Expedition cruise in the Atlantic provinces of Canada

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Polar expedition experts One Ocean Expeditions are introducing a new 10-day cruise in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada visiting Nova Scotia, Quebec and Newfoundland and  the French territory of Saint Pierre et Miquelon in July 2015.

Starting in Louisbourg on the southeast coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the journey will showcase the beauty, rich marine life, fishing and Celtic cultures of otherwise inaccessible outports and islands of the Maritime East Coast. 

Highlights of the voyage will include the shipwrecks and wild ponies of Sable Island and Canada’s newest National Park, Bird Island; Quebec’s Magdalen Islands, the iconic Bonaventure Island, and the culturally rich Gaspe Peninsula and Anticosti Island.  This departure will also take guests to the spectacular Gros Morne National Park and the isolated marine community of Francois, as well as crossing the French border at St-Pierre et Miquelon, before returning to Louisbourg.

The East Coast Wildlife Safari takes place from 7 to 16 July, 2015.  Prices start from £4,450 per person sharing a twin cabin including all meals and accommodation on board, Zodiac excursions and landings, ship transfers and foul weather gear. Flights are not included.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Introduces All-Inclusive Packages On 2015 Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line UK now has a “Norwegians Get It All and a Whole Lot More” promotion, an All-Inclusive Package for guests sailing in 2015 and booking between now and 30 October 2014. Including speciality drinks, speciality dining, service charges, internet, and more. This new package will add a value of more than £1,238  per stateroom on a 7-night cruise. 

The package will be available on cruises of three to 14 nights taking guests to  the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Canada & New England, the Panama Canal and South America between 4 January and 27 December 2015. The package is also bookable with Norwegian’s European programme which includes Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern Europe and Canary Island itineraries.

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Oceania Cruises Unveils 2015 Summer Collection

Here at World of Cruising we know you like  to like to look ahead and plan in advance and be sure of a great cruise deal (as many of the best are now reserved for those who book sooner rather than later), Oceania Cruises has just announced its 2015 Summer Collection, featuring voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Canada, Asia and Africa.

The chic, upscale 5-ship fleet will offer a diverse collection of itineraries, with 24 new ports of call on four continents during the 2015 summer season. Among the new ports are Luanda, Paamiut, Trois-Rivières, Archangel, Skiathos, Londonderry, Wismar and Palamós. Also new is a series of Grand Voyages in Europe, ranging in length from 20 to 70 days, and offering multiple opportunities for extended exploration during the summer.
All voyages feature Free Airfare. Additionally, Oceania is offering 50% off deposits on all stateroom categories and free gratuities for guests staying in Veranda Staterooms and above, while all Grand Voyages feature exclusive Prestige Package amenities that may include a 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay; visa package; round-trip transfers; laundry service; unlimited internet and free gratuities in all stateroom and suite categories. Reservations must be booked by June 30.

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

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Cruise Directory  in December, see this link.

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Dance With the Stars, Holland America Style

Holland America Line has announced an exciting new “Dancing with the Stars” experience will be featured on board its ships next year. Whether you like to Tango, Quickstep or Paso Doble, or just sit back and enjoy watching the sizzling performances, the new programme offers guests an entirely unique experience on the seas.

Six themed cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing with the Stars” events, including dance lessons, a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos, and a dazzling production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show. Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson, and pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer, with more names to be announced soon.*

In addition to the themed cruises, every sailing on all 15 ships in the HAL fleet will feature an exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” programme, including dance lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance centre stage in an exciting dance-off performance. These activities will feature the ships’ professional dancers and will be developed in collaboration with the show’s dancers and choreographers.

The themed cruises are: February 16, Eurodam 7-day Eastern Caribbean; June 22, Veendam 7-day Canada & New England; June 30 and July 7, Oosterdam 7-day Alaska; January 5, 2014, Nieuw Amsterdam 7-day Eastern Caribbean and January 12, 7-day Western Caribbean.

