Cuddle A Panda With Crystal!

OK, we have have seen some pretty amazing shore excursions, and extended shore programmes, in recent years, but this one from Crystal Cruises probably takes not just the biscuit but the whole biscuit tin! It includes an opportunity for passengers to get up close and personal with a baby panda and visit the Dala Llama's summer palace in Tibet on Crystal's China and Japan voyages in April 2014. It's part of a unique new land programme offered with two cruises, and the full details are as follows from Crystal themselves:

Next Spring, seek solitude at the Dalai Llama’s summer palace, soak up the spirituality of Tibet’s holiest sites or learn about Tibetan culture through song, dance - and and yak meat. The mysteries of one of the world’s most isolated cultures will be on full display next spring when ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises offers guests the rare opportunity to add a five-night Extended Land Programme to Tibet on to their Asia cruise. Crystal Symphony’s April 9 Hong Kong to Beijing all-China voyage and April 16 Beijing to Tokyo sailing each offer the add-on both pre and post-cruise. Round-trip from Beijing, guests will fly first-class to Chengdu, China, and Lhasa, a Tibetan city perched at 12,000 feet that literally means “place of the gods.”

Highlights of the journey include:

• Chengdu’s Giant Panda Research Base, where guests can safely snuggle with baby pandas while learning about the centre’s hugely successful conservation and breeding efforts.
• Potala Palace, a 7th century UNESCO World Heritage Site, visible from every direction, that served as the Dalai Lama’s main residence until the 1959 uprising.
• Drepung Monastery, once the world’s largest monastery and home to more than 10,000 monks, seemingly precariously set on a hillside and accessible only by a steep, unpaved road.
• Jokhang Temple, the spiritual centre of Tibet, enshrining the country’s most precious treasure, the original gold Sakyamuni Buddha statue, dating back 1,300 years.
• Barkhor Marketplace, the site of many Tibetan protests, as well as a busy commerce centre, striking an intriguing contrast between deeply rooted spirituality and the bustling nature of market economics.
• Tibetan-style dinner, showcasing traditional song and dance while sampling a variety of yak-based dietary staples, from meat to tea.
• Sera Monastery, where guests can watch monks prepare for their monastic exams with renowned mock debates in the picturesque courtyard.
• Norbulingka, another UNESCO site that boasts distinctly Tibetan architecture and has served as the administrative and spiritual centres, as well as the summer palace, for past Dalai Lamas.
• Jinli Street in Chengdu, an ancient market dating back to the Qing Dynasty, filled with everything from the aroma of spicy barbeque and authentic Sichuan favourites to local artists’ works and traditional lantern performances.

As with all of Crystal’s Extended Land Programmes, luxury accommodation, meals and transportation for the “Timeless Tibet” programme are included in the £4,775 per person, double occupancy fare. Accommodation includes one night at the Sofitel Hotel Chengdu, three nights at the St Regis Lhasa Resort and one night at the China World Hotel Beijing.

Crystal Symphony’s 13-night April 9 cruise visits Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dalian, Xiamen and Beijing, with all-inclusive fly/cruise prices starting from £4,721per person, plus a one-night complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay. The April 16 15-night itinerary calls in Beijing, Dalian and Shanghai as well as Nagasaki, Osaka, Shimizu and Tokyo with all-inclusive fly/cruise prices starting from £5,535 per person, plus a one-night complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay. The cruises offer savings of £1,613 and £1,097 respectively if booked by October 31.

Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures programme, helping earn the line top ratings for two decades.
 

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

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Impressions Of China & The Yangtze

If you have ever considered a trip to China, in luxury style and with everything included, there is a terrific new option in the 'Impressions of China & The Yangtze' cruise-tour being offered by Uniworld Cruises and Titan Travel.

Just to start with, there are an amazing selection of excursions included, such as The Great Wall of China, Shibao Pagoda, the Forbidden City and many more. Flying in to Shanghai, guests stay here for two nights before flying out to Yichang to board the new luxury vessel Century Legend.  

Guests will then enjoy a different perspective of China whilst cruising along the Yangtze for the next four days, with the amazing rock formations of the Lesser Gorges and the ancient pagoda of Shibao carved into the cliffs towering above you. A host of cultural classes and events, including tai chi, folk dance, Chinese calligraphy, opera performances and more, are also provided throughout the cruise.

The last two nights are in Beijing, with excursions to The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Included in the package are:

·        Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service.

·        2 nights in a Shanghai hotel, the 4-night cruise, 3 nights at a Beijing hotel and 1 night in-flight (ship and hotels as specified or similar).

