Costa Rica Raises Cruise Profile

With the 2013-14 cruise season officially now under way, Costa Rica has announced a new strategy to strengthen and promote its growing relationship with the cruise industry. 

Minsiter of Tourism Allan Flores explained: “In addition to reaching important agreements with industry executives, we have concentrated our efforts on improving port infrastructure and the amenities available to passengers through our local entrepreneurs. These relationships and efforts will continue to strengthen our position as a cruise destination and create an even better experience for visitors.”

The arrival of Princess Cruises' Island Princess to the Port of Limón (above) marked the start of a cruise season filled with new arrivals, partnerships and improvements aimed to support the destination’s offerings and passenger services. This was the first of 64 ships expected to arrive in the port city, 12 per cent more than last year. Officials also announced plans to include the improvement of infrastructure as well as projects for the recovery of

architectural and cultural heritage in the Caribbean city.

As part of the destination’s new strategy, Costa Rica has also announced a cooperative partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Through this partnership, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and New York will begin promoting travel packages that include three-night stays in Costa Rica, with a city tour, running through to December 31.

To further solidify the country’s cruise offerings, a new Mesoamerican regional agreement has also been implemented. For the first time, countries in the region have cooperatively developed a partnership with cruise lines worldwide to introduce new routes through the Pacific. The new route, named Amazing Pacific, will begin operations on January 14, with the arrival of Azamara Club Cruises, part of the Royal Caribbean company, to Costa Rica’s Puerto Caldera region. Additional major Pacific ports will include Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.

More info: visit www.VisitCostaRica.com. 

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Try Yoga Under Sail

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests a new opportunity to enjoy free daily yoga and meditation on board a yoga-themed cruise on graceful Star Flyer along the coasts of Costa Rica and Nicaragua next month. 

Under the direction of yoga teacher Melanie Camp, the programme will include two daily sessions out on the ship’s sun-warmed teak decks under thousands of square feet of billowing sails – the ultimate relaxing environment for body and soul, enhanced by the fresh sea air and the lush, tropical scenery. Each class is open to all guests and suitable for all levels, with no prior experience required. All classes and lectures are optional and run alongside the ship’s regular activities. 

For guests who want to follow a healthy or vegetarian diet during the sailing to complement their yoga practice, Star Clippers’ breakfast buffets feature an abundance of fresh, seasonal fruits, and guests can select from a variety of salads at lunchtime and vegetarian options at dinner.

Melanie Camp brings many years of teaching experience, having earned her certification in the Barkan Method and her Yoga for Seniors and Yoga Therapy certification at Duke University Integrative Medicine. She teaches in Fort Lauderdale and has conducted yoga retreats in locations as diverse as Utah, Peru and Morocco. Melanie is also is the author of Artful Yoga, a book of yoga tips featuring her original oil paintings. 

The cruise departs Puerto Caldera on February 24 and calls at San Juan del Sur; Playa del Coco; Santa Rosa National Park; Samara; Puerto Carrillo; the National Reserve of Curu; and Isla Tortuga. From £1,250 per person, excluding flights. 

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

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Star Clippers Announces 2013/14 Schedules

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers has announced its 2013/14 sailing schedules, showcasing romantic voyages on the line’s three head-turning sailing ships, Star Clipper, Star Flyer and Royal Clipper.

During the summer of 2013, all three ships will sail in Europe: The flagship Royal Clipper will be in the western and eastern Mediterranean; Star Clipper in the western Med and Aegean; and Star Flyer in the Baltic and southern Spain. 

For winter 2013, all three follow the sun, with Royal and Star Clipper sailing the Caribbean, while Star Flyer explores the lush, forested coastlines of Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

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

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SeaDream Head For Costa Rica

SeaDream Yacht Club has released its 2013 year-end voyage schedule, featuring its first Panama Canal transit and season sailing along the “rich coast” of Costa Rica.

This November, SeaDream I will sail from Barbados to Panama City, a 9-night voyage calling at Isla de Margarita and The Los Roques Islands of Venezuela; Curacao; Cartagena, Columbia; and San Blas, Panama (including a transit of the Panama Canal), all of which are “firsts” for SeaDream. From Panama, the boutique ship sails to Caldera, Costa Rica, making it her home port for six consecutive voyages. The last of these voyages spends New Year’s Eve in vibrant Panama City.

Voyage-only fares for the 9-night voyage (departing November 9, 2013) lead in at $5,548 per person, including all fees and handling charges, accommodation, all meals, onboard gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, a complimentary open bar and use of the yacht's “water toys” and Marina (weather conditions permitting).

SeaDream has arranged for a highly qualified naturalist to sail aboard all Costa Rica voyages. This paradise of active volcanoes and beautiful beaches has abundant wildlife, including 1,000 butterfly species and 1,200 varieties of orchids. The surfing, hiking, rafting, zip lines and deep-sea fishing are among the best in the world.

