Fred Olsen's Solo Specials

We often highlight the relative plight of solo travellers in the cruise world, with single supplements sometimes as much as 200% of the regular fare for two people in a cabin.

But Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines work hard to be attractive to solo guests, and have just introduced a ‘no single supplement’ on certain grades of twin cabins for sole occupancy, on a selection of 2014/15 cruises. These special ‘no single supplement’ deals, which came into effect this month, mean that a solo guest, occupying a twin cabin, will pay the same per person rate as a couple, on applicable cruises.

Once on board, solo travellers will find exclusive gatherings for them to get to know each other, and staff on board will seat them together for dinner, and arrange companions for solo travellers when going ashore, if required. There are also Gentleman Hosts and Dance Couples to provide dancing partners for solo guests. The relatively small size of Fred. Olsen’s four ships and the relaxed and friendly atmosphere on board also make their cruises especially attractive for those travelling alone.

These ‘twin-for-sole occupancy’ fares for solo travellers are now being offered on a range of cruise itineraries, including (subject to availability):

- Balmoral’s eight-night ‘Norwegian Rivers & Railways’ cruise, from Southampton on August 10.

- Braemar’s nine-night 'Canary Islands' fly-cruise, from Southampton on November 23 (flying back to the UK from Tenerife at cruise end).

- Black Watch’s eleven-night 'France, Spain & Portugal' cruise, from Newcastle on September 28.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.  

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European Waterways New Brochure

Luxury hotel barge operator European Waterways has launched its 2013 Brochure – and accompanying UK price insert – featuring cruises along the magical canals, rivers and lakes of Europe, aboard a fleet of hotel barges, ranging in size from 6 to 20 guests.

Since 1974, European Waterways has been providing high-quality barging cruises on its fully-crewed ‘floating hotels’ to a discerning clientele wishing to enjoy wonderful scenery, stimulating history and local culture and, of course, fine cuisine and wines.

New highlights introduced in the 2013 programme are: 

• Cruises along the picturesque Canal de la Marne au Rhin in Alsace-Lorraine aboard the newest addition to the fleet, the 12-passenger Panache.
• A new feature on the evocative French region of Champagne, offering cruises aboard three hotel barges at various times of the year.
• Longer Waterway Journeys, or ‘voyages of exploration’ of varying duration through several countries.

Traditionally 6-night cruises, operating from March to October, these relaxing holidays in France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, England, Scotland and Ireland, include: accommodation in air-conditioned, en suite cabins; all gourmet meals on board; selected domaine and château wines; open bar; daily escorted shore excursions; local transfers; and the use of all barge facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.

With the fully-crewed luxury vessels accommodating between 6 and 20 guests, clients can choose to either charter a whole boat with family and friends or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis. The average crew ratio is one crew member for every two passengers and includes Captain, Chef, Tour Guide and Hostesses, ensuring an extremely high level of service.

Also on offer is a range of themed charter cruises, which can be organised for special interest parties, featuring activities such as golf, walking and wine appreciation.

Prices for 6-night cruises in 2013, based on double occupancy, lead in at £2,250 per person aboard hotel barge Scottish Highlander in the Scottish Highlands, based on double occupancy in an en suite cabin; or at £14,400 for 6 passengers aboard Nymphea in the Loire Valley, on a whole boat charter basis.

For more on river-cruising, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, and, for more information, go to  www.gobarging.com. 

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Celebrity's Wine-Tasting Tour With Oz Clarke

Wine drinkers can enjoy testing and honing their taste buds this harvest season with one of the UK’s most seasoned palates as Oz Clarke leads a holiday to his favourite vineyards, chateaux and wine producing regions in the company of Celebrity Cruises.

Join Oz (above), and his friend and partner in wine tasting Tom Forrest - resident wine expert from Vinopolis, London’s premium taste destination – on a 12-night European wine immersion cruise that takes in renowned wine landscapes of France, Portugal and Spain. Guests can enjoy a full programme of on board activities and expert-led sessions - such as “Introduction to French wine,” “Cheese and wine pairing,” meet and greet sessions and wine master classes from the key regions visited, including a “Bordeaux masterclass” – all included in the price. All bespoke sessions are hosted by either Oz, Tom or both, and are informal, fun introductions to the world of wine.

Plus, guests on the cruise also have the chance to join the duo on an exclusive, specially created shore excursion in Bordeaux visiting a number of chateaux to sample some of the most delicate wines of the region, accompanied by the president of the Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux.

Wines on offer include some of the first ever tasted by Oz and, as well as inspiring his passion for the subject, are also personal favourites of both the experts. The excursion also includes lunch, with the menu and wines chosen by Oz and Tom to complement the overall experience. The personalised chateaux experience is exclusive to the sailing and available at an additional cost once guests have booked their holiday.

The exclusive Vinopolis immersive wine cruise is part of a series of European wine immersion cruises during the 2012 grape harvest offered for the first time by Celebrity on board Celebrity Constellation on October 13.

Cruises depart from Southampton throughout autumn 2012 and other sailings are available on 7 and 19 September; 1 and 25 October; and 6 and 18 November. In 2013, Celebrity  will offer a similar season of wine-themed cruises departing from Harwich on the newly refurbished Celebrity Infinity.   

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

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SeaDream Unveils 2013 European Schedule

Luxury line SeaDream Yacht Club have released their 2013 programme of European voyages for the UK market, featuring a variety of new destinations and experiences from May to October.

Their two immaculate super-yachts SeaDream I and SeaDream II will sail to Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro, Malta and Portugal, with new destinations including Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Russia. 

Highlights of the grand 2013 European season include:         

Voyage 11323, Jun 5-16: Yachting the best ports of Turkey, Greece and Croatia in 11-nights. Voyage-only fares from $7,599pp, plus govt fees and handling (approx. £5,335pp inc tax).        

Voyage 11333, Aug 17-30: 13-night full circumnavigation of the Black Sea, including Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia and the north coast of Turkey. Voyage-only fares from $9,299pp plus $868pp fees and handling (approx. £6,559pp inc tax.

Voyage 11334, Aug 30-Sep 7: An educational, 8-night voyage visiting ancient Troy and the Gallipoli battlefields in Turkey and Greece’s archaeological site of Mycenae. Voyage-only fares from $5,699pp, plus $488pp fees and handling (approx. £3,990pp inc tax).

Voyage 11335, Sep 7-13: “Mamma Mia” comes to life with calls to Skiathos Island, Volos, Kayala and Thassos in Greece. Voyage-only fares from $4,299pp, plus $441pp fees and handling (approx. £3,055pp inc tax).

Voyage 11338, Oct 2-12: 10-nights, featuring fabulous Greek Islands, Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast and a rare call to the island of Cyprus. Voyage-only fares from $6,999pp plus $610pp fees and handling (approx. £4,310pp inc tax).

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

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