Take a three-city break on Fred. Olsen's Balmoral

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is giving guests the opportunity to visit three cultural European cities - Oslo, Amsterdam and Antwerp - with Balmoral's (above) 10-night  European Cities & Waterways cruise, departing from Southampton on 24 October from £79 per person, per night. With overnight stays in each destination.

Prices for this European city break cruise start from just £790 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded outside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to Fred. Olsen's all-inclusive drinks package from just £10 per person, per night.

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Top river cruise `lates’ from AmaWaterways

SAVE £800pp

Russian Waterways cruise, with free flights and £800pp saving

Departing on 30^t September 2014 AmaWaterways is offering an 11 night cruise through Russia’s waterways and lakes, sailing from St. Petersburg to Moscow.  The sailing now costs from £1,999 per person, saving £800pp, including free return flights from London, transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board the river cruiser ‘AmaKatarina’ with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily excursions and tours. ,

SAVE £390pp

Mekong river cruise with £390pp saving

Departing on 3 October 2014 AmaWaterways is offering a £390pp saving off a 9 night land-cruise holiday from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh, including a 7 night Mekong cruise aboard AmaLotus, return flights from London, two nights pre-cruise hotel in Siem Reap, transfers and all meals on board, now from £2,879pp. The price includes complimentary wine with lunch and dinner, house brand spirits, local beer and soft drinks throughout the sailing. 

SAVE £485pp

Enchanting Rhine, free flights and £485pp saving

Departing on 20 October 2014 AmaWaterways is offering a 7 night Rhine cruise from Basel to Amsterdam on board the award winning luxury river cruiser AmaDolce, for £1,769pp, saving £485pp (was £2,254), including free return flights from London, transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board with free flowing wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner, daily excursions and tours, free wi-fi, complimentary use of on board bicycles.   

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'Godmother' Twiggy For Emerald

Stylish new river-cruise line Emerald Waterways have announced that super-model, actress and British icon Twiggy will be godmother to their first two ships.

The first of the revolutionary Star-class vessels will be officially named in Amsterdam on April 9 by the trend-setting star of runway, stage, screen and music, who will join the Emerald Star for its maiden voyage to Basel.

Twiggy will then perform the naming ceremony for sister ship Emerald Sky in June.

Emerald Waterways are a brand new name on the European river-cruise scene this year and aim to be different from the start, with an all-new ship design and a fresh approach that also hopes to appeal to a younger audience.

The two ships will both feature state-of-the-art features like the on-board swimming pool that converts into an evening cinema, as well as optional alfresco dining when permissible. And the christening and maiden voyage will be featured in depth in the May issue of World of Cruising.

An Emerald spokesman explained: "We’re extremely excited to announce our first ‘Star-Ships’ will be christened by none other than a British style icon. Think ‘Twiggy’ and words

like iconic, trendsetter, chic and stylish spring to mind – the exact words we had in mind when we carefully sculpted our ships. 

"So there really was no one better to appoint as Godmother of our revolutionary vessels than the world’s first supermodel, who set the benchmark for those who followed.

"Ahead of the christening in Amsterdam, we visited our ships in their final stage of production and were extremely impressed by their incredibly sleek, stylish and innovative interior. 

"Perfectly accessorised with cutting-edge features and contemporary décor, like Twiggy, our ships will set the standard for future generations. And we’re delighted Twiggy will be on the front row as their striking designs are unveiled."

More info: call 0808 102 0109 or visit www.emeraldwaterways.co.uk.

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MSC To Increase UK Med Cruise Offers

MSC Cruises has announced a big increase in its Mediterranean fly-cruise capacity for the UK market in 2015 as part of its focus on its Mediterranean heritage next year.

However, the big Italian line will not operate any ex-UK sailings for a year from "early 2015," although it insists it WILL return to the UK after next year.

MSC Opera (above), which is currently sailing out of Southampton, will be out of action for part of summer 2015 as part of the company's two-year 'Renaissance Programme' to refurbish its Lirica-class ships in dry dock for 38 weeks.

