Seabourn reveals names of new ships

A rendering of the pool deck on-board Seabourn Encore

Small ship cruise line Seabourn have revealed the names of its two new ships that were ordered last year. Seabourn Encore will arrive in late 2016 and Seabourn Ovation will be launched in spring 2018.

Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation will maintain the line's high ratio of space per guest offering a highly personalised service. Both ships will be configured with one additional deck, newly expanded public areas, and modern design elements and innovations.

Hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany will design both Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation in their entirety. He will design all indoor and outdoor guest areas as well as the dining venues. The new 40,350 gross ton vessels are expected to carry 604 guests each, based on double occupancy. Every cabin will be a suite and each one will feature a private balcony.

The addition of the two new ships will mean that Seabourn will have the youngest ultra-luxury fleet in the industry.

Richard Meadows, Seabourn President, said "Both words, Encore and Ovation, pay tribute to the tremendous success and outstanding accomplishments our current ships have achieved. They are perfect names to celebrate Seabourn's expanding fleet."

During her maiden season Seabourn Encore will embark on voyages that span Arabia and India, South-east Asia as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Further details about the two vessels can be found on the new dedicated micro-site released by the cruise line.

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Windstar unveils Star Breeze and Star Legend

A rendering of the Star Bar

Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises will expand its fleet from four to six ships in May 2015 with the addition of two vessels from Seabourn. Recently Windstar Cruises announced the list of changes it plans to make to the two vessels to align them with their brand.

Windstar will take possession of the first Seabourn ship on 15 April 2015. It will undergo an $8.5 million (£5.6 million) renovation over the course of three weeks in Genoa, Italy before débuting as Star Breeze during a christening ceremony on 6 May in Nice, France.

The second vessel will join the fleet on 4 May 2015, and undergo a similar $8.5 million (£5.6 million) renovation before being christened Star Legend on 25 May in Rome, Italy.

Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises’ chief executive officer said “We learned a lot about our guests’ preferences with the début of Star Pride last year. We are taking their feedback and giving them what they want with the launch of these two all suite yachts.”

Both yachts will have a capacity of 212 passengers at double occupancy. Upgrades to the suites, public areas, and dining venues will be made as part of the renovation works.

The public areas will receive updated décor, complete with new and more modern upholstery, lighting, wall coverings, carpeting, ceiling finishes, window treatments, and floorings. A contemporary colour palette will be used that will combine sand and marine shades to contrast with the warmth of wood finishes, thereby creating an up-scale, nautical feel.

All restaurants will be transformed as will every one of the 106 suites which will receive a modern colour palette of vibrant blue hues, rich brown tones, and opulent greys.

Windstar is also planning a $3 million (£1.9 million) additional renovation of Star Pride in April 2016. Star Pride joined Windstar’s fleet from Seabourn in May 2014 following renovation works.

(Photo credit to Windstar Cruises)

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Seabourn orders a second brand new cruise ship

Luxury cruise line Seabourn has announced that it has a second brand new 40,350-ton vessel on order with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A. The first new Seabourn ship is scheduled for delivery in mid-to-late 2016, and the second is expected to be delivered in the spring of 2018.

Seabourn Odyssey at sea

This announcement will take the fleet up to a size of five ships. The two new vessels will help to replace capacity that was lost when Seabourn Pride was sold to Windstar Cruises in April 2014, and when Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend are also sold to Windstar Cruises in April and May next year.

The configuration of both new vessels will be based on the popular Seabourn Odyssey-class ships. Each will accommodate up to 604 guests based on double occupancy of the lower berths and every cabin will be a suite grade and will come with a private balcony. The ships will feature one additional deck as well as brand new expanded public areas.

As you would expect from a luxury cruise line the staff-to-guest ration is nearly one-to-one assuring attentive, personalised and responsive service.

Richard D. Meadows, Seabourn's president, said at the announcement of the first new vessel "The new ship will continue the evolution that began with Seabourn's fleet expansion, adding modern design elements and innovations consistent with Seabourn's reputation for understated elegance."

