Around The World In 180 Days, Part 2

Jules Verne's hero Phileas Fogg may have done it in 80 days but here at World of Cruising magazine, we think there are better ways to go Around The World, and that quicker is not necessarily better. Happily, it seems Oceania Cruises agree with us, with a journey that has a LOT more offer.

Earlier this year, Oceania announced a first-of-its-kind 180-Day World Odyssey in 2015 aboard their mid-sized ship Insignia, departing Miami on January 10 and returning to the Florida port fully six months later (and putting poor old Phileas in the shade!).

Now it seems the idea has proved so popular, they are ready to do it all again, in the second half off 2015.

So, the newly refurbished 684-guest ship will embark on a SECOND Around The World In 180 Days voyage from Miami on July 8, 2015. And, while the first World Odyssey sails south through the Caribbean to South America, then Africa, the Indian Ocean, Far East, Japan (above) and around the South Pacific, returning to Miami via Central America and the Panama Canal, the new 180-day voyage will be completely different.

 

Embarking at the height of summer, Insignia will sail north to Canada and New England and then cross the Atlantic to majestic Greenland and Iceland. She will visit some of the most alluring ports in the Mediterranean before staying for multiple days in magnificent Asian cities, including Mumbai, Rangoon, Singapore and Hong Kong. Guests will explore Africa from Kenya to Cape Town and the continent’s western shores before concluding the voyage with a holiday season of island-hopping in the azure waters of the Caribbean.

 

Reservations for this second World Odyssey are now open and there are early-booking savings of up to 70 per cent if booked by March 31.

More info: call 0845 505 1920 or visit www.oceaniacruises.com.

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Holland America Offers More In 2014

Holland America Line recently launched its new On Location programme, which gives guests a more in-depth destination experience, with insider tips and local insights about the ports of call, including special onboard activities, themed entertainment, and even local food and products.

 

Here are more highlights from their new 2014 programme:

More UK departures

MS Ryndam’s European season will see more round-trip cruises from Dover. The ex-UK programme runs from May 3-August 23 and will now boast 11 cruises, including seven week-long Norwegian Fjords itineraries, two 14-night Baltic cruises, and two ‘Midnight Sun’ itineraries.

D-Day 70th Anniversary cruise

New for the European 2014 season, Holland America will be commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day with this unique 12-day cruise. Departing on April 29 from Rome, MS Eurodam will visit Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and the UK before journeying on to Normandy, where the most famous World War II battle took place on June 6, 1944. The 70th anniversary cruise starts from £1,349pp.

Increased Arctic cruises
MS Prinsendam, the fleet's smallest ship, will now be sailing its Northern European itineraries out of Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), giving UK travellers a greater choice of flight options. In 2014, she will also embark on more Arctic cruises, with one 14-night itinerary and a 20-night North Cape and Spitsbergen cruise that journeys beyond the Arctic Circle to Ny, Ålesund, Longyearbyen, Tromsø and Honningsvåg. The 14-night North Cape Explorer, with the chance to see Polar Bears in their natural habitat (picture, above) starts from £2,449pp, departing August 10.

New Asian adventures to Burma
New for 2014, MS Volendam will cruise three 14-night Asian Adventure cruises that include a special two-day overnight call in Rangoon, Burma, from where guests can travel to see the stunning pagodas of Bagan, the floating villages of Inle, and experience Mandalay. Other ports include Malacca, Penang, Phuket, Port Blair, Porto Malai, Port Kelang, plus an overnight stop in Singapore. The 14-night Asian Adventure starts from £1,399pp, departing February 17. Holland America also boasts a range of other Asia cruise itineraries, which include calls in Japan, China, Vietnam and Cambodia.

New Africa explorer cruises
September 28 will see the start of a fantastic new 83-night circumnavigation of Africa voyage. A round-trip cruise from Southampton, on MS Rotterdam, this cruise will take in the Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, The Gambia, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and the UAE as well as Israel and the Canaries. Shorter itineraries as sectors of this cruise are also available. The 83-night Africa Explorer starts from £7,649pp.

