Hit The Dance Floor On A Saga Voyage

Stop, Look, Listen – to Motown music as you sail away on the Portugal, Madeira and the Azores cruise with Saga Cruises this winter. 

Sandy beaches, lush landscapes, wine-tasting and dolphin-spotting will fill the day and, in the evening, gusts can dance to the best sounds from Berry Gordy’s Motown music machine. Better still, this cruise is all-inclusive. Priced from £1,899 for the full 15 nights, it departs from Southampton on November 8.

Saga Pearl II

There will be a Venetian masked ball on the "Adriatic Homecoming" all-inclusive classic cruise. Saga Pearl II (above) sails from Southampton and, on this melodic voyage, there will be plenty of star names, including soprano Hayley Westenra, The Operababes, The Three Tenors tribute act and The Gondolier Trio. The cruise itself visits the ancient ruins of Cartagena, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, mythical Corfu, historic Split and, of course, the beautiful city of Venice. There is also the option to take an 11-night outward journey or 13-night return.

Prices start from £1,679 for 11 nights (Nov 22-Dec 3), £1,999 for 13 nights (Dec 3-16) or £2,749 for 24 nights. There is an optional three-night stay in Venice from £399, including breakfast.

Saga Pearl II also celebrates the magic of Motown with a cruise through the Norwegian Fjords next year. Guests can hit the dance floor when they hear tracks by Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five and the Temptations, plus celebrate Berry Gordy’s record label in style when a Supremes tribute band brings those memories flooding back. Priced from £909 for 7 nights, it sets sail from Dover on May 1, calling at Bergen, Geiranger, Skojolden and Haugesund.

Saga Sapphire

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Dance ‘til you drop to the sounds of the 60s on the four-night "A Taste of the Continent" cruise to Guernsey, Belgium and Holland. Tribute band the Mersey Beatles will be topping the bill on what promises to be groovy long weekend. Priced from £519, it departs from Southampton on May 2.

Or smooch to the laid-back sounds of The Rat Pack while on the "Fjordland Gems" cruise on the chic Saga Sapphire. Visit Olden, Flam and Stavanger by day and in the evenings sing along and dance to the Kings of Cool. Priced from £876 for seven nights, it departs from Dover, on May 6 and July 1.

All holidays include UK door-to-door travel service, all meals, entertainment, gratuities, room service and travel insurance and cancellation cover. All-inclusive cruises also include house branded alcohol and cocktails and soft drinks.

To book, call free on 0800 056 8986 or visit saga.co.uk/cruises.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

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. 

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Avalon's Unique Dual Christening

Launching two new ships at the same time is a first for the river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways and will mark the 12th and 13th new Avalon vessels to enter service in Europe since 2004. The launch will bring the fleet’s total of suite ships to 3, all with two full decks of suites sized from 200-300sq ft each.

The vessels' joint christening ceremony will take place as the duo are moored alongside each other and forms part of a special five-day itinerary for both ships sailing through Holland (9-13 May). 

Avalon Visionary and Avalon Vista will offer the same state-of-the-art sleek design, spacious suites and focus on service as sister ship Avalon Panorama. The ships will feature Panorama suites with wall-to-wall panoramic windows that open to create unique ‘open air balconies’, upgrades and enhancements throughout.

Post-christening, Visionary will introduce Panorama suites to the River Rhine for the first time, sailing the 8-day Romantic Rhine itinerary (from £1,735 per person) as well as several Christmas cruises. The Vista will sail the 11-day Legendary Danube itinerary (from £2,345pp) and 13-day Blue Danube Discovery cruise (from £2,595pp), as well as the 15-day Magnificent Europe (£3,165pp). 

As well as onboard gratuities, a privately chauffeured door-to-door home pick-up service, port charges and all transfers are included.

With a choice of flexible travel arrangements on offer, regional flights or Eurostar options make the journey as easy as possible. Based on full board, the fine dining on board includes a range of international and regional dishes with local wines, beers and soft drinks served on a complimentary basis with dinner. Sightseeing with local guides with individual audio sets means visitors also get the most of shore excursions.

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

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Garden Festivals and City Breaks

Keen gardeners should seize the opportunity to visit the World Horticultural Expo in the Netherlands between April 5 and October 7 on a choice of four AmaWaterways' luxury river cruise itineraries. The show, which takes place only every 10 years, covers 66 hectares of parkland and consists of five horticultural worlds and themed zones, connected by wooded areas, with 100 exhibitors from around the world.

Each day also features a cultural programme of music, dance, literature, theatre and visual art from all over the world.

AMA's seven-night Enchanting Rhine cruise, from Amsterdam to Basel, is a typical example, with departures starting on April 19 and costing from £1,459 per person, including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, but excluding flights.

River cruising means seeing more in less time, never having to unpack or re-pack, with three of Europe’s most spectacular and historic cities - Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest - on many itineraries.

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

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Cruise To Floriade - The World Horticultural Expo

Floriade is an international exhibition of flowers and gardening held every 10 years in the Netherlands, attracting visitors from all over the world, and eWaterways is offering cruises through the Dutch and Belgian waterways that include a visit to Floriade 2012 as a full-day optional excursion.

The voyage is available on the Amadeus Brilliant, Diamond and Elegant luxury cruise ships.

For more details, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or the UK's river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Mini Cruise To Alkmaar, Holland - From £87pp

By guest blogger Steve Newman

2 Night Mini Cruise To Alkmaar, Holland - From £87pp - Departs Newcastle with DFDS Seaways

Cruise overnight and enjoy some scrumptious food, a drink in the bar and fabulous live entertainment before retiring to your en suite cabin for a peaceful night's sleep.

Next morning, after a short coach transfer, arrive in Alkmaar and spend the day exploring this pretty 17th century town surrounded by water and canals. Visit its world-famous cheese market, watching the ritual of cheesemen who bring out their wares for sale on wooden barrows. Or why not learn how beer has been made through the ages at the National Beer Museum - before sampling one of its 86 varieties in the bar!

What's Included:

· 2 nights onboard ship in a 2-berth inside cabin
· Live onboard entertainment
· Return coach transfers to Alkmaar
· 5 hours to explore Alkmaar

Departs Newcastle May 5 & September 1.

To book, visit http://www.dfds.co.uk/

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Rivers of Holland and Belgium

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Perfect for those who love to explore a number of different destinations at a leisurely pace, here's a river cruise that takes in the unspoilt and picturesque scenery of Holland and Belgium.

Begin your adventure onboard a DFDS Seaways cruise ferry and relax from the moment you step onboard in Newcastle. Enjoy some scrumptious food in one of the onboard restaurants before sitting back with a glass of wine to watch the evening's entertainment. After a peaceful night's sleep in your ensuite cabin, awake refreshed and ready to board your Croisi river cruiser.
Cruising from Amsterdam to Antwerp, you'll enjoy stop-offs on the way, including an excursion to the stunning tulip fields of Keukenhof Gardens (above). You'll also enter the Holland Diep, an inland sea, and go through locks at Volkerak and Kreekak, on the way to Belgium.

Everything is taken care of in this holiday package. All meals and entertainment are included onboard the cruise ferry and Croisi riverboat. In addition, the river voyage offers a variety of activities onboard and ashore, including commentaries and guided tours to historic and cultural sites, local attractions, museums and galleries. Voyages depart April 3, 2011.

To book, visit http://www.dfds.co.uk/

Don't forget to check out the Cruise Show website for all the lowdown and exhibitors at the Birmingham and London shows in October (16-17) and March (26-27).

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.