Royal Caribbean's 2013 Southampton Boost

Cruising from Southampton has become a great deal more fun with news that two activity-packed Royal Caribbean ships will set sail from the port during the summer of 2013 for the first time. Bringing more rock climbing, ice skating, surfing and great entertainment than ever before, both Independence of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas (above) will call the UK home from May 2013 until late October.

The 3,634-guest Independence has been based in Southampton since 2008 and continues to receive rave reviews from UK holidaymakers. The 3,114-guest Adventure of the Seas brings yet more cruise holiday options to the popular port.

Cruises go on sale tomorrow (March 20) and there are a host of early booking offers up for grabs, including free car parking in Southampton, free coach travel to UK departure ports, and low prices on regional flights to UK departure ports on all cruises booked of ten nights or more as part of the early booking deal.

Itinerary highlights with the new Adventure of the Seas UK-based season include:

Seven-night France and Spain cruise departing Southampton and calling at Vigo, Gijon and Bilbao in Spain, and Le Havre for Paris in France, available from £599 based on May 24, 2013, departure.

A 12-night Baltic cruise featuring destinations such as Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki and an overnight stay in St. Petersburg departing Southampton from just £999, based on a May 31, 2013, departure.

A 14-night Mediterranean Cities cruise departing Southampton on July 7 and October 13, 2013, with ports of call in Malaga, Cannes, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Cartegena, Lisbon and Vigo from £1,199.

When Adventure of the Seas arrives in Southampton on May 5, 2013, the ship will offer a series of seven, 12, 13, 14 and 16-night cruises. An early booking offer allowing savings of up to £500 per stateroom will apply to all Adventure cruises booked by May 31, 2012.

On May 2, 2013, Independence of the Seas will arrive in Southampton following a dry dock enhancement and will offer a series of new itineraries including more shorter voyages such as two-night cruises from Le Havre for Paris and three-night cruises to Le Havre for Paris and Zeebrugge for Bruges. Independence will also offer eight-night cruises to Norway, 14-night Norway and Cork cruises, various 14-night Mediterranean cruises, and 12-night Canary Islands cruises.

Further new destinations and cruises for Independence in 2013 include seven and eight-night cruises to various destinations in Norway, and a new call to Ibiza on a 14-night Spanish Mediterranean cruise.

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

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Short but sweet deals with Royal Caribbean

Join Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas (above) for a three-night Paris cruise-only from £299 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). This price includes a three-night cruise, departing Southampton and calling at Le Havre before returning to the south coast port; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on April 27 departure.

Or try a four-night cruise to that Irish gem, Cork (Cobh).

Head to the Emerald Isle this spring on Independence's four-night Cork, cruise-only from £400 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Price includes a four-night cruise departing Southampton and calling at Cork, before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price is based on April 30 departure.

For more information or to book, see http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Save up to £1,450 per person on a cruise to Prague

To celebrate the New Year, luxury boutique river-cruise line Uniworld is offering some fantastic discounts. Save up to £1,450 per person with the ‘Manager’s Discount’ on the Treasures of Prague cruise that goes along the Rhine and Main rivers, if booked by January 31. This is a wonderful opportunity to see some of the most beautiful parts of Central Europe, as well as the fabled city of Prague, the ‘City of Spires’.

There are also other remarkable discounts available, with cruises on the Imperial Waterways of Russia, the enchanting Danube, Portugal , Spain and the Douro river, Castles along the Rhine, Paris and Normandy and Burgundy and Provence. Book by January 31 and you can look to savef up to £900 with the Manager’s Special Discount and from £150 if made before March 31.

Remember that the Uniworld ships are some of the most luxurious sailing the rivers of Europe and have the only Zagat-rated restaurants on the waterways. Other points of distinction include private car door-to-door transfer service, flights from your choice of departure airport and luxuriously appointed riverview staterooms. An added attraction for single people is that many cruises are now available without having to pay a singles supplement.

Check out http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/ or contact the river-cruise specialists at The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Up to £900 off per couple on 2011 River Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Luxury river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways is offering savings of up to £900 per couple on selected European river cruises during 2011.

Those wanting to enjoy the delights of the River Danube can choose from the 11-day ‘Legendary Danube’ or 13-day ‘Blue Danube Discovery,’ both offering £900 off per couple. The shorter itinerary of the 4-day ‘A Taste of the Danube’ has been discounted by £400 per couple on select dates throughout April, May and November. Even further east is the 13-day ‘Blue Danube to the Black Sea’ on March 30 and April 9 departures, saving £900 per couple.

Discounted river cruises in France include the 11-day ‘Burgundy & Provence’ river cruise or the 8-day ‘Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches' with £750 per couple to be saved on both on select April and May departures. Longer itineraries on Europe’s waterways include the 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ and 13-day ‘European Splendour,’ both offering £900 off per couple.

For more information, visit http://www.avaloncruises.co.uk/ or check with the cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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L'Oreal Paris and Costa Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

L’Oréal Paris, the truly global beauty brand synonymous with innovation, glamour, the highest quality and affordable luxury, has opened its first flagship store on the Costa Pacifica, the largest of Costa Cruises' impressive fleet.

The L’Oréal Paris store on the Pacifica is an international cosmetic shopping experience devoted to total beauty care. The new outlet is designed to meet all passengers' beauty needs and includes skin care, hair care and colour, men’s grooming, sun care and – of course – cosmetics, with an exclusive make-up corner where matte finish, flawless foundation, personal colour palette and micro-pearls are among the star attractions.

There will also be a make-up artist on hand and a special relaxation area helping passengers to enjoy the experience fully.

The partnership is the result of the L’Oréal Paris brand’s determination to enter the world of cruising and join European brand Costa, whose ships have plied the seas of the world for more than 60 years and now feature a genuine worldwide range of travel and entertainment.

The Pacifica will be operating this coming winter on 11-day cruises to Egypt, Israel, Greece and Turkey. Facilities on board include the Samsara Spa (over 6,000m²), which has conveniently located Spa cabins with direct access and a dedicated restaurant; a state-of-the-art recording studio; a Grand Prix driving simulator; a stunning central lido extending over two decks and fitted with a sliding glass roof; and the fun PlayStation World.

Find out more at www.costacruises.co.uk.

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