The itineraries include: 

• Isla de Coiba, Panama - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Coiba National Park is one of the last places in Central America the Scarlet Macaw lives in large numbers in the wild.
• Golfito, Costa Rica - Remote and rugged, its home to the beautiful Wilson Botanical Gardens and the natural reserve and wildlife refuge of Piedras Blancas National Park.
• Drake Bay, Costa Rica - One of the most secluded spots in Costa Rica. Its spectacular lagoons and coves are ideal for scuba and snorkelling, plus viewing humpback and killer whales as well as several species of dolphins.
• Isla del Cano, Costa Rica - An amazing marine reserve with fantastic underwater visibility. See sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, manta rays, moray eels and more.
• Quepos, Costa Rica - One of the best places in the world for big-game sport fishing. Manuel Antonio National Park is a major attraction, along with canopy tours, horse riding, kayaking, rafting and surfing.
• Tortuga Islands, Costa Rica - White sand beaches and emerald waters invites absolute tranquility and make it the ideal spot for SeaDream’s trademark Champagne and Caviar Splash.
• San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua - A quaint fishing village where thatch-roofed restaurants line the long, sandy beach. Visitors will want to see the nearby Masaya Volcano.
• Playa del Coco, Costa Rica - Surrounded by steep hills, this horseshoe shaped bay is among the most well-known beaches in the country, offering great surfing and nightlife.
•  Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica - Perhaps Costa Rica’s most upscale beach destination, ideally situated near the Santa Rosa National Park and the Palo Verde natural reserve.

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

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Central and South America With eWaterways

From this December, luxury cruise liner the Deutschland will embark on an exciting Central and South American sailing programme in conjunction with eWaterways, the niche and river cruise specialists.

Hailed as the ‘Grand Hotel at Sea,’ the elegant five-star cruiser is soon to be recognised under a different moniker, as a London 2012 Olympics hotel ship! But, before mooring in London’s docklands next July, the intrepid ship will offer the ultimate blend of expedition and luxury cruising. With many different itineraries to suit those seeking urban cultural encounters, off the beaten track adventures, nature discovery or relaxation on sun-kissed beaches, eWaterways and the Deutschland will start by showcasing the best of Latin America’s diverse and magical landscape.

Gold Coast of South America: Rio to Buenos Aires (Visiting Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina) Dec 19-Jan 5

Guests aboard this 18-day cruise will be able to celebrate the festive season in the party capital Rio de Janeiro, before setting sail for the historic towns of Buzios and Paraty along the Costa Verde. After visiting Punte del Este and Montevideo in Uruguay, the cruise crosses over to Argentina, where passengers will cruise the Parana River - the continent’s second longest river after the Amazon - docking in Rosario, a city famed for its neoclassical architecture. From here the glistening skyline of capital city Buenos Aires beckons, the final destination on this remarkable cruise where guests can celebrate the New Year in style.

Prices start from £5,610 on a full board basis, including sightseeing and excursions. Cruise only price excluding visas.

Central American Exploration: February 27-March 16, 2012

Starting in the Mexican city of La Paz, this 19-day cruise offers a full exploration of Central America. Cruising to the peaceful, secluded bays along the Pacific Coast there is opportunity to partake in an educational trip to the ancient Mayan pyramids in the middle of the Guatemalan rainforest.

The cruise continues along the coast for an exploration of less visited destinations like El Salvador and Nicaragua. Mooring at Acajutla, passengers will be able to spend a day exploring the main sea port of Central America’s smallest country before arriving in the sleepy town of Corinto in Nicaragua. A real treat for the Deutschland’s guests, Corinto’s virtually untouched beaches and idyllic tropical surroundings evoke a romantic bygone age. In Costa Rica, there are the naturally beautiful landscapes of Punta Arenas, a surfers’ favourite, and the lush port town Golfito.

The final destination on this cruise is Panama starting with Isla Coiba, a UNESCO Heritage Site and home to many indigenous plant and wildlife species. The voyage concludes with a visit to Isla del Rey, the largest island of the Pearl Islands before drawing to a close in Panama City.

Prices start from £5,895 on a full-board basis including sightseeing and excursions. Cruise only price excluding visas.

For more info, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Early Christmas Presents with Star Clippers

Tall-ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering an early Christmas present for those booking a cruise along the coast of Costa Rica over Christmas on the graceful, four-masted, 170-passenger square rigger Star Flyer.