·        Scheduled British Airways or another leading airline direct flights.

·        Meals: Breakfast on Days 3-11, Lunch on Days 3, 5-7, 9-10, Dinners on Days 4-10.

·        A selection of included shore excursions

·        Captain's Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner.

Prices are from £3,199 per person, based on two people sharing. 

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

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Nile & Yangtze Savings With Bales Worldwide

Bales Worldwide is offering their eight-day Nostalgic Nile itinerary, which includes scheduled flights and accommodation on The Amber, a traditional ‘dahabiyya’ sailing vessel, at big savings this autumn.

The wonderful trip includes English-speaking guides on board, who also take care of tipping, private air-conditioned vehicle for transfers, a sightseeing itinerary (including entrance fees), and the exclusive ‘dahabiyya’ cruise. 

The new prices are for solo travellers, based on one adult travelling on a mixed board basis (including seven breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners). The price also includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change. Prices are based on departures on September 1 and 15.

Yangtze Splendour from £2,995pp, saving up to £150pp

The splendid 15-day Yangtze Splendour itinerary, including scheduled flights and accommodation and sightseeing encompassing Beijing, Xian, Chongquing, Shanghai and the Li River, is also being offered by Bales at new reduced rates. 

There is also the option to extend the holiday and add two extra nights in Hong Kong. Again, the trip includes English-speaking guide, a sightseeing itinerary and modern medium class hotels throughout. Prices are for solo travellers, based on one adult travelling on a mixed board basis, and include all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change. Price also based on a September 22 departure date.

For more information, contact The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's experts in luxury river-cruising, on 0800 008 6677.

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Viking's China River Tours Go To 'The Roof of The World'

Here's an interesting press release this weekend from top river-cruise operator Viking, whose latest programme of cruise-tours through China now has three highly enticing possibilities.

Imperial Jewels of China, Shanghai to Beijing; from £2,245/12 Days

See all of China’s key highlights in just 12 days. Explore cosmopolitan Shanghai and, in Beijing, imperial treasures like the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Cruise the wildly beautiful Three Gorges region of the legendary Yangtze, and admire the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam. You also visit Xian, home of the famous Terra Cotta Army.

Roof of the World, Beijing to Shanghai, plus Tibet; from £2,850/16 Days

Discover the many faces of China on this fascinating 16-day adventure. See the imperial treasures of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and enjoy a 6-day Yangtze River cruise. Then experience the Tibetan plateau, known as the “Roof of the World”. Spend three spiritually enlightening days in Lhasa, visiting Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace and more.

China’s Cultural Delights, Beijing to Shanghai; from £2,695/17 Days

This 17-day odyssey explores China’s cradle of culture with an epic 11-day Yangtze cruise between Chongqing and Nanjing. See all the wonders of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and the Three Gorges, plus visit the birthplace of porcelain, the elegant classical gardens of Suzhou, a sacred Buddhist mountain and much more.

For more information, visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists at The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Crystal's World-Class Guest Speaker List

Television legend Regis Philbin, sporting Hall of Famers Hank Aaron (baseball) and Don Shula (American football), Olympians Dorothy Hamill (ice skating) and Kathy Rigby (gymnastics) and astronauts “Hoot” Gibson and Rhea Seddon join a line-up of political insiders, military leaders and foreign correspondents on Crystal Serenity’s 94-night 2012 World Cruise.

In addition to dozens of guest entertainers, Crystal Cruises has tapped top experts from varied fields to enrich and inspire via complimentary presentations throughout the epic voyage, including:

· General Hugh Shelton - Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under two US Presidents.
· Deborah Fallows - Linguistics expert, whose book, Dreaming in Chinese, was one of Oprah’s 2010 “Books to Watch.”
· Major General Pat Brady - Chief US Army spokesman and top helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.
· Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin - Former US Ambassador to Laos and Pakistan who played a key role in the post-9/11 campaign against al Qaeda.
· Tom Faranda - Global trend forecaster who predicted China’s rise.
· Farhana Qazi - Counter-terrorism expert and most prominent American-Muslim woman to study al-Qaeda and Muslim conflicts.
· Shelby Coffey III - LA Times, CNN Business News and ABC News management veteran.
· Neil Leifer - Considered the greatest sports photographer in history.

Also back by popular demand is “Ocean Views,” where noted panellists debate issues of the day.

Departing January 18, 2012, the grand round-trip Los Angeles itinerary consists of five 16-22-night segments through Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Alaska, and Canada, with numerous port overnights (including a 3-night Beijing exploration) en route.