(*Performers are subject to change)

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

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Crystal's Golf Cruises

Crystal Cruises is expanding its luxury golfing opportunities around the world with a 25% increase in international course offerings in 2013, many of them new to the deluxe line. With three golf-themed cruises boasting new itineraries in the British Isles, New England/Canada and the Canary Islands/Iberia, the 'Experience of Discovery' voyages offer immersion in more than a dozen of the regions’ best and most breathtaking courses, as well as onboard clinics, classes and mingling to improve one’s game.

Crystal’s 11-night cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona on April 10 is a great example of the six-star calibre of opportunities available on board and ashore. British golfing legend Tony Jacklin will be on hand to share tips and tales from his esteemed career, as well as play with guests at renowned championship courses, including:

• Valderrama (Cadiz) – considered by many to be the number one course in Europe, with a design that utilises natural hazards to challenge golfers.
• Oitavos Dunes (Lisbon) – called “one of the finest pieces of golfing heaven anywhere in continental Europe” thanks to a design that complements a natural setting, including 50-year-old umbrella pines lining the outward nine.
• El Saler Golf Course (Valencia) – named one of Golf Magazine’s 100 Greatest Courses in the World and designed by the “architect of Spanish golf”, Javier Arana.Golf Club del Sur (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) – home to several PGA European tour competitions with water hazards, volcanic sand bunkers and 8,000 palm trees surrounding its 27 holes (Crystal guests will play 18).
• Palheiro Golf Club (Funchal) – designed to test players’ strategic game with tight fairways, fast greens and stunning bay views from 200-year-old estate grounds.

Crystal’s golf programme includes a VIP welcome reception; pre and post-round refreshments in legendary clubhouses; welcome kits with course information and gifts; team-pairing; transportation to/from courses; game carts or caddies (where available); 45-minute warm-ups; awards; storage and cleaning of clubs and shoes; and more – all included. TaylorMade clubs, putting greens, driving ranges and golf pros (who offer private lessons or complimentary group coaching sessions) are also available on board for extra practice, as with every Crystal cruise.

The 11-night cruise starts with an overnight in Lisbon and visits Madeira, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Arrecife, Agadir, Casablanca, Cadiz and Valencia before finishing in Barcelona. All-inclusive fares start from £2,956 per person.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise 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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Crystal's Autumn New England Style

Crystal Cruises’ autumn voyages through America and Canada’s East Coast offer dozens of new boutique adventures ashore, including a brand new, exotic Québécois itinerary with three off-the-beaten-path maiden calls. 

Beginning September 19 on Crystal Symphony – freshly redesigned during a $15million makeover – the series of autumn voyages feature five cruises from 7 to 11 nights sailing between Boston, Manhattan and Montréal. The season’s centre-piece, Crystal’s first-ever round-trip from Montréal, is a seven-night intimate exploration of European-flavoured French Canada, including a maiden call to France itself.

The 29 new Crystal Adventures ashore also offer novel ways for foodies, adventurers and culture-hounds to experience the historic region’s most iconic and less-expected areas, such as:

• Bar Harbor: Glide over Acadia National Park’s treetops in an open-cockpit biplane.
• Magdalen Islands (maiden call): Learn about the distinct Acadian culture and taste local specialties like porto-style fortified wine, Pied-de-Vent cheese and bagosse “island beer”.
• Montréal: Jet boat away from the Old Port down the Lachine Rapids. 
• Sept-Îles (maiden call): Train-ride to a marshland Innu camp for immersion into traditional First Nations life, from chanting and smoked salmon secrets to moccasin and medicine-making.
• St John: Heli-fish in the footsteps of Prince Charles on the Miramichi River or have “Tea with Eleanor” Roosevelt at her and Franklin’s former summer residence. 
• Boston: See what some call New England’s most well-preserved (and picturesque) Colonial town during a half-day in Marblehead and witch trial-famed Salem. 

