Virgin Holidays Cruises' luxury holidays

Virgin Holidays Cruises customers can now start their dream cruise in style with FREE chauffer driven transfers to the airport.  The deal is available during October on cruises with Carnival Cruise Line. The service can be taken any time from 1 October 2014 to 31 December 2015.

Top Carnival offers…

11 nights Orlando Stay and Caribbean Cruise from £949pp

Three nights at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista on a room only basis, before joining Carnival Liberty for eight nights from Port Canaveral, Nassau, St Maarten, Puerto Rico, Grand Turk and Port Canaveral. Price is per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick.  Based on 12 November departure.

10 nights New Orleans Stay and Caribbean Cruise from £1,399pp

Three nights at the Hotel Monteleone on a room only basis, before joining Carnival Dream for seven nights from New Orleans, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan, Belize, Cozumel and New Orleans. Price is per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow and transfers.  Based on 19 February 2015 departure.

Subscribe to World of Cruising magazine here          Follow us on Facebook 

Adventure Cruising blog

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.

Banish Winter Blues With A Caribbean Cruise!

The cold and dark of winter has now firmly arrived, but here at World of Cruising we're thinking about the sunshine-filled Caribbean. And Holland America Line is, too, as they are offering a bargain seven-night cruise to the region from just £585 per person, departing January 18 – the perfect way to start the New Year.

This round-trip cruise from Fort Lauderdale includes a wonderful range of Caribbean ports of call, kicking off with Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos, famed for its white beaches and coral reef. The next stop is San Juan, Puerto Rico, with its unique cultural history, followed by a call in Dutch Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Guests will then enjoy a relaxing day at Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas, before returning to Fort Lauderdale.

This seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage on MS Westerdam starts from £585pp, based on two sharing an inside stateroom, and includes full board accommodation. Fly-cruise prices are available direct from Holland America.

More info: call 0843 374 2300 or visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this month ONLY - 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.

Regent's Christmas Crackers

This December, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers guests an extra dash of merriment with all-inclusive festive sailings to the South Pacific and South America. Each ultra-luxury voyage offers the fantastic value of free round-trip air, unlimited complimentary shore excursions and ultra-luxury, all-inclusive offering on board.

Regent's team of talented chefs will serve special European and American tasting menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Sample menu items include lobster and ricotta ravioli, Christmas goose, roasted turkey on chestnut-stuffing, Bûche de Noël, and traditional pumpkin pie. An interdenominational service is also held on Christmas Eve.

Toasting the season, travellers will sail along the mighty Amazon aboard the line’s all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner for a 22-night cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Miami departing 16. The 'Ultimate Amazon' sailing offers up to 43 free shore excursions and visits eight different ports in Brazil, French Guyana, Barbados (above), St. Barts and Puerto Rico. 

Departing December 19, the 21-night 'South Pacific Secrets' voyage from Bali to Auckland aboard the 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager showcases the best of Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the 28 complimentary shore excursions, which include a winery tour in Western Australia, mountain biking in Tasmania and discovering sea lions on Kangaroo Island, guests can also enjoy the choice of a free three-night, pre-cruise land programme in Bali or a three-night, post-cruise hotel programme in Auckland. 

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

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.

A Right Royal Caribbean Winter

Royal Caribbean is featuring a huge Caribbean winter programme in 2013/14, with no less than 630 sailings on board 15 ships, departing from nine different ports and calling at 45 ports across the region. 

In total, the big American line will offer 110 different cruise holiday itineraries throughout the Caribbean for their biggest winter season ever. 

From San Juan, Puerto Rico, Royal Caribbean will once again offer year-round options aboard Jewel of the Seas, with three southern itineraries in the summer and autumn 2013 seasons, and two itineraries in the winter and spring 2013-14 seasons.

Departing every Saturday, the seven-night round-trip itineraries include calls at a range of exciting ports throughout the Windward and Leeward Islands, including St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua, and the US Virgin Islands (above), as well as St. Maarten, Barbados, Aruba and Curacao.

Additionally, Adventure of the Seas returns for the winter 2013-14 season to bolster offerings from San Juan, alternating two seven-night southern Caribbean itineraries. On one itinerary, guests call at St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Aruba and Curacao, while the second calls at Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten and St. Croix. These sailings are all now open for sale.

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

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.

A Golfing SeaDream

The Caribbean has some of the world's most beautiful and challenging golf courses and SeaDream Yacht Club has designed a December itinerary with the golf enthusiast in mind, sailing for 7 nights aboard SeaDream I, from December 2-9.

