Showing posts with label Oman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oman. Show all posts

Sunday, 12 October 2014

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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Tuesday, 4 February 2014

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.

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Try Some Arabian Nights With MSC

Having recently announced their return to the United Arab Emirates for the 2013/14 winter season, MSC Cruises are now offering a series of seven-night cruises from only £819 per person - plus up to £150 free onboard credit per cabin.

From November 23 until March 29, MSC will offer these 'Arabian Nights' voyages from Dubai on board MSC Lirica, calling in Abu Dhabi and Khor al Fakkan (UAE), and Muscat and Khasab (Oman), with an overnight stay in Dubai allowing guests to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of this glittering oasis of the desert.

On board, guests will appreciate Lirica's elegant surroundings, with traditional wood and brass features, while there is plenty to keep both young and old entertained, from a game of mini-golf to simply relaxing by the pool admiring the rugged Arabian coastline. Guests will also be able to indulge at the the superbly-equipped wellness centre, which offers a variety of tempting treatments.

With exciting ports of call, as well as a variety of new excursions, there is plenty to explore and discover ashore. Guests will be able to pick and choose from a range of activities, from an exhilarating experience of the Khor al Fakkan desert dunes in a 4x4 to a mystical tour of Muscat. For a spot of fun, experience the Ferrari World theme park in Abu Dhabi, go backstage at the Yas Marina f1 circuit or take in an aerial view of Dubai by hydroplane.

The seven-night cruise, departing November 23 and 30 and December 7, including return flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow starts from just £819 per person. The free onboard credit applies to outside or suite cabins on a double occupancy basis.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's premier cruise-agent specialists.

Monday, 21 January 2013

Celebrate India Day With Voyages of Discovery

Celebrate India’s independence on India Day (January 26) and book a cruise to Asia from a bargain £2,019 per person with Voyages of Discovery.

Passengers on board the 17-day "Tales of India & Arabia" voyage will be able to visit the birthplace of Ghandi in Porbandar and explore the UNESCO listed Elephanta Caves near to the colourful city of Mumbai before sailing to Sri Lanka.

Tales of India & Arabia departs from Dubai (UAE, overnight), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Khasab (Oman), Porbandar, Mumbai (overnight), Marmagao, Cochin (overnight), Tuticorin and Colombo (Sri Lanka, overnight).

Price is based on a December 3 UK departure and includes return flights from a major UK airport, all overseas transfers, all on board gratuities, service charges and port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on board.

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

Sunday, 21 October 2012

Big Early-Winter Savings With Oceania

Oceania Cruises is is offering cruise savings of more than 50 per cent PLUS up to $1,000 in onboard on an array of tempting voyages departing this November and December.

Take a look at this selection:


1st November: Istanbul to Athens, 7 nights at £912, saving £895

Deluxe 1,250-guest ship Marina sails from Istanbul to Athens, calling into the Turkish coast and Greek islands, including Kusadasi, Rhodes and Crete, and this `Mediterranean Medley’ cruise now costs from £912pp, (was £1807), including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and a $500 ship board credit per stateroom.

15th November: Istanbul to Dubai, 21 nights at £2,322, saving £1,575 

Enjoy the luxury of sailing on a smaller ship, with free flights, a $1,000 credit per stateroom and a big saving off the original fare as 650-guest ship Nautica departs from Istanbul, sailing via Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and the UAE, to arrive into Dubai on December 6. The cruise was £3897, and includes free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks, as well as the $1,000 ship-board credit.

10th December: Rio to Valparaiso, 17 nights at £2,792, saving £1723

This grand winter cruise on Marina ensures Christmas Day is a relaxing one, as the ship will be at sea in the Pacific Ocean, between port calls in Chile, after several days cruising the Chilean fjords. Sea days provide time to enjoy the ship’s facilities, which apart from the finest restaurants at sea, include tennis and golf on the top sports deck, a walking track, gym and exceptional spa facilities. 

This `Fjords & Wonders’ cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso departs now costs from £2,792pp (was £4515), including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and a $500 ship-board credit per stateroom.

20th December: Christmas in the Grenadines, 14 nights at  £2,312, saving £2077 

This blissful Caribbean cruise also boasts free flights and an extra $300 stateroom credit as Oceania's newest ship, Riviera, will spend Christmas in the British Virgin Islands and the Grenadines, with Christmas Day alongside the island of St. Vincent, Christmas Eve in Antigua and Boxing Day in Barbados. The price was £4,389 (saving £2,077).

