Novelist Ruth Rendell on Saga Sapphire cruise

Crime writer Ruth Rendell will be headlining Saga’s Meet-the-Author series on Saga Sapphire’s Baltic Treasures cruise in May 2015.

More formally known as Baroness Rendell of Babergh, Lady Rendell is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of her career as an author. She will take part in a Q & A session with passengers who will each receive a copy of her new novel The Girl Next Door. The best-selling novelist travels the world but has chosen Saga for her first luxury cruise. She said: “I never usually take holidays but this one looked rather nice."

The Saga Sapphire Baltic Treasures cruise sails from Southampton for 16 nights on 6 May 2015. Prices from £2879.  Ports of call include Ronne, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg overnight stay; Tallin Riga,  Warnermunde  Ijmuiden. The ship will sail through the Kiel Canal on the outward and return journey.

Price includes VIP chauffeur service all meals and entertainment, free wifi, daily afternoon tea,24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited quality tea and coffee, all gratuities, porterage, shuttle bus to town centres from port of call and travel insurance and cancellation cover.

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Ben Fogle talks about Celebrity Cruises' visits to three Scandinavian capitals.

Adventurer and TV personality Ben Fogle takes a whistle-stop tour of three Scandinavian capitals in a guest blog post for Celebrity Cruises,  for whom he works as a shore expedition advisor. Join him on a whistle-stop video tour of Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen.

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Explore the culture and history of the Baltic with Royal Caribbean International

At World of Cruising we know you like a bargain so here's a neat little offer for you!

Book a balcony stateroom for the same price as an outside stateroom with Royal Caribbean on select holidays before 31 March 2014 as part of the cruise line’s ‘Price’s with More WOW’ campaign. Families can enjoy an adventurous holiday exploring the Baltic, while taking advantage of a host of onboard activities including inline skating on the deck and mini-golf. Join Royal Caribbean International’s Adventure of the Seas for a 12-night Baltic cruise from £1,599 per person (based on two people sharing a balcony stateroom).

Price includes a 12-night cruise departing from Southampton and calling at Oslo, Bilbao, Copenhagen, Muuga , St. Petersburg – overnight, Helsinki, Zeebrugge before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. 

Price is based on une 12 departure. Offer ends 31 March 2014. 

For more information or to book call 0844 493 2061 or visit  www.royalcaribbean.co.uk

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Luxury Cruising - At A Bargain Price

Today's latest offer needs no real introduction - it is just a chance to sample sea-going luxury at a great price as Seabourn has released a selection of eye-catching offers for those seeking some excitement this summer. 

Take your pick from:

7-Day Adriatic & Greek Isles, departing August 23: A 7-day cruise on Seabourn Odyssey from Venice to Athens calling at Sibenik, Kotor, Bay of Kotor, Corfu, Fiscardo, Gythion, and Rethymnon on Crete. A complimentary upgrade is available from Ocean View to Veranda stateroom.

Prices start from £1,899pp for cruise only, with fly/cruise prices from £2,619, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini bar.

7-Day St. Petersburg & The Baltic departing June 29: A 7-day cruise on Seabourn Quest from Copenhagen to Stockholm, calling at Tallinn, St Petersburg and Helsinki. Again, a complimentary upgrade is available from Ocean View to Veranda stateroom.

Prices start from £1,999pp for cruise only, with fly/cruise prices from £2,429, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini bar.

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

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All Aboard For Saga’s New Antiques Seashow

Calling all fans of BBC's Antiques Roadshow - you can take to the sea with Saga Cruises AND enjoy your favourite TV show on a special voyage to northern Europe this May.

In keeping with Saga's style of adding onboard value to the entertainment and lecture programmes, Roadshow presenters Paul Atterbury and Ian Harris (above) will lead a fascinating series of talks, master-classes and valuations on board the Saga Sapphire's sailing to the Baltic.

They will be joined by valuer Clive Steward-Lockhart, who is also a familiar face on the show, and archaeologist and antiquities lecturer Dr Ann Birchall, who will give fascinating talks on underwater archaeology and life in the classical world.

Guests will also be able to join a hosted antique-hunting shore excursion, where the experts give hints and tips along the way during this new A Voyage the Baltic cruise.