This voyage departs St John’s, Antigua, on December 2 and golfers may wish to arrive on the island early to play 18 holes at Cedar Valley, a course that offers panoramic coastline views. The yacht will be at anchor off Charlestown, Nevis, on December 4 and golfers will certainly want to play the Four Seasons Pinney’s Beach. This 18-hole course is designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and winds around the slopes of the dormant Mount Nevis volcano. 

On December 6, SeaDream I will be in Anguilla, where  18 holes at The Course at Cuisinart Resort is a must. This $50million Greg Norman signature-designed championship course offers breathtaking views of the island and the sea. The voyage ends in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 9. Golfers may wish to extend their stay ashore to play any of the nearly 30 courses on the island. A favourite is Arthur Hills Golf Course at El Conquistador Resort. This par-72 course is as challenging as it is lovely.

Other ports of call included during this voyage are Montserrat, St Barts, Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. Guests can keep their game at its best, by making use of the complimentary Golf Simulator onboard featuring 30 different courses. Sore muscles can be eased after an arduous game by visiting the SeaDream Spa, with its eight Thai-certified, massage therapists.

 

Voyage-only fares lead in at $2,999 per person, excluding golf fees, and $392 in government, port and handling fees. The holiday can be extended with SeaDream’s pre and post-voyage land packages, which include hotel, greens fees, meals and transfers. The concierge is on hand to book the tee-times and guests can either bring their own clubs or hire at the respective golf clubs en route.

 

For booking details, be sure to check this link with the UK's leading luxury 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.

SeaDream Taps Into The Hippocrates Health Institute

SeaDream Yacht Club is taking wellness and well-being holidays a step further with a unique programme in conjunction with The Hippocrates Health Institute, introducing the first of its kind at sea, a “Raw Food” menu option. 

A once-radical form of vegetarianism called the “raw foods” or “living foods” movement is creeping into mainstream. Now, aboard the twin mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, gourmet raw food is offered in addition to the regular menu.

The Hippocrates Health Institute was created over five decades ago. Over the years, it has developed the Life Transformation Programme into the definitive blueprint for transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. SeaDream’s Corporate Chef, Sudesh Kishore (above) shares dishes and beverages such as Watercress Tang (a liquid mélange of watercress, Anjou pear, lime and pineapple) and the Blood Apple Blaster (a blend of apple, ginger, red beet, lime juice and agave). Salad options include Asian-style Cashew Curry Salad (crunchy and slightly spicy) while an entrée such as Vegetable Lasagna uses pasta-like noodles made from spinach leaves and coconut meat, layered between a spicy cauliflower mash topped with a sun-dried tomato marinara.

A sample 7-night Mediterranean voyage aboard SeaDream I (including the new Raw Food menu options), sailing May 12 from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Monte Carlo now costs from $3,999, representing a saving of 55%.

A sample 7-night Caribbean voyage aboard SeaDream II (also including the new Raw Food options), sailing March 31 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, now costs from $2,899, a brochure saving of 58%.

These cruise-only fares include: accommodation, all meals, onboard gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, a complimentary open bar and use of the yachts' “water toys” and Marina (weather permitting).

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury 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.

It's A New York Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new state-of-the-art 4,000 passenger ship, Norwegian Breakaway will sail from her year-round home port of New York City to the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean during her inaugural winter season next year.

Following a summer inaugural season sailing seven-night cruises from New York to Bermuda, Breakaway will embark on a series of 25 seven-night cruises to the Bahamas & Florida beginning on October 13, 2013. The ship will also sail two 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries on January 5 and 19, 2014. 

Her ports of call will include stops in Nassau, NCL's private island in the Bahamas, (Great Stirrup Cay) and Port Canaveral in Florida along with three relaxing days at sea. These sailings run to April 27, 2014.

The ship’s 12-night Southern Caribbean cruises weill include Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Kitts, along with five sea days. Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, Breakaway will be 144,017 gross tons and is scheduled for delivery in April 2013.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's leading cruise agent 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.

SeaDream Opens for Early 2013 Bookings

SeaDream Yacht Club - with its mega-yachts SeaDream I & II, rated as the top Boutique Ships in the world by the 2011 Berlitz Guide - has released its early 2013 itineraries.

The twin, 112-guest vessels will spend January-April 2013 sailing the Caribbean, visiting the smaller yachting playgrounds and harbours that large ships cannot reach. In addition, SeaDream II will be sailing the Amazon River in February and March.

2013 Amazon Highlights

SeaDream II will sail two 20-night voyages; Bridgetown, Barbados, to Iquitos, Peru, and the return. Ports of call include Devil's Island, French Guiana; Parintins, Brazil; Manaus, Brazil; Panelas, Brazil; Leticia, Colombia, and more.

