Cunard offer drinks on the house for selected December and January cruises

Passengers who book a selected Cunard pre-Christmas or post-New Year cruise on board Queen Mary 2 or Queen Elizabeth will be able to enjoy inclusive drinks throughout their time on board up to a value of $9 per drink ($12 per drink for Grills Suites passengers) as they explore our exquisite bars and lounges while celebrating the festive season in style.

This exclusive offer is available on the following cruises:
Experience the Big Apple on a seven day Transatlantic Crossing on board Queen Mary 2, departing Southampton on 15 December, and take in some last minute shopping before flying back to the UK. Balcony Stateroom Cunard Fares (including flights) are from £1,499 per person.

Alternatively treat yourself to a New Year’s break by flying to New York and sailing home to Southampton on board Queen Mary 2 on 3 January. Balcony Stateroom Cunard Fares (including flights) are from £1,479 per person.

Or see in the New Year in style on board Queen Elizabeth during an elegant four night cruise from Southampton to Hamburg on 6 January. Balcony stateroom Cunard Fares are from £569 per person.

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Learn to sail with Celebrity Eclipse godmother and raise money for breast cancer research

Holidaymakers can take to the seas with Celebrity Cruises and learn to sail with ocean yachtswoman, Emma Pontin. The Royal Yachting Association Essential Navigation and Seamanship course will be offered as part of Celebrity Eclipse’s eight-night transatlantic sailing from Southampton to Miami, Florida departing on 9 November 2014.

                                                                                                          

Emma, who was godmother at Eclipse's christening in 2010, will teach three two-hour sailing courses each day. Ideal for those who are new to boating as well as being useful for experienced dinghy and keelboat sailors and inshore racers, this course aims to improve guests’ safety, navigation and understanding on the water. All guests that complete the course will be RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship certified.

The 15-night Broadway and Beaches cruise departs from Southampton on 9 November and features overnight stays in New York, Kings Wharf and Port Canaveral, before arriving into Miami. The 15-night fly/cruise costs from £1,200 per person (based on two sharing an interior stateroom), the course costs £95 per person with 100 per cent of the profits being donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. The courses can be pre-booked or booked onboard.

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Sting brings his Broadway hit musical The Last Ship to the stage on Queen Mary 2

Englishmen in New York: Sting on board QM2 with Capt Kevin Oprey

Superstar Sting took his new musical to Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2 this week. Two days after The Last Ship premiered on Broadway, he performed a selection of numbers on the stage of the ship’s Royal Court Theatre.

In April next year the show will be performed at the Sage in Gateshead to benefit the venue’s 10^th birthday appeal. Sting will be joined by a selection of the north-east’s finest traditional musicians, including Northumbrian pipe player Kathryn Tickell, and the Wilson Family from Billingham.

Sting wrote The Last Ship around his memories of growing up in the shadow of a shipyard on the Tyne. He said: "Cunard is one of the most famous names in shipping and a lot of very notable ships were built on Tyneside – Mauretania and Carpathia, to name but two.  There’s a great lineage. 

"I was born and raised in Wallsend in the shadow of the Swan Hunter shipyard.  My earliest memories are of ships being built and launched into the river.  You couldn’t escape Swan Hunter – there was a coal mine at one end of town and Swan Hunter at the other, so these ships loomed over our houses.

"With The Last Ship, I thought I would try and honour the community that I came from.  Because everyone around me worked in the Swan Hunter shipyard.  My grandfather worked in the shipyard.  All his brothers worked in the shipyard.  My family has had things to do with the sea for many years.” 

He added: “Cunard are backing the concert that we are doing with the Sage in Gateshead.  It’s a benefit for the Sage.  It’s only right and fitting to take this story back in some form to the people who inspired it, so I’m really happy to do that.” 

The Last Ship opened to rave reviews. One critic described it as “a wonderful, ebullient surprise full of heart and soul that lights up the New York theatre season like fresh fireworks.”

Sting’s QM2 show, in front of a specially-invited audience, also included old favourites such as Message In A Bottle, and – appropriately enough – An Englishman in New York.

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Cross the Atlantic on Anthem of the Seas for £799

Quantum of the Seas arrives in the UK today for the first – and possibly only – time, ready for a weekend being shown off to and being tested by some of the world’s media and travel trade partners.

Sister ship Anthem of the Seas (above) comes to Southampton in April 2015, and there are already deals on offer for her Transatlantic crossing to New York departing on 27 October.

Fares start at £799 pp for the nine-night cruise (including return flight to the UK) and an additional £299 secures a two-night stay in New York. The lead-in fare is for an inside cabin complete with virtual balcony – a wall-sized screen showing the view outside in real time. Outside cabins start at £899 pp and balconies are from £999.

Some of the other itineraries Anthem will be sailing during summer 2015 include a three-night cruise to Bruges and Le Havre departing 30 April from  £499 pp (ocean view) or £549 (balcony). An eight-night cruise to France and Spain, visiting Vigo, Gijon, Bilbao and Le Havre, departing 22 April, starts at £999 pp. A 13-night cruise to Vigo, Funchal, Lanzarote, Las Palmas and Tenerife, departing 15 September, from £1,699 (ocean view) and £1,899 (balcony).