Saga Sapphire will sail from Dover on May 19, heading to the Baltic via the Kiel Canal,  a 60-mile channel through the German countryside. The journey ends when passing the Canal lookout station, which uniquely plays the national anthem of each ship as it passes.

Blending the imposing grandeur of St Petersburg with the refined grace of Helsinki and the stylish allure of two ports in Sweden, Stockholm and Gothenburg, this cruise celebrates northern Europe's great maritime heritage, as well as that of the the new Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which have each celebrated more than two decades of independence.

Tallinn in Estonia is acclaimed for its fairytale skyline of turrets and spires, while there is great shopping in Latvia's Ventspils and, from the Hansa port of Klaipeda, in Lithuania, passengers can visit the 13th century Memelburg Castle.

The 14-night cruise costs from £2,368 per person, with the price including VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals and snacks, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, entertainment and lectures, all gratuities, porterage, travel insurance and cancellation cover.

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

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Have A Drink On Celebrity!

Yes, it's New Year's Day, and yes, a few people may be nursing a hangover, but that doesn't stop the special offers arriving in our Inbox. And, once the effects of last night fully wear off, you may like to consider taking a drink on Celebrity Cruises!

They are offering a special deal for a free drinks package among their 'pick 2 of 3' offer for their Scandinavia & Russia cruises aboard Celebrity Eclipse (above) this summer.

Here are the full details:

Delve into the culture and history of Scandinavia and Russia while enjoying any two of the following offers: a complimentary drinks package, worth up to $1,400; up to $300 on board spend; or fully paid gratuities. All available with a 14-night ex-UK cruise aboard Celebrity Eclipse. now from just £1,749 per person (based on two people sharing a balcony stateroom).

The price includes the cruise departing from Southampton and calling at Copenhagen (overnight), Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (overnight), Berlin (port of Warnemunde) and Le Havre before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price based on a May 24 departure and offer valid until February 28.

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

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Snap A Great Smartphone Photo - Win A Cruise With Celebrity!

Following a survey commissioned by Celebrity Cruises that a staggering 67% of people now take pictures on their mobile on holiday, the cruise line has launched a search – alongside worldwide known and award-winning photographers – for the best travel photo ever taken on a smartphone.

Marking this significant change in the photographic landscape, Celebrity is working alongside esteemed photographers Stuart Franklin (Former President of Magnum, who took what is lauded as one of the most iconic images of all time: the World Press photo Award-winning picture of a man defying a tank in Tiananmen Square, China); Ian Berry, Art Wolfe, Massimo Vitali and Oliver Lang to find the best smartphone travel photo ever taken.
 
The winner will be appointed as Celebrity's ‘Photo Ambassador for 2014’ and embark on a 14-night Scandinavia & Russia cruise next May. Taking in the spell-binding sights of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Berlin and Paris, there will be spectacular scenery and cities for the winner to capture the essence of each destination through their smartphone. As well as the cruise, the winner’s photographs will then be exhibited on the Celebrity Cruises blog.
 
Five lucky runners-up will be treated to a personal photography tutorial with Franklin on board Celebrity Eclipse in Southampton in Spring 2014, which will include lunch and a tour of the ship.

To enter, simply submit your image via http://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/smartsnaps or via social media, using the hashtag #smartsnaps. Closing date is November 15. For full terms and conditions, visit www.celebritycruises/smartsnaps

The smartsnaps competition coincides with the appointment of writer and broadcaster Ben Fogle as Celebrity's ‘Destination Expert’. An authority on global adventures, Ben will be offering Celebrity guests tips and advice on where to go and what to do in a variety of cities. 

More info: visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk or call 0844 481 7682.

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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Quark Carries Olympic Torch To North Pole

Quark Expeditions has just successfully reached the geographic North Pole for the 46^th time as part of its first voyage of the 2013 Arctic season. Since 1991, Quark has operated voyages to the North Pole by icebreaker in June and July each year, with two signature departures carrying 250 fortunate travellers aboard the powerful nuclear icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory.

