Windstar's Asian Bonanza

As we've mentioned several times just recently, Asia is currently proving a boom area for the cruise world and it is a great time to get on board with this amazing region - and some special deals that seem to crop up on a regular basis.

The latest is from Windstar Cruises, who are currently featuring an exclusive offer for the line’s recently introduced Far East sailings. Guests can receive 2-for-1 cruise fares on any of the new Asia itineraries, two free hotel nights pre or post- cruise, and a free exclusive private event on shore during each voyage. As an added benefit to previous guests, the line also offers an additional 10% off the cruise fare to Yacht Club Members. 

 

Star Pride, Windstar’s all new, all suite power yacht (formerly the Seabourn Pride) will set sail for the Far East this October and voyages start from just $3,999, if booked by March 28 The ship's voyages include:

Singapore & the Malay Peninsula

Discover the melting pot of Malaysia and Thailand on this 10-day round trip voyage from Singapore, visiting Penang, Langkawi, Pulau Pangkor, Kuala Lumpur, and Malacca, Malaysia, as well as Phuket, and Ko Yao Noi, Thailand. The free exclusive private event, Phuket: A Feast for the Senses, gives guests the opportunity to enjoy local culture with a Long Drum Parade and a private dinner at award-winning restaurant Sala Bua (Pavilion of Lotus).

Treasures of South-east Asia

Cruise in private yacht style on this 14-day voyage from the haute couture of Singapore’s legendary Orchard Road to French-flavored Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) and the monuments of Hanoi. The voyage starts in Singapore and visits Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hanoi (Haiphong), and Halong Bay, Vietnam, before ending in Hong Kong. The free exclusive private event, Hoi An: Dreams of Floating Lanterns, is the perfect way to experience the best Vietnam has to offer in arts, crafts, culture and cuisine with a private performance of lion dances and dinner at Nam Long, a beautiful restaurant on the Thu Bon River.

Vietnam Unveiled

Vietnam combines beauty and culture in one perfect experience on Windstar’s 10-day voyage from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong. Ports of call include Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hanoi (Haiphong), and Halong Bay. The free exclusive private event, Hoi An: Dreams of Floating Lanterns, allows guests to enjoy local culture and practice skills like Vietnamese letter drawing, lantern-making, and wood-engraving interactive workshops.

Pearls of the Indian Ocean

Sail through some of the Andaman Sea’s most breathtaking islands and bays and explore the colonial Old Towns, ancient cave temples and melting-pot cities on this 15-day voyage from Dubai, UAE, to Singapore. Star Pride visits Mumbai, Mangalore and Cochin, India; Phuket, Thailand; and Penang, Malaysia. This itinerary highlights everything from India’s colourful cities to the tranquil beauty of Thailand’s beaches.

More info: call (in the US) 1800 258 7245, or visit www.WindstarCruises.com.

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Voyages to Antiquity Unveil Burma & Malaya

When it comes to the Far East, the countries of Burma and Malaysia remain some of the most unknown territory, with an exotic, almost mysterious side to them.

The best way to see as much of possible in a short time is by cruise, which is why Voyages to Antiquity are currently highlighting their voyage to "mysterious Burma & the Malay Peninsula" in January next year.

Cut off from the rest of the world for decades, Burma’s unique culture has been preserved; its incredible landscapes remain unspoilt, the golden temples and pagodas intact.

Much of this will be on display as the Aegean Odyssey will berth in the heart of Yangon for two full nights. With good quality hotels in short supply, the ship offers the perfect base for a full exploration. The voyage also takes in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia before disembarking in the dynamic city of Singapore for a 2-night hotel stay.

Prices start from £3,995 per person for this remarkable 21-day cruise-tour, departing January 4, 2015.

More info: call 0845 437 9737 or visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com.

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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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Zegrahm's 2015 Line-up

Expedition cruise specialists Zegrahm Expeditions have unveiled a thrilling line-up for 2015, featuring 20  small-ship cruises aboard eight contrasting vessels, Caledonian Sky, Isabela II, Island Sky, La Estrella Amazonica, Oceanic Discoverer, Sea Adventurer, Sea Spirit and Variety Voyager (pictured, above).

