Spend Christmas at sea on a Saga cruise

Forget the cold winter and the cooking over Christmas and the New Year on a sunshine Saga cruise. There are still a few cabins available on Saga Sapphire or Saga Pearl II.

Christmas in the Canaries

Have yourself a merry little Christmas on Saga Sapphire’s (above) 20-night Christmas in the Canaries cruise. This special sailing includes a chance to spend the night in Marrakech and watch the fireworks over Madeira on New Year’s Eve.
Cruise on the chic and friendly Saga Sapphire from Southampton on 21 December with further ports of call including four of the Canary Islands, Agadir, Casablanca, Lisbon and Gibraltar.  Price from £3,699

A Mediterranean Christmas

Saga Pearl II will be sailing into the sunshine on a Mediterranean Christmas cruise which will give passengers time to explore the glorious historic cities of Rome, Nice, Florence and Barcelona, as well as the contrasting islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily.
Christmas Day will be spent at sea so passengers can get into the full Christmas spirit and on Boxing Day Saga Pearl II will sail in to Almeria, just the place to walk off the excesses!

A highlight of this festive 23-night cruise will be the spectacular fireworks over the harbour in  Valletta, in Malta, on New Year’s Eve. Price from £4,099, departing Southampton on 21 December

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Adventure Cruising blog

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MSC Cruises to relaunch the ‘stretched’ MSC Armonia

MSCCruises will relaunch the ‘stretched’ MSC Armonia with a 10-day repositioning cruise.

The ship is currently undergoing a £40 million refit at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Sicily – the first of the cruise line’s four Lirica-class vessels (along with MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica) being lengthened and refitted over the next 14 months.

MSC Armonia’s comeback cruise will depart from Genoa, Italy, on 19 November, heading to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Over 10 days she will call at Marseille, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Funchal, Santa Cruz de La Palma and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The sailing includes a programme of in-port entertainment, which will include dancers and musicians, gifts for guests and fireworks displays in Marseille and Tenerife. To continue the celebratory theme, MSC Armonia will also host a gala dinner, along with theatre performances.

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Iglu Cruise offers with P&O 15-day Flash Sale

                        

This week Iglu Cruise has some very good deals with P&O Cruises 15 day Flash Sale which ends on 15 September. There are savings on Mediterranean, Canaries and Caribbean cruises, and prices start at £499pp for 11 nights.

Examples include: 

Monaco, France & Spain Fly Cruise

Onboard P&O Ventura,  15 October 2014. (7 nights) Flight from the UK, Genoa,  Monte Carlo, Toulon, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Flight to the UK included. From £499 pp (Inside cabin).

Atlantic Coast Iberia

Onboard  P&O Arcadia 9 December 2014   (11 nights)  Ports of Call: Southampton, Vigo Oporto, Cadiz, Malaga, Gibraltar, Lisbon (Above), Southampton. From £499 pp (Inside cabin).

Canary Islands & Madeira from Southampton

On board P&O Arcadia 27  November 2014   (12 nights) Ports of Call: Southampton, Funchal Madeira, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Arrecife, Lanzarote.  From £649pp  (Cruise only.)

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Celebrity's Early Summer Sun

It's perfectly normal at this time of year, after our long, wet, miserable winter, to be thinking of some early summer sun. And the cruise lines are well aware of our desire to 'get away from it all' as soon as possible.

That means they are continuing to put out some tempting offers for early-summer cruises, notably to the Mediterranean, which can still pretty much guarantee the necessary sun and warmth in April and May.

The latest offer to hit our Inbox is a particularly good one from Celebrity Cruises, so we thought we'd make its heady excitement the subject of today's blog:

Head to the Med and explore ancient cities, tuck in to local cuisine and soak up the sun on European sands onboard the Celebrity Eclipse on a 14-night Mediterranean cruise, sailing round-trip from the UK from only £949 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom).

It's terrific value, too, as the price includes the full fortnight's voyage, all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. It departs from Southampton on May 10 and calls at Malaga, Cannes, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence or Pisa), Genoa, Gibraltar and Lisbon (above), before returning to Southampton.
 

More info: call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk.

