New ports of call for Thomson Cruises and a return to Cuba

From winter 2015, Thomson Dream will showcase Cuba with its new Cuban Revolution itinerary. Cuban Revolution has  two new ports, Santiago de Cuba and Holguin. Beginning its journey in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Thomson Dream will go on to explore the two new Cuban destinations and continue its journey to spend the night in the country’s capital, Havana, before going onto Grand Cayman, and finally making its return journey back to Montego Bay.

For winter 2015 Thomson Celebration will be adding Bequia in St Vincent and the Grenadines as a port of call for its Caribbean Cocktail and Oceans Eleven itineraries. 

Customers on Thomson Dream will for the first time experience the delights of Mindelo in Cape Verde, known for its colourful and animated carnival celebrations as it joins the Beyond the Sunset itinerary. Travelling back towards Palma in April, two new destinations will be included in the Atlantic Adventure itinerary, also on Thomson Dream, with stops in Santiago de Cuba, and an overnight stay in King’s Wharf, Bermuda, a town rich in naval history.

Sailing the shimmering blue seas of the Canary Islands in winter, Thomson Majesty is introducing two new destinations on its Island Explorer itinerary. The itinerary will now stop at Valle Gran Rey in La Gomera and Puerto de la Estaca in El Hierro. 

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Adventure Cruising blog

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Star Clippers' new sailings for 2015/16

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has launched its 2015/16 programme, featuring cruises from three to twenty four nights on its three square-riggers, with sailings up to March 2016.

The three ships will sail in the Caribbean in winter (Star Clipper from St Maarten, Royal Clipper from Barbados and Star Flyer from Cuba) and in the Mediterranean and Aegean in summer. In addition, there are one-off sailings between Barbados and Panama (on Star Flyer); transatlantic crossings on all three ships in spring and autumn; and mini-cruises in the Mediterranean from three to five nights in addition to the longer sailings.

Taster cruises from £522

Once again, Star Clippers will be offering mini-cruises, for those who would like a taste of life on board a square rigger. Choose between three nights round-trip from Venice; four nights round-trip from Rome; or five nights from Malaga to Rome, all on Royal Clipper. Star Flyer, meanwhile, offers three- or four-night sailings from Cannes; and a four-night one-off cruise, taking in the practice day of the Monaco Grand Prix. From £522 plus £65 port taxes for a three-night cruise from Cannes on Star Flyer, calling at L’Ile Rousse in Corsica and St Tropez, departing  23 September.

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Star Clippers Highlight Sail-Cruise Romance

Sail-cruising is a brand of the cruise world all its own, and there are a range of different experiences it can provide unlike any other kind of vessel. Foremost among is them is a genuinely romantic ambience to every voyage, and tall ship specialist Star Clippers has recently selected 10 of its most exciting, adventurous and romantic cruises to highlight for the 2014/15 season.

Each voyage highlights a different aspect of life on three of the world’s finest tall ships, from the great cultural sites of Europe to the most picturesque Croatian ports, the best beaches in the Caribbean and the most fashionable spots in the Balearics, plus the new Cuba destination.

Guests can choose between a 16-night transatlantic voyage or a three-day taster cruise; there are opportunities to learn yoga, attend lectures or simply relax on the sun-warmed teak decks, gazing up at a mass of billowing sails.

All voyages also include full board on the ship, entertainment and use of the watersports equipment on each vessel.

Highlights of the Top 10 include the new Balearics cruise, calling at anchorages only accessible to small ships, including the sleepy but beautiful islands of Formentera and lively Puerto Pollença on Mallorca; a 14-night Caribbean voyage calling at four ports in Venezuela (the coast of which is scattered with beautiful, unspoiled islands) and the Dutch ‘ABC’ islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, with some of the finest beaches on the planet; and Star Clipper’s "Treasure Islands" itinerary, sailing from St Maarten and with more stunning beaches.

More info: call 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.

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Cuba, Monte Carlo & Palma on Star Clippers Menu for 2014

Tall ship cruise specialist Star Clippers has announced new ports, new destinations and new itineraries for 2014 on board the line’s three head-turning sailing ships, Star Clipper, Star Flyer and Royal Clipper.

In February 2014, Star Flyer (above) will operate a maiden season in Cuba, returning to the island for a second season from November 2014. In May 2014, Grand Prix fans will be able to access the atmosphere of the most prestigious race of the F1 season in Monte Carlo, when guests on Star Flyer will be in pole position in the harbour. Summer 2014 sees Star Clippers sailing a season from Palma de Mallorca for the first time, while new ports of call include Porto and the Scandolo Nature Reserve in Corsica, plus La Sabina in Formentera. 

Another brand new itinerary has been introduced for the 2014/15 Caribbean season, where Royal Clipper will operate a completely new cruise in March 2015, spending a leisurely two weeks sailing the southern Caribbean and skimming the coast of South America on a one-off voyage to Venezuela and the Dutch Caribbean. 

In addition to new destinations and routes, there is more variation in length of cruise than ever before, from a three-night taster from Venice in September to a 21-night transatlantic crossing on Royal Clipper from Barbados to Rome. 

