Cruise to the Holy Land this autumn on Celebrity Constellation

Embark on a cruise into history with a tour of Istanbul, Israel, Malta and Italy this October with Celebrity Cruises. Join Celebrity Constellation on a 12 night Holy Land cruise from £999 per person (based on two people sharing a balcony stateroom).

Price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers, one night pre-cruise hotel accommodation and a 11-night cruise departing from Istanbul and calling at Kusadasi (Turkey), Haifa, Ashdod, Valletta, and Naples before arriving in Rome for the return flight home; meals and entertainment onboard the ship and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price based on 25 October departure.

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CroisiEurope take Belle de l'Adriatique set to Athens and Istanbul

Cruising further east: CroisiEurope's MS Belle de l'Adriatique

CroisiEurope is introducing a new Athens-Istanbul itinerary for winter 2014/15 onboard the 200-guest MS Belle de l’Adriatique, which spends the summer based in Dubrovnik. Between November and March the vessel - a cross between an ocean-going cruise ship and a river boat -  will offer an eight-day cruise on the Aegean and Marmara Seas, exploring the incredibly rich culture and heritage of this region. 

Starting in Athens, the cruise will take in Patmos, Kusadasi and Pergamon before finishing in Istanbul. Highlights will include the Acropolis, Cape Sounion and the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits. There will be a choice of excursions available such as the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Patmos, the ancient Greek ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon, and the Basilica Cistern, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar and Spice Market in Istanbul. On board, a guest lecturer will enhance the guest experience by giving talks about the destinations visited and placing them within historical context.

Prices for this eight-day cruise start from £926 per person for accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, complimentary beer and wine at lunch and dinner as well as open bar throughout the voyage (not including Champagne, special wines or fine brandies), onboard entertainment and port taxes.

Book a November, December or January cruise before 30 October to receive a discount of £170 per person.

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Term-time cruises for parents, with voyages from £1,099 per person

With the school term well underway Cruise 1st has packaged up some of its best deals from Celebrity Cruises for this year and 2015 especially for the grown-ups. Whether it’s a Caribbean voyage, an eastern Mediterranean adventure or a New York and Bermuda trip, there are bargains to be had outside the school term.

Under £1,100

15 nights stay and cruise with Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse: New York and Bermuda special – £1,099 per person

Departing 9 November 2014 from Southampton, guests can enjoy six nights onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse (Above) and indulge in treatments at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub or relax at the ice-topped Martini Bar and Crush. On arrival in the States, guests will then spend two nights exploring the bright lights of New York City followed by another night at sea before arriving at Kings Wharf in Bermuda. 

Price is based on two sharing a deluxe ocean view stateroom with veranda. The cruise is on a full board basis and also includes flights from Miami to London Heathrow. Manchester and Birmingham airports are available at a supplement of £60 per person and includes a free coach transfer to Southampton.

Under £1,200

10 nights stay and cruise with Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox: Eastern Mediterranean with Athens stay and tour – £1,199 per person

Departing 10 June 2015, guests will spend three nights in Athens and enjoy a city tour before stepping onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox for a seven night tour of the Mediterranean. Highlights include the quintessential Greek island of Santorini and Istanbul the cosmopolitan capital of Turkey. Additional highlights include the Greek islands of Mykonos and Rhodes, as well as Kusadasi in Turkey.

Price is based on two sharing an interior room on a full board basis. Price also includes return flights to Athens from London Heathrow.

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Bag Some Credit With Oceania

Yes, it's still 'Wave' Season, and yes, there are still some great cruise deals to be had in the first few weeks of the New Year.

Like this one from Oceania Cruises, who are offering $200 onboard credit for all cruises booked by next Monday, January 13.

The offer is applicable for ALL sailings on the line’s five luxury ships, Riviera, Marina, Regatta, Insignia and Nautica. All cruises include return UK flights, all meals, no supplement for speciality dining, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

Like these two wonderful sailings (with guaranteed sunshine!): 

March 28: 10-night Caribbean cruise for £1899 (saving £1290pp)

This voyage feature a new lower fare (was £3,189) and free gratuities, plus the bonus of $200 onboard credit to spend in the ship’s boutiques and spa. It is a round-trip sailing from Miami on Riviera (above), taking in the Caribbean islands of Antigua, St Barts, Barbados, Tortola and St Lucia.

