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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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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Madeira's Floral Delight

Madeira's annual Flower Festival is one of the horticultural highlights of the year, on a par with Bloemencorso in the Netherlands each year and the annual Battle of the Flowers in our own Jersey.

But the Madeira version is best visited by ship and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering the chance to visit Funchal, Madeira, during its annual floral spectacular on board Braemar’s10-night ‘Sunshine, Shopping & Spring’ fly-cruise, which departs from Santa Cruz, Tenerife, on May 3 and returns to Harwich on May 13.

The Flower Festival, which is held every May when the flowers are at their best, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madeira, filling Funchal with a riot of colour and scents. This enchanting and beautiful festival showcases the island’s most wonderful gardens and flower displays, as well as playing host to a parade – with vibrant costumes and traditional dance – a flower market and other activities, including the making of flower carpets in the streets, prizes for the best shop window, classical music concerts and variety shows.

The cruise takes guests to Funchal on May 7, where they can explore this exquisite ‘Garden Island’ and soak up all that its celebrated Flower Festival has to offer – glorious sunshine, the finest flower displays and an abundance of local traditions, festivities and celebrations. 

Prices start from £675 (£539 cruise-only) per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, flight and airport/port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com 

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Fred Olsen Returns To Liverpool

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is making a welcome return to Liverpool as a departure port this year, with 10 cruises on a variety of exciting itineraries, from a grand 12-night Canary Islands voyage to a four-night mini-cruise. 

The Brit-friendly line has one of the highest numbers of cruise calls into Liverpool in 2013, and Fred. Olsen is a long-standing supporter of the Merseyside region, having welcomed the decision to use Pier Head for turnaround calls as a great opportunity for the historic cruise city to boost its status as a major UK departure port.

And, to underline its huge variety of ex-UK options, Olsen is also offering Harwich and Belfast departures to its list of convenient regional ports this year, along with the recently-announced new ports of Tilbury and Avonmouth in 2014/15. Together, this means the company will be able to offer a choice of 10 different departure ports all around the UK, within only a two hours’ drive from 80% of the population. 

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

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Holland America’s 140th Anniversary Specials

To celebrate Holland America Line’s 140^th anniversary, the cruise line has announced the MS Rotterdam will be sailing eight brand new itineraries this autumn, including a new ex-UK trip departing from Harwich.

The 1,404 capacity ship will offer a mixture of 10, 11 and 14-night cruises through Spain, Italy, the French Riviera, Dalmatian Coast, Turkey, Greece and the Holy Land. Cruise-only prices start from just £669 per person, with fly/cruise prices starting from £1,039pp for an inside stateroom.

The new itineraries include overnight stops in a multitude of exciting cities, from Istanbul and Lisbon, to Barcelona and Venice. Whilst on board, guests will also be able to benefit from Holland America’s wealth of restaurants, cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Centre, IT classes in a Windows Digital Workshop or the blissful Greenhouse Spa & Salon.

Some of the new itineraries are:

14-night Iberian Explorer
This round-trip from Rotterdam departs on September 14 and calls at La Coruña in Spain, Leixoes (Porto) and Portimao in Portugal, Gibraltar, Malaga and Cádiz, as well as stopping overnight in Lisbon. The cruise then pays one last stop in Vigo before returning to Rotterdam. Prices start from £893 cruise only or £1,363 including return flights to Athens, transfers and 10 nights’ full board accommodation.

10-night Western Europe Adventure

Departing from Harwich on September 29, this voyage calls at La Coruña before heading to Leixoes and making an overnight stop in Lisbon. The cruise then heads to Cádiz, Gibraltar and Malaga, before docking in Barcelona. Prices start from £999 cruise only or £1,239 including a flight back to London from Barcelona, transfers and 10 nights’ full board accommodation.

11-night French Riviera and Italian Adventure

Starting with an overnight stop in Barcelona on October 9, this cruise visits Marseille (for Provence), Monte Carlo, Ajaccio in Corsica, Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), La Goulette (for Tunis and Carthage) and Valletta in Malta. Passengers are then Italy-bound, with stops in Messina and Naples, before disembarking in Civitavecchia (for Rome). Prices start from £999 cruise only or £1,499 including an outbound flight to Barcelona and return from Rome, transfers and 11 nights’ full board accommodation.

