Last Chance For Savings With Star Clippers!

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering generous discounts of up to 20% on selected voyages on the line’s three square-riggers for bookings made by January 31. In addition, returning guests qualify for an extra 5% discount.

The savings apply to exciting and romantic cruises under sail in the Caribbean, the Baltic, the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, Central America and on transatlantic crossings during 2012.

Examples of Star Clippers’ 2012 voyages include:

• Up to 10% off Mediterranean cruises on Star Clipper, now from £629 per person for four nights, round-trip Venice departing July 28.
• Up to 10% off Mediterranean cruises on Royal Clipper, now from £702 per person for four nights, round-trip Rome departing June 5.
• Up to 10% off Baltic cruises on Star Flyer, now from £499 per person for three nights Amsterdam-Hamburg, departing May 16.
• Up to 20% off Costa Rica cruises on Star Flyer, now from £824 per person for seven nights round-trip Puerto Caldera, departing in December.
• Up to 20% off Caribbean cruises on Royal Clipper, now from £932 per person for seven nights round-trip Barbados, departing various dates in December.
• Up to 20% off Caribbean cruises on Star Clipper, now from £824 per person for seven nights round-trip St Maarten, also departing various dates in December.
• Up to 20% off transatlantic crossings, now from £724 per person for 14 nights on Star Clipper, Las Palmas-St Maarten, departing November 10.

All prices include full board on the ship and all port charges/taxes. Flights are extra.

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

It's A New York Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new state-of-the-art 4,000 passenger ship, Norwegian Breakaway will sail from her year-round home port of New York City to the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean during her inaugural winter season next year.

Following a summer inaugural season sailing seven-night cruises from New York to Bermuda, Breakaway will embark on a series of 25 seven-night cruises to the Bahamas & Florida beginning on October 13, 2013. The ship will also sail two 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries on January 5 and 19, 2014. 

Her ports of call will include stops in Nassau, NCL's private island in the Bahamas, (Great Stirrup Cay) and Port Canaveral in Florida along with three relaxing days at sea. These sailings run to April 27, 2014.

The ship’s 12-night Southern Caribbean cruises weill include Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Kitts, along with five sea days. Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, Breakaway will be 144,017 gross tons and is scheduled for delivery in April 2013.

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

Last Call For A Caribbean Break on Braemar!

Winter 2011/12 will see the last of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Caribbean fly-cruises aboard Braemar. The cruise line is moving towards ex-UK cruises for the 2012/13 cruise season, so this could be your last chance to enjoy one of these amazing value-for-money cruises.

And Fred Olsen tell us there is still some availability on several stunning January voyages at very competitive prices. Like M1201, a 15-night fly-cruise with an exciting itinerary, that includes calls into colourful Cuba and vibrant Jamaica. Fly from London Gatwick, or Manchester on January 5 and join Braemar in Bridgetown, Barbados. Stay overnight, with time to explore the island, then enjoy a fortnight of island hopping, seeing some of the most desirable islands in the Caribbean; Bonaire, Aruba, Jamaica’s Montego Bay, Santiago de Cuba, then Turks & Caicos, Tortola and Antigua, with a scenic cruise of the Grenadines, en route back to Barbados for the return flights.

The flights are with an exclusive, fully-escorted Fred. Olsen charter, and the journey from check-in to ship is seamless and relaxed; the perfect introduction to the Caribbean way of life! 

Currently, prices on this cruise start from just £1,199 per person, with a ‘Latesaver’ deal; this is based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin. The price is exceptional value for money when you consider it includes flights and transfers, en suite accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port/airport taxes; all for less than £80 per person per day

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

Navigator's New Caribbean Deployment

Royal Caribbean has announced the redeployment of Navigator of the Seas for the 2011-12 winter season from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean.

The ship will reposition to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and sail a range of five to nine-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries starting on November 20. Navigator will also offer a 14-night transatlantic sailing from Rome to Port Everglades, departing November 6, and a 15-night return cruise to Rome on April 14, 2012.

