Fred. Olsen's longest-ever Grand Voyage to the Far East in 2015

            

Fred. Olsen's 119-night Far East Explorer cruise, sails from Southampton on board Balmoral on 4 January 2015. Guests will visit a total of 51 destinations, in 24 countries, across three different continents, navigating three oceans and 10 seas, while passing through 13 time zones - all from just £79 per person, per night.

In 2015/16, Fred. Olsen's fleet of four smaller, more intimate ships - Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch - will visit a total of 243 destinations in 80 countries, departing from ten convenient regional UK ports: Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Avonmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Greenock, Rosyth and Belfast. 

Price is based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, Inside cabin, and includes accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board.

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Saga announces 2015 maiden ports of call to meet demand for new destinations

In 2015 Saga ships will make inaugural calls to destinations in Spain, Finland and Denmark.

Alcudia, Majorca (above)
Saga Pearl II will make her maiden call to Alcudia, in Majorca, as part of a 16-night Springtime in the Mediterranean cruise. Although Alcudia will be new to Pearl II, the town is steeped in history; it has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and the Romans put it in the history books when they arrived in the bay and captured Alcudia in 123 BC.
The vast stretch of sandy beach is now lined with cafes, restaurants and shops and the old town, surrounded by a medieval wall, is well preserved with houses dating to the 13th century.
Saga Pearl II departs Southampton on April 26 for 16 nights, prices from £2,989

Rauma and Kemi, Finland
The Gulf of Bothnia cruise includes two new ports of call and guests will be able to witness the white nights of summer and immerse themselves in Scandinavia's fascinating past.
Rauma, on Finland’s west coast, flourished until the 17th century when it was devastated by two fires. The town centre was rebuilt in a neo-Renaissance style and guests will love visiting the now listed UNESCO  World Heritage Site.
The second maiden port of call, Kemi, was founded in 1869 at the mouth of the River Kemijoki, a natural deep-water port. 
Saga Pearl II departs Dover on June 23 for 15 nights.

Fredericia, Denmark
On the Voyage of the Vikings, Saga Sapphire will make her first call at Fredericia on the Jutland peninsula. Founded in 1650 by King Frederick III, it was intended as a fortress to protect Jutland and remains a military base to this day. Visitors can take the sentry path and walk around the ramparts that encircle the town or stroll 500 yards to Øster Strand beach, which has been awarded the European Blue Flag.
Saga Sapphire departs from Dover on August 12 for 11 nights, prices from £2,257

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Fred Olsen Promise To Get 'Closer To The Destination' in 2015

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has announced its big programme for 2015/16, with the promise they will get guests 'closer to the destination' than ever before.

The full schedule for the winter season in 2015/16 will visit no fewer than 245 destinations in 81 countries around the globe, including 42 countries on its 2016 ‘Grand Voyages’ alone. The preview ‘Launch Brochure’ for the new itineraries will be unveiled to existing guests on March 17 and the cruises will go on general sale from March 24.

Fred. Olsen’s four ships, Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch, will sail from 10 convenient regional UK departures ports – Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Bristol (Avonmouth), Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow) and Belfast – meaning British guests will be within a maximum 90-minute drive away from joining a Fred. Olsen cruise, reinforcing their reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line’.

More info: call 0845 508 4947 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

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Sample A Fjord Spring With Holland America

Here's a great idea to sample a spring break in the fjords this May as Holland America Line are featuring a one-off cruise at a great price.

Their Norwegian Fjords cruise sets sail round-trip from Dover on May 10 and features a chance to to see the glorious blossoming of the fruit trees Prices start from £499pp for an Inside Stateroom and just £599 for an Ocean View Stateroom.

Setting off from the Kent port, guests can start their holiday the moment they step on board without the hassle of airport queues or baggage allowances. The first port of call is cultural Oslo, where open-air music concerts can be enjoyed throughout spring and summer. The ship then cruises through the scenic Oslo Fjord and up the Norwegian coast to the fjords further north. 

A paradise for walkers, guests can explore the beautiful hills, rustic towns and quaint villages of Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Ulvik before experiencing the breathtaking scenery of the Hardangerfjord.