Until August 31, all-inclusive “Book Now” fares start from £2,744 per person, including return scheduled flights, overseas transfers and onboard accommodation with all meals and soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, entertainment, port taxes and gratuities. 

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

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Northwest Passage = Plethora of Wildlife

While the history of the 300-year search for the Northwest Passage, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is well documented, travellers in search of a polar adventure may be less aware of the huge variety and numbers of wildlife to be enjoyed during a voyage through the Canadian High Arctic.

According to Aaron Lawton, a Northwest Passage Expedition Leader with specialist small-ship cruise company One Ocean Expeditions, it is possible to be truly inundated and overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of marine mammals, polar bears and birdlife that appear during such a voyage.

This bombardment of wildlife sightings is by no means an isolated experience as passengers on board the impressive ice-strengthened Akademik Ioffe will discover. Using zodiac inflatable boats with the quietest of motors, travelling upwind of a polar bear, it is possible to safely get within metres of these beautiful creatures as they stroll along the shoreline. And, with a real chance of seeing pods of beluga or bowhead whales, a raft of ringed, harp or bearded seals, a herd of walrus and staggering numbers of birds, many with chicks in various stages of fledging, it is certain to be a wildlife experience to remember.

Today’s adventurers will travel in much greater comfort than the remarkable polar explorers who went before them. Facilities on board include a bar and lounge, a library and media room, plus a theatre-style presentation room, gift-shop and wellness centre with massage, sauna and hot tub, as well as a dining room serving excellent meals throughout the voyage.

Additional highlights of the 14-night trip, which travels between Kangerlussuaq in Greenland and Coppermine in Canada, include majestic, steep-sided fjords and massive tabular icebergs; the chance to visit remote Inuit communities and meet traditional Greenlandic kayakers; and the opportunity to participate in hiking, kayaking, photographic and birding expeditions in the company of expert guides.

One Ocean Expeditions is offering the choice of two 14-night voyages through the Northwest Passage this summer. Departures are on August 12 from Kangerlussuaq, sailing west to Coppermine, and August 26 in reverse.

Prices start from $7,590 per person, based on triple share and from $10,990 for a private twin cabin. Suites and superior cabins are also available and range from $11,990-$13,990. Charter flights between Ottawa and Kangerlussuaq and Edmonton and Coppermine are required for passengers joining these voyages, at an additional cost of $1,850 per person.

Kayaking excursions are also available at a cost of $695 per person. Return transfers between Kangerlussuaq/Kugluktuk airports and the ship, all meals and accommodation and zodiac excursions are included.

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

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P&O Offering Free Cabin Upgrades This Month

P & O Cruises is offering FREE cabin upgrades in March on a selection of 67 cruise holidays on all seven ships in the fleet, departing between June and December 2012. The 'Ultimate Upgrade' promotion is valid on bookings made throughout March, and entitles customers to a higher grade cabin at a lower grade price.

For example, a nine-night Atlantic Coast cruise on board Oceana, departing from Southampton on May 25, and calling in Gibraltar, Casablanca, Cadiz, Lisbon and Vigo, now has the following pricing:

Inside cabin: was £949, now £949
Outside cabin: was £1,259, now £949
Balcony cabin: was £1,429, now £1,259
Mini-suite: was £2,339, now £1,429
Suite: was £2,869, now £2,499

All cruises in the promotion depart from Southampton and are between two and 35 nights in duration, to a choice of destinations such as the Mediterranean, Baltic, Canary Islands, Caribbean, USA and Canada, Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, and Around Britain.

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

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Crystal's New 'Private Adventure' Shore Excursions

Do you love to see legendary sites, but dislike group tours? Renowned for unique and creative land tours that complement its luxury cruise experience, Crystal Cruises is introducing a private shore excursion alternative for individualistic adventurers. Crystal’s new “Private Adventure Option” enables guests to take already-organised group excursions – in a more intimate fashion.