Zegrahm fans will be keen to know there are several new itineraries, beginning with Insider’s New Zealand: Milford Sound to Auckland (Feb 4-20), a fascinating voyage that showcases the natural history and culture of both the North and South Islands, plus visits to off-the-beaten-path Tiritiri Matangi Island and Waiheke Island. 

From February 7-27, the company’s Philippines expedition will visit the most intriguing destinations within this 6,000-plus-island archipelago. Travellers will cruise up a subterranean river in St Paul National Park; snorkel or dive in the region’s crystal clear waters; and search for over 600 species of birds, among other highlights. 

Then, from March 11-28, Zegrahm will trace nearly 3,000 miles of Coastal Brazil with Buenos Aires & Montevideo. This 18-day journey offers the perfect blend of natural history and culture, from snorkelling in the clear waters of Abrolhos Marine National Park and the Ilhabela Islands to discover some of Brazil’s healthiest marine systems, to visiting a small seaside artist community and exploring Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

In addition to new small-ship cruises, Zegrahm is offering a number of innovative overland adventures in Southern India, Cuba and Oman, which will be complemented by a number of signature voyages from Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, Ultimate Galápagos, and a Circumnavigation of the Black Sea to Snow Monkeys and Cranes of Japan, Classic Botswana and Iran: Wonders of Persia.

Company President Edwin Blythe said: “Continuous innovation is one of our core values, and we are constantly focused on crafting new itineraries based on our guests’ feedback and interests. Our 2015 line-up is no exception and we are really encouraged by the excitement our travellers have shown so far.”

More info: visit www.zegrahm.com or call (in the US)1800 628 8747. 

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Voyages to Antiquity's Big Med Savers

At World of Cruising we like to have a good geographical spread of voyages. And, after the recent run of Arctic/Antarctic/Norway features, we thought you might need warming up a bit, so here are a couple of nice cruises in the sunny Mediterranean for you, courtesy of Voyages to Antiquity.

Take your pick from either one - and benefit from a generous £600 per cabin saving if you book this month:

Monumental Sicily, Herculaneum & Pompeii, Classical Greece and more: This 17-day cruise tour takes passengers from Istanbul to Rome, and from historical era to historical era. Shore excursions are included in 10 of the 11 ports visited, plus there is a choice of included sightseeing in five of them - Izmir, Athens, Nauplia, Taormina and Sorrento. It sails May 8, with prices from £2,595

Jerusalem and the Treasures of the Aegean: This new itinerary provides ample time to explore the iconic city of Jerusalem before setting sail for the Crusader strongholds in the Southern Mediterranean and some of the finest Roman and Hellenistic remains in Europe. It lasts 17 days and covers 11 ports, including three nights in Jerusalem, sailing on April 2 and with prices from £2,345pp.

For both these cruises, book by December 31 for cabin savings up to £600 and a single supplement of just 15 per cent.

More info: 0845 4379737 or visit http://www.voyagestoantiquity.com.

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Cuddle A Panda With Crystal!

OK, we have have seen some pretty amazing shore excursions, and extended shore programmes, in recent years, but this one from Crystal Cruises probably takes not just the biscuit but the whole biscuit tin! It includes an opportunity for passengers to get up close and personal with a baby panda and visit the Dala Llama's summer palace in Tibet on Crystal's China and Japan voyages in April 2014. It's part of a unique new land programme offered with two cruises, and the full details are as follows from Crystal themselves:

Next Spring, seek solitude at the Dalai Llama’s summer palace, soak up the spirituality of Tibet’s holiest sites or learn about Tibetan culture through song, dance - and and yak meat. The mysteries of one of the world’s most isolated cultures will be on full display next spring when ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises offers guests the rare opportunity to add a five-night Extended Land Programme to Tibet on to their Asia cruise. Crystal Symphony’s April 9 Hong Kong to Beijing all-China voyage and April 16 Beijing to Tokyo sailing each offer the add-on both pre and post-cruise. Round-trip from Beijing, guests will fly first-class to Chengdu, China, and Lhasa, a Tibetan city perched at 12,000 feet that literally means “place of the gods.”

