The Majestic Line Team Up With Best Scottish Tours

Cruising in the highlands of Scotland has become big business in recent years, and here is news of a new tie-up between two specialist operators in the area that should make it even better (and better value) in future.

The Majestic Line have just announced a new collaboration with Best Scottish Tours to provide a wonderful land and sea experience of Argyll and the Hebrides this Autumn.

This new 10-day 'Castles and Clans of Mull and Glencoe' tour will provide a unique insight into Scotland's incredible Clan history, with a 6-day cruise on The Majestic Line, visiting iconic castles such as Duart Castle, seat of the Clan Maclean, and Castle Stalker, ancient stronghold of the Stewart Clan. 

This will be followed by a 4-day land tour provided by Best Scottish Tours visiting, for instance, the ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod at Dunvegan Castle on Skye and Scotland's most famous castle, Eilean Donan, in the West Highlands. The cruise departs from Oban on October 11 and 18.

More info: call 07748 360 148 or visit www.themajesticline.co.uk. 

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Majestic's New Wildlife Partnership

Innovative small-ship cruise company The Majestic Line,has confirmed their partnership with one of the country’s top wildlife guides, providing an exciting land tour on their new 2014 Hebridean cruise, named ‘Around Mull: Wildlife Explorer’.

The new voyage is aimed at guests keen to discover the many extraordinary diverse and rare species that make this island one of the premier hotspots for wildlife in the UK. The company’s crew of four have sailed these sheltered waters for many years and have first-hand experience of spotting incredible wildlife throughout the cruising season, including basking sharks, porpoises, Minke whales, otters, white-tailed and golden eagles.  

Guests can soak up an abundance of wildlife in comfort and style aboard Majestic's pair of mini cruise ships, enjoying exceptional hospitality against a stunning backdrop of mountains, remote white sandy beaches, and ancient castles.

More info: call 07748 360 148 or visit www.themajesticline.co.uk. 

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

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Enjoy That Highland Spirit With Majestic

Small-ship cruising has become BIG cruise business in recent years, and we are always keen to highlight the latest ideas and offers here at World of Cruising.

And, if the Highlands of Scotland appeal to you, here is a chance to celebrate the birth of Spring on the West Coast with three new tempting special deals from the award-winning Majestic Line.

Three different 6-night itineraries are on offer at a 10% discount exploring the idyllic Argyll and Hebridean landscape, rich in history, wildlife and breathtaking scenery.

Majestic’s cruising season opens on April 5 with a grand one-way 6-night tour of Argyll and the Hebrides, sailing from the magnificent Firth of Clyde around the dramatic Mull of Kintyre to the Islands of the Hebrides, and stopping over at Gigha, Jura and other remote island anchorages en route to Oban.

The month of April has consistently been one of Majestic best cruising months, with high levels of sunshine, longer days and a landscape reborn with abundant springtime flora and fauna, an inviting prospect for guests looking for a special maritime adventure.   

Visitors can savour the scenery and exceptional hospitality onboard the company’s stylishly restored wooden fishing vessels, with a gourmet menu rich in local speciality produce and an experienced crew who have sailed these waters for many years.

More info: call 01369 707951 or visit www.themajesticline.co.uk. 

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A Hebridean New Year

Not everyone thinks of the UK when it comes to cruising, but it is increasingly the case there are a wide variety of cruise options both in and around the British Isles and Ireland. It is a great way to see a lot of the country in real comfort and style, and there are now several dozen opportunities to give it a try.

 

However, one of the 'little secrets' of the cruise world is that there is a deluxe niche operation based in and around the west coast of Scotland that has been in business since 1989 and is really worth seeking out. We have featured Hebridean Island Cruises several times in World of Cruising itself and it is pretty clear that if the boutique-style of the Hebridean Princess is good enough for Her Majesty the Queen, it ought to be high on most people's wish list!

 

With that in mind, here are three typical Hebridean Island options in March, which we think are well worth highlighting, especially as they have special fares available for those booking in advance, a Hebridean New Year, if you like.

 

Take your pick from:

 

Treasures of the Clyde: 6-night cruise, departing March 5; prices start from £2,040 per person for an outside cabin. Enjoy the contrasts of the new season from the comfort and luxury of the Hebridean Princess with this new itinerary that takes in the diverse landscapes of the Scottish Islands, from grand castles to remote island retreats. 

Footloose to the Lochs and Isles: this seven-night cruise departs March 18, with prices starting from £3,430 per person for an inside cabin. Dust off those walking boots for the first Footloose walking cruise of the season with this new itinerary that introduces new walking routes alongside old favourites. 

Jewels of the Western Seaboard: a seven-night cruise, departing March 25, with prices starting from £2,260 per person for an inside cabin. Take in picture postcard villages, breathtaking lochs and wild glens with this journey of discovery around the western coast and Inner Hebrides.

More info: call 01756 704 700 or visit www.hebridean.co.uk.

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!

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Scottish Ports On Course For Record Cruise Season

Cruise Scotland - the marketing association for the Scottish ports of call - is stepping up its campaign to attract more visitors in future on the strength of a forecast for record numbers in 2014.

 

An end-of-season report reveals that passenger figures this year were up 9.7% on 2012 to 384,639, influenced in part by increasing vessel capacity (like the QM2 at Greenock, above). Vessel calls at 454 were down slightly on the 466 ships seen last year but cruise tourism is estimated to have been worth £48.8 million to Scotland in 2013, a rise of 5%.

