CroisiEurope take Belle de l'Adriatique set to Athens and Istanbul

Cruising further east: CroisiEurope's MS Belle de l'Adriatique

CroisiEurope is introducing a new Athens-Istanbul itinerary for winter 2014/15 onboard the 200-guest MS Belle de l’Adriatique, which spends the summer based in Dubrovnik. Between November and March the vessel - a cross between an ocean-going cruise ship and a river boat -  will offer an eight-day cruise on the Aegean and Marmara Seas, exploring the incredibly rich culture and heritage of this region. 

Starting in Athens, the cruise will take in Patmos, Kusadasi and Pergamon before finishing in Istanbul. Highlights will include the Acropolis, Cape Sounion and the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits. There will be a choice of excursions available such as the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Patmos, the ancient Greek ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon, and the Basilica Cistern, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar and Spice Market in Istanbul. On board, a guest lecturer will enhance the guest experience by giving talks about the destinations visited and placing them within historical context.

Prices for this eight-day cruise start from £926 per person for accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, complimentary beer and wine at lunch and dinner as well as open bar throughout the voyage (not including Champagne, special wines or fine brandies), onboard entertainment and port taxes.

Book a November, December or January cruise before 30 October to receive a discount of £170 per person.

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Bag Some Credit With Oceania

Yes, it's still 'Wave' Season, and yes, there are still some great cruise deals to be had in the first few weeks of the New Year.

Like this one from Oceania Cruises, who are offering $200 onboard credit for all cruises booked by next Monday, January 13.

The offer is applicable for ALL sailings on the line’s five luxury ships, Riviera, Marina, Regatta, Insignia and Nautica. All cruises include return UK flights, all meals, no supplement for speciality dining, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

Like these two wonderful sailings (with guaranteed sunshine!): 

March 28: 10-night Caribbean cruise for £1899 (saving £1290pp)

This voyage feature a new lower fare (was £3,189) and free gratuities, plus the bonus of $200 onboard credit to spend in the ship’s boutiques and spa. It is a round-trip sailing from Miami on Riviera (above), taking in the Caribbean islands of Antigua, St Barts, Barbados, Tortola and St Lucia.

May 5: 10-night Turkey, Holy Land and Greek Islands cruise for £2,109pp

Enjoy free gratuities, internet, and an amazing £1,647pp saving, as well as the bonus $200 onboard credit for this `Historic Holy Lands’ sailing, from Istanbul to Athens. In addition to the Greek islands of Rhodes and Patmos, Riviera visits Kusadasi, Cyprus and Haifa, where a two-night stay enables guests to discover the Holy Land with a range of optional excursions.

More info: call 0845 505 1920 or visit www.oceaniacruises.com.

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Discover Med History With Voyages Of Discovery

Set sail to Turkey and Greece with Voyages of Discovery on a history-themed cruise exploring the birthplace of civilisation.

Visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in Kusadasi (Turkey); learn about the Monastery of St John in Patmos (Greece); discover a variety of historic landmarks in Athens, including the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Theatre of Dionysos.

Prices start from £1,449 per person (Saver Fare price, based on two people sharing an inside cabin), with the the 13-day cruise on new ship MV Voyager departing on October 21 from Istanbul (after an overnight stay) and calling at Canakkale (for Gallipoli), Dikili (for Pergamum), Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Antalya (overnight), Patmos, Kavala, Thessaloniki and Piraeus (for Athens, overnight).

NB: Saver Fares are payable in full at the time of booking, 100% cancellation fees apply. Cabins will be allocated just prior to departure. Saver Fares do not include gratuities, UK coach transfers or car parking at the port and are not protected by the Voyages of Discovery Price Promise.

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

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Star Clippers Offers Med History

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has announced a series of lectures on Mediterranean history that will take place on two Cyclades voyages on their majestic 170-passenger Star Clipper this summer.

Dr Renate Scheiper, a qualified archaeologist and expert in the Mediterranean region, will be on board on August 17 and 24 to give talks to guests in both English and German. Her lectures will be specific to the ports to which the four-masted clipper ship will be sailing, bringing each destination alive. Subjects on the August 17 departure, which sails to Rhodes, Bodrum, the Dalyan River, Santorini and Hydra, include archaeology, medieval history, mythology and the legend of Atlantis. Prices are from £1,435pp, including full board on the ship, all lectures and port taxes (flights are extra).