The cruise line has already announced its redevelopment of MSC Armonia, Sinfonia, Opera and Lirica as part of its new Med voyage focus in 2015. And Giles Hawke, managing director for UK and Ireland, explained: "As market leader for Mediterranean cruises it is important that we work to reinforce this position by increasing our fly-cruise capacity, along with improving our ships to include more balcony cabins, more on board entertainment and additional technological advancements.

"We are considering various charter options and working with our air partners to come up with the best approach to keep up with the current customer demand for fly-cruises direct to the Mediterranean. We will also be introducing tools supporting travel agents in order to make the fly-cruise booking process easier than ever."

MSC Opera will be cruising from Southampton in 2014 on a selection of mini cruises, Baltic cruises, Fjord cruises and the 'Continental Discovery' cruise, while MSC Magnifica also starts a short programme of 7-night cruises in the autumn from Southampton, featuring an overnight stay in Amsterdam plus visits to Belgium, France and Hamburg.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk.

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MSC's New Grand Voyage

Asia and the Middle East are increasingly fertile cruise areas in the winter months, and we have just been alerted to another new option in this region from MSC Cruises.

Taking their MSC Orchestra, MSC will be operating a special Grand Voyage in 2015, setting sail from the dazzling deserts of the United Arab Emirates and visiting the iconic sites of south-east Asia before reaching and exploring the enchanting coastlines of Australia. The once-in-a-lifetime 33-night Grand Voyage sets out from from Dubai on February 22 next year and arrives in Perth on 26 March 2015.

During the first part of her journey, Orchestra will call into Mumbai and Cochin, before arriving in Colombo, the gateway to Sri Lanka. She will then visit Phuket, Thailand's most popular and glamorous beach destination, followed by a stop in Langkawi, a true Malaysian tropical gem. Singapore’s skyline will be the ship’s next destination, where she will stay overnight, allowing guests to soak up the charms of this city-state where history and modernity walk hand in hand. Lush Benoa, in Bali, will be the ship’s last stop in Asia, offering travellers the chance to enjoy breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, enchanting temples and white sandy beaches.

Orchestra will continue her journey stopping in Cairns, in Australia’s tropical north, a city renowned for its easy access to the wilderness, romantic Port Douglas and its laid back ambience. The second port of call ‘Down Under’ will be Brisbane, with its vibrant atmosphere and excellent shopping scene. An overnight stay in Sydney will enchant travellers with stunning views of the world-renowned Opera House and the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. MSC Orchestra will then complete its route to Perth via the state capital of Victoria, Melbourne, and Adelaide, recently named one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit, where travellers can sample some of the world’s finest wines on a wine-tasting tour.

It all adds up to a truly amazing one-off voyage and is sure to have great appeal for those who appreciate these more exotic voyages.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk/uk_en/MSC/MSC-Orchestra-Grand-Voyages-2015.aspx.

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Exploring Holland & Belgium, Expedition Style

We always try to bring you something new when we can here at World of Cruising. But an adventure cruise in Holland and Belgium with zodiacs? Read on!

Most expeditions with Lindblad Expeditions are epic, an immersion in  the wilderness. Many cover great swaths of geography, sometimes logging thousands of miles in a voyage. But this voyage is different. The 9-day Exploring the Low Countries: Holland and Belgium slows it down and offers a different kind of immersion, where lesser distances are covered and hidden facets of familiar places are explored.

Set to depart May 4,on the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer, the expedition will discover an ideal mix of cultural highlights including the perfectly preserved medievalism of Brugge and Gent, Amsterdam art, and the nature that formed the culture of the Low Countries, while exploring Holland and Belgium by sea.

 

Guests will visit islands renowned for their rustic beauty and birdlife; transit city canals by Zodiac; and experience all the charm for which these sites are renowned.
More info: visit www.expeditions.com or call (in the US) 1800 397 3348. 

