Epic 12,000-mile voyage to Australia with Cruise and Maritime's Astor

Cruise & Maritime Voyages  is offering the opportunity to sail down to Fremantle, Australia this coming November at a much reduced price. ASTOR departs from the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury on 5 November and sets off on a 12,000 mile epic voyage of 38 nights, visiting many interesting ports on the way including Cape Town and Durban, South Africa. 

CMV has reduced the prices this week so now starts from £2,799pp for the first passenger with the second passenger travelling at HALF PRICE. Plus there is an air travel credit of £200pp. Air travel credits increase up to £750 depending on cabin grade booked.

The 20,606-ton ASTOR joined the CMV fleet last year and has undergone a number of refits including a £14 million upgrade in 2010. She has 289 cabins including 42 suites, and 70 per cent of accommodation has an ocean view.

ASTOR Australia voyage Itinerary

Sails from London Tilbury on Wednesday 5 November, visiting Le Havre for Paris, Lisbon, Tenerife, Cape Verde Isles, Ascension Islands, St Helena, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Durban Mauritius, Reunion, Fremantle (Perth).  CMV offers a good selection of optional sightseeing opportunities throughout the voyage.

Travellers can also take a shorter journey on ASTOR from London Tilbury to South Africa Cape Town (21 nights) from £1,164pp or the sector from Cape Town down to Freemantle (17 nights) from £944pp.

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Stargazing On St Helena

In a galaxy far, far away...dark skies enthusiasts should set their sights on a new stargazing tour to the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena to marvel at some of the southern hemisphere's most stunning constellations in the company of astronomer extraordinaire, Steve Owens.

A professional stargazer, dark skies consultant and author of the book "Stargazing for Dummies," Steve set up the first International Dark Sky Park in the UK, in Galloway, Scotland, in 2009. Since then he has helped Sark and Exmoor achieve similar status and is working with a growing number of other places, including St Helena, looking to protect their nightscape.

The new 19-day tour departs from Cape Town onboard the RMS St Helena (above), one of the last working Royal Mail ships in the world, following in the footsteps of Edmond Halley (he of comet fame) who set up an observatory on St Helena to catalogue the southern hemisphere's stars. The island's location just 16 degrees south of the equator ensures virtually every constellation in the sky is visible at one time or another during the year, and this is one of the few places where both The Plough and the Southern Cross can be seen in the sky at the same time. Visitors can also marvel at the the Magellanic Clouds and the galactic centre of the Milky Way.

Time on St Helena will include guided tours of Jamestown's historical sites and buildings, visits to local landmarks such as the Heart Shaped Waterfall and Diana's Peak, coastal sightseeing, including seeking out dolphins, and nocturnal sky watching.

The tour, departing Cape Town on April 29, costs from £2,948 per person, including accommodation in a shared two-berth cabin on A deck with private facilities and full board on the ship; in a twin/double room with shared facilities on St Helena at Wellington House Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis; and all tours on St Helena with lunches and evening meals where mentioned. International flights are extra.

For bookings, be sure to check with the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677, the UK's adventure-cruising specialists.

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RMS St Helena Benefits From Big Refit

Travellers can set sail for a bygone era in style aboard the RMS St Helena, one of the world’s last working royal mail ships, which has undergone an extensive re-fit to offer increased capacity and an enhanced voyage experience.

Not just a passenger vessel, this working liner acts as the lifeline to the remote island of St Helena in the South Atlantic, sharing a fascinating glimpse into the leisured travel of days gone by. The refresh, carried out in dry dock in Cape Town, includes the addition of seven cabins affording 17 extra berths, and an improved gym with new equipment. The newly positioned gym is located on the top deck and is glass-fronted so passengers can run, row or pedal whilst admiring the ocean view.

This complements the existing facilities, which include two bars, full service dining room, a sun deck, shop, swimming pool and library.  From the attentive staff to the traditional ocean-going pastimes, passengers are assured of a first-class vintage voyage. The RMS St Helena regularly visits the ports of St Helena, Ascension Island and Cape Town. Passengers are made up of tourists and St Helenians, or ‘Saints’ as they are fondly known locally, travelling home.

