Saga Sapphire's Nordic 2015 eclipse cruise

Take a journey to witness the solar eclipse and stargaze in the clear night skies on
Saga Sapphire’s Nordic Eclipse cruise in March 2015. An astronomy expert will be on board to help passengers understand the wonders of the solar system during stargazing sessions and fascinating talks.

Saga Sapphire will follow the stars to Bergen, Geiranger, one of Norway's outstanding fjord landscapes, Andalsnes, Lerwick, and the Faroe Islands.

On March 20, Saga Sapphire will be at sea for the total eclipse. The last port of call will be Kirkwall, on the Orkney Islands.

12 nights from £2,289 departing Southampton on 11 March 2015. Price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals, all on-board activities and entertainment, daily afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee, free Wi-Fi, all gratuities, porterage, shuttle bus to town centres from the port of call, and travel insurance.

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It's Whisky Galore With Hurtigruten!

Whiskey Galore was a classic Ealing comedy film hit back in 1949, starring Basil Radford and Joan Greenwood, but specialist Norwegian operator Hurtigruten might have their own real-life version of the idea this summer.

Their expedition ship MS Fram is currently loaded with two barrels of 21- and 25-year-old single malt whisky, which it is transporting from one end of the world to the other - a process that is said to refine the noble Scottish drop even further. After crossing the Antarctic Circle, the ship will head north to Greenland and Spitsbergen, with en-route stops scheduled in Scotland, where the whisky was first produced.

The topic ‘Whisky and its origin’ is also covered in two voyages on-board Fram in April and May. Both start in the Norwegian city of Bergen with the 12-day “British Isles in the Spring” (sailing April 24) journey covering Scotland, Ireland and England, while “The Viking Route” (May 13) lasts 13 days, and visits Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

Both journeys are accompanied by Scottish lecturer and whisky expert Bernard McGee, who will share his knowledge of single malt scotch whisky and arrange some tastings during the voyage.

Prices for ‘The Viking Route voyage start from £2,474 per person, based on two people sharing an inside cabin on full board basis. Flights and transfers are available for an additional cost.

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

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Take In Northern Cape With Voyages of Discovery

Any cruise that takes in beautiful Norway is always going to get our attention, and here's one with that - and a bit more.

Book now and you can also  take advantage of the Voyages of Discovery "Summer Solstice & Northern Cape" 15-day cruise that departs on June 14. Explore the rugged islands, inlets and yawning fjords that characterise Norway’s fissured coastline on this itinerary that takes in the highlights of the country.

From the city of Bergen, famed for its colourful waterfront houses, to Honningsvåg, which is the gateway to Europe’s most northerly point, passengers will enjoy numerous breathtaking vistas on this voyage to the majestic North Cape and the Land of the Midnight Sun. Prices start from just £1,839pp, plus early bookers can enjoy up to £200 on board credit on balcony cabins if booked by February 28.

Voyages of Discovery is also offering Book Early Fares, featuring savings of up to £250 per person, on their 14-day "Natural Wonders & Wildlife" cruise, departing May 17. This exciting itinerary promises nature, wilderness, wildlife and natural wonders as it takes guests on a journey to the Shetland Islands, Iceland, Faroe Islands and Orkney s. From the remote and staggering landscape of the Shetland Islands to the white glaciers and snow-capped mountains of Iceland, this is the ultimate holiday for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts. Prices start from just £1,839 per person, plus up to £200 onboard credit on balcony cabins. Book by February 28.

 

Prices for all cruises include return flights to/from the UK, gratuities onboard and ashore; all relevant overseas transfers; all meals; a comprehensive series of Guest Speaker talks; and selected shore excursions.

More info: call 0844 417 2471 or visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk.

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Swan's New Ex-UK Options

The growth of cruises from UK ports has been a major part of the overall rise in popularity of cruising in Britain, and the good news for those who prefer not to fly is that there are even more of these options ahead in 2014.

 

Swan Hellenic are a notable company to feature this type of voyaging, and their unique little Minerva has two fascinating new cruises from historic Portsmouth to highlight this week.