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That Marco Polo Style

Guest blogger Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, reports back on her most recent voyage, a mini-cruise aboard the classic Marco Polo...

I recently returned from a 3-night sailing with Cruise & Maritime Voyages aboard their MS Marco Polo visiting Gent in Belgium and Amsterdam in Holland. This was by far the smallest ship I had cruised on, but boy does she have a big heart.

I was on Navigator Deck, cabin 821, and was pleasantly surprised by the overall size of the room. I had two single beds along with a large chest of drawers, chair, table and TV and a three-door wardrobe. The bathroom was generous, too. and the spacious accommodation made up for my obstructed window view.

In the evening, we dined in the Waldorf restaurant on a table for 10. There were quite a few

large tables, surprisingly, and the restaurant felt a lot bigger than it was. The speed of service was just right, too. I have cruised on ships with half-full dining rooms and we have waited an age between courses. But, every night, the dining room on Marco Polo was packed and not once did the system break down.

My absolute favourite part, though, had to be her aft pool deck. What an incredible space - and her tiered stern just added even more character. I love a tiered stern and I was pretty

much in my element there. Every day, it was alive with people sitting and enjoying the view or a few glasses of wine. I wish we had more ships that offered such a wonderful space.

Scott’s Bar was the “go to” place of an evening and the music and dancing lastws well into the early hours. Columbus Bar was nice if you wanted something a little quieter and, of course, you would visit the Marco Polo Lounge for the evening’s main entertainment. One space I especially liked was the Captain’s Club (below). It was modern, bright and airy and had a great relaxation vibe about it. I didn’t get to spend as much time here as I would have liked, but the brief “chill out” was very much appreciated after my five-hour journey to the port.

Marco Polo is an old ship, coming up to her 50th birthday in fact, yet she is still going strong. Yes, in some areas she is a little dated, but she still has a few years left in her and the overall atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. I met several passengers who have cruised on her dozens of times and are still going back for more. The biggest appeal for

them was first of all her size, followed by the atmosphere and then, in the words of one passenger, the fact “they simply don’t make ships like this any more.” One lady had cruised more than 40 times and still wanted more!

I hope to cruise on Marco Polo again in the not-too-distant future. I am definitely starting to get a taste for small-ship cruising.

For more from Danielle, visit www.cruisemiss.com.

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Wine & Christmas With AMA

Enjoy Europe’s vineyards during the wine harvest on a wine-themed luxury river cruise with AmaWaterways, during a 7-night sailing from Budapest to Vilshofen on board one of the newest and most advanced river ships in Europe, the AmaPrima. 

Departing on November 6, AMA's "In Celebration of Wine" sailing includes wine-themed tours and presentations, visits to wineries and wine tastings, and the price of £1,599pp includes a generous saving of £373pp.

Or save £734pp off a week-long cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg, departing on November 20. The AmaPrima sails to Bratislava, Vienna, Melk, Linz, Passau and Regensberg, before arriving in Nuremberg, home of Europe’s largest Christmas market. The price is now from £2,159pp .

AMA's Christmas markets river cruise has a saving of £388pp on  a week-long sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest, with the numerous and varied Christmas markets in Vienna and the picturesque stalls and wares for sale in Linz and Passau. This "Christmas Time Cruise" departs on December 16 and now costs from £1,779pp.

And two more great festive season river-cruise ideas:

December 28: Recuperate from Christmas and Celebrate New Year!

Get Christmas over and done with and head off for a week on a luxury river cruiser, sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest. See Europe in its festive finery, visit the regal cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, spend New Year’s Eve in picturesque Linz and enjoy a relaxing New Year’s Day in the spectacular surroundings of the Baroque Melk Abbey, followed by a cruise through Austria’s Wachau Valley. The week-long sailing now costs from £1769pp, saving £469pp.

December 25: River cruise solves Christmas AND New Year!