On the August 24 departure, which calls at Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia, Dr Scheiper will discuss the history of Ephesus, St John the Apostle and the monastery on Patmos, and the temples of Delos. Prices are from £1,435pp, including full board on the ship, all lectures and port taxes (flights extra).

As well as Dr Scheiper’s historical lectures, Star Clippers will be offering yoga and culinary-themed cruises this summer in the Mediterranean and the Baltic.

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

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New Oceania Late Offers

How's this for a great little pair of special offers this week from upmarket Oceania Cruises and their fabulous new ship Marina (above)?

2nd November: Sands of Time 12-night Europe/Asia cruise, from £1,199
For an exceptional cruise through some of Europe and Asia’s most iconic destinations, Oceania is offering a saving of £1,061 per person on board their brand new luxury ship Marina. The sailing from Istanbul to Athens can now be booked from just £1,199 per person for an inside stateroom, PLUS a $1,000 onboard credit. The voyage embarks in Istanbul and continues to Ephesus, Rhodes, Limassol, Haifa, Jerusalem, Crete, Patmos and Volos before disembarking in Athens.

14th November: Splendid Escapes, 10-night Athens to Rome cruise, from £1,499pp
This magnificent sailing through some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and historic islands on board Marina is now from £1,499 per person, based on two sharing, including a $1,000 onboard credit/stateroom, all meals and complimentary soft drinks and bottled water.

For more info, visit www.oceaniacruises.com or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Grab An Autumn Bargain With Oceania

How's this for a great last-minute cruise bargain? We love the idea of Oceania Cruises at the best of times, but this could be THE deal of the autumn:

Departing September 19, Oceania Cruises’ brand new luxury cruise ship Marina (above) has a spectacular 12-night sailing from Istanbul to Athens from just £1,499 per person, PLUS $1,000 per stateroom onboard credit (a saving of £1,327pp).

The voyage embarks from Istanbul and travels to Rhodes, Limassol, Haifa, Jerusalem, Crete, Patmos and Volos before disembarking in Athens.

For more info, visit www.oceaniacruises.com or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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BIG Savings (And More!) with Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises has savings of up to 56% off cruises on board its mid-sized luxury cruise ships, plus an additional $1,000 on board credit per stateroom, allowing guests to make their cruise as inclusive as they want it to be. All prices are quoted per person, based on two guests sharing an inside stateroom and include all meals, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

Check out these examples:

7th September: ‘Jewels of the Aegean’, 12-night cruise Venice to Istanbul from £1,799pp

New ship Marina has a spectacular sailing from Venice with $1,000 onboard credit and a saving of £1,654pp. It cruises through the Aegean Sea via Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Corfu, Patras, Zakynthos and Athens before disembarking in Istanbul.

19th September: `Sands of Time’, 12-night Greek island cruise from £1,199pp

Marina has a spectacular sailing from Istanbul to Athens with $1,000 onboard credit and a saving of £1,264pp. It voyages through Rhodes, Limassol, Haifa, Jerusalem, Crete, Patmos and Volos before disembarking in Athens.

3rd October: ‘Jewels of the Aegean’, 12-night Aegean Sea cruise from £1,999pp

Cruise from Venice to Istanbul through the beautiful Aegean Sea via Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Corfu, Patras, Zakynthos and Athens on mid-sized ship Insignia with a saving of £1,182 per person, plus $1,000 onboard credit per stateroom.

1st October: `Roman Revelations’, 14-night Med cruise from £1,399pp

Cruise from Istanbul to Barcelona via Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Marmaris, Alanya, Limassol, Haifa, Jerusalem and Valletta on Oceania's Nautica, with $1,000 onboard credit and saving up to £1,467 per person.

For more info, visit www.oceaniacruises.co.uk or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Free Flights With Star Clippers

Niche tall ship cruise operator Star Clippers is offering free flights up to £400pp with bookings for tall-ship cruises from Athens, through the Greek islands, this August. Sailings include all meals and a choice of two superb itineraries, the Southern Cyclades (August 6 and 20) and the Northern Cyclades (August 13 and 27), on board the 170-passenger, 4-masted Star Clipper.

The cruise costs from £1295 per person, based on two sharing, for bookings made by June 30. Guests on the August 6 and 20 departures can also enjoy complimentary instruction from yoga teacher Christel Vollmer who will be holding daily sessions of Astanga yoga on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. Christel will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home.

