Cross the Atlantic on Anthem of the Seas for £799

Quantum of the Seas arrives in the UK today for the first – and possibly only – time, ready for a weekend being shown off to and being tested by some of the world’s media and travel trade partners.

Sister ship Anthem of the Seas (above) comes to Southampton in April 2015, and there are already deals on offer for her Transatlantic crossing to New York departing on 27 October.

Fares start at £799 pp for the nine-night cruise (including return flight to the UK) and an additional £299 secures a two-night stay in New York. The lead-in fare is for an inside cabin complete with virtual balcony – a wall-sized screen showing the view outside in real time. Outside cabins start at £899 pp and balconies are from £999.

Some of the other itineraries Anthem will be sailing during summer 2015 include a three-night cruise to Bruges and Le Havre departing 30 April from  £499 pp (ocean view) or £549 (balcony). An eight-night cruise to France and Spain, visiting Vigo, Gijon, Bilbao and Le Havre, departing 22 April, starts at £999 pp. A 13-night cruise to Vigo, Funchal, Lanzarote, Las Palmas and Tenerife, departing 15 September, from £1,699 (ocean view) and £1,899 (balcony).

The Quantum-class vessels are among the most technologically advanced cruise ships in the world, with first-of-a-kind features including dodgem cars, the NorthStar observation pod, a RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, and robotic bartenders. The ships have also banished traditional main dining rooms and feature so-called Dynamic Dining in a number of themed restaurants.

That 27 October departure could be the last time we see Anthem in the UK - at present there are no plans for the ship to return to Europe. Details from Iglu Cruise  0208 544 6620.

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Day Six of our walking cruise on Black Watch - Oysters, pubs and bars

      

We had an enjoyable walk around Vigo this morning, climbing up to the castle above the town for views of the bay. Our local Ramblers Worldwide guide took us back through the labyrinth of the old town with its small bars  and shops to arrive at Oyster Street.  As the name suggest it‘s here you’ll find outside tables in this shaded area with chefs preparing the oysters for the locals to eat at nearby tables.

On returning to the ship I decided to take a drink before the evening meal in the Morning Light Pub (above and below). For World of Cruising readers who have travelled on Black Watch before Fred Olsen have made a number of significant upgrades onboard and the Morning Light is one of them. 

Formerly known as the Piper’s Bar, it has been transformed into a stylish light and airy space with comfortable red leather sofas and matching curtains. The Scottish décor has been removed and replaced with oil paintings and stained glass windows of 19^th century sailing ships.

Large glass cabinets behind the bar hold a selection of spirits and the whole place has an air of sophistication.  It’s the ideal place for a cocktail or that special after dinner coffee with a brandy or even a drink before the show in the adjacent Neptune Lounge. The two pumps offer Stella Artois and Boddingtons, both equally welcome after a hot day walking in northern Spain!

Fred Olsen have also incorporated the Café Venus near the library with chocolates and coffees to die for, but more of that tomorrow after we get back from our walk in Oporto.

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Day Five and we're rambling around the old town of Vigo

  

We woke up this morning to find Black Watch in Vigo and we have to disembark the ship at 9.30 for our long walk today. We don’t get back till about five so some of us are talking about skipping the meal onboard as we have an overnight here and going out for a tapas and wine walk as the locals do.

We had a great day yesterday in La Coruna (above) with an excellent  Ramblers Worldwide walk around the old city and spent time chatting with some of the locals. The main street is dominated by houses some five stories high with incredible ten foot elongated sash windows. Perched on a colonnade that has been turned into cafes and shops it reminded me of Cagliari in Sardinia.

Then a visit to the town square and what must be one of the grandest town halls in Europe followed a long walk out to the ancient lighthouse with fabulous views.  We will be in Oporto for our next port of call so I’ll be trying out the ruby and tawny ports and introducing everyone else to the joys of white port and tonic!

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Anthem of the Seas inaugural season all-inclusive offer

Amongst the innovations on offer with Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas are robot bartenders, a wrist band for opening cabin doors and paying bar bills, and an app that lets you monitor your baggage from check-in to the cabin - as well as the fastest internet connection at sea. All this plus sky-diving, dodgem cars, and the North Star observation pod.

