A round-up of the cruise line January offers

The month of January is synonymous with sales and discounts, and the cruise industry is no different. Here is a round-up of the best cruise line offers.

Royal Caribbean is offering an all-inclusive drinks package on selected itineraries during 2015. They are also offering a buy-one-get-one-half-price offer on selected Caribbean itineraries whereby the rate for the second passenger is half that of the first. On top of this, they have reduced their deposit to £50 per person. These offers expire on 31 January.

Princess Cruises are celebrating their 50th anniversary with their Golden Deals offer. They too are offering a reduced deposit of £50 per person. They are also offering up to $50 per stateroom per day in on-board credit and up to 50% discount on third and fourth passengers sharing a cabin. These offers expire on 28 February.

Celebrity Cruises are running their 123Go! promotion. Book a concierge stateroom or above on selected 2015/16 itineraries and receive a free all-inclusive drinks package, free gratuities and up to $300 in on-board credit per cabin. Third and fourth guests booked into the same cabin will also receive a free soft drinks package and a 40 minute internet package  Book an ocean-view or balcony cabin on selected worldwide itineraries and choose from either the drinks package, free gratuities or on-board credit. Book an ocean-view or balcony cabin on selected European itineraries and choose two of these extras. These offers expire on 28 February and they require a specific promo code which can be found on their website.

Cunard Line is celebrating its 175th anniversary and is offering $500 per person in on-board credit on selected May to November 2015 sailings when you book the Cunard Fare. This offer expires on 28 February.

P&O Cruises are offering up to £1,580 per cabin in on-board credit on Select Price bookings to coincide with their ‘This is the Life’ promotion. This offer expires on 28 February.

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering up to $1,000 in on-board credit per stateroom in a short running offer. The amount offered depends on the duration of the cruise and the grade of cabin booked. This offer expires on 7 January.

MSC Cruises are offering up to £600 discount per cabin based on the brochure price together with free British Airways return flights from London on selected 2015 voyages. They are also offering a free drinks package on-board selected MSC Fantasia & MSC Magnifica sailings too. These offers expire on 5 March.

Carnival Cruise Line is running its “The Real Deal” promotion which offers up to two-category cabin upgrades and up to $100 in on-board credit per cabin based on the duration of the cruise on selected itineraries. These offers expire on 31 January.

Terms and conditions apply to all of these offers and these can be found on the respective cruise line websites. Offers may be subject to availability, apply to selected travel dates or itineraries and may not be combinable.

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Cruise Critic 2015 predictions

Cruise Critic, a TripAdvisor brand, has revealed its predictions for the cruise industry for the forthcoming year, both globally and for the UK market.

CC is expecting a rise in supplementary offers, particularly for dining, spa and educational experiences. While full-board cruise tickets will still remain the industry standard, a greater emphasis will likely be placed on passengers spending more money on optional extras to upgrade their cruise holiday experience.

Cruise Critic also predicts an increase in special offers on new bookings, with value-added extras like free parking, on-board credit and cabin upgrades likely to be offered in key promotions throughout the year.

On-board entertainment is likely to go from strength to strength with cruise lines trying to offer the very best possible, such as award-winning artist performances, Broadway and Cirque-style shows, and comedy options geared toward more mature audiences.

As more cruise lines try to attract an increasing number of tech-savvy millennials Cruise Critic look forward to faster and more reliable internet services to be offered on-board. Expect more cruise ship related smartphone apps too.

Solo travellers are being targeted by cruise lines too, which should lead to more solo-specific cabins being offered or other improvements to reduce or eliminate the “single supplement” according to Cruise Critic. Expect more cruise lines to offer specific cruise entertainment programming for solo travellers too.

In terms of the British cruise market, Cruise Critic UK forecasts more choice when it comes to sailing from the UK thanks to P&O Cruises’ Britannia, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess all being home-ported in Southampton for the summer season next year.

They are also predicting a strong emphasis being placed on celebrity chefs, with Royal Caribbean showcasing Jamie Oliver’s restaurant on-board Anthem of the Seas and P&O Cruises presenting Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochar, Olly Smith, Eric Lanlard and James Martin on-board Britannia.

Family Vacation Critic, another TripAdvisor brand, predicts more child-friendly programs on cruise ships. It believes more children’s facilities will be upgraded during the year, together with the strengthening of branded partnerships including Carnival Cruise Line and Dr. Seuss, Princess Cruises and Discovery Channel, Norwegian Cruise Line and Nickelodeon, MSC Cruises and LEGO, as well as Royal Caribbean and DreamWorks. Family Vacation Critic also believes family suites will become more prevalent and travel in general will become more family-friendly over the course of the year.