The ship was built in 1989 specifically to supply the island of St Helena, the British Overseas Territory deep in the tropical South Atlantic. Royal Mail Ships are sea-going vessels that carry mail under contract by Royal Mail. The RMS St Helena is one of last remaining ocean-going vessels in the world still to carry the venerable title, held in the past by so many famous British passenger liners, the original Queen Elizabeth amongst them. She is British registered, 6,767 gross ton and has 56 officers and crew. She also has modern facilities; stabilisers, air-conditioning plus fax, email and satellite communications.

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

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St Helena Still On The Rise

The remote South Atlantic island of St Helena continues to prosper, with visitor figures rising by three per cent in 2011, according to latest statistics released by St Helena Tourism. Overall, 2,177 visitors were brought to St Helena’s shores in 2011 by the unique 128-berth passenger/cargo vessel, the RMS St Helena, currently the only regular means of accessing the island.

The UK remains the second largest source of tourists (behind South Africa, the nearest mainland to the island), accounting for 33 per cent of all tourists to the destination. With construction underway for the island’s very first airport, expected to be operational by December 2015, tourism is forecast to grow.

In addition to passengers brought ashore by the RMS St Helena, cruise ship arrivals are also rising. Seven cruise ships called at St Helena in 2011/12 bringing more than 2,800 passengers ashore, compared to 1,600 passengers in 2010/11.

A recent survey conducted by the tourist board reported very positive satisfaction levels among cruise visitors, with over 90% of visitors rating their visit as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ with people describing St Helena as ‘a place to rival Eden’. An encouraging 92% said they would recommend the island to their friends. Highlights mentioned including Jacob’s Ladder, the Napoleonic sites and Plantation House, residence of the island’s Governor and home to Jonathan the tortoise – reputed to be the oldest living animal in the world.

For bookings, be sure to contact The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading adventure cruise cruise specialists on 0800 008 6677.

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Big Savings To St Helena

St Helena Line is offering a 30% discount on its May voyage to St Helena on board the unique RMS St Helena (above) departing Cape Town on May 27. Visitors can now join the 18-day return trip between Cape Town and St Helena from just £1,428 return per person, a saving of over £600 per person, based on an A-Deck cabin with en-suite.

The discount is applicable on the 10-day sea voyage only and includes all food and entertainment on board this 128-berth passenger/cargo vessel. Passengers will spend eight nights on the remote South Atlantic Island of St Helena where there is a wide range of accommodation available. The 30% discount is valid on all published fares and all cabin grades and is subject to availability.

With the advent of the island’s first ever international airport, which is not due to be operational in December 2015, take advantage of this great offer and set sail on the RMS to visit this extraordinary island now. Currently, getting to the remote spot by sea is as much a part of the holiday. Located 1,500 miles north-west of Cape Town, St Helena boasts stunning natural beauty and is steeped in history – perhaps best known as the place where Napoleon was exiled.

For bookings, visit this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure cruising experts.

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New Voyages To St Helena

A series of new voyages departing in 2012 to the far-flung British outpost of St Helena have been introduced by St Helena Line.

Lying 1,500 miles north-west of Cape Town, the island has a rich history and dramatic natural beauty, and bookings are now being taken for the new 18-night Hideaway Tour, which departs Cape Town on May 7, 2012, on board one of the world’s last working Royal Mail ships, the 128-berth RMS St Helena (above).

Leading the tour will be Colin Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Rhodes University (South Africa), hugely knowledgeable about St Helena – its history and natural environment. Prof. Lewis will offer a special insight into this British outcrop, which was the place of Napoleon’s exile.

After a relaxing five-night voyage on board the part passenger, part cargo ship, passengers will arrive at St Helena on May 12, where they’ll be joined by island residents Basil George and Vanessa Thomas for a fascinating and diverse eight-day itinerary. Highlights include a trip to Napoleon’s last residence, Longwood House (arguably one of the finest Napoleonic museums in the world), plus other sites of historic importance, including Napoleon’s Tomb.

A boat trip, tour of the grounds at Plantation House where the Governor resides, an evening talk from the National Trust of St Helena and a walking tour of the capital, Jamestown, are also included. A Botanical Day will allow the chance to uncover some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna, plus the opportunity to spot the endemic Wirebird. The RMS arrives back in Cape Town on May 25.

