New Island-Hopping Cruises In Croatia

We're always on the lookout for new cruise options here at World of Cruising, and this one definitely caught our eye from regional specialists Transun.

Their new exclusive cruise holiday options are perfect for families looking to escape to the Mediterranean sun as well as couples keen to explore the region’s culture. Croatia specialists for more than 30 years, Transun has uncovered the hidden treasures of the Dalmatian Coast and created carefully selected itineraries. 

Southern Pearls is an intimate cruise of the Adriatic coast and includes a visit to Vis, one of the most remote islands in Croatia. With weekly departures throughout the summer, guests will enjoy taking in a breathtaking new destination each day.

The island-hopping cruise departs from Split or Dubrovnik and takes in destinations including Hvar – where the boat will dock overnight allowing guests to enjoy the renowned nightlife – and Korcula, where centuries of history are encompassed by medieval walls.

The seven-night Southern Pearls package starts from £1,095 per person (based on two people sharing) and includes return flights from a range of selected national airports, transfers, accommodation, breakfast and a guided sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik.

Further highlights of the Croatia cruise holidays available from Transun include:

• Dalmatian Voyage, a relaxing seven-night cruise taking in some of Croatia’s smaller ports of call. 
• Croatia Island Hopping, a seven-night holiday visiting the popular highlights of the Dalmatian Coast, including Mljet, Korcula and Hvar. 

 More info: visit www.transun.co.uk or call 01865 265 200. 

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Orbital Launches Croatia Coastal Cruises

The Dalmatian Coast is looking to be one of the 'hot' destinations of 2014 for its amazing port experiences, plus the stunning shoreline of Croatia and Montenegro. And, with that in mind, Orbital Travel, have announced a new 7-night Dalmatian coastal voyage to its cruise programmes.

The spectacular unspoilt Adriatic coastline boasts more than 1,000 islands, a number of peaceful bays and stunning national parks. This part of the Adriatic, known as the Dalmatian coast, stretches from the northern coast of Croatia all the way to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro.

The Orbital cruise begins and ends in the picturesque medieval city of Dubrovnik and showcases the region’s stunning scenery; stopovers include the beautiful islands of Mljet, Korkula, Vis and Hvar, the medieval cities of Sibenik, Trogir and Split, and the beautiful Kotor estuary in Montenegro.

Cruises are on board the MS Belle de l‘Adriatique, which offers a relaxed and intimate atmosphere with excellent food and the opportunity to spend free time on board, as well as experiencing the local culture and cuisine. 

Departures are between April and October and prices lead in at £1,325 per person, including flights, transfers and 7 nights all-inclusive on board.

More info: call 0333 123 7147 or visit www.orbitaltravel.co.uk.

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Saga Offer Now Or Then

When it comes to the best deals of the New Year, many companies are featuring short-terms offers, while others are offering tempting bonuses and rates if you book in advance for next year, the Now or Then option, as we like to call it.

 

But Saga Cruises are featuring a bit of both, with two excellent contrasting offers - either book now for winter sun next year or, if you can’t wait, get packing this Easter. Take your pick from:

Easter in the Adriatic
Spend Easter Sunday in Venice to attend mass in the Basilica, stroll around St Mark’s Square or take a gondola along the canals - it's all on offer in La Serenissima. Pageants and concerts take place all through Holy Week, so Saga Sapphire passengers will be able to soak up the atmosphere during this special port of call.

 

The 23-night cruise offers many further highlights, from a chance to unearth Tunisia’s Roman heritage in Carthage; cruising to Hvar on the Dalmatian Coast; and enjoying Sardinia’s white beaches. There is also the additional onboard theme of Food and Wine, with baking demonstrations from Great British Bake-off finalist Brendan Lynch, a bake-off competition plus a wine-tasting session with expert Julie Jackson.

It departs on April 9 and costs from £4,199.

Treasures of the Caribbean
Saga Pearl II offers exciting new ports of call in January 2015, including Montserrat - where passengers can observe the volcanic landscape - and Anguilla, an island that is perfect for snorkeling, plus Hillsborough in Carriaciou for a rum punch on the beach and watersports in the warm, clear sea.

 

Passengers will also get to soak up more of the sun and culture on Barbados and Grenada, with options to swim with stingrays on a diving trip in Antigua or visit St Vincent’s botanical garden, the oldest in the tropical world.­

This grand 35-night voyage costs from £4,799, departing Southampton on January 13, 2015.

The Saga Cruises bonus is that these prices include VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals, all drinks (house-branded spirits), entertainment, 24-hour room service, travel insurance and cancellation cover.

