RMS St Helena Benefits From Big Refit

Travellers can set sail for a bygone era in style aboard the RMS St Helena, one of the world’s last working royal mail ships, which has undergone an extensive re-fit to offer increased capacity and an enhanced voyage experience.

Not just a passenger vessel, this working liner acts as the lifeline to the remote island of St Helena in the South Atlantic, sharing a fascinating glimpse into the leisured travel of days gone by. The refresh, carried out in dry dock in Cape Town, includes the addition of seven cabins affording 17 extra berths, and an improved gym with new equipment. The newly positioned gym is located on the top deck and is glass-fronted so passengers can run, row or pedal whilst admiring the ocean view.

This complements the existing facilities, which include two bars, full service dining room, a sun deck, shop, swimming pool and library.  From the attentive staff to the traditional ocean-going pastimes, passengers are assured of a first-class vintage voyage. The RMS St Helena regularly visits the ports of St Helena, Ascension Island and Cape Town. Passengers are made up of tourists and St Helenians, or ‘Saints’ as they are fondly known locally, travelling home.

The ship was built in 1989 specifically to supply the island of St Helena, the British Overseas Territory deep in the tropical South Atlantic. Royal Mail Ships are sea-going vessels that carry mail under contract by Royal Mail. The RMS St Helena is one of last remaining ocean-going vessels in the world still to carry the venerable title, held in the past by so many famous British passenger liners, the original Queen Elizabeth amongst them. She is British registered, 6,767 gross ton and has 56 officers and crew. She also has modern facilities; stabilisers, air-conditioning plus fax, email and satellite communications.

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

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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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Oceania's New Riviera Debuts In US

Riviera, Oceania Cruises’ newest ship in the upper-premium cruise segment, starts her winter 2012 season from her new home port of Miami on November 29 for her inaugural winter season.  

The smart new vessel will sail 11 Caribbean voyages and travellers can choose from four different itineraries over departure dates from late November to March: 

Idyllic Isles – 11-night round-trip from Miami, visiting St Maarten (a new port for Oceania),  Antigua, Barbados, Saint Lucia, St. Barts and San Juan. Departure: Nov 29. The sailing costs from £1,692.

Mayan Mystique – 10 night round-trip from Miami. Ports include George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Santo Tomas, Guatemala; Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Key West, Florida. Departures: Dec 10, Jan 13, Feb 22, Mar 18. The  sailing costs from £1,502. 

Island Holiday – 14-night round-trip from Miami, calling at Charlestown, Nevis; St. John’s, Antigua; Kingstown, St. Vincent (another new port for Oceania); Bridgetown, Barbados; St. George’s, Grenada; Gustavia, St. Barts; Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Departure: Dec 20. The sailing costs from £2,531. On this sailing, Riviera will celebrate the Christmas period with traditional décor, festive menus and themed entertainment with special guest performers. 

Caribbean Hideaways – 10-night round-trip from Miami, with visits to British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbados, Saint Lucia and St. Barts. Departures: Jan 3 & 23, Feb 2 & 12, Mar 28, prices from £1,502.

All prices include all meals, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks and return UK flights for bookings by September 30. 

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

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New Vantage Pricing From P&O And Cunard

P&O Cruises and Cunard Line are introducing “greater trust and reassurance” in pricing with the introduction of new Vantage Fares backed by a Price Promise.

Launched on July 23, and covering cruises departing from April 2013, the initiative leads a new long-term approach to pricing by the two companies designed to give added peace of mind to holidaymakers, especially to those booking early to secure the cruise of their choice.

With the new Price Promise, passengers can now secure their booking knowing if the Vantage Fare for their holiday were to be reduced, they would automatically receive a complimentary benefit such as onboard spending money or an upgrade, to the value of any reduction in price

The new Vantage Fares include a choice from a range of benefits such as onboard spending money, car parking at Southampton, return coach transfers and airport parking. Vantage Fare passengers will also be able to select the cabin of their choice and have the flexibility to alter their cruise up to 90 days before departure. A low deposit offer of 10%, down from the usual 15%, also applies to Vantage Fare bookings made by August 31.