Hardangerfjord is known as the Orchard of Norway as it is the main fruit producing region and May is the perfect time to catch the blossoming of the trees. One final day at sea gives guests the opportunity to relax and indulge in some onboard pampering before the ship arrives back in Dover.

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

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Seabourn Showcase Royal Painter

Here's a truly unique opportunity for an artistic sea-going experience with the ultra-deluxe style of Seabourn this summer.

Royal Portrait Painter Richard Stone is to host one of the popular ‘Seabourn Conversations’ on board Seabourn Quest in July, offering guests the rare opportunity to learn about his experiences painting the Royal family and other famous sitters.

Richard will be on the Quest’s 12-day Baltic & the Low Countries cruise, which departs from Copenhagen on July 27 and ends in Dover on August 8.

Cruise only prices start from £3,999pp, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini-bar. The trip includes a complimentary upgrade to a Veranda Suite.

This itinerary features some of Europe’s most exciting art history and culture, from Kalmar’s brick castle, and Gent’s Gothic cathedral (featuring Van Eyck’s famous Adoration of the Lamb masterpiece) to the pastel palaces and spires of St Petersburg. It also takes in the cobbled streets of medieval Tallinn in Estonia and two days of exploring the museums and canals of Amsterdam.

Seabourn Conversations is a recently-introduced concept for onboard enrichment and special guest entertainment, where luminaries from the worlds of cuisine, theatre, art, history, politics and more provide skilled presentations of their expertise, while also sharing meals, adventures ashore and casual chats with the other guests throughout the voyage.

More info: call 0843 373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.co.uk.

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Saga's Spellbinding Norway

It's the final day of our fabulous Cruise Week with Saga Cruises, sailing their world and enjoying their cruise style and destinations. To conclude, we have a final journey to epic, beautiful Norway...

We make no bones about it - Norway is one of the most amazing countries to visit, especially by cruise ship, and this voyage just about has the lot.

Set sail on Saga Sapphire from Dover in July and you can visit quaint villages, historic ports and experience the UNESCO-protected landscape of Norway’s stunning fjords. In the evenings, guests can also get into the 1960s groove with the Steve Love Band and, to continue the theme, a 60s culture speaker will also be on board to bring back memories of the ‘Make love, not war’ era.

And then there are the ports. Old Stavanger (above left) is characterised by white-boarded houses, fantastic gardens and cobbled streets. Extremely quaint and dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, these houses are still lived in today and make for a fascinating tour. You can also explore the beautiful Lysefjord, where the cliff walls rise more than 300ft out of the still, blue waters for a distance of more than two miles.

The cruise then calls in at Flam deep in the Aurlandsfjord, surrounded by picturesque scenery of meadows, orchards and imposing mountains. Here, guests can enjoy a choice of several excursions, including include a ride on the Flåm Railway - one of the most dramatic train journeys in Europe.

Next up, the impossibly pretty village of Olden stands at the end of the beautiful Nordfjord,

with its quaint wooden homes, miles of forest and simple way of life. You can visit the Briksdal Glacier (right) on a guided hike or the Norwegian Glacier Centre, where you can learn about how glaciers are formed.

Finally, the Sapphire calls into the quintessential Norwegian port, Bergen. Surrounded by mountains and fjords, the waterside city has one of the most spectacular settings in all of Scandinavia and is a guaranteed hit with passengers. There has been a settlement here since Medieval times and the colourful waterfront buildings of the Hanseatic Wharf, known as the Bryggen, are testament to its fascinating history.

Saga's 7-night Spellbinding Norway voyage costs from £909 per person, departing Dover on July 24 and calling at Stavanger, Flam, Olden and Bergen.

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruises.aspx.

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Saga and Fjordland Melodies

Think “Norway” and you’re thinking of one the most visually spectacular places in the world. Winding fjords lined by snow-capped mountains with waterfalls thundering down thousand-foot cliffs to the still waters below while eagles waft lazily across the bow of your ship.

The fjords may be stunning but there is plenty to more to enjoy in this scenic part of the world as the towns and cities with their architecture frozen in time and exquisite seafood-based cuisine are complemented by the people being so friendly.