Beginning this August/September, parties of two, four or six can opt for a personal guide and private vehicle to tour Ephesus, Pompeii or the city of Barcelona, for example – on a shore-side itinerary already carefully crafted by Crystal’s Land Programmes team and its worldwide tour operators.

Crystal’s Vice President for International Sales & Marketing, Philip Ordever, says he was inspired to create the programme by his own holiday: “While I heard how much guests appreciated the ‘creative content’ of our Crystal Adventures, some said they would love to take the same tour by themselves to make it even more personal,.

“At Crystal, we are committed to giving our guests choices. Being able to really personalise your experience is the hallmark of a perfect luxury holiday.”

For several years, Crystal has offered guests a “Crystal Private Adventure” programme, which offers customised land itineraries for individuals, their families and friends. The new “Private Adventure Option” is similar, but follows established excursions in a private way. If guests prefer to modify their “Private Adventure Option” or expand the group, the trip would then become a custom “Crystal Private Adventure.”

Launching on August 14 on Crystal Serenity and September 13 on Crystal Symphony, the Private Adventure Option can be pre-reserved at least one week prior to embarkation by emailing crystaladventures@crystalcruises.com. Prices will be at least 25% more than group tour fares, but vary depending on excursion length, vehicle size, guide costs and sites visited.

This autumn/winter, Crystal's two ships will cruise the Mediterranean, New England/Canada, Panama Canal, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast and Hawaii. Crystal’s huge Autumn Fare Sale offers savings up to £5,078 per couple.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd

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Royal Caribean's New North-East Programme

Royal Caribbean International has announced new 2012 Canada, New England and Bermuda sailings. The new programme includes more shorter sailings, new itineraries and longer port calls in Bermuda, providing holiday-makers with more choices from the region than ever before.

Enchantment of the Seas’ summer programme will debut an entirely new programme of six-night Bermuda and eight-night Bermuda & North-East itineraries, sailing from the ship’s year-round home-port of Baltimore. Explorer of the Seas will begin a new seven-night round-trip itinerary in September and October from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, featuring three days in Bermuda, as well as five and nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries in the spring and summer. Jewel of the Seas will offer sailings from Boston on a round-trip, seven-night Canada itinerary. Bookings for these cruises are now open.

Enchantment's six-night Bermuda itineraries will call at Kings Wharf, Bermuda, for three days, while the eight-night Bermuda & North-East sailing will overnight in Bermuda and also call at Boston and Newport, Rhode Island. Explorer will maintain five-night Bermuda and nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean round-trip itineraries from Cape Liberty during the spring and summer months. A special 10-night Bermuda and Caribbean sailing on August 30 will add St. Thomas as a port of call. In September and October, Explorer will then repeat seven-night Bermuda itineraries, featuring three days in Bermuda. The nine and 10-night Bermuda & Caribbean itineraries will open for sale later this month.

Jewel of the Seas (above) will continue to operate its popular series of seven-night Canada round-trip itineraries from Boston, with calls at Portland and Bar Harbor; St. John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Children and adults alike can bounce to their hearts’ delight on Enchantment's bungee trampoline or race to the top of the iconic rock-climbing wall. Voyager-class Explorer features an ice-skating rink, full-size basketball court, in-line skating track and the Royal Promenade, which spans almost the entire length of the ship, lined with boutiques, restaurants, bars and lounges. Jewel has a 10-storey glass Centrum, offering views of the unfolding coastline, and self-levelling billiard tables. On every ship, guests enjoy the cruise line’s award-winning entertainment and innovative amenities that are exclusive to Royal Caribbean. Younger guests can join the complimentary Adventure Ocean kids and teen programme, with activities from 9am until late.