You can sample all of this when Anthem sails from Southampton in 2015.  Joining Anthem of the Seas in its inaugural season will let you take advantage of the company’s current all-inclusive holiday offer. Guests who book on select 2015 voyages can enjoy gratuities and select (wine up to £5) or soda drinks packages included into the price of their holiday.

A 13-night Sunshine in the Canaries cruise is priced from £1,549 per person (based on two people sharing an interior stateroom). Price includes gratuities, a select or soda drinks package per person and a 13-night cruise departing from Southampton and calling at Vigo , Madeira, Tenerife, Lisbon (Above) and Bilbao before returning to Southampton.

Price is based on 11 October 2015 departure; Royal Caribbean International’s All-Inclusive offer ends 30 September 2014.

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Cruise to the Canary Islands this October with Royal Caribbean International

Experience the best of the Canary Islands this October with Royal Caribbean International.

Join Independence of the Seas on a 12-night Canaries cruise from £1,049 per person (based on two people sharing an interior stateroom). 

Price includes a 12-night cruise departing from Southampton and calling at Vigo, Lisbon , Lanzarote , Gran Canaria, Tenerife , Madeira, and La Coruna before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees..

Price is based on 13 October departure.

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Saga & The Western Mediterranean Way Of Life

Feb. 13.- It's Day Three of Saga Week here at World of Cruising magazine, with stories, features and special offers from the classic British cruise line. Today - a great Mediterranean experience... 
 

They call it the Mediterranean Medley, and it really does highlight a great range of Med port experiences, but there is a lot more en route that makes this voyage a true classic.

Just to start with, it is hard to beat for ports that provide great arts, culture and shopping, like the Catalan capital of Barcelona, the British outpost of Gibraltar and Portugal's fabulous Lisbon (above), with its colourful yellow-and-red trams and "Street of the Restaurants," plus the incredible mosaic pavements, squares and streets. 

Yet guests on this cruise will also call at quieter ports to enjoy the simpler pleasures of the Mediterranean way of life, strolling in the sun, browsing the markets and people-watching over a glass of local wine. 

To that end, there is Mahon, the ancient capital of Menorca with its Georgian Bow Window style as a legacy of British rule but Mahon still boasts attractive neo-Classical, Baroque and Romanesque buildings. Then there is the unspoilt coastal town of Propriano, situated in the Valinco Gulf on the island of Corsica, and Toulon, another beautiful coastal resort approximately 32 miles from Marseilles, with a picturesque old town of colourful markets and elegant fountains.

Valencia is one of Spain's most beautiful cities,with a lively culture and rich history. Having experienced rapid growth during the last few years, the city now rivals both Barcelona and Madrid in terms of economic importance but boasts buildings dating back to Roman and Arabic times.

Finally, dating from Roman times, the Galician city of Vigo is home to a fine natural harbour, where the English and Dutch defeated the French and Spanish fleets in 1702. Today, the attractive marinas stand in contrast to the industrialised areas of the city, while further exploration will reveal the characteristic 17th-century architecture and attractive countryside beyond. 

Saga Pearl II (above) herself recalls the same stylish surroundings and superb service that cruise-goers have come to expect from the company's elegant ships, with a smaller size that offers a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere. 

Mediterranean Medley:15-night cruise departing October 30 from Southampton and calling at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Mahon, Corsica, Toulon, Barcelona, Valencia and Vigo, with prices from £1,773 per person.

 

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruise.

For a longer version of this story see our News pages at the World of Cruising website, presented by Saga Cruises, on this link.

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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Grab An Atlantic Alliance Recipe!

Cruise passengers who enjoy the ports of Europe's West Coast who might also like to sample the cuisines of the region will want to know of a new initiative from port group the Atlantic Alliance.

The member ports are currently celebrating this year’s theme ”Food & Wine” and have prepared a culinary journey of discovery around its famous wine-growing areas, outstanding cuisine and typical national specialties.

The Atlantic Alliance is a marketing association of 18 cruise ports and destinations Hamburg to Lisbon, plus British and Irish ports, and they have created a very special personal recipe book, highlighting favourite culinary specialties.

Spread over 50 pages, the port representatives describe their national “must-try” aperitifs, appetisers, main courses and desserts, all adding up to a delicious 'cruise' through the region. For example the German Grünkohl (Kale), which is a traditional Northern German dish, mainly served during the cold months in late autumn and winter, or the Dutch Wentelteefjes (Dutch eggy bread) always go down a treat at breakfast or brunch on the weekend.