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

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Fred. Olsen's British Bonanza

Fred. Olsen’s 2014/15 cruise programme will see it sailing from an amazing variety of UK ports, with all of Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow), Belfast and the newly-added ports of Tilbury and Avonmouth now on their Brit-list, further enhancing the line's reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line.'

In 2014/15, they will also be making even more overnight stops in spectacular cities worldwide, in response to guests’ desire to spend more time ashore in the ports they visit. Fred. Olsen will also be working with destination ports to create an even greater link between its cruises and local events, such as the Baltic Festivals of Kieler Woche in Kiel, Germany, and the world-renowned Jazz Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Highlights of the new cruise season include:

• The Undiscovered Adriatic from Avonmouth, a 28-night cruise departing on May 17, taking in Sicily, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Hvar and Koper (Slovenia), as well as Venice and Athens.

• A 32-night Canada & New York cruise, departing from Southampton on September 1, visiting Canada’s eastern seaboard when the Fall foliage will be at its best, with overnight stays in Quebec, Boston and New York.

• A very different Caribbean cruise, of 34 nights, with an overnight stay in Havana, Cuba, as well as stopovers in Bermuda, the Bahamas and Grand Turk, plus plenty of other favourites.

• Two fabulous 28-night Black Sea cruises, one from Liverpool in October and the other from Southampton in June, both with visits to Athens, overnight stays in Istanbul, and cruising deep into the Black Sea and the Crimea.

• Five ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruises to Norway in February and March, and Fred. Olsen’s first winter season in its historic homeland, in November and December, to give guests the chance to marvel at one of Nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena, the Northern Lights.

Fred. Olsen will be offering many new destinations in 2014/15, which promise a wealth of unforgettable holiday experiences. For instance, there will be an impressive 13 maiden calls on Balmoral’s Asia Grand Voyage in 2015: Galle (Sri Lanka), Ujang Pandang (Indonesia), Naha (Okinawa, Japan), Tokyo, Nagasaki, Jeju City (South Korea), Dalian (China), Nha Trang (Vietnam), Nathon (Thailand), Malacca (Malaysia), Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Utheemu (North Thiladhunmathee Atoll, Maldives) and Uligamu (Ihavandhippolhu Atoll, Maldives).

More info: www.fredolsencruises.com for full terms and conditions.

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Singles Save With Star Clippers

Tall-ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering savings of up to £500 per person for solo travellers booking a double cabin (for single occupancy) on a choice of two escorted art-themed cruises in the Mediterranean in 2013. Guests on the two sailings can enjoy art tuition and the company of like-minded aspiring artists in some of the most beautiful settings of the Mediterranean: the French and Italian Rivieras in April or the coast of Croatia in September.

A cruise on Star Clippers’ graceful tall ships is the perfect holiday for single travellers, due to the friendly, relaxed atmosphere on board. The al fresco Tropical Bar is the ideal place to chat to fellow guests while watching the scenery drift by. Meals are informal, with open seating and the opportunity to sit with other guests, so nobody has to dine alone unless they want to.

On the Art Afloat voyages, the group will have the opportunity to attend daily workshops and spend time sketching and painting ashore together, creating an ideal environment for spending time with people with a shared interest.

Each cruise is escorted by Suffolk-born Richard Nichols, a successful artist who specialises in seascapes and coastal scenes. Richard will run workshops covering everything from sketching to watercolours, aimed at all levels of experience and helping artists to capture the dazzling turquoise of the sea along the Croatian coast, the texture of a cream sail filled with wind, or the ochres and terracottas of the houses lining the chic little bay of Portofino.

Included in the cruise price is a special lightweight artist’s backpack that converts into a seat for sitting and sketching on location. The backpack contains sketchbooks, paper, watercolours, brushes and pencils, so guests do not need to supply any equipment.

The ‘Art Afloat’ cruises are:

Monaco round-trip on Star Clipper, seven nights, departing April 27, and calling at Calvi, Bonifacio, Costa Smeralda, Portoferraio, Lerici and Santa Margarita (for Portofino). From £2,199 per person including flights to Nice, transfers, full board on the ship, sole occupancy of a double cabin, all art equipment, daily tuition and welcome cocktail party. Saving: £170 per person.

Venice round-trip on Royal Clipper, eight nights, departing September 27, and calling at Kotor, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Rovinj and Piran, with a night in Venice before the cruise. From £2,399 per person including flights to Venice, transfers, one night’s B&B accommodation in Venice, full board on the ship, sole occupancy of a double cabin, all art equipment, daily tuition and welcome cocktail party. Saving: £500 per person.