This autumn, in honour of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, the 50 Years of Victory will be participating in the Olympic torch relay, carrying the flame to the North Pole. After the official lighting ceremony in Greece, the flame will travel through all Russia’s nine time zones and even to the International Space Station on board the Soyuz TMA-11M manned spaceship, completing its route in Sochi in early February 2014.

Bookings are being taken for the few spaces still remaining for the 2014 North Pole voyages departing on the 50 Years of Victory, June 19 and June 30, 2014.

Prices start from: £15,965 for twin occupancy for 14-day trip, with one night in Helsinki on B&B, transfers, group helicopter trips, three meals a day, shore landings and on-board lectures. Flights not included. 

For more on adventure cruising, follow 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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OperaBabes Return To Fred. Olsen

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have a real treat in store for fans of classical music this summer as Boudicca’s 14-night ‘Scandinavia and St. Petersburg’ cruise combines stunning Baltic ports with a theme of Classical Music, through its award-winning onboard enrichment programme, Vistas. The highlight of this cultural cruise will be live performances by The OperaBabes, making their third appearance with Fred. Olsen, who are set to electrify audiences with Puccini’s aria ‘O mio babbino caro’, made famous by Maria Callas, amongst their repertoire. 

As part of the Music theme, guests can enjoy fascinating talks, as well as star quality live entertainment. Hosting the theme is music expert Peter Hudson, who will be speaking about the great Maria Callas, renowned as the finest opera singer of the 20^th Century. Peter is a passionate opera-lover, who has been giving talks and lectures about Maria  and her fascinating, tragic life story for more than 20 years.

The OperaBabes – Rebecca Knight, soprano, and Karen England, mezzo soprano – will join this cruise in Copenhagen on August 11. Boudicca departs from Liverpool on July 31, calling first at Kristiansand in Norway. Founded by King Christian IV in the 17th Century, it boasts some of Norway’s finest beaches. Next is Visby in Gotland (Sweden), the setting for hundreds of historical sites, including burial mounds, medieval churches and fortresses, with many treasures from the Viking era. Moving further east, the ship then calls into Tallinn, the lovely capital of Estonia, with its domed churches and cobbled streets, one of the most popular ports in the region and always a delight to visit.

A major highlight of the cruise is the magnificent city of St. Petersburg, Russia’s most European city and a treasure trove of fine art and architecture. There is an overnight stay here and guests can choose an optional tour to visit the ballet or enjoy a classical music performance. The next port is Finland’s attractive and cosmopolitan capital, Helsinki, created by the czars as a ‘miniature’ St. Petersburg. On the return voyage, the final port of call is another capital – Copenhagen in Denmark – which has so much to offer; from the delightful Tivoli Gardens to the charming Little Mermaid statue and the colourful buildings of the former sailors' district, Nyhavn, there really is something for everyone. Two relaxing days at sea bring Boudicca back to Liverpool.

Prices for this cruise start from £1,599 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, and include all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. The OperaBabes will perform live during the cruise, and there is no extra charge for enjoying the Vistas ‘Classical Music’ themed activity and entertainment.

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

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More Great Offers From Oceania

We love the many offers that are pouring into our office for the New Year, with the promise of a real cruise booking boom in the next few weeks. And here is a great example with some genuinely excellent savings from Oceania Cruises.

SCANDINAVIA

June 11: 14 nights, Southampton to Stockholm, £1,609, saving £2722 
Cruise from the port of Southampton and enjoy long, light, mid-summer evenings in Scandinavia and the Baltic on the 1,250-guest luxury cruise ship, Marina. The cruise calls into Amsterdam, Oslo, Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Latvia, Estonia, St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm and includes a $300 per stateroom credit to spend in the ship’s bars, spa and boutiques. Price includes return UK flights, all meals, no supplement for speciality dining, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks. 

THE CARIBBEAN

December 20: Christmas in the Grenadines, 14 nights £2,312, saving £2077 
This Christmas voyage also features a bonus of a $300/stateroom credit to spend on board. Oceania's newest ship Riviera spends Christmas in the British Virgin Islands and the Grenadines, with Christmas Day alongside the island of St. Vincent, Christmas Eve in Antigua and Boxing Day in Barbados

 
February 2: Caribbean hideaway, 10 nights £1,502, saving £1,266
Escape the British winter and spend 10 nights in February cruising the Caribbean on board Riviera. The 1,250-guest, mid-sized luxury ship will be sailing a round-trip cruise from Miami to the British Virgin Islands, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Barts, and includes a $500 ship-board credit per stateroom. 