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

Friday, 5 October 2012

Explore The East With Swan Hellenic

Swan Hellenic have a wonderful 15-day Middle East cruise option this November on their boutique ship Minerva.

Highlights include ancient Egyptian temples on the banks of the River Nile and French colonial architecture in Djibouti. Guests can delve into the maze of souks in Muscat (Oman) - a treasure trove of silver and gold, coffee pots, frankincense and textiles - and, from the port town of Khasab (Oman), visit traditional Bedouin villages before travelling onto the diverse city of Dubai and the historic Bastakiya district.

The Passage to Oman voyage starts from £1,705 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). The cruise departs on November 21 from Safaga (Egypt, overnight) and calls at Djibouti, Salalah (Oman), Muscat (overnight), Khasab and Dubai (overnight).

Price of cruise includes return flights from the UK, transfers, a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. 

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

Friday, 28 September 2012

Around The World With Silversea


Leading luxury cruise operator Silversea has announced  it will start 2014 - its 20th anniversary year - with an exceptional voyage. The special 113-day 2014 World Cruise will encompass 54 ports in 29 countries, with 12 overnights and eight late departures.

Setting sail from Los Angeles on  January 6, the 382-guest Silver Whisper will circumnavigate the entire globe. Heading first into the Pacific, the ship calls at Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand before a two-day call at Sydney. The three days in Hong Kong and two days in Shanghai that follow will allow an extensive array of Overland Adventures, and a myriad of half and full-day excursions.

Guests will then spend a month exploring Asia calling at Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia before arriving at one of the world’s most intriguing and enigmatic destinations, Myanmar. Silver Whisper will remain at dock in Yangon for three days to allow ample time to discover the colonial architecture of Burma’s largest city, monumental Shwedagon Pagoda, and unforgettable Bagan with its 2,200 temples and pagodas. The antiquities and urban contrasts of India, Oman, Jordan and Egypt are then followed by twin calls in the Holy Land.

The global journey concludes with a sweep of former capitals of empire, notably Istanbul, Athens and Rome and the delights of Messina, Sorrento and Monte Carlo. An overnight in Barcelona will bring the World Cruise to an artistic conclusion.

Options are also available to extend the journey, by adding a pre-cruise Panama Canal voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles (17 days), or extend from Barcelona to Lisbon (7 days) or Southampton (16 days).

Full World Cruise guests will enjoy a number of added benefits, including a gala Bon Voyage evening at the Montage Beverly Hills (or similar), baggage valet service, inclusive air (or air credit), generous onboard spending credits, exclusive shoreside events, such as an overnight visit to Angkor Wat, with dinner in the shadows of Bayon Temple, and a delightful array of surprises.

Prices start from £33,650 per person, based on double occupancy for the 113-day cruise.

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

Monday, 17 September 2012

Grab A Luxury Oceania Saving

Food-lovers' cruise line Oceania Cruises is offering up to $1,000 onboard credit and savings of more than 50 per cent on select departures between October and May. These great new deals also include free flights, all meals, soft drinks and bottled water on board.

Those looking for a real cruise bargain can choose from:

November 1, Istanbul to Athens, 7 nights now from £912:
Oceania's 1,250-guest ship Marina features six fine-dining restaurants and no dining supplements and departs from Istanbul, calling into the Turkish coast and Greek islands, including Kusadasi, Rhodes and Crete. This 'Mediterranean Medley’ was priced at £1,807pp and includes all flights, meals and a $500 ship-board credit per stateroom. 

November 15, Istanbul to Dubai, 21 nights now from £2,322:
Enjoy the luxury of sailing on a smaller ship, free flights, a $1,000 credit per stateroom and a saving of £1,575 off the original fare. The 650-guest Nautica departs from Istanbul to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and the UAE, arriving in Dubai on December 6. The cruise was £3,897 and also includes return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks as well as the onboard credit.

December 20, Christmas in the Grenadines, 14 nights from £2,312:
Save £2,077 off a grand Christmas Caribbean cruise and enjoy free flights and an extra $300 stateroom credit. Oceania's newest ship Riviera will spend Christmas in the British Virgin Islands and Grenadines, with Christmas Day alongside the island of St. Vincent, Christmas Eve in Antigua and Boxing Day in Barbados. The 'Island Holiday’ cruise was £4,389, including free return flights, all meals, bottled water and soft drinks and ship-board credit.

