Saga Offer Now Or Then

When it comes to the best deals of the New Year, many companies are featuring short-terms offers, while others are offering tempting bonuses and rates if you book in advance for next year, the Now or Then option, as we like to call it.

 

But Saga Cruises are featuring a bit of both, with two excellent contrasting offers - either book now for winter sun next year or, if you can’t wait, get packing this Easter. Take your pick from:

Easter in the Adriatic
Spend Easter Sunday in Venice to attend mass in the Basilica, stroll around St Mark’s Square or take a gondola along the canals - it's all on offer in La Serenissima. Pageants and concerts take place all through Holy Week, so Saga Sapphire passengers will be able to soak up the atmosphere during this special port of call.

 

The 23-night cruise offers many further highlights, from a chance to unearth Tunisia’s Roman heritage in Carthage; cruising to Hvar on the Dalmatian Coast; and enjoying Sardinia’s white beaches. There is also the additional onboard theme of Food and Wine, with baking demonstrations from Great British Bake-off finalist Brendan Lynch, a bake-off competition plus a wine-tasting session with expert Julie Jackson.

It departs on April 9 and costs from £4,199.

Treasures of the Caribbean
Saga Pearl II offers exciting new ports of call in January 2015, including Montserrat - where passengers can observe the volcanic landscape - and Anguilla, an island that is perfect for snorkeling, plus Hillsborough in Carriaciou for a rum punch on the beach and watersports in the warm, clear sea.

 

Passengers will also get to soak up more of the sun and culture on Barbados and Grenada, with options to swim with stingrays on a diving trip in Antigua or visit St Vincent’s botanical garden, the oldest in the tropical world.­

This grand 35-night voyage costs from £4,799, departing Southampton on January 13, 2015.

The Saga Cruises bonus is that these prices include VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals, all drinks (house-branded spirits), entertainment, 24-hour room service, travel insurance and cancellation cover.

More info: call 0800 056 8986 or visit saga.co.uk/cruises.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a very special, limited-time offer to save 50% off a full year's subscription, which includes six issues PLUS our new year-end Cruise Directory. That means a year's worth of Europe's leading cruise publication will be only £15. Check out the special rate on this link!

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A Golfing SeaDream

The Caribbean has some of the world's most beautiful and challenging golf courses and SeaDream Yacht Club has designed a December itinerary with the golf enthusiast in mind, sailing for 7 nights aboard SeaDream I, from December 2-9.

This voyage departs St John’s, Antigua, on December 2 and golfers may wish to arrive on the island early to play 18 holes at Cedar Valley, a course that offers panoramic coastline views. The yacht will be at anchor off Charlestown, Nevis, on December 4 and golfers will certainly want to play the Four Seasons Pinney’s Beach. This 18-hole course is designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and winds around the slopes of the dormant Mount Nevis volcano. 

On December 6, SeaDream I will be in Anguilla, where  18 holes at The Course at Cuisinart Resort is a must. This $50million Greg Norman signature-designed championship course offers breathtaking views of the island and the sea. The voyage ends in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 9. Golfers may wish to extend their stay ashore to play any of the nearly 30 courses on the island. A favourite is Arthur Hills Golf Course at El Conquistador Resort. This par-72 course is as challenging as it is lovely.

Other ports of call included during this voyage are Montserrat, St Barts, Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. Guests can keep their game at its best, by making use of the complimentary Golf Simulator onboard featuring 30 different courses. Sore muscles can be eased after an arduous game by visiting the SeaDream Spa, with its eight Thai-certified, massage therapists.

 

Voyage-only fares lead in at $2,999 per person, excluding golf fees, and $392 in government, port and handling fees. The holiday can be extended with SeaDream’s pre and post-voyage land packages, which include hotel, greens fees, meals and transfers. The concierge is on hand to book the tee-times and guests can either bring their own clubs or hire at the respective golf clubs en route.

 

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

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SeaDream's Star-Studded New Year

SeaDream Yacht Club has announced its two boutique, twin mega-yachts SeaDream I and II will spend New Year's Eve in the glamour haven of St. Barts.

Also known as Saint Barths, this French island offers a unique vibe of laid-back Caribbean meets chic French Riviera. Beaches, shopping, fine dinning and nightlife have made St. Barts a hot spot for billionaires, super models and Hollywood’s Who’s Who. New Year's Eve is the culmination of all things extravagant in the harbour of Gustavia. Expect 100 luxury yachts at anchor, some hosting star-studded private concerts, live music and celebrations across the island with a fireworks display at midnight.

SeaDream I, Voyage #11201, sails from San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 30 for 7 nights, spending December 31 and January 1 in St. Barts. Other islands on this itinerary are Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and St. John. The voyage concludes back in San Juan on January 6, with voyage-only fares from $5,499pp (plus $392pp govt/port charges), including all meals, onboard gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, a complimentary open bar and use of the yacht's “water toys” and Marina.

SeaDream II, Voyage #21201, sails from St. Thomas, U.S.V.I on December 30 for 7 nights, also spending December 31 and January 1 in St. Barts. Other islands on this itinerary are Saba, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Norman Island and Jost van Dyke. The voyage concludes in San Juan on January 6, with voyage-only fares from $4,699pp (plus $392pp govt/port charges), including all meals, onboard gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, a complimentary open bar and use of the yacht's “water toys” and Marina.

SeaDream’s Caribbean voyages feature their signature Champagne and Caviar Splash™ beach barbeque and ample opportunity to use the yacht’s Jet Skis, kayaks and other complimentary water toys. The line suggests booking early as space is limited on these voyages.

For more info, visit www.seadream.com or consult the UK's top luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Spend Christmas on a tall ship

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering 25% off spectacular Christmas cruise itineraries, with no single supplement on each of its tall ships, two of which will be in the Caribbean and one in Costa Rica.

The magnificent, five-masted flagship Royal Clipper, which carries 228 guests, will be sailing an eight-night round trip from Barbados, departing December 18 and calling at various islands in the Grenadines, including the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, returning to Barbados on Boxing Day (from £999 per person, plus £130 port taxes; flights excluded).

The 170-passenger, four-masted Star Clipper sails on December 18 from St Maarten on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths (from £769 per person, plus £130 port taxes; flights excluded).

Meanwhile, the third ship in the fleet, Star Flyer, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica on a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera. This head-turning ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight (from £769 plus, £110 port taxes; flights excluded).

Visit Star Clippers on http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or call specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

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