Ponant Heads Down Under

Those looking for a cruise on the more exotic side are increasingly spoiled for choice these days - and that choice is about to get even broader with the latest news from boutique French operator Compagnie du Ponant.

Ponant's new itineraries for the winter 2014/2015 season include seven innovative cruises to Australia and New Zealand, with the new itineraries taking passengers to the South Pacific Ocean and Oceania. Destination highlights include not only Darwin, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania, but also Auckland and Rotorua, cradle of Maori culture.

The voyages will all aboard the sleek and stylish yacht-like cruiser L’Austral, with 132 staterooms and suites, and a high-quality array of public rooms and dining choices.

Highlights of the eye-catching programme Down Under include:
 

• Combining wide open spaces with the delicate “French Touch” on board the latest generation luxury yacht.
• Zodiac® outings with experienced naturalist-guides to explore unspoiled wildlife.
• Expedition programmes designed to explore Australia’s most emblematic sites and meet the Aborigines.
• Snorkelling in the turquoise blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
• Discovering New Zealand, an archipelago on the edge of the world, and Maori culture.

Ponant offers seven departures between December 12, 2014, and February 2015 on board L’Austral, from just €2,150 per person, cruise only.

More info: call 0800 980 4027 or visit www.ponant.com.

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Brittania Takes Shape!

By Editor, Simon Veness

 

The advent of P&O Cruises' new ship Britannia promises to be one of THE major cruise landmarks of 2015, and the latest photos of the build process in the famous Monfalcone shipyard of the Fincantieri company in Trieste suggest things are taking shape extremely well.

 

The series of pictures shows the bow and superstructure more than half finished, which is

an amazing rate of construction since the keel-laying ceremony was held on May 15 and the main steel-cutting ceremony was held only in early October.

At 141,000 tons, it will be the largest vessel ever built for P&O when it makes its debut in spring of 2015, bearing the classic name of two previous ships in the company line (dating back to 1835 and 1887) as well as being the name of the former Royal Yacht (and, for which, P&O had to seek special royal approval).

 

For the first time a British design company, Richmond, is overseeing the whole ship’s interiors to incorporate the classic and iconic history of P&O Cruises with modern design and features to appeal to both existing and a new generation of passengers.

 

Richmond, leading designers in the hospitality industry, have a remarkable portfolio of iconic British hotels, notably The Langham London (flagship of the Hong Kong based Langham Hotels); Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park; The Intercontinental London and Four Seasons Hampshire Hotel and Spa and international resort hotels including the Four Seasons Mauritius; Sandy Lane Barbados; Boca Beach Club at Boca Raton, Miami; the Fairmont Montreux Palace, Switzerland as well as many award-winning hotels, including the Four

Seasons Budapest and the Waldorf Trianon Palace Hotel and Spa, Versailles. 

 

The 3,611 passenger ship, described as a “modern classic” will offer a stylish and innovative new design and an unprecedented number of passenger facilities, along with many of the brand’s classic and iconic features.

 

Many details have yet to be revealed, but the latest pictures show the grand design is definitely going to be both eye-catching - and large!

 

The Monfalcone shipyard has produced the recent Royal Princess for Princess Cruises and the Carnival Breeze of Carnival Cruise Lines, as well as the deluxe L'Austral class trio for French line Compagnie du Ponant.

More info: call 0843 374 0111 or visit www.pocruises.com.

 

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The Bubbly's On Ponant For National Cruise Week!

Compagnie du Ponant, the luxury French yacht cruise operator has launched a special VIP offer for National Cruise Week (which starts today), with a special ‘Welcome Aboard’ to all guests booking during this perios, as well as €200 on board credit per cabin booked. This is definitely the right time to add a touch of extra-luxury to your cruise!

The offer will include a bottle of Champagne placed in the cabin upon arrival and a personal welcome note from the Captain, as well as the stateroom credit to spend on board – including on bar drinks, luxurious spa treatments and shore excursions. The credit is per cabin and the offer will be valid for travel until 30 September 2014. Quote VIP NCW on the phone to benefit from the offer, which is available for all Cruise Week bookings from September 21-29.