The trend towards larger vessels continues next year with 450 arrivals currently expected, carrying approximately 390,000 passengers, the highest number yet to ports around the country. And Victor Sandison, Cruise Scotland’s Chairman, said: “Working closely with the Scottish Government and various agencies, we continue to make significant progress in a highly competitive, expanding international market.

“Over the past four seasons, vessels calling are up 26%, passengers by 43% and the value of cruise tourism to Scotland by 52.5%. We are committed to increasing awareness of the country’s many attractions, improving visitor experience and growing our market share.”

Scotland’s Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP, added: “With the end of season figures showing an increase in passenger figures during 2013 as well as 2014 currently scheduling around 390,000 passengers, these are very encouraging results. They are testament to the hard work of all the industry and the hard work of the Cruise Scotland team.            

“The Scottish Government will continue to support the cruise industry, across all of Scotland, and we will work closely together in order to make the most of what Scotland has to offer at every potential destination – irrespective of the size of the vessel.”

Challenges faced by the industry currently include continued lobbying with other UK bodies, trade associations and ports to resolve issues over the UK Border Force’s face-to-document checks for passengers; tougher sulphur emission controls from 2015, which may impact on cruise calls to some ports; and constraints on coach capacity in some regions alongside insufficient tour guides with linguistic skills.

* Cruise Scotland was established in 2009 to promote and market Scotland as a first-class cruise destination to operators and work on behalf of members on relevant issues. It now has 20 members, including 16 ports, large and small, two major ground handlers/shore excursion providers and two castles, with recruitment ongoing.

 

More info: visit http://www.cruisescotland.com/ or call 01854 612724.

 

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! 

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Majestic Line's New Wildlife Explorer

Exclusive Scottish small-ship cruise company The Majestic Line is to launch a new, dedicated ‘Wildlife Explorer’ cruise for 2014. 

This new 6-night cruise is aimed at guests keen to see at first hand the rich variety of animal, bird and marine life that thrives on the pristine Hebridean coastline in the Highlands of Scotland.

The new ‘Around Mull: Wildlife Explorer’ cruise will tour the unspoiled natural beauty of the Isles of Mull, Iona and Treshnish. Anchorages include Loch Spelve on Mull, well-known for its playful otters and white-tailed eagles, where guests can enjoy walking through an ancient oak forest, or exploring on the magical island of Iona, famed for its holy Abbey and white sandy beaches, where the elusive corncrake is often seen and heard. Guests can take a trip by boat tender into Fingal’s Cave on Staffa to see at first hand the incredible rock formations and wildlife there as well as exploring Lunga Island to spot colourful puffin colonies.

This new cruise also features an additional full day land tour of Mull to discover more about the island’s wild inhabitants, flora and fauna. Trips to dramatic Duart Castle, ancient seat of the Clan Maclean with its turbulent history and spectacular setting, and Tobermory, Mull’s vibrant and colourful main town, will ensure guests also experience the wonderful heritage of this very special area of Scotland. The price of a 6-night cruise in 2014 is from £1,880 per person.

More info: visit http://www.themajesticline.co.uk/ or call 01369 707951.

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!

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Majestic's October Bonus

Specialist Scottish waterways cruise company The Majestic Line has a series of special offers for a late-autumn voyage in their unique 12-passenger vessels.

With remaining departures on October 12 and 19, Majestic are featuring a special 10 per cent discount on both cruises.

The Heritage and Wildlife of Mull & Glencoe 6-night cruise visits dramatic Duart Castle, home of the Clan MacLean, and the pretty town of Tobermory on Mull before navigating the magnificent sea lochs of Loch Sunart and Loch Linnhe, cruising past picturesque Castle Stalker on the way to Glencoe.

Guests can then see the engineering wonder of Neptune’s staircase on our Loch Ness & the Caledonian Canal 6-night cruise leading to Loch Ness, with its ancient Castle Urquart shrouded in myth and legend. The area is full of romance and mystery, with amazing scenery. This cruise is one-way, following the entire Caledonian Canal between Oban on the west coast and Inverness on the East.

2014 cruises now available at this year's prices for a limited time only

Majestic's 2014 calendar of nine unique cruises is now available on the website, currently at this season's prices. Unfortunately, they will soon be putting prices up due to their own increased costs but not yet! Book your 2014 cruise now and benefit from this year's prices.

For more info and bookings, see Majestic's website at www.themajesticline.co.uk. More more adventure-cruise ideas, be sure to follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Grab A Last-Minute Saving With Hebridean

Luxury cruise line Hebridean Island Cruises is offering up to 30% off last-minute bookings for this autumn. Guests can save up to £1,720 per person on cruises departing from October 2 to November 6.

Itineraries available include:

• The Small Isles and Skye: a seven-night cruise from £3,410 per person – a saving of £1,140pp. Cruise departs from Oban on October 9 and calls at Eigg and Canna, Skye, Uig and Portree, Plockton, Inverie, Rum and Muck and finishes in Oban.
• Gems of The Inner Isles: a seven-night cruise from £2,750 per person – a saving of up to £1,190pp. Cruise departs from Oban on October 16 and calls at Rum, Shieldaig, Portree, Inverie, Eigg and Glenmore, Tobermory and Craignure before calling back at Oban.
• Lochs And Isles: a seven-night cruise from £2,295 per person – a saving of £765 per person. Cruise departs from Oban on October 30 and calls at Rum and Eigg, Inverie, Plockton, Kerrera, Lismore, Fort William and Ballachulish, before finishing in Oban.

Prices for all cruises include transfers between Glasgow and the ship or free car parking in Oban, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities, plus all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

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

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