The 3,114-passenger ship will alternate six-night Western Caribbean itineraries with eight-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Ports of call on the six-night sailings include Grand Cayman, the newly-opened historic Falmouth Port (Jamaica) and Labadee (Haiti). The eight-night sailing features calls at St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Labadee.

A seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary, departing on January 8 and 22 excludes the call at St. Kitts from the eight-night itinerary, while a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary, departing January 15, adds a call to the six-night itinerary at Cozumel (Mexico). A special nine-night New Year’s cruise, departing December 30 adds a call at St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) to the eight-night Eastern Caribbean voyage.

In addition to the Navigator itineraries, Royal Caribbean fans have a wide range of Caribbean cruise options onboard 15 of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships, sailing from nine American ports throughout winter 2011-12.

For more info, visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or the UK's spcialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Blissful Caribbean Cruising

Here is the perfect reason to enjor a winter cruise, and sample some Caribbean sun and style. This is from our Celebrity Eclipse cruise this week, calling at the Dutch/French island of St Maarten/St Martin today.

This is the view from the Dutch town of Phillipsburg, looking over the beach to the cruise port. Wish you were here?!

Early Booking Discount with Star Clippers

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering up to 20% off 2011 cruises in the Mediterranean for bookings made by January 31, and 2011 sailings in the Caribbean and Central America for bookings made before April 30.

Save £177 per person on a six-night Caribbean pre-Christmas cruise on the 170-passenger Star Clipper, departing St Maarten on December 17 and calling at some of the smaller, more exclusive Caribbean ports inaccessible to big ships. The itinerary includes either Nevis or Saba (depending on the wind), Iles des Saintes, Falmouth Harbour in Antigua and St Barths. Now from £708 per person (was £895), including all meals and a 6-night sailing itinerary.

Save £206 per person on a seven-night Costa Rica sailing on the 170-passenger Star Flyer, departing Puerto Caldera on December 19, 2011, and exploring rainforested islands, remote bays and beautiful beaches, with plenty of chances to spot the incredibly diverse wildlife of the region. The ship calls at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Playa del Coco, Costa Rica; National Park of Santa Rosa; Samara; Puerto Carillo; National Reserve of Curu; and Isla Tortuga. Now from £824 per person (was £1030), including all meals and a 7-night sailing itinerary..

Save £168 per person on a short break, five-night Mediterranean sailing on board Star Clipper, departing Athens on October 8, 2011, and calling at the unspoilt Greek ports of Monemvasia and Pilos; Siracusa in Sicily; and Valletta, Malta. Now from £672 per person (was £840), including all meals and a 5-night sailing itinerary.

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

Yoga Under Sail in the Caribbean!

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests free daily yoga and meditation this December as part of a yoga-themed Caribbean cruise on board the 170-passenger Star Clipper.

Yoga classes will take place in the open air, on the tall ship's sun-warmed teak decks, under thousands of square feet of billowing sails – the ultimate relaxation for body and soul in a setting that will lift the spirits, with the sparkling blue of the Caribbean sea as a backdrop.

Qualified yoga teacher Christel Vollmer will be holding the daily sessions of Astanga yoga, also known as power yoga, on deck each morning, 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 tropical fruits, and magnificent salads at lunchtime will be available, as well as vegetarian choices at dinner.

The cruise departs St Maarten on December 11, and calls at Nevis, Dominica, Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe, Antigua and St Barths. Prices are from £1,145 per person, including port taxes and full board on the ship but excluding flights.

For more booking details, check out www.starclippers.co.uk or call the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

The World's Largest - Together!

We have just been on board Royal Caribbean's stunning new Allure of the Seas (the 'world's largest cruise ship,' being 5cm longer than sister vessel Oasis, last year's BIG cruise news), and the highlight (among very many) was a rare sea rendezvous of the two leviathans of the seas outside Port Everglades last night.

Captain Hernan Zini of the Allure positioned his ship - on a two-day travel trade preview cruise - a few miles out to sea off the south Florida port for Fort Lauderdale and waited for the line's other big ship, which was on her way out on her regular Saturday sailing to the Caribbean.

The two unmistakeable vessels then met up at almost 6.30pm as darkness fell, and each launched a small boat to offer a special commemorative gift to each other.

