The Andes & Caribbean With Swan Hellenic

               

Destination specialists Swan Hellenic are offering a fabulous chance to explore the Caribbean AND the Andean mountains in one extended voyage in the New Year.

Swan's "Discover the Wonders of the Andes & Atacama" 25-day cruise departs on January 5, taking passengers through the Caribbean and along the Panama Canal to explore the highlights of Ecuador, Peru and Chile. 

Along the way, guests will get to admire the best Pre Columbian and Incan gold and pottery artefacts in Lima’s fine museums; discover the Santa Catalina Convent in the Peruvian ‘White City’ of Arequipa; and savour the fine wines of Chile’s Casablanca Valley. New Saver Fares start from £3,685 per person for an inside cabin and £4,735 for an outside cabin. With limited availability, early booker can now take advantage of fantastic savings of up to £1,015 per person.

Alternatively, the "Caribbean to the Canaries" journey is a 17-day cruise departing on March 29. Passengers will be able to step back in time to explore an historic Plantation House in Barbados; admire the natural beauty of the towering Pitons on the lush, volcanic island of St Lucia; and explore the undiscovered Iles des Saintes. The final port of call on this fascinating itinerary is the volcanic island of Tenerife, where the lava fields of Mount Teide await discovery. As part of an Autumn Sale, prices for this cruise start from £1,734 per person for an inside cabin and £2,256 for an outside cabin if booked by November 11.

Prices for both cruises include return flights to/from the UK, gratuities onboard and ashore, all relevant overseas transfers, meals, a comprehensive series of Guest Speaker talks and selected shore excursions. 

 

More info: visit www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844 488 1048.

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 the free prize draw offer. See this link!

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.

Big Savings With gAdventures On Amazon

Expedition cruise specialists gAdventures have a fabulous discount on offer for their grand Amazon River cruise this July and August, with savings of 50 per cent off the regular price off this unique voyage in Peru.

The full details are as follows:

Amazon Riverboat Adventure

Was £1,549pp - now £775pp for a nine-day trip from Lima to Lima, departing July 20, 27 and August 3. It includes return flights from Lima to Iquitos, six nights aboard the Queen Violet Amazon riverboat with meals, two nights in comfort hotels with breakfast, arrival transfer, canopy walkway excursion in Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, and launches and land excursions with G Adventures’ expert naturalist team.

Highlights: G Adventures’ Amazon River cruises take guests on a trip that explores both the cultural and natural sides of this remote part of the world. The spacious Queen Violet has large open deck spaces where briefings with top naturalists take place during voyages. Each journey along the Amazon includes visits to local villages, where travellers learn about local life from schooling to handicrafts, and spend some time with a local family.

Flights are available to be purchased separately and are priced from £1,042pp flying Air Europa from London Gatwick to Lima return. 

For more info, visit http://www.gadventures.com/; for more adventure-cruise ideas, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury adventure-cruise specialists.

Have you got your copy of the new Summer edition of World of Cruising magazine yet? You can subscribe on this link.

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.

G Adventures Launches New Amazon Riverboat

Expedition specialists G Adventures is increasing its capacity on the Amazon River by more than 30% with the launch of a newly refurbished, purpose-built vessel for 2013, which started sailing this month.

Carrying 32 passengers, the comfort-level Queen Violet has 16 cabins that are all outside facing and designed for viewing the wildlife, communities and villages along the river as guests cruise through the rainforest.

G Adventures’ Amazon River cruises take guests on a trip that explores both the cultural and natural sides of this remote part of the world. The spacious Queen Violet has large open deck spaces where briefings with top naturalists take place during voyages.

Each journey includes visits to local villages where travellers learn about local life from schooling to handicrafts, and spend some time with a local family. Swimming in the river is also a not-to-be-missed experience in the Amazon.

The new Amazon Riverboat sails the following itinerary:
 

A nine-day trip from Lima return is priced from £1,162pp, for departures until January 2014. It includes return flights from Lima to Iquitos, six nights aboard the Queen Violet with all meals, two nights in comfort hotels with breakfast, arrival transfer, canopy walkway excursion in Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, and launches and land excursions with G Adventures’ expert naturalist team.

For more info, visit www.gadventures.co.uk.

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.

Free Flight Incentive For Galapagos With G Adventures

G Adventures has announced it will cover one-way flight costs between Lima and Quito for any of its travellers combining an itinerary in Peru with a trip to the Galapagos archipelago in 2013. The offer is valid for all trips departing in 2013 and gives travellers a great opportunity to get the most out of their South American experience, while saving money at the same time. 

The company runs a number of tours in both Peru and in the Galapagos Islands, and by offering a free flight between the two, travellers can see both of these amazing destinations in one hit without breaking the bank. 

One-way tickets are available between Lima and Quito (in Ecuador) for up to 30 days between the two tour dates, allowing travellers the flexibility to spend a few extra days seeing the highlights of the area either at the end or start of either of their trips. 