Ponant, a specialist in soft expeditions and great journeys around the world, has run Antarctic cruises for years and launched a brand new ship, Le Soléal, at the end of June. She is currently cruising the Arctic through the North-West Passage before heading to the Japanese archipelago and South-East Asia this winter. Also included are many themed-cruises, from music and golf to gourmet cuisine, all allied to the world-famous French savoir-faire.

 

For more on National Cruise Week, see http://www.discovercruises.co.uk/national-cruise-week.aspx.

 

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

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Summer Sizzlers From Ponant

Leading French cruise line and five-star expedition specialist Compagnie du Ponant has launched its Summer 2014 collection aboard its three elegant, intimate yacht-style cruisers, Le Boreal, L'Austral and Le Soleal (all with just 132 staterooms & suites), and the majestic three-masted yacht Le Ponant ( with only 32 staterooms).

From April to October 2014, they will be cruising in the Great Arctic North and Canada, Northern Europe and the Baltic, and the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, offering a wide range of unusual itineraries and ports of call. Each of the luxury yachts offers spacious suites, impeccable service and excellent food and wine – plus their small size allows them to reach destinations larger ships cannot. Passengers will also sail in the company of experts and historians as guides and lecturers who are passionate about their subjects.

Be it a five-star expedition to the Arctic, coast to coast cruising in the Mediterranean or themed cruises, Ponant offers much more than just a cruise: this is travel as it used to be in the golden age of the grand voyage.

NEW ITINERARIES

Spitsbergen & Iceland: Leaving from Longyearbyen, L’Austral sets sail for the iridescent ice fields of Spitsbergen where Zodiacs will take passengers as close as possible to polar landscapes, the ice floe, glaciers and icebergs. The ship then heads for Iceland on a new itinerary from Grimsey Island, along the coast and south as far as Reykjavík.

Alaska to Kamchatka: From Nome in Alaska, L’Austral heads for the wilderness of Kamtchatka in the Russian Far East. This volcanic region is spectacularly beautiful and home to extraordinary wildlife. One of the highlights is the Valley of Geysers, 40 volcanoes in the Kronotsky Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Uzon Caldera with its extraordinary contrasts and colours – from the intense blue of the lake and streams, suspensions of milky sulphur and the emerald green of the algae. New for 2014 is the possibility to begin the cruise with a short stay in Seattle. 

From the Atlantic To The North Sea: Departing from Bordeaux, Le Boreal heads north. After calls at Belle-Île-en-Mer and London, passengers will enjoy Amsterdam’s unique ambiance, Sylt Island in the heart of the Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the ecological energy-conscious city of Hamburg and the luminosity of Copenhagen.

Norwegian Fjords: from Copenhagen, L’Austral will explore nature’s wonders along the coast of Norway,whose spectacular fjords have nearly all earned the UNESCO World Heritage site status. The Briksdal and Svartisen glaciers, the Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park, Geiranger Fjord and the Viking islands of Giske and Godoy all feature on the itinerary of this exceptional cruise.

           

The Azores: Bathed in sunshine year-round, the Azores islands boast a rich natural, cultural and architectural heritage. Passengers on Le Boreal will begin their cruise on the main island, São Miguel, before heading for stunning Pico where vines are slowly reclaiming the slopes of the Ponta do Pico volcano. A particularly symbolic port of call for transatlantic sailors is Horta on Faial Island which has an unusually cosmopolitan atmosphere. On Terceira Island, Angra do Heroismo boasts a military heritage worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage site status. The last port of call will be Santa Maria Island, where the tranquil landscape is dotted with beaches, vineyards and white villages. 

           

Gourmet Cruise: From Lisbon to Bordeaux, Le Boreal transforms this voyage into an exceptional epicurean encounter. In a programme created by French magazine Cuisine et Vins de France, passengers will celebrate the delights of gourmet cuisine in the company of Michelin-starred Chefs and renowned Sommeliers, including celebrity head-chef Hélène Darroze, Jean Sulpice, Nicolas Magie, Philippe Faure-Brac and Olivier Dauga. Tastings, culinary workshops and conferences will be on the menu between calls into Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vigo, La Coruna, Bilbao, Le Verdon and Bordeaux.

         

Musical Cruise: Le Soleal invites music-lovers to embark on this fabulous voyage from Venice to Athens. Directed by Alain Duault and produced in partnership with France’s Radio Classique, this festival at sea welcomes some outstanding musicians. They will perform several concerts at some of the places visited: Zadar and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Kotor Fjord in Montenegro, Otranto in Italy, the legendary Olympia site and the ruins of Mycenae in Greece.