The next edition of World of Cruising will be out on March 17, and you can see the current 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 & The Western Mediterranean Way Of Life

Feb. 13.- It's Day Three of Saga Week here at World of Cruising magazine, with stories, features and special offers from the classic British cruise line. Today - a great Mediterranean experience... 
 

They call it the Mediterranean Medley, and it really does highlight a great range of Med port experiences, but there is a lot more en route that makes this voyage a true classic.

Just to start with, it is hard to beat for ports that provide great arts, culture and shopping, like the Catalan capital of Barcelona, the British outpost of Gibraltar and Portugal's fabulous Lisbon (above), with its colourful yellow-and-red trams and "Street of the Restaurants," plus the incredible mosaic pavements, squares and streets. 

Yet guests on this cruise will also call at quieter ports to enjoy the simpler pleasures of the Mediterranean way of life, strolling in the sun, browsing the markets and people-watching over a glass of local wine. 

To that end, there is Mahon, the ancient capital of Menorca with its Georgian Bow Window style as a legacy of British rule but Mahon still boasts attractive neo-Classical, Baroque and Romanesque buildings. Then there is the unspoilt coastal town of Propriano, situated in the Valinco Gulf on the island of Corsica, and Toulon, another beautiful coastal resort approximately 32 miles from Marseilles, with a picturesque old town of colourful markets and elegant fountains.

Valencia is one of Spain's most beautiful cities,with a lively culture and rich history. Having experienced rapid growth during the last few years, the city now rivals both Barcelona and Madrid in terms of economic importance but boasts buildings dating back to Roman and Arabic times.

Finally, dating from Roman times, the Galician city of Vigo is home to a fine natural harbour, where the English and Dutch defeated the French and Spanish fleets in 1702. Today, the attractive marinas stand in contrast to the industrialised areas of the city, while further exploration will reveal the characteristic 17th-century architecture and attractive countryside beyond. 

Saga Pearl II (above) herself recalls the same stylish surroundings and superb service that cruise-goers have come to expect from the company's elegant ships, with a smaller size that offers a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere. 

Mediterranean Medley:15-night cruise departing October 30 from Southampton and calling at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Mahon, Corsica, Toulon, Barcelona, Valencia and Vigo, with prices from £1,773 per person.

 

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

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

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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Three Of A (Cruise) Kind

Those three-of-a-kind offers seem to be all the rage this month, and here's another tempting trio from Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises:

 

$100 onboard spend with Royal Caribbean
Families can head to the Fjords next year and make the most of the special offer of free $100 onboard credit. It's a bonus that can be used to tuck in to sweet treats at the Cupcake Cupboard, enjoy speciality dining or pick from a range of shore excursions on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas on a seven-night Norway cruise-only from £949 per person (based on two sharing an interior stateroom), sailing on May 30. The price includes a seven-night cruise departing from Southampton and calling at Kristiansand, Alesund, Flam and Stavanger before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Offer valid until December 8.

More info: call 0844 493 2061 or visit http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk.

 

Enjoy Mediterranean Memories (And 10% Off) With Celebrity
Make the most of a 10% saving offer and start your summer early by exploring some of the Mediterranean’s most memorable cities on Celebrity Eclipse on a 14-night Mediterranean cruise-only from £1,759 per person (based on two sharing a balcony stateroom). This price includes a 14-night cruise departing from Southampton on May 10 and calling at Malaga, Cannes, Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence, Genoa, Gibraltar and Lisbon before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Offer valid until November 24 2013.

More info: call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk.

 

Romance on the French Riviera with Azamara
Enjoy the beauty and romance of the French Riviera, Tuscany and Mediterranean islands with plenty of overnight and late night stays on board Azamara Quest on an eight-night French Riviera to Rome fly/cruise from £2,139 per person (based on two sharing an interior stateroom). The price includes flights from London Heathrow, transfers and an eight-night cruise departing from Nice on April 22 and calling at Monte Carlo, Portovenere, Livorno, Portoferraio, Olbia and Bonifacio before arriving in Civitavecchia (Rome) for the flight home. The cruise also includes selected standard spirits, wines and international beers; complimentary bottled water; soft drinks; speciality teas and coffees; meals and room service; housekeeping and dining gratuities; a bespoke AzAmazing Evenings event; and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

 

More info: call 0844 493 4016 or visit www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk.