Spend Christmas Day in festive Nuremberg and New Year in Amsterdam, where fireworks will light up the sky for miles around and the city will be partying right into New Year’s Day. Embark on the luxury new river cruiser AmaPrima on December 25, sail along the Main and Rhine waterways, visiting picturesque towns and villages each day and enjoying five-star cuisine and comfort all the way, to arrive in Amsterdam for New Year. The price of £1,649pp saves £431pp.

NB: All prices include return flights from London, ship transfers, all meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily tours and excursions, wi-fi and use of onboard bicycles. 

More info: Contact AmaWaterways on (freephone) 0808 223 5009 or online at www.amawaterways.co.uk.

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AMA's Christmas River-Cruise Crackers

Christmas market river cruises are now big business in Europe, and there are a wide variety of ways to enjoy the festive period along the Rhine and Danube, soaking up the best of the river-cruise style as well as the ideal way to visit these Markets.

Take this little selection from AMAWaterways...

AMA's Christmas Time cruise is a 7-night sailing between Nuremberg and Budapest on 13 departure dates from the end of November throughout the festive season. The cruise takes in the world’s largest Christmas market in Nuremberg, the festively decorated stalls of the Old Kornmarkt's in the medieval city of Regensberg and the “royal” Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, 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. 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.

Departing on December 2, the Christmas Time cruise costs from £1,639pp (including a saving of £355pp), with free return UK flights, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily excursions, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles. The same cruise on December 16 costs from £1,649pp, saving £504pp including free return flights from the UK.

Other 2013 Christmas Market cruises depart on November 25, 27 and 30, and December 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 18, 21 and 28 (excluding free flights offer).

Christmas also comes early on the Danube where AMA are giving free flights with bookings for their December 23 Christmas on the Danube sailing. The cruise, from Budapest to Vilshofen, visits some of Europe’s most picturesque cities and towns at their most festive, including Vienna, Passau, Melk and Bratislava. It costs from £1,719pp (saving £506pp), including free flights, all meals (with Christmas meals and events), wine with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily tours, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles.

Departing on December 18, take a magnificent 14-night journey through five countries along Europe’s main waterways, spend Christmas in the medieval city of Nuremberg then overnight in Amsterdam for New Year when the sky is lit up by a magnificent display of fireworks. AMA's Magnificent Europe at Christmas Time cruise costs from £2,789p (saving £974pp), and also includes free flights, all meals (with Christmas meals and events), wine with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily tours, free Wi-Fi and use of on-board bicycles.

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

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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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Variety & Value From AMA

As our regular readers will know, we love a good cruise offer here at Time Spent At Sea (especially with all the late deals we can't fit into the magazine), and the latest from AmaWaterways highlight both their terrific worldwide variety - from Paris to Phnom Penh - as well as some stonking good value.

Take your pick from:

August 16, Rail & Sail to Paris & Normandy; now from £2,089pp (saving £426) 

Take the Eurostar from Ebsfleet to Paris and cruise the Seine to Rouen on a 7-night voyage on board AMA's luxury river cruiser AmaLegro. The price includes free Eurostar travel, non-UK transfers, all meals, daily sightseeing tours, and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner.

August 16, 9-night Mekong cruise; now from £2,199pp (saving £339)

Visit the temples, floating markets, monasteries, historic pagodas and rural villages of south east Asia, spend a day in Phnom Penh, two nights in Siem Reap and a day in Ho Chi Minh City. AMA's 'Riches of the Mekong’ adventure includes the 7-night cruise and 2 nights hotel in Siem Riep, with return London flights, transfers, all meals, complimentary house spirits, beer and soft drinks and daily tours and excursions.

September 17, Douro Valley river cruise; now from £2,279pp (saving £104) 

AMA is offering this 7-night Douro river cruise with free return flights from London and transfers. The cruise embarks and disembarks in Porto and meanders through vineyards and past fishing villages along the picturesque Douro valley and the price includes all meals, daily sightseeing tours, and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 

September 27, Rhine cruise now from £2,085pp (saving £300pp)

This luxury 7-night luxury Rhine cruise from Amsterdam to Basel visits Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and the Black Forest and the price includes free flights from London, non-UK transfers, all meals, daily sightseeing tours, and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner.