The Quantum-class vessels are among the most technologically advanced cruise ships in the world, with first-of-a-kind features including dodgem cars, the NorthStar observation pod, a RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, and robotic bartenders. The ships have also banished traditional main dining rooms and feature so-called Dynamic Dining in a number of themed restaurants.

That 27 October departure could be the last time we see Anthem in the UK - at present there are no plans for the ship to return to Europe. Details from Iglu Cruise  0208 544 6620.

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Cunard adds itineraries for 175th anniversary year

As Cunard prepares to celebrate its 175^th anniversary in style next year, three new cruises on board its flagship liner, Queen Mary 2 (above) have been announced for November 2015.   Two seven day Transatlantic crossings and a brand new 13-night Caribbean itinerary are now available.  

New sailings:

5-12 November 2015 Transatlantic  – this seven night transatlantic crossing with Queen Mary 2 departs Southampton on 5 November and sails into New York one week later. Prices start from £1,129pp including transfers and the return flight to the UK.

12-25 November 2015 Caribbean – this new Queen Mary 2 13 night winter sun holiday sails from New York calling at St Thomas, St Maarten, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Tortola and the Dominican Republic before arriving back in New York.  Prices start from £1,999pp including transfers and transatlantic flights to and from New York.

25 November-3 December 2015 Transatlantic  - this east-bound Transatlantic crossing aboard Queen Mary 2 departs New York on 25 November arriving in Southampton eight days later. Prices start from £1,299 per person including outward flight to New York and transfers.

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Balcony cabins on Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings from just £799pp including flight – Sale ends 30 Sept!

Cunard has just launched a ‘New York Sale’ with balcony cabins on Queen Mary 2 available until 30 September 2014 for just £799 per person, including the outward or return Transatlantic flight.

For this special fare, passengers can and enjoy seven nights on crossings between October 2014 and January 2015.

Flying out to New York ahead of the ship will create the opportunity for festive shopping in the run-up to Christmas or the January sales, with no weight restrictions on luggage or jet-lag to worry about on the leisurely voyage back to the UK. Or sail from Southampton and enjoy five 25 hour days over the week at sea before making that New York arrival past the Statue of Liberty.

Westbound from Southampton to New York

•12-19 November 2014 M427B

•15-22 December 2014 M432

Eastbound Sailings from New York to Southampton        

•28 October – 4 November 2014 M425A
•19 – 26 November 2014 M429
•3 -10 January 2015 M502

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Cruise line's captain's favourite ports around the world

From the Northern Lights reflected in the Norwegian Sea to the breath-taking sight of the Opera House when entering Sydney Harbour, seeing a city or famous landmark from the water can be a magical experience, offering a completely different perspective on a destination.

To identify some of the most impressive views from the ocean, CLIA (the Cruise Lines International Association) has surveyed a selection of captains to find out their favourite port approaches or cities best seen by sea. 

Every day this week we'll be looking at some of them. 

Tromso, Norway – Captain Arnfinn Kaasbøll, Hurtigruten

"I never tire of sailing into the beautiful city of Tromso, with its wonderful blend of traditional wooden buildings and more modern structures such as the beautiful Arctic Cathedral, all surrounded by mountains to finish off the picturesque scene. 

"However, when you approach 'The Gateway to the Arctic' with the Northern Lights twinkling overhead, it is truly spectacular. Tromso is directly beneath the Aurora Oval (the epicentre of Northern Lights activity) so we regularly have an opportunity to watch this fantastic show as it changes from light green to dark purple flickering across the sky above the city."

  

New York, USA – Captain Hakan Svedung, Norwegian Cruise Line

“My favourite city to approach by water has to be New York. The Manhattan skyline is one of the best in the world. When approaching New York early in the morning the light casts a special glow over the city-scape and with the buildings still lit you can even see an almost perfect reflection in the Hudson River – it’s just stunning.”

  

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Term-time cruises for parents, with voyages from £1,099 per person

With the school term well underway Cruise 1st has packaged up some of its best deals from Celebrity Cruises for this year and 2015 especially for the grown-ups. Whether it’s a Caribbean voyage, an eastern Mediterranean adventure or a New York and Bermuda trip, there are bargains to be had outside the school term.

Under £1,100

15 nights stay and cruise with Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse: New York and Bermuda special – £1,099 per person

Departing 9 November 2014 from Southampton, guests can enjoy six nights onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse (Above) and indulge in treatments at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub or relax at the ice-topped Martini Bar and Crush. On arrival in the States, guests will then spend two nights exploring the bright lights of New York City followed by another night at sea before arriving at Kings Wharf in Bermuda. 

Price is based on two sharing a deluxe ocean view stateroom with veranda. The cruise is on a full board basis and also includes flights from Miami to London Heathrow. Manchester and Birmingham airports are available at a supplement of £60 per person and includes a free coach transfer to Southampton.