And Saga's Fjordland Memories voyage will encapsutale much of it, spending three leisurely days cruising the Hardangerfjord during the unique Hardanger Music Festival, with musicians from the festival performing on board against a backdrop of breath-taking scenery.

The voyage starts in picturesque Bergen (above), however, where there will be a chance to visit composer Edvard Greig’s former home at Troldhaugen. After exploring the old town,

it's back on to the ship for a leisurely drink in the bar as Saga Sapphire sets sail out of the lovely harbour.

Passengers will then be able to fully enjoy the Music Festival and the local natural beauty, just at the time the fruit orchards are in bloom. But you can’t come to Norway without seeing the fjords and this cruise takes in one of the finest, with the classic vista of precipitous cliffs and waterfalls, plus the small settlement of Eidfjord, as the gateway to Norway’s largest National Park. Here, the clear blue sky sets the off the snow-capped mountains perfectly and it is a wonderful place to disembark and just wander the fabulous pathways.

The colossus of Hardangerfjord also gives rise to the lesser-visited Sorfjord (below) at one end, with the traditional town of Odda set at the foot of the mountains. Here, guests can view the beautiful waterfalls of the Odda Valley on a panoramic drive or perhaps take in the interesting Tyssedal Hydropower Museum.

Saga's 7-night Fjordland Memories cruise costs from £909 and departs Dover on June 2,

calling at Bergen, Ulvik, Eidfjord and Odda.

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruises.aspx.

For a fuller version of this feature, see our website on this link.

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Saga's 'Last Chance' Arctic Explorer

Feb. 12.- It's Day Two of Saga Week on World of Cruising magazine, with a series of stories, features and special offers from the classic British cruise line. Today - a rare chance to visit exclusive Arctic destinations... 

Magdalena Bay is one of the most beautiful places on earth. There are no cars, no shops, no houses and no roads in this pristine, glistening fjord. The only trace of human life comes in the form of centuries-old whalers’ graves and the remains of whaling vats in this north-westerly region of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago (above, at sunrise).

And Saga Cruises' Saga Pearl II will dock here for the last time during its Arctic Explorer voyage, departing June 22, when passengers will wake up surrounded by snow-capped mountains and giant glaciers.

The ORCA charity team will also be on board to help passengers watch for wildlife and record sightings. On the ship’s last visit to the region, more than 400 mammals were seen, including blue whales and humpback whales.

Nearby Ny-Ålesund will also become a final port of call, also as a result of the heavy oil ban from January 1, 2015, which means no conventional ships can sail within the borders of Svalbard’s national parks on the east and west coast of the archipelago. Polar bear

numbers equal people in Ny-Ålesund’s shimmering, icy landscape, which is the world’s most northerly inhabited settlement. Wildflowers clothe the landscape in June as warmth from the midnight sun brings them to life after the long, dark polar winter nights.

Saga Pearl II will also call in at Longyearbyen, the largest and oldest settlement on Spitsbergen, where passengers can join a glacier hike or dog-sledding trips. During the sailing to Spitsbergen, the ship will visit the Lofoten Islands, where sea eagles make their home and Tromso, with the world’s most northerly botanic garden, as well as Stavanger, Geirangerfjord and  Bergen on a historic cruise, which promises holiday memories that can never be repeated.

This amazing 15-night cruise costs from £3,099 per person, departing Dover on June 22, and includes Saga's standard VIP door-to-door travel service, all meals, 24-hour room service, all gratuities, porterage, travel insurance and cancellation cover.

More info: call 0800 056 8986 or click on this link.

For a longer version of this story see our News pages at the World of Cruising website, presented by Saga Cruises, on this link.

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Saga Opera in the Fjords

It's Saga Week all this week on Time Spent At Sea and World of Cruising magazine, with a series of stories, features and special offers from the classic British cruise line...

Soprano Lesley Garrett (above) will give a performance on board Saga Cruises' star quality opera-themed cruise visiting Norway's fjords and and ancient cities on the Saga Sapphire this September. 

Passengers will also be given behind-the-scenes insights from Royal Opera House tour manager Barry Stewart and look forward to a memorable night at Kristiansund’s opera house, the oldest in Norway. 