Both ships will benefit from the interior design skills of Adam D. Tihany who will be responsible for designing the ship’s interiors entirely, including all indoor and outdoor guest areas, multiple dining venues, the spa, the showrooms, casino and lounges, the outdoor deck areas, and the innovative and popular Seabourn Square which will act as the social hub of the ship.

Tihany worked on the Celebrity Solstice  class of cruise ships and is renowned for his restaurant projects for high-profile celebrity chefs such as Heston Blumenthal and Wolfgang Puck, as well as for luxury hotel projects including the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, The Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi, and Hotel Cipriani in Venice. 

The announcements of two new vessels follows news that Seabourn will visit the Qatari capital Doha and the desert island haven of Sir Bani Yas off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for the first time in 2015.

Doha will be the penultimate port of call on the luxury cruise line’s new 18-day Holy Land & Gems of Arabia cruise from Athens to Dubai, sailing on Seabourn Sojourn in October 2015. Doha is a vibrant multicultural city with impressive architecture and plentiful shopping opportunities. Cruise-only prices start from £4,999 per person based on two people sharing a suite on the 31 October 2015 departure. The 18-day cruise departs from Piraeus (Athens, Greece) and calls at Agios Nikolaos (Crete, Greece), Haifa (Tel Aviv, Israel), and Ashdod (Jerusalem, Israel), before travelling along the Suez Canal. The next port of call is Aqaba (for Petra, Jordan), Salalah (Oman), Muscat (Oman) and Doha (Qatar), before finally arriving into Dubai (UAE).

Sir Bani Yas island will be the first port of call for guests on board Seabourn’s new 18-day Dubai to Singapore Arabian Jewels & India sailing in November 2015, also on-board Seabourn Sojourn. The island is a haven for wildlife and is home to more than 100 bird species and 30 species of mammals. During the sail-in there may also be the opportunity for sightings of dolphins and turtles in the turquoise seas of the Persian Gulf. Cruise-only prices start from £5,499 per person based on two people sharing a suite on the 18 November 2015 departure.  The 18-day cruise departs from Dubai (UAE) and calls at Sir Bani Yas Island (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Muscat (Oman), Mumbai (India), Mangalore (India), Cochin (India), and Phuket (Thailand), before arriving into Singapore.

(Photo credit to Seabourn Cruise Line)

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Seabourn to offer exclusive tours to World Heritage sites as part of UNESCO partnership

As part of Seabourn’s newly formed partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the cruise line is offering excursions to over 160 World Heritage sites around the globe including a number of exclusive Discovery Tours only available on a Seabourn cruise.

  

Example Discovery Tours include: The Great Barrier Reef, Cairns: Travel by luxury reef boat to the world’s richest marine habitat, accompanied exclusively by a UNESCO guest speaker and a marine biologist. Guests will enjoy talks on the reef’s history, complex ecosystems and conservation projects as well as one-on-one discussions throughout the day. 

Taj Mahal and Jaipur mid-cruise journey: The five day mid-cruise exclusive experience includes a visit to the world famous Taj Mahal. Considered to be the greatest achievement of Indo-Islamic architecture, Seabourn guests will enjoy guided visits to the iconic palace at both sunrise and sunset. The Discovery Tour will also include visits to the charming town of Agra, Jaipur and its regal city palace as well as the bustling city of Delhi.

The Alhambra, Malaga  (above):  As one of the world’s most beautiful collections of building and gardens, Seabourn guests will enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Palace, Generalife Gardens and the Fortress of Alcazaba. Dating back to the 14^th century, 

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Veranda Suite upgrades on Seabourn sailing with Troubleshooter Lord Digby Jones

Seabourn is offering Veranda Suite upgrades on its 16-day Jewels of India and Arabia sailing in March 2015.   As part of the Seabourn Conversations enrichment programme, guests onboard will be joined by Lord Digby Jones who will be sharing his insight and knowledge during a series of talks.  Lord Jones will be sharing anecdotes from his career in business and politics, spanning several decades. Guests onboard the 16-day sailing will also visit the lively island of Phuket, tropical Goan beaches and cosmopolitan Dubai.

