Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brings his expertise to Crystal presidential cruise

Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is to bring his expertise on board Crystal Cruises’ 12 July European cruise from Lisbon to Dover. The planned special dinners, sake tastings and celebrations set to feature Nobu’s famous Peruvian-infused Japanese cuisine will enhance the special atmosphere onboard, as the sailing celebrates Crystal’s 25^th Anniversary and is hosted by Crystal’s president and COO Edie Rodriguez.  Throughout the 13-night voyage, Nobu – whose signature cuisine is featured in Crystal’s Silk Road and The Sushi Bar – will share his talents and famously personable panache during cooking demos, book signings and Sake tastings with Sake Master Hazu. 

The cruise on Crystal Serenity departs Lisbon on 12 July and visits Oporto, St-Jean-de-Luz, Bordeaux (two nights), Brest, St-Malo (overnight), Guernsey and Honfleur (overnight). Book before 2 January 2015 for all-inclusive fly/cruise prices starting from £3,889 per person including flight from the UK to Lisbon, overseas transfers and 13 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, most alcoholic beverages, port taxes and gratuities.

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Titan/Uniworld on the River Douro with savings up to £650

Titan/Uniworld are offering a 7-night all-inclusive cruise on the River Douro, Portugal on board the specially built Queen Isabel with savings of up to £650 per person on selected 2015 departures. 

Before embarking on the cruise, guests stay in Lisbon, a colourful entreé to sailing the river valley with its steeped-terraced vineyards.   Before embarking at Oporto a visit is made to the ancient university town of Coimbra.

Sailing on the river is banned at night so guests can explore the local villages as well tasting new wines from the old village vineyards at Régua and Pinhão. Excursions include the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Guimarães and Salamanca.

Begin with Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport for the scheduled Air Portugal or another leading airline flight to Lisbon. Voyage commencing 2 April 2015 11 days from £2,129 per person.  Offers end 30 November 2014.

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Day Seven on Black Watch with Double Mint Coffee, Belgian chocolates and a day on board

Another hot day on Black Watch with clear blue skies here in Leixoes, the port for Oporto. We are berthed right next alongside the new port terminal building they are constructing (above). The Ramblers Worldwide party have gone off to Oporto for a day’s walking but since I have been to the city before I decided to stay on board and find out more about the changes Fred Olsen have made to the public areas.

One of the most innovative is the Café Venus (below). Whoever thought of this deserves a medal. What a brilliant idea, situated in the library where once there were tables for card games and puzzles there is now a cosy little bar dispensing specialist teas and coffees and delicious UK, Swiss and Belgian handmade chocolates.

There are 40 varieties of white, plain and milk chocolates to choose from costing around 55p each. You can make a selection and eat them in the comfortable seating or have them delivered out to the Promenade Deck or poolside to have with your coffee. I chose a Mocca Coconut Creme latte for £2.25 whilst one of the others went for an Amaretto Coffee for £3.90. 

We saw other people sampling Gingerbread and Double Mint Coffees and some trying a cold Ice Latte to combat the heat.  Some people have chosen to take their breakfast here with the coffee of their choice. The only problem seems to be at the end of the cruise when there is a mad rush on from guests to buy a selection to take home. Whether they actually make it there of course is a matter of conjecture. 

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Cruise & Walk Bonus For Singles

Knowing our readers, and their interests in active, thoughtful holidays, we feel sure this latest idea from Ramblers Worldwide Holidays will be of great appeal. And, when it includes a deal specifically for single travellers, we think that's a win-win scenario.

Ramblers Worldwide, in conjunction with Fred. Olsen Cruises, is offering no single cabin supplements on a number of selected Cruise & Walk holidays for bookings between now and February 28.

Available on select sailings only, single clients can book either a D grade (outside twin) or a B grade (superior outside twin) for sole use with no single supplement. Clients who have already booked single cabins for these dates have been offered a reduction in price.

The sailings include:

IBERIA & FRANCE: 12 nights on board Braemar, walking and sightseeing Europe’s Atlantic coast and countryside, embracing Oporto; La Coruna; Aviles; Santander; Getxo and Bordeaux. Prices from £1,250 per person, departing on May 20. 

IBERIA & FRANCE: 11 nights on Black Watch, again with walking and sightseeing along Europe’s Atlantic coast, visiting La Coruña; Vigo; Oporto; Lisbon; and Honfleur. Prices from £1,150 per person, departing on September 28.

FJORDS OF NORWAY: 10 nights on Black Watch amid some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, with highlights including Eidjfjord, Bergen, Flåm, Skjolden, Olden and Alesund. Prices from £1,269 per person, departing on July 31.