For more details, see www.Gadventures.com or contact the adventure-cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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.

Luxury On The Nile And Amazon

After 15 years of part-closure, the Egyptian Government has announced that they are opening up the great Nile from Cairo to Aswan. This iconic 600-mile journey was one of Bales Worldwide’s most popular holidays prior to closure and the company is thrilled to announce plans recommencing this luxury voyage again, aboard its exclusive Dahabiyya sailboats, from this October. 

Some of only a handful of boats allowed to make this timeless journey, Dahabiyyas are fully inclusive and cater for just 12 passengers. Each sailing is accompanied by an Egyptologist, making it the ultimate way to discover Egypt’s rich cultural heritage whilst passing through the breathtaking views, dreamy vistas and riverside towns.

During the journey, guests can explore the lesser known sites of Middle Egypt, such as the rock-cut tombs of Beni Hasan, Tell el-Amarna and Abydos, a must for those who are fascinated by the history of Egypt. However, the greatest highlight of all may just be rediscovering the River Nile aboard one of Bales’ luxurious and traditional sailboats.

Bales has been arranging luxury tours to Egypt for over 50 years and will start these unique and exciting cruises in the cooler months of autumn after the new 600-mile itineraries have been finalised and to celebrate the company’s 65^th Anniversary.

Or try a luxury Amazon cruise from £3,595pp:

Bales Worldwide are also offering a nine-day Amazon experience, including a four-night cruise on the M/V Aria of Aqua Expeditions and three nights in Lima. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing on a mixed board basis. Price includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on select departure dates from July to December 2012. 

For more information, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise experts.

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.

Crystal's South American Bonanza

First-time visits to the Chilean Fjords and Puerto Chacabuco, plus nearly 100 Crystal Adventures on shore, highlight Crystal Cruises' new itinerary around the tip of South America on Crystal Serenity next winter. 

Sailing from Lima to Buenos Aires for the first time on February 2, 2013, the Crystal World Cruise segment takes guests on an immersive 24-night journey to some of the most awe-inspiring and culturally exciting sites in the Southern Hemisphere, including the breathtaking Seno Eyre Fjords, the dramatic landscapes and wildlife of Patagonia, the sprawling hillsides of Valparaíso (or “Paradise Valley”) and even the birthplace of the tango.

The many adventures include: 

• A rare visit to Earth’s last great wilderness, Antarctica, with a guided trek on King George Island and zodiac ride to view penguins in their natural habitat.
• Flying over the mysterious Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyph figures in the desert floor that can only be seen from above.
• An overnight option to Perito Moreno Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Various expeditions offer: 

• Exploration of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego by horseback.
• Hiking to the mouth of the magnificent Iguazú Falls.
• Kayaking through the Strait of Magellan.
• Pitching in at a working Uruguayan ranch.

The cultural and culinary experiences range from: 

• Exploring vineyards and tasting wines to visiting beachfront communities of the “jet set.”
• Perusing local markets and taking cooking lessons with local cuisine experts to browsing the art and homes of renowned Latin American artists such as poet Pablo Neruda.
• Tracing the footsteps of Argentina’s famed “Evita” and dancing the night away at a Buenos Aires nightclub.

As part of Crystal’s 2013 World Cruise, the voyage features expanded enrichment programming and courses in wellness, language and music. The line’s exclusive Ocean Views series will present expert lecturers discussing the day’s hot topics.

Until June 30, all-inclusive Book Now fares for the “Southern Fjord Exploration” start at £10,071 per person fly/cruise and can be combined with other World Cruise segments for greater savings. Crystal’s 2013 complete 74-night Grand South American Exploration sails round-trip from Miami starting January 16 with a Book Now starting price of £19,197 per person fly/cruise.

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

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.

Crystal's Charity Cruising Assistance

Recognising that even one day of assistance can make a difference, Crystal Cruises has introduced a complimentary, participatory shore excursion programme that enables its guests and crew to assist with charitable projects in destinations they visit during their cruise. Beginning this year, the line’s “You Care, We Care” initiative is designed to assist local projects and educate participants on local community needs, as well as enhance travellers’ personal growth and their intimate connection with a destination.

On every 2011 itinerary, Crystal has planned one “You Care, We Care” Crystal Adventure in which a limited number of guests and crew can donate their time, with Crystal covering all logistical arrangements and costs.

'Voluntourism' experiences to date with Crystal Symphony and Serenity voyages include:

Lima, Peru – brightening the environment of the children at the ANQUIEM Burn rehabilitation centre with arts & crafts.

Cartagena, Colombia – creating crafts with the elderly, playing soccer with the children or urban farming with an emphasis on organic agriculture at the Granitos de Paz Foundation.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – assisting the PEACE organization in beach and neighbourhood cleanup, and perhaps helping in light construction at a local green space.

The complete schedule of excursions and projects is in development and availability will be limited.

For more info, call 020 7287 9040 or visit http://www.crystalcruises.co.uk/

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.