Celebrity's Early Summer Sun

It's perfectly normal at this time of year, after our long, wet, miserable winter, to be thinking of some early summer sun. And the cruise lines are well aware of our desire to 'get away from it all' as soon as possible.

That means they are continuing to put out some tempting offers for early-summer cruises, notably to the Mediterranean, which can still pretty much guarantee the necessary sun and warmth in April and May.

The latest offer to hit our Inbox is a particularly good one from Celebrity Cruises, so we thought we'd make its heady excitement the subject of today's blog:

Head to the Med and explore ancient cities, tuck in to local cuisine and soak up the sun on European sands onboard the Celebrity Eclipse on a 14-night Mediterranean cruise, sailing round-trip from the UK from only £949 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom).

It's terrific value, too, as the price includes the full fortnight's voyage, all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. It departs from Southampton on May 10 and calls at Malaga, Cannes, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence or Pisa), Genoa, Gibraltar and Lisbon (above), before returning to Southampton.
 

More info: call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk.

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Norwegian Add 'Flash Sale' To 'Sunshine Saturday'

Do you remember our message last week that this is 'Wave Season' and to be ready for all manner of special sales, deals and one-off opportunities? Well, Norwegian Cruise Line have lined up a double helping of 'Sale! Sale! Sale!' events for this weekend.

First off, they have dubbed tomorrow (Saturday, January 12) as 'Sunshine Saturday,' as it has been predicted this will be the busiest holiday booking day of the year, with millions of customers expected to visit stores and websites. 

Then, on top of this bumper day, Norwegian has added a ‘48 Hour Flash Sale’ for the whole weekend, with travel agents able to offer customers $100 on-board spend per stateroom on Norwegian Epic's Western Mediterranean summer cruises.
 

Valid on Epic’s popular Med itineraries throughout the summer season, from May to October, the ‘Flash Sale’ extends to all stateroom categories, from the solo traveller Studios to The Haven luxury accommodation.

Itineraries included in the ’48 Hour Flash Sale’ for Norwegian Epic include:

Seven-night Barcelona fly-cruise, departing various dates from May 11 to October 19, sailing from Barcelona and visiting Naples, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Cannes and Palma before returning to  Barcelona for the flight back to the UK. Inside stateroom priced from £873pp departing Sep 28, from London Heathrow.

Seven-night Civitavecchia fly-cruise, departing between May 14 and October 15, visiting Livorno, Cannes, Palma, Barcelona and Naples before returning to Civitavecchia (for Rome and the flight back to the UK). Inside stateroom priced from £944pp departing Sep 24, from London Heathrow.

More info: call 0845 201 8900 or visit www.ncl.co.uk.

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Star Clippers Return For Monaco Grand Prix

Tall-ship specialist Star Clippers is offering the chance to take in the thrills of the legendary Monaco Grand Prix in 2014 as part of a nine-night cruise-and-stay holiday on the 170-passenger tall ship Star Flyer. Hear the roar of the cars and the cheers of the crowd, smell the burning rubber and soak up the electric atmosphere of the most glamorous date on the Formula 1 calendar!

Star Clippers is offering a one-off voyage incorporating this thrilling event, departing on May 24, 2014, and boarding the ship in Cannes. On May 25, the ship will be anchored off the harbour at Monte Carlo for the day, with general admission tickets included for all guests.

Star Flyer then departs on a voyage around Corsica and the French Riveria, calling at L'lle Rousse, St Florent, Figari Beach, Bonifacio, Porto, Scandola Nature Reserve, Porquerolles, Sanary-sur-Mer and St Tropez, returning to Monaco on May 31, after which two nights at the four-star Hotel Port Palace is included. This is the ideal opportunity to enjoy Monaco after the excitement of the Grand Prix has calmed down and guests will be given a 'Passport to Monaco', offering access to museums, sights and attractions. The adventure ends on June 2 with a transfer from Monaco to Nice airport by helicopter.

Prices are from £2,599 per person, including flights from London to Nice, transfers, full board on the cruise, bed and breakfast in the hotel, Grand Prix general admission tickets, helicopter transfer to Nice, Passport to Monaco and port taxes.

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

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New 'Chill and Cruise' Yoga Sailings

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers has added two new dates to its programme of yoga and meditation themed cruises this summer. Yoga expert Christel Vollmer will now be on board the head-turning tall ship Star Flyer this October in the western Mediterranen as well as August, when cruising the Greek Islands and Turkey’s coastline.