All of the above include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, walking tours, shore visits, sightseeing programmes, on-board entertainment and restaurant tips, plus the services of a dedicated tour leader.

More info: call 01707 331 133 or visit www.cruiseandwalk.co.uk.

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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Try a Ramblers Cruise & Walk Holiday

We know many of you like to combine your cruising with a keep-fit option like walking and hiking, so here are some ideas from us at World of Cruising from Ramblers Cruise & Walk holidays, which also have the benefit of some interesting price reductions!  They are also adding a range of extra benefits such as cabin upgrades, on-board spend, car parking or coach travel to and from port that are complimentary on selected departures when booking more than six months in advance. And, as an added bonus, the company is offering a drinks inclusive package for £10 per person, per night for a limited period. Plus £25 off all departures just for booking early.  Here are a couple of highlights we’ve selected for you. IBERIA AND FRANCE: 11 or 12-night holidays walking and sightseeing Europe's Atlantic coastlines and countryside, embracing Oporto, La Coruna, Aviles, Santander, Getxo and Bordeaux. For example: 11 nights on board Black Watch was £1,365 per person, and is now £1,150 - a saving of £215 departing on September 28, 2014. MAGIC OF THE CANARIES: 15 nights departing December 21 from Southampton on Fred Olsen's Balmoral. Highlights include: Lisbon, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and Madeira (for 2 days).. Or 10 nights on board Boudicca, which was £1,475 per person and is now £1,340 - a saving of £135, departing on 27 April 2014. All of the above prices include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, walking tours, shore visits, sightseeing programmes and the services of a dedicated tour leader. So remember to pack your walking boots as well as your sun cream!   More Info: call 01707 386767 or visit www.cruiseandwalk.co.uk. Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Warm Up This Winter With Fred Olsen!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure, offering a selection of tempting cruises, departing between September 2013 and February 2014. These cruises are ideal getaways for the winter and offer some excellent savings, with prices starting from just £49 per person per night, with the opportunity for guests to upgrade to Fred. Olsen's ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person per night (£39 per person, per night for mini-cruises, £29 per person, per night for ‘festive’ sailings).

Examples of the excellent prices available in the new ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure include:
 
Black Watch’s 8-night ‘Strictly Spain & Portugal’ cruise, dep Dover Nov 16

This cruise visits Lisbon, Leixoes (for tours to Oporto) and Vigo and La Coruna before returning to Dover. Prices start from £49 per person, per night. A bonus for guests on this cruise will be former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant and ex-MP, Edwina Currie, who will be joining as guest speaker on the theme of ‘Ballroom Dancing’, through Fred. Olsen’s award-winning onboard enrichment programme, Vistas.
 
Balmoral’s 8-night ‘Christmas Markets of N Europe’ cruise, dep Southampton Dec 13

Take in the best of the best Christmas markets in Northern Europe, in preparation for the festive season. Balmoral calls at Zeebrugge, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Bremen before returning to Southampton. Prices start from £49 per person, per night. All prices are based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, and include all meals and entertainment onboard and port taxes.

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

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AMA's Big River-Cruise Savings

Yes, it's 'Special Offer' time again this week, and the latest comes from AMA Waterways and four terrific specially-priced European river-cruises, including a chance to cruise with former MP and 'Strictly' star Ann Widdecombe!

Cruise through Europe’s tulip fields, saving £400pp

AMA's week long 'Tulip Time’ cruises reveal the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways in springtime, sailing past colourful tulip carpets, through green countryside dotted with world-famous windmills and visiting the great medieval cities of Antwerp and Ghent. Departing on March 35, April 3, 8, 12 and 23 and May 1, the voyage costs from £1,399 per person (was £1,599),

Luxury Provence river cruise, saving £550pp

Departing on March 29, this week-long luxury river-cruise embarks in Arles, the setting for many of Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpieces, and cruises to Lyon through Provence’s legendary wine regions. It costs from £1,839pp (was £2,389), and additional departures areon June 28, July 26 and August 9.

Portugal’s Enticing Douro, saving £281pp

The Douro is one of Europe’s most pure and unspoiled rivers, with deep cleft gorges, lush vineyards, and sleepy fishing villages. AMA's 7-night `Enticing Douro’ voyage departs on May 14 and offers a round-trip from Porto, making daily port calls along the route to picturesque towns and villages and places of interest, enabling guests to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions. The week long sailing now costs from £1,899 per person (was £2180), and additional departures are on May 21, Jun 18 and August 6.

Strictly come river cruising, with Ann Widdecombe

Strictly Come Dancing star, novelist, TV presenter and former MP Ann will talk about her life and career in presentations and book signings during a week-long river cruise down the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel, departing on October 15. Guests can now sail in her company from just £1,975pp.