South America cruises have also seen an increase in popularity in the last few years and Holland America offers a robust line-up of great itineraries to choose from. These cruises provide guests with a fantastic range of destination experiences as they visit the Amazon, experience Carnaval in Brazil and even journey to Antarctica.

All prices are cruise-only and are based on double occupancy of an Inside Stateroom.

More info: visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk or call 0843 374 2300.

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Oceania's Grand Winter Collection

For those looking ahead to 2014/15, Oceania Cruises has announced its 2014-15 Winter Collection, the largest winter launch in the company’s history. With new ports in Asia, Africa and the Americas, Oceania Cruises’ five ships will visit a diverse array of destinations on five continents. 

The launch will feature a record-breaking 86 voyages for the company, 44 of which are new itineraries and include 19 all-new Grand Voyages ranging from 24 to 71 days, and 15 Around the World Combination itineraries as part of Insignia’s epic Around the World in 180 Days cruise.

All 2014-15 Winter Collection voyages include launch fares and free airfare. Guests who book a Veranda stateroom or higher category by December 31 will enjoy the added value of free pre-paid gratuities, free unlimited Internet and early booking savings of up to £3,225.

Kunal S. Kamlani, the line’s president, explained: “The Winter Collection truly spans the world with new and diverse itineraries, plus 16 new ports of call in South America, Africa, China, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands. As always, our goal is to bring our guests the world at a tremendous value, which is why we’re offering free pre-paid gratuities, as well as unlimited Internet for veranda staterooms and above, to those who reserve a sailing by year’s end.”

Riviera in the Caribbean 
Riviera offers 12 itineraries exploring the Caribbean for the winter 2014-15 season. The new seven-day cruise, Colorful Caribbean, stops in Honduran city of Trujillo, a new port for Oceania. The new 14-day sailing, Sunny Getaways, stops in three new ports: Santa Marta, Colombia; El Guamache (Isla Margarita), Venezuela; and Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. Several new 10-day itineraries visit the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and the new 12-day Holidays in the Tropics spends the holiday season calling on beautiful islands that include St Barts, Antigua and Barbados. With the exception of the ever-popular Mayan Mystique, all itineraries are new.

Marina in Paradise

Marina begins the season in Rio de Janeiro with two South American voyages, including the new 16-day Southernmost Wonders that sails around the southern tip of the continent. The remainder of the season will mostly be spent in the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand with nine new voyages ranging from 10 to 18 days, including overnight stays in Easter Island, Bora Bora, Tahiti and Nuku Hiva. The season ends with a fascinating 16-day voyage, Americas Adventure, from Lima to New York through the Panama Canal.

Nautica from Africa to Asia

Nautica returns to Africa and Asia with eight itineraries ranging from 15 to 35 days, stopping in ports from Cape Town to Beijing and Dubai to Tokyo. Guests can explore Africa on the South African Holiday, a 15-day cruise that visits Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth, two new ports for Oceania in South Africa. The 30-day Safaris, Temples & Jewels visits exotic ports from Cape Town to Singapore with overnight stays in both cities as well as the Maldives. Nautica then begins five cruises exploring Asia, ranging from 16 to 35 days, which showcase ports throughout China (above), Japan and south-east Asia, including two-night stays in Shanghai and Rangoon and one-night stays in Bangkok, Saigon, Hanoi, Tokyo and Beijing.

The Panama Canal & South America on Regatta

Regatta begins her season with a new 16-day Panama Canal sailing, Festive Panama Canal, which stops in Corinto, Nicaragua, a new port, followed by the popular 10-day Mayan Mystique cruise in the Western Caribbean. Another new Canal cruise, the 18-day Bridge of the Americas, travels from Miami to Lima, followed by three South American voyages that explore the natural beauty of Peru and Chile, the vibrant cultures of Argentina and Brazil and the exotic wonders of the Amazon. Regatta completes the season with two cruises in the Eastern Caribbean, followed by a final Panama Canal transit from Miami to San Francisco that stops in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, another new port for Oceania.