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

  

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New Rhone-Rhine Itinerary From CroisiEurope

Distinguished French river-cruise operator CroisiEurope has combined two of its most popular routes to create a brand new 10-day cruise along the Rhine and Rhone rivers. The new and original itinerary, which launches next year, will see passengers board in Amsterdam, before setting off along a scenic and culturally enriching route that passes through some of the continent’s most treasured towns and sites in Holland, Germany and France.

While travelling the length of the celebrated Rhone before transferring onto the Rhine – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – passengers will enjoy a range of optional and complementary excursions to some of Europe’s most historical sites. From a guided tour of northern Europe’s most ancient Cathedral in Aachen to a circuit of Lyon’s Old Town and Traboules passageways, to a train journey through the Medieval town of Tournon, in southern France, there is plenty to cater for all interests.

The cruise starts in Amsterdam and visits Xanten, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Konigswinter, Koblenz, Mainz, Worms, Strasbourg, Chalon Sur Saone, Lyon, Tournon and Arles before finishing in Avignon. The 2014 departure dates are April 22, May 17, June 27 and September 28. Cruise-only prices start at €1,303 per person (approximately £1,100) based on two people sharing an air-conditioned twin main deck cabin with a fully equipped en suite bathroom, including all meals and drinks on board (excluding Champagne and wines on the wine list), a wide range of entertainment, a welcome cocktail, coach transfer, a museum visit, Gala dinner entertainment, insurance and port taxes.

For bookings, see http://www.croisieurope.travel/; for more river-cruise ideas, follow this link to our sponsors, The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river-cruising specialists.

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Jenkins Spices Up P&O

Glamorous Katherine Jenkins, the classical crossover artist, will be performing as a special guest on P&O Cruises' Oriana for two short cruises later this year.

Both cruises are now on sale, and the details are as follows:

• Departing Oct 31, a four-night cruise calling at Zeebrugge (for Bruges) and Amsterdam, from £399 per person for a Vantage Fare.
• Departing Nov 27, a four-night cruise calling at Zeebrugge (for Bruges) and Amsterdam, from £399 per person for a Vantage Fare.

Oriana, which is exclusively for adults, has three pools, the Oasis Spa, gym, theatre, cinema, sports court, plus numerous restaurants and bars, including the Ocean Grill by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

P&O managing director Carol Marlow said: “These short breaks provide the opportunity for an indulgent weekend of fine dining, pampering in the spa, time to explore the ports, rounded off by a very special performance from the world’s most prolific classical crossover artist Katherine Jenkins.”

Since launching her career in 2003, the Welsh star has sold in excess of seven million albums, which has made her the fastest selling soprano ever. Katherine has become a premier ambassador of bringing classical music to a mainstream audience.

Vantage Fares benefits include a choice of cabin, the flexibility to make amendments to, or even change, the choice of cruise or cabin up to 90 days prior to departure, plus one of the following; on board spending money, car parking in Southampton or return coach travel to Southampton. It also features P&O's Price Promise protection, which ensures that should the price of the Vantage Fare reduce; the difference will be awarded in on board spending or a cabin upgrade.

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

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Head For The Fjords With MSC

Here's a great little offer to start the month - set sail from Southampton to the Norwegian fjords with MSC Cruises in a balcony cabin from just £699 per person.

This early-summer offering is on board their chic MSC Opera, which provides the ideal balance between style, comfort and affordability. Featuring fine woodwork, marble floors and panoramic windows, allowing passengers to catch the spectacular views of the Nordic coastline, the ship has been conceptually designed to feature a wide range of options, from fine dining to exclusive entertainment and indulgent spa experiences.

 

Once ashore, guests can embark on a variety of cultural excursions, ranging from an insider tour of Oslo to an epic train journey on the Flaam railway through the spectacular Norwegian landscape.