A naturalist will be aboard the Amazon voyages providing in-depth information about the great river wilderness. Excursions will feature the jungle’s exotic plants and animals, Amazonian tribes, museums and markets. On one of Brazil’s best beaches, in Alter do Chao, SeaDream hosts their Champagne and Caviar Splash™. Optional pre and post-voyage over-land adventures feature one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu.

Voyage-only fares for the two 20-night Amazon voyages, departing Bridgetown on February 10, 2013, sailing to Iquitos, Peru; and departing Iquitos on March 23, returning to Bridgetown, lead in at $16,999 per person with $1,220pp govt/port taxes.

2013 Caribbean Highlights

SeaDream II offers voyages in the lush & unspoiled Grenadines, including the islands of Mayreau and Bequia.

There are new calls in Puerto Rico to Fajardo Bay (calm, coral-rich water), Ponce (beautiful neoclassical buildings) and Caja de Muertos (superb snorkelling); more calls to Tortola and Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands; visits to the ports of La Samana and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; and continued overnight stays in St. Barts, where guests enjoy the island’s entertainment after dark.

Caribbean, 7-night voyage-only fares lead in at $3,199 per person, plus $392pp govt/port taxes, sailing round-trip from San Juan, Puerto Rico to San Juan.

These voyage-only fares above are based on two people sharing Yacht Club Deck 2 accommodation and include all meals, onboard gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, a complimentary open bar and use of the yachts' “water toys” and Marina (weather conditions permitting).

For more information, visit www.seadream.com or the UK's leading luxury cruise experts 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.

SeaDream's Star-Studded New Year

SeaDream Yacht Club has announced its two boutique, twin mega-yachts SeaDream I and II will spend New Year's Eve in the glamour haven of St. Barts.

Also known as Saint Barths, this French island offers a unique vibe of laid-back Caribbean meets chic French Riviera. Beaches, shopping, fine dinning and nightlife have made St. Barts a hot spot for billionaires, super models and Hollywood’s Who’s Who. New Year's Eve is the culmination of all things extravagant in the harbour of Gustavia. Expect 100 luxury yachts at anchor, some hosting star-studded private concerts, live music and celebrations across the island with a fireworks display at midnight.

SeaDream I, Voyage #11201, sails from San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 30 for 7 nights, spending December 31 and January 1 in St. Barts. Other islands on this itinerary are Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and St. John. The voyage concludes back in San Juan on January 6, with voyage-only fares from $5,499pp (plus $392pp govt/port charges), including all meals, onboard gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, a complimentary open bar and use of the yacht's “water toys” and Marina.

SeaDream II, Voyage #21201, sails from St. Thomas, U.S.V.I on December 30 for 7 nights, also spending December 31 and January 1 in St. Barts. Other islands on this itinerary are Saba, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Norman Island and Jost van Dyke. The voyage concludes in San Juan on January 6, with voyage-only fares from $4,699pp (plus $392pp govt/port charges), including all meals, onboard gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, a complimentary open bar and use of the yacht's “water toys” and Marina.

SeaDream’s Caribbean voyages feature their signature Champagne and Caviar Splash™ beach barbeque and ample opportunity to use the yacht’s Jet Skis, kayaks and other complimentary water toys. The line suggests booking early as space is limited on these voyages.

For more info, visit www.seadream.com or consult the UK's top luxury 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.

Jungle Journey

By guest blogger Steve Newman

When it comes to thinking about high end luxury cruising, it's a safe bet that Azamara Club cruises would be on your list.

The company has a justifiable reputation for an extraordinary level of personal service, plus superb cuisine and accommodation. New destinations have been announced for next year and amongst these new cruises for 2011 is a 14-night river cruise to the Amazon on board the Azamara Journey (above).

What is highly worthwhile about this trip is the fact you get introduced slowly to the world's greatest river. Boarding at Puerto Rico, you get four days in the Caribbean on your way, two days at sea then a week cruising along the Amazon. Yes that's right, a full week! Which just shows you how long this river is before reaching Manaus, with its amazing opera house and other vestiges of jungle colonial life.

In fact, Manaus is roughly half-way across the continent of South America, so this is not so much a river as more of a continental cruise. One of the ports of call is at Boca de Valeria, a remote village with only 75 inhabitants where you really do see a contrast in life.

Apart from two speciality restaurants, concierge amenities and butler service available to all suite guests, Journey has more verandas than most cruise ships. This means you can sit and watch the green jungle slip quietly by, listening to the howler monkeys and parrots doing what they do best (making quite a noise!) or maybe catch glimpses of a herd of capybara, the world's largest rodent (looking like giant bald guinea pigs), grazing on the banks.

Either way, the Amazon rainforest is a definite one-off in life. It's changing fast, as we all know, so perhaps we should go while we still have the chance.

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.