Under £1,200

10 nights stay and cruise with Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox: Eastern Mediterranean with Athens stay and tour – £1,199 per person

Departing 10 June 2015, guests will spend three nights in Athens and enjoy a city tour before stepping onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox for a seven night tour of the Mediterranean. Highlights include the quintessential Greek island of Santorini and Istanbul the cosmopolitan capital of Turkey. Additional highlights include the Greek islands of Mykonos and Rhodes, as well as Kusadasi in Turkey.

Price is based on two sharing an interior room on a full board basis. Price also includes return flights to Athens from London Heathrow.

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Great world cruise offers from Planet Cruise

Planet Cruise are highlighting a range of Cunard & P&O Cruises 2016 World Cruises. The offers include lots of free spend and other available gifts.  

Amongst the cruises on offer are:

Southampton to New York. 

Up to £260 spend and £86 Bon Voyage gift pack. Transatlantic crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2.  Departs 10 January 2016, for eight days; from £1,079 pp

Hong Kong to Singapore

Free Bon Voyage gift worth £125 on P&O's Aurora. Departs 12 March 2016 for eight days; from £1,549. Ports  of call include Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

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Broadway and beaches combined in Transatlantic escape with Celebrity Cruises

Sail the Atlantic ocean and enjoy a night in New York City, as well as a night in Bermuda with  Celebrity Cruises.  Join Celebrity Eclipse (above) on a 15-night Broadway and Beaches Transatlantic fly/cruise from £1,460 per person (based on two people sharing a balcony stateroom).

Price includes return flight  to Heathrow, transfers, free upgrade from an ocean view stateroom to a room with a private balcony and a 14-night cruise departing from Southampton on 9 November  and calling at New York  for an overnight stay, Kings Wharf (Bermuda) for an overnight stay and Port Canaveral before arriving into Miami for the flight home; meals and entertainment onboard the ship.

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Fred Olsen's Canadian Autumn

For those who enjoy the glories of autumn, the 'Fall' colours of New England and Canada take some beating. The great forests of russet, orange and gold are truly a sight to behold, and they can also be combined with a cruise these days, as various lines offer trips along the St Lawrence Seaway and down to New York (or vice versa).

And, for those with the necessary time and curiosity to explore a bit further afield, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 32-night ‘Canadian Fall with New York & Boston’ cruise this September is an absolute must-try for the best of the autumn splendour.

Setting sail on Balmoral from Southampton on September 1, this longer cruise is perfectly timed to coincide with the best of the glorious Fall foliage on the other side of the Atlantic, and gives guests the chance to enter the iconic city of New York by cruise ship - one of the most exhilarating experiences at sea.

Prices for this cruise start from £3,149 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

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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Cunard Plan 10th Anniversary Special For Queen Mary 2

Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 will celebrate her first ten years of service this year with a series of special events and ceremonial markers for the last genuine transatlantic liner. 

Since her spectacular naming by Her Majesty The Queen in Southampton on January 8, 2004, QM2 has undertaken a total of 419 voyages, including more than 200 transatlantic crossings and called at 182 ports in 60 countries.

Since becoming Cunard’s flagship on completion of her maiden transatlantic crossing in May 2004, the vessel has remained unchallenged as the world’s largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive ocean liner ever built and the most famous and fastest passenger ship in operation today.

At 1,132ft in length, she would be taller, if stood on her stern, than the tallest building in Europe, the Shard in London, and would be over three times the height of St Paul’s Cathedral. Her 151,400 gross tonnage is the equivalent of nearly 19,000 London buses, and she boasts over four times as many rooms as the Dorchester hotel. 

In her first 10 years of service she’s sailed the equivalent of three times to the moon and back. She’s carried over 1.3 million guests, enough to fill Westminster Abbey 651 times. As well as human guests, over 2,000 dogs have travelled on Queen Mary 2, five times as many as in Battersea Dogs Home! 

QM2 departed on her eighth World Cruise yesterday, sailing together with Queen Elizabeth from Southampton after a fusillade of celebratory fireworks. The major 10th Anniversary celebrations will begin on May 9, however, when all three ships of the fleet will arrive together in their homeport of Southampton and Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will salute the flagship’s first ten years. 

The day will feature special sail-pasts, a celebratory lunch and a spectacular send-off of fireworks as all three set sail together that evening, with Queen Mary 2 leading the way. Further details about the day’s events planned will be forthcoming soon.

Fares for the May 9-16 crossing to New York start from £1,279 per person, including a one-way transatlantic flight and $80 on board spending money. Fares for the May 16-23 crossing from New York to Southampton start from £1,249, with the same benefits.

More info: call 0843 374 0000 or visit www.cunard.com.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a very special, limited-time offer to save 50% off a full year's subscription, which includes six issues PLUS our new year-end Cruise Directory. That means a year's worth of Europe's leading cruise publication will be only £15. Check out the special rate on this link! 

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