AMA's Tulip-Time Savings!

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways is offering savings of up to £450 per person on its Tulip Time cruises along the waterways of Belgium and The Netherlands this spring. Sailing round-trip from Amsterdam, this seven-night cruise offers a chance to see the lavish displays of tulips and other cultivated flowers that form dazzling carpets across the flat Dutch countryside from March to May. 

The voyage also visits Volendam and Edam, both famed for their cheese production; Arnhem; Nijmegen; and the city of Antwerp, known for its diamond production and fashion scene. There are tours to the pretty Belgian cities of Ghent and Bruges, as well as Kinderdijk, where the landscape is dotted with windmills. Sample more cheese at Gouda and visit Delft, home of the famous pottery. Finally, visit the legendary Keukenhof Gardens, planted with seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. This year, the gardens have a British theme and a highlight is a vast flower mosaic of Big Ben and Tower Bridge, created from some 60,000 bulbs.

The seven-night cruise on the state-of-the-art, 164-passenger AmaCerto departs March 25 and costs from £1,199 per person (reduced from £1,649), including flights from London, transfers, tours every day, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, complimentary wi-fi and use of the ship’s fleet of bicycles. Other departure dates include April 1, 8, 12 and 23.

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

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Winter Far East Special From Holland America

Holland America Line is offering an 11-night luxury cruise of Thailand, Vietnam and China from just £749 per person this winter. 

Departing from Singapore on December 1, the cruise heads for Thailand's spectacular eastern islands and calls at Koh Samui before making an overnight stop at Laem Chabang for two full days exploring the colourful capital of Bangkok. Next port of call is Pho My in Vietnam, where guests can immerse themselves in the bustle of Ho Chi Minh city or even take an authentic Vietnamese cooking course. 

The cruise continues to the port city of Da Nang, perfectly placed for exploring the charming Vietnamese town of Hoi An or the imperial city of Hue. The Volendam then calls at Ha Long Bay, where guests can experience the otherworldly landscape that make this beautiful spot so famous, or head for a day-trip to Hanoi, before sailing to Hong Kong, where the cruise ends.

While at sea, guests can also be pampered in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, experience the Culinary Arts Centre, which features cookery demonstrations, as well as sampling the Volendam’s choice of elegant restaurants and lounges.

This offer is based on two sharing an inside cabin on Holland America’s 'Far East Discovery' cruise, departing Singapore on December 1. The price includes 11 nights’ full board accommodation on Volendam, plus, there is an offer to upgrade to an oceanview stateroom for an extra £50.

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

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Avalon's New Tulips Cruise

Avalon Waterways is offering savings of £600 per person on its newly introduced 8-day ‘Tulips of Northern Holland’ voyage next spring aboard its newest ship the Avalon Visionary.

Now priced from £1,335 per person, based on an April 24 departure, it cruises from Amsterdam and highlights include the ‘Tulip Road’ excursion in North Holland, guided sightseeing in Makkum, Friesland, Hoorn, Lelystad, Arnhem and Rotterdam, plus an excursion to the spectacular Keukenhof gardens and seaside town of Volendam, Edam and a canal cruise in Amsterdam itself.

The price includes private door-to-door home pick-up service within 75 miles of chosen airport/station, 7 nights deluxe cruise with complimentary soft drinks with lunch and regional wines/beer, with return flights from London Heathrow, gratuities for cruise director and crew, all meals, excursions, all transfers, local port charges and airport taxes. 

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

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A 'Royal' European River Cruiser

eWaterways, the niche and river cruise experts, continue to expand their luxury cruise portfolio with the addition of five-star river yacht Royal Crown. The luxury cruiser renowned for its private members’ club feel and bespoke client service will begin a new sailing programme with eWaterways this April, offering an authentic exploration of some of Europe’s most iconic cities via historic rivers and lesser known waterways. To promote the launch, there will be NO single supplement for solo travellers throughout 2011.

Royal Crown will launch 10 thoughtfully assembled itineraries across 12 European countries for a rediscovery of popular destinations such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest from a more intimate, relaxing perspective. Taking in the myriad sights along the enchanting Rhine; encountering the less familiar but infinitely beautiful Mosel as it winds through the Black Forest or enjoying the magnificent Danube as it traverses fairytale landscape on its way to the Black Sea, each cruise ensures that every stage of the journey is an awe-inspiring and integral part of the travelling experience.

On the Dutch Golden Age Journey, guests will see up close the charming canals and gabled town houses of 17th century Amsterdam onboard the Royal Crown II, the river yacht’s private sloop, before setting sail on the Ijsselmeer for the picturesque port towns Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Volendam. Those opting for a longer cruise holiday, such as the two-week Grand Europe Journey. will follow in the steps of the Romans as they voyage to celebrated cities including Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and the Bavarian region.

At full capacity, Royal Crown caters for just 88 guests in a total of 44 luxuriously appointed cabins with flatscreen TVs and fully-stocked mini-bars to promise an all-inclusive and sophisticated cruise holiday. Often described as an 'Orient Express on Water', the river yacht exudes 1930s glamour and style with Art Deco design and bespoke butler service.

The 52-strong team caters to each individual’s needs with every comfort onboard considered, from the choice of pillow to a favourite drink, everything is taken care of. The traditional ambiance and décor is propelled into the 21st century with modern facilities, including a deluxe spa, golf putting area, well-equipped fitness room and 24-hour multimedia business lounge. On each cruise, guests - and particularly solo travellers - will enjoy a luxurious offering: exquisite fine dining, classical music concerts and, of course, Europe’s most stunning vistas, all at great value.

For more info, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the river-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.

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