All prices include return UK flights, transfers, all meals, including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, daily hosted excursions, free use of on-board bicycles and wi-fi.

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

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AMA's Spring Offers

There is always something special about a spring-time cruise, and AMA Waterways have some great offers for Holland, Belgium, Provence and the Douro in Portugal. Plus they have a special guest aboard in October. Read on for details...!
 

Cruise through Europe’s tulip fields, saving £400

AMA's week-long 'Tulip Time' cruises reveal the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways in springtime, sailing past colourful tulip carpets, through green countryside dotted with world-famous windmills and visiting the great medieval cities of Antwerp and Ghent. Departing on March 25 and April 1, 8, 12 and 23, the luxury cruise costs from £1,199 per person, saving £400pp. 

Luxury Provence river cruise, saving £324pp

Departing on April 12, this week-long voyage embarks in Arles, the setting for many of Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpieces, and cruises to Lyon through Provence’s legendary wine regions. The cruise costs from £1,795pp, saving £324pp. Additional departures June 28 and July 26.

Portugal’s Enticing Douro, saving £450pp

The Douro is one of Europe’s most pure and unspoiled rivers, with deep cleft gorges, lush vineyards, and sleepy fishing villages. AMA's 7-night 'Enticing Douro’ cruise departs on March 26 and offers a round-trip from Porto, making daily port calls along the route to picturesque towns and villages and places of interest, enabling guests to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions. The sailing costs from £1,395 per person, saving £450pp.

Strictly river cruising, with Ann Widdecombe


Strictly Come Dancing star, novelist, TV presenter and former MP Ann Widdecombe will talk about her life and career in presentations and book signings during a week-long cruise down the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel, departing on October 15. Guests can sail in her company from £1,975pp.

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

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P&O's 2013 Wave Promotion

P&O Cruises is offering exceptional value cruises during the traditional "wave" peak booking period from December to February, with its best-ever value holidays from only £599 per person for a seven-night Vantage Fare, to include a Price Promise protection and a low deposit of 10% for bookings until February 28. Designed to give added peace of mind to holidaymakers, especially to those booking early to secure the cruise of their choice, Vantage Fares have a range of benefits, including choice of cabin, flexibility to make amendments to or even change the cruise or cabin up to 90 days prior to departure, and one of the following; onboard spending money, free car parking in Southampton or return coach travel to Southampton. The Price Promise protection ensures that, should the price of a cruise reduce, passengers will be awarded the difference in price with onboard spending money or a cabin upgrade. If, however, the price of a cruise should rise after the booking has been made, passengers are assured they have received excellent value by booking early. A low deposit offer of 10%, down from the usual 15%, also applies to Vantage Fare bookings made by February 28. These offers include: Best value cruise: A seven-night European cruise break on Oriana departing April 14. Vantage Fares from £599 per person. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call are Vigo, Lisbon, Oporto and La Coruna. NEW Classic FM music-themed cruise: A 14-night Iceland cruise with Classic FM on Aurora departing June 4. Vantage Fares from £1,499 per person. A repertoire of opera, operetta and recitals will be hosted by acclaimed Classic FM presenters, and passengers can enjoy interviews and musical quizzes, along with the usual high-quality mix of entertainment. NEW food and wine themed cruise: A 28-night Caribbean cruise with Marco Pierre White (pictured, above) and Eric Lanlard on Adonia departing November 22. Vantage Fares from £2,439 per person. This brand new food-and-wine-themed cruise will be joined by celebrity chef  White and master pâtissier and 'Cake Boy' legend Lanlard. Together they will offer their expertise and provide on board demonstrations, private master-classes, hosted dinners, book signings and Q&A sessions in the theatre. They will also host a range of shore excursions to restaurants and markets. As ever, for bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's cruising specialists.

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Fred Olsen's Chocoholic Treat

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be hosting a Canaries cruise on board Boudicca in November to tickle the taste buds of any chocoholic! 

The cruise line will be offering guests the chance to learn all there is to know about this most tempting of treats from renowned chocolatier, Gerry Wilton, as part of the award-winning Vistas onboard enrichment programme. This special 14-night ‘Portugal, Madeira & the Canaries’ cruise, sailing from Portsmouth on November 4, features a theme of ‘The Chocolate Experience’, and guests will learn about the history of chocolate, as well as being able to participate in hands-on chocolate-making classes whilst on board.

The cruise visits the ‘Garden Island’ of Madeira before taking in some more winter sunshine in the Canary Islands of La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Vibrant Lisbon, Portugal’s colourful capital, is the ship’s next port of call, followed by Leixoes for tours to the bustling city of Oporto, before returning to Portsmouth.