Around the World with Insignia

After a Caribbean and an Amazon cruise, Insignia departs from Miami for the company’s first ever Around the World in 180 Days voyage, a star-studded, port-intensive cruise setting sail round-trip from Miami on January 10, 2015. This extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime voyage circumnavigates the globe visiting five continents, 44 countries and 89 ports of call.

All New Grand Voyages

With the Winter 2014-15 launch, the company unveils 19 new Grand Voyages ranging from 24 to 71 days blending multiple itineraries for in-depth exploration. For example, Regatta’s 71-day South American Odyssey is a round-trip from Miami, crossing the Panama Canal to Peru, sailing through the Chilean fjords and around the southern tip of Cape Horn, and spending two nights in both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Nautica explores the East on Imperial Explorer, a 46-day voyage from Cape Town to Hong Kong showcasing the best of Africa and Asia.

These voyages feature launch fares and the additional value of Exclusive Prestige Package amenities. Depending on the length of the voyage booked, guests will receive a one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, laundry service and round-trip transfers. For bookings made by December 31, these voyages also offer free pre-paid gratuities and free unlimited Internet for all stateroom and suite categories. 

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

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P&O's World In 2015

P&O Cruises is offering two amazing world cruises for 2015, collectively visiting 69 unique destinations in 38 different countries and covering some 61,470 nautical miles.  

Arcadia is sailing a 106-night full World Circumnavigation exclusively for adults with single cabins available, and Aurora is sailing a 105-night South America and Pacific Adventure for families, couples and solo travellers alike. Both sail round-trip from Southampton and are now on sale.

At 106 nights with lead-in Vantage Fares from £9,999 per person, Arcadia’s cruise is a classic world voyage, with the destination and port-rich cruise featuring five maiden calls, to Bitung (Indonesia), Darwin (Australia), Lahaina (Maui, Hawaiian Islands), Manila (Philippines) and Sanya (Hainan, China). It also features extended calls in San Francisco, Honolulu, Sydney (above), Hong Kong, Dubai, Safaga and Sokhna (Egypt) to enable passengers to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences in these ports, from tours of ancient civilisations visiting lavish tombs, temples and palaces in Egypt to the hustle-bustle of modern city life in Hong Kong.

Aurora’s South America and Pacific Adventure is family friendly with more time spent in New Zealand, including a cruise through its famed Milford Sound. The cruise features three maiden calls for the ship, to Akaroa (New Zealand), Rarotonga (Cook Islands) and Moorea (French Polynesia). Lead-in Vantage Fares for this cruise start from £9,299 per person.

Extended calls on Aurora will be in Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Sydney and San Francisco so passengers can take in these cities’ breathtaking sights during the day as well as into the night.

P&O managing director Carol Marlow said: “A world cruise offers so much more than an extended holiday, it’s an experience of a lifetime, an adventure on an epic scale. How else can you visit so many destinations around the globe, enjoy a whole host of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and immerse yourself in new cultures, countries and sights while travelling in consistent style and comfort?

“Our two world cruises for 2015 are no exception and offer excellent value for money. With prices from £89 per person, per night for our South America and Pacific Adventure on Aurora, it’s a fantastic way to see the world without having to compromise on home comforts. Booking early also means passengers receive the best value, with our Price Promise protection, and they can enjoy all the benefits that booking early affords, such as being able to secure their preferred choice of cabin and dining option.” 

 

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

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Fred Olsen's Worldwide Focus

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has brought together its superb offering of world cruises and longer voyages for 2014/15 in a single brochure of ‘once in a lifetime’ cruises. 

The ‘Grand Voyages 2014/15’ brochure features Balmoral’s epic 104-night ‘Around the World with Burma, Japan, Hawaii & Latin America’ cruise in 2014, and Black Watch’s 114-night ‘South America and Australasia World Voyage’, visiting Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East – Fred. Olsen’s longest-ever cruise. Also featured are itineraries for 2015, with each ship cruising in a different direction, to some of the world’s most exciting destinations. 

Balmoral's ‘Far East Explorer’ is a sailing of 119 nights – beating the 2014 record as the longest-ever cruise! – departing from Southampton on January 4, 2015. This voyage takes in Malaysia, Japan, China, Vietnam and Thailand. It visits a total of 51 different ports, including Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Nagasaki (Japan), Beijing (China), Utheemu (Maldives) and Athens (Greece).