Guests will travel down the incredible Geirangerfjord with its 1,000ft high cliffs and stunning Seven Sisters waterfall, providing a marked contrast with a visit Norway’s fascinating ancient capital of Bergen. The jewel in the crown here is the ancient row of Hanseatic League warehouses with their brightly coloured frontages.

A short walk from the ship brings you to the funicular railway which takes you up to Mount Flojen with amazing panoramic views of the city and the mountains that surround it. 

Saga's 9-night "Nordic Notes" cruise costs from £1,136 per person, departing Dover on September 2 and calling at Bergen, Kristiansund, Molde, Geiranger, Floro and Stavanger. 

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruise. 

For a longer version of this story, don't forget to check out our Ocean News pages on our main website. 

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link. 

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Saga's Remembrance Voyage

2014 will be a year of wartime anniversaries, with the centenary of the start of the Great War and the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and it should be a great opportunity to learn about the human cost and the political manoeuverings in wartime.

Saga Cruises are making it a voyage of remembrance and pilgrimage this July as they take Saga Pearl II from Dover to key points on the Continent.

The first port of call is Heligoland, the small German island in the North Sea that witnessed the first naval engagement of the Great War, which Churchill maintained had 'muzzled' the German navy.

Next stop is Amsterdam, home to the splendid National Maritime Museum and the Anne Frank Museum, for those who want to take advantage of free time in the city.

The ship then sails on to Ostend to visit the Napoleonic fort decorated with murals by soldier Heinrich Otto Pieper while it was a German HQ during the First World War. Visitors here should not miss an optional excursion to Ypres to observe the Last Post at the Menin Gate.

Guests will spend the next day in Antwerp before sailing to Dunkirk, where 338,000 troops waited on the beaches before being rescued during the evacuation in 1940.

Boulogne is the next port of call, with an optional excursion to the Somme battlefields area. Guest speakers include Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, National President of the Royal British Legion, and Stephen Prince, Head of the Royal Navy's Historical Branch.

The eight-night cruise costs from £1,516 and departs on July 22. The price includes UK mainland travel service, all meals, 24-hour room service, all gratuities, travel insurance, on board entertainment, welcome cocktail party and captain’s dinner.

More info: call 0800 056 8986 or visit www.saga.co.uk/cruises.

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Get '3 For Free' With Princess

We know you're probably ready for Christmas by now (we might even take a few hours off ourselves!), but we thought we might pass on some tempting new offers from Princess Cruises by way of an early Chrissie pressie!

Passengers booking with Princess by the end of February will benefit from an eye-catching £99 per person deposit and benefit from the company's ‘3 for Free’ promotion. 

It runs from December 26 to February 28 and consists of the following trio of free 'extras': Free balcony upgrades; Free shore excursion credit; and a Free framed formal portrait photo on board. Additional benefits include 3^rd and 4^th passengers travelling from just £99 per person (when sharing a stateroom). 

Package fares are also available, which include flights, overnight pre-cruise hotel (where required) and transfers to and from the ship and hotel.
 
Highlights of the 2014 programme include:
 
Regal Princess (above), will begin her maiden season in May 2014, sailing first on two new itineraries; a 7-night Maiden Mediterranean & Aegean from Venice to Athens departing May 20, and a 6-night Greek Isles departing May 27.   

Ruby Princess will be sailing on nine 12-night departures of the British Isles from Southampton, and Ocean Princess sailing 8-nights from Dover on three departures.  Five of these cruises will offer the opportunity to see the famed Edinburgh Military Tattoo. All offers are subject to availability.

More info: 0843 373 0333 or visit www.princess.com.

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Explore The Ancient Med With Fred!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ guests can escape the chill of the autumn and head for sunnier climates and warmer waters on Black Watch’s 28-night ‘Ancient Monuments of the Mediterranean’ voyage, departing from Dover on October 19. A history-lover and sightseer’s dream, this cruise uncovers ancient lands and some of the best-known architectural wonders in the world.