         

Jazz Cruise: For this new itinerary, Le Soleal sets sail from Istanbul to France via Dikili near the Pergamum site in Turkey, Katakolon near the Olympia site in Greece, Taormina and Palermo in Sicily, and Ajaccio in Corsica. Aboard, Christian Morin and his quintet will perform two jazz concerts of 40s music in a tribute to Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.

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

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Ponant's New Arctic Programme For 2014

Unveiling outstanding destinations, where shimmering icebergs floats in muffled silence, the Arctic Collection of Compagnie du Ponant showcases the line's long experience in sailing the Great North.

Aboard 264-guest luxury yachts Le Boreal and L'Austral, passengers can enjoy exclusive access to remote and outstanding locations thanks to the small size and technical prowess of this latest generation of ships, specifically designed for Polar cruises. Ponant offers its guests a unique five-star expedition concept and a true adventure in the company of renowned experts on the Great North. 

New additions to the programme for 2014 include the North-West Passage crossing to Alaska and the White Sea, the gateway to Russia’s Far North, as well as the East Fjords of Iceland.

The Arctic Experience

The White Sea: on the edge of the Arctic Circle, beyond the northern point of Norway, L’Austral embarks on a new adventure deep into the isolated territories of Russia’s Far North, which were closed to foreigners until 1991. Scheduled for early June when nature awakens after a long hard winter, this exceptional cruise will sail among the North Cape islands and along the shores of the vast Kola Peninsula, a genuine wilderness of tundra, forests, lakes and rivers - the perfect spot to see the midnight sun. Passengers will then discover the White Sea coast in the Russian Arctic, including the Solovetsky Islands, a desolate archipelago carpeted in black pine forests and home to one of the most beautiful Russian Orthodox monasteries, as well as the city of Arkhangelsk.

Tromsø-Kirkenes (12 days), depart 4 Jun, 2014; from £3,517 per person (direct flights included).

Spitsbergen & Iceland: this new itinerary linking Kirkenes to Longyearbyen on L'Austral will include five days in Spitsbergen, final stop before the North Pole. In the heart of this great white desert of rugged peaks where the omnipresent light blurs the boundaries between day and night, days at sea are interspersed with Zodiac outings to explore this polar universe and sneak a peek at polar bears, reindeer and seals at dawn.

Kirkenes-Longyearbyen (8 days), dep Jun 15, 2014; from £3,023pp (direct flights included).

Greenland & The Baffin Sea: this cruise on Le Boreal to the heart of the Great Canadian North is a chance to explore all aspects of this magnificent region of protected natural areas and to see the northern lights – plus, whale-watching in the Baffin Sea and Saint Lawrence, discovering Akpatok Island (home to polar bears) and Percé Rock (gannet colony), as well as visiting the colourful Greenlandic and Quebecois villages, sailing up the Saguenay fjord, and touring Quebec City’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kangerlussuaq-Quebec (15 days), dep Sep 4, 2014; from £3,888pp (direct flights included).

North-West Passage: for this second edition, the North-West Passage crossing will leave from Greenland on a voyage that has fired the imaginations of generations of sailors and adventurers over the centuries. The last section of this legendary itinerary is along the Alaskan coast to Nome.

Kangerlussuaq-Nome (22 days), dep Aug 26, 2014; from £7,139pp (direct flights included)

Kamchatka & The Kuriles: from Nome in Alaska, L'Austral sets sail for the wild landscapes of the almost forgotten Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East. This volcanic region is spectacular and home to diverse and abundant wildlife, such as Steller’s sea lions. There is much to see, including the Valley of Geysers, the 40 volcanoes at the heart of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Uzon Caldera.

Nome-Petropavlovsk (16 days), dep Sep 16, 2014; from £6,934pp person (direct flights included).

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

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New Winter Options From Ponant

Leading French cruise line and five-star expedition specialist Compagnie du Ponant has launched its new Winter 2013/14 cruise collection, including exceptional itineraries to South America, Africa and Antarctica.