Black Watch sets sail on her ‘South American Discoverer’ cruise of 69 nights from Southampton on January 6, 2015, visiting 25 ports, including Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Montevideo (Uruguay), Callao (Peru) and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia.)

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

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Fred Olsen's Global Reach

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched its 2014/15 cruise itineraries, to hundreds of amazing and exotic destinations worldwide, from an even greater choice of regional UK ports than ever before.

The Brit-friendly line will be visiting no fewer than 246 destinations – even more than in the previous cruise season – in 85 countries around the globe, with the addition of two new convenient, regional departure ports, Avonmouth and Tilbury, further enhancing Fred. Olsen’s reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line’.

The company will also be embarking on its most ambitious Grand Voyage ever, with an 119-night ‘Exploring the Far East’ sailing on Balmoral, which is seven days longer than its 2013 World Cruise but visits 19 more ports.

The 2014/15 cruise programme will see the fleet of four ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – sailing from Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Avonmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow) and Belfast and adding even more overnight stops in spectacular cities worldwide, in response to guest desire to spend more time ashore in the ports they visit. Fred. Olsen will also be working with destinations to create an even greater link between its cruises and local events, such as the Baltic Festivals of ‘Kieler Woche’ in Kiel, Germany, and the world-renowned Jazz Festival in Copenhagen.

New destinations for 2014/15 include 13 maiden calls on Balmoral’s epic Asia Grand Voyage in early 2015, taking in Galle (Sri Lanka), Ujang Pandang (Indonesia), Naha (for Okinawa, Japan), Tokyo, Nagasaki, Jeju City (South Korea), Dalian (China), Nha Trang (Vietnam), Nathon (Thailand), Malacca (Malaysia), Hambantota (Sri Lanka) and Utheemu and Uligamu (Maldives).

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

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Regent's New Winter Collection

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a special offer to go with the unveiling of its new Winter Collection for 2013/14, which features voyages to South America, Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska.

As part of the launch, the ultra-luxury line is offering a complimentary one-night, post-cruise luxury hotel package on all Winter Collection itineraries booked by December 31. Additional collection highlights include three new ports, five Grand Voyages with exclusive amenities, and special offers on pre and post-cruise land programmes.

Recognised as the most inclusive luxury cruise experience, all Regent sailings also include all-suite accommodations, 97% with private balconies, gourmet cuisine, premium spirits and fine wines, free shore excursions, gratuities, and a pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, at no additional cost.

2013-2014 Winter Collection Highlights

From November 2013 through to June 2014, the all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager visits the South Pacific and Asia (above), with stops in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, China, Japan and India, offering guests a variety of itineraries ranging from 10 – 136-nights including four Grand Voyages.

Regent also offers a specially priced three-night pre or post-cruise land programme for £318pp on select South Pacific and Asia itineraries. These include Angkor Wat, Beijing and the Great Wall of China, Hong Kong and Sydney, as well as Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, two new land programmes.

Seven Seas Mariner returns to South America where guests can sail along the mighty Amazon, cruise around Cape Horn, explore the Panama Canal and visit the largest Magellanic Penguin colony in the world. Sailings range from 10 to 70 nights including the coveted “Circle South America” Grand Voyage.

In March 2014, the 700-guest, all-suite, all-balcony ship heads back to the Mediterranean with a grand crossing from Rio de Janeiro to Barcelona featuring maiden calls in Dakar, Senegal, and Tangier, Morocco

The newly refurbished, all-suite Seven Seas Navigator explores the tropics, with 16 departures round-trip from Miami to the Caribbean, ranging from seven to 24 nights and including a maiden call in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The ship then departs Miami on April 21 for an 18-night voyage to San Francisco, transiting the Panama Canal to begin its  popular cruises in Alaska.

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

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Celebrate At Sea With Fred Olsen

Many guests on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ worldwide cruises have something to celebrate, and a cruise is the perfect way to mark a birthday, an anniversary, or perhaps a retirement. Mindful of these many special occasions, Fred. Olsen offers a choice of packages for guests with something extra to celebrate.