THE FAR EAST

March 10: Oriental Grand Cruise, £3,222pp, saving £3,441pp 
Take a 25-night cruise from Beijing to Bangkok, visiting Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand on board mid-sized cruise ship Nautica, now on offer with a saving of £3,441pp, and again with a $500 ship-board credit per stateroom. 

PANAMA CANAL

April 20: Panama Canal transit and a £1,692pp saving
Oceania is opffering this 19-night cruise from Miami to San Francisco on the mid-sized Regatta, through the Caribbean Sea and along the west coast of Mexico via a magnificent Panama Canal transit, now from just £2,539pp (was £4,231). The cruise fare includes a $500 per stateroom credit to spend on board, return flights from the UK, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks. 

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

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Norwegian's September Bonus

Guests booking with Norwegian Cruise Line this month will automatically receive up to $500 per stateroom to spend on board as part of a special autumn promotion. The offer is valid when a European or Transatlantic cruise of three nights or more is booked by September 30 for travel from April 2013-2014.

Once on board, guests can redeem this credit against a range of experiences which could include luxurious treatments in the ships’ spas, or shore excursions which give guests the chance to explore ports of call during their trip. 

Speciality restaurant dining is another way guests can choose to use their onboard credit as Norwegian’s ships have a choice of up to 28 dining options with eateries including the impressive Teppenyaki, Cagney’s American steakhouse, authentic French and Italian or the Brazilian Churrascaria where meat is served by tableside passadors.

Itineraries included in the offer range from Transatlantic crossings to Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Canary Islands and Baltics sailings on five Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Itineraries in the offer include: 

• A seven-night Venice and Aegean Sea fly-cruise on Norwegian Jade. Departing various dates from May-October 2013, sailing from Venice and calling at Dubrovnik, Piraeus (for Athens), Izmir (for Ephesus) and Split. Priced from £904pp based on a May 11 departure. 
• A seven-night Western Mediterranean fly-cruise on Norwegian Epic. Departing various dates between May and October, sailing from Barcelona and calling at Naples, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Cannes and Marseille. Priced from £949pp, based on departures October 6 and 13. 
• A nine-night Baltic Capitals from Copenhagen fly-cruise on Norwegian Star. Departing various dates between May and September 2013, from Copenhagen to Warnemünde (for Berlin), Tallinn, St. Petersburg (overnight), Helsinki and Stockholm. Priced from £1,214pp based on May 7 and 16 departures. 
• An eight-night Transatlantic cruise on board the brand new Norwegian Breakaway. Departing on April 30 from Southampton and arriving in New York City. Priced from £1036pp.   

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

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Get Ready for National Cruise Week

It's National Cruise Week later this month (next week, in fact; September 15-23) and the first offers are starting to roll in, in advance of the UK's big annual cruise-selling bonanza. Take this one, for example:

Head to the home of the world famous school of ballet in St Petersburg, take in the tranquil beauty of the Caribbean islands or embark on the ultimate pampering holiday - celebrate National Cruise Week with a number of special offers from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

Royal Caribbean

To Russia with love: Explore northern Europe taking in the spectacular Scandinavian landscapes and enjoy an overnight in St Petersburg to experience the nightlife in the Russian capital. Join Brilliance of the Seas on a 12-night Scandinavia and Russia cruise-only sailing May 27, 2013, from just £1,849 per person.

This price includes free regional flights, coach or car parking, an upgrade to a balcony stateroom and $100 on board credit in celebration of National Cruise Week. The cruise departs Harwich and calls at Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn and Gothenburg before returning to Harwich and includes meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd.

Celebrity Cruises

Springtime sunshine: Join Celebrity Equinox on a 12-night Venice fly/cruise on April 30, 2013, from just £1,649 per person, sailing from Barcelona and calling at Villefranche (for Nice), Livorno (for Florence), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik before returning to Barcelona. 

The price includes £49 regional flights, coach or car parking, an upgrade to a balcony stateroom and $100 on board credit in celebration of National Cruise Week, plus all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. 

