MSC Cruises Introduces French Antilles

MSC Cruises is delighted to announce the introduction of the French Antilles as a new destination for the 2012-2013 winter season. Complemented by an extensive array of fascinating shore excursions, this is an unmissable opportunity for guests to experience this idyllic region at first hand. 

The inaugural voyage begins on November 30 when MSC Lirica departs from Genoa, Italy, for a 16-day transatlantic cruise, arriving at her new home port in Martinique just over two weeks later.  

Lirica's course will take her from the Mediterranean through the Atlantic and on to the Caribbean, with scheduled stops in Marseilles, Barcelona, Funchal and, after five full days at sea, Bridgetown in Barbados. Scheduled stops then follow in Saint George in Grenada, Basseterre in Saint Kitts & Nevis and Castries in Saint Lucia, arriving in Fort-de-France in Martinique on December 15.

From December to February 16, 2013, Lirica has a full schedule of ten 7-day/8-night cruises, departing every Saturday from Fort-de-France and every Sunday from Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. 

During these Caribbean experiences, guests will discover not only the breathtaking beauty but also the rich history of the islands, with scheduled stops in St John’s in Antigua & Barbuda; Road Town on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; Santo Domingo and La Romana in the Dominican Republic and Philipsburg in St Maarten. 

The French Antilles will bid farewell to Lirica on February 23, when she starts her 16-day/15-night return cruise to Genoa. Scheduled stops are Pointe-à-Pitre, Castries, Funchal, Malaga, Barcelona and Marseille.

For more information follow this link to the UK's leading cruise agent specialists, the Cruise Line Ltd.

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New Brochure for Star Clippers

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Niche saling cruise specialist Star Clippers, who operate fully crewed sailings on board its four and five-masted tall ships, has launched a new brochure for 2011 and winter 2012 featuring new destinations and maiden calls in Central America and the Mediterranean.

All itineraries are also featured on Star Clippers’ new-look, re-designed website, dedicated to UK guests. Visitors to the site can take virtual tours of the ships and look at detailed maps and satellite images to see exactly where each itinerary goes. There’s extensive detail on ports of call and beautiful new imagery to depict in clear detail the pleasure of sailing on a genuine tall ship.

New itineraries an entire maiden season in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua, where the 170-passenger Star Flyer will sail six, seven, 10 and 11-night cruises out of Puerto Caldera to explore the bays and inlets of the Pacific coastline, with visits to lush rainforests and hidden lagoons. Priced from £1,065 for a six-day cruise in March 2011, including port charges and all meals on board (excluding flights).

Sister ship Star Clipper returns to the Caribbean island of St Maarten for 2011, with regular seven-night departures to either the Leeward Islands (Nevis, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes, Antigua, St Barths) or the British Virgin Islands on the Treasure Islands cruise (Anguilla, four calls in the BVI, St Kitts and St Barths). Six and eight-night sailings are also available. From £980 for six nights in December 2011, including port charges, cruise-only.

Also new for 2011 are the 228-passenger Royal Clipper’s itineraries from Barbados to the British Virgin Islands, with calls at Norman Island, Soper’s Hole, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda, some of the finest sailing areas in the Caribbean. From £1,940 for 10 nights, departing December 17, 2011 (a special Christmas sailing), including port charges and all meals on board (excludes flights).

For further information, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the UK cruise specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Yoga Under Sail in the Caribbean!

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests free daily yoga and meditation this December as part of a yoga-themed Caribbean cruise on board the 170-passenger Star Clipper.

Yoga classes will take place in the open air, on the tall ship's sun-warmed teak decks, under thousands of square feet of billowing sails – the ultimate relaxation for body and soul in a setting that will lift the spirits, with the sparkling blue of the Caribbean sea as a backdrop.

Qualified yoga teacher Christel Vollmer will be holding the daily sessions of Astanga yoga, also known as power yoga, on deck each morning, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. Christel will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home.

For those who want to follow a healthy or vegetarian diet during the cruise, Star Clippers’ usual sumptuous breakfast buffets, piled with fresh tropical fruits, and magnificent salads at lunchtime will be available, as well as vegetarian choices at dinner.

The cruise departs St Maarten on December 11, and calls at Nevis, Dominica, Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe, Antigua and St Barths. Prices are from £1,145 per person, including port taxes and full board on the ship but excluding flights.

For more booking details, check out www.starclippers.co.uk or call the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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.