May 5: 10-night Turkey, Holy Land and Greek Islands cruise for £2,109pp

Enjoy free gratuities, internet, and an amazing £1,647pp saving, as well as the bonus $200 onboard credit for this `Historic Holy Lands’ sailing, from Istanbul to Athens. In addition to the Greek islands of Rhodes and Patmos, Riviera visits Kusadasi, Cyprus and Haifa, where a two-night stay enables guests to discover the Holy Land with a range of optional excursions.

More info: call 0845 505 1920 or visit www.oceaniacruises.com.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have SO much to offer in 2014. Check out the special rates on this link!

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New Offers From Oceania

Regular readers of Time Spent At Sea will know we are big fans of Oceania Cruises and their wonderful foodie style on board, with a magnificent choice of dining, all with a gourmet style and for no extra supplement. So, when the cruise offers role in, we like to highlight some of the best, and these latest ones from Oceania really take some topping.

Take your pick from:

March 28, 10-night Caribbean cruise, saving £959:
Oceania is offering a big saving on this voyage on their newest mid-sized luxury ship, Riviera. The 1,250 guest veseel will depart a round -rip cruise from Miami and call into the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia and St Barts. The price of £1,809pp (was £2768) also includes return flights from London, a $300 per stateroom onboard credit, all meals, and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks. 

May 5, 10-night Mediterranean cruise, saving £1,419:
This voyage also has a $300/stateroom onboard credit as it sails from Venice on Riviera. The ship will cruise down the west coast of Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece, calling into Santorini and Kusadasi, before cruising the Aegean sea back to Athens. The sailing now costs £1,319pp (was £2,738).

June 28, 7-night Alaska cruise, saving £731pp:
Oceania is offering a $500 onboard credit per stateroom with all Alaska cruises this summer on board 650-guest Regatta. This departure also has a big saving off its 'Coastal Alaska’ itinerary, taking in the region’s most spectacular fjords and glaciers, including the Inside Passage from Seattle. The price of £1,569pp (was £2,300) again includes all meals, no supplement for speciality dining and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks. 

August 10, 14-night Baltic cruise, saving £2,465:
Embark the luxury 1,250-guest Marina in Southampton for an ex-UK cruise through Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden) and the Baltics (Estonia and Latvia), with a full three days (two nights) in Russia. The voyage is now  offered at £1,929 (was £4,394), plus a $200 per stateroom on board credit, and with a return flight from Stockholm. 

August 16, 10-night Mediterranean cruise, saving £1,594:
Take the family on an educational cruise during the school summer holidays, spending three full days (2 nights) in Haifa, and an itinerary that starts in Athens and also visits Crete, Limassol, Rhodes, Kusadasi (Ephasus), arriving into Istanbul, for a final day in the city. The cruise on Riviera now costs £1,319 (was £2,913), including a $300 per stateroom credit. 

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

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Big Early-Winter Savings With Oceania

Oceania Cruises is is offering cruise savings of more than 50 per cent PLUS up to $1,000 in onboard on an array of tempting voyages departing this November and December.

Take a look at this selection:

1^st November: Istanbul to Athens, 7 nights at £912, saving £895

Deluxe 1,250-guest ship Marina sails from Istanbul to Athens, calling into the Turkish coast and Greek islands, including Kusadasi, Rhodes and Crete, and this `Mediterranean Medley’ cruise now costs from £912pp, (was £1807), including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and a $500 ship board credit per stateroom.

15^th November: Istanbul to Dubai, 21 nights at £2,322, saving £1,575 

Enjoy the luxury of sailing on a smaller ship, with free flights, a $1,000 credit per stateroom and a big saving off the original fare as 650-guest ship Nautica departs from Istanbul, sailing via Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and the UAE, to arrive into Dubai on December 6. The cruise was £3897, and includes free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks, as well as the $1,000 ship-board credit.

