Holland America Line launches Australia sailings

In anticipation of cold weather to come, Holland America Line has launched a brand new winter cruise holidays brochure covering winter sun cruise holidays from September 2015 to April 2016. The brochure incorporates destinations such as Australasia, South Pacific, Asia, Caribbean, South America, the Panama Canal and Africa, as well as a number of Grand Voyages.

MS Noordam will be positioned in Australasia for the first time during winter 2015/2016. Carrying 1,972 guests, she offers 25 staterooms on the observation deck, most of which feature a private verandah. There is also a retreat area with luxury cabanas for guests to hire. The ship will be sailing 13 to 15-night Australia & New Zealand or South Pacific cruises from Sydney or Auckland, more leisurely Great Barrier Reef cruises and a 33-night Australia circumnavigation featuring Komodo Island and Bali. Australasia cruises start from £1,349 per person, cruise only.

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Adventure Cruising blog

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Grand voyages to the Far East with Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced its 2015-2016 Winter Collection, revealing a line-up that features a variety of destination-rich itineraries in Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska.  In total, the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet will visit more than 150 ports in 50 different countries with its Winter Collection, including several overnight stays.

For sailings in the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa, the company is introducing new options for its complimentary pre- and post-cruise land programmes which include a free three-night hotel stay, complemented by guided tours.  For example, guests booked on voyages beginning or ending in Bangkok or Singapore can discover the ancient temples of Angkor Wat and explore the jungle while enjoying the comforts of six-star hospitality. 

The line has also introduced eight new Grand Voyages, ranging from a 35-night Cape Town to Miami sailing, all the way up to a 72-night South American roundtrip Miami cruise.  The 49-night Singapore to Tokyo Grand Voyage introduces two new ports of call for Regent Seven Seas with: Boracay Island, known for its award winning beaches and Jeju, South Korea, home to Hallasan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.   

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New From Holland America

Yes, it is 'brochure season' in the wide World of Cruising - and here is the latest news from Holland America Line, following hot on the heels of Silversea's latest new-brochure launch:

The new 2013-14 Worldwide Cruise Holidays brochure from Holland America Line offers more than 125 exciting itineraries between December 2012 and April 2014. The brochure covers destinations including Alaska, the Amazon, Asia Pacific, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal and South America.

In preparation for the launch of its 2013 programme, HAL recently introduced “Early Advantage”, a programme encouraging guests to book early and enjoy lower fares, free upgrades and “worry-free” deposit terms whereby they can make changes to their booking without penalty, prior to the balance due date.

Destinations covered in the new brochure include:

Ex-UK Cruising

Continuing Holland America’s popular ex-UK programme, for the third year, the MS Ryndam will cruise an extended series of 10 round-trip cruises from Dover from May until August 2013, providing British guests with the perfect “premium” no-fly product. The Ryndam will offer six 7-night Fjords cruises; two 14-night Baltic cruises; and two unique 14-night “Voyage of the Midnight Sun” Fjords and North Cape cruises, which sail as far as Honningsvag within the Arctic Circle.

Early Advantage fares for these cruises currently start from just £699 per person for a 7-night cruise, featuring a free upgrade from Inside to Oceanview stateroom.

Europe

HAL features seven ships in Europe for summer 2013. The Eurodam, Prinsendam, Ryndam and Rotterdam will offer primarily Northern Europe and Baltic cruises, while the Noordam and the Nieuw Amsterdam will cruise 7-12-night Mediterranean itineraries from Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona, Venice, Piraeus and Istanbul. For the first time, the Veendam will cruise Holland America’s annual 35-night “Voyage of the Vikings” cruise from Boston, which combines a scenic circle around Iceland with calls in Newfoundland, Greenland and Eire. In the autumn, Prinsendam will offer Eastern Mediterranean, Holy Land and Black Sea cruises from Barcelona, Civitavecchia and Piraeus.

Grand World Voyage & Grand Voyages

In 2013, Holland America Line will celebrate 55 years of world cruising. The 115-night Grand World Voyage sets off from Fort Lauderdale on January 5, 2013, on flagship Amsterdam, and combines experiences that range from mystic Machu Picchu to Walvis Bay in Namibia; Vietnam’s paddy fields to Hong Kong’s high rise towers; St Lucia’s twin volcanoes to Easter Island’s mysterious stone figures. Prices start from £13,049 per person with sectors from 24 to 51 nights available from £2,959pp.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's cruise experts.

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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/.

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