The first port of call is Lisbon, Portugal’s bustling capital. Here, guests can expand their knowledge of the Alcobaca Cistercian Monastery, or discover the history of Alcobaca and its connection to medieval Portugal at this World Heritage Site, before exploring the charming little town.

Black Watch then visits La Goulette (for Tunis) in Tunisia; the medina is its historic heart, with a network of alleys, souks and the Eighth Century Al-Zaytuna Mosque, a direct contrast to the palm trees and café terraces of the new town. Close-by are the ruins of Carthage and Sidi Bou Said, quite possibly Tunisia’s most beautiful village.

Next stop is Izmir, in Turkey, before reaching iconic Istanbul. Ornately-decorated buildings rub shoulders with art galleries, museums, restaurants and boutiques. Guests can visit the Topkapi Palace, or take a tour of the Byzantine heritage of the city, taking in some of the impressive monuments and mosques; a highlight is the Basilica Cistern, a huge underground reservoir built in 532 AD.

After calling at Canakkale, where guests can join a tour to the fabled city of Troy, Black Watch makes its first call in Greece at Volos, which boasts many exquisite finds from the early 20th Century and modern archaeological excavations at the Volos Archaeological Museum and Makrinitsa. The voyage then heads to Greece’s main commercial port of Piraeus, which has practically melded with Athens. The awe-inspiring Parthenon, sitting atop the Acropolis, Cape Sounion, Corinth and Delphi – with its impressive Temple of Apollo – make this one of the most historically-significant destinations on this cruise.

Next up are Kalamata and Itea, before reaching Corfu. Here, guests can relax on a tour to the Achilleion and Corfu Old Town, where the beautiful Greek countryside teems with orange, lemon, cypress and olive groves.

Black Watch then continues to Valletta, the cosmopolitan capital of Malta, known for its fortifications, architectural appeal and Grand Harbour. Guests can also gain a better understanding of the vital role Malta played in the two World Wars by visiting the Malta at War and National War Museums.

The final destination is Gibraltar, with a tour to the must-see World War II tunnels, which were excavated between 1939 and 1944, as an extension to the Great Siege Tunnels of 1779 to 1783. In total, these stretch for more than 30 miles. Black Watch then sets sail on her return voyage to Dover.

Guests on this cruise can take advantage of Fred. Olsen’s great-value ‘all-inclusive’ drinks upgrade package at just £10 per person, per night, and enjoy their holiday in style without any budget worries. Prices for this cultural cruise start from £1,372 per person (subject to availability), based on two adults sharing an inside, twin-bedded cabin, and include all accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit www.fredolsencruises.com or call 0800 0355 150 (Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm; Sat, 9am-5pm; Sun, 10am-4pm).

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Sample Norway's 200th Anniversary With Saga

The flags will be flying across Norway in 2014 as the country celebrates the bicentenary of its constitution. And Saga Cruises have a special selection of voyages next year perfectly suited to tie in with the celebrations and visit this land of natural beauty

The Fabulous Fjords
Music and mountains, fjords and fabulous fun will make Saga Pearl II’s sailings to Norway all the more special in 2014. Three departures also offer different dance options, with Motown on May 1, 60s Music on June 15 and Sounds of the 70s on August 15. Bergen, Geiranger, Skjolden and Haugesund are the ports of call on this 7-night cruise from Dover, with prices from £909pp.
 

Fjordland Gems
Do you love the sounds of the Rat Pack? Smooch along the fjords on Saga Sapphire, calling in at Bergen, Olden, Flam and Stavanger during the day and in the evening celebrate music inspired by the kings of cool. This 7-night cruise, sailing from Dover on July 1, is priced from £876pp.

Discover Sorfjord
Sorfjord is one of the lesser-known beauty spots in Norway and Saga Sapphire’s cruise will be all the more unusual as you enjoy music and concerts in some remarkable locations.  Hardanger Music Festival will perform a concert on board against a backdrop of breathtaking mountains. You will also have the chance to visit the former homes of composer Edvard Greig and violinist Ole Bull. Again a 7-night cruise, it is priced from £909pp and sails from Dover on June 2 calling at Bergen, Ulvik, Eidfjord, Sorfjord and Odda.