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

Friday, 27 January 2012

On The Frankincense Trail With Voyages of Discovery

Join Voyages of Discovery’s luxury small ship MV Discovery on two new itineraries for 2012 - The Frankincense Trail and Oman to the Holy Land.

Explore the ‘Desert Kingdom’, the Lost City of Ubar and Lawrence of Arabia’s Petra on The Frankincense Trail from just £899 per person, based on a March 23 departure (two people sharing an inside cabin). The price includes return flights from London, transfers and a 13-day voyage departing from Muscat (Oman, overnight) and calling at Salalah (Oman), Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt), Aqaba (Jordan) and the final port of Safaga (Egypt, overnight).

Oman to the Holy Land is an extended version of the Frankincense Trail, cruising along to other major historical hotspots such as Israel, Cyprus and Turkey and costs from just £1,399 per person (based on a March 23 departure and two people sharing an inside cabin). The full voyage lasts 25 days and, after 2 overnights in Safaga, continues to Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt), Sokhna (Egypt), Ashdod (Israel), Haifa (Israel), Limassol (Cyprus), Fethiye (Turkey), Kusadasi (Turkey) and the final port of Istanbul (overnight).

The price for both cruises includes all meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned Guest Speakers.

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

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Costa Favolosa Makes Maiden Dubai Call

Costa Cruises opens its sixth consecutive season in the Emirates with the inaugural call in Dubai of the flagship Costa Favolosa, the largest and most advanced ship ever deployed in the region.

From December 16 to April 6, Favolosa will be sailing on seven-night cruises in the exotic seas of the Arabian Gulf, with two days in Dubai, one-day stopovers in Muscat (Oman), Fujairah (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Khasab (Oman) and ending with a further overnight stay in Dubai. 

The Jewels of the Emirates cruise also has an itinerary reminiscent of A Thousand and One Nights, offering a tantalising mix of past and future, unspoiled oases and stunning futuristic architecture, dune surfing, mosques and skyscrapers.

This year’s route features the additional port call of Khasab, which boasts towering cliffs and deep blue waters. Thanks to the positioning of Favolosa, Costa will make 58 port calls in the United Arab Emirates in winter 2011/2012.

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

Thursday, 17 November 2011

Fred Olsen Sign Up Explorer Tim Severin

Explorer, author and historian Tim Severin is the latest illustrious name to join Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Vistas programme as a special guest speaker. Perhaps best known for his Viking Series of historical novels, Tim’s new association with the cruise line is especially appropriate given the company’s Norwegian heritage.

During a spectacular career, Tim has: retraced the footsteps of Sindbad the Sailor, sailing from Muscat to China; steered a Bronze Age galley to seek the landfalls of Jason and the Argonauts and Ulysses; ridden the routes of the first Crusader knights across Europe to the Holy Land; travelled on horseback with nomads in Mongolia to research Genghis Khan; traced the origins of Moby Dick amongst the aboriginal sea hunters of the Pacific; and sailed a leather boat across the Atlantic from Ireland to Newfoundland, recreating the route taken by Irish monk St. Brendan the Navigator. One of his most recent quests has been to identify the ‘real’ Robinson Crusoe.

This eminent explorer and author will feature on ‘East of Suez: History and Culture,’ a sector of Black Watch’s 2012 World Cruise’. Departing from Southampton on January 11, this 32-night voyage covers the cruise as far as Singapore. Ports of call are Gibraltar, Cueta, Valletta, Port Said, then a transit of the Suez Canal, Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga. Tim will be joining in Safaga and stay aboard for the visits to Salalah (Oman), Mumbai (for an overnight stay), Cochin, Port Blair (Andaman Islands) and Singapore.

Prices start from £2,379 per person, based on two adults sharing an outside, twin cabin, Grade ‘D’. The cost includes return flights from Singapore to London and transfers, accommodation and all meals and entertainment on board, as well as port and airport taxes. There is no extra charge for taking part in Vistas activities.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Friday, 28 October 2011

Costa’s Newest Flagship Set For Arabian Nights

Costa Cruises eye-catching new flagship, Costa Favolosa, will be sailing in the exotic seas of the Arabian Gulf this winter, offering seven-night cruises with two days in Dubai, one-day stopovers in Muscat (Oman), Fujairah (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Khasab (Oman) and ending with a further overnight stay in Dubai.