Prices for the full World Cruise start from £33,356 per person, including complimentary World Traveller Plus flights, onboard accommodation in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, port taxes, complimentary gratuities, a complimentary three-day package to Beijing and $4,000 per person onboard credit.

Prices for the cheapest segment of the World Cruise start from £8,090 per person (based on the 19-night Los Angeles to Sydney leg departing January 18), including return scheduled flights, overnight in Los Angeles pre-cruise, 19 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, port taxes and $1,000 per person onboard credit.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Celebrity's First Asia Season Now On Sale

Celebrity Cruises has announced its first-ever season sailing in Asia in the winter of 2012/13, and the series of voyages on Celebrity Millennium is now on sale, visiting nine countries new to the brand, including Vietnam, Thailand and China.

Celebrity's inaugural Asian season will consist of a series of 14-night open-jaw cruises between Singapore and Hong Kong and includes overnight stays in Singapore, Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Halong Bay (Vietnam) and Hong Kong. The season also will include two 14-night sailings round-trip from Singapore with overnight stays in Bali (Indonesia) in January 2013.

At either end of Millennium’s Asia season will be two trans-Pacific sailings. The westbound cruise will coincide with the total solar eclipse in November 2012. Guests will be able to view the eclipse while at sea when sailing from Fiji to New Zealand. In April 2013, the ship will reposition from Hong Kong to Shanghai on a cruise featuring overnight calls in Hong Kong and Beijing (Tianjin). Millennium will then continue eastbound across the North Pacific to Alaska and will call at various ports in China, Japan, and Russia.

Guests can also take advantage of one of Celebrity's signature cruise-tours, which combine a cruise with a five-night pre or post-cruise escorted land package out of Hong Kong. They will feature trips to Xian and Beijing to view the famed Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China. All of these packages are escorted by a local tour director and include hotel accommodations, transportation, select activities, breakfasts and some additional meals.

While sailing, a variety of shore excursions are available. A number of overnight stays in port will offer the opportunity to enjoy two or three-day excursions, with examples including a two-night/three-day overland experience from Bangkok to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat (Cambodia). The tour focuses on the temples of Angkor to see the best examples of stone carvings recovered from temples across Cambodia.

During cruises that include an overnight stay in port at Halong Bay (Hanoi), an overnight shore excursion offers a visit to the Old Quarter of the city; an opportunity to witness unique Vietnamese performing arts at the Hanoi Water Puppet Theatre; dinner at a traditional restaurant; and an overnight stay in a leading hotel.

For more info, see www.celebritycruises.co.uk or contact the cruise agent specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Head to the Far East with Silversea Cruises

Join Silversea Cruises for a 10-day voyage in the Far East from just £4,698 per person, on an all-inclusive basis. Departing April 27 from Tokyo, Silver Shadow (above) calls at Hiroshima, Busan (South Korea), Jeju (South Korea), Tianjin and Beijing (China) for an overnight stay onboard, before arriving at Shanghai.

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include free Economy Class Air, port charges, government fees and taxes. $1,000 onboard spending credit is also offered per suite, for use towards additional benefits such as shore excursions, the spa, boutiques or wine restaurant.

For more information or to book a Silversea cruise, call 0844 770 9030 or visit http://www.silversea.com/ or check with the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Beijing to Hong Kong via Japan!

By guest blogger Steve Newman.

China is becoming more and more popular these days as a cruise destination and, if you can visit it with one of the most renowned cruise companies around, so much the better. With that in mind, why not have a look at Regent Seven Seas and their 11-night Beijing to Hong Kong voyage departing on October 4th on the lovely Seven Seas Navigator.

Starting at Beijing, excursions showcase The Forbidden City, the best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world. Historic Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest city square, and holds about one million people for public gatherings. Around the square, view the Monument of the National Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Further afield, you can discover one of the great ancient engineering marvels still in existence, China’s Great Wall.

The Cruise also calls at Dalian, Shanghai (three nights in this most amazing of cities), Okinawa, Taipei (with the world's tallest building) and finishes at Hong Kong.

Seven Seas Navigator accommodates 490 guests and is an all-suite vessel with a well-deserved reputation for excellent service and a refined, enjoyable cruise experience. In the six-star tradition of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the ship is destined for distinction occupying one of the uppermost niches in cruising, with an unusual level of luxury and some of the highest space and service ratios at sea. From her all-suite, all-oceanview accommodations with their luxurious marble baths, ro her signature cuisine and the superbly attentive staff, she really is an outstanding ship.

To learn more about Regent Seven Seas in person, they are exhibiting at the big Cruise Show in October at Birmingham, and also at London's Olympis next April.

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