Highlights of the journey include:

• Chengdu’s Giant Panda Research Base, where guests can safely snuggle with baby pandas while learning about the centre’s hugely successful conservation and breeding efforts.
• Potala Palace, a 7th century UNESCO World Heritage Site, visible from every direction, that served as the Dalai Lama’s main residence until the 1959 uprising.
• Drepung Monastery, once the world’s largest monastery and home to more than 10,000 monks, seemingly precariously set on a hillside and accessible only by a steep, unpaved road.
• Jokhang Temple, the spiritual centre of Tibet, enshrining the country’s most precious treasure, the original gold Sakyamuni Buddha statue, dating back 1,300 years.
• Barkhor Marketplace, the site of many Tibetan protests, as well as a busy commerce centre, striking an intriguing contrast between deeply rooted spirituality and the bustling nature of market economics.
• Tibetan-style dinner, showcasing traditional song and dance while sampling a variety of yak-based dietary staples, from meat to tea.
• Sera Monastery, where guests can watch monks prepare for their monastic exams with renowned mock debates in the picturesque courtyard.
• Norbulingka, another UNESCO site that boasts distinctly Tibetan architecture and has served as the administrative and spiritual centres, as well as the summer palace, for past Dalai Lamas.
• Jinli Street in Chengdu, an ancient market dating back to the Qing Dynasty, filled with everything from the aroma of spicy barbeque and authentic Sichuan favourites to local artists’ works and traditional lantern performances.

As with all of Crystal’s Extended Land Programmes, luxury accommodation, meals and transportation for the “Timeless Tibet” programme are included in the £4,775 per person, double occupancy fare. Accommodation includes one night at the Sofitel Hotel Chengdu, three nights at the St Regis Lhasa Resort and one night at the China World Hotel Beijing.

Crystal Symphony’s 13-night April 9 cruise visits Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dalian, Xiamen and Beijing, with all-inclusive fly/cruise prices starting from £4,721per person, plus a one-night complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay. The April 16 15-night itinerary calls in Beijing, Dalian and Shanghai as well as Nagasaki, Osaka, Shimizu and Tokyo with all-inclusive fly/cruise prices starting from £5,535 per person, plus a one-night complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay. The cruises offer savings of £1,613 and £1,097 respectively if booked by October 31.

Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures programme, helping earn the line top ratings for two decades.
 

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

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Meet The Vikings With Hurtigruten!

The British Museum is planning a major Viking exhibition in 2014, to ask the eternal question: were they a people hell bent on barbaric raiding and pillaging, or were they forward-thinking philanthropic tradesmen and explorers?

But if you want to visit their homeland to find out more, Hurtigruten’s 12-day ‘Voyage of the Vikings’ in September next year will be the ideal opportunity as it will be lead by British Museum curator and Viking expert, Gareth Williams - the lead curator of the forthcoming exhibition - who will give lectures on-board as well as accompany tours.

The voyage is a round trip from Bergen to Kirkenes, with numerous relevant stops en-route. A Viking Feast is included, of course, where passengers will join the chieftain and his wife in a reconstruction of the largest Viking longhouse ever discovered and will be regaled with stories while enjoying traditional Viking food and drink. Numerous other excursions are also available.

For those who want to truly immerse themselves in Viking heritage, there is also an opportunity to extend your stay to include a visit to Oslo, where you can visit the Viking Museum, home to genuine relics of the Viking age, including an original long boat.

The 12-day voyage departs on September 9, 2014, and costs from £2,282 per person including flights, cabin on a full board basis and airport transfers.

This unique trip features in Hurtigruten’s new Norway brochure for 2014, which is now on sale. A number of new excursions and additional year-round UK flight charters have also been included for the first time. UK Charters were previously not offered in the summer.

Early booking discounts are also available, with up to 25% off selected voyages made by October 31 (subject to availability). Customers booking a ‘Classic Voyage’ before the end of October, for travel in April or August 2014, will also receive £120 onboard credit.

The overall lead-in price for the 2014 programme is £811 per person for the five night Classic Voyage South on a full board basis (excluding flights, but including early booking offer).

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

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Un-Cruise Offers New Hawaii Itinerary

This winter, Un-Cruise Adventures’ 36-guest yacht Safari Explorer explores the Hawaiian islands on a new itinerary sailing one-way between Moloka’i and Hawaii, the Big Island or reverse. Week-long 'Luxury Adventure' cruises in Hawaii include activities and tours while exploring four islands - Moloka’i, Lana’i, Maui and the Big Island.