Nordic Notes
Opera buffs will love this themed cruise with behind-the-scenes insights form Barry Steward, the Royal Opera House tour manager. Enjoy arias, duets and ensembles as the Saga Sapphire passes mountains and remote villages. Passengers can also look forward to a memorable musical performance in Norway’s oldest opera house. It is priced from £1,136pp for 9 nights, departing from Dover on September 2, 2014.
 

For bookings, check with Saga Cruises or check for more ideas on this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists

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Grab a HAL Baltic Bargain!

Holland America Line is offering a fabulous 14-night Baltic cruise from just £799pp (less than £60pp per night) on their June 29 departure round-trip from Dover.

Guests can also enjoy full board accommodation as well as £30 onboard spending money when upgrading to an Ocean View Stateroom for just £1. This offer is based on two people sharing a stateroom on MS Ryndam (above).

The exploration of Scandinavia and Russia first heads north to Copenhagen, city of the Little Mermaid, then on to quaint, medieval Tallinn in Estonia. A fantastic highlight of the cruise is a two-day call in St Petersburg, with opportunities to discover the gorgeous art and jewellery collections of the Tsars at the Hermitage Museum, Catherine the Great’s palace or even travel to visit Red Square in Moscow. 

Next, the ship visits Helsinki in Finland, and spends two days in Stockholm, also offering guests the chance to visit the scenic town of Visby on the island of Gotland. The final days see adventurous stops in Warnemunde, from where visits to Berlin are also a possibility and a day  at sea – perfect for relaxing.

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

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More Boutique Adventures From Crystal

Crystal Cruises is expanding its exclusive collection of intimate “Boutique Adventures” during summer Northern Europe cruises with two new experiences in Belfast and Berlin. The shoreside outings – none of which are available on any other cruise lines – offer intimate access to Northern Ireland’s political leadership and Germany’s Soho House, along with visits to film locations around the city. 

The excursions are limited to 15 guests max and will take place during five of Crystal Serenity's cruises between June and August:

• Belfast: Go behind the closed doors of Stormont, the seat of Northern Ireland’s governing Legislative Assembly and symbol of hard-won peace solidified by 1998s Good Friday Agreement. A friendly three-course lunch with an Assembly member follows at a 200-year-old Georgian manor and working farm.
• Berlin: From the port city of Warnemünde, travel to Berlin to be led by a local film expert through the city’s most famous movie locations, from films such as The Bourne Supremacy, Inglourious Basterds and Run, Lola, Run. A champagne “wrap party” and private screening of Billy Wilder’s One, Two Three will be held in the stylish Red Room inside members-only Soho House, formerly the home of the Soviet Politboro.

Launched in the Mediterranean this spring, Crystal’s new “Boutique Adventures” are crafted just for Crystal guests and provide opportunities for deeper cultural experiences when visiting key destinations.

The Belfast excursion is offered during the August 26 seven-night Dublin to Dover British Isles voyage. The excursion from Warnemünde to Berlin is offered on four, 10-night Baltic sailings between Copenhagen and Stockholm departing June 15 and 25 and July 20 and 30. All-inclusive fly/cruise fares for the sailings start at £2,961 per person if booked by June 28 at the latest. Boutique excursion rates vary depending on access fees and distance travelled.

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

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Take A Voyage Of Discovery To Chelsea Flower Show

Here's a great combination of cruise and special event, courtesy of Voyages of Discovery and their garden-themed voyage this month. It is literally the garden event of the century as it is the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show, and VoD have exclusive tickets to the occasion. 

Passengers on the 12-day "British Isles & Chelsea Flower Show" cruise sailing on May 14 will have the opportunity to visit the renowned Royal Horticultural Society show during its centenary year as well as visiting other famous houses and gardens, including Le Petite Valley and Candie Gardens (Guernsey). The cruise will also be accompanied by Guest Speaker, Joanne Kidd, an official lecturer for the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts (NADFAS) with over 30 years of experience in designing, organising and running major floral events. 