Sailing

Join Seabourn Odyssey (above) on a 16-day Jewels of India and Arabia fly/cruise from £5,009 per person (based on two people sharing a Veranda suite upgraded from an Oceanview suite).

Price includes flights from London Heathrow, transfers and a 16-day cruise departing from Singapore and calling at Phuket, Cochin, Marmagao, Mumbai, Muscat and Khor al Fakkan before arriving into Dubai for the flight home.  Price is based on 23 March 2015 departure.

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Visit Antarctica and South Africa with Seabourn

Seabourn have two cruises visiting South Africa and Antarctica later on this year.

21-day Ultimate Antarctica and Patagonia sailing 

Join Seabourn Quest on a 21-day Antarctica and Patagonia cruise-only from £6,299 per person (based on two people sharing a Veranda Suite). Price includes a 21-day cruise departing from Buenos Aires and calling at Montevideo, Stanley, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, the Chilean Fjords, Castro, Puerto Montt and Valparaiso.  Price is based on 29 November departure. 

  

14-day South Africa Christmas sailing 

Join Seabourn Sojourn (above) on a 14-day South Africa Christmas cruise-only from £4,499 per person (based on two people sharing a Veranda Suite). Price includes a 14-day cruise departing from Cape Town and calling at Port Elizabeth, Durban, Richards Bay, Maputo, East London and Mossel Bay before arriving back into Cape Town.  Price is based on 21 December departure.

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Seabourn to visit three new destinations in The Philippines

Seabourn will visit three new destinations in The Philippines with its first Pearls of the Philippines & Borneo cruise. The new 14-day itinerary will for the first time give guests the opportunity to explore the Hundred Islands National Park, the island of Boracay, and the city of Puerto Princesa.

With a maximum capacity of just 458 guests, Seabourn Sojourn will navigate the scattered islands of The Philippines that many other ships are unable to reach. Ports included on this sailing include Manila and Coron in The Philippines, and Kota Kinabalu and Kuching on Borneo.

Join Seabourn Sojourn on a 14-day Pearls of the Philippines & Borneo cruise from £6,139 per person (based on two people sharing a suite).

Price includes flights from London, transfers and a 14-night cruise departing from Hong Kong and calling at Hundred Islands, Manila, Boracay, Coron, Puerto Princesa,Kota Kinabalu, Muara, and Kuchin, before arriving into Singapore.

Price is based on 1 March 2015 departure.

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Seabourn’s UNESCO partnership brings World Heritage on board

Prominent experts on world heritage will be speaking on board Seabourn ships as part of the luxury cruise line’s newly-formed partnership with UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Topics including culture, heritage, history and the importance of sustainable tourism in preserving World Heritage Sites will be covered by a host of UNESCO advisors and consultants as a new twist on Seabourn’s enrichment and entertainment programme, Seabourn Conversations.

There are more than a dozen UNESCO speakers scheduled to take part in Seabourn Conversations on sailings around the world during the next 18 months, including Jacinta Nzioka, director of marketing for the Kenya Tourist Board on Seabourn Sojourn (above) from 13 December. Dr. Carol Westrik, author of “The Future of World Heritage” for UNESCO’s 40^th anniversary, Dr. Juan Jose Negro, an internationally-renowned speaker on natural heritage and director of the Doñana Biological Station in Spain (Seabourn Quest, 12 May 2015), and Dr. Ray Bondin (Seabourn Sojourn, 31 May 2015), who has extensive experience in the rehabilitation of heritage sites.

To view the full list of scheduled UNESCO guest speakers click here.

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Veranda Suite upgrades and exclusive National Cruise Week reduced fares from Seabourn

From 27 September to 13 October 2014 Seabourn will be offering customers complimentary upgrades to Veranda Suites and up to £500 off per person for National Cruise Week.

Complimentary upgrades to a Veranda Suite are included on sailings to destinations including the Adriatic and Greek Isles, the Mediterranean and Istanbul. Seabourn is also offering reduced fares on a range of European itineraries on bookings made on Veranda

Join Seabourn Odyssey on a seven-day Adriatic and Greek Isles cruise-only from £2,999 per person (based on two people sharing a Veranda suite, upgraded free of charge from an Oceanview Suite).