On either the Christmas departure, a ten-night voyage departing Puerto Caldera on December 18, or the 11-night New Year sailing, which departs on December 28, the following special offers apply:

• In all double cabins, there will be a €300 per person onboard credit towards drinks in the restaurant and Tropical Bar, shore excursions, purchases in the Sloop Shop and beauty and massage treatments.
• In triple cabins, the third person sails free (port taxes still apply) and the first two occupants qualify for onboard credit of €300 per person.
  
• For single travellers, there will be no single supplement in cabin categories 2 to 6.

In the New Year departure only, these additional offers apply:

• Children only pay 50% of the published fare.
• Repeat Star Clippers passengers qualify for a loyalty discount of 5%.

The Christmas cruise includes calls at San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua; Costa Rica’s Playa del Coco and National Park Santa Rosa; the gorgeous beaches and rainforest walks of Quepos, Isla del Cano and Drake Bay; and the desert island paradise of Isla Tortugas. Christmas day is spent anchored in Golfito, a lush bay surrounded by mountains and known for its wildlife refuge, orchid garden and jungle canopy expeditions. From £1,770 per person, excluding flights.

On December 28, Star Flyer departs Puerto Caldera once more for the New Year cruise, which includes all of the ports above and in addition, Panama’s Isla Gamez, with superb snorkelling and palm-fringed sandy beaches. New Year’s Eve will be spent in Playas del Coco, sailing overnight to toast the New Year in the Tropical Bar, where there will be dancing until late, and recovering on the beach the following day at Santa Rosa National Park. From £2,051 per person, excluding flights.

To take advantage of these fantastic deals, see www.starclippers.co.uk or the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Star Clippers - And a Load Of Rubbish!

Guests from niche tall ship operator Star Clippers have removed 1,700lbs of rubbish from North Friar’s Beach and Keys Beach in St. Kitts in a beach-clean operation organised by on-board marine biologist Mariano Peruzzo. This is the third time Star Clippers guests have taken part in clean-ups, on this occasion joining volunteers from a local charity to rid the island’s beaches of plastics and other litter.

Star Clippers’ vessels operate under wind power up to 70% of the time. All ships use high-quality low-sulphur gas oil, for which the company has been awarded the International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate. And all three ships’ crews operate on a ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ policy, while only eco-friendly, biodegradable products are used for cleaning on board the three ships.

Other eco-initiatives include the appointment of a qualified naturalist/marine biologist to accompany all cruises on the 170-passenger square rigger Star Flyer on winter sailings in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua, providing passengers with first-hand information about the incredible diversity of flora and fauna in the region, as well as the volcanoes and cloud forests.

On December 11, one of Britain’s most respected authors, environmental campaigners, broadcasters and botanists, David Bellamy, will be on board Flyer in Central America to host a shore excursion, mingle with guests and give presentations about the environment.

Including an additional three days land stay, the 10-night Central America holiday costs from £2239pp, with return flights from London, transfers, 3 nights’ hotel accommodation and the seven-night cruise with David Bellamy, including all meals on board.

Star Flyer also carries a highly qualified dive master, who will give talks on board on invertebrates, crustaceans, fish and marine mammals.

To find out more, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Early Booking Discount with Star Clippers

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering up to 20% off 2011 cruises in the Mediterranean for bookings made by January 31, and 2011 sailings in the Caribbean and Central America for bookings made before April 30.

Save £177 per person on a six-night Caribbean pre-Christmas cruise on the 170-passenger Star Clipper, departing St Maarten on December 17 and calling at some of the smaller, more exclusive Caribbean ports inaccessible to big ships. The itinerary includes either Nevis or Saba (depending on the wind), Iles des Saintes, Falmouth Harbour in Antigua and St Barths. Now from £708 per person (was £895), including all meals and a 6-night sailing itinerary.

Save £206 per person on a seven-night Costa Rica sailing on the 170-passenger Star Flyer, departing Puerto Caldera on December 19, 2011, and exploring rainforested islands, remote bays and beautiful beaches, with plenty of chances to spot the incredibly diverse wildlife of the region. The ship calls at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Playa del Coco, Costa Rica; National Park of Santa Rosa; Samara; Puerto Carillo; National Reserve of Curu; and Isla Tortuga. Now from £824 per person (was £1030), including all meals and a 7-night sailing itinerary..

Save £168 per person on a short break, five-night Mediterranean sailing on board Star Clipper, departing Athens on October 8, 2011, and calling at the unspoilt Greek ports of Monemvasia and Pilos; Siracusa in Sicily; and Valletta, Malta. Now from £672 per person (was £840), including all meals and a 5-night sailing itinerary.

For more information, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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New Brochure for Star Clippers

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Niche saling cruise specialist Star Clippers, who operate fully crewed sailings on board its four and five-masted tall ships, has launched a new brochure for 2011 and winter 2012 featuring new destinations and maiden calls in Central America and the Mediterranean.

