P&O'S Family Appeal

P&O Cruises has announced three new cruises on family-friendly Azura in October 2014, including a six-night cruise break during the half-term school holidays. All cruises depart from and return to Southampton and will be applicable for P&O's new Select Price fare.

The options are:
 

• A two-night short break cruise departing October 13, with prices starting from £199 per person.
• A 10-night Atlantic Coast/Iberia cruise sailing on October 15, with prices from £949 per person.
• A six-night cruise break departing October 25, from £599 per person.

The cruises replace Azura’s planned dry dock for 2014, which has been moved to 2015. The two-night cruise departing October 13, replaces a two-night cruise departing October 29 and customers who are currently booked on the latter are being notified of the change of date and offered the sailing on the 13th, an alternative two-night cruise or cancellation free of charge.

P&O's Select Price fares launched on November 4 and are the new headline fares offering premium value with flexible booking conditions. Customers will be able to specify their cabin number and have the highest priority choice of dining time and table size, as well as cabin upgrades subject to availability. The fare is also inclusive of shuttle buses (where available in ports of call) and a choice of one of the following: onboard credit, car parking or coach transfers to the port of Southampton.

Azura’s facilities include four pools, Oasis Spa with thermal suite, The Retreat open-air spa terrace, large gym, sports court, golf nets, age-specific children’s clubs, outdoor cinema and a variety of restaurants and bars, including Sindhu fine dining restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar and The Glass House grill and bar, with wines selected by TV expert Olly Smith.

More info: visit www.pocruises.com or call 0843 373 0111.

 

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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The Joys Of 'Sampler' Cruises

Our Managing Director has just returned from his very first cruise (he IS new to the business, after all) and is raving about the experience - as we expected!

His voyage was a 4-day short-break cruise with P&O Cruises to Gent (and Bruges), and helped to showcase the many attractions of cruising as well as the great value of this 'sampler' type cruise, when people can invest in just a few days to see if it really is for them.

Sailing from Southampton, P&O are a perfect option for this type of voyaging as they can pack a lot into the relatively short time involved and really showcase their highlights, notably with the many entertainment options.

And, with that in mind, here are a couple of similar short-break cruises you can still try with P&O in the coming months...

Singer Katherine Jenkins is performing on the Oriana's four-night November 27 sailing, departing from Southampton and calling at Bruges (from Zeebrugge) and overnight in Amsterdam. Prices start from just £349 per person for a Getaway Fare, to include a free upgrade to an outside cabin, full-board meals, daily afternoon tea and entertainment.

Exclusively for adults, Oriana’s facilities include three pools, the Oasis Spa, gym, theatre, cinema, sports court and traditional deck games, plus numerous restaurants and bars, including the Ocean Grill by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

To see more about this cruise, follow this link: http://www.pocruises.com/X326

Alternatively, there is a two-night short cruise break to Bruges (from Zeebrugge) on Oriana departing April 18, starting from just £229 per person. The price includes an inside cabin, full-board meals, daily afternoon tea and entertainment.

Link: http://www.pocruises.com/X408.

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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Try A Marco Polo Sampler

Cruise & Maritime Voyages are the only line that offer regular cruises on the classic Marco Polo (above) from the River Thames at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury, with the chance for two 'sampler' voyages on this elegant 22,080-ton ship this December. And, with the benefit of great shopping and no flights, you can almost literally buy as much as you want!

Prices start from only £169 for the first person and just £85 for the second person, for the two-night cruise. Take your pick from:

1. Cruise to Ghent at the junction of the River Leie and Scheldt and Amsterdam on the North Sea Canal on December 15 for 3 nights. This is ideal for Christmas shopping when the Festive Market is in full swing in Ghent, or you can also visit neighbouring Bruges or Brussels. Amsterdam is well stocked for shopping and full of sightseeing interest. On board items such as spirits, perfume and other gifts, including jewellery, are also keenly priced and duty free. Prices are from £249 for the first person and £125 for the second.

2. On December 18, you can sail for two nights, again from London Tilbury to Antwerp with a pleasant journey along the River Scheldt. The city offers a good range of shopping in the main square and there are many quality shops close by. Marco Polo berths close to the main square that is just a 10-minute walk, and there visitors can buy local beer, chocolates and many unusual gifts not normally found in your local UK town.

Marco Polo is an adult-only traditional and classic ship. She boasts traditional wooden decks, is small enough to get to know your way around and offers the unique country-house-hotel style experience on board that Cruise & Maritime Voyages are known for.

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

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New Sampler Cruises From Oceania

Oceania Cruises is offering two new 'taster' cruises on board the company’s brand new mid-sized, luxury cruise ship Riviera. 