Passengers thronged the rails on both ships and lightbulbs flashed madly as most people tried to snap a memorable photo of the event. Finally, after nearly an hour in close proximity, the two ships went their separate ways.

It may also be a long time before they meet up again as the Allure will begin her regular 7-day Sunday cruises on December 1, so the two colossi will only cross paths as they go hither and thither on either eastern or western Caribbean routes in future.

We will have a LOT more to say about Allure - both here on Time Spent at Sea and in the Winter edition of World of Cruising magazine - in the near future, but suffice it to say for now she is easily an equal technological marvel to her sister but the addition of new entertainment options really marks her out as THE cruise ship to see in 2010/11.

Spend Christmas on a tall ship

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering 25% off spectacular Christmas cruise itineraries, with no single supplement on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Costa Rica.

The magnificent, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper, which carries 228 guests, will be sailing an eight-night round trip from Barbados, departing December 18 and calling at various islands in the Grenadines, including the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, returning to Barbados on Boxing Day (from £999 per person, plus £130 port taxes; flights excluded).

The 170-passenger, four-masted Star Clipper sails on December 18 from St Maarten on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths (from £769 per person, plus £130 port taxes; flights excluded).

Meanwhile, the third ship in the fleet, Star Flyer, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica on a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera. This head-turning ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight (from £769 plus, £110 port taxes; flights excluded).

Visit Star Clippers on http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or call specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Yachts of Seabourn offers Fantastic Savings

By guest blogger Steve Newman

A selection of luxurious winter itineraries and destinations, including the Caribbean on the new Seabourn Sojourn, are being offered by The Yachts of Seabourn. Guests booking this week can make substantial savings on a variety of Winter Sun destinations as per the below selection.

30th November 2010 - Seabourn Sojourn departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day round-trip 'Yachtsman's Caribbean' cruise. Highlights of the itinerary include San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gustavia, St Barths, St Kitts and Cruz Bay, St John. Fares start from £3,099pp (air inclusive).

20th December 2010 - Sojourn departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 16-day 'Christmas and New Year's Sojourn' to Los Angeles. Highlights of the itinerary include Cartagena, Colombia, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, Huatulco, Mexico and San Diego. Fares start from £5,199pp (cruise only).

3rd December 2010 - Seabourn Legend departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day round-trip 'Caribbean Splendor' cruise. Highlights of the itinerary include Nassau, Bahamas, Gustavia, St Barths, Prickly Pear Island and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fares start from £2,599pp (air inclusive).

Prices are all person, based on two sharing a suite, fully inclusive, including all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bar and fully-stocked mini-bar.

For more information, vist http://www.seabourn.com/ or call the specialist luxury cruise agents at the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Disney Fantasy

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The Disney Fantasy, the second ship in Disney Cruise Line's new-build series, will sail her maiden voyage on April 7, 2012, bringing even more innovation, unique guest experiences and personalised service for which DCL is renowned. The sister to Disney Dream, Fantasy will also feature the amazing AquaDuck 'water coaster', magical children’s areas, world-class entertainment, delightful dining, retreats for adults and immersive experiences for guests of all ages, with Disney stories and characters.

Guests can now book for the initial part of the 2012 season. The Fantasy will sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida, on the popular seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern and western – including a stop at Disney’s wonderful private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

The Dream will continue to sail three, four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay, while the Wonder will remain on the west coast, sailing Mexican Riviera itineraries from the Port of Los Angeles. To start the 2012 season, the Magic will sail alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz explained: “The Disney Fantasy continues our tradition of sailing beautifully-designed vessels that offer innovations, world-class guest service and memorable family vacation experiences like only Disney can do. We are delighted to expand our offerings to provide guests with more options and more flexibility to enjoy a Disney family cruise.”

For more information, check out http://www.disneycruise.com/

Windstar 2011 Signature Collection

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Windstar Cruises has announced details of its 2011 Signature Collection Host Series which offers guests the unique opportunity to cruise while learning from distinguished experts in the fields of culinary arts, wine, photography, gardening and wealth management.

