Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brings his expertise to Crystal presidential cruise

Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is to bring his expertise on board Crystal Cruises’ 12 July European cruise from Lisbon to Dover. The planned special dinners, sake tastings and celebrations set to feature Nobu’s famous Peruvian-infused Japanese cuisine will enhance the special atmosphere onboard, as the sailing celebrates Crystal’s 25^th Anniversary and is hosted by Crystal’s president and COO Edie Rodriguez.  Throughout the 13-night voyage, Nobu – whose signature cuisine is featured in Crystal’s Silk Road and The Sushi Bar – will share his talents and famously personable panache during cooking demos, book signings and Sake tastings with Sake Master Hazu. 

The cruise on Crystal Serenity departs Lisbon on 12 July and visits Oporto, St-Jean-de-Luz, Bordeaux (two nights), Brest, St-Malo (overnight), Guernsey and Honfleur (overnight). Book before 2 January 2015 for all-inclusive fly/cruise prices starting from £3,889 per person including flight from the UK to Lisbon, overseas transfers and 13 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, most alcoholic beverages, port taxes and gratuities.

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Adventure Cruising blog

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At Honfleur with Fred Olsen and Newcastle beckons.

This morning we arrived at Honfleur.  A short walk from the ship found us in this lovely old town (above). Some five hours later after panoramic views from the hills above the town and a walk along the beach back to the breakwater I came back to check my emails and write this post whilst the others explored the town.

Our Ramblers Worldwide team lost the quiz by only two points last night so we are hoping for better results this evening after the show. I have to say I am not one for entertainment on cruise ships but Fred Olsen has produced some excellent shows on board in the Neptune Lounge. Plus this comfortable arena has also held not only the fascinating lectures but an immensely enjoyable classical guitar recital.

Tonight’s meeting is for members and ex-members of the Armed Forces. As with all the meetings of societies and groups Fred Olsen can arrange a cocktail party with all proceeds being donated to the R.N.L.I.

Regular readers of World of Cruising magazine will know I prefer the smaller ships of less than 300 people on board but I have to say have been pleasantly surprised by Black Watch. Fred Olsen are making a range of updates to her and she goes into dry dock in November. She may be an old lady now and this can only help improve what is an essentially British product.

As we prepare to sail away to Newcastle the hot autumn sun is still beating down. I fear it will not be like this when we get home, so many people are taking advantage by strolling around the promenade deck (below) or simply reading in the sunshine. See you tomorrow!

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Tauck's New Seine Sensations

Highly-rated escorted tour and river-cruise specialists Tauck have two new-for-2014 itineraries on the Seine. in the shape of the "Cruising the Seine Plus Versailles, Paris & London" tour and a fabulous new "Rendezvous On The Seine" option.

The former costs from $6,790 per person (plus airfare) and is a comprehensive two-week journey that begins with an included two-night stay in London at the landmark Savoy, featuring guided sightseeing plus a Tauck-exclusive lecture by Winston Churchill's biographer and grand-daughter Celia Sandys. After travelling via high-speed train beneath the English Channel to Calais, guests will board the MS Swiss Sapphire in Caudubec-en-Caux for a nine-day cruise along the Seine.

Highlights along the river will include an excursion to Normandy's D-Day beaches, an exclusive dinner with music at a private chateau in Rouen, and private tastings of absinthe in the Absinthe Museum in Auvers-sur-Oise and Calvados at Chateau du Breuil, a distiller of the spirit since the 1500s. The journey continues in Paris, where the Swiss Sapphire will dock for three nights to allow guests enjoy an in-depth exploration of the city with included sightseeing. The 14-day itinerary concludes with a two-night stay in Versailles at the Trianon Palace Versailles, a Waldorf Astoria property, highlighted by an exploration of the Chevreuse Valley and a visit to the 12th-century Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay.                    
 
Tauck's second new French itinerary, "Rendezvous on the Seine," (10 days from $4,590 per person, plus airfare) also begins with an included two-night stay in Paris, at the Hotel Pullman close to the Eiffel Tour. A subsequent seven-day cruise on the Seine includes ports-of-call at Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Giverney (where guests will visit the home and gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet), Vernon, Les Andelys and Rouen. Highlights include a farm visit and tasting of local farm-to-table specialties in Étretat, a visit to the seaside town of Honfleur, a lecture on the events of D-Day followed by a tour of Normandy's iconic beaches, and guided visits to historic abbeys and chateaux.

For more info, see Tauck's website at http://www.tauck.com/.

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Jazz & Opera With CroisiEurope

Themed cruising continues to be a popular choice for cruise lines (and their passengers), and it is now increasingly the case with river-cruise operators, too. Check out these latest ideas from CroisiEurope that have just dropped in our Inbox.