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

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Seabourn's Summer 2013 Selection

For those looking to plan ahead to summer next year, Seabourn offers extraordinary value on European fly and cruise-only itineraries. The 2013 European Cruise Collection offers 66 hand-picked itineraries on voyages ranging from seven to 21 days in length, exploring all corners of Europe and beyond, with some of the highlight destinations, cruises and fares including:

Mediterranean

7-Day Mediterranean Jewels; Departs June 6, 2013 on Seabourn Legend; Route, Rome to Monte Carlo, calling at Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples, Trapani, Ajaccio, Cannes, Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Monte Carlo and Monaco. Fly/Cruise prices start from £2,599pp.

Dalmation coast, Greek Isles & Turkey

7-Day Ephesus and Greek Isles; Departs May 11, 2013 on Seabourn Spirit; Route, Istanbul to Piraeus (Athens), calling at Canakkale, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Cesme, Mykonos,  Rethymnon (Crete), Miso, Nisos Melos and Piraeus. Fly/Cruise prices start from £2,439pp.

Northern Europe

7-Day Baltic and St Petersburg; Departs June 11 and 25 June 2013 on Seabourn Sojourn; Route, Stockholm to Copenhagen, calling at Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Copenhagen. Fly/Cruise prices start from £3,269pp.

Prices include return flights from the UK and are per person, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive, including all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini-bar.

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



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Marina's Russian Debut

Two full days in St Petersburg are included on Oceania Cruises first-ever Baltic voyages on the line’s recently launched new ship, Marina, cruising to Scandinavia and Russia. Limited availability is offered on three 10-day “Baltic Treasures” cruises, with cruise-only rates from £1,219 per person, including $500/stateroom onboard credit, free flights, all meals, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water. Departures are on July 22, August 1 & 11.

The cruise offers the opportunity to take part in Oceania's Culinary Discovery Tours to shore-side markets. The Farm-to-Table excursion visits two family-run farms, one that grows root vegetables, the other raising free-range cattle. After a three-course lunch in Visby, guests meet in the ship’s Bon Appetit Culinary Centre (the only hands-on cookery school at sea) for a “Joy of Grilling” class.

Latvian delicacies are showcased in Riga, where a local chef leads a tour of the Central Market. Back aboard ship, a “Romantic Riga” class completes the immersive experience. While in Helsinki, guests learn to make Finnish sausages and cinnamon rolls, then return to the ship for a class – and tasting – of smoked and cured salmon.

Marina’s other signature features include a Canyon Ranch SpaClub; six gourmet restaurants, including a French bistro by Chef Jacques Pépin; and a wine-tasting facility developed in cooperation with Wine Spectator magazine.

The “Baltic Treasures” itinerary, from Copenhagen to Stockholm, also includes visits to Warnemünde (a gateway to Berlin); Bornholm in Denmark; Gdynia, Poland (the port for Gdansk); and St Petersburg, where an overnight aboard Marina allows guests ample time to discover the magnificent Hermitage and Petrodvorets, Peter the Great’s imperial palace. 

For bookings, see this link for The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK’s leading luxury cruise specialists.

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Silversea Extend Baltic Voyages

Silversea have extended two of their Northern European voyages setting sail in June to give passengers even more of their luxury all-inclusive style in the Baltic. 

The voyages, which depart from Copenhagen on June 18 and from Helsinki on June 23, will now run for nine-days to incorporate a three-night call in St. Petersburg. Complimentary return air between Copenhagen and Helsinki is also included in the fare, along with a generous $500 onboard spending credit to use against ship facilities such as fine-dining in Le Champagne and spa treatments.

The first 9-day cruise, on Silver Whisper, calls at Warnemunde (Rostock) in Germany; Ronne and Bornholm in Denmark; Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Helsinki again. It costs from £2,468, including flights and onboard spending credit of $500 per suite.

The 9-day sector from Helsinki on June 23 calls at St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Ronne, Bornholm, Warnemunde and Copenhagen. It costs from £2,699 including flights and onboard spending credit of $500 per suite.