Vantage Fare benefits offer:

• Great Value Fares 
• Price Promise Protection 
• Priority access to and choice of cabin type, location and number 
• Priority access to family and single cabins  
• Flexible cancellation and amendment terms 
• Access to family and share saver reductions 
• Low deposit of 15% (Reduced to 10% for bookings made by August 31) 
• Choice from a range of added value benefits: 

- On board spending money
- Car parking in Southampton 
- Return coach travel to Southampton 
- Or Airport parking on selected fly/cruises

On occasions, P&O and Cunard may introduce a more restricted fare type on selected cruises closer to departure – ‘Getaway Fares’. If these fares are offered, they will come with less flexible terms (100% deposit and 100% cancellation charges), will not be backed by the Price Promise and will not include any of the benefits or flexibility of the Vantage Fares.

P&O's 2013 programme features a wide variety of cruises with great-value fares starting from £199 per person:

• Cruise Break - 2 nights from £199pp
• Fjords - 7 nights from £599
• Western Mediterranean - 14 nights from £999

The Cunard 2013 programme on Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria features a wide range of destinations with great value fares starting from £269 per person: 

• Short Voyages - 2 nights from £269
• Fjords Voyage - 7 nights from £799
• Baltic Voyage - 14 nights from £1,399
• Transatlantic Voyage - 7 nights from £1,139

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

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Holland America's Latest Offers

Here are three superb offers that have just arrived in the World of Cruising Inbox, all for lengthy - and exciting - voyages with Holland America. See what you think:

32-night ex-UK Caribbean Odyssey

Departing Southampton on November 3, this Caribbean Odyssey cruise onboard MS Rotterdam calls at Ponta Delgada (Portugal), Road Town (Tortola), Philipsburg (St Maarten), Castries and Soufriere (St Lucia), Kralendijk (Bonaire), overnight at Oranjestad (Aruba), Willemstad (Curacao), Port of Spain (Trinidad), Bridgetown (Barbados) and Funchal (Madeira) before returning to Southampton. The 32-night cruise starts from £1,988 per person cruise-only, based on two sharing an inside cabin.

14-night Voyage of the Midnight Sun

Departing Dover on July 20, 2013, this trip goes to the very top of Norway, within the Arctic circle and the Land of the Midnight Sun, onboard the MS Ryndam. Ports of call include Stavanger, Flam, Geiranger, Tromso, Honningsvag, Hammerfest, Trondheim, Molde and Bergen, with scenic cruising of Sognefjord and Trondheimsfjord. This 14-night cruise starts from £1,599 per person, based on two sharing an outside cabin (currently free upgrades to outside cabins). 

26-night Amazon and Carnival Explorer

Sail on board the MS Maasdam, starting with two nights in Rio de Janeiro on February 10 and 11, 2013, and cruise from there to Armacao dos Buzios, Salvador da Bahia and Fortaleza in Brazil before crossing the Equator and sailing into the Amazon. The cruise then spends just over a week cruising the Amazon, calling at Santarem, Boca da Valeria, Manaus, Parintins and Alter Do Chao in Brazil, before sailing to Bridgetown (Barbados), Roseau (Dominica) and Philipsburg (St Maarten), disembarking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 8. The 26-night voyage starts from £4,834 cruise-only, based on two sharing an inside cabin.

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

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Regent's No-Fly Irish Cruise

Regent Seven Seas are offering a rare No-Fly 'Celtic Charms' cruise to Ireland next year, on their deluxe vessel Seven Seas Voyager.

The full round-trip departs from Southampton on September 2, 2013, for 10 nights and features a full round-UK and Ireland odyssey. 

The higlights include calls at Rosyth, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Portree, Belfast, Dublin, Milford Haven and St Peters Port (Guernsey), with fares starting from £4,689 per person (in an H category Deluxe Balcony Suite). 

As with all Regent voyages, the fare also includes FREE unlimited shore excursions and all-inclousive on board, with fine dining, premium spirits and fine wines all at no extra charge, as well as gratuities, taxes, and entertainment. 

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

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Voyage Transatlantic With Hurtigruten

Ever wondered what life was really like out on the ocean wave? Want to take a leisurely journey by ship from continent to continent? Hurtigruten is now offering guests the chance to do just this and enjoy a completely different experience on board one of its Transatlantic voyages.

Expedition ship MS Fram will start her winter repositioning journey from Las Palmas in the Canary Islands to Buenos Aires on October 14 in order to begin sailing around Antarctica. She will then return again on March 12, ready to sail around Europe next summer, before making her way back across the Atlantic once again on October 18.