Antwerp's Kattina Glasinovich presents Elixir d‘Anvers, a wholesome liqueur, which has been in existence since 1863. It is made from 32 plants and herbs from the four corners of the world that impart a unique taste to the liqueur. British representatives show how to prepare scones with clotted cream and jam, while Michael McCarthy from Cork demonstrates to cook a real Irish stew.

The Normandy ports offer a huge and rich variety of seafood. Cakes as well the “crepe suzette” are definitely worth a try. The most popular dish of Cantabria is the Cocido Montañes, a stew. Dolores Rois from the Port of Vigo explains the myths and mysteries surrounding the ritual of making queimada, the “fire drink” of Galicia. And last but not least, Lisbon’s clams in garlicky broth are unique and were named after Bulhão Pato, a 19th-century Portuguese poet. Although his verses have been largely forgotten, the dish remains popular throughout Lisbon.

The recipe book may inspire for a European festive menu and is downloadable at: http://www.atlanticalliance.eu/app/theme-cruises/1323.

 

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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Warm Up This Winter With Fred Olsen!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure, offering a selection of tempting cruises, departing between September 2013 and February 2014. These cruises are ideal getaways for the winter and offer some excellent savings, with prices starting from just £49 per person per night, with the opportunity for guests to upgrade to Fred. Olsen's ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person per night (£39 per person, per night for mini-cruises, £29 per person, per night for ‘festive’ sailings).

Examples of the excellent prices available in the new ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure include:
 
Black Watch’s 8-night ‘Strictly Spain & Portugal’ cruise, dep Dover Nov 16

This cruise visits Lisbon, Leixoes (for tours to Oporto) and Vigo and La Coruna before returning to Dover. Prices start from £49 per person, per night. A bonus for guests on this cruise will be former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant and ex-MP, Edwina Currie, who will be joining as guest speaker on the theme of ‘Ballroom Dancing’, through Fred. Olsen’s award-winning onboard enrichment programme, Vistas.
 
Balmoral’s 8-night ‘Christmas Markets of N Europe’ cruise, dep Southampton Dec 13

Take in the best of the best Christmas markets in Northern Europe, in preparation for the festive season. Balmoral calls at Zeebrugge, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Bremen before returning to Southampton. Prices start from £49 per person, per night. All prices are based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, and include all meals and entertainment onboard and port taxes.

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

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Celebrity Cruises With Oz Clarke

This October, gastronomes and wine enthusiasts can delve into Europe’s rich wine heritage with renowned expert Oz Clarke and Celebrity Cruises. Oz will lead a host of wine travel experiences, taking in renowned vineyards throughout France, Spain and Portugal during the spectacular annual grape harvest and provide guests the opportunity to enjoy gastronomic experiences and improve knowledge of wine through engaging and entertaining masterclasses.

The 12-night immersive holiday – designed to impress the palates of food and wine fans with some expert advice on hand – will allow guests to take advantage of the first-class restaurants and wine programmes onboard the recently refurbished Celebrity Infinity whilst travelling between Europe’s top wine producing regions.

Guests can customise their holiday with a series of package options to choose from, including:

• An intimate speciality dinner hosted by Oz, matching his personal wine recommendations to each part of a six-course Five Senses menu hosted in the speciality restaurant SS United States. Designed to stimulate all senses, this exclusive dinner costs just £69 per person.
• A series of five events hosted by Oz and Tom Forrest, a fellow wine expert. Tantalise the taste buds with a wine and cheese pairing; immerse yourself in the old world wines of France with an introduction to French wine; and brush up on your wine knowledge with masterclasses in Bordeaux wines, Spanish wine and Sherry; and a French wine masterclass. To experience all five events costs just £89 per person.

The European Immersive Wine Cruise departs during the wine harvest season from Harwich on October 12 and will call at Paris (port of Le Havre), Bordeaux (port of Le Verdon), La Rochelle, Bilbao, Vigo and Porto before returning to Harwich. It costs from just £699 per person (based on two adults sharing an inside stateroom).

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

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The Grand P&O Med Voyage Pt 3

Guest blogger Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, continues her grand Mediterranean voyage with P&O Cruises with a whirl through three ports of call...