Highlights of the two extended voyages include a panoramic tour of Helsinki and the chance to navigate the beautiful Finnish archipelago by private sailing vessel; a ‘walk in the footsteps’ excursion of Stieg Larsson’s bestselling Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, set on Stockholm’s Södermalm Island; and a visit to the Catherine and Pavlovsk palaces, discovery of the history of Russian jewellery at the Gold and Diamond rooms of the Hermitage museum or an evening at the opera or ballet at the renowned Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.

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

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Save Big With NCL This Winter

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching its new “Norwegians set SALE in Europe” promotion where customers can save up to £400 per stateroom on European and Atlantic crossings. The sale launches today (Dec 7) and is valid on sailings of six nights or more, including in peak holiday periods. Customers can make savings on bookings made until February 29, 2012.

Guests will be able to enjoy savings from a choice of four ships as Norwegian’s largest ever European deployment arrives in 2012. Sailings included in the offer are Norwegian Epic’s ‘Western Mediterranean from Barcelona’, Norwegian Spirit’s ‘Grand Mediterranean from Venice or Barcelona’, Norwegian Sun’s ‘Baltics from Copenhagen’ and Norwegian Jade’s ‘Greek Isles from Venice’.

A seven-night Western Med voyage from Barcelona, fly-cruise, on Norwegian Epic departs on various dates between April and October, sailing from Barcelona, to Naples, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Villefranche (for Nice/MonteCarlo), Marseille and back to Barcelona. It is priced from £849 per person based on an October 14 departure.

A 12-night Grand Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona fly-cruise on Norwegian Spirit also departs on various dates from April-October, sailing from Barcelona, to Toulon (for Provence), Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, Mykonos, Istanbul, Izmir (Ephesus) and Venice. It is priced from £1,176 per person based on an April 28 departure.

A nine-night Baltic Capitals from Copenhagen fly-cruise on Norwegian Sun departs on various dates from May-September, sailing from Copenhagen, to Warnemunde (for Berlin), Tallinn, St Petersburg (overnight), Helsinki, Stockholm and back to Copenhagen. It is priced from £1,339 per person based on a May 13 departure.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's leading cruise agent specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Maiden Baltic Cruises for Star Flyer

One of our favourite cruise experiences, the blissful tall-ship style of Star Clippers, is branching out in 2012 with their 170-passenger Star Flyer sailing in the Baltic for the first time during summer 2012, offering a wide variety of voyages from two nights to 11 nights.

The highlights include:

· Special offer: A five-night voyage from Southampton to Hamburg, via Amsterdam, departing May 5, from just £999 per person, including five nights’ full board on the ship, five nights’ parking at Southampton, transfers to Hamburg airport and a return flight to Heathrow, with a private taxi transfer from Heathrow to Southampton to collect parked vehicles.

· A series of two and three-night mini-cruises out of Hamburg and Warnemunde, a German port with a great sailing tradition, to coincide with the 2012 Sailing Parade of tall ships. From £465pp for two nights in Warnemunde on August 10, including port taxes (flights extra).

· Seven-night voyages featuring the dramatic Norwegian capital Oslo, which is situated at the head of a long fjord - ideal for sail-cruising. Oslo to Copenhagen, for example, calls at Marstrand, Goteborg, Halmstad and Helsingborg in Sweden; and Kalundborg in Denmark, finishing in Copenhagen. From £1,490 for seven nights, departing Oslo May 26, including port taxes (flights extra).

· Three 10 or 11-night voyages round-trip from Stockholm, with an overnight in St Petersburg. Ports of call on the 10-night sailing departing July 21 include Visby, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, and two additional ports in Finland, Hanko and Mariehamn-Aaland. From £2,120pp for 10 nights, including port taxes (flights extra).

For more info on Star Clippers or booking details, see this link from the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Fred. Olsen's Worldwide Voyaging

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched its new worldwide brochure for 2012/13, detailing a comprehensive programme of ex-UK cruises aboard classic ships Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch. All the new cruises feature Fred. Olsen’s ‘No Fuel Surcharge Guarantee’.

The 2012/13 programme includes an enormous choice of destinations, varying in duration from a mini-cruise of just two nights to an epic world voyage of 112 nights. The itineraries feature new and exciting destinations, along with many old favourites, with departures from convenient regional British ports, Dover, Southampton, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Greenock (Glasgow) and Rosyth (Edinburgh).