New this season, Moloka’i - a quieter, less-visited island - takes centre stage as the beginning or ending point for the line’s cruises. Exclusive cultural activities are included for guests on the island, with the vessel spending an evening at dock to allow for a full day of activities and cultural immersion.

“Moloka’i is like stepping back in time to the Hawaii of yesteryear,” said Dan Blanchard, CEO and principal for Un-Cruise Adventures. “It’s incredibly scenic and values its culture and heritage, which we’re proud to be able to share with our guests.”

Anakala Pilipo invites guests to Moloka’i’s historic and scenic Halawa Valley for a hike to a secluded waterfall or a relaxing day on his land “talking story,” learning the traditions of his family’s ancient taro patch and a visit to a nearby beach. In the evening, an authentic Pa’ina (feast) at the Moloka’i Museum and Cultural Center features local cuisine, including fresh fish, poi, seaweed, sweet potatoes and other staples of the Hawaiian diet. Local musicians join in the celebration along with a kumu hula dancer.

As a bonus with this beautiful cruise option, all bookings made by August 2 for travel for November to April will receive a $700 per couple travel credit. Rates for the Hawaii cruise start at $3,595 per person, double occupancy, inclusive of premium spirits, fine wines and microbrews, all meals featuring local Hawaiian flavours, massage, yoga, guided tours geared toward small groups, from-yacht activities and equipment, whale and dolphin encounters, transfers, lei greeting, and port charges and taxes.

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

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Zegrahm's South Pacific Return

Zegrahm Expeditions, the world leader in small-ship cruising and overland adventures, has announced its return to the South Pacific in 2014 with a two-part voyage circumnavigating the world’s second largest island, New Guinea. Whether taken separately, or in combination, this itinerary exposes travellers to a rarely-visited region of the world.

Zegrahm president Edwin Blythe says: “This signature expedition offers unique opportunities to interact with remote villagers and explore one of the most biodiverse underwater worlds. Our expert team, including Zegrahm co-founders Mike Messick and Jack Grove, and field director Jonathan Rossouw, will help interpret all of the incredible highlights travellers will experience on this expedition.”

Voyage I, 'Remote Islands of Papua New Guinea', departs March 8 and reveals a multitude of traditional villages where spiritual beliefs, artistic craftsmanship, ritualistic ceremonies, and the tradition of hospitality endure. Highlights include witnessing the spectacular fire dances of the Baining tribe; visiting the legendary Trobriand Islands, dubbed the “Islands of Love;” and exploring the Sepik River Delta. This 16-day expedition is priced from $10,970 per person.

Voyage II, 'Raja Ampat and Asmat Villages', departs March 19 and offers exquisite snorkelling and diving, and celebrates the cultural diversity of Papua and its outer islands. Guests will snorkel and dive among the amazing corals of Raja Ampat and Ashmore Reef; search for more than 500 species of birds, including the beautiful birds of paradise; and spend two exhilarating days in the Asmat, meeting elaborately decorated “warriors” and learning about their unique culture and highly sought-after carvings. This 18-day expedition is priced from $12,470 per person.

These fascinating voyages are aboard the all-suite 100-passenger Caledonian Sky. This beautiful vessel was completely refurbished in 2012 and features ocean-view suites, single-seating dining room, large lounge, elegant bar, and enclosed panoramic viewing deck. Travellers who chose to combine these voyages will save 5% off the rate of each expedition.

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

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Discover Eastern Med With MSC

Dive into the soul of Eastern Mediterranean civilisation and embark on an historical journey onboard MSC Armonia – from £599pp incl. flights

This summer, MSC Cruises' MSC Armonia will be sailing through the heart of the Mediterranean, uncovering historical and architectural treasures from Italy, Greece and Croatia, the birth place of western civilisation, and following in the footsteps of the great philosophers and builders of empire. Even better, this seven-night cruise starts from just £599 per person, including flights from London.

Between June 7 and November 1, Armonia set off from Venice on this eastern Med odyssey, calling in Ancona (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Gythion and Kefalonia (Greece) and Kotor in Montenegro.

In addition to the many historical and cultural day trips on offer, MSC has also launched a new shore excursion to the beautiful small town of Medjugorje, the site of numerous Christian pilgrimages since 1981 when the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to six local Catholics. This is possible thanks to an extra-long call in Dubrovnik each Sunday, with Medjugorje situated in the Herzegovina region near the Croatian border.

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

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