To celebrate the new programmes and new itineraries, Star Clippers are offering up to 20% early booking discount on certain itineraries, with an additional 5% discount for repeat passengers. 

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

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Star Clippers Sets Sail For Cuba

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is to sail to Cuba in 2014 for the first time, offering a spectacular series of itineraries exploring the island in depth, visiting stunning beaches and anchorages, colonial towns and villages and with a pre and post-cruise option to stay in historic Havana, famous for its cigars, nightlife, architecture and the legacy of Hemingway.

The Cuba programme will be offered on the 170-passenger Star Flyer (above), which will split the winter of 2013/14 between Costa Rica, where the ship has already operated two highly successful seasons, and the Caribbean. She will sail four itineraries taking in Cuba, as follows:

February 2, 2014: 14 nights, Costa Rica to Cuba via the Panama Canal, calling at Drake Bay and Golfito (Costa Rica); Isla Gamez, Isla Iguana and Balboa (Panama); San Andres and Providencia (Colombia); George Town and Little Cayman (Cayman Islands) and Casilda (Cuba). From £2,440, plus £245 port charges, cruise only.

February 16 and 23 and March 2, 9 and 16, 2014: Seven nights Cuba and Cayman Islands, departing Cienfuegos and calling at Cayo Blanco; Casilda (for the historic town of Trinidad, rich with colonial architecture); Little Cayman and George Town, capital of Great Cayman; Cayo Largo (Cuba), Archipelago de los Canarreos; returning to Cienfuegos. From £1,185, plus £120 port charges, cruise only.

March 23: Six nights round-trip from Cienfuegos, calling at Archipelago de los Canarreos; Punta Frances; Cayo Largo; Casilda; and Cayo Blanco, from £1,015, plus £105 port charges, cruise only.

March 29: Cuba to St Maarten, departing Cienfuegos and calling at Montego Bay and Port Antonio (Jamaica); Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic); the British Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg. From £1865pp, plus £190 port charges, cruise only.

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

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Last Call For A Caribbean Break on Braemar!

Winter 2011/12 will see the last of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Caribbean fly-cruises aboard Braemar. The cruise line is moving towards ex-UK cruises for the 2012/13 cruise season, so this could be your last chance to enjoy one of these amazing value-for-money cruises.

And Fred Olsen tell us there is still some availability on several stunning January voyages at very competitive prices. Like M1201, a 15-night fly-cruise with an exciting itinerary, that includes calls into colourful Cuba and vibrant Jamaica. Fly from London Gatwick, or Manchester on January 5 and join Braemar in Bridgetown, Barbados. Stay overnight, with time to explore the island, then enjoy a fortnight of island hopping, seeing some of the most desirable islands in the Caribbean; Bonaire, Aruba, Jamaica’s Montego Bay, Santiago de Cuba, then Turks & Caicos, Tortola and Antigua, with a scenic cruise of the Grenadines, en route back to Barbados for the return flights.

The flights are with an exclusive, fully-escorted Fred. Olsen charter, and the journey from check-in to ship is seamless and relaxed; the perfect introduction to the Caribbean way of life! 

Currently, prices on this cruise start from just £1,199 per person, with a ‘Latesaver’ deal; this is based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin. The price is exceptional value for money when you consider it includes flights and transfers, en suite accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port/airport taxes; all for less than £80 per person per day

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

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Darts & Football Stars Aboard Fred Olsen

Guests joining award-winning Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 35-night Caribbean voyage aboard Boudicca in January will find themselves in the prestigious company of three major celebrities from two of Britain’s favourite sports, darts and football.

The stars are ex-footballer and former manager of both Spurs and Arsenal, Terry Neill, along with former darts champions, Keith Deller and Cliff Lazarenko, who will be entertaining guests throughout this cruise as part of the exclusive onboard enrichment programme, Vistas.

Boudicca departs from Southampton on January 19 for an Atlantic crossing broken by a call into the Canary Island of Tenerife before beginning her odyssey of the Caribbean islands. Her ports of call are a roll-call of idyllic destinations – the islands of Barbados and Curaçao, then Cartagena in Colombia, and Colon in Panama, before reaching Montego Bay on the colourful reggae island of Jamaica.

The next port is a highlight of the cruise – an overnight stay in Havana, Cuba, a port steeped in history and romance. Two more Caribbean islands complete this part of the itinerary – Turks & Caicos, and the tiny island of St Maarten – before Boudicca begins her return voyage to Southampton, broken by a last call into Ponta Delgada in the Azores.

Prices for this star-studded Caribbean voyage start from £3,479 per person, based on two adults sharing an outside twin cabin, Grade ‘D’, including all meals and entertainment on board, as well as port taxes. There is no extra charge for taking part in the Vistas programme.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's leading cruise agent specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Peter Sissons and Terry Neill Cruise with Fred. Olsen

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is proud of its philosophy ‘It’s all about the people’ and the cruise line is famed for its personal touch. Part of the pleasure of a cruise is to meet new people and enjoy stimulating discussion – perhaps learning something new along the way. An eclectic mix of speakers appears as part of Fred. Olsen’s cruise enhancement programme, Vistas, which covers a host of fascinating topics that guests can enjoy at no extra cost.