11-night Dalmatian Coast and Greek Explorer

This voyage departs Civitavecchia (Rome) on October 20 and heads straight to Dubrovnik before stopping for a leisurely overnight stay in Venice. The cruise then journeys to Ravenna (for San Marino), Split in Croatia and Kotor in Montenegro. After that, the last few days are spent in Greece, exploring Corfu, Katákolon (for Olympia) and Nafplion, before disembarking in Piraeus (Athens). Prices start from £999 cruise only or £1,591 per person including an outbound flight to Rome and return from Athens, transfers and 11 nights’ full board accommodation. 

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

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A Grand Voyage To The Fjords

There’s still time to plan a last-minute break to the mighty fjords of Norway and Iceland this summer with Voyages of Discovery, and from just £879 per person.

For those with a sense of adventure, the 'Nordic Natural Wonders' cruise offers a footloose programme designed for seasoned hikers and amateur ramblers alike, giving them the opportunity to get off the beaten track to explore untamed landscapes such as Mount Fløien in Bergen and hike in Flam with the chance to see its famous railways.

The cruise, sailing July 12, starts from £879 per person and the price includes the 14-day voyage departing from Harwich and calling at Bergen and Flam (Norway), then Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur, Reykjavik (all Iceland) and Torshavn (Faroe Islands) before returning to Harwich.

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

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Fred Olsen to Cruise from Liverpool

Cruising from Liverpool with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has become even easier and more convenient, with the UK Government’s announcement of its intention to lift the restrictions that had previously prevented Liverpool’s Pier Head Terminal from being used for turnaround calls – subject to the municipality's repayment of an £8.8million UK Government grant.

Fred. Olsen cruise guests in Liverpool will be welcoming Boudicca back to the city in spring/summer 2013. The cruise line is making a return to this popular departure port with 10 cruises, on a variety of exciting worldwide itineraries, between April and August.

Boudicca will be offering a wide range of itineraries from Liverpool next year, of varying durations – from a 12-night Canary Islands cruise in April to a four-night mini-cruise in August.

Fred. Olsen will also be adding Harwich and Belfast to its list of regional departure ports in 2013. Together with the return to Liverpool in 2013, this means Fred. Olsen is able to operate a vessel within only a two-hour drive from 80% of the UK population.

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK experts in no-fly cruising.

And be sure to read our Captain Greybeard column in the Summer edition of World of Cruising - out next week - for the full story of Liverpool's return as a major cruise home-port. 

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Around Britain In Style

With the UK still on a ‘royal high’ thanks to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, join Voyages of Discovery this August for a regal 'Around Britain and the Edinburgh Tattoo' cruise, from just £1,399 per person.

Guests will sail on board the classic MV Discovery (above) from Harwich to Rosyth and have the opportunity to witness the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle as well as wander along the famous Royal Mile.

Royalists will also be wowed by special Guest Speaker, The Queen’s former jeweller David Thompson MVO, who used to be responsible for looking after the crown jewels in The Tower of London.

The 13-day voyage also calls at St Peter Port (Guernsey), Fowey, Cobh, Galway, Killybegs, Oban, Portree (Isle of Skye), Scrabster and Kirkwall before an overnight finale in Rosyth. The price is based on an August 13 departure and on two people sharing an inside cabin. It includes all gratuities, service charges and port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on-board.

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

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Last-Minute Bargains From Voyages Of Discovery

For those looking for a great last-minute cruise this month, this little offer has just arrived in our Inbox...

Join Voyages of Discovery for a selection of summer cruises from as little as £56 per person per day.

The 9-day 'D-Day, Normandy, Dunkirk and Beyond' voyage starts from just £499 per person, departing from Portsmouth on June 5 and calling at Cherbourg, St Peter Port (Guernsey), Rouen (overnight), Dunkirk, Heligoland and Ijmuiden before arriving at Harwich.

Or how about...

The 'Spitsbergen and North Cape' cruise starts from £999 per person and includes the full 16-day voyage departing from Harwich on June 13 and calling at Trondheim, Leknes, Honningsvag, Magdalenafjord (cruising), Ny-Alesund, Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, Tromso  and Bergen before returning to Harwich.

The prices include all gratuities, service charges and port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme, all meals and entertainment on-board and complimentary car parking at Harwich is available (no single supplements apply on both cruises).

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

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Discover A Summer Bargain!

Voyages of Discovery is offering a series of summer savings of up to 40% per person on 2012 cruises. With prices starting from as little as £489 per person for an eight-day cruise, including transfers and gratuities, their new Summer Sale offers value for money on all European itineraries.