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

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Try A Great Late Med Break

Looking for a great-value and educational holiday taking in the highlights of the Mediterranean? Join Voyages of Discovery’s MV Discovery for a cultural voyage from just £1,399 per person this autumn.

Guests onboard the Adriatic and Aegean Odyssey cruise can explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town (Croatia) before heading to the contrasting sheer mountains and picturesque villages of Kotor (Montenegro) and Katakolon (Greece), the gateway to ancient Greece and ideal for history enthusiasts.

That is followed by a visit to the birthplace of civilisation – Athens – as the ship calls into Piraeus. Passengers will be accompanied by experienced historian, Brigadier Mike Shaw, and anthropologist Anne-Marie Harrison, to bring the destinations to life. 

The Adriatic and Aegean Odyssey departs from Dubrovnik on October 5 and also calls at Pula (Croatia), Venice (Italy), Koper (Slovenia), Hvar (Croatia), Durres (Albania), Itea (Greece), Canakkale (Turkey) and Istanbul (overnight).

The price includes flights from a major UK airport, transfers, all onboard 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 The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading cruise-agent experts.

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Experience The Star Clippers 'Small Port' Style

Those tired of arriving in port to find it crammed with giant ships and several thousand cruise passengers swarming all over town should consider cruising on a smaller ship with access to less crowded and more remote destinations.

Tall-ship sailing specialist Star Clippers sails itineraries that feature wonderfully off-the-beaten-track ports and anchorages, some so remote they are visited by no other ships, others accessible only to sailing ships like the company’s three graceful full-rigged tall ships.

Small ports in the Mediterranean

Ponza, Italy: Visited by wealthy Italian weekenders who have homes there but otherwise unspoiled and rarely touched by the larger cruise lines. There are plenty of authentic bars and restaurants in the pretty town. Featured on Royal Clipper’s Rome-Rome itineraries throughout Summer 2012.

Dalyan River, Turkey: An anchorage attracting only the smallest ships. Take a flat-bottomed boat ride along the river, which is lined by reed beds, to see spectacular Lycean tombs cut into the rocks above, while keeping an eye out for the turquoise flash of a kingfisher. The excursion here includes a stop at a natural outdoor thermal pool with therapeutic mud baths. Featured on Star Clipper’s Southern Cyclades itineraries this summer.

Hvar, Croatia: Famous among the yachting fraternity but not visited by many cruise ships, other than very small or very upmarket vessels. Hvar is one of the smartest marinas along the Croatian coast, with a great nightlife scene in summer. Stony beaches mean the water is crystal clear, with some wonderful swimming spots from tiny, pine-fringed beaches. Featured on Royal Clipper’s Venice-Rome itineraries.

Limnos, Greece: As sleepy as a Greek island as you could hope to get, with decent swimming and snorkelling and a laid-back town overlooked by an amazing ruined castle, with extensive battlements snaking over the mountaintop. Featured on Star Clipper’s Yachtsman’s Paradise itineraries on June 23 and August 18.

Monemvasia, Greece: A fortified medieval town clinging to a towering hunk of rock that’s linked to the mainland by a causeway. Cross the causeway and climb the path to the upper town, a maze of narrow, cobbled streets, and the fortress for amazing views. Featured on Star Clipper’s Northern Cylades itineraries this summer.

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

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P&O Cruises ‘Getaway’ Fares For Adonia

P&O Cruises is now offering ‘Getaway’ prices and inclusive flights on selected Adonia Mediterranean fly-cruises.

The ‘Fly Med Getaway’ promotion applies to cruises from 10-14 nights in duration that depart between October 29, 2011, and January 3, 2012. Prices are inclusive of flights and fuel supplement. Bookings must be made by in June or July.

Named last month by global singing star, Dame Shirley Basey, Adonia is exclusively for adults and carries just 710 passengers. On board there are eight bars, including P&O Cruises signature ‘Crow’s Nest’, a library, Oasis Spa and gym, classic dining room and two speciality restaurants: Sorrento Italian and Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White.

Sample Cruise:

D114. 3 -13 January 2012, seven nights.

Ports of call include Trieste, Venice, Koper, Hvar, Bari, Katakolon, Nauplia, Istanbul, Mytilene, Ephesus (from Kusadasi), Rhodes, Santorini, and Athens (from Piraeus).

‘Getaway’ fares from £1,452 (based on two adults sharing an inside cabin). This includes return flights, all accommodation, main meals and entertainment.

Bookings must be made by July 31, 2011. For more info, see www.pocruises.co.uk or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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