Two very different speakers featured in the 2012/13 Vistas programme are veteran newscaster and broadcaster, Peter Sissons (above), and the Northern Ireland footballer and former Spurs and Arsenal manager, Terry Neill.

Thought to have been Britain’s longest-serving TV news presenter, with a career spanning 45 years, Peter Sissons is best known for his long and distinguished career with the BBC. Having worked for both ITN and Channel Four – where he won three consecutive BAFTAs – he joined the Corporation to present Question Time and the Six O’Clock News. Latterly, he presented the Nine O’Clock News from 1994 until it moved to its present ten o’clock slot.

Prior to his successful life in journalism, Peter studied alongside some famous classmates. Growing up in Liverpool, he was at junior school with John Lennon and Jimmy Tarbuck and then attended the Liverpool Institute, where, among his fellow students, were both George Harrison and Paul McCartney. Many people will remember Peter as the newsreader who was trusted with the momentous task of announcing to the nation the death of the Queen Mother in 2002 – and was castigated by some (and applauded by others) for wearing a burgundy tie, rather than a black one!

He left the BBC in 2009 to concentrate on writing his memoirs, since published under the title ‘When One Door Closes’, and promises to be a fascinating speaker on Boudicca’s 23-night cruise to the Mediterranean, departing from Portsmouth on October 12, 2012. The cruise visits Portimăo (Portugal), Ibiza (Spain), Valletta (Malta), Piraeus for Athens (Greece), Alexandria (Egypt) for an overnight stay, Tripoli (Libya), Algiers (Algeria) and Gibraltar, before returning to Portsmouth. Prices are from £2,379 per person.

From a very different world comes William John Terence (‘Terry’) O’Neill. Born in Belfast in 1942, Terry has been involved in football from his earliest days, playing as a junior for Bangor before moving to Arsenal in 1959. In the early 1960s, he made 29 league appearances for The Gunners, and was also a regular player for the Northern Ireland team. He became Arsenal captain in 1968 and played 275 games for them, scoring ten goals in total. He moved to Hull City in 1990, as one of the youngest ever player/managers, and was later manager of Tottenham Hotspur, returning to his beloved Arsenal as its manager until his retirement from ‘the beautiful game’ at the early age of 41. Since then, he has run a number of successful sports bars in London, and still commentates on Arsenal games for Arsenal TV.

Neill will be speaking on Boudicca’s 35-night voyage to the Caribbean, departing from Southampton on January 19, 2012. The cruise visits Tenerife, Barbados, Curacao, Colombia, Jamaica, Cuba (for an overnight stay in Havana), the Turks and Caicos Islands, St Maarten, and the Azores, before returning to Southampton. Prices are from £3,249 per person.

Prices are based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’ and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment onboard, including the celebrity speakers, and port taxes.

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Island Sky's Refit A Hit With Noble Caledonia

Boutique little adventurer Island Sky underwent a significant multi-million pound refurbishment last year to make her one of the finest small ships in the world. Now, Noble Caledonia are offering a full season aboard this smart vessel, with some 37 cruises across the globe, including visits to the Pacific Coast of South America, Catalonia, Casablanca, The Baltic, The Azores, Cuba and the islands of the British Coast.

With a maximum passenger capacity of only 116, a vessel of her size is usually capable of carrying many more but, instead, the MS Island Sky has the benefit of unusually large suites, luxuriously appointed public areas and spacious outside decks.

Having cruised on her myself, I can vouch for what a luxurious ship she is and her small draft allows her to visit places other larger cruise ships cannot get to.

To find our more, visit MS Island Sky or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Fred Olsen's Caribbean Braemar Games!

By guest blogger Steve Newman

You can now join Fred Olsen's Braemar (above) for a unique 15-night Caribbean/Cuba cruise on December 9 this year.

Flying from London Gatwick or Manchester, the grand voyage begins in Bridgetown, Barbados, with ports of call at Willemstad (Curacao), Oranjestad (Aruba), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Havana (overnight), George Town (Grand Cayman) and Montego Bay (also Jamaica) for flight home.

Fred Olsen's 'Late Saver' fares are from just £1,141 per person, based on an inside twin bedded cabin, subject to availability, and includes charter flights, all food and entertainment on board, port and airport taxes, transfers and fuel supplement.

(Please note: cabin numbers are not confirmed until embarkation; Manchester flights have very limited availability)

This cruise also features Flagship Golf, an exclusive package designed for golfers who want to incorporate their favourite sport into a cruise holiday. This is available on all the company's ships in the fleet, and on a variety of cruises from the UK to destinations including the Mediterranean, Canaries and Baltic, and fly-cruises to the Caribbean.

There is an additional charge of £425 per person for Caribbean fly-cruises, and £375 per person for all other cruises.

You can also learn more about Fred Olsen's offerings at The Cruise Show at Birmingham NEC on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia next March (26-27). For more great deals on Fred Olsen's Caribbean cruises, check out top specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

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