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Save up to £600 in MSC Cruises turn of year sale

MSC Cruises are offering customers the chance to save up to £600 per cabin in its turn-of-year sales campaign which started this week. The offer is applicable on selected summer sailings around the Mediterranean in 2015 and on selected winter 2015/2016 itineraries.

MSC Preziosa sailing in the Mediterranean

MSC Cruises are known for offering family-friendly cruises that represent exceptional value for money, particularly on fly-cruises. Whilst many sailings are available as cruise-only offers, some allow you to bundle in flights and transfers. These fly-cruises take the hassle out of finding suitable flights and separate transfers between the airport and port. You just pay one price and MSC Cruises sort out all the paperwork.

Furthermore, unlike some other cruise lines who use budget carriers for their fly-cruise offers , MSC Cruises offer return flights from London Gatwick airport flying with British Airways. If you live too far away from Gatwick then MSC Cruises is offering the option of regional flights to Gatwick plus overnight airport hotel stay, or the chance to add car parking and a one-night hotel stay via a new partnership with A2B Transfers. Additional fees apply, and this service is subject to availability.

Discounts apply to selected summer 2015 fly-cruises on six ships. Choose MSC Magnifica and MSC Musica for Eastern Mediterranean itineraries or MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia and MSC Armonia for Western Mediterranean itineraries. All applicable cruises depart from either the romantic city of Venice or the historic port of Genoa.

Summer sale rates start from just £549 per person based on a seven-night MSC Fantasia sailing in April 2015. This offers a discount of £300 per person from the brochure prices. If you would prefer a cabin with a view then upgrades to balcony cabins are available on all seven-night sailings for just £200 per person. Cabin availability and cruise fares are subject to availability.

Promotional fares are also available for a wide range of winter 2015/2016 itineraries sailing in the Mediterranean, The Canary Islands, the Emirates and the Caribbean.

Giles Hawke, executive director UK & Ireland for MSC Cruises, said: “These great offers are sure to be really popular so holidaymakers should get in quickly to ensure they get the sailing and cabin they want."

(Photo credit to  MSC Crociere)

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Christmas Turkey deal from MSC Cruises

Christmas treat:

Why worry about serving up the perfect festive turkey, when you could visit it instead? Relax this Christmas with an 11-night eastern Med sailing aboard MSC Fantasia. Departing 16 December from Genoa, the ship visits Katakolon, Heraklion, Rhodes, Izmir, Piraeus, Valletta, Messina, Civitavecchia  and Genoa. Prices start at £969 per person, including return flights from London with British Airways and transfers.

Caribbean: 

A  two-week trip around the Caribbean aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina – and grab a free upgrade to a balcony cabin. Operating out of Miami, the 14-night Caribbean itinerary departing 13 December calls at Philipsburg, San Juan, Great Stirrup Cay, Miami, Falmouth, George Town, Cozumel, Great Stirrup Cay, and Miami. With free upgrade a balcony cabin, prices starts at £1,289 per person including return flights to Miami with British Airways from London and transfers.

Prices are based on two sharing unless stated. Remember that kids cruise free with MSC Cruises (paying only flights and port taxes).

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Beat the January blues with a Virgin cruise

Seven-night Dubai and the Emirates cruise on MSC Orchestra from £859pp

Virgin Holidays Cruises offers a seven night  Emirates on MSC Orchestra from Dubai calling at Abu Dhabi, Khor Al Fakkan, Muscat and Khasab. Price is per person based on two adults travelling, sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow and transfers. Based on 2 January departure.

14-night Orlando stay and Caribbean cruise on Carnival Sunshine from £899pp

Virgin Holidays Cruises offers seven nights at the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando on a room only basis, before joining Carnival Sunshine for seven nights from Port Canaveral, calling at Cozumel, Mahogany Bay and Costa Maya. Price is per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick and car hire.  Based on 24 January departure.

13-night New York stay and Eastern Caribbean cruise on Quantum of the Seas from £1,699pp

Virgin Holidays Cruises offers three nights at the Hotel Beacon in New York on a room-only basis, before joining Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, for 10 nights from Cape Liberty, calling at San Juan, Charlotte Amalie, Bassetterre and Philipsburg. Price is per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow (including free Little Red connections) and transfers.  Based on 20 January departure on.