Prices start from £899, for two adults sharing a twin-bedded cabin, Grade ‘I’, and include all meals and accommodation, entertainment – including ‘The Chocolate Experience’ – and port taxes.

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

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Swan Hellenic's Grand Med Voyage

Join Swan Hellenic’s MV Minerva for a 29-day 'Grand Mediterranean and Adriatic' cruise from just £3,382 per person in August (based on two people sharing an inside cabin) – that’s little more than £100 per person per day.

This epic voyage explores the genuine highlights of the Mediterranean in the height of summer whilst visiting more than 20 different ports of call, including La Coruna, Valletta and Kotor, all with the benefit an ex-UK departure and the benefit of packing and unpacking only once!

The cruise sets sail from Portsmouth on August 1 and calls at St Peter Port (Guernsey), La Coruna (Spain), Oporto (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Cartagena (Spain), Palma (Majorca), Cagliari (Italy), Trapani (Italy), Valletta (Malta, overnight), Dubrovnik (Croatia, overnight), Korcula (Croatia), Split (Croatia), Trieste (Italy), Venice (Italy), Pula (Croatia), Kotor (Croatia, overnight), Sarande (Albania), Itea (Greece) and Piraeus (Greece, overnight).

The price includes a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent guest speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes.
 

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

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40,000 Free Nights With P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is giving away 40,000 free cruise nights on cruises of seven nights or more when booked in June or July 2011.

All cruises of seven nights or more, departing between August 1 and December 31 are eligible for one free cruise night when booked by July 31.

A nine-night cruise on board Oceana departing October 17, 2011 (E128) is priced from £761 per person including a one free night saving of £95 per person. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Casablanca and Oporto.

For bookings throughout June and July, P&O Cruises is also offering complimentary three night pre or post-cruise city hotel stays on selected exotic cruise holidays.

Aurora’s San Francisco to Sydney cruise is a 22-night cruise from January 26 to February 18, 2012. Ports of call include San Francisco, Hilo, Honolulu, Apia, Pago Pago, Port Denarau, Auckland, Bay of Islands and Sydney. Prices start at £2,086 and include three free nights in a Sydney Hotel but do not include flights.

All prices are per person and based on two adults sharing on a full board basis including all main meals, entertainment and most facilities.

All bookings must be made before July 31, 2011. More info at www.pocruises.com or, to book, contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Swan Hellenic's Summer Bargain

Don’t miss out on Swan Hellenic’s 14-night ‘Rivers and Vineyards’ cruise this summer at the new lower fare of £1,375 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). If you enjoy a fine glass of wine, then this is the cruise for you: not only does the itinerary offer a superb programme of wine-tasting across some of Europe’s most famous vineyards but guests will also be joined on board by guest speaker Christopher Campbell, Managing Director of Rothschild Waddesdon Wine, who will share his knowledge on wine varieties, regions and much more.

The price includes flights from London, transfers and a 14-night cruise departing Lisbon (Portugal) and calling at Oporto (Portugal), Gijon (Spain), Bilbao (Spain), Bordeaux (France), St Peter Port (Channel Islands), St Malo (France), Rouen (France) before arriving at Portsmouth; meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus inclusive shore excursion programme and onboard lectures from a team of renowned guest speakers. Price is based on a June 8 departure.

For more information, see www.swanhellenic.com or the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Oceania Cruises offers up to $1000 onboard credit

By guest blogger Steve Newman

For selected departures between April and July 2011 on three of its upper premium luxury ships, Oceania Cruises is offering $1,000 of onboard credit per booking. Included among the offer sailings are:-

23rd April: Wonders of the Ancients – 14-night cruise on Insignia (above), embarking in Civitavecchia (Rome) and cruising to Sorrento, Taormina, Zakynthos, Alexandria, Cairo, Haifa, Jerusalem, Limassol, Tartous, Alanya, Ephesus and Athens. The price of £2,571 per guest is based on 2 sharing and includes all meals, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water, as well as the $1,000 credit per stateroom (excludes flights).

27th May: Gems of Europe – this 15-night voyage on Insignia now comes with a $1,000 onboard credit per stateroom and is priced from £2,690 per guest, including all meals, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water (excluding fights). The cruise sails from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Marseille, taking in Barcelona, Malaga, Seville, Lisbon, Oporto, La Coruna, Bilbao, Bordeaux and Lorient before completing the voyage in Greenwich.

Other sailings with the enticing $1,000 onboard credit include in Alaska on Regatta and winter 2011/12 voyages on Nautica.

To find out more, visit http://www.oceaniacruises.co.uk/ or check with the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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