’ of Hapag Lloyd Cruises, is the only vessel to receive the exclusive 5-star Plus rating, scoring the highest with 1,853 points out of a possible 2,000. Although a ship may be the latest, most stunning vessel in the world in terms of design and décor, if the food, service, staff and hospitality are not so good, the scores and ratings will reflect these. In this way, although Europa is now 11 years old, it looks almost new, thanks to the dedication of its crew and owners.

Within Europa’s wake are:

SeaDream II (1,788 points)
Seabourn Odyssey (1,787)
Seabourn Sojourn (1,787)
SeaDream I (1,786)
Seabourn Legend (1,774)
Silver Spirit (1,772)
Seabourn Spirit (1,770)
Seabourn Pride (1,769)
Silver Whisper (1,753)
Silver Shadow (1,750)

Douglas Ward is the world’s top authority on cruising and cruise ships, with more than 40 years of experience. He continues to spend some 200 days a year aboard cruise ships, inspecting and evaluating their facilities.

Commenting on the ratings system, he says: “There really is no best cruise line in the world or best cruise ship – only those that are right for you. With cruise ships, the goal posts keep changing as the industry evolves and matures. Ship owners, cruise operators, wholesalers and tour packagers keep redefining their product, pricing and marketing strategies in order to fill ships and make a profit.”

The fully revised and updated edition of the Guide, now in its 26th year of publication, also previews the 20 new ships set to debut between 2011 and 2014. Among the newcomers previewed is Queen Elizabeth, with a focus on why Cunard’s new liner, set to launch on October 11, should not be seen as a replacement for the much-loved QE2.

Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2011 (£16.99, 720 pages) will be available from all good bookshops from October 4.

For further information, visit http://www.berlitzpublishing.com/

Eco Adventure Cruising

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Wow! I thought that a 12-night west coast of Britain cruise would not be that interesting. How wrong could I be? One of the best cruises I've ever been on, this eco adventure, boutique-style cruising is really the way forward.


Zegrahm Expeditions offer high-end luxury cruising with less than a hundred guests and, with a one-to-one crew/hotel/lecturers/leaders to passenger ratio, they really looked after us. Plus this is true expedition stuff, as we were hopping in and out of Zodiac inflatables all the time, even at ten minutes' notice when something was spotted.

Age is no barrier, either; if you're fit enough, go for it. Incredible places, Skellig Michael with its unbelievable 6th Century monastery (above) and St Kilda, with its stunning gannet colonies. Sometimes we were exploring sea lochs at 10 o'clock at night, going 60 yards deep into sea caves and at others literally looking into the eyes of wild animals and birds.

The company doesn't stop here; if it's wild and untamed they go there, from Antarctica to Tahiti and from Madagascar to Baffin Island. Take a look at http://www.zeco.com/destinations/