At present we are sailing through the Mediterranean en route to our last port of call. There were a few white horses out there last night, nothing too drastic but enough gentle movement to remind you that you are on a ship in the middle of the sea. Wonderful!

Since my last update, we have enjoyed a few days at sea and calls to Civitavecchia, Italy, Ajaccio, Corsica and, yesterday, Gibraltar.

We took the day pretty easy in Civitavecchia, deciding not to make the trip into Rome this time. There’s not a lot in Civitavecchia itself, to be honest, but I love Italy so, for me, just being in an Italian port again is good enough. Ajaccio on the other hand (below, left) was a wonderful treat. It was my first time on the island and what a picturesque one it is. The small beach was a nice surprise, along with the wonderful Sunday market selling all sorts of food delights, including Nougat, cheese, fresh-baked goods, olives and much more. I indulged in a Pain au Chocolat from a lovely elderly lady. It was truly delicious and, as I had skipped breakfast on the ship, it was a welcome indulgence.

Gibraltar, as always, did not disappoint. I found a shop here a few years ago right at the top of Main Street called Pashmina and fell in love with it. They sell all kinds of Indian ornaments, pictures and so on. The gentleman that owns the store is polite and friendly and will always give you some kind of background information on anything you purchase. This time, I bought a wall mask (I collect these from as many ports as possible) and a large canvas painting of an elephant, which turned out to be quite a trial to get back to the ship in the baking heat. I also managed to smash a bottle of Rum I had bought just as I got outside the port entrance. Typical or what?

That’s a brief update on our port adventures but I know you want to know more about the ship. I paid a visit to The Glass House (below, right) yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. The difference from when it was Ramblas seems to be quite subtle but the overall feel of the space now is much lighter and it feels slightly bigger. This may be down to the new colour scheme and numerous wine bottles sitting neatly in racks across the walls. A few people had asked me to photograph the menu but it turned out to be about 100 pages long (OK, that’s a slight exaggeration), so I’ll just tell you it contained a LOT of wine!

As I mentioned, we are en route to our last port of call. It was scheduled to be La Coruna but due to a forecast for bad weather, our captain decided it would not be safe enough for us to try and dock. So, instead, we will be calling into Vigo where, although strong winds are still expected, it will be safer for us to dock.

We only have two days of the cruise left and I can honestly say that, once again, P&O have not disappointed me and the crew are a pleasure to sail with. A few days ago, I bumped into a waiter who was on my first cruise and it was nice catching up with him and finding out how he has progressed with his career over the last several years.

Ventura, as always, has been my home from home. She is in great condition, clearly getting lots of TLC from her crew and her refurbishment has added some lovely little touches to what was already a gem of a ship. There have been several weddings on board, too, and they couldn’t have picked a better way to start married life!

Until next time, cruise lovers…

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P&O's 2013 Wave Promotion

P&O Cruises is offering exceptional value cruises during the traditional "wave" peak booking period from December to February, with its best-ever value holidays from only £599 per person for a seven-night Vantage Fare, to include a Price Promise protection and a low deposit of 10% for bookings until February 28. Designed to give added peace of mind to holidaymakers, especially to those booking early to secure the cruise of their choice, Vantage Fares have a range of benefits, including choice of cabin, flexibility to make amendments to or even change the cruise or cabin up to 90 days prior to departure, and one of the following; onboard spending money, free car parking in Southampton or return coach travel to Southampton. The Price Promise protection ensures that, should the price of a cruise reduce, passengers will be awarded the difference in price with onboard spending money or a cabin upgrade. If, however, the price of a cruise should rise after the booking has been made, passengers are assured they have received excellent value by booking early. A low deposit offer of 10%, down from the usual 15%, also applies to Vantage Fare bookings made by February 28. These offers include: Best value cruise: A seven-night European cruise break on Oriana departing April 14. Vantage Fares from £599 per person. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call are Vigo, Lisbon, Oporto and La Coruna. NEW Classic FM music-themed cruise: A 14-night Iceland cruise with Classic FM on Aurora departing June 4. Vantage Fares from £1,499 per person. A repertoire of opera, operetta and recitals will be hosted by acclaimed Classic FM presenters, and passengers can enjoy interviews and musical quizzes, along with the usual high-quality mix of entertainment. NEW food and wine themed cruise: A 28-night Caribbean cruise with Marco Pierre White (pictured, above) and Eric Lanlard on Adonia departing November 22. Vantage Fares from £2,439 per person. This brand new food-and-wine-themed cruise will be joined by celebrity chef  White and master pâtissier and 'Cake Boy' legend Lanlard. Together they will offer their expertise and provide on board demonstrations, private master-classes, hosted dinners, book signings and Q&A sessions in the theatre. They will also host a range of shore excursions to restaurants and markets. As ever, for bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's cruising specialists.