During these special transatlantic crossings, guests can enjoy a very different way of life. The atmosphere on board is informal and relaxed as the ship’s crew cast their uniform life aside and slow down their pace of work. The time is used to get the ship ready for the new season and crew members carry out basic maintenance, while at the same time caring for the guests enjoying this transatlantic voyage as professionally and attentively as any other.

There are fewer guests on board compared to other Hurtigruten voyages and that alone makes the crossing unforgettable. Guests spend a lot of time on deck, enjoying the sun or watching the ocean as it stretches from horizon to horizon. Fram is equipped with a sauna, whirlpool and fitness room and guests and crew mingle in a relaxed atmosphere. The crossings also include the famous Equator Baptism by King Neptune and his wife for those crossing the Equator for the first time, as well as barbecues on deck.

The 17-day transatlantic voyage is priced from £1,615pp with full board on the ship, based on two sharing. Flights are extra.

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

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Norwegian's Big 7-Day UK Sale!

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching a seven-day sale today that will run until July 30 and offer a huge range of itineraries, with savings of up to £400 per stateroom on 10 ships with departures up until April 2013.

 

Itineraries in the promotion include: a Western Mediterranean from Barcelona sailing, a Southern Caribbean from New York sailing, a Hawaii Inter-Island from Honolulu, a Baltic Capitals trip from Copenhagen, and a Canary Islands from Barcelona sailing.

 

Other cruises in the sale visit destinations such as the Eastern Med, the Caribbean, East and West Coast USA, Canada and New England, Bermuda and the Panama Canal. Transatlantic crossings are also included in the sale. The offer runs as follows – savings shown are per stateroom: 

 

	Studio	Inside/Oceanview	Balcony/Mini Suite	Suite
Six to nine nights	Save £50	Save £100	Save £200	Save £300
10 nights plus	Save £75	Save £150	Save £300	Save £400

 

Sailings in the seven-day sale include:

• A seven-night Western Mediterranean fly-cruise round-trip from Barcelona on board Norwegian Epic departing various dates between July 29 and October 7, calling at Naples, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Cannes and Marseille. Priced from £719 per person (based on Oct 7 departure).
• A 14-night Southern Caribbean from New York fly-cruise on Norwegian Jewel departing various dates between January 5 and February 2, 2013, and calling at San Juan (Puerto Rico), St Thomas (US Virgin Islands), Phillipsburg (St Maarten),Castries (St Lucia), Bridgetown (Barbados) and St John’s (Antigua). Priced from £1,658 per person (based on Jan 5 departure).
• A nine-night Hawaii Inter-Island from Honolulu on Norwegian’s Pride of America departing from August 3-24 and calling at Kahului (overnight stay), Hilo, Kona and Nawiliwili. Priced from £2,054 per person (based on Aug 24).
• A nine-night Baltic Capitals from Copenhagen fly-cruise round-trip from Copenhagen on Norwegian Sun departing on various dates from August 2 to September 7 and calling at Warnemunde (for Berlin), Tallinn, St Petersburg (overnight), Helsinki and Stockholm. Priced from £816 per person (based on Aug 2 departure).
• A nine-night Canary Islands from Barcelona fly-cruise on Norwegian Spirit departing on various dates between November 6 and March 30 and calling at Funchal (Madeira), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Tenerife), Arrecife (Lanzarote) and Malaga (for Granada). Priced from £684 per person (based on Dec 3 departure).

 

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

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Fred Olsen's Chocoholic Treat

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be hosting a Canaries cruise on board Boudicca in November to tickle the taste buds of any chocoholic! 

The cruise line will be offering guests the chance to learn all there is to know about this most tempting of treats from renowned chocolatier, Gerry Wilton, as part of the award-winning Vistas onboard enrichment programme. This special 14-night ‘Portugal, Madeira & the Canaries’ cruise, sailing from Portsmouth on November 4, features a theme of ‘The Chocolate Experience’, and guests will learn about the history of chocolate, as well as being able to participate in hands-on chocolate-making classes whilst on board.

The cruise visits the ‘Garden Island’ of Madeira before taking in some more winter sunshine in the Canary Islands of La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Vibrant Lisbon, Portugal’s colourful capital, is the ship’s next port of call, followed by Leixoes for tours to the bustling city of Oporto, before returning to Portsmouth.