The range of voyages are featured on the trio of elegant 264-passenger yachts Le Boreal, L'Austral and Le Soleal and its magnificent and intimate three-masted yacht Le Ponant (carrying just 64 passengers). From October 2013 to April 2014,their full cruise programme will feature sailings around the Caribbean and Central America, South America, Antarctica and South Georgia, Asia and Africa.

Each of the 132-cabin yachts offers spacious suites, impeccable service and excellent food and wine, while their small size allows them to reach destinations larger ships cannot, and offer its passengers the opportunity to sail in the company of experts and historians as guides and lecturers who are passionate about their subjects.

Be it a luxury expedition in the Antarctic region, island-hopping round the Caribbean or a “cruise circuit” in South America and Asia, Ponant offers passengers a real travel experience.

For more info on Compagnie du Ponant, and booking opportunities, see this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury adventure-cruise specialists.

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Ponant Celebrate 25th Anniversary

Compagnie du Ponant, the luxury yacht cruise company that specialises in off-the-beaten track voyages, is celebrating its 25^th anniversary - with a special offer of 25% off on a selection of eight cruises in Asia, Mediterranean, the Great North, South America and Russia, and an exceptional series of celebrity guests throughout the year. 

The Anniversary Offer is valid for reservations made by May 25 for cruises on Le Boréal, L’Austral and new ship Le Soléal (each offering 132 staterooms and suites), and the three-masted Le Ponant (32 staterooms). Each of the vessels offer spacious suites, impeccable service and excellent food and wine, while their small size allows them to reach destinations larger ships cannot and also offer sailings in the company of experts and historians as guides and lecturers who are passionate about their subjects.

An experienced bilingual crew, attentive service and exceptional itineraries in elegant surroundings are Ponant’s other key selling points, with a modern and innovative fleet that has been sailing the world’s oceans for 25 years. To mark the occasion, various events and offers have been organised throughout the year: 

25 Years - 25% Off selected cruises

A 25% discount on a selection of cruises, giving opportunities to discover the company’s yacht-style cruising philosophy – with exceptional destinations and moorings inaccessible to larger ships and Ponant's distinctive gourmet cuisine and service. 

Treasures of the world by sea
Discover the new “Ponant Discovery” extensions, new itineraries in the Arctic (where Le Soleal will cross the famous North West Passage this summer), South America and Asia. These offer guests the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into the culture and treasures of countries, visiting the likes of the Atacama Desert, Iguazu Falls, Machu Picchu, Easter Island and Galapagos (above), among many dream destinations now accessible on these “cruise-voyages”.

Special guests 
Throughout the year, Ponant will feature some outstanding celebrity lecturers and expedition leaders, including famous opera singer, Ruggiero Raimondi; ex-government minister and philosopher, Luc Ferry; poet, writer and musicologist, Alain Duault; child psychiatrist, Marcel Rufo; singer and song writer, Hugues Auffray; comedian, actor and singer, Michel Leeb; jazz violinist, Didier Lockwood; Breton singer and harpist, Cécile Corbel; the troupe from the musical Mamma Mia; soprano and actress, Inva Mula, and many other surprises. 

For bookings, be sure to follow this link to our sponsors, The Cruise Line, the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists.

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Ponant's 25th Anniversary Special

 
Deluxe French boutique cruise line Compagnie du Ponant are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a special 25 per cent discount offer on a special Spring voyage with a Mediterranean flavour.

Atlantic/Mediterranean cruise on April 4

Take a luxury 10-day yacht cruise from Las Palmas (Canary Islands) to Malaga (Spain), sampling the best of western Mediterranean flavours on the way, including sailing along the Moroccan west coast of Africa and up the River Guadalquivir in Spain. Book now to celebrate with Ponant and enjoy 25% off – a saving of more than £500.

The voyage now costs from just £2,288 per person, based on double occupancy, cruise-only. The full itinerary includes Santa Cruz (Canary Islands), Funchal (Madeira), Casablanca (Morocco), Tangier (Morocco), sailing the Guadalquivir to Seville (Spain), Cadiz and Malaga.

Guests can watch the exceptional landscapes, get off the ship to explore some hidden gems along some spectacular coastlines and relax in style onboard L’Austral, one of Ponant’s ‘super yachts’ with 132 staterooms and suites (95% of which have a balcony), two restaurants and a full Spa.