This “Jewels of the Emirates” cruise season, which runs from
December 16 to April 6, features an itinerary reminiscent of A Thousand and One Nights, with a tantalising mix of past and present, unspoiled oases and stunning futuristic architecture, dune surfing, mosques and skyscrapers. This year’s route also features the additional port call of Khasab (Oman), which boasts towering cliffs and deep blue waters.

For booking, be sure to visit the Costa Favolosa section of specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd (0800 008 6677) on this link.

Thursday, 20 October 2011

Unlock Your Past On A Genealogy Cruise

Tracing your family tree has never been more popular and, with so many different options available, your family history is just waiting to be discovered. Voyages of Discovery hopes to spark more interest in people’s ancestries by inviting guests onboard two cruises, Trade Routes to Bombay and Tales of India & Arabia, to start their genealogy journey sailing the high seas.

This winter MV Discovery will be joined by genealogy experts Paul Blake and Maggie Loughran, heritage event organisers with over 20 years’ experience. Both Paul and Maggie will be on hand to help passengers delve into their family history through guest lectures on a wide range of fascinating historical topics and via hosted workshops at sea and in port.


Continuing the historical theme, guests can take part in Discovery's 'Antiques Seashow' with resident antiques expert David Barby (above). Famous for his appearances on Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, David invites passengers to come prepared with photos of relics and heirlooms to offer his valuations.

Unravel your past and sail on Voyages of Discovery's Trade Routes to Bombay - save up to 55% and get away on a 15-day cruise from as little as £899 per person.

Price includes return flights from London, transfers and the 15-day voyage departing from Safaga (Egypt) overnight and calling at Massawa (Eritrea), Salalah (Oman), Muscat (Oman) and Porbandar (India) before arriving at Mumbai (India), overnight; meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus onboard lectures from a team of renowned guest speakers.

Price is based on a November 14 departure. Or choose to sail next March on Tales of India and Arabia from as little as £1,399, saving up to 30%.


For more info, visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk or the adventure cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Friday, 20 May 2011

Royal Caribbean's Great Dubai Deal


Join Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas for an eight-night Dubai fly/cruise from just £999 per person this winter (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

The price includes return flights from London Gatwick, transfers and a seven-night cruise departing from Dubai (UAE) and calling at Fujairah (UAE), Muscat (Oman) and Abu Dhabi (UAE), before returning to Dubai; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on 28 November 2011 departure.

For more info, see www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

Mum’s The Word on a Fred Olsen Cruise!


Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines always likes to celebrate an important occasion - and to make things extra special for guests, whatever the season. And, with Mother’s Day fast approaching, the ships are all planning ways to pamper mothers on board on Sunday April 3.

The specific Mother’s Day offering will vary from ship to ship, but includes giant cakes in the restaurants, emblazoned with ‘Happy Mother’s Day’, special lunch menus, celebratory cocktails in the bars and champagne packages, all designed to make mums feel appreciated.

Balmoral (above), harking back to an old tradition, will be offering Simnel Cake (most often associated with Easter, but it actually has long associations with Mothering Sunday), as well as special prayers in the day's church service.

Boudicca’s Mother’s Day activity includes a delightful enhanced tea, with musical accompaniment from the Rosario Trio, while, on Braemar, the mixologists have created a wonderful cocktail, Mum’s Fizz, a delicious blend of sparkling wine, vodka, cranberry juice and mint, garnished with soft fruit – a snip at £3.95. There is also a Mother’s Day celebration package – a half bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne, and strawberries (with or without cream) for £21.25.

The Fred Olsen fleet will be in these exotic locations to celebrate Mother’s Day:

Balmoral – cruising between Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Salalah (Oman).

Boudicca – cruising between Santa Cruz de la Palma (Canary Islands) and Lisbon (Portugal).

Braemar – in port, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).

Black Watch – in port, Mykonos (Greece).

Find out more about Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines at www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Tuesday, 5 October 2010

Amazing Middle East Offer

By guest blogger Steve Newman

You can now join Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas (above) next year on an eight-night Dubai fly/cruise from just £919 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

This terrific low price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers and a seven-night cruise departing Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and calling at Fujairah (United Arab Emirates), Muscat (Oman) and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) before returning to Dubai, with all meals, entertainment on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees also included.

Price is based on February 28, 2011, departure.

You can also learn more about Royal Caribbean's offerings at The Cruise Show at Birmingham NEC on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia next March (26-27). For more great deals on Royal Carribean cruises, check out this link with top specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.