 

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Cunard's Single Traveller Bonus

Single travellers – and people who like to travel together but value having their own space – have some great opportunities to sail with Cunard this Autumn and Winter, with twin stateroom accommodation available for sole use without a single supplement and Grills Suites from only a 25% supplement on some departures. Single Supplements are usually 75% for staterooms and 100% for Grills Suites.

Canaries
Single travellers aboard Queen Mary 2 will pay no single supplement at all for staterooms on the November 30 departure, sailing from Southampton to the Canaries (and only 50% for Grills Suites). Single fares start at £599 for 11 nights.

Mediterranean
Aboard Queen Elizabeth, single supplements are only 50% for both staterooms and Grills Suites on 12-night (November 21) or 10-night (December 3) fly-cruises that sail from Rome to Sicily and the Greek islands, or from Rome to the French Riviera, Barcelona, Lisbon and back to Southampton. Single fares start at £749 for 10 nights, £899 for 12 nights.

Atlantic Coast
With Queen Victoria, single travellers will also pay no single supplement for staterooms on sailings on November 17 and 29 from Southampton to destinations including Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Grills Suites have only a 25% (29 November) or 50% (17 November) single supplement. Single fares start at £499 for 12 nights. 

Scandinavia
A 10-night Baltic sailing (December 13-23) from Southampton to Norway, Sweden and Denmark also has only a 50% supplement for solo travellers in Staterooms and Grills Suites. Single fares start at £749 for 10 nights. 

More info: call 0843 374 0000 or see www.cunard.co.uk.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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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).

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Late Med Bargains From Holland America

Holland America Line is offering two UK to Barcelona cruises this August and September with fantastic fly-cruise prices.

Their 11-night European Jewels cruise now costs from just £949pp and departs from Dover on August 10, while the 10-night Western Europe Adventure is now priced from £810pp and sails from Harwich on September 29.  

These offers include scheduled flights from Barcelona to London at the end of the cruise, full board accommodation and are based on two people sharing an inside stateroom on MS Ryndam and Rotterdam respectively. Guests on the Western Europe cruise can also enjoy upgrades to Ocean View Staterooms for just £1.

The itineraries start by sailing out to La Coruna, on the northern coast of Spain, before moving down the beautiful western coast of Portugal taking in Porto and Lisbon. Back into Spanish waters, the ships call at Cadiz before journeying on to Gibraltar and entering the Mediterranean. 

The Western European Adventure cruise also calls in at Malaga whilst the European Jewels itinerary includes a call in Motril, the second highest town in the province after Granada. Guests will enjoy a final day at sea to relax and soak up the sun before arriving in Barcelona.

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

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The Grand P&O Med Voyage Pt 3

Guest blogger Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, continues her grand Mediterranean voyage with P&O Cruises with a whirl through three ports of call...

At present we are sailing through the Mediterranean en route to our last port of call. There were a few white horses out there last night, nothing too drastic but enough gentle movement to remind you that you are on a ship in the middle of the sea. Wonderful!

Since my last update, we have enjoyed a few days at sea and calls to Civitavecchia, Italy, Ajaccio, Corsica and, yesterday, Gibraltar.

We took the day pretty easy in Civitavecchia, deciding not to make the trip into Rome this time. There’s not a lot in Civitavecchia itself, to be honest, but I love Italy so, for me, just being in an Italian port again is good enough. Ajaccio on the other hand (below, left) was a wonderful treat. It was my first time on the island and what a picturesque one it is. The small beach was a nice surprise, along with the wonderful Sunday market selling all sorts of food delights, including Nougat, cheese, fresh-baked goods, olives and much more. I indulged in a Pain au Chocolat from a lovely elderly lady. It was truly delicious and, as I had skipped breakfast on the ship, it was a welcome indulgence.