Prices start from £899, for two adults sharing a twin-bedded cabin, Grade ‘I’, and include all meals and accommodation, entertainment – including ‘The Chocolate Experience’ – and port taxes.

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

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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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Crystal's Special Regional Flights Offer

Crystal Cruises has teamed up with Emirates Airlines to offer its guests direct departures from Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham on a selection of Australia/New Zealand voyages this winter.

Flights from these regional airports (via Dubai) are now available for the following cruises: 

December 20: 16-night “Southern Summer Holiday” from Auckland to Melbourne with fly/cruise prices from £7,582 per person (based on ex-Glasgow flight).

January 5: 12-night “Southern Australia Sojourn” from Melbourne to Brisbane with fly/cruise prices from £4,179 per person (based on ex-Newcastle flight).

January 17: 12-night “Koalas & Kiwis” from Brisbane to Auckland with fly/cruise prices from £4,638 per person (based on ex-Birmingham and Manchester flights).

January 29: 13-night voyage from Auckland to Sydney with fly/cruise prices from £4,697 per person (based on ex-Newcastle flight)

All fares are based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. Prices include return economy flights from Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle or Birmingham with Emirates (via Dubai), overseas transfers, one night pre-cruise hotel stay, post cruise hospitality and onboard accommodation in a deluxe stateroom with picture window, with all meals and soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, gratuities and port taxes.

 

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

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A Sea Of Cortes Adventure

American Safari Cruises' refurbished 86-guest Safari Endeavour will spend its first winter sailing luxury adventure cruises in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés this winter. Travellers interested in what ASC call "an un-cruise adventure" - or up-close access to nature and wildlife and exclusive excursions - can now choose a warm water adventure exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site & Biosphere Reserve.

Week-long 'Baja’s Bounty' expeditions sail round-trip from La Paz, Baja, in Mexico from November to April 2013. As an added incentive, guests booking by September 30 earn a $300 travel credit per couple for travel.

An unstructured itinerary explores hideaways such as Isla Espíritu Santo, Isla San Francisco, Bahia Agua Verde, Los Islotes and Loreto. Labelled the “Aquarium of the World" by Jacques Cousteau, the relatively unknown Sea of Cortés rivals the pristine environment and geo- and biological diversity of the world-renowned Galapagos Islands. Flexible itineraries spend time seeking out dolphins and a variety of whales. At Los Islotes, guests enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime adventure snorkelling with playful young sea lions.

Guests can be as active as they like and activities include hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling and skiff excursions. A swim-step and kayak launch platform on the stern of the vessel serves as the hub for guests embarking on water-borne adventures. Expert naturalists provide interpretation on guided excursions ashore and at sea.

Cruise fares start at $2,995, based on double occupancy. Transfers are included from either Los Cabos or La Paz airports. The inclusive cruise includes all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; a massage; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2.5 to 1. Yachts can be booked as a private charter or by individual stateroom.

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

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Autumn Escape With Swan Hellenic

Escape to the Med this autumn to explore historic cities and ancient ruins onboard Swan Hellenic's recently refurbished MV Minerva.

Highlights of the 15-day 'The Mediterranean World' cruise include a visit to the ruined city of Pompeii, the chance to explore Lucca - the town of Puccini's birth – as well as trips to the famous leaning tower of Pisa and the Tunisian port of Sousse, famous for the imprints left by Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs throughout its colourful history.

Renowned experts in archaeology, ornithology and Carthaginian history will be joining passengers onboard and providing lectures throughout the cruise.

The cruise starts from £1,695 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin) and departs from Naples (overnight stop), Livorno, Civitavecchia, Alghero (Sardinia, above), Palermo, Trapani, La Goulette, Sousse and Valletta before arriving into Piraeus (for Athens, overnight) for the flight back to the UK.

The price includes return flights from the UK, transfers, a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

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

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Seabourn's Summer 2013 Selection

For those looking to plan ahead to summer next year, Seabourn offers extraordinary value on European fly and cruise-only itineraries. The 2013 European Cruise Collection offers 66 hand-picked itineraries on voyages ranging from seven to 21 days in length, exploring all corners of Europe and beyond, with some of the highlight destinations, cruises and fares including:

Mediterranean

7-Day Mediterranean Jewels; Departs June 6, 2013 on Seabourn Legend; Route, Rome to Monte Carlo, calling at Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples, Trapani, Ajaccio, Cannes, Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Monte Carlo and Monaco. Fly/Cruise prices start from £2,599pp.