The 7-night cruise departs from Southampton on June 8 and balcony cabin prices start from a bargain £699 per person (including cruise and transfers), as the ship calls at Ijmuiden (for Amsterdam), Flaam, Stavanger, Oslo and back to Southampton. Prices also include free car parking at Southampton Port or National Express transfers to Southampton.

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

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Tulips - And Museums - In Amsterdam With Avalon

The re-opening of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the perfect reason to book an Avalon Waterways Dutch cruise, not only to marvel at the famous treasures on show in the city but to experience Holland’s culture, architecture and landscapes, which many famous artists drew their inspiration from - painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Steen and Halls, who all feature in a Gallery of Honour at the Dutch state museum after its grand opening last week.

Avalon’s 8-day ‘Tulip Time’ river-cruise takes in all this and more, including the tranquil, open landscapes of Holland and Belgium. Highlights include the Keukenhof’s magnificent spring flowers in amazing displays (above) and the picturesque wooden windmills of Kinderdijk.  Visitors will also enjoy a guided walk in Veere, a canal cruise in cosmopolitan Amsterdam, sightseeing with local guides in Antwerp, Ghent and Middelburg as well as the fascinating city of Maastricht. The voyage is priced from £1,639 per person.

The 8 day ‘Tulips of Northern Holland’ cruise combines the well-known attractions of the Netherlands with those off the beaten track. Cruise from historic Haarlem to explore northern Holland, surrounded in tulip fields, and the charming area of Friesland, famed for its black and white cows. The cruise crosses the Ijsselmeer for a tour of the small town of Hoorn before visiting the pretty coastal town of Enhuizen and its ZuiderZee Museum, the Batavia shipyard in Lelystad, and an historic windmill near the fishing village of Volendam. In Arnhem, guests will visit the the city's Kröller-Müller Museum or nearby Het Loo Palace, and, from Rotterdam, an optional excursion is available to the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens. Highlights also include a visit to the famous cheese-making town of Edam, as well as a canal cruise in Amsterdam. It is priced from £1,609 per person. 

Prices quoted include return flights, seven nights full board deluxe cruise with wine served at dinner, private door-to-door home pick-up service, onboard gratuities,  guided city sightseeing and airport transfers. Extra nights in Amsterdam are available from £85 per person.

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

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MSC Magnifica To Hamburg!

Continuing the MSC Cruises voyage aboard MSC Magnifica with Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, from Amsterdam to Dover...

Today I had the chance to enjoy the hospitality of Hamburg as MSC Magnifica sailed into our next port of call. We didn’t arrive until 10.30am so it was the perfect excuse to have a short lie in and not worry about rushing off the ship.

I made my way down for breakfast which consisted for me of an English muffin, beans and a hash brown. Yes just one! I love hash browns, so it was best not to be greedy and just resist the temptation to have more than one. The selection of food was pretty impressive once again, though. I bumped into my adopted Dutch family during breakfast and they said I was welcome to join them for the day so I accepted their invitation and we arranged a time to meet.

This was my first experience of having some passengers disembarking and others just simply trying to get off to enjoy the day ashore. I have to admit it was a little confusing; everyone was trying to get through the same exit but what started out as a huge queue went down in less than 4 minutes and we were off the ship before we knew it. It was one of those times when you don’t judge it, just go with it. It actually worked very well because everyone worked together.

Once off the ship we jumped on the Number 111 bus to Landungsbrucken and began exploring. We walked for what felt like miles and passed the beautiful Municipal Building, truly gorgeous both inside and out. The best section was a courtyard at the back, so don’t miss this if you are heading to Hamburg. In front, there is a pleasant square with a few coffee shops and it branches off onto other streets with stores and other places of interest.

We passed church after church and some impressive bridges, one of which is the oldest in the city and links the old town with the new. It was a mix of modern and historical literally joined together in places; different, but nice.