For more information, visit http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ or contact specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Cruise-and-Stay In Style with Crystal

Guests joining Crystal’s Alaska and New England & Canada voyages can choose to extend their stay and enjoy a stylish city break either pre or post-cruise thanks to the launch of two fabulous new land packages.

These packages, which showcase the best of San Francisco and New York and offer fantastic value for money, feature private transfers, luxurious hotel accommodation, guided tours and access to an exclusive concierge service

New York: available pre or post-cruise on New England & Canada voyages between New York and Montreal, this three-night land package costs from £594 per person and includes:

· Three nights at the new five-star luxury boutique property, the Mondrian Soho

· A Broadway Artist Encounter at hotel then tickets to a show with the best seats in the house

· A Designer Shopping Experience in the Garment District

· A behind-the-scenes look at Christies Auction House – a private tour with afternoon tea

· Use of an exclusive concierge service

San Francisco - Available pre-or post-cruise on Alaska voyages round-trip from San Francisco, this three-night land package costs from £431 per person and includes:

· Three nights at the five-star boutique The Clift

· A half-day city tour followed by a trip to Alcatraz Island

· A full day wine-tasting tour to Sonoma and Napa Valley

· A romantic Champagne dinner

· Use of an exclusive concierge service

For reservations, visit Crystal Cruises at www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line.

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Titan Escorted River Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Titan HiTours, the escorted tours specialist, has unveiled its first brochure totally dedicated to escorted river cruises. This constitutes the company's widest ever choice of escorted river cruises and features an enticing range of upmarket options on some of the world's grandest and most scenic waterways, including the Nile, the Danube and the mighty Yangtze, as well as 10 brand new itineraries.

Every Titan holiday is guaranteed to offer great value for money, and the company's river cruise selection is no exception. Prices include flights, meals, a fantastic array of shore-based excursions and even door-to-door transfers from customers' own homes to their nearest airport.

This VIP Home Departure Service is available for all passengers living in mainland England, Scotland and Wales (plus Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man), meaning that Titan guests can enjoy complete convenience and peace of mind no matter where they live in the United Kingdom. In addition, early-booking discounts are available on several cruises, providing even better value for money for those reserving their holidays in good time.

The Escorted River Cruises brochure features holiday options as far afield as Canada, China, Russia and Egypt, the Volga, Nile, Yangtze and St Lawrence Rivers, leading in at £995 per person for the 8-day Egypt's Timeless Riches itinerary. Departures are available in all but the hottest months of the year, with the price including flights, transfers, full-board accommodation, sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary, port taxes and the VIP Home Departure Service.

For more details, look up http://www.titanhitours.co.uk/

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Bales Wordlwide new brochure.

By guest blogger Steve Newman

2011 is a milestone year for Bales Worldwide, marking 50 years since the luxury operator took its very first group tour to the Holy Land. Bales is celebrating these five decades of worldwide touring with the launch of the new Escorted Small Groups and Tailor Made Holidays Brochure for 2011/12.

The new programme covers 50 destinations throughout Asia, Africa, the Orient, Latin America, Egypt and Arabia, India and Canada & Alaska, with a dedicated online brochure for Australasia. There are a few countries making a welcome return including Sri Lanka and Myanmar, plus the programme introduces a series of new tours and suggested journeys - from an adventurous journey across Tibet, or mountain biking and trekking in Peru's Sacred Valley, to exploring China's tropical Hainan Island.

To mark the 50th anniversary of escorted touring, the new programme sees the launch of the Bales Heritage collection, giving travellers a taste of some of Bales' most iconic escorted tours from the impressive back catalogue featuring unusual and unique travel itineraries to Jordan, India and Egypt with more destinations to follow.

In addition to countless tailor-made travel ideas and suggested itineraries, there are a total of 54 escorted and small group journeys with prices starting at just £1095 for the 11-day 'Wonders of Ancient Egypt' tour, consisting of three nights in Cairo followed by a week's Nile cruise.

For more details, visit http://www.balesworldwide.com/.

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