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Sail to the sales with MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is giving travellers the chance to grab a bargain with a series of shopping-themed January sales sailings.  Guests cruising aboard MSC Splendida will have the opportunity to save  on the latest in clothes and homeware by enjoying a FREE excursion to one of two top European outlet villages.

The specially-created day trips have been added free of charge to three seven-night Western Mediterranean sailings aboard MSC Splendida in the first month of 2015. The excursions combine the best sightseeing opportunities with an extended stay in either the Serravalle Discount Village outside Genoa or La Roca Village, north of Barcelona.

The free excursions are available to guests booking a ‘Fantastica’ onboard experience or above on MSC Splendida’s Western Med itineraries departing Genoa on 11, 18 and 25 January 2015 (guests can join in Barcelona for seven-night sailings departing 9, 16 and 23  January). The cruise departs Genoa and calls at Civitavecchia; Palermo; Tunis; Barcelona; Marseille and Genoa.

The ‘Fantastica’ experience gives guests extra privileges, including the opportunity to choose your cabin, 24-room service with free delivery, in-cabin breakfast and choice of dining time.

Prices start at £329 per person cruise-only, based on a  9 January 2015 departure from Barcelona with ‘Fantastica’ onboard experience. Fly-cruise packages from Genoa start at £529 based on January 18 2015 departure, including return flights from London with British Airways and transfers.

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Winter offers from MSC Cruises

                      

Experience the Canary Islands this winter.  MSC Armonia (Above) departs Las Palmas, Gran Canaria on a seven-night sailing calling at Puerto Del Rosario, Fuerteventura; Funchal, Madeira; Santa Cruz, La Palma; Santa Cruz, Tenerife and Las Palmas. Prices for an outside cabin (free upgrade from inside) start at just £549 per person, including return British Airways flights to Gran Canaria from Gatwick and all transfers.

MSC Orchestra heads to Dubai for the first time this winter on a seven-night cruise of the UAE. Departing  3 January 2015, the sailing calls at Abu Dhabi; Khor Al Fakkan, Sharjah; Muscat, Oman; Khasab, Oman; and Dubai. Prices start at £899 per person, including return flights from London, Manchester or Glasgow and ‘Fantastica’ onboard experience (i.e. priority dining, free room service and breakfast in cabin).

Remember, kids cruise free with MSC Cruises (paying only flights and port taxes).

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Latest deals from MSC Cruises

Here's a selection of the latest cruise deals available from MSC Cruises

Canary Islands: A seven-night sailing around the Canary Islands. Fresh from a £40 million refit and lengthening, MSC Armonia offers a series of sailings from Las Palmas, rom November. 6 December departure calls at Puerto Del Rosario, Fuerteventura; Funchal, Madeira; Santa Cruz, La Palma; Santa Cruz, Tenerife and Las Palmas. Prices start at just £629 per person, including return British Airways flights from Gatwick, transfers, free Cheers drinks package (all beer, wine and soft drinks at meal times included) plus upgrade to Fantastica onboard experience.

Caribbean:  A 14-night Caribbean cruises aboard MSC Divina start at just £1,189 per person – or less than £85 per day. Starting from Miami, the voyage call at Falmouth, Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas and Miami, before heading off to Philipsburg, St Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Great Stirrup Cay. Price based on 24 January 2015 departure and includes return British Airways flights from London and free Cheers drinks package (all beer, wine and soft drinks at meal times included).

Grand Voyages: MSC Cruises has dropped single supplements on its Grand Voyage from Southampton to Cape Town aboard MSC Opera (above), departing 7 October. Solo travellers can now book a double cabin for no extra charge on the 21-sailing to South Africa. The cruise calls at Ijmuiden, The Netherlands; Le Havre, France; Bilbao, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Funchal; Portugal; Mindelo, cape Verde; Walvis Bay, Namibia; and Cape Town. Prices start at £799 per person, including flight back to the UK from South Africa.

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Latest pictures of planned MSC Cruises new builds for 2017 and 2019

Here are the latest advance images of two MSC ships being designed for construction at the STX yard in France. The vessels, due to be dlivered in 2017 and 2019, will each have 2,550 guest cabins – accommodating up to 5,700 passengers at maximum capacity – and  a further 820 cabins for 1,536 members of crew. The ships, as yet un-named, will have 12 restaurants, three venues for evening entertainment, and an extended Yacht Club for suite guests. The ships will measure about 167,600 gross tons, be 315 m long, and 43 m wide, they will be just larger than, for example, Norwegian Epic.