Price includes a seven-day cruise departing from Venice, Triluke Bay (Croatia), Dubrovnik, Kerkira, Nydri, Katakolon and Monemvasia before arriving into Piraeus. Price is based on 29 August 2015 departure.

Price applicable on bookings made between 27 September and 13 October 2014.

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Exclusive National Cruise Week offers from Seabourn

Seabourn will be offering customers a range of added extras including free upgrades to Veranda Suites as part of National Cruise Week.

Seabourn customers can make the most of the National Cruise Week exclusives on offer as part of the luxury holiday experience including complimentary upgrades to a Veranda Suite on sailings to destinations including Australia, Myanmar, Malaysia and Antarctica. Guests can also enjoy complimentary marina days and private watersports at Croatia’s idyllic Triluke Bay and Bandol on the Côte d'Azur in the south of France, as part of their Seabourn experience. 

Those keen to explore Antarctica can visit in style onboard Seabourn’s six-star Seabourn Quest. The 17 strong team, led by adventurer and explorer, Robin West will ensure guests make the most of their time in the region with Zodiac landings each day and the iconic ‘Caviar on the Ice’ experience.

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Luxury Cruising - At A Bargain Price

Today's latest offer needs no real introduction - it is just a chance to sample sea-going luxury at a great price as Seabourn has released a selection of eye-catching offers for those seeking some excitement this summer. 

Take your pick from:

7-Day Adriatic & Greek Isles, departing August 23: A 7-day cruise on Seabourn Odyssey from Venice to Athens calling at Sibenik, Kotor, Bay of Kotor, Corfu, Fiscardo, Gythion, and Rethymnon on Crete. A complimentary upgrade is available from Ocean View to Veranda stateroom.

Prices start from £1,899pp for cruise only, with fly/cruise prices from £2,619, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini bar.

7-Day St. Petersburg & The Baltic departing June 29: A 7-day cruise on Seabourn Quest from Copenhagen to Stockholm, calling at Tallinn, St Petersburg and Helsinki. Again, a complimentary upgrade is available from Ocean View to Veranda stateroom.

Prices start from £1,999pp for cruise only, with fly/cruise prices from £2,429, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini bar.

More info: 0843 373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.co.uk.

The next edition of World of Cruising will be out on March 17, and you can see the current version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

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Seabourn Showcase Royal Painter

Here's a truly unique opportunity for an artistic sea-going experience with the ultra-deluxe style of Seabourn this summer.

Royal Portrait Painter Richard Stone is to host one of the popular ‘Seabourn Conversations’ on board Seabourn Quest in July, offering guests the rare opportunity to learn about his experiences painting the Royal family and other famous sitters.

Richard will be on the Quest’s 12-day Baltic & the Low Countries cruise, which departs from Copenhagen on July 27 and ends in Dover on August 8.

Cruise only prices start from £3,999pp, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini-bar. The trip includes a complimentary upgrade to a Veranda Suite.

This itinerary features some of Europe’s most exciting art history and culture, from Kalmar’s brick castle, and Gent’s Gothic cathedral (featuring Van Eyck’s famous Adoration of the Lamb masterpiece) to the pastel palaces and spires of St Petersburg. It also takes in the cobbled streets of medieval Tallinn in Estonia and two days of exploring the museums and canals of Amsterdam.

Seabourn Conversations is a recently-introduced concept for onboard enrichment and special guest entertainment, where luminaries from the worlds of cuisine, theatre, art, history, politics and more provide skilled presentations of their expertise, while also sharing meals, adventures ashore and casual chats with the other guests throughout the voyage.

More info: call 0843 373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.co.uk.

The next edition of World of Cruising will be out on March 17, and you can see the current version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

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Select A Super Seabourn Offer

The Caribbean is a guaranteed cure for the winter blues, and luxury cruise line Seabourn are well aware of that, hence they have just released a selection of highly tempting offers for those seeking some much-needed mid-winter sunshine. And, being the thoughtful souls that we are here at World of Cruising, we were sure they would be of interest to you.

Take your pick from these two special deal gems, both of which feature a $