The six-night sailings, which depart on November3 and 9, cost from £1,026 per person, and include a $300 shipboard credit per stateroom, free return UK flights, all meals, soft drinks and bottled water. In addition, the first 20 bookings made will receive a free upgrade from a Veranda stateroom to a Concierge Level Veranda, which includes complimentary champagne on arrival and free use of the exclusive Concierge Lounge. 

By offering the two new shorter sailings, the company is providing first-time cruisers and those who haven’t previously experienced the high-quality Oceania fleet the opportunity to sample the company’s legendary cuisine, to take a cookery lesson in the only hands-on cookery school at sea, enjoy complimentary crafts and digital photography courses in the `Artist’s Loft’, food and wine pairing and tastings in La Reserve wine-tasting centre or the opportunity to relax in the Canyon Ranch Spa. 

The first of the taster cruises embarks with an overnight stay in Venice and calls into Dubrovnik, Corfu, Messina, Sorrento and Capri before arriving into Civitavecchia on November 9. The second sector embarks in Civitavecchia and calls into Livorno for Florence and Pisa, then Monte Carlo, Marseille and Barcelona, where guests disembark on November 15 after a full day and overnight in the city. 

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

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Cunard Introduces Two-night 'Taster' Sailings

Cunard is introducing a series of brand new two-night taster sailings, expanding its season of northern voyages and ringing the changes with its Transatlantic crossings in its new 2013 programme.

New next year will be 13 two-night sampler sailings (12 between Southampton and Hamburg) aboard the iconic Queen Mary 2 and the most recent addition to the fleet, Queen Elizabeth. Designed to capitalise on the growing popularity of short breaks, these departures aim to offer an attractive access point for new cruisers who are curious about Cunard but would like to test the water before committing to a longer period away. Prices for these short breaks start at £399, including a one-way flight, and can be combined with a hotel stay in Hamburg to create an innovative short break.

Reflecting demand, the number of Northern voyages offered is up year on year from 25 to 27 in 2013 with nine Baltic, six Fjords, four North Cape, four Low Countries, two Iceland and two Round Britain sailings – up from one following strong sales for 2012.

Cunard’s signature Transatlantic programme will sail into 2013 with a dash of variety to freshen up the mix. As well as a total of 18 crossings aboard Queen Mary 2, there will be four complete round-trip voyages from Southampton, featuring a day in the Big Apple to shop or sight-see, and a return crossing back to the UK. No flights, no hassle and as much luggage as you like. Brand new for 2013 will be two eight-night Transatlantic sailings with a whole extra day for passengers to make the most of the ship's exceptional facilities and enjoy the unique sense of timelessness that only a transatlantic voyage can give.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

PS: the new edition of World of Cruising magazine is now on line. Follow this link to read it and enjoy cruising even more!

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Sample Luxury Cruising With Crystal

One of our favourite cruise lines, the all-luxury of Crystal Cruises, is inviting cruisers and non-cruisers alike to experience the outstanding service and value of one of their stylish voyages on two brand new three and four-night sampler cruises in the Mediterranean this October and November.

Take your pick from:

October 13: three-night cruise on Crystal Serenity from Barcelona to Monte Carlo. This cruise includes an overnight stay on board in the vibrant city of Barcelona and one sea day to give guests the chance to sample the vast array of activities available. Prices start from £899 per person (based on two sharing), including return economy class flights from London, overseas transfers, three nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes.

November 23: four-night cruise on Crystal Serenity from Rome to Barcelona. On this voyage, guests will enjoy calls to Florence/Livorno, an overnight stay in Barcelona and one sea day to provide a full sample of the ship's style. Prices start from £998 per person (based on two sharing), including return economy class flights from London, overseas transfers, four nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes.

At these prices, the 'sampler' cruises really do represent fantastic value, with numerous extras included at no additional cost, including:

· All non-alcoholic beverages
· All meals, including dining in speciality restaurants featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio
· Ice cream and frozen yoghurt bar
· Gym, steam, saunas and whirlpools
· Fitness classes
· Golf lessons with PGA pros
· Yamaha keyboard, Berlitz language and art classes
· Dozens of computer/technology classes
· Crystal Visions lecture series, featuring distinguished speakers
· Award-winning entertainment
· In-stateroom movie and CD rentals
· Film screenings in the onboard cinema
· Dance lessons
· Dedicated junior cruiser facilities
· Early embarkation luncheon
· Welcome champagne
· Comfortable shuttles to town
· Pillow menus
· Self-service laundries
· Twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service
· 24-hour room service.

For more info, see www.crystalcruises.co.uk or visit the luxury 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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