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Bilbao Eyes Major Growth

We like to be on the ball here at World of Cruising, and our recent Three Of A Kind feature in our Jan/Feb edition highlighted the growing cruise influence of three Spanish ports on the Costa Verde, A Coruna, Bilbao and Santander.

Hot on the heels of our great feature by ports expert Susan Parker comes news from the Port of Bilbao that they are forecasting a 25% increase in cruise visitation this year at the same time as they are inaugurating a splendid new cruise berth.

 

The new quay for this spring (artist's rendering, above) will be 354 metres long with a 12m draft and will be built alongside the existing quay at a cost of €13.8m. On completion, the port will be able to accommodate an impressive 1,000m of berthing space for cruise ships

Based in the suburb of Getxo, the berths are located within walking distance of the city’s smart marina and just 1km from the nearest of Bilbao's many EU Blue Flag beaches.

MSC Cruises, Iberocruceros and Pullmantur are all continuing to use Bilbao as a turnaround port this year while Celebrity Cruises will be a first-time visitor as its Celebrity Constellation makes seven overnight calls in the course of the season.

In 2013, some 44 ships and 57,000 cruise tourists visited the Basque Country last year, with the bulk of passengers hailing from the UK (33%), Spain (20%), the US (19%) and Germany (5%).  

 

Bilbao city centre - which boasts the stunning Guggenheim Museum - is a 20-minute drive away, as is the International Airport. 

 

Shuttle buses are usually provided for trips to the beach and the nearby Vizcaya Transporter Bridge, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

 

More info: visit www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/en/port/cruises/index.jsp.

 

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Oman Set For Cruise Boost

Now that it has dedicated its Sultan Qaboos port in Muscat exclusively to cruise ships only, Oman is expected to become one of the most popular ports in the Middle East.

 

In 2013, Muscat, the port of Oman, had 13 cruise ships calls with 13,000 passengers; this year, it is expected to get a whopping 120-plus calls, with up to 250,000 passengers - a massive 1900 per cent increase.

 

Martin Tanner, marketing manager at Jetline Cruise, explained: “The biggest draw to the area has always been the allure of Dubai, with Oman being a bonus secondary port of call to visit. Now that the port in Muscat has been designated exclusively for cruise ships and, with the 2022 World Cup being held in Qatar, interest in the area is set to boom.

 

“Currently there are only a small number of cruise ships which visit Oman. However, now is the time to visit the country to experience the heritage and culture where unspoilt beaches and romantic sunset camel safaris in the desert makes a unique and memorable winter holiday.”

 

Jetline are currently featuring Oman, with a tempting fly-cruise from London to Dubai on March 20, including a stay for two nights room only in a 5-star hotel before embarking MSC Cruises' Lirica for a six-night Middle Eastern cruise to Abu Dhabi, Khor Al Fakkan and Muscat. This package costs from £999 per person based on two adults sharing accommodation and includes return flights, accommodation and full board cruise.

 

More info: visit www.jetlinecruise.com or call 0800 082 2186.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

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MSC To Increase UK Med Cruise Offers

MSC Cruises has announced a big increase in its Mediterranean fly-cruise capacity for the UK market in 2015 as part of its focus on its Mediterranean heritage next year.

However, the big Italian line will not operate any ex-UK sailings for a year from "early 2015," although it insists it WILL return to the UK after next year.

MSC Opera (above), which is currently sailing out of Southampton, will be out of action for part of summer 2015 as part of the company's two-year 'Renaissance Programme' to refurbish its Lirica-class ships in dry dock for 38 weeks.

The cruise line has already announced its redevelopment of MSC Armonia, Sinfonia, Opera and Lirica as part of its new Med voyage focus in 2015. And Giles Hawke, managing director for UK and Ireland, explained: "As market leader for Mediterranean cruises it is important that we work to reinforce this position by increasing our fly-cruise capacity, along with improving our ships to include more balcony cabins, more on board entertainment and additional technological advancements.

"We are considering various charter options and working with our air partners to come up with the best approach to keep up with the current customer demand for fly-cruises direct to the Mediterranean. We will also be introducing tools supporting travel agents in order to make the fly-cruise booking process easier than ever."