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

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Ponant's Asian Collection

Boutique French cruise line and five-star expedition specialist Compagnie du Ponant has just opened bookings for its brand new Asian Collection itineraries for the winter season 2013-14. From modern empires to ancient kingdoms, passengers are invited to discover Asia’s treasures and explore the diversity of a mysterious and captivating continent.

For the first time, Le Soléal (132 staterooms and suites), the latest addition to the fleet this July, will be sailing for Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives. During the cruise, Ponant invites passengers to discover Asia in a more intimate way: mooring as close as possible to the shore to grant unrivalled access to protected sites whilst offering first rate comfort, elegance and 5-star service. Guests onboard will include experts, historians and lecturers ready to share their passion with the passengers.

A comprehensive programme of shore excursions will include some of the world most outstanding UNESCO World Heritage sites, and all 17 Asian itineraries promise to offer much more than a cruise: a genuine travel experience. Sample cruises include:

JAPAN 
Leaving Otaru, Le Soléal sets out to discover Japan’s kaleidoscope of traditions, beliefs and way of life. From Kanazawa to Hiroshima via Busan, the 8-day cruise ends in Osaka, the new beating heart of Japan. Departure, October 15, from £1,882 per person. 

VIETNAM
The 12-day Hong Kong-Singapore cruise takes in the most important sites and exceptional landscapes of Vietnam, with excursions including a junk boat trip to the heart of the majestic and mysterious Ha Long Bay, the discovery of Hanoi, Saigon and the Imperial City of Hue, or sailing down the Cai River. Pre and post-cruise excursions are on offer for those who want to explore Hong Kong and Singapore. Departure October 30, from £3,298 per person. 

INDONESIA
Bali, Gili Islands, Komodo, Brunei and Borneo...this 14-day cruise ventures into the very heart of Indonesia, from wild Sarawak to Sandankan, home of large congresses of orangutans, traditional villages and the cosmopolitan port of Makassar. Departure January 4, 2014, from £3,081 per person.

MYANMAR & SRI LANKA 
Departing on a 9-day voyage from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo via Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar, Le Soléal calls at Penang (first British trading post in the Far East in the 19^th century), Phuket, Trincomalee and Hambantota, on a cruise rich in discovery. The itinerary exceptionally includes four days in Yangon to explore the Shwedagon Pagoda, Bagan temples, Mandalay, the cultural capital, and the former royal city of Amarapura. Departure March 14, 2014, from £3,036 per person.

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

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Ponant Set Sail For Arctic

Compagnie du Ponant, the luxury French yacht cruise operator and specialist in soft expeditions and great journeys around the world, has run Antarctic cruises for years and is currently developing a new Arctic itinerary cruising through the North-West Passage for its brand new ship Le Soléal, which launches in July 2013. 

The newcomer will feature Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada in its first season, before going on to a series of unique voyages in the Russian Far East and Japan via the famous North-West passage in September and October.

Le Soleal will be a sister ship to Ponant's two ground-breaking super-yachts Le Boreal and L'Austral (above), which made their debuts in 2010 and 2011 respectively, taking 260 passengers in deluxe style.

With many themed-cruises, from music, golf, and gourmet cruises taking place throughout the year, the luxury cruise line also offers guests a unique product with world-famous French savoir-faire.

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

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The Secret Arctic with Compagnie du Ponant

Embark on the brand new ship Le Soléal for a seven-day cruise in the Arctic Ocean from just £1,909. Follow in the steps of the great explorers of centuries past and sail beyond the Arctic Circle on board Compagnie du Ponant’s very latest vessel.

The small exploration ship - launching in July 2013 - will give its 260 passengers the opportunity to discover breathtaking Arctic landscapes, from majestic icebergs and colourful villages of Greenland to glaciers, fjords, blue lagoons and Polar Bears, as well as exploring other extreme destinations.

Compagnie du Ponant offers adventure cruises to the Arctic onboard Le Soléal and sister-ship Le Boréal – the perfect opportunity to (re-)discover one’s inner adventurer!