The two new yoga cruises are the `Tyrhennian’, departing Monte Carlo on October 1 and calling at Calvi, Bonifacio, Costa Smeralda, Giglio (Italy), Lerici (for Florence) and St Tropez, ending in Cannes. And `Spain and the Balearic Islands’, departing Cannes on October 8 and calling at Mahon, Pollenca, Formentera and Cartagena. This itinerary includes two days at sea for extra relaxation and contemplation.

Prices for all four yoga cruises are from £1,295 per person, including port taxes, all yoga classes and all meals on board. Prices exclude flights.

All four cruises include free daily Astanga (power) yoga and meditation sessions on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. They are hosted by Christel Vollmer, who will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home. For those on a diet, Star Clippers’ sumptuous breakfast buffets, piled with fresh fruits, and magnificent arrays of salads at lunchtime will be available, as well as vegetarian choices at dinner.

Astanga yoga is a dynamic and powerful style of yoga based on a sequence of easy-to-learn movements called asanas. Christel’s classes, which take place in English, will be suitable for all levels and no prior experience is required. There is no upper age limit for practicing yoga; Christel herself is in her fifties, with many years of teaching experience, having trained under West Coast-based Bryan Kest, yoga guru to stars including Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Sting.

Look up more at www.starclippers.co.uk or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Tall Ship Cruise Offers Classic Yacht Race Action

This September, tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests a chance to follow the action of the Voiles de St Tropez, one of the world’s most glamorous yacht regattas, from the comfort of the historically styled, square rigger, the 170-passenger Star Flyer.

Les Voiles de St Tropez is one of the principal events in the classic yachting calendar, bringing together magnificent racing boats with world-class crews from all over the world. The regatta runs this year from September 27 to October 2 and Star Flyer will be in the bay of St Tropez on September 30, perfectly situated to view the racing and admire the yachts from the heart of the action.

Later, the ship moves to St Tropez port, where it will remain until late at night, giving guests the chance to soak up the festive post-race atmosphere, with unrivalled opportunities for boat-spotting and people-watching.

Star Clippers’ Voiles de St Tropez sailing departs Cannes on September 24, calling at some of the Mediterranean’s finest yachting harbours: L’Ile Rousse and Bastia in Corsica; Portoferraio in Elba; Portofino in Italy; and Iles d'Hyères and Sanary-sur-Mer in France, as well as St Tropez for the racing.

The ship will also operate a seven-night Monaco to Cannes sailing, departing October 1, which coincides with the last two days of the Voiles de St Tropez, ideal for anybody wanting to overnight in or near St Tropez to watch the racing prior to joining the ship.

The sailings cost from £1,295 per person, including full board on the ship and port taxes, excluding flights. For more details, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Great Summer Sailing With Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas for a 14-night Mediterranean Treasures cruise-only from £1,205 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin) this June.

This excellent price includes the full two-week cruise, departing from Southampton and calling at Gibraltar, Cannes, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Lisbon and Vigo before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on a June 25 departure.

For more info, see www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or call the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Star Clippers New 'Rail & Sail' Offers

Star Clippers has new `Rail & Sail’ departures this summer, allowing guests to take the train directly from the UK to the south of France and join one of its magnificent tall ship sailings, completely avoiding airports and flying.

The company’s tall ship cruises from Cannes or Monaco operate between June and October and new rail-cruise packages cost from £1599 per person, including all meals, return rail travel from London, a night’s B&B pre-cruise accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Monaco or Nice, non-UK transfers to and from the ship and all port taxes.

The sailings are on board Star Clippers’ four-masted Star Flyer, departing from Cannes or Monaco on June 4, September 10 and October 1.

For the June and October departures, the ship sails from Cannes to Calvi (Corsica), the Costa Smeralda (Sardinia), Giglio (Italy) and Lerici (Italy), returning to St. Tropez and Monaco 7 nights later.

In September, Star Flyer departs Monaco for a 7-night sailing to L’Ille Rousse (Corsica), Portoferraio (Elba), Portofino (Italy), Hyeres Island and Sanary-sur-Mer (France) and St. Tropez beach and town, returning to Cannes on September 17.

Find out more by visiting www.starclippers.co.uk or the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Tall Ship Cruise Offers Classic Yacht Race Action

This September, tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests a chance to follow the action of the Voiles de St Tropez, one of the world’s most glamorous classic yacht regattas, from the comfort of the historically styled, square rigger, Star Flyer.

Les Voiles de St Tropez is one of the principal events in the classic yachting race calendar, bringing together magnificent racing boats with world-class crews from all over the world. The regatta runs this year from September 27 to October 2 and the 170-passenger Star Flyer will be in the bay of St Tropez on September 30, perfectly situated for guests to view the racing and admire the yachts from the heart of the action.