Highlights include:

- A ‘Christmas Markets’ cruise aboard Black Watch, travelling to the Baltic and calling at Warnemünde (Germany), Tallinn (Estonia), St Petersburg (Russia), Helsinki (Finland), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Kiel (Germany).

- The chance to sail over 50 miles up the Guadalquivir River to Seville, in Spain.

- A return call to the newly-accessible Banjul Harbour in The Gambia, on Balmoral’s 21-night ‘West Africa and Cape Verde’ cruise.

- Three brand new destinations on Canada’s east coast – Port Saguenay, Trois Rivières and Havre St. Pierre.

- Some enticing longer cruises in 2013 – Balmoral’s new ‘Around the World’ itinerary and Black Watch’s epic cruise, down the West Coast of Africa and into the Indian Ocean.

- Another opportunity to take a Winter cruise to Norway, ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’, with Boudicca in February 2013, or to cruise into the heart of the mighty Amazon River, also aboard Boudicca, on a long (35-night) cruise in early 2013.

- Christmas 2012, when both Balmoral and Braemar will be visiting the Cape Verde Islands, as part of their festive itineraries, while Black Watch offers a real getaway, with her ex-UK ‘Caribbean Christmas’ cruise of 25 nights.

Fred. Olsen also continues to make regular enhancements to its fleet. Boudicca benefitted from a major refit in January 2011, allowing for extra cabins, smart new shopping outlets and a top-deck fitness centre. The onboard experience continues to benefit from an ever-increasing choice of activities and interests for guests to pursue. The cruise enrichment programme, Vistas (formerly The ArtsClub), has been re-launched and reinvigorated, with many distinguished new names joining the panoply of on-board experts, covering an even wider range of subjects.

Other additional attractions, on selected cruises, include ‘Flagship Golf‘, boasting even more top courses in 2012/13, and, for the best in entertainment, Fred. Olsen’s ‘Music and Laughter’; programme. This gives guests a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live music and comedy in an intimate setting, from some of the top names in the business, and all at no extra cost. Past favourites include the Divas of Motown, The Drifters and Lulu, and big names lined up for this season include The Operababes – back by popular demand – The Sounds of Boney M, featuring Sheyla Bonnick, and The Tornados – the first UK group to top the US charts, with ‘Telstar’, and original backing group to 60s legend, Billy Fury.

For more info, see www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.

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Fred Olsen's Baltic Bonus

The Baltic is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cruise destinations for the summer, and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has two exceptional Baltic itineraries, with very competitive rates available.

Braemar’s cruise, M1114, is a 13-night voyage departing from Dover on 2nd July 2011. This is an exceptional itinerary, beginning with a transit of the Kiel Canal, bringing Braemar to Warnemünde in Germany, for excursions to Berlin. The cruise then visits two ports in Finland; first Turku, celebrating its status as a ‘European Capital of Culture’ in 2011, then the attractive, cosmopolitan capital, Helsinki, with a wealth of galleries, museums and tempting pavement cafés to enjoy. The highlight of this cruise is a two-night stay in Russia’s stunning St Petersburg, home to some of the world’s finest works of art, and some of the most stunning architecture in Europe. The extra time spent here allows visitors to immerse themselves in all the wonders of this unique city.

A similar itinerary is offered by Balmoral, on her cruise L1108, of 14 nights, departing from Southampton on 24th June 2011. This summer cruise also begins with a transit of the Kiel Canal, but continues on to visit two lovely ports in the Baltic state of Estonia. Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia, and still retains many national traditions, in its architecture, costumes and dialect. The only town on the island - Kuressaare - has a lovely and well-preserved old town to explore. Next port is the better-known, and always popular, capital, Tallinn, with its beautiful architecture, domed churches and cobbled streets, before Braemar cruises on to Helsinki.

This cruise additionally offers Flagship Golf, Fred. Olsen's exclusive package for golfers. It comprises four rounds of golf, played at hand-picked courses ashore, onboard tuition from a PGA professional, practice sessions and social activity for golfers and non-playing partners, and is charged at £375 per player. Flagship Golf must be pre-booked.

For more info, visit www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.