The price includes:

• All meals – from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation
• Welcome aboard and captain’s cocktail parties, gala dinner
• Mineral water, tea, filter coffee, white, red and rosé wines served with meals
• 24-hour room service (selected menu)
• Evening entertainments and events, and/or organised shows
• Porterage from the quayside to the ship and vice versa

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

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New Edition Now Online

The latest edition of the magazine is now online and can now be seen in full. Starting with our look at the glamour and heritage of Transatlantic cruising and going on to cover the historic Gota Canal in Sweden, luxury barging in Burgundy, the amazing Norwegian Epic of Norwegian Cruise Line and the stylish Orion II of Orion Expedition Cruises in the Far East.

And then there's the French chic of Ponant Cruises, the classic Princess Daphne, the majestic Star Clippers sail-cruising style and the unique world of Blount Small Ship Adventures in America.

Of course, there is also our top cruise blogger, Captain Greybeard, the essential World of Spas, a look at the destination of Santa Monica and the latest Spring Fashions, along with a bumper NINE pages of News and views.

And you can see it all on this link: http://content.yudu.com/A1w6yv/WOC54/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldofcruising.co.uk%2F

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Ponant Cruises' New Summer Brochure

The new Summer 2012 Cruises brochure published by Compagnie du Ponant, is now available to the UK marketplace featuring over 80 sailings, from 4-14 nights, operating between March and October next year.

The Art of Yacht Cruises is elegantly reflected in the contemporary, 130-page brochure, promoting an alternative lifestyle of discovery, enjoyment, subtlety and relaxation, which has been the philosophy of Compagnie du Ponant for over 20 years. A range of magical destinations are on offer and also a choice of themed cruises from music and golf, to gastronomy, family and soft expedition.

With moorings inaccessible to larger ships, unusual itineraries and high standards of personal service, Compagnie du Ponant, the only French cruise line, now operates a fleet of five, individual ships of character: Le Ponant (64 passengers), Le Levant(90 passengers), Le Diamant (226 passengers) and Le Boreal and L'Austral (264 passengers).

Voyage-only fares include: The cruise with all meals, from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation; Welcome aboard and captain’s cocktail parties, gala dinner; Mineral water, tea, filter coffee, white, red and rosé wines served with meals; 24-hour room service; Evening entertainment and events, and/or organised shows; and porterage from the quayside to the ship and vice versa.

For more information visit http://www.ponant.com/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Looking Ahead

By World of Cruising editor Simon Veness

New year, new perspective. That's what cruising gives us every year, and 2011 promises to be no exception.

We had such a wide range of new ships in 2010 - from the chic boutique vessels of Le Ponant and Seabourn to the massive leviathans of Royal Caribbean and NCL - that the follow-up is likely to be more narrow-focused.

There WILL be some big new vessels - the Disney Dream (above) later this month and 130,000-ton Carnival Magic foremost among them - but there will be more accent on the luxury end of the market, with new tonnage from Oceania Cruises (the Marina later in January), Ponant Cruises (sister ship L'Austral), Seabourn (the third Odyssey-class vessel, Seabourn Quest), Celebrity Cruises (their fourth Solstice-class ship, Celebrity Silhouette) and sail-cruise specialist Sea Cloud (the all-new Sea Cloud Hussar).

We will obviously be looking forward to all of them - and bring full reveiews of each in due course - but we will be taking particular note of the new Disney vessel, the Marina, Seabourn Quest and Celebrity Silhouette as we continue our trend for highlighting the very best of the cruise world.

Having also become the leading publication for adventure cruising and expedition-style voyaging, we are sure to have some more fantastic ideas and features that take you to the more far-flung outposts of the world - notably Antarctica, the Arctic north, Tahiti and French Polynesia, Costa Rica and Vietnam, all of which represent beguiling travel opportunities.

I will be intrigued to see what kind of new features Disney's 'Imagineers' have come up with; how Oceania increase the scale but maintain the style with their first new-build; if Seabourn can continue to set the mark for the six-star market; and whether Celebrity can continue the march of their impressive Solstice class.

It all adds up to a mouth-watering prospect for the next 12 months - just make sure you follow it all with us!

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Happy Cruise New Year!

We all look forward to a New Year in one way or another but 2010 promises to be better than most, and not just because the financial and economic scene shows signs of getting back on a healthier, even keel.

As I have already written, there is an amazing variety of new ships to anticipate, with several that should be genuinely ground-breaking (notably Oceania's Marina and NCL's Norwegian Epic).