The cruise departs from Portsmouth and calls at St. Peter Port (Guernsey), Fowey, Waterford, Dublin, Kirkwall, Invergordon, Greenwich and Dover before calling back at Portsmouth. Prices start from £999 for two people sharing an inside cabin (buy one get one free Saver Fare), including £150 onboard credit to spend on the ship, meals, entertainment and the Guest Speaker programme. Cabin numbers will not be allocated at the time of booking. The half-day Chelsea Flower Show excursion is subject to an £89 entry fee per person and places are limited.

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

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

No Heligoland - More Time On MSC Magnifica

Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, continues her voyage aboard MSC Magnifica of MSC Cruises with an abortive attempt to visit a rare part of Germany...

Today we should have been ashore in Heligoland but, sadly, our call had to be cancelled. It is a tender port and, by the time we reached our position, Captain Antonio Siviero had to cancel due to the Force 7 winds and a wave height of 2-3 metres. It was decided the conditions simply were not safe enough to carry out the tender from ship to shore process. As I type this now, the wind strength has increased and the ship is moving a little bit.

 

With an unexpected day at sea, I was quite happy to enjoy a day on board but disappointed to miss the port I was most looking forward to. It is a small island situated 70km from the German mainland and is visited by just a handful of tourists each year. At first glance, it reminded me a bit of Gibraltar but with the top of the Rock shaved off and much smaller. In fact, it was far smaller than I had imagined, but a glimpse was as much as we got.

With all this sudden free time, I decided to take myself back round the ship to find things I had missed over the last few days. They have quite a large shopping section on board, across both the port and starboard sides. One shop is just full of bags and purses (every woman's dream!) and you could easily spend a good hour - and a small fortune - here. I managed to resist the temptation - just! Instead, I had to laugh at a comment made by another passenger, that all the branded items in the MSC Logo Shop had no prices on them. "That meant they were free, right?"

I have to say I like this ship very much, although, at this point, I am convinced I am the only English passenger on board. It has been different because I have never cruised with such a mix of nationalities, or where English is the second (or third, or fourth) language. It’s not been a bad thing, and I have enjoyed listening to people's conversations, although I have no clue what they are saying most of the time.

The ship is also very ‘smooth’. That’s the only way I can describe it. You rarely feel any vibration when the thrusters kick in, unlike other ships where everything not nailed down vibrates and jumps off the table. She is also extremely quiet. During our sail-away from Hamburg last night, we passed a beautiful waterfront residential area and all I could hear were the whistles and shouts of those ashore as they acknowledged our presence. Some of the houses were fantastic, built up right to the top of the hill. In fact, the houses met the shore so gracefully it almost felt as if we were sailing down their front street.

The onboard bars are beautiful, especially the Tiger Bar. I’m not usually one for animal prints but even the carpet in here looks fabulous against the black and beige décor. The Sports Bar, too, is a nice social space. Again, not usually my idea of a good time but I can quite happily sit here and enjoy the atmosphere.

Before my voyage, I had heard mixed reviews about MSC Cruises, but, from my experience I would certainly say give them a try. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on board Magnifica and would definitely do it again. I am sad I must disembark tomorrow in Dover.

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Holland America's Med Bargain

Holland America Line is offering an 11-night luxury Mediterranean fly/cruise from just £659 per person this spring. Departing from Barcelona on April 23 and disembarking in Dover on  May 4, this wonderful voyage includes full board accommodation on the mid-size, 1,260 capacity MS Ryndam, an outbound flight to Barcelona and transfers.

 

From Barcelona, the cruise sails to Palma de Mallorca in the sunny Balearic Islands before heading to the beachside city of Alicante.  Ryndam then sails to Motril for the fascinating Moorish city of Granada, before spending a full day exploring at Gibraltar. Portugal awaits next and the pretty fishing port of Portimao on the Algarve coast, before heading to the lively capital of Lisbon. The final stop on this voyage is La Coruña on Spain’s Atlantic coast, before sailing back to home turf and disembarking in Dover.

 

Whilst at sea, guests can take advantage of the Culinary Arts Centre, which features cookery demonstrations, as well as sampling Ryndam’s choice of elegant restaurants and lounges in addition to being pampered at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon.

 

This offer is based on two sharing an inside stateroom on HAL's 'European Splendour' fly/cruise sailing April 23.

 

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

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.