Later, the ship moves to St Tropez port, where it will remain until late at night, giving guests the chance to soak up the festive post-race atmosphere, with unrivalled opportunities for boat-spotting and people-watching.

Star Clippers’ Voiles de St Tropez sailing departs Cannes on September 24, calling at some of the Mediterranean’s finest yachting harbours: L’Ile Rousse and Bastia in Corsica; Portoferraio in Elba; Portofino in Italy; and Iles d'Hyères and Sanary-sur-Mer in France, as well as St Tropez for the racing.

The ship will also operate a seven-night Monaco to Cannes sailing, departing October 1, which coincides with the last two days of the Voiles de St Tropez, ideal for anybody wanting to overnight in or near St Tropez to watch the racing prior to joining the ship.

Both sailings cost from £1,295 per person, including full board on the ship and port taxes. Flights are extra.

To book, visit www.starclippers.co.uk coontact adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd

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Sailing to Monaco Grand Prix

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Boutique cruise operator Star Clippers, who offer fully crewed sailings on board the world's most spectacular tall ships, has a new 16-night land-cruise package for 2011 that takes in not only the Cannes film festival, but both the time trials and the race itself at the Monaco Grand Prix, combined with 14 nights sailing on the magnificent Star Flyer.

The experience begins on May 19 with two nights at the 4-star Cannes Riviera Hotel, during the final days of the 2011 Cannes film festival, when this stylish resort will be patronized by the rich and famous.

On May 21, guests embark the magnificent Star Flyer en route to 11 different ports during a 14-night sailing that takes in the Monaco Grand Prix on the weekend of May 28-29.

The price of £3,399 per person includes return flights from the UK, transfers, two nights B&B accommodation at the Cannes Riviera Hotel, 14 nights on Star Flyer, with all meals, 'N' Grandstand tickets for the Monaco Grand Prix and a sailing itinerary that includes the French Riviera, Corsica, Sardinia's Costa Smeralda and the north-west coast of Italy.

For more information, contact http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or check with the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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French Riveria and Greek Islands Reductions

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The French Riveria and the Greek Islands have always been major attractions for a cruising holiday, and the chance of late booking reductions can make them even more attractive. With that in mind, why not have a look at two short cruises from luxury Tall Ship sailing company Star Clippers?

Departing from Cannes on 25th September, the company has a 4-night tall-ship cruise along the French Riviera to Calvi, Corsica, Portofino and Cannes for £649pp (was £730), sailing on the head-turning Star Flyer and including all meals on board and free places for up to two children (accompanying two adults) in their own cabin, paying just port taxes of £85 per person.

The Flyer (above) with its four masts and 36,000sq ft of sails is fully stabilised and has two pools; massage and beauty treatments; water sports equipment; library; internet access; indoor/outdoor bar; and a Sloop Shop. The ship has a smart-casual open dining policy and there are seven cabin grades. from the luxurious Owner’s Cabin with whirlpool bath to inside cabins. Fully 81 of the 85 cabins have a porthole or open on to the deck.

The company is also offering a £200 saving off its 3-night 'Cruise & stay’ short break, also on board Star Flyer, departing from Athens on 28th September, sailing the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, now from just £799 per person (was £999), including all meals and a night’s B&B accommodation in Athens at the 5-star St. George Lycabettus Hotel on 28th September.

For more information, log on to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/

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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Sails in St Tropez

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Ever felt like being part of the jet-set, even if only for a short while? Perhaps after playing a few chukkas in Berkshire, why not nip down to St Tropez for a bit of lazy beach wallowing, followed by watching some top-notch sailing sipping a gin and tonic on your own deck?

Well, thanks to Star Clippers now you can mingle with the A-List by picking up your ship at Monte Carlo and sailing on her to do some serious celebrity watching in St Tropez.

One of the classic events in the international racing calender, Les Voiles de St Tropez, hosts some of the most beautiful yachts in the world and can be seen this year from the deck of your own sailing ship the chic Star Flyer (above). If you're so inclined, you can even help the crew with the rigging.

The 170-passenger square rigger has teak decks, a swimming pool, informal dining and a convivial tropical bar. What you get here is 19th century tall-ship sailing with 21st century luxury.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that if you take the inclusive flight, there's a Eurostar option too, while from the UK you get a helicopter transfer to Monaco (Star Clippers call in here when the Grand Prix is on as well).

The ship sails from Monte Carlo on September 29, calling at L'Ile Rousse in Corsica and returning to Cannes (for more people watching - or maybe they're watching you by now?) on October 2.

For more information, go to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/

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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