Gibraltar, as always, did not disappoint. I found a shop here a few years ago right at the top of Main Street called Pashmina and fell in love with it. They sell all kinds of Indian ornaments, pictures and so on. The gentleman that owns the store is polite and friendly and will always give you some kind of background information on anything you purchase. This time, I bought a wall mask (I collect these from as many ports as possible) and a large canvas painting of an elephant, which turned out to be quite a trial to get back to the ship in the baking heat. I also managed to smash a bottle of Rum I had bought just as I got outside the port entrance. Typical or what?

That’s a brief update on our port adventures but I know you want to know more about the ship. I paid a visit to The Glass House (below, right) yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. The difference from when it was Ramblas seems to be quite subtle but the overall feel of the space now is much lighter and it feels slightly bigger. This may be down to the new colour scheme and numerous wine bottles sitting neatly in racks across the walls. A few people had asked me to photograph the menu but it turned out to be about 100 pages long (OK, that’s a slight exaggeration), so I’ll just tell you it contained a LOT of wine!

As I mentioned, we are en route to our last port of call. It was scheduled to be La Coruna but due to a forecast for bad weather, our captain decided it would not be safe enough for us to try and dock. So, instead, we will be calling into Vigo where, although strong winds are still expected, it will be safer for us to dock.

We only have two days of the cruise left and I can honestly say that, once again, P&O have not disappointed me and the crew are a pleasure to sail with. A few days ago, I bumped into a waiter who was on my first cruise and it was nice catching up with him and finding out how he has progressed with his career over the last several years.

Ventura, as always, has been my home from home. She is in great condition, clearly getting lots of TLC from her crew and her refurbishment has added some lovely little touches to what was already a gem of a ship. There have been several weddings on board, too, and they couldn’t have picked a better way to start married life!

Until next time, cruise lovers…

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Fred Olsen Thinking 'Espionage'!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering a winter sunshine cruise with a difference this December, perfect for those who have always wanted to find out what the ‘real’ James Bond is like!  

Black Watch’s 10-night ‘Africa & Algarve’ cruise, departing from Southampton on December 10, will offer an intriguing theme of ‘Espionage’, through the line’s award-winning onboard enrichment programme, Vistas. This fascinating topic will be hosted on board by Cold War specialist, Major General Peter Williams, as the cruise visits the attractive coasts of Portugal, Spain and Morocco, where it visits Tangier, with its legendary reputation for international spying.

After studying History at Cambridge University, Major General Williams spent more than 30 years in the British Army (Coldstream Guards) and enjoyed an unusually varied career. As an Infantryman, he carried out ceremonial duties in London, spent two years in the mountains of Oman, served twice in Northern Ireland and commanded an armoured infantry battalion based in Münster, Germany. In the early 1990s, he wrote speeches for the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, an American General. During the Cold War, he specialised in intelligence. After studying Russian and German, he spent more than four years in the 1980s in Berlin and East Germany, in effect working as a military spy.

This spy-themed cruise visits some very attractive ports in Portugal, Spain and Morocco. First is Portugal’s elegant capital, Lisbon. Its many palaces, gardens, churches and cafés offer a mix of attractive architectural styles; the Ponte 25 Abril is very similar in design to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The next port, Portimăo in the Algarve, is a relaxed seaside town at the centre of the local sardine industry, so there is no shortage of fine seafood restaurants and cafés to enjoy, alongside the pretty harbour.

Next stop is Gibraltar, ever-popular with visitors from the UK, who enjoy its British ambiance, but with much better weather than we enjoy at home! The next port, Ceuta, is an autonomous Spanish enclave in North Africa; here, Monte Hacho offers panoramic views of the city and its coast, with views across to Gibraltar. It is a unique blend of African and European influences.

Tangier, in Morocco, is the next port, and is ideally-suited to a cruise with an ‘Espionage’ theme. It is said to have a legendary spying history, and has often been used as the location for spy fiction and films – including two James Bond films, and, most recently, ‘Inception’ in 2010, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The last call on this sunny winter cruise is the Spanish port of La Coruna, with its array of architectural styles, from the medieval to the modernist. The Torre de Hercules, believed to be the world’s oldest lighthouse, towers over the shoreline. There is also a scenic old quarter that is well worth a visit, with fine galleries and museums. Black Watch then returns to Southampton.

Prices for this most unusual cruise start from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin Grade ‘I. This price includes all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes, as well as all Major General Williams' Vistas talks and lectures.