Dalmation coast, Greek Isles & Turkey

7-Day Ephesus and Greek Isles; Departs May 11, 2013 on Seabourn Spirit; Route, Istanbul to Piraeus (Athens), calling at Canakkale, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Cesme, Mykonos,  Rethymnon (Crete), Miso, Nisos Melos and Piraeus. Fly/Cruise prices start from £2,439pp.

Northern Europe

7-Day Baltic and St Petersburg; Departs June 11 and 25 June 2013 on Seabourn Sojourn; Route, Stockholm to Copenhagen, calling at Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Copenhagen. Fly/Cruise prices start from £3,269pp.

Prices include return flights from the UK and are per person, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive, including all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini-bar.

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



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Sir David Frost to sail with Cunard

For those disappointed by seeing little sun this summer, there’s a chance to see Frost instead! Those travelling with Cunard on Queen Mary 2’s seven-night Southampton to New York crossing on July 27 will be able to enjoy several presentations from broadcasting legend Sir David Frost, the only person to have interviewed the last seven Presidents of the United States and the last seven Prime Ministers.

Sir David is no stranger to Cunard, having travelled with the company several times over the years – most recently on a sector of QM2's World Voyage. He also interviewed Nelson Mandela live for the BBC from QE2 in Cape Town in 1998.

During the crossing, Sir David will give a lecture called ‘Interviews I Shall Never Forget’ which is a cascade of memories and hilarious anecdotes. There will also be a Q&A conducted by entertainment director Keith Maynard, who will also introduce the film ‘Frost/Nixon’.

Sir David Frost’s activities during his career have been so diverse that he has been described as a “one man conglomerate.” It is easy to see why: host and co-creator of ‘That Was the Week That Was,’ producer of countless television programmes, author of 17 books; producer of eight films (including ‘Rogue Trader’ with Ewan McGregor and Anna Friel), publisher, lecturer, impresario and the joint founder of London Weekend Television and TV-am. Not to mention the fact he is, perhaps, the best known television interviewer in the world.  

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

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No-Fly Cruising With Silversea

Here's a great opportunity for some luxury cruising next summer with absolutely no airports involved. Ex-UK cruising is increasingly popular, yet six-star opportunities remain relatively rare, which makes these latest offers from Silversea Cruises something of a bargain. Here's what they say. 

Scotland, Iceland & Ireland 

Sail on Silversea's Silver Cloud round-trip from London's Tower Bridge on an 18-day odyssey that takes in the highlands and islands of Scotland, the unique Faroe islands, four ports of call in Iceland, plus Belfast, Dublin and Cornwall.

The voyage departs on July 17, 2013, and also boasts three sea days in which to enjoy the sumptuous features and accommodations of this highly-rated boutique vessel. Prices start from £5,509, based on double occupancy in a Vista suite.

Southampton round trip

Alternatively, Silver Cloud sets sail on August 4, 2013, for a 10-day voyage from London to Southampton. Prices start from £3,799 per person, based on double occupancy in a Vista suite.

Breathe in the sea-salt air from the Moray Firth, explore the streets of Edinburgh's medieval old town and visit the third largest deepwater harbour at Cornwall's favourite, Falmouth. Full itinerary includes: London Bridge, Edinburgh, Invergordon, Portree, Belfast, Dublin, Cobh, Falmouth and Southampton.

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

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Luxury On The Nile And Amazon

After 15 years of part-closure, the Egyptian Government has announced that they are opening up the great Nile from Cairo to Aswan. This iconic 600-mile journey was one of Bales Worldwide’s most popular holidays prior to closure and the company is thrilled to announce plans recommencing this luxury voyage again, aboard its exclusive Dahabiyya sailboats, from this October. 

Some of only a handful of boats allowed to make this timeless journey, Dahabiyyas are fully inclusive and cater for just 12 passengers. Each sailing is accompanied by an Egyptologist, making it the ultimate way to discover Egypt’s rich cultural heritage whilst passing through the breathtaking views, dreamy vistas and riverside towns.

During the journey, guests can explore the lesser known sites of Middle Egypt, such as the rock-cut tombs of Beni Hasan, Tell el-Amarna and Abydos, a must for those who are fascinated by the history of Egypt. However, the greatest highlight of all may just be rediscovering the River Nile aboard one of Bales’ luxurious and traditional sailboats.