All cabin grades have been reduced, meaning the higher the grade of cabin booked, the bigger the saving. The Summer Sale is valid on all bookings made before 12 April. Cruises on offer include: Voyage to the Mediterranean – 8-day cruise from £489pp, departing Harwich on 17 September calling at Leixoes (Portugal) and Barcelona (Spain; fly home). D-Day, Normandy, Dunkirk and Beyond – 9-day cruise round-trip from Portsmouth from £589pp, departing on 9 June and including Dunkirk (France) and Heligoland (Germany). Oslo and the Magic of Norway – 10-day cruise from £679pp, departing round-trip from Harwich on 25 August calling at Oslo, Flåm and Gudvangen (Norway).

Timeless Baltic – 15-day cruise round-trip from Harwich from £1,049pp, departing on 3 September and including calls at Copenhagen (Denmark) and St Petersburg (Russia). Spitsbergen and the Northern Cape – 16-day cruise from Harwich from £1,099pp, departing on 13 June and including calls at Trondheim (Norway) and Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen). A Nordic and White Sea Adventure – grand 20-day voyage from Harwich from £1,899pp, departing on 25 July and calling at the likes of Archangel (Russia) and Ørsta (Norway). Further summer cruises and offers are available.

Price includes flights and overseas transfers from/to the ship (where applicable), all gratuities, service charges and port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on-board. Savings are based on original brochure price. The £1,953 per person saving is based on a guest booking a category A cabin on the Nordic and White Sea Adventure sailing at original brochure price.

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

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Fred. Olsen To Sail From Belfast In 2013

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will commence cruises from Belfast next year, with 880-guest Boudicca making two turnaround visits in October 2013 - a 12-night Iberian titinerary and a 2-night mini cruise to Liverpool.

The traditionally British cruise line will also be adding Harwich to its list of regional departure ports in 2013, with Boudicca’s sister ship Black Watch operating four fascinating itineraries from the port in May and June, meaning guests living in the local area can take advantage of Harwich International Port’s excellent road and rail connections, and state-of-the-art facilities.

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

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Chauffer-Driven Royal Caribbean!

Royal Caribbean is offering UK customers the chance to add an extra touch of luxury to their cruise holiday, with chauffeur driven services to and from British ports and London airports.

Guests sailing onboard Independence of the Seas and also Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Eclipse from Southampton and Jewel of the Seas from Harwich or flying from London Heathrow or Gatwick have the opportunity to book a chauffeur-driven service with partner Tristar Chauffeur Services to and from their address to their port or airport of departure.

“This is a great addition to the list of optional extras we offer our guests,” says Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, UK and Ireland. “Having the opportunity to transfer in luxury is the perfect way to make the most of your holiday time and a fantastic treat.”

Peak time transfers cost approximately £65 for the first 15 miles and £1.40 per mile thereafter. Off-peak transfers cost approximately £55 for the first 15 miles and £1 per mile thereafter. Costs will vary depending on where the guest is being collected from.

For more info, visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or contact a specialist cruise agent like The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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A True Voyage of Discovery

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Cruise passengers are fast becoming ever more adventurous with their destination choices and the latest cruise announced by Voyages of Discovery is in this vein. The 'Norwegian Explorer' cruise will take their boutique little MV Discovery across the whole coast of Norway on a 13-day voyage beginning 30th July 2011.

July is the perfect time to experience the rugged coastal landscapes of Norway at their most tranquil and beautiful. Travelling by sea is also the best way to reach its many remote islands, inlets, coves and giant fjords. And the 650-passenger, 4-star Discovery is the perfect vessel for these waters.

Small enough to reach out-of-the-way ports, yet large enough to make light work of crossing the North Sea, Discovery avoids the hustle and bustle of today’s larger liners. Instead ,she has been expressly conceived for the company’s special brand of discovery cruising to create an atmosphere on board that is friendly and relaxed.

The cruise is also renowned for attracting budding historians, wildlife lovers and walkers who know Voyages of Discovery will take them closer to the incredible landscapes and wildlife that thrives in these challenging but often magical environments, including the breathtaking Geiranger Fiord.

Onboard, there will be two inspirational guest speakers. Greg Neale, the founder of the BBC's History Magazine, will be on hand to discuss the rich heritage of this enchanting region. Alongside him, Dr Mark Baldwin, the UK’s leading speaker on WWII code breaking, will bring a 1944 Enigma – the original code breaking machine - onboard to discuss its dramatic influence on the course of the War.

With convenient road and rail links to the port of Harwich, joining Discovery’s range of no-fly cruises is made even easier. You can find out more at http://www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk/

Voyages of Discovery are also among the lines exhibiting at the Cruise Show in Birmingham in October.

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