Jazz cruise along the Seine, October 19

During this voyage on the 78-cabin MS France, guests will be entertained by the Rive Droite-Rive Gauche Swing Band and the exceptional voices of Candice Parise and Liza Michael as they perform tributes to Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. Starting in Paris, the cruise will meander along the Seine through Les Andelys, Rouen, Honfleur, Caudebec-en-Caux and Vernon before arriving back into Paris. Onboard, the 78 outward facing cabins all feature panoramic windows and private bathrooms while public areas include a spacious lounge and dining room. Cruise only prices start from €610 per person (approximately £519), including accommodation in an outside cabin with all meals, drinks with meals, entertainment and port taxes.

Verdi Opera Cruise from Venice, July 26
To coincide with the 200th anniversary of the birth of Verdi, CroisiEurope is introducing a six-day Opera voyage departing Venice on the 78-cabin MS Michelangelo. As the cruise takes in Di Po Taglio and Polesella, guests will be entertained onboard by the very talented Ophelie Gaillard (cello), Florian Laconi (tenor), Raquel Camarina (soprano) and Stephanie Degand (violin). They will also enjoy a fabulous trip to Verona to attend a performance of one of Verdi’s best known operas – AIDA. Cruise only prices start from €1,225 per person (approximately £1,040), including accommodation in an outside cabin with all meals, drinks with meals, entertainment, opera ticket, transfer to Verona and port taxes.

For more on river-cruising, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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CroisiEurope's River-Cruise Savings

Having introduced the new river-cruise options of family-owned CroisiEurope (see this blog from last Monday), we now have some tempting special offers to pass on for these special savings, all of which are valid until one week prior to each departure:

The Inviting Seine Valley

Save €350 per person (approximately £299) on an eight-night river cruise through the inviting Seine Valley. The cruise starts in Paris on April 13 and meanders through Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Honfleur, Rouen and Les Andelys before arriving back in Paris. Prices are from €706 per person (approximately £603) based on two sharing, including eight nights in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals, onboard entertainment and port taxes. Plus, there is no single supplement.

The Seine Valley

Save €170 per person (approximately £145) on a five-night cruise from the Norman coast to Paris with departures on May 11 and 14. The cruise starts in Honfleur and visits the Cote Fleurie, Caudebec-en-Caux, The Abbey Trail, Rouen, Mantes La Jolie and Conflans Sainte Honorine before finishing in Paris. Prices are from €472pp (approximately £403) based on two sharing, including five nights in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals, onboard entertainment and port taxes. Again, there is no single supplement.

Canal Cruise from Saône-et-Loire to the Côte d’Or

Save up to €535pp (approximately £457) on a seven-night canal cruise on a hotel barge  from Saône-et-Loire to the Côte d’Or with departures on May 9 and July 22. The cruise starts in Saint Leger Sur Dheune and visits Santenay, Chagny, Chalon, Saint Jean de Losne and Petit-Ouge before finishing in Dijon. Prices are from €1,250pp (approximately £1,069) based on two sharing and include seven nights in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals, onboard entertainment, excursions, use of onboard bicycles and port taxes. Plus, there is a lower single supplement of just €282.50pp (approximately £241).

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

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Save With AMA

AMA Waterways, one of Europe's leading luxury river-cruise operators, has three enticing new reduced-price offers for France, Portugal and the Rhine this summer. The details are as follows: 

Portugal’s Enticing Douro, saving £281pp 
The Douro is one of Europe’s most pure and unspoiled rivers, with deep cleft gorges, lush vineyards, and sleepy fishing villages. AMA's 7-night `Enticing Douro’ cruise departs May 14 and offers a round-trip from Porto, making daily calls along the route to picturesque towns, villages and places of interest, enabling guests to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions. The week-long sailing costs from £1,899 per person (was £2,180), including return UK flights, transfers, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily hosted excursions, free use of on-board bicycles and free wi-fi. Departures also on May 21, June 18 and August 6. 

Paris & Normandy, with £392pp saving

AmaWaterways offers this week-long cruise embarking in Paris on May 24 and cruising down the Seine to Normandy. The price of £1,949 per person (was £2,341) includes daily tours and excursions, the opportunity to visit Normandy’s beaches and the picturesque port of Honfleur, as well as return flights and transfers, all meals on board, wine and beer with dinner and lunch, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles and the company will even send guests’ post-cards free of charge! 

Cruise the Rhine, with £332pp saving

Departing on July 12, this week- long sailing between Basel and Amsterdam is now offered from £1,779pp (originally £2,111). The offer includes daily port calls along the way, visiting cities such as Cologne and Heidelberg, cruising through the legendary Black Forest, and past Switzerland’s Alpine scenery. The price includes return flights and transfers, all meals on board, wine and beer with dinner and lunch, free wi-fi and use of onboard bicycles.