MSC Opera will be cruising from Southampton in 2014 on a selection of mini cruises, Baltic cruises, Fjord cruises and the 'Continental Discovery' cruise, while MSC Magnifica also starts a short programme of 7-night cruises in the autumn from Southampton, featuring an overnight stay in Amsterdam plus visits to Belgium, France and Hamburg.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

 

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Jetline's Boost For Valentine's Singles

If you're single and ready to mingle, Jetline Cruise just might have a holiday idea for you.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, Jetline believe there’s no need for ayone to be sitting home alone, hence they have drawn up an array of intriguing cruise options. But, they say, if you’re single, you had better be ready to mingle!

Solo cruising has grown in popularity over recent years as more lines cater for single passengers, so his represents an opportunity to do something unusual this February, with Jetline's Valentine’s Day Getaways for One.

10-Night Canaries & Madeira Cruise from £539

Fly to Barcelona on February 10 to embark on the Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Spirit for a romantic Canary Islands cruise. This package costs from £539 based on single occupancy in an inside cabin and includes flights and full board.

Cruise itinerary: Barcelona – at sea – Casablanca – at sea – Funchal – Arrecife – at sea – Malaga – at sea – Barcelona.

14-Night Tenerife All-Inclusive Stay & Cruise from £1,399

Fly to Tenerife on February 21 and transfer to the 4-star Playa Real Resort for a seven-night all-inclusive stay. Then embark on the MSC Cruises Armonia for a seven-night cruise around the Canary Islands. This package costs from £1,399 based on single occupancy in an inside cabin and includes flights, all-inclusive hotel stay and full board cruise.

Cruise itinerary: Playa Real Resort, Tenerife (7 nights) – at sea – Las Palmas – La Gomera – at sea – Funchal, Madeira (2 nights) – Tenerife.

More info: visit www.jetlinecruise.com or call 0800 082 2186.

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Grab An MSC Med Bargain Break

Those looking to banish the January blues might well be tempted by the latest offer to hit the World of Cruising inbox, which offers an immediate cure for our miserable winter.

MSC Cruises are featuring a holiday on board their splendid MSC Splendida, cruising the Mediterranean from only £399 per person, with a free upgrade from an inside to a balcony cabin.

This offer is available on selected Med winter sailings, departing from Genoa, from now until February 15.

On board, guests will be treated to the stylish surrounds synonymous with the MSC fleet. The ship boasts a variety of restaurants, sports facilities (including a fully fitted gym and squash courts) and the award-winning Aurea spa, as well as an exclusive solarium to soak up some winter sun.

MSC Splendida also hosts the luxurious MSC Yacht Club. A ship within a ship, the Yacht Club offers luxury and privacy, with exclusive services including 24-hour Butler service, a Sun Deck Complex only for Yacht Club guests and luxurious designer suites.

Ports of call on the cruise include Marseille, Barcelona, La Goulette, Palermo and Civitavecchia (for Rome), with a variety of interesting excursions on offer. From the bustling Provencal markets of Marseille to the vibrant sights and sounds of Barcelona, there is something to suit every taste.

Book a cruise now to enjoy this exclusive late availability offer.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk.

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MSC's New Grand Voyage

Asia and the Middle East are increasingly fertile cruise areas in the winter months, and we have just been alerted to another new option in this region from MSC Cruises.

Taking their MSC Orchestra, MSC will be operating a special Grand Voyage in 2015, setting sail from the dazzling deserts of the United Arab Emirates and visiting the iconic sites of south-east Asia before reaching and exploring the enchanting coastlines of Australia. The once-in-a-lifetime 33-night Grand Voyage sets out from from Dubai on February 22 next year and arrives in Perth on 26 March 2015.

During the first part of her journey, Orchestra will call into Mumbai and Cochin, before arriving in Colombo, the gateway to Sri Lanka. She will then visit Phuket, Thailand's most popular and glamorous beach destination, followed by a stop in Langkawi, a true Malaysian tropical gem. Singapore’s skyline will be the ship’s next destination, where she will stay overnight, allowing guests to soak up the charms of this city-state where history and modernity walk hand in hand. Lush Benoa, in Bali, will be the ship’s last stop in Asia, offering travellers the chance to enjoy breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, enchanting temples and white sandy beaches.

Orchestra will continue her journey stopping in Cairns, in Australia’s tropical north, a city renowned for its easy access to the wilderness, romantic Port Douglas and its laid back ambience. The second port of call ‘Down Under’ will be Brisbane, with its vibrant atmosphere and excellent shopping scene. An overnight stay in Sydney will enchant travellers with stunning views of the world-renowned Opera House and the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. MSC Orchestra will then complete its route to Perth via the state capital of Victoria, Melbourne, and Adelaide, recently named one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit, where travellers can sample some of the world’s finest wines on a wine-tasting tour.