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Celebrity's Exclusive Bordeaux Excursion With Oz Clarke

This autumn, guests on Celebrity Cruises’ new wine harvest holiday will have the chance to join famed wine connoisseur Oz Clarke and Vinopolis’ wine expert Tom Forrest on an exclusive, specially created shore excursion in Bordeaux. This bespoke chateaux experience will take guests on a tour of the experts’ favourite wines in the region that first inspired Clarke’s passion for wine. 

One-off vineyard wine tasting tour with Oz Clarke 

Port: Bordeaux; Duration: 9 hours; Price: £149 per adult: Guests can join celebrity wine buff Clarke and Forrest on a one-off excursion, visiting two chateaux to sample some of the most delicate wines of the region, accompanied by the president of the Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux. Wines on offer during this excursion include some of the first ever tasted by Oz and, as well as inspiring his passion for the subject, are also personal favourites of both experts. The excursion also includes lunch, with the menu and wines specially chosen by the duo to complement the overall experience.

Sailing: Visit some of Europe’s top wine-producing regions in France, Spain and Portugal this harvest season on Celebrity's Celebrity Constellation on a 12-night immersive wine cruise from £849 per person (based on two people sharing a balcony stateroom).

The 12-night cruise departs from Southampton on October 13 and calls at Le Havre (for Paris), Le Verdon (for Bordeaux), Bilbao, Vigo and Porto before returning to Southampton. The price includes all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

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

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Make July A Cunard Month

July is the month to secure a stateroom on one of Cunard’s three classic ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, with exceptional fares available for those who still have not made their holiday plans for 2012.

Available voyages with great fares available are:

• Queen Victoria departs Southampton on September 13 for a 20-night ‘Black Sea and Turkish Splendours’ voyage which takes in highlights such as the evocative Potemkin Steps in Odessa and includes an overnight stay in Istanbul, allowing plenty of time to explore the city’s treasures such as the Blue Mosque and St Sophia. Fares start from £1,599 per person for an inside stateroom with balcony staterooms from £1,999.
• Queen Elizabeth heads to the Med on August 28 to take up her maiden ‘fly-voyage’ season. This nine-night ‘Mediterranean Memories’ voyage calls at Cadiz, Palma, Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Livorno before guests disembark in Civitavecchia the port for Rome) and fly home. Inside staterooms are available for £799 per person, outside staterooms from £849, while balconies can be obtained for £949.
• Queen Victoria's 16-night ‘Adriatic Discovery’ departs Southampton on October 3 and offers spectacular landscapes including Split, Venice and Dubrovnik, with fares from £1,299 per person. 
• Join the iconic Queen Mary 2 in Southampton on September 4 and sail for Vigo, Lisbon, Valencia and Barcelona aboard the ship that still turns heads. Ten-night fares for a balcony room with a grandstand view are from £1,049 per person.

Or, for those who can’t bear the start of winter, Queen Victoria offers a temporary escape with her 23-night ‘Grand Caribbean Discovery’. After leaving a dark Southampton behind, guests will bask under azure Caribbean skies in ports such as St Maarten, St Kitts, Grenada and Barbados. Outside staterooms are available for an amazing £2,099 per person while balconies can be enjoyed for £2,399.

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

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Royal Caribbean's 2013 Southampton Boost

Cruising from Southampton has become a great deal more fun with news that two activity-packed Royal Caribbean ships will set sail from the port during the summer of 2013 for the first time. Bringing more rock climbing, ice skating, surfing and great entertainment than ever before, both Independence of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas (above) will call the UK home from May 2013 until late October.

The 3,634-guest Independence has been based in Southampton since 2008 and continues to receive rave reviews from UK holidaymakers. The 3,114-guest Adventure of the Seas brings yet more cruise holiday options to the popular port.