 

Explore the gardens of Scandinavia at springtime with Swan's ‘A Scandinavian Spring.' After a daytime transit of the Kiel Canal, Minerva sails through the Baltic Sea to explore historic Gothenburg and the friendly city of Oslo before enjoying the panoramic views of Norway’s spectacular fjords. Prices for this 12-day cruise start from £1,775 per person and guests will be joined by a range of inspiring Guest Speakers, including Sir Richard Dales, former ambassador to Norway. The cruise departs on April 28.

The second choice is 'An Icelandic Summer,' which also takes in St Kilda, the most remote part of the British Isles, as well as the rugged, volcanic scenery of Iceland. This voyage offers fascinating wildlife and dramatic scenery, along with invigorating hikes and a full day Golden circle excursion, where guests have the opportunity to bathe in natural hot springs and discover the rugged scenery of the isolated Faroe Islands. Prices for this 16-day cruise start from £2,485 per person and it sails on June 16.

More info: visit www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844 488 1048.

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Extra ‘Solar Eclipse’ Cruise with Fred Olsen

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ recently launched Solar Eclipse cruise aboard Boudicca for 2015 has proved so popular it is now fully booked and, due to the enormous interest in this amazing phenomenon, the line is pleased to announce a second cruise aboard Black Watch to allow more of its guests this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A total solar eclipse is one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles, and one of the most difficult to view; it occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun, entirely obscuring the Sun and blocking all direct sunlight, turning daylight into complete darkness.   

The newly launched cruise will depart from Southampton on March 16, 2015, for 14 nights and will be positioned off the coast of the Faroe Islands on March 20, when the longest duration of totality – the best opportunity to view the eclipse – occurs.  The cruise operates a similar itinerary to the Boudicca cruise, visiting Runavik (Faroe Islands), Leknes (Lofoten islands), Tromsø, Alta, Trondheim and Ǻlesund (all Norway) and returning to Southampton.

Prices for this fascinating ex-UK cruise start from £1,799 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin Grade ‘I’, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

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

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Take In An Eclipse With Fred Olsen

A total solar eclipse is one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles in the world - and one of the most difficult to view. It occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, entirely obscuring the Sun and blocking all direct sunlight, turning daylight into  darkness. A sensational full eclipse is due in March 2015, and the great news for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fans is that its 880-guest cruise ship Boudicca will be at the precise co-ordinates at this time to allow guests one of the best chances of viewing it from anywhere on the planet. The 15-night ‘Solar Eclipse Cruise’ departs on March 9, 2015, and is now on sale.  

The voyage departs from Southampton and calls at several attractive Norwegian ports: pretty Art Nouveau Ǻlesund, Tromsø, inside the Arctic Circle, sometimes described as ‘The Paris of the Arctic’; Alta (Finnmark), home for centuries to the Sami people and their herds of reindeer; and Leknes, in the remote and beautiful Lofoten Islands.

Boudicca then spends a day at sea on March 20, en route to the Faroe Islands and is positioned at the best-suggested co-ordinates – 64.26.3N, 6.39.0W – for guests to make the most of viewing the extraordinary total eclipse from the ship. The final port of call is Runavik on the Faroes, before Boudicca returns to Southampton

Prices for this fascinating ex-UK cruise start from £1,699 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin Grade ‘I’, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. There is an additional bonus of up to £250 free onboard spending credit per cabin, making this cruise unbeatable value for money. 

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

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A Nordic Summer Dream

The Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ship Europa sets sail in June and July for the far north of Scandinavia - and a real Nordic dream of a summer cruise.

The Arctic will provide the backdrop for the fifth “Stella Maris” singing competition, in which eight talented young singers from famous opera houses will vie for glory on the ship in the Lieder, opera and oratorio categories. Along the way, musical and scenic highlights galore await guests as the ship sails from Hamburg to Iceland through the fjords of Norway and on to Spitsbergen. There will also be opportunities to take off in a manoeuvrable Zodiac to discover the region north of the Arctic Circle during the hours between the performances. 

The various concerts accompanying the “Stella Maris” competition will showcase the classical singing skills of a host of talented young artists. For the fifth time, Europa will be transformed into a festival stage, under the artistic leadership of chamber singer and tenor Michael Schade. The audience will play an active part in the musical event, choosing the winner, who can look forward to a 15,000 euro prize courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd cruises. 