Guests can...

* Learn useful design tips from award-winning British garden designer Anthea Guthrie
* Taste and learn about wines from top winemakers Daniel Baron of Silver Oak Cellars; Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar and Figgins Family Wine Estates; Tor and Susan Kenward of Tor Kenward Family Wines; Bob Iantosca of Gloria Ferrer and Julia Iantosca of Lasseter Family Winery; and David Gianulias and Todd Rustman of Levendi Winery
* Delight in the culinary skills of chef Fabio Viviani of Firenze Osteria
* Discover the art of photography with celebrity and travel photographer John Russo
* Discuss the principles of wealth management with Todd Rustman, co- founder of GR Capital Asset Management

Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbours and secluded coves of the world's most beautiful destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious vessels cruise to nearly 50 countries, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and Americas.

For further information, visit http://www.windstarcruises.co.uk/. Why not call in to the CRUISE Show at Birmingham this weekend to find out more, or visit The Cruise Line.

Cruise on the World's Largest

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas (above) is proudly claiming the title of the world’s largest cruise ship (from sister ship Oasis) when she launches in December. Don’t miss out on the chance to sail on board this record-breaker next summer on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean fly/cruise from £2,048 per adult and £1,685 per child (based on two adults and two children sharing an inside cabin).

Allure's onboard highlights include Central Park, an open air park area with real trees; a zip-line which is suspended nine decks high; and the Rising Tide Bar, which moves between three decks. The ship has more than 20 restaurants and cafes and 25 different shops. She will also feature the award-winning West End and Broadway musical Chicago in the 1,380-seat theatre, as well as shows, interactive activities, parades and even meals with some of DreamWorks Animation’s best loved characters, including Madagascar’s Alex; Mort and Po from Kung-Fu Panda; and Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon.

Price includes return flights from London Heathrow, one-night pre-cruise hotel accommodation, transfers and a seven-night cruise departing Fort Lauderdale (Florida) and calling at Nassau (Bahamas), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) and Philipsburg (St. Maarten), before returning to Fort Lauderdale; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price is based on 24 July, 2011, departure. For more information or to book see http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/.

And don't forget to check out what we said in Time Spent At Sea last year about Oasis of the Seas, and don't miss top cruise writer Gary Buchanan's full review of Oasis in World of Cruising earlier this year, on this! link.

For more info on Royal Caribbean bookings, be sure to visit The Cruise Show in Birmingham this weekend or in London next March (26-27). Or perhaps look at The Cruise Line Ltd and their specialist agents on 0800 008 6677.

Fred Olsen's Caribbean Braemar Games!

By guest blogger Steve Newman

You can now join Fred Olsen's Braemar (above) for a unique 15-night Caribbean/Cuba cruise on December 9 this year.

Flying from London Gatwick or Manchester, the grand voyage begins in Bridgetown, Barbados, with ports of call at Willemstad (Curacao), Oranjestad (Aruba), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Havana (overnight), George Town (Grand Cayman) and Montego Bay (also Jamaica) for flight home.

Fred Olsen's 'Late Saver' fares are from just £1,141 per person, based on an inside twin bedded cabin, subject to availability, and includes charter flights, all food and entertainment on board, port and airport taxes, transfers and fuel supplement.

(Please note: cabin numbers are not confirmed until embarkation; Manchester flights have very limited availability)

This cruise also features Flagship Golf, an exclusive package designed for golfers who want to incorporate their favourite sport into a cruise holiday. This is available on all the company's ships in the fleet, and on a variety of cruises from the UK to destinations including the Mediterranean, Canaries and Baltic, and fly-cruises to the Caribbean.

There is an additional charge of £425 per person for Caribbean fly-cruises, and £375 per person for all other cruises.

You can also learn more about Fred Olsen's offerings at The Cruise Show at Birmingham NEC on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia next March (26-27). For more great deals on Fred Olsen's Caribbean cruises, check out top specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Niche tall ship cruise operator Star Clippers operate three of the world’s most head-turning ships, the magnificent four-masted, 170-passenger Star Flyer and Star Clipper and the flagship, five-masted, 228-passenger Royal Clipper.