Cruises go on sale tomorrow (March 20) and there are a host of early booking offers up for grabs, including free car parking in Southampton, free coach travel to UK departure ports, and low prices on regional flights to UK departure ports on all cruises booked of ten nights or more as part of the early booking deal.

Itinerary highlights with the new Adventure of the Seas UK-based season include:

Seven-night France and Spain cruise departing Southampton and calling at Vigo, Gijon and Bilbao in Spain, and Le Havre for Paris in France, available from £599 based on May 24, 2013, departure.

A 12-night Baltic cruise featuring destinations such as Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki and an overnight stay in St. Petersburg departing Southampton from just £999, based on a May 31, 2013, departure.

A 14-night Mediterranean Cities cruise departing Southampton on July 7 and October 13, 2013, with ports of call in Malaga, Cannes, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Cartegena, Lisbon and Vigo from £1,199.

When Adventure of the Seas arrives in Southampton on May 5, 2013, the ship will offer a series of seven, 12, 13, 14 and 16-night cruises. An early booking offer allowing savings of up to £500 per stateroom will apply to all Adventure cruises booked by May 31, 2012.

On May 2, 2013, Independence of the Seas will arrive in Southampton following a dry dock enhancement and will offer a series of new itineraries including more shorter voyages such as two-night cruises from Le Havre for Paris and three-night cruises to Le Havre for Paris and Zeebrugge for Bruges. Independence will also offer eight-night cruises to Norway, 14-night Norway and Cork cruises, various 14-night Mediterranean cruises, and 12-night Canary Islands cruises.

Further new destinations and cruises for Independence in 2013 include seven and eight-night cruises to various destinations in Norway, and a new call to Ibiza on a 14-night Spanish Mediterranean cruise.

For booking details, be sure to check this link with the UK's cruise agent specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Cruise the Canaries with Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas on a 14-night Spain & Canary Islands cruise-only from just £895 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom) this spring.

For less than £64 per night, this superb price includes the full two-week voyage, which departs Southampton on March 17 and calls at Vigo, Lisbon, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Tenerife and La Coruña before returning to Southampton, plus all meals and entertainment on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

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

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Cruise The Canaries With Royal Caribbean (And Save 20%!)

Here's a great weekend offer to get you thinking about some Winter sun: Join Royal Caribbean on a 12-night Spain and Canary Islands cruise-only from £950 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom).

This bargain price includes a 20 per cent discount on the original brochure price, with the voyage departing from Southampton and calling at Funchal (Madeira), Tenerife, Las Palmas, Lanzarote and Vigo before returning to Southampton; all meals and entertainment on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

PLUS, you can receive free car parking in Southampton port or a complimentary coach transfer to the port if booked by February 29. Price is based on May 9 departure.

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

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Welcome In The New Year With Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas (above) for a 12-night Spain & Canary Islands cruise from just £899 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin) this December.

This excellent price includes the full 12-night cruise, departing from Southampton and calling at Vigo, Lisbon, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Funchal (Madeira) and La Coruna, before returning to Southampton; all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on December 29 departure.

For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or the cruising specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd at 0800 008 6677.

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40,000 Free Nights With P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is giving away 40,000 free cruise nights on cruises of seven nights or more when booked in June or July 2011.

All cruises of seven nights or more, departing between August 1 and December 31 are eligible for one free cruise night when booked by July 31.

A nine-night cruise on board Oceana departing October 17, 2011 (E128) is priced from £761 per person including a one free night saving of £95 per person. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Casablanca and Oporto.

For bookings throughout June and July, P&O Cruises is also offering complimentary three night pre or post-cruise city hotel stays on selected exotic cruise holidays.

Aurora’s San Francisco to Sydney cruise is a 22-night cruise from January 26 to February 18, 2012. Ports of call include San Francisco, Hilo, Honolulu, Apia, Pago Pago, Port Denarau, Auckland, Bay of Islands and Sydney. Prices start at £2,086 and include three free nights in a Sydney Hotel but do not include flights.

All prices are per person and based on two adults sharing on a full board basis including all main meals, entertainment and most facilities.

All bookings must be made before July 31, 2011. More info at www.pocruises.com or, to book, contact the specialist cruise agents 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.