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

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Ponant Cruises' New Summer Brochure

The new Summer 2012 Cruises brochure published by Compagnie du Ponant, is now available to the UK marketplace featuring over 80 sailings, from 4-14 nights, operating between March and October next year.

The Art of Yacht Cruises is elegantly reflected in the contemporary, 130-page brochure, promoting an alternative lifestyle of discovery, enjoyment, subtlety and relaxation, which has been the philosophy of Compagnie du Ponant for over 20 years. A range of magical destinations are on offer and also a choice of themed cruises from music and golf, to gastronomy, family and soft expedition.

With moorings inaccessible to larger ships, unusual itineraries and high standards of personal service, Compagnie du Ponant, the only French cruise line, now operates a fleet of five, individual ships of character: Le Ponant (64 passengers), Le Levant(90 passengers), Le Diamant (226 passengers) and Le Boreal and L'Austral (264 passengers).

Voyage-only fares include: The cruise with all meals, from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation; Welcome aboard and captain’s cocktail parties, gala dinner; Mineral water, tea, filter coffee, white, red and rosé wines served with meals; 24-hour room service; Evening entertainment and events, and/or organised shows; and porterage from the quayside to the ship and vice versa.

For more information visit http://www.ponant.com/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Silversea Add More UK Cruises in 2012

Recognising the growing demand for more cruising from the UK, Silversea Cruises has expanded its product by adding more voyages to its 2012 programme, with a total of 20 voyages either embarking or disembarking from British ports, the luxury line's largest ex-UK programme to date.

Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper, Silver Cloud and Silver Explorer will dock variously at Southampton, Portsmouth, Greenock and London (Tower Bridge), allowing guests to depart from more UK ports to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, New York and more.

Sample 2011 itineraries include:

Southampton to Barcelona - a seven-day Mediterranean voyage (5111) from £2,778 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing May 29 from Southampton, Silver Spirit calls at La Coruña (Spain), Vigo (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal) and Alicante (Spain) before arriving at Barcelona. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Southampton to Copenhagen - a 10-day Northern European voyage (1120) from £3,373 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing July 20 from Southampton, Silver Cloud calls at Plymouth, St. Helier (Jersey, Channel Islands), Rouen (France), Honfleur (France), Oostende (Belgium) and Antwerp before arriving at Copenhagen. Prices are per person, based on two sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Sample 2012 itineraries include:

Monte Carlo to Southampton - a 12-day Mediterranean voyage (4210) from £4,303 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing May 1 from Monte Carlo, Silver Whisper calls at Palma De Mallorca, Cadiz (Spain), Portimao (Portugal), La Coruña (Spain), Bilbao (Spain), Bordeaux (France) and Le Verdon (France) before arriving at Southampton. Prices are again per person, based on two sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

Stockholm to Southampton – a 10-day Northern European voyage (4219) from £4,373 per person, on an all-inclusive basis with $1000 onboard spending credit per suite. Departing July 16, from Stockholm, Silver Whisper calls at Tallinn (Estonia), St. Petersburg (Russia) for a two-night stay onboard, Helsinki (Finland) and Warnemunde (Rostock, Germany) before arriving at Southampton. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include one-way complimentary economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or contact the UK's leading luxury-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Crystal's 2012 Programme Now on Sale

Crystal Cruises’ exciting line up of 2012 worldwide itineraries is now on sale with free return flights available on ALL sailings. Plus, as of Spring 2012, all cruises on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will include FREE fine wines and premium spirits in all restaurants, open bar service in all lounges and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff.

The complimentary gratuity amenity includes butler service and service in all of Crystal’s fine specialty restaurants and sushi bar.

In 2012, Crystal will offer 68 global itineraries onboard their award-winning duo, including:

A 94-night “Epic Islands and Empires” Pacific Rim World Cruise through Hawaii, the South Pacific, eastern and western Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Alaska, British Columbia and San Francisco, including a three-day inclusive overland adventure in Beijing; a maiden call in Newcastle, Australia; and a return to South Korea for the first time since 1994.

Christmas/New Year cruises in Australia/New Zealand; an expanded collection of Mediterranean itineraries, including late Autumn options; and more Baltic and Northern European cruises; more seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean and New England/Canada, as well as a seven-night voyage during Thanksgiving through the Mexican Riviera; and transatlantic cruises from New York to Dover and Miami to Lisbon, which can be combined with European cruises.

There will also be more overnight stays in destinations including Ashdod, Reykjavik, Odessa, Honfleur, Hamburg, Edinburgh, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Istanbul, Venice, Sorrento and Bordeaux as well as destinations throughout Asia, Australia and South America.

2012 prices start from just £2,336 per person based on a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Rome departing 8th April. Price includes free return flights from the UK, transfers, seven nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window on an all-inclusive basis to include all meals, drinks and gratuities plus port taxes.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists, 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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