Discover Pompeii With Celebrity

With the release of Hollywood blockbuster Pompeii next month (starring Kit Harrington of Game of Thrones fame and Kiefer Sutherland), a visit to the ancient Roman city, via the cruise port of Naples, is likely to be high on the must-see list for many Mediterranean visitors and film buffs.

 

And those clever marketing folks at Celebrity Cruises have been quick to highlight the possibilities of a visit to Pompeii on one of their Med sailings this summer, with the opportunity to step back 2,000 years in time and discover the petrified city’s ancient history.

 

Perfectly preserved in time by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD79, history and cinema enthusiasts alike can explore the region on a range of shore excursions from Naples. As a special bonus, Celebrity are also offering guests any two of the following offers: a complimentary drinks package, worth up to $1,400; up to $300 onboard credit; or fully paid gratuities.

 

A typical example is aboard Celebrity Equinox for a seven-night Istanbul to Rome fly/cruise from £1,689 per person (based on two people sharing an oceanview stateroom). The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers, one-night pre-cruise accommodation and a seven-night cruise departing from Istanbul and calling at Mykonos, Athens, Valletta, Catania and Naples before arriving into Rome for the flight home. Also included - all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price based on a July 18 UK departure. Book before February 28 to take advantage of the special 123 Go! offer.

More info: call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk.

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A Historical Odyssey With Voyages of Discovery & Swan Hellenic

History enthusiasts and fans of the British Museum’s celebrated ‘Life and death in Pompeii and Herculaneum’ exhibition (running until September 29) can see the real ruins for themselves this year with Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic.  

Join Voyages of Discovery’s 15-day Mediterranean Medley cruise on September 12 to the Italian port of Castellammare di Stabia, where passengers can enjoy a guided tour of the ruined cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii on foot, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. Prices start from £1,399 per person (Saver Fare, based on two sharing an inside cabin).  

The voyage departs from Marseille and calls at Nice, Livorno, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Castellammare di Stabia, Messina, Brindisi, Ancona, Venice, Sibenik, Hvar and Dubrovnik (overnight). NB: The ‘Herculaneum and Pompeii’ excursion is subject to a supplementary charge of £75 per person.

Alternatively, join Swan Hellenic’s 14-day cruise, Through the Pillars of Hercules, on November 5. As well as visiting Pompeii, passengers will be able to listen to special guest lectures from Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe, a renowned expert in archaeology. Other highlights of the cruise include a full day visit to the Moorish Alhambra Palace in Granada and a chance to explore Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Prices start from £1,395 per person (Saver Fare, based on two sharing an inside cabin).  

The voyage departs from Naples (with an overnight stay), and calls at Catania, Palermo, La Goulette, Malaga, Cadiz, Funchal and Tenerife (overnight). 

Prices for both cruises include return flights, all overseas transfers, meals and entertainment and the Guest Speaker programme on board. Cabin numbers will not be allocated at the time of booking. 

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

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Autumn Escape With Swan Hellenic

Escape to the Med this autumn to explore historic cities and ancient ruins onboard Swan Hellenic's recently refurbished MV Minerva.

Highlights of the 15-day 'The Mediterranean World' cruise include a visit to the ruined city of Pompeii, the chance to explore Lucca - the town of Puccini's birth – as well as trips to the famous leaning tower of Pisa and the Tunisian port of Sousse, famous for the imprints left by Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs throughout its colourful history.

Renowned experts in archaeology, ornithology and Carthaginian history will be joining passengers onboard and providing lectures throughout the cruise.

The cruise starts from £1,695 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin) and departs from Naples (overnight stop), Livorno, Civitavecchia, Alghero (Sardinia, above), Palermo, Trapani, La Goulette, Sousse and Valletta before arriving into Piraeus (for Athens, overnight) for the flight back to the UK.

The price 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 Ltd, the UK’s adventure cruising specialists.

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Capri, Naples and Amalfi on Royal Clipper

More from my live blog from the wonderful Royal Clipper...

Hello again. Very hot here, with a clear blue sky. I hate to think what it's like in summer. The others have gone to Capri for the afternoon but I have always been fascinated by Naples so I will be wandering around here.

We got back from Pompeii late but the ship held lunch back for us. If I have one complaint about this ship it is that the food is just TOO tempting. I am going to have to start Weight-watchers when I get back!

We sail to Amalfi tonight and I am so looking forward to seeing those houses clinging to the cliffsides.

Take care now and have a good night.

Steve Newman

For more on this cruise, see www.starclippers.co.uk or visit The Cruise Line Ltd, the luxury sailing cruise specialists.

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Norwegian Epic’s Inaugural Season in Europe

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Norwegian Epic’s inaugural season in Europe takes place next year from May until October. The round-trip departing from Barcelona offers the chance to get a taste of Tuscany in the mellow squares and art galleries of Renaissance Florence, take a tour of Pompeii – the stunning city buried under volcanic ash for nearly 1,700 years - or get to know Rome in an exclusive visit to the Vatican City.

While onboard, guests can choose from no less than 20 international dining options and take in a number of fantastic shows, such as the Blue Man Group or Legends in Concert. There is plenty of opportunity to get active, with onboard rock-climbing, 10-pin bowling and fitness centre and aqua park. Or, for guests who prefer to simply relax, Norwegian Epic is also home to the largest spa at sea.

Itinerary: Western Mediterranean – round-trip Barcelona

Ports: Livorno; Civitavecchia; Naples; Palma.

Duration: 7-night fly-cruise

Price from: £839

What’s included: Return flights to/from Barcelona, 7 nights freestyle cruising on board Norwegian Epic, including all meals and entertainment (price based on October 9 departure).

For more information, visit http://www.ncl.co.uk/ or call the cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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