Special add-ons include:

Birthday Celebration package

Champagne breakfast for two in their cabin, a celebration cake at dinner, a birthday gift, card and a souvenir photograph, priced from £65 per package.

Wedding Anniversary Celebration package

Flowers or chocolates in the cabin upon arrival, champagne and canapés on the special day, plus a gift and a celebration cake, priced from £90 per couple.

Retirement package

Champagne, canapés, a congratulatory card and celebratory cake, priced from £45 per person.

Welcome Aboard package

This special add-on includes a floral bouquet upon arrival on board, sparkling wine and canapés, hand-made chocolates and a fruit basket, priced from £60 per package.

Spa package

To enhance the cruise experience further, why not take the opportunity to treat yourself and indulge in a luxurious spa treatment? There are two packages on offer, one for women and the other for men. At just £50 each, guests will save £29 on the combined cost of all the therapies included. 

This year in particular, all Fred. Olsen guests have something to celebrate with the new ‘all-inclusive’ upgrade. If guests book by September 30 for all departures on or after April 6, and featured in its current ‘2013/14 Worldwide Cruises’ brochure (excluding the 2014 Balmoral and Black Watch ‘Grand Voyages’ and their sectors, and full-charter Boudicca cruise), they will automatically qualify for a free upgrade to an ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package, including beers, wine, spirits and soft drinks. 

This deal will be added to all applicable bookings retrospectively, but future guests will need to be quick to secure their place, as this offer is limited to the first 100 bookings per sailing taken between now and the end of September.  

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

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New From Holland America

Yes, it is 'brochure season' in the wide World of Cruising - and here is the latest news from Holland America Line, following hot on the heels of Silversea's latest new-brochure launch:

The new 2013-14 Worldwide Cruise Holidays brochure from Holland America Line offers more than 125 exciting itineraries between December 2012 and April 2014. The brochure covers destinations including Alaska, the Amazon, Asia Pacific, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal and South America.

In preparation for the launch of its 2013 programme, HAL recently introduced “Early Advantage”, a programme encouraging guests to book early and enjoy lower fares, free upgrades and “worry-free” deposit terms whereby they can make changes to their booking without penalty, prior to the balance due date.

Destinations covered in the new brochure include:

Ex-UK Cruising

Continuing Holland America’s popular ex-UK programme, for the third year, the MS Ryndam will cruise an extended series of 10 round-trip cruises from Dover from May until August 2013, providing British guests with the perfect “premium” no-fly product. The Ryndam will offer six 7-night Fjords cruises; two 14-night Baltic cruises; and two unique 14-night “Voyage of the Midnight Sun” Fjords and North Cape cruises, which sail as far as Honningsvag within the Arctic Circle.

Early Advantage fares for these cruises currently start from just £699 per person for a 7-night cruise, featuring a free upgrade from Inside to Oceanview stateroom.

Europe

HAL features seven ships in Europe for summer 2013. The Eurodam, Prinsendam, Ryndam and Rotterdam will offer primarily Northern Europe and Baltic cruises, while the Noordam and the Nieuw Amsterdam will cruise 7-12-night Mediterranean itineraries from Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona, Venice, Piraeus and Istanbul. For the first time, the Veendam will cruise Holland America’s annual 35-night “Voyage of the Vikings” cruise from Boston, which combines a scenic circle around Iceland with calls in Newfoundland, Greenland and Eire. In the autumn, Prinsendam will offer Eastern Mediterranean, Holy Land and Black Sea cruises from Barcelona, Civitavecchia and Piraeus.

Grand World Voyage & Grand Voyages

In 2013, Holland America Line will celebrate 55 years of world cruising. The 115-night Grand World Voyage sets off from Fort Lauderdale on January 5, 2013, on flagship Amsterdam, and combines experiences that range from mystic Machu Picchu to Walvis Bay in Namibia; Vietnam’s paddy fields to Hong Kong’s high rise towers; St Lucia’s twin volcanoes to Easter Island’s mysterious stone figures. Prices start from £13,049 per person with sectors from 24 to 51 nights available from £2,959pp.