Bales has been arranging luxury tours to Egypt for over 50 years and will start these unique and exciting cruises in the cooler months of autumn after the new 600-mile itineraries have been finalised and to celebrate the company’s 65^th Anniversary.

Or try a luxury Amazon cruise from £3,595pp:

Bales Worldwide are also offering a nine-day Amazon experience, including a four-night cruise on the M/V Aria of Aqua Expeditions and three nights in Lima. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing on a mixed board basis. Price includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on select departure dates from July to December 2012. 

For more information, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise experts.

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Christmas (And New Year!) On A Tall Ship

Here's a Christmas or New Year with a difference - spend the festive period this year snorkelling off the white sands of a tropical island in Central America, in the yachting enclave of Antigua’s Falmouth Harbour or in Iles des Saintes in the Caribbean. 

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering spectacular Christmas and New Year itineraries on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Costa Rica. All the ships will be festively decorated and a traditional Christmas will be celebrated on board, adding to the atmosphere in all the ports.

Christmas departures

The stunning, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper, with a capacity of up to 227 guests, will be sailing a seven-night round trip from Barbados through the Windward Islands, departing on December 22. Christmas Day is spent anchored off Antigua, in beautiful Falmouth Harbour, a popular yachting enclave. The cruise costs from £1,390pp, including all meals on board (excluding flights).

The 170-guest, four-masted Star Clipper sails on December 22 from St Maarten on a seven-night Leeward Islands itinerary, spending Christmas Day in Iles des Saintes, a stunning anchorage popular with private yachts, usually with a great festive spirit over Christmas. The voyage costs from £1,255pp, again  including all meals on board (excluding flights).

The third ship in the fleet, Star Flyer, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica over Christmas 2012 on a seven-night voyage from Puerto Caldera, departing on December 23. Christmas Day will be spent on the tropical island of Isla Gamez, Panama, with soft sand beaches, superb snorkelling and protected waters for dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking, all complimentary on a Star Clippers ship. It costs from £1250pp, including all meals on board, (excluding flights).

New Year Departures

Royal Clipper will spend New Year on a seven-night Grenadines cruise, round-trip from Bridgetown, sailing December 29. On New Year’s Eve, the ship will be in St George’s, Grenada, sailing to sleepy, uninhabited Tobago Cays the following day, where guests can relax in the sunshine or snorkel over dazzling reefs. The cruise costs from £1,490pp.

Star Clipper departs Philipsburg, St Maarten, on December 29 for a seven-night Treasure Islands cruise, spending New Year’s Eve in Virgin Gorda, where all the yacht clubs will hold big parties, and moving on to Soper’s Hole and Norman Island on New Year’s Day. The cruise costs from £1,355pp. 

Star Flyer sails out of Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, on December 30 for a seven-night cruise along the Pacific coast, spending New Year’s Eve at sea, with a special party on board to toast the New Year. It costs from £1,90pp, again including all meals on board but excluding flights.

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

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Christmas On The Danube

AmaWaterways 'Christmas Time' cruise is a 7-night sailing between Nuremberg and Budapest on 10 departure dates from the end of November until just after December 25, making it an ideal way to see the Yuletide markets and take in Europe’s festive atmosphere.

Nuremberg is home of the world’s largest Christmas Market, where more than 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offer an assortment of unique children’s toys, tinsel angels, dolls, dollhouses and gingerbread. In Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved Medieval cities, complimentary guided tours take in the Old Kornmarkt's festive stalls adorned with fir branches and the “royal” Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas market where craftsmen can be seen making their goods. In Passau, guests enjoy an optional tour to Salzburg, the `Sound of Music' city, with its numerous festive markets and tourist attractions, and on to Melk, to visit the magnificent baroque Benedictine Abbey.

In Vienna, guests have the opportunity to see some of the numerous Christmas markets in Austria's capital, including the 60 traditional Christmas market stalls at the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace, and to take in a concert or opera (at extra cost). The cruise concludes in Budapest, festively decorated for Christmas, and an illuminations cruise past the city after a farewell dinner on board enables guests to see the city at its finest.

AMA's 7-night Christmas Time cruise costs from £1,265pp, including all meals, wine with dinner, complimentary daily tours and excursions, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, but excludes flights. Departures are on November 21, 28 and 29 and December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 27.

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

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.