There should also be plenty of good deals to be had, too, as cruise lines look to tempt people back to sea-going holidays after the recession-hit days of 2008/09 (so be sure to check with our sister company The Cruise Line Ltd for all the best offers - and look early and often in January as many lines are already flagging up their New Year 'Sails'!).

There is also more focus than ever before on attracting first-time cruisers to this holiday style, with companies big (like Royal Caribbean, NCL and P&O) and small (the likes of Compagnie du Ponant, Pandaw Cruises and Hurtigruten) putting out some tempting campaigns to lure newcomers.

In fact, the appeal of the small, deluxe, niche operators like Ponant and Pandaw should be uppermost in the minds of those looking for that 'something new' factor in 2010.

One I am especially looking forward to investigating for the terrific feedback they have already generated in a relatively short time is Chilean specialist Nomads of the Seas and their unique ship the Atmosphere (pictured above).

The appeal of touring the majestic Chilean fjords in the company of this ship's purpose-built style is immensely appealing and should be one of the highlights of the year for us at World of Cruising, so stay tuned for our report in due course.

I would especially recommend taking a look at their website, http://www.nomadsoftheseas.com/, for those who really want to get off the beaten cruise track, enjoy some of the world's most spectacular scenery and wildlife, sample the tastes and culture of a truly unique region and do it all in some of the highest quality possible in the 'soft' adventure-cruising category.

Can you tell I'm looking forward to 2010?!

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Great choice for 2010

We're accustomed to a wonderful variety of new ships to look forward to each year, but 2010 promises to deliver an absolutely bumper crop of newbuilds, as much for their variety as anything else.

From the 150,000-ton Norwegian Epic (above, with its Aqua Park) and the 220,000-ton Allure of the Seas (sister to the recent Oasis), to the boutique little Independence of American Cruise Lines (3,000 tons) and the chic Le Boreal of Compagnie du Ponant (10,600 tons), this is a line-up that truly offers something for everyone.

The year starts with the latest vessel for Costa Cruises, the Costa Deliziosa, a sister to the Luminosa and the second in this intermediate class of ship for the Italian-based line. MSC Cruises then add the MSC Magnifica, the fourth in their Musica-class vessel, and their 10th ship in all. Quite an upgrade on their traditional, three-ship fleet of just nine years ago!

Celebrity follow up with Celebrity Eclipse in April, the third in their growing and impressive Solstice-class, and, in the same month, P&O Cruises add their biggest ship to date, the 116,000-ton Azura.

May should be a big month for small-ship lovers, with the arrival of the Independence to boost their unique style of American river and coastal cruising. This will be the third vessel of this style and it is obviously proving a big successful with those who enjoy their cruising small-scale.

Le Boreal is the other attractive smaller option, with a truly sumptuous new look for this chic French line. Well worth considering in 2010.

The pace doesn't slow down in June, though, as we welcome the huge Epic of NCL (their biggest-ever ship) and the Seabourn Sojourn of the Yachts of Seabourn, who made a huge splash (ho, ho!) in 2009 with their Odyssey, a ship hailed as a real 'game-changer' in the deluxe end of the cruise market.

Holland America join the newbuild party in July with their Nieuw Amsterdam, an old name for their latest and possibly their smartest (and the fourth ship actually to bear that name) to date. A sister to the Eurodam, this will be the 81st vessel to enter HAL service. Quite a run!

The autumn sees the arrival of Allure of the Seas, and the second of the mind-boggling Project Genesis series of Royal Caribbean. Our World of Cruising magazine hailed Oasis as 'the world's first space ship' recently, as a tribute to both the space-age look and huge amount of space involved in this vessel, and Allure should provide more of the same. Or, as I said last month - It's a cruise ship, Jim, but not as we know it!

One ship which I will be eagerly awaiting is the new Marina of Oceania Cruises in October, with this smart, upmarket line promising to deliver a mid-range ship full of innovation and style and providing a real challenge to the ultra-deluxe lines but with a slightly lower price tag. Definitely one to watch.

Finally, venerable Cunard will debut their latest offering the new Queen Elizabeth toward the end of the year, a 92,000-ton vessel that will maintain the line's great tradition but build on the modern styling that the Queen Victoria showed us last year, or 'the gracious new Cunarder,' as they like to say.