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

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Silversea's Double Brochure Bonus

Leading luxury cruise operator Silversea has released two new brochures which showcase more than 200 imaginative voyages sailing throughout 2013 to over 450 destinations on seven continents.

The new 176-page 2013 Voyages Atlas, covered by a design hinting at the luxurious travel experiences within, opens with several pages of stylish imagery and engaging content devoted to revealing the hallmarks of Silversea's unique luxury lifestyle.

It is devoted to the remarkable journeys of Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit and provides a snapshot of "What's New" followed by detailed worldwide cruise itineraries by region, including shore excursion recommendations, descriptions of land programmes, deck plans and general information. A pricing summary booklet is contained in the back cover pocket.

Also just released is Silversea Expeditions' 2013 Voyages brochure. Formerly included within the company's main Atlas, it is now available as a stand-alone 48-page guide to Silver Explorer's amazing voyages of adventure. It highlights 27 expedition cruises sailing from pole to pole and to some of the world's most remote destinations in between.

2013 Highlights:

WORLD CRUISE 2013 - An epic 115-day journey from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale awaits guests when they board Silver Whisper on January 5. Crossing the equator four times, the itinerary will follow the tropical belt to 52 destinations in 28 countries with overnight stays in key ports. The warm-weather journey will explore an array of far-flung cultures and scenic wonders, including New Zealand and Australia's remote west coast; the idyllic isles of French Polynesia; fascinating Asian cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore; and Africa's rarely seen west coast. Guests may choose to extend their voyage an additional three days to disembark in New York, or 15 days to disembark in Southampton.

GRAND VOYAGES - Created for travellers who can spare the time and prefer a more immersive experience in the lands they visit, this special collection offers extended voyages from 26 to 54 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard the line's elite, all-suite ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, featuring visits to must-see traditional ports, as well as exotic destinations that are off the beaten path -- all on one cruise.

SOUTH PACIFIC VOYAGE - From the glamorous City of Angels to the moonlit beaches of Bora Bora and the sheer, emerald cliffs of Kauai's Na Pali coast and back, guests will enjoy a 31-day round-trip journey exploring the enchanting cultures of the South Pacific. This uniquely immersive voyage departs February 1 from Los Angeles aboard Silver Spirit. 

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

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Cunard Announces 2014 World Voyages

Cunard has unveiled its grand 2014 World Voyages collection, which calls at a total of 78 destinations on six continents, with durations of 116-119 nights and fares from £10,999 to £132,799 per person. 

That means fares start at just £95 per person per day, with all meals, entertainment and travel included for a superb world voyage.

Queen Mary 2 starts her 10th anniversary season with a thrilling 119-night itinerary, focusing on Africa and the East and featuring a second chance to circle Australia, calling at eight ports en route, following the success of the ship’s 2012 circumnavigation of the continent. 

Queen Elizabeth’s 118-night Round World voyage is equally port-rich (40 destinations in 23 countries) and full of Eastern Promise, with the ship’s first-ever visit to Japan, where she will make four maiden calls, as well as five other new ports, including Shanghai, Pusan (South Korea) and Aqaba for Petra. 

And Queen Victoria's 116-night voyage will sail around South America - from Brazil to Chile via Cape Horn - and along the east coast of New Zealand before returning to the UK via the Panama Canal, with no fewer than eight maiden calls, including Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Easter Island and Moorea in French Polynesia. 

Or take advantage of "Half the world in half the time": Voyages to or from Australia and New Zealand are also available – perfect for linking up with friends or family Down Under or a Far Eastern tour. 

The programme goes on sale on September 5. 

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

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Cunard's Extra-Value Winter Sparkle

Cunard’s Winter Holidays gained an added sparkle today as the luxury line announced a series of January 2013 sailings from Southampton to exotic locations that will now have two-night hotel stays in some of the world’s greatest cities, transfers, flights home and upgraded balcony accommodation on board all provided on a complimentary basis.