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

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Saga Launches 2014 Cruise Collection

Join Dame Stella Rimington to uncover tales of espionage; remember the fallen 100 years after the outbreak of the First World War; or join Viking expert James Hodge in Norway - these are just three of 37 exciting new cruise ideas for 2014 unveiled this week by over-50s travel specialist Saga Cruises.

Saga has combined new and surprising itineraries in its latest brochure, with first-time ports of call, expert lecturers and fascinating history all featuring aboard Saga Sapphire and the Saga Pearl II.  There will also be some West End showtime!

The ships will sail from Dover and Southampton, with choices from four-night taster cruises in Europe to a 48-night voyage to the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa or a 35-night Caribbean cruise.

Lest We Forget …

8 nights from £1,071 per person - departs 22 July, 2014

Military experts, authors and historians offer fascinating insights into the human cost of the First World War on this cruise to Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and France. Some 100 years on, visit the islands of Heligoland, a naval base for the German Empire and the site of the first naval battle of the war; see trenches in The Somme and explore Mons, which saw the first casualties as the British Expeditionary Force held back the first German advance.

Heart of the Mediterranean

19 nights from £2,339 per person – departs 11 September, 2014

Join the celebrations as Malta celebrates 50 years of independence. On this themed history and archaeology cruise, guests will soak up the lively atmosphere with an overnight stay in Valletta on the island’s birthday weekend, as well as exploring the Moorish heritage of Almeria in Spain and unearthing the secrets of historic Lisbon, Cagliari and Tunis.

Summer in the Baltic

15 nights from £1,819 per person – departs 12 September, 2014

Join Dame Stella Rimington, former Director General of MI5, and former BBC foreign correspondent Martin Sixsmith to hear tales of double agents and espionage on this cruise to Sweden, Finland, Russia and Denmark. It also includes visits to three of Europe’s newest states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - with an overnight stay in beautiful St Petersburg.  Learn the facts and fiction of national security, including code-breaking at Bletchley Park and undercover Cold War missions.

Mediterranean Medley

15 nights from £1,689 per person – departs 30 October, 2014

There’s no business like show business - that’s the glitzy appeal of this West End-themed cruise to Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar and France. Compare the islands of Minorca and Corsica, explore the culture and architecture of Barcelona and enjoy French Riviera atmosphere in Toulon. While on board Saga Pearl II, guests will hear anecdotes from cast and crew and enjoy fabulous music from London’s Theatre land. 

Three new adventure cruises are also offered aboard Saga Pearl II, which include £100 per person towards the cost of excursions for every seven nights spent on board. Select from the 15-night ‘Arctic Explorer’ and ‘Icelandic Explorer’ cruises or take a shorter trip:

On the Trail of the Vikings

7 nights from £974 per person – departs 5 September, 2014

Join Viking expert James Hodge to learn more about these resourceful and feared people as passengers discover Norway’s breathtaking coastline. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage waterfront of Bergen, marvel at the 222 mountain peaks surrounding the town of Molde - with the chance to sail in a replica 11th century Viking ship to the island of Haholmenaor - and take a safari in search of moose and musk-ox.

For more info, follow this link to Saga's cruise pages, or, for more adventure cruising ideas, see this link for The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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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.

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Try A Spanish Spring With Fred Olsen

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has some lovely spring cruises in 2013, visiting attractive Spanish and Portuguese destinations, with departures in April, from a choice of southern UK ports. The perfect time to visit the Iberian Peninsula, April is warm and sunny and many lovely cities and beaches beckon.

Boudicca’s cruise ‘Portugal & Spain with Barcelona’ departs from Portsmouth on April 6 for 14 nights. This port is easily accessed by road or rail, and the cruise includes two of the most popular and vibrant Iberian cities, Barcelona and Lisbon. First port of call on leaving Portsmouth is Gibraltar, where a trip to the top of the famous Rock gives stunning views while next is vibrant Barcelona, with its colourful street life and the arresting Gaudi architecture to enjoy. Boudicca then visits Palamos on the Costa Brava, a fishing village since the 12^th century, and a popular and attractive holiday resort. 