The Hideaway Tour costs from £2,765 per person based on two sharing an A deck cabin. The price includes eight nights’ B&B accommodation on St Helena, entry fees and guide costs, all meals on the RMS and some meals in St Helena. Return international flights to Cape Town are not included.

For more booking details, be sure to check with the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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St Helena's Cruise Boost

More cruise and yacht visitors are being attracted to the remote South Atlantic shores of St Helena, according to the latest figures released by St Helena Tourism.

The total number of visitors arriving by sea reached 3,132 in 2010. Cruise ship numbers held up well, but the most impressive growth was demonstrated by yacht visitors, up 15% to 545 in 2010 against 475 in 2009. Significant growth is already being seen in 2011, with yacht visitors in the first quarter already at 507, almost the same level as the whole of 2010. This is no doubt in partly attributable to recently improved yachting facilities on the island.

The average number of visitors per cruise ship increased by 75% in 2010 against 2009, from 426 to 748; and cruise visitor numbers are already up for 2011 and 2012. Satisfaction levels among cruise visitors remained extremely high with 96% of visitors rating their visit good or better. For most people, it was their first visit to St Helena, and 96% said they would recommend the island to friends. Descriptions of the island included “once in a lifetime experience” and “a paradise.”

According to Janet Shankland, Sales and Marketing Executive for St Helena Tourism: “The upward trend signifies a positive future for sea-borne tourism to St Helena, with more cruise and tour operators attracted by its unique position and remarkable history and nature, best known as the place of Napoleon’s exile.

“Plans to build a new breakwater at Jamestown Wharf with enhanced landing facilities for cruise ships are also under way. This comes as part of a wider investment in infrastructure and the tourism offering under our ‘extraordinary’ branding."

Presently, the only means of getting to St Helena - located 1,500 miles from Cape Town - is by sea. The island is regularly served by one of the last Royal Mail ships, the RMS St Helena, a 128-berth passenger/cargo vessel. Other cruise lines servicing St Helena include Seabourn, P&O Cruises and Silversea. The new breakwater is expected to be completed three years after the contract, currently up for tender, has been awarded.

For more info, see www.sthelenatourism.com or the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Discover the remote hideaway of St Helena

Calling all intrepid travellers with a passion for the unknown! A new hosted tour to discover the far-flung South Atlantic island of St Helena has been introduced by St Helena Line.

Travelling on board one of the world’s last working Royal Mail Ships, the RMS St Helena, the 22-day Hideaway Tour departs Cape Town on June 17 and costs from £2,395 per person. Leading the tour from the departure will be Colin Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Rhodes University (South Africa) and an expert on St Helena, its history and natural environment. Prof. Lewis will offer a unique insight into this British outpost, taking travellers beyond the guidebook.

Arriving in St Helena on the June 22, the group will be joined by Island residents Basil George and Vanessa Thomas for a fascinating and diverse eight-day itinerary.

St Helena is perhaps best known as the place of Napoleon’s exile. The tour includes a trip to Longwood House, the last house of the French revolutionary, in addition to other sites of historic importance, including his Tomb. There is also a Botanical Day where some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna will be identified, plus a tour to spot the Wirebird, endemic to St Helena.

Other tour highlights include a boat trip, scenic island tour, evening talk from the National Trust of St Helena and a walking tour of the capital, Jamestown. The RMS arrives back in Cape Town on July 6.

The tour costs from £2,395 per person based on two sharing an A deck cabin. The price includes eight nights’ accommodation on St Helena, entry fees and guide costs, all meals on the RMS and meals as specified in St Helena. International airfares are not included. Economy fares from London to Cape Town with South African Airways start from £614 per person.

The 128-berth RMS is a unique blend of passenger ship and cargo vessel, acting as the lifeline to St Helena being the sole source of supply of all goods to her island namesake. Passengers are made up of tourists and St Helenians, or ‘Saints’ as they are fondly known locally, travelling home.

For more information, contact www.rms-st-helena.com or call the adventure cruise specialists of the The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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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