So, if that little lot isn't enough to get everyone excited about the possibilities for cruising in 2010, I don't know what will.

Merry Christmas everyone, and a happy Cruise New Year!

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Previewing French Flair

It has been a busy week for the Veness Inbox. The PR releases came in thick and fast from Monday onwards, with news of Cunard about their forthcoming onboard 'Insights' lecture programme on Queen Mary 2 for 2010; Azamara Cruises and their rebrand to Azamara Club Cruises; P&O Cruises adding the small-scale Adonia to their fleet in 2011; and, my favourite, the latest information on the new ship from the chic Compagnie du Ponant company.

Going though them in order provides an interesting take on how the lines view themselves. For Cunard, it is all about providing that 'elite' touch with the kind of guest speakers who wouldn't be out of place at an Ivy League university. Human rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the 'highlight' of a lecture programme that also includes author and broadcaster Bill Bryson and comedy script writers Dick Clement and Ian le Frenais.

The following day came news that the small, upscale brand in the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd stable will now be known as Azamara Club Cruises in a relaunch aimed at giving them a more distinctive style that incorporates an 'immersive' approach to their destinations, including a lot more overnight stays, 2-day excursions and late-evening departures. Their new tagline is 'You'll love where we take you' and the more luxurious approach will include more all-inclusive aspects (like wine with meals, all gratuities and free bottled waters, specislity teas and coffees) and enhanced service.

P&O are insisting that 'small is beautiful' for them in announcing the 2011 arrival of Adonia (currently the 710-passenger Royal Princess of sister line Princess Cruises). This will be easily the smallest ship to sail for the UK cruise line since the 1970s and, as an adults-only ship (no children under 17), adds to the alternative face of P&O as opposed to their growing big,-ship, family-orientated offerings.

Adonia will begin sailing out of the UK from May 2011, and managing director Carol Marlow made some interesting comments with the announcement, insisting: “The addition of Adonia will deliver an elegant and welcoming ship with real small-ship charm. She will offer a truly intimate and traditional cruise experience, yet with all the comforts you would expect from a modern vessel. With this size of ship, our passengers will be able to get to know their fellow cruisers and crew easily as they travel to some of the most intriguing destinations on the map.

“Whilst larger ships have their own appeal, with the spectrum of bars, dining and entertainment choices they can offer, others really enjoy a smaller ship, with its more intimate ambience. No other cruise line offers this breadth of choice specifically for the British cruiser.”

And then there is Compagnie du Ponant. The French line have existed quite comfortably in relative isolation since 1991 as a niche operator with two small. contrasting vessels (three since 2004), one under sail and one more traditional, if still modernly stylish. The addition five years ago of the former Song of Flower of Radisson Seven Seas moved the company a step closer to the cruise mainstream and then, in 2008, they announced a decision to add a LOT more substance to the fleet with two 10,700-ton super-yachts.

The first of these, Le Boreal, arrives in May 2010, and du Ponant have announced the captain will be their highly-respected master mariner Jean-Philippe Lemaire, one of the company's longest-standing employees. The 132-cabin vessel, which will have an ice-hardened hull for Antarctic cruising, will be his fourth ship of the line, but the first major new project under his command.

He says: "I am very proud to have the privilege to captain Le Boreal for her first sea miles. It is exciting to be involved in a project which combines 'new technologies' with respect for the great maritime tradition that has made the reputation of the company. With all the conviviality of an intimate ship and French sophistication, Le Boreal is joining a Yacht Cruises tradition.

"From the shores of the Mediter­ranean to the boundaries of the great white Antarctic continent, we will be welcoming on board inquisitive travellers, eager to distance themselves from the well-trodden maritime routes. As her Captain, the challenge will be to perpetuate the 'spirit of Le Ponant' which drives our crews and never fails to seduce our passengers.”

It is an intriguing proposition. A line which has largely eschewed the cruise mainstream but which will have to at least touch upon it to find new passengers for their French flair. But, if they are able to translate the company's existing maritime joie de vivre to the newcomer, they should be able to command a lot of respect and offer a wonderful addition to the growing trend for small, upmarket cruise operators which offer that 'something different' factor for the well-travelled. Definitely one to keep an eye on in the coming months.

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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