It all adds up to a truly amazing one-off voyage and is sure to have great appeal for those who appreciate these more exotic voyages.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk/uk_en/MSC/MSC-Orchestra-Grand-Voyages-2015.aspx.

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MSC’s Canaries Winter Warmer

We are very aware how miserable the UK's weather has been recently, hence when we see news of a great deal on a winter sunshine cruise, we are very keen to pass it on!

And MSC Cruises might have just the idea this winter, with the choice of two well-priced cruise itineraries from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on board MSC Armonia  with the opportunity to relax from the word go and explore the various ports of call by pre-booking MSC's shore excursions.

With calls in Santa Cruz de La Palma, San Sebastian, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and an overnight stay in Funchal, Armonia's first itinerary from Las Palmas is a perfect way to explore the breath-taking landscapes of the Canary and Madeira Islands. Her second itinerary not only takes in all of the natural beauty of the Canary Islands, but also visits two much-loved destinations in magical Morocco, with a full day in Casablanca plus a call in Agadir.

Cruise prices start from just £549 per person, including flights, for a seven-night cruise departing from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, via Funchal, on January 30. A seven-night cruise via Casablanca and Agadir starts from £599 per person, including flights, from February 21. Flights are available from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow. Excursions start from £28 for adults and are designed to make each cruise an even more exciting and memorable experience.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk.

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‘You Deserve The Best’ With MSC

'Tis the season of goodwill here at World of Cruising and MSC Cruises is joining in the festive spirit by launching an exclusive ‘You Deserve The Best’ offer. Guests booking a cruise by February 28 will receive a complimentary upgrade from an inside to a balcony cabin. 

Prices for an inside cabin start from just £499 per person, or from £699 per person including flights, and it is the ideal opportunity to discover the delights of their 12-ship fleet, with a choice of tempting itineraries around the world. From the vibrant ports of the Mediterranean and the blue lagoons of the Caribbean (above) to the winter sun of the  Canaries, there is something to suit every cruiser.

 

Guests wanting to taste ‘luxury for less’ are able to upgrade to a luxurious suite at an additional cost of only £300 per person, whilst those wishing to enjoy the MSC Yacht Club are able to upgrade at an additional cost of £500 per person. The MSC Yacht Club comes complete with round-the-clock butler service and offers privacy and personal service combined with an outstanding array of leisure facilities.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk. 

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this month ONLY - 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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Colombia Reels In Thomson

By Editor Simon Veness

The tourism board of Colombia has joined the growing band of Caribbean cruise organisations to stage a big push for more ship visits, with the announcement of a return to the country by Thomson Cruises.

Following the recent promotion of the port of Santo Domingo by the tourism ministry of the Dominican Republic (see our recent blog on this link), Colombia is now firmly in the spotlight for a cruise boost in 2014 and beyond.

Proexport Colombia - the country's tourism agency - and Thomson Holidays got together in London this week to reveal that, after a three-year hiatus, the Thomson Dream will start calls in Cartagena once more, adding still further to the country's cruise business revival.

The 1,506-passenger ship will sail from Montego Bay, Jamaica, on regular seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean from January-March 2015, with a full itinerary to Panama and Costa Rica as well as Cartagena. 

President of Proexport Colombia, Maria Claudia Lacouture, explained: "According to estimates by Thomson Cruises, 99% of passengers will come from Europe. This is a market that we have been exploring for the promotion of the cruises sector and on which we will place special emphasis in 2014 to increase the number of international travelers to the country."

Historic Cartagena is one of the Caribbean's oldest cities, and visitors will be able to experience the cobblestone streets; follow in the footsteps of Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Gabriel Garcia Marquez; or just enjoy the great variety of local restaurants and cafes.

During the 2012/13 season, 275,662 cruise passengers arrived at Colombian ports, representing an increase of 5.9% over 2011/12, and other recent developments include the announcement of MSC Cruises bringing its new mega-ship MSC Divina to the Cartagena in 2014. In addition, Spanish line Pullmantur expanded its ship capacity in Colombia with the Monarch, which arrived for the first time earlier this year.

More info: visit www.colombia.travel/en/; for Thomson Cruises, call 0871 231 4691 or visit www.thomson.co.uk/cruise.html.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this month ONLY - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our 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.