Enjoy A Red Sea Winter With MSC

Escape to warmer climes this winter, and embark on a seven-night cruise to the Red Sea with MSC Cruises from just £689 per person – including return flights. On board MSC Armonia, guests will be able to explore the rich history and culture of this ancient region. Be it cultural enlightenment, relaxation or adventure, all shore excursions are tailored to encourage guests to discover this beautiful region at their own pace and according to their taste.

From November 10 to March 16, the ship has a full schedule of 19 cruises, departing every Sunday from Sharm El Sheikh, with scheduled stops in Sokhna and Safaga (Egypt), Aqaba (Jordan) and Eilat (Israel).

Itinerary highlights include tours of the Dead Sea incorporating a clay bath; visits to Bedouin settlements; trips to southern Jordan’s timeless and stunning Wadi Rum valley (above) and drive and fly-tours through the wildly beautiful landscape of the Negev desert.

MSC Armonia features 777 beautifully appointed cabins. Its luxurious facilities include four restaurants - offering excellent Mediterranean and international cuisine - several bars and lounges, the incredible MSC Aurea Spa, a mini-golf course, numerous boutiques, casino, theatre, nightclub and children’s club.

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

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Around The World With Silversea

Leading luxury cruise operator Silversea has announced  it will start 2014 - its 20^th anniversary year - with an exceptional voyage. The special 113-day 2014 World Cruise will encompass 54 ports in 29 countries, with 12 overnights and eight late departures.

Setting sail from Los Angeles on  January 6, the 382-guest Silver Whisper will circumnavigate the entire globe. Heading first into the Pacific, the ship calls at Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand before a two-day call at Sydney. The three days in Hong Kong and two days in Shanghai that follow will allow an extensive array of Overland Adventures, and a myriad of half and full-day excursions.

Guests will then spend a month exploring Asia calling at Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia before arriving at one of the world’s most intriguing and enigmatic destinations, Myanmar. Silver Whisper will remain at dock in Yangon for three days to allow ample time to discover the colonial architecture of Burma’s largest city, monumental Shwedagon Pagoda, and unforgettable Bagan with its 2,200 temples and pagodas. The antiquities and urban contrasts of India, Oman, Jordan and Egypt are then followed by twin calls in the Holy Land.

The global journey concludes with a sweep of former capitals of empire, notably Istanbul, Athens and Rome and the delights of Messina, Sorrento and Monte Carlo. An overnight in Barcelona will bring the World Cruise to an artistic conclusion.

Options are also available to extend the journey, by adding a pre-cruise Panama Canal voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles (17 days), or extend from Barcelona to Lisbon (7 days) or Southampton (16 days).

Full World Cruise guests will enjoy a number of added benefits, including a gala Bon Voyage evening at the Montage Beverly Hills (or similar), baggage valet service, inclusive air (or air credit), generous onboard spending credits, exclusive shoreside events, such as an overnight visit to Angkor Wat, with dinner in the shadows of Bayon Temple, and a delightful array of surprises.

Prices start from £33,650 per person, based on double occupancy for the 113-day cruise.

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

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Grab A Luxury Oceania Saving

Food-lovers' cruise line Oceania Cruises is offering up to $1,000 onboard credit and savings of more than 50 per cent on select departures between October and May. These great new deals also include free flights, all meals, soft drinks and bottled water on board.

Those looking for a real cruise bargain can choose from:

November 1, Istanbul to Athens, 7 nights now from £912:
Oceania's 1,250-guest ship Marina features six fine-dining restaurants and no dining supplements and departs from Istanbul, calling into the Turkish coast and Greek islands, including Kusadasi, Rhodes and Crete. This 'Mediterranean Medley’ was priced at £1,807pp and includes all flights, meals and a $500 ship-board credit per stateroom. 

November 15, Istanbul to Dubai, 21 nights now from £2,322:
Enjoy the luxury of sailing on a smaller ship, free flights, a $1,000 credit per stateroom and a saving of £1,575 off the original fare. The 650-guest Nautica departs from Istanbul to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and the UAE, arriving in Dubai on December 6. The cruise was £3,897 and also includes return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks as well as the onboard credit.

December 20, Christmas in the Grenadines, 14 nights from £2,312:
Save £2,077 off a grand Christmas Caribbean cruise and enjoy free flights and an extra $300 stateroom credit. Oceania's newest ship Riviera will spend Christmas in the British Virgin Islands and Grenadines, with Christmas Day alongside the island of St. Vincent, Christmas Eve in Antigua and Boxing Day in Barbados. The 'Island Holiday’ cruise was £4,389, including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and ship-board credit.

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

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Zegrahm Expeditions - "Tours of a Lifetime"

Zegrahm Expeditions has been selected for National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s “Tours of a Lifetime” honour for the second time, highlighting the company's keen eye for superb adventure travel.

In the past, the honours have been bestowed upon Zegrahm's natural history-focused expeditions — Beyond Rapa Nui, Ultimate Seychelles, and Faces of Melanesia — but, this year, they are excited to announce the award has been bestowed uopn a new, in-depth cultural tour: Voyage Through the Red Sea. This 17-day expedition, aboard the Clipper Odyssey, departs November 6 and visits Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Eritrea.

This voyage combines the Red Sea’s best cultural attractions along with several opportunities to snorkel and dive, plus offers a rare glimpse into a number of hospitable countries rarely visited by Western travellers. Highlights of this tour include:

• Exploring the rose-colored wonders of Petra, the capital of the ancient Nabatean Empire and now a World Heritage Site.

• Cruising along the Nile in a traditional felucca sailing vessel.

• Visiting several exquisite World Heritage Sites in Egypt — the Monastery of St. Catherine (above) and the treasures of ancient Thebes, including Luxor, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings.

• Walking tour of Jeddah’s well-preserved old city, considered the gateway to Mecca.

• Snorkelling and diving in the shimmering waters of the Dahlak Archipelago, an area renowned for its rich marine life and scenic beauty.

To learn more about this voyage, visit www.zeco.com or contact the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Sailing with the Pharaohs

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Cruising in style and luxury with the ambience of a bygone age is a delight to be experienced as much as possible. The late 19th century aristocracy of Europe would partake in cruising along the ancient splendours of the Nile Valley in their private ‘Dahabiyyas,’ beautifully crafted wooden sailing vessels that presented the might of the Pharaohs from the vantage point of elegant convenience. Now Bales Worldwide have recreated those halcyon days with their best-selling itinerary.

Travelling with a small select group, you can witness the ancient treasures of Egypt up close and in a manner thought lost forever by discerning travellers. Avoiding the crowds you have the advantage of an expert guide on hand to enlighten you along the way.

Completing the entire journey between Luxor and Aswan (or vice versa) by boat also provides the opportunity to truly relax, with 7 nights onboard to fully appreciate this classic journey. The cruise will operate either from Luxor to Aswan or in the reverse direction. You will be booked on one of the 4 exclusive Dahabiyyas to Bales: Amber, Musk, Nesma and Zahra. All the Dahabiyyas are identical with the exception of the décor.

The company also offers luxury holidays to more than 50 countries, including Canada, China, Egypt, Ecuador & the Galapagos islands, India, Jordan, Peru and Tanzania. These can be a select journey where you have local guides or a tailor-made holiday of your making.

You can find out more at http://www.balesworldwide.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.

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