A Nordic Summer Dream

After setting sail from Hamburg on June 30, the ship will head past Iceland up towards Spitsbergen and then spend three days along Norway’s “Cold Coast”. Guests will also be able to marvel at the cliffs of the Faroe Islands, the geysers of Iceland and the idyllic Lofoten Islands dotted with ancient fishing villages. And there’s more for families too: for example, the itinerary also includes a number of outings such as the communal bathing in the Blue Lagoon under the skies of Reykjavik. 

The 18-day voyage costs from £5,460 per person, cruise only, including accommodation in the category booked; full board on the ship; mini-bar in the suite; a different entertainment programme each day; port fees; travel cancellation insurance; and share of ship fuel costs. 

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

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Fred Olsen's Summer Sale

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has just launched a special selection of cruises for summer 2012, offering great savings on brochure prices. There are sailings from a range of regional UK ports, to destinations including the Norwegian fjords, the Baltic, the Arctic, Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, as well as several mini=cruises. 

All offer exceptional value for money, with prices starting from £64 per person per night, and savings on brochure prices of up to £1,500 per cabin. Guests booking two or more cabins at the same time may also be eligible for an extra saving of 10% on the ‘Special-saver’ price.

Departure ports include Dover, Southampton, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Greenock (Glasgow) and Rosyth (Edinburgh), with the PortLink coach service available from 42 pick up points nationwide. Some sample cruises include :
 

• Black Watch ‘Majestic Fjords’ cruise, a seven-night cruise from Dover to the Norwegian fjords, on September 2, with ports including Bergen, Stavanger, Flam and Eidfjord. Prices start from £629 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin (brochure price £819). 
• Boudicca ‘Waterfalls & Volcanoes’ cruise, a 10-night cruise to Iceland from Rosyth on July 31 that includes an overnight stay in Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital, and well as a call into the Faroe Islands. Prices start from £849 per person, reduced from £1,169, saving £320 per person.
• Balmoral’s ‘Portugal & Spain with Barcelona’ cruise, a 14-night cruise from Southampton on  August 11, with ports that include Gibraltar and Lisbon as well as vibrant Barcelona. Prices start from £1,079 per person, formerly £1,589.
• Black Watch mini cruise, a three-night cruise departing from Dover on September 9 and calling at Rouen (France) for an overnight stay. Prices start from £229 per person (formerly £339).

All prices are per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, Grade ‘I’ and include all meals and entertainment on board and port taxes.

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

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More Big Savings With Oceania

Oceania Cruises is offering savings of up to 57% off selected cruise departures in spring and summer, including sailings on board new Marina, with an onboard credit of $1,000 per stateroom. All prices include all meals and complimentary bottled water and soft drinks but exclude flights.

Route of the Vikings: 14 nights from £1,399 saving £1,829 PLUS $1,000 on board credit.

Departing July 1, Oceania has a 14-night sailing from Copenhagen to London on Marina, crossing the North Sea and Atlantic through Norway, the Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland (above) and Ireland before disembarking in London.

Greek Isles Odyssey: 12 nights from £1,499, saving up to £1,235pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit.

Departing July 9, this cruise sails from Istanbul to Athens through some of the Greece’s most beautiful and historic islands on board the mid-sized Nautica, with with savings up to £1,235 per person for an Outside ocean-view stateroom, based on two sharing.

Myths and Legends: 12 nights from £1,199, saving up to £1,160pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit.

Departing July 21, this magnificent sailing from Athens cruises the Greek Islands, Montenegro and Croatia before disembarking in Venice on Nautica, now from £1,199 per person for an Inside stateroom.

Majestic Inspiration: 14 nights from £1,399, saving up to £1,529pp PLUS $1,000 on board credit.

Departing August 2, cruise through the magical Aegean Sea on a 14-night cruise on board Nautica and save up to £1,529pp for an Inside Stateroom, based on two sharing, with a $1,000 credit/stateroom. The sailing departs from Venice and continues into the Aegean Sea cruising through Croatia, Greece, Italy, Monaco and France before disembarking in Barcelona.

For more info, visit www.oceaniacruises.co.uk or luxury cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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