2010/2011 is an exciting time for Star Clippers, with many new destinations and itineraries including new sailing areas, new home ports, several maiden calls and some unique cruise-and-stay ideas.

For example, this November sees the Star Flyer embarking on an exciting series of tall-ship sailings in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua for the first time, exploring the bays and inlets of the Pacific coastline, with visits to lush rainforests and hidden lagoons. Prices are from £1,140 for a week’s cruise, including all meals on board, low-key evening entertainment and port charges, excluding flights.

Flyer will also make two spectacular transits of the Panama Canal, one at each end of the season, skimming the north coast of South America, visiting Cartagena (Colombia) and Margarita (Venezuela), as well as the southern Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao.

For more details, check out www.starclippers.co.uk

Are you going to the Cruise Show in Birmingham in October (16-17) or London in March (26-27)? You can learn more about Star Clippers - and the whole wide world of cruising!

Miami, Honduras & Mexico

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Central America and the Western Caribbean have always had a fascinating appeal to many dedicated cruisers. With that in mind, Norwegian Cruise Line have put together a voyage in the region. Their incredible new ship Norwegian Epic (above) is reinventing cruising once again with new entertainment options and amazing nightlife, including the first true Ice Bar at sea.

Norwegian Epic also has innovative and flexible accommodation, from Studios designed and priced specifically for solo travellers, with exclusive access to their Studio Lounge, to the private Villas on board. Add twenty different dining options, a huge aqua park for all the family and you’ll see why the company say this is Freestyle Cruising on a truly grand scale.

The beauty of cruising is that it encompasses all forms of tastes - whether you prefer adventure voyages and getting up close to nature, red in tooth and claw, or the sort of family, single holiday that’s full of the fun and entertainment that Norwegian are so good at offering.

The company say there’s only one thing to do with rules – scrap them. So that’s what they’ve done. They pick the ports and the rest is down to you. NCL visits destinations from the Caribbean to Hawaii, Alaska to New England, Bermuda to Mexico and Europe.

In her maiden season, Epic has a series of departures up until the end of April 2011 visiting The Western Caribbean. Departing from Miami, she will call at Costa Maya in Mexico, The Roatan Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras and the tiny tropical island of Cozumel, 12 miles off Mexico’s coast before returning to Miami.

Among the highlights is the chance to steer a personal All Terrain Vehicle along the jungle trails on the wild side of Cozumel; take a thrilling ride along zip lines from Roatán’s Creation Rock to a party on Tabyana Beach; and see the Mayan ruins in Tulum, built on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean.

NCL Line are exhibiting at the Cruise Show in Birmingham.

Castanets and Calypsos

By guest blogger Steve Newman

As we are only posting for a three days a week at the moment due to much travel, staff holidays, etc, we thought we would pop on two cruises today. Fred Olsen lines have a nine-night cruise to Iberia departing from and ending in Southampton on 27th September 2011.

This cruise first visits Lisbon, the elegant and picturesque Portuguese capital, then La Coruna in Spain, a fascinating mixture of architectural styles, with its quality medieval quarter and contrasting modern buildings. Next port is Bilbao, a vibrant and cosmopolitan town in the north of Spain – and home to the futuristic Guggenheim Museum. Last port, where the ship is at anchor, is Hendaye in France, situated on the frontier with Spain, and hemmed in by the Atlantic and the Pyrenees.

Their second cruise is a grand 28-night Caribbean voyage on Black Watch (above), departing from Southampton on 12th November 2010 and including visits to Tenerife, Barbados, St Georges, St Kitts, Tortola, Antigua and St Maarten before finally arriving back at Southampton via The Azores.

The company will also have a team of experts on hand at this autumn’s Daily Telegraph CRUISE Show in Birmingham, ready to inspire and inform visitors on the right kind of cruise for them. Visitors can take advantage of a variety of Fred. Olsen deals – exclusive to the Show – on selected sailings around the world. Fred. Olsen will be exhibiting on stand E20, with experts available to provide visitors with useful, informed advice on the wide range of cruises and itineraries. As well as a range of special exclusive show offers on many cruises, visitors booking on the day can save up to an additional £325 per person off brochure fares and special offers.