Departures aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria are all included and hotel stays, transfers and flights back to the UK are offered in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Featured hotels include noted properties such as the Four Seasons in Sydney, Kowloon Shangri-La in Hong Kong and Fairmont Singapore, in keeping with Cunard’s own legendary standards of service on board ship. Complimentary upgrades from outside accommodation to balcony staterooms are offered on all featured sailings.

CEO Peter Shanks commented: "Faraway winter holidays are becoming more popular as well as more adventurous and the best way to see a variety of exotic destinations is by ship. Cunard has created the perfect winter holiday, with relaxing arrivals into each new port of call now complemented by longer stays at signature cities across the globe, as well as flights home. Combined with Cunard’s legendary service levels on board, it adds up to a superb value winter sun option."

The winter holidays series with these benefits covers these voyages:

Queen Mary 2 Southampton to Dubai: Jan 10-30, 2013; 20 nights now from £2,299 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Singapore: Jan 10-Feb 11; 32 nights now from £3,999 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Hong Kong: Jan 10-Feb 19; 40 nights now from £4,999 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Sydney: Jan 10-Mar 7; 58 nights now from £7,399 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight.

Queen Victoria Southampton to San Francisco: Jan 10-Feb 5, 2013; 26 nights now from £3,299 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Sydney: Jan 10-Feb 26; 46 nights now from £5,799 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight.

Queen Elizabeth Southampton to Los Angeles: Jan 6-Feb 6, 2013; 31 nights now from £3,399 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. Southampton to Auckland: Jan 6-Feb 22; 46 nights now from £6,199 per person in balcony accommodation with two-night stay and return flight. 

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

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Fred Olsen's New Brochure For 2013/14

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched its new brochure of ‘Worldwide Cruises’ for 2013/14, on sale from today. The brochure features a comprehensive programme of ex-UK cruises, from early 2013 to Spring 2014, aboard the line’s fleet of four smaller, traditional style ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch. 

The itineraries are truly international, with cruises visiting a total of 240 different ports, in 77 countries and islands worldwide. Of these ports, there are no fewer than 12 brand new or ‘maiden’ ports over the cruise season.

The programme also includes an enormous choice of voyages, ranging from a mini-cruise of just two nights to an epic world ‘Grand Voyage’, the longest-ever undertaken by the line, of 114 nights on Black Watch in 2014.  

Prices start from £199 per person, for a two-night mini-cruise on Boudicca, from Belfast on October 15, 2013, visiting Liverpool and returning to Belfast. The price is based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin Grade ‘I’. 

The lead-in price for the longest cruise, Black Watch’s 114-night ‘Australia & South America World Cruise’ (departing Southampton on January 14, 2014), is £9,399 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin Grade ‘I’.
 

Cruise prices include ensuite accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

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



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Crystal Combine Fitness with World Exploration

Crystal Cruises is combining fitness with its regular world exploration on more than a dozen 2012 cruises, offering expanded Pilates and yoga programmes, including Pilates Reformer, starting this month. 

Dedicated instructors from high-profile institutions will teach complimentary classes on both Crystal Symphony and Serenity on nine sailings each throughout the year.  Serenity’s group Pilates programme utilises new Reformer equipment, while Symphony offers classic floor training utilising mats, exercise balls, rollers and other core-strengthening accessories.

Men and couples-only yoga instruction provides new approaches to the more traditional Yoga practices also offered. Travellers can attend several classes per day during their cruise or arrange private one-on-one sessions of either interest.

The 18 sailings with enhanced fitness instruction include: 

World Cruise/Australia, Asia, Trans-Pacific (winter/spring): Yoga and Pilates – 18th Jan, 7th and 26th Feb and 13th and 31st March.

Caribbean, Central and South America: Yoga – 6th and 20th Feb and 3rd March; Pilates – 27th Jan.

Panama Canal: Yoga – 21st April; Pilates – 31st Oct.

Trans-Atlantic: Pilates – 19th March, 8th May, 15th Sept and 9th Dec,

Trans-Pacific (autumn): Yoga – 25th Nov and 8th Dec .

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, 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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