All itineraries are also featured on Star Clippers’ new-look, re-designed website, dedicated to UK guests. Visitors to the site can take virtual tours of the ships and look at detailed maps and satellite images to see exactly where each itinerary goes. There’s extensive detail on ports of call and beautiful new imagery to depict in clear detail the pleasure of sailing on a genuine tall ship.

New itineraries an entire maiden season in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua, where the 170-passenger Star Flyer will sail six, seven, 10 and 11-night cruises out of Puerto Caldera to explore the bays and inlets of the Pacific coastline, with visits to lush rainforests and hidden lagoons. Priced from £1,065 for a six-day cruise in March 2011, including port charges and all meals on board (excluding flights).

Sister ship Star Clipper returns to the Caribbean island of St Maarten for 2011, with regular seven-night departures to either the Leeward Islands (Nevis, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes, Antigua, St Barths) or the British Virgin Islands on the Treasure Islands cruise (Anguilla, four calls in the BVI, St Kitts and St Barths). Six and eight-night sailings are also available. From £980 for six nights in December 2011, including port charges, cruise-only.

Also new for 2011 are the 228-passenger Royal Clipper’s itineraries from Barbados to the British Virgin Islands, with calls at Norman Island, Soper’s Hole, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda, some of the finest sailing areas in the Caribbean. From £1,940 for 10 nights, departing December 17, 2011 (a special Christmas sailing), including port charges and all meals on board (excludes flights).

For further information, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the UK cruise specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Christmas Under Sail

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering spectacular stay-and-cruise packages this Christmas, combining a few days on the beach in a luxury hotel with a voyage on a romantic square rigger in either the Caribbean or Costa Rica.

Choose from three alternatives:

Christmas cruise & stay; Beach & Grenadines

Spend four days topping up your tan in Barbados at the newly-renovated Tamarind, one of the finest boutique hotels on the island’s ritzy Platinum Coast, before boarding the magnificent, five-masted flagship, Royal Clipper, which carries 227 guests, for an eight-night, round-trip sailing from Barbados. Ports of call include various islands in the Grenadines, among them the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia, in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, and returning to Barbados on Boxing Day. Departs December 14, from £2,199 per person including four nights’ hotel accommodation, eight days full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

Christmas cruise & stay; Caribbean gems

The 170-passenger Star Clipper sails from St Maarten for her Christmas cruise on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths. Spend five nights before the cruise at the four-star Grand Case Beach Club on St Maarten, on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Departs December 13, from £1,999 per person including five nights’ hotel accommodation, eight days full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

Christmas cruise & stay; Central America

Star Flyer, meanwhile, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica, offering a chance to escape completely. On a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera, the ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight. Spend four nights before the cruise in the four-star Hotel Parador, a stunning beach resort set in 12 acres of tropical rainforest, adjacent to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Departs December 15, from £2,299 per person including four nights’ hotel accommodation, seven nights full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

For more details, log on to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or call the specialist cruise agents of the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Star Clippers New Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

It’s that time of year again and the new brochures are now available featuring a wide range of cruises for 2011. Luxury boutique cruise line Star Clippers is no exception and their new brochure is now hitting the doormat. They have exciting itineraries in Central America (Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua) and the Caribbean, where the Clipper ships will visit dream locations in the Grenadines and British Virgin Islands among others. The company’s ever popular ocean crossings are ideally suited to those who dream of long sea voyages whilst the summer season will find the ships roaming the Mediterranean (French or Italian Riviera), the Greek Islands and a fascinating new route between Athens and Istanbul. To find out more, look at http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or check out cruise specialists the Cruise Line.

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Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Niche tall ship cruise operator Star Clippers operate three of the world’s most head-turning ships, the magnificent four-masted, 170-passenger Star Flyer and Star Clipper and the flagship, five-masted, 228-passenger Royal Clipper.

2010/2011 is an exciting time for Star Clippers, with many new destinations and itineraries including new sailing areas, new home ports, several maiden calls and some unique cruise-and-stay ideas.

For example, this November sees the Star Flyer embarking on an exciting series of tall-ship sailings in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua for the first time, exploring the bays and inlets of the Pacific coastline, with visits to lush rainforests and hidden lagoons. Prices are from £1,140 for a week’s cruise, including all meals on board, low-key evening entertainment and port charges, excluding flights.

Flyer will also make two spectacular transits of the Panama Canal, one at each end of the season, skimming the north coast of South America, visiting Cartagena (Colombia) and Margarita (Venezuela), as well as the southern Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao.

For more details, check out www.starclippers.co.uk

Are you going to the Cruise Show in Birmingham in October (16-17) or London in March (26-27)? You can learn more about Star Clippers - and the whole wide world of cruising!

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