The Joys of Sail Cruising

By guest blogger Steve Newman

To be on the deck of cruise ship at dawn as the sun paints the sails in a wonderful orange light is one of the joys of cruising. Add to this the sight of dolphins ridng the bow waves as there is no engine noise to frighten them and you really start to peel away the stress of modern living.

Welcome, then, to the world of Star Clippers, a company that takes you back to the golden age of sailing with five-star luxury and modern technology to make your cruise so memorable.

Star Clippers have three ships in the fleet at the moment - they do have engines but they are used only if the captain deems it necessary - and for most of the time you have only the wind singing through the sails and frigate birds calling to distract you.

Their shallow draft allows them to visit islands and ports that the bigger cruise ships simply can't get to and, with a relaxed dress code, an elegant Edwardian decor and a sit-where-you-like dining policy, the atmosphere amongst the passengers is always friendly and cordial.

All the amenities of a modern cruise ship are here but there is no glitzy broadway entertainment; the social life generated by everyone having a good time and the excellent excursions provided by the ship's tenders more than make up for this.

The company sail to the most exotic locations, from the Caribbean to Thailand, from Monaco to Tahiti, and, if you wish, you can even help the crew with setting the sails and other ship's tasks.

More information can be found on http://www.starclippers.co.uk/

River Cruises Vs. Ocean Cruises by Anthony Nicholas

Ok, say you’re older now, and your idea of ‘messing about on the river’ has graduated from sticking frogs in your sister’s satchel to the idea of playing Huckleberry Finn on one of the great rivers of the world, rolling through a raft of different countries at a civilised speed, with a hefty dollop of adventure and wonder for company. Fine, come on down.



So, where to then? As it happens, the world is yours to choose from. Not so much on a plate as just around the next river bend. Imagine watching the glorious confection of old world spires and cobbled squares of Prague emerging from the midst of the steel grey Danube, or sassy, sophisticated Paris on the Seine, blinking herself awake as the sun hauls itself slowly into the sky. Tres bien, oui?



Meander along the ancient, magnificent Nile and see the greatest theme park on earth, as the matchless treasures of Egypt unfurl each day like a series of staggering drum rolls. Karnak. Esna. Aswan… Feluccas on the river at sunset, palm trees on the river banks. A journey back through five thousand spellbinding years.



Take a slow boat to China with a meandering passage up the mighty Yangtze, or drink wine on the Rhine as cathedral cities like Cologne come and go. Often as not, overnight stops enable you to really get into the heart and soul of a place. Board, unpack once, settle in and, wherever your sense of wonder takes you, well- just go with the flow. Easy, really.



But if the big old ocean’s more your thing, there’s more choice than you can shake a really big stick at. Dress up or down, formal with all the glamour or free and easy, there’s a style and ship for you wherever you want to go. Ride a carousel in the Caribbean on the biggest cruise ship the world has ever seen. Wave goodbye to winter on a festive swing round the island paradise they call Hawaii.



See the dreamy spires and cobbled squares of old Europe in the Baltic, and experience just how ‘wonderful’ Copenhagen really is.



More? Meander round the sunny, alluring Med, and indulge your inner Onassis in the playgrounds of the French and Italian Riviera, then top up with a healthy dose of platinum chip excitement in Rome, Florence or even Pisa. Play at Zorba in the Greek islands, and feel more like Zeus as you take in the awesome panorama from atop Santorini’s spectacular heights.



Get far out in the Far East, or saunter into Sydney’s incredible harbour for a spot of life down under. Or indulge your inner Jack and Rose on a black tie and ball gown breeze across the Atlantic to New York. Oh, and Bermuda is just, well, blissful really.



So, it’s wherever whenever. Unpack once and watch the world roll out between all the feasting and partying. Champagne at sunset, casinos at midnight or just curling up with a good book or good friend. Both even. Or neither. Your ship’s come in- all that’s missing is you.



You can read more of Anthony Nicholas's work in the UK's premier cruising magazine, World Of Cruising.