I must admit I found it difficult to navigate and was fortunate having my Dutch friends with me, one of whom could also speak German. Had I been on my own, I doubt I would have seen half as much as I did. I am good with planning and mapping a route, but can’t quite grasp the German language. I took in my route, noted it down in my brain, then checked the map again but was still baffled!

After having walked some distance, we decided to hop on the train at Baumwall one stop back to Landungsbrucken, where we opted for the water taxi back to the ship - good idea until we got on! The brisk breeze made for lumpy water and, within minutes of leaving, the boat was pitching so much we were getting soaked on the open top deck.

Once back, it was time to grab some lunch. I opted for spinach and ricotta pasta and then grabbed a few steamed asparagus spears, a slice of freshly baked baguette and sat down quite content. As I made my way back to take pictures, I came across the biggest carving joint I have seen in my life. I asked the chef what it was and he said ‘It is beef madam, it’s a leg.’ To me, it looked like a whole cow - it was huge. Again, the food on board had proved its worth, and is one of the reasons I'm sure I won't want to get off on Saturday. 

The evening dress code was Casual, so it was nice to have a fun-filled day without the pressure of having to rush back to dress for dinner. Jeans, pumps and a smart jacket would see me right for the night.

Next up - the island of Heligoland and a rare cruise port of call.

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Sailing Aboard MSC Magnifica

Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, brings us up to date on her voyage aboard MSC Cruises' MSC Magnifica from Amsterdam....

I joined MSC Magnifica (left) yesterday morning and so far I am very impressed. Check-in was swift and I was shown personally to my cabin - a very nice touch I walked through the door and was greeted with a rather nice balcony cabin and queen-sized bed. Yes, I have all of this space to myself and it feels good!

After a brief exploration, I made my way out to explore the rest of the ship. Every inch of this vessel really is beautiful; even the elevators have character. She also has the same sweet floral smell I encountered on MSC Lirica last year (as does the liquid soap in the cabin bathroom). It’s not the usual cruise ship smell - this ship wears hers like perfume!

Over the previous few days I had struggled to fit in a nice sit-down meal so, when lunchtime came, I knew I had the chance to enjoy the Sahara Buffet area and relax. I walked in and it just didn’t end - everywhere you went there was food and it all looked delicious. I have been on larger ships than Magnifica, yet the buffet areas have been less than half the size of the one on here. It was hard to decide what to have, though, but I opted eventually for a cheese wrap that was delicious. I also tried the stir-fried rice with shrimp and chicken, which was equally tasty. All I can say is, for food lovers this is the place to come - it’s far from typical buffet food and the presentation is superb.

After we sailed away from the port of Amsterdam, I went exploring again and discovered the huge Casino. This, my friends, is what a casino on a ship should be! I stumbled across the Sports Bar, with ESPN showing on numerous flatscreen TVs. Along with sporting memorabilia (see below!) and images, it’s a nice space - and a great place for the women to leave the men when in need of some onboard retail therapy!

I walked past the Oriental Plaza restaurant, which is a speciality dining option where the menu features a lot of Sushi, and also came across the Cigar Lounge, the two-lane bowling alley and then right aft on deck 13, the lovely seating area where people were enjoying the sail away and lunch.

Coming back to the centrum of the ship on deck 13, it felt like the majority of passengers were here. The weather was actually pleasant and surprisingly, warm, and the space was full of people enjoying drinks, laughing, chatting and just enjoying being in that holiday spirit.

In the evening I took myself off to the Sports Bar briefly, then made my way back on to the open deck and enjoyed a drink and the atmosphere. The majority of those on board, I think, are German and Dutch; I have come across only two other British passengers so far. Not that it matters, as everyone has been very friendly and will switch to English when you smile and say you don’t understand them.

My first impressions of MSC Magnifica are therefore very positive indeed. She truly is beautiful; everything is clean, tidy and very well cared for. The facilities are above and beyond what I expected and I am certainly enjoying my taste of Italian-style cruising!

 

Next - in port in Hamburg.

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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