The Northern Cyclades itinerary departs from Athens and calls into Camlimani and Kusadasi (for the antiquities at Ephesus) in Turkey, and Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia in Greece. The August 13 departure has a qualified yoga teacher on board and also offers complimentary talks, classes and guided meditation.

The Southern Cyclades itinerary is a round-trip from Athens, calling at Rhodes; Bodrum and Dalyan in Turkey; and dramatic Santorini and Hydra, haunt of many artists. The August 6 departure has a qualified yoga teacher on board and also offers complimentary talks, classes and guided meditation.

For more info, visit www.starclippers.co.uk or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Go Yoga Cruising With Star Clippers!

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering guests free daily yoga and meditation in August as part of two yoga-themed cruises in the Aegean Sea on board the 170-passenger tall ship Star Clipper.

With settings including the emerald and turquoise coastline of Turkey, or the dramatic, black volcanic cliffs of Santorini as a background, yoga classes will take place in the open air, on Star Clipper’s sun-warmed teak decks, under thousands of square feet of billowing sails – the ultimate relaxation for body and soul, enhanced by the fresh sea air.

Qualified yoga teacher Christel Vollmer will be holding the daily sessions of Astanga yoga, also known as power yoga, on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. Christel will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home.

For those who want to follow a healthy or vegetarian diet during the cruise, Star Clippers’ usual sumptuous breakfast buffets, piled with fresh, seasonal fruits, and magnificent arrays of salads at lunchtime will be available, as well as vegetarian choices at dinner.

Astanga yoga is a dynamic and powerful style of yoga based on a sequence of easy-to-learn movements called asanas. Christel’s classes, which take place in English, will be suitable for all levels and no prior experience is required. There is no upper age limit for practicing yoga; Christel herself is in her fifties, with many years of teaching experience, having trained under West Coast-based Bryan Kest, yoga guru to stars including Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Sting.

There are two yoga cruises to choose between. 'Southern Cyclades' departs Athens on August 6 and calls at Rhodes, Bodrum, the Dalyan River, Santorini and Hydra. 'Northern Cyclades', also on Star Clipper, departs Athens on August 13 and calls at Kusadasi, Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia. Each itinerary includes a day at sea for extra relaxation and contemplation.

Prices start from £1,160 per person, including flights from London (to the value of £350 per person), port taxes and full board on the ship (transfers are extra).

For more info, see www.starclippers.co.uk or the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Star Clippers Offers Free Flights

Star Clippers, which operates three of the world’s most romantic tall ships, is offering complimentary flights from London for UK-based passengers to join select sailings for summer Mediterranean cruises on the 170-passenger Star Clipper and her sister ship Star Flyer, saving up to £350 per person off published airline fares.

The voyages on these beautifully appointed clipper ships include itineraries around the Greek islands and Turkey in the Eastern Med. The complimentary flights offer is for bookings received by April 30 on return travel from London to the airport closest to the embarkation/disembarkation point and includes a choice of nine sailing dates and cruises of 7 nights’ duration.

The offer applies to the following itineraries:

Star Clipper, Northern Cyclades on June 25, July 9 and August 13 and 27, round trip from Athens, calling at Camlimani and Kusadasi (for the antiquities at Ephesus) in Turkey, and Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia in Greece. The August 13 departure has a yoga theme, with complimentary talks, classes and guided meditation. From £1,160 per person, including flights from London to the value of £350 per person, full board on the ship and port taxes (transfers extra).

Star Clipper, Southern Cyclades on August 6 and 20, round trip from Athens, calling at Rhodes; Bodrum and Dalyan in Turkey; dramatic Santorini and Hydra, haunt of many artists. The August 6 departure also has a yoga theme. From £1,160 per person, including flights from London to the value of £350 per person, full board on the ship and port taxes (transfers extra).

Star Flyer, Greek Isles & Turkey on July 23, departing Athens and calling at Mykonos, Kos, Patmos, Chios, Dikili (for Pergamum), Cannakale (for Troy) and Istanbul. From £1,160 per person, including flights from London to the value of £350 per person, full board on the ship and port taxes (transfers extra).

Star Flyer, Yachtsman’s Paradise on July 16 and 30, departing Istanbul and calling at Canakkale (for Troy), Myrena, Sarti, Skopelos, Skiathos (where the movie Mamma Mia was set), Skyros, Poros and Athens. From £1,160 per person, including flights from London to the value of £350 per person, full board on the ship and port taxes (transfers extra).

For more info, visit http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or contact the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line

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.

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