10^th December: Rio to Valparaiso, 17 nights at £2,792, saving £1723

This grand winter cruise on Marina ensures Christmas Day is a relaxing one, as the ship will be at sea in the Pacific Ocean, between port calls in Chile, after several days cruising the Chilean fjords. Sea days provide time to enjoy the ship’s facilities, which apart from the finest restaurants at sea, include tennis and golf on the top sports deck, a walking track, gym and exceptional spa facilities. 

This `Fjords & Wonders’ cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso departs now costs from £2,792pp (was £4515), including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and a $500 ship-board credit per stateroom.

20^th December: Christmas in the Grenadines, 14 nights at  £2,312, saving £2077 

This blissful Caribbean cruise also boasts free flights and an extra $300 stateroom credit as Oceania's newest ship, Riviera, will spend Christmas in the British Virgin Islands and the Grenadines, with Christmas Day alongside the island of St. Vincent, Christmas Eve in Antigua and Boxing Day in Barbados. The price was £4,389 (saving £2,077).

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising 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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More Savings From Oceania

Oceania Cruises is offering savings of up to £1,982 per person and a $500 per stateroom onboard credit (to use as guests wish in the restaurants, bars, spa and shops) for all bookings made by March 31.

Here are two great examples:

May 2: 10-night Mediterranean Tapestry cruise, Athens to Barcelona, now from £999pp plus $500 credit on newest ship Marina; the itinerary takes in the best of the Med departing from Athens for Kusadasi in Turkey, calling into Santorini, Sicily, Livorno (overnight), Marseilles and Barcelona (price excludes flights).

July 27: 12-night Italian Interludes cruise, Rome to Venice, now from £1,149, plus $500 credit; experience the very best of Italy and the central Med, including the islands of La Spezia, Capri and Sicily and port calls into Monte Carlo, St Tropez, Corfu and Dubrovnik. This voyage on Regatta was £1,690pp (a saving of £541pp), based on two sharing, and also includes all meals with no supplements for Oceania's excellent speciality restaurants, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water (excludes flights).

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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Royal Caribbean's Kid-Friendly Half-Term

Join Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas for a seven-night Eastern Mediterranean fly/cruise from £669 per adult and £599 per child (based on two adults and two children sharing an inside cabin). Plus receive $100 onboard spending money per booking if you book by April 30.

The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers and the seven-night cruise departing Civitavecchia (Rome) and calling at Messina (Sicily), Piraeus (Athens), Kusadasi (Turkey) and Chania (Crete) before returning to Civitavecchia; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on May 29 departure.

For more info, www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or visit the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Go Yoga Cruising With Star Clippers!

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests free daily yoga and meditation in August as part of two yoga-themed cruises in the Aegean Sea on board the 170-passenger tall ship Star Clipper.

With settings including the emerald and turquoise coastline of Turkey, or the dramatic, black volcanic cliffs of Santorini as a background, yoga classes will take place in the open air, on Star Clipper’s sun-warmed teak decks, under thousands of square feet of billowing sails – the ultimate relaxation for body and soul, enhanced by the fresh sea air.

Qualified yoga teacher Christel Vollmer will be holding the daily sessions of Astanga yoga, also known as power yoga, on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. Christel will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home.

For those who want to follow a healthy or vegetarian diet during the cruise, Star Clippers’ usual sumptuous breakfast buffets, piled with fresh, seasonal fruits, and magnificent arrays of salads at lunchtime will be available, as well as vegetarian choices at dinner.

Astanga yoga is a dynamic and powerful style of yoga based on a sequence of easy-to-learn movements called asanas. Christel’s classes, which take place in English, will be suitable for all levels and no prior experience is required. There is no upper age limit for practicing yoga; Christel herself is in her fifties, with many years of teaching experience, having trained under West Coast-based Bryan Kest, yoga guru to stars including Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Sting.

There are two yoga cruises to choose between. 'Southern Cyclades' departs Athens on August 6 and calls at Rhodes, Bodrum, the Dalyan River, Santorini and Hydra. 'Northern Cyclades', also on Star Clipper, departs Athens on August 13 and calls at Kusadasi, Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia. Each itinerary includes a day at sea for extra relaxation and contemplation.

Prices start from £1,160 per person, including flights from London (to the value of £350 per person), port taxes and full board on the ship (transfers are extra).

For more info, see www.starclippers.co.uk or the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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