The pretty island of Menorca is next, with a call at capital Mahon, then it’s on to Portugal, with a call into the lovely Algarve port of Portimăo, with great beaches and fresh sardines at every café. The final call is into Lisbon, cosmopolitan and colourful capital of Portugal, before Boudicca returns to Portsmouth. Prices for this sunny, spring cruise start from just £799 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin. 

Braemar also offers a spring cruise to Iberia, of 14 nights, departing from Dover on April 8.  The cruise ‘Spain & Her Islands’ calls first into Lisbon, before moving on to a lovely selection of Spanish ports. First of these is Malaga, on the Costa del Sol; from here, guests can enjoy an optional tour to the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada. Next is the ancient port of Cartagena, which has been an important port for over 2,000 years and has some fine Roman remains. 

The island of Mallorca is next, with Braemar calling into the capital, Palma. The old city is dominated by the cathedral, with attractive cobbled streets and narrow alleyways to explore. Don’t miss the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Art, with a superb collection of works from Picasso to Dali. Vibrant Barcelona is the next port, a destination that never disappoints, before Braemar begins her return voyage. She calls into Gibraltar, then finally La Coruna, where guests can marvel at the ‘Torre de Hercules’, the world's oldest lighthouse.  The cruise then returns to Dover. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading specialist cruise agents.

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Saga's New Offerings

Visit glorious horizons this spring or summer and save up to 30% on a range of exciting itineraries with Saga Cruises, onboard the stylish Saga Sapphire or Quest for Adventure. Voyage to the breathtakingly tranquil Fjordlands, to the Mediterranean’s treasured gems, the Baltic’s fairytale cities or to Ireland’s cherished landscapes. 

Save £1013 per person on the Sapphire’s Wonders of the Mediterranean:

Cruise departs from Southampton on April 14 for 22 nights, starting from £2,399 per person, on a voyage through thousands of years of civilization. Discover the treasured cities of Lisbon, Hvar and Valletta, bask in the sunshine paradises of Corfu and Gibraltar and sail on to explore the unforgettable 'floating city' of Venice. This voyage also visits Santiago de Compostela and Cartagena in Spain, Majorca and Minorca, and Sibenik in Croatia.

Save £355 per person on the Sapphire’s Fjord and Splendours:

This cruise departs from Southampton on May 21 for 7 nights, starting from £899 per person, to discover the tranquillity of Norway’s legendary and breathtakingly beautiful Fjordlands. Cruise right into the heart of the fjords, revealing picture-postcard views of lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and mountains, and discover the beautiful village of Flam, the port town of Stavanger, the lesser known village of Skjolden and the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bergen.

Save £422 per person on the Sapphire’s The Emerald Isle:

Departing from Dover on July 27 for 8 nights (from £999 per person), this action-packed cruise around Ireland reveals many of the Emerald Isle’s attractions. Enjoy the ‘craic’ in Dublin and discover this vibrant city’s historic buildings and famous Ha’penny Bridge before stopping off in Belfast to explore the sights and walk along the mysterious Giant’s Causeway. Soak-up the rugged landscapes of Sligo, Glengarriff, the charming fishing port of Killybegs, and immerse yourself in the lively character of Cork.

Save £663 per person on the Quest for Adventure’s The Cities of the Inland Sea:

This cruise departs from Dover on June 9 for 15 nights, starting from £1949 per person. From the resplendent architecture of St Petersburg’s buildings and palaces to the cultural offerings on show at the revived and unified Berlin, it journeys to the Baltic’s most fascinating and diverse cities. Discover the colourful metropolis of Amsterdam, Stockholm’s immense history, the fairytale streets of medieval Tallin and the inspiring spires and architecture of Copenhagen. This voyage also explores the historic and breathtaking cities of Helsinki, Visby (Estonia) and Oslo. Depart from Leith on June 7 for an extra two nights free of charge.

With so many great value extras included in the price of a Saga cruise, savvy travellers can set sail for less. All cruises include travel to and from the port, travel insurance, port taxes and visas, all meals, including 24-hour room service, and all gratuities on board. Travellers on the Saga Sapphire will also benefit from VIP chauffeur service. 

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading 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.