Perfect Present for Christmas from MSC

As the festive period fast approaches, we here at World of Cruising know the rush to get a present for the people who matter most is in full swing. Well, you may not be thinking of a cruise to put under the tree, but MSC Cruises is offering a great idea to avoid a last-minute crisis.

 

Take advantage of their ‘Pick Your Gift’ Christmas and New Year promotion to surprise someone special with an unforgettable present: a cruise to a dream destination on board one of MSC's modern ships.

For example, MSC is offering an 11-night cruise on board MSC Fantasia with last-minute prices from only £899 per person, departing December 17 and including flights from London, Plus, guests get to pick one 'gift', from a free Allegrismo drink package and tips, free £200 on board credit per person, free flights from London or a free upgrade to a balcony cabin.

 

The voyage starts from Genoa and calls at Katakolon, Heraklon, Haifa, Piraeus (for Athens), and Civitavecchia (for Rome) before returning to Genoa, and providing a memorable Christmas at sea.

There are more offers in the 'Pick One Free' selection, too, so be sure to look up more on their website or via your travel agent.

More Info: 0844 561 195 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk.

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Holland America's Caribbean Christmas

Christmas has come early at Holland America Line, with Caribbean cruises now starting from just £249 for a 'taster' cruise and £499 for a full week’s holiday, cruise-only - the perfect antidote to the hectic festive season.

Take your pick from this delightful selection:

Four night pre-Christmas Bahamas taster cruise
Departing Fort Lauderdale on December 18, this four-night voyage on board the MS Eurodam calls at Key West, Nassau and Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas). The trip is ideal for combining with a Christmas break in Florida and costs from just £249 per person cruise-only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. A verandah cabin starts from £349 per person.

Seven night Western Caribbean cruise
This week-long sailing onboard the MS Nieuw Amsterdam departs from Fort Lauderdale on January 26. The ship then calls at Half Moon Cay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Key West before returning to Fort Lauderdale. The cruise also features special performances from the professional dancers of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. The trip costs from just £499 per person, cruise only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. A verandah cabin starts from £699pp.

14 night Southern Caribbean cruise
Start the New Year in style with a two-week cruise of the southern Caribbean. Departing from Tampa, on January 5, the MS Ryndam calls at Key West, San Juan, St Thomas, St John’s, Castries, Soufriere, Willemstad, Oranjestad and Grand Cayman. This leisurely cruise to some of the Caribbean’s less well-known islands starts from just £1,109 per person cruise only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. Ocean view starts from £1,229pp.

More info: visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk or call 0843 374 2300.

 

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Try A Hurtigruten Christmas & New Year

Hurtigruten is now offering two voyages for the price of one on selected dates over the festive period, meaning a Christmas break could cost as little as £49 per person per night on full-board basis, with their unique Norwegian coastal cruising.

Hurtigruten ships offer traditional festive specialities and the typically Norwegian relaxed atmosphere. Guests who not only want to enjoy the festive atmosphere on board but also experience the Norwegian Winter’s Tale on shore have a whole host of activities to choose from, including a dog-sledding tour, a snowmobile safari and even a reindeer sleigh ride. There is something on offer for every Arctic adventurer!

On December 24, all the line's ships will moor in their respective ports for approximately 24 hours. In each location, guests are cordially invited to attend Christmas mass at the local churches. Christmas Eve is then celebrated on board with the crew and guests, and Julenissen, the Norwegian Father Christmas, pays the ships a visit.

The MS Polarlys will be arriving in Kjøllefjord on Christmas Eve, where it will stay until Christmas evening. The 12-day Classic Round Voyage departing on December 19 costs from £1,177 per person (based on two sharing, full board basis). Those taking advantage of the ‘two for one’ offer will enjoy the trip for just £589 per person. Flights are available for an additional £450 per person. The Wilderness Adventure camp excursion, including reindeer driving plus dog-sledding or snowmobile safari, costs from £235 per person.

Guests on the MS Midnatsol will be able to welcome the New Year in a very special place: after a festive New Year's Eve on board in the port of Tromsø, they can enjoy a New Year’s Day excursion to the North Cape, mainland Europe’s northernmost point. There, guests are greeted by an exclusive New Year’s concert in the North Cape Hall.

The 7 Day Voyage north on board Midnatsol, departing from Bergen on December 27, costs from £1,046 per person (based on two sharing on full board basis). Flights are available for an additional £510 per person. The excursion to the North Cape costs £165 per person. The two for one offer is for a limited period only and subject to availability.

More info: call 020 3582 6642 or visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk.

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This Week Only - Kids Cruise Free with Norwegian!

Norwegian Cruise Line in the UK has announced the launch of its ‘Kids Cruise for Free’ promotion, starting today and lasting the full week through to October 29.

The special promotion enables kids and teenagers (up to 17 years old at the time of sailing) staying in a stateroom with two full-paying adults to cruise for free on select winter cruises. Among those sailings included in the promotion is Norwegian Jade’s 10-night Eastern Mediterranean Christmas sailing from/to Civitavecchia (Rome) on December 18 that gives families the opportunity to spend the Christmas holidays in a truly unique way.

Cruising with Norwegian provides a holiday filled with family-friendly activities and services. From the Broadway-style shows on board to the kids’ centres and teen discos, all Norwegian ships are designed to cater for all ages. On board Norwegian Jade there is even a two-storey Nintendo Wii screen that is sure to keep the kids and teens busy!

The itineraries included in the promotion are as follows:

Norwegian Spirit

Nine-night Canary Islands & Morocco from Barcelona

13 and 22 November, 1 and 10 December

Nine-night Canary Islands & Morocco from Malaga

20 and 29 November, 8 December 

Norwegian Jade

10-night Eastern Mediterranean from Rome

6 and 27 November, 18 December

11-night Western Mediterranean from Rome

7 December

More info: visit the Norwegian Cruise Line website www.ncl.co.uk. 

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Christmas Comes Early With MSC

Until October 31, MSC Cruises is offering an amazing early Christmas gift for young and old alike, with free return flights, onboard credits and upgrades ALL on offer for Mediterranean cruises this Christmas.

Why not treat your loved ones to the ultimate Christmas getaway and book a Mediterranean Cruise on board MSC Splendida or MSC Fantasia this December?

Guests can choose one of these early Christmas treats:

Free return flights from London and transfers to and from the port for the first two passengers in the cabin.
£200 free onboard credit per person for the first two passengers in the cabin.
Free ‘Allegrissimo’ drinks package plus tips for the first two adults in the cabin.
Free upgrade to a balcony cabin. 

 

      The ‘Pick Your Gift’ offer applies to bookings made on board Splendida (7-night Mediterranean cruise departing 21 December) or Fantasia (11-night Mediterranean cruise departing 17 December).

MSC Splendida’s itinerary will take in the Mediterranean ports of Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, La Goulette, Palermo and Civitavecchia (for Rome), returning to Genoa. Cruise-only prices start from just £719 per person with return flights available on request at an additional £290 per person.

Meanwhile, MSC Fantasia will visit the ports of Genoa, Katakolon, Heraklon, Haifa, Piraeus and Civitavecchia (for Rome), returning to Genoa. Cruise-only prices start from just £899 per person with return flights once again available upon request at an additional £290 per person.

On board both ships, guests will be treated to all the festive trimmings, from lavishly-decorated trees and Yuletide presents to carol singing and traditional Christmas masses. Meanwhile, MSC’s experienced chefs will be busy in the kitchen conjuring up a dazzling array of traditional seasonal favourites.

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

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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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Warm Up This Winter With Fred Olsen!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure, offering a selection of tempting cruises, departing between September 2013 and February 2014. These cruises are ideal getaways for the winter and offer some excellent savings, with prices starting from just £49 per person per night, with the opportunity for guests to upgrade to Fred. Olsen's ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person per night (£39 per person, per night for mini-cruises, £29 per person, per night for ‘festive’ sailings).

Examples of the excellent prices available in the new ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure include:
 
Black Watch’s 8-night ‘Strictly Spain & Portugal’ cruise, dep Dover Nov 16

This cruise visits Lisbon, Leixoes (for tours to Oporto) and Vigo and La Coruna before returning to Dover. Prices start from £49 per person, per night. A bonus for guests on this cruise will be former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant and ex-MP, Edwina Currie, who will be joining as guest speaker on the theme of ‘Ballroom Dancing’, through Fred. Olsen’s award-winning onboard enrichment programme, Vistas.
 
Balmoral’s 8-night ‘Christmas Markets of N Europe’ cruise, dep Southampton Dec 13

Take in the best of the best Christmas markets in Northern Europe, in preparation for the festive season. Balmoral calls at Zeebrugge, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Bremen before returning to Southampton. Prices start from £49 per person, per night. All prices are based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, and include all meals and entertainment onboard and port taxes.

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

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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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Christmas All Wrapped Up With Regent

This December, guests on each of Regent Seven Seas stunning all-suite ships will be able to enjoy both the Christmas and New Year occasions on one sailing. Each of the line's three ships offers a Christmas and New Year sailing, away from Europe, in very different parts of the world.

HOLIDAY SAILINGS Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro - Seven Seas Mariner Dec 20 | 15-nights from £5,359pp • Includes a Pre-cruise Luxury Hotel Stay in Buenos Aires • Overnight stay in Port in Montevideo & Rio de Janeiro Singapore to Sydney - Seven Seas Voyager  Dec 22 | 16-nights from £6,459pp • Overnight stay in Bali on Christmas Day • Opportunity to see the world famous Komodo Dragons Miami round-trip - Seven Seas Navigator  December 23 | 12-nights from £4,959pp

Reflecting the international guests onboard, Regent acknowledge the many different traditions celebrated at this time, from across the world. Children will be able to prepare and decorate Christmas cookies; afternoon tea will feature mince pies and German stolen and special menus will be created to observe Hanukkah and the eight-day celebration of the festival of lights. For Europeans, where Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve, the Compass Rose will invite guests to sample a perfectly portioned European tasting menu complete with roasted goose and traditional French dessert, Bûche de Noël. Christmas Day will see the traditional roast Turkey and American pumpkin pie on the menu in the Compass Rose.

A delectable six-course Gala Dinner usually lasting well into the night and outside for a Deck Party will be served up before a countdown to midnight. Of course, being the most inclusive luxury cruise experience, guests can enjoy as much free Champagne as they wish as well as a midnight snack buffet featuring caviar and chocolate-dipped strawberries!

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

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P&O's Bargain Caribbean

Famous for its laid-back lifestyle, sugar-soft beaches, turquoise sea and gently swaying palms, any trip to the Caribbean is one that lingers long in the memory. With so many beautiful and diverse islands, there is always somewhere or something new to explore, with days ashore offering the choice of bustling markets or seemingly endless escape-from-it-all beaches.

With all that in mind, P&O Cruises have two fabulous new Caribbean cruise offerings this winter, with special Getaway Fares making them a real bargain.

Take your pick from:
 
Caribbean cruise, 14 nights, £1,399pp
This fabulous voyage on Ventura is now offered from £1,399 per person for a Getaway Fare. Departing November 8, the price includes flights from UK, an inside cabin, all meals, and entertainment. Sailing round-trip from Barbados, the ports of call are St Vincent, Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts, Antigua, Grand Turk, Tortola and St Maarten.

Christmas Caribbean cruise, 14 nights, £1,499pp
P&O is now offering their two-week Christmas cruise on Azura from just £1,499 per person for a Getaway Fare. Departing December 13, the price includes flights from UK, an inside cabin, all meals and entertainment. Again sailing round-trip from Barbados, the ports of call are Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica, St Kitts, St Maarten, Tortola, Curacao and Bonaire.

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

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Bag A Last-Minute Holiday Cruise With Holland America

Holland America Line is gearing up for some great last-minute bookings for their festive sailings across the Caribbean, South America, Antarctica, New Zealand, China, Vietnam and the Canary Islands. While at sea, guests can choose to participate in a number of festive activities, from special film screenings, a visit from Santa and eggnog in the Atrium, to a delicious Christmas brunch and Santa’s milk-and-cookie late-night snack!

There will also be Catholic, Protestant and Jewish clergy on-board to perform religious services. Guests can take advantage of Holland America’s fantastic facilities to make it a Christmas to remember, from taking a cookery class at the Culinary Arts Centre and keeping fit at the onboard fitness centre to indulging in a sumptuous treatment at The Greenhouse Spa. 

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

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Big Early-Winter Savings With Oceania

Oceania Cruises is is offering cruise savings of more than 50 per cent PLUS up to $1,000 in onboard on an array of tempting voyages departing this November and December.

Take a look at this selection:

1^st November: Istanbul to Athens, 7 nights at £912, saving £895

Deluxe 1,250-guest ship Marina sails from Istanbul to Athens, calling into the Turkish coast and Greek islands, including Kusadasi, Rhodes and Crete, and this `Mediterranean Medley’ cruise now costs from £912pp, (was £1807), including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and a $500 ship board credit per stateroom.

15^th November: Istanbul to Dubai, 21 nights at £2,322, saving £1,575 

Enjoy the luxury of sailing on a smaller ship, with free flights, a $1,000 credit per stateroom and a big saving off the original fare as 650-guest ship Nautica departs from Istanbul, sailing via Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and the UAE, to arrive into Dubai on December 6. The cruise was £3897, and includes free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks, as well as the $1,000 ship-board credit.

10^th December: Rio to Valparaiso, 17 nights at £2,792, saving £1723

This grand winter cruise on Marina ensures Christmas Day is a relaxing one, as the ship will be at sea in the Pacific Ocean, between port calls in Chile, after several days cruising the Chilean fjords. Sea days provide time to enjoy the ship’s facilities, which apart from the finest restaurants at sea, include tennis and golf on the top sports deck, a walking track, gym and exceptional spa facilities. 

This `Fjords & Wonders’ cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso departs now costs from £2,792pp (was £4515), including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and a $500 ship-board credit per stateroom.

20^th December: Christmas in the Grenadines, 14 nights at  £2,312, saving £2077 

This blissful Caribbean cruise also boasts free flights and an extra $300 stateroom credit as Oceania's newest ship, Riviera, will spend Christmas in the British Virgin Islands and the Grenadines, with Christmas Day alongside the island of St. Vincent, Christmas Eve in Antigua and Boxing Day in Barbados. The price was £4,389 (saving £2,077).

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

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Regent's Christmas Crackers

This December, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers guests an extra dash of merriment with all-inclusive festive sailings to the South Pacific and South America. Each ultra-luxury voyage offers the fantastic value of free round-trip air, unlimited complimentary shore excursions and ultra-luxury, all-inclusive offering on board.

Regent's team of talented chefs will serve special European and American tasting menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Sample menu items include lobster and ricotta ravioli, Christmas goose, roasted turkey on chestnut-stuffing, Bûche de Noël, and traditional pumpkin pie. An interdenominational service is also held on Christmas Eve.

Toasting the season, travellers will sail along the mighty Amazon aboard the line’s all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner for a 22-night cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Miami departing 16. The 'Ultimate Amazon' sailing offers up to 43 free shore excursions and visits eight different ports in Brazil, French Guyana, Barbados (above), St. Barts and Puerto Rico. 

Departing December 19, the 21-night 'South Pacific Secrets' voyage from Bali to Auckland aboard the 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager showcases the best of Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the 28 complimentary shore excursions, which include a winery tour in Western Australia, mountain biking in Tasmania and discovering sea lions on Kangaroo Island, guests can also enjoy the choice of a free three-night, pre-cruise land programme in Bali or a three-night, post-cruise hotel programme in Auckland. 

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

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Grab A Luxury Oceania Saving

Food-lovers' cruise line Oceania Cruises is offering up to $1,000 onboard credit and savings of more than 50 per cent on select departures between October and May. These great new deals also include free flights, all meals, soft drinks and bottled water on board.

Those looking for a real cruise bargain can choose from:

November 1, Istanbul to Athens, 7 nights now from £912:
Oceania's 1,250-guest ship Marina features six fine-dining restaurants and no dining supplements and departs from Istanbul, calling into the Turkish coast and Greek islands, including Kusadasi, Rhodes and Crete. This 'Mediterranean Medley’ was priced at £1,807pp and includes all flights, meals and a $500 ship-board credit per stateroom. 

November 15, Istanbul to Dubai, 21 nights now from £2,322:
Enjoy the luxury of sailing on a smaller ship, free flights, a $1,000 credit per stateroom and a saving of £1,575 off the original fare. The 650-guest Nautica departs from Istanbul to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and the UAE, arriving in Dubai on December 6. The cruise was £3,897 and also includes return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks as well as the onboard credit.

December 20, Christmas in the Grenadines, 14 nights from £2,312:
Save £2,077 off a grand Christmas Caribbean cruise and enjoy free flights and an extra $300 stateroom credit. Oceania's newest ship Riviera will spend Christmas in the British Virgin Islands and Grenadines, with Christmas Day alongside the island of St. Vincent, Christmas Eve in Antigua and Boxing Day in Barbados. The 'Island Holiday’ cruise was £4,389, including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and ship-board credit.

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

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Hurtigruten's New Year's Eve Fiesta

Guests on board two of Hurtigruten’s ships can enjoy a double celebration this New Year as both MS Trollfjjord and MS Midnatsol dock together in Tromsø to ring in 2013. The sister ships will unite under a firework-filled sky while guests are treated to a special banquet, dancing and champagne toast. In addition, those sailing over Christmas can expect a truly Norwegian affair with traditional food, music and dancing as they journey along Norway’s spectacular coast.

On Christmas Eve, all Hurtigruten ships will moor in their respective destination ports for 24 hours. Guests are invited to attend Christmas mass at the local churches before coming back on board to celebrate with fellow guests and crew members while ‘Julenissen,’ the Norwegian Father Christmas, will also pay a visit.

Those wanting to not only enjoy the festive atmosphere on board but also experience a true Norwegian winter on shore should join a special excursion to Camp Tamok. Equipped with warm winter clothes, participants can then take off for a winter safari through the Arctic from Finnsnes to Tromsø on dog sleds, snowmobiles and reindeer sleds.

Choose from:

Christmas In Norway In Search Of The Northern Lights: Enjoy a traditional Norwegian Christmas on a Classic Voyage North departing from Bergen in the south and sailing up to Kirkenes by the Russian border. The eight-day voyage (normally seven-day) costs from £946pp and includes full board on the ship. Price based on two sharing (flights are extra).

Christmas With New Year in Tromsø: Depart Bergen with MS Trollfjord on December 23 to enjoy both Christmas on board and New Year spent in Tromsø, alongside sister ship Trollfjord. Prices for this 13 (normally 12) day Classic Round voyage start from £1,363pp including full board on the ship and are based on two sharing (flights are extra).

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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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.

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Costa's Christmas (and New Year) Crackers

Top Italian chefs Carlo Cracco and Benedetta Parodi have joined forces to combine traditional yet creative festive menus for Costa Cruises, with two exclusive menus for Christmas and New Year’s Eve specially devised by the popular culinary duo

Lucky cruisers who have chosen one of Costa’s sailings in the United Arab Emirates or the Mediterranean during the festive season will be treated to the special dishes but, as the recipes will be made available online, non-cruisers will also be able to try them out for themselves in the comfort of their own homes. 

Carlo and Benedetta are both exceptional interpreters of the country’s inimitable culinary culture, based on simple high quality ingredients combined in original ways.

The festive menus are particularly special because, while consistent with Italian tradition, they are a superb blend of Cracco’s creative flair and the wholesome flavour and practicality of Parodi’s approach. Classic Italian staples for the holiday season like cotechino, a fresh pork sausage traditionally served with stewed lentils, has been reinvented as a starter with a truffle fondue, while the lentils will be used to garnish a lobster salad together with sprouts, celery and a bisque.

There are also traditional Christmas dishes on the menu, such as guinea fowl and panettone. The menu will be accompanied by a selection of fine wines produced by Aneri, an excellent quality label that has become one of Costa's partners. Highly recommended wines for the period are the Leda Bianco doc 2009 Aneri, the Pinot Nero doc 2008 Aneri and the much sought after Prosecco di Valdobbiadene doc “Aneri” N° 1. 

For booking info, be sure to see this link to the UK's leading cruise agent specialists, the Cruise Line.

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Have a 'Blue' Christmas with Zegrahm Expeditions

Discover India, the Maldives, and some of the bluest waters on Earth with Zegrahm Expeditions this Christmas!

One of our favourite companies for expedition and adventure cruising, Zegrahm is offering a break from the traditional holiday season vacation. The voyage sails December 17 to January 3, cruising from the Indian ports of Chennai and Kochi to the Sri Lankan harbours of Trincomalee and Colombo, exploring India's Lakshadweep Islands and the northern Maldives. Highlights of the expedition include snorkelling, diving, shore walks, birding with naturalists, and a visit to a 16th-century Palace.

Since the Christmas season is a time to share with family and friends, Zegrahm is also offering a special group discount. Groups of four or more receive a 10 per cent savings on the brochure rate for each member. Groups of eight or more receive a 15 per cent saving. Travellers unable to take advantage of the 2011 voyage can even look ahead to Zegrahm's 2012 voyage, which takes place from December 1-18.

To learn more, visit www.zeco.com or contact the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Make it a ‘Caribbean Christmas’ With Fred. Olsen

Christmas is a time for celebration and relaxation, and what better way to do both than on a sunny Caribbean cruise? Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has a leisurely 25-night ex-UK ‘Caribbean Christmas’ cruise aboard Black Watch, departing from Southampton on December 17.

The long Atlantic crossing allows for plenty of time to relax and enjoy the many activities and facilities the ship has to offer. Guests can join in quizzes and traditional deck games, read in the peace of the library, swim, work out in the gym, or take part in many other enjoyable activities, as the ship makes her way to the warm Caribbean waters.

Christmas Day sees Black Watch in the middle of her Atlantic crossing, and the day is celebrated at sea in the traditional way – there is a sumptuous feast, a visit from Santa Claus for younger guests, as well as carol singing, festive entertainment, quizzes and, of course, a ship glittering with Christmas trees and decorations.

The first Caribbean port of call is Barbados on December 28 followed by the lovely islands of St Lucia, Antigua, Tortola and St Maarten, while the return crossing includes a visit to the Azores before arriving back in Southampton on January 11.

An extra-special attraction on this festive cruise is live entertainment from two of the best tribute bands around, appearing as part of the exclusive Fred. Olsen's ‘Music & Laughter’ programme. The acts are ‘Bee Gees Magic’ and ‘Abba Magic’, and they will be recreating the great sounds of the Seventies’ super-groups during the cruise.

Prices for this Christmas cruise start from £3,597 per person, based on two adults sharing an outside twin cabin, Grade ‘E’, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board – including the ‘Music & Laughter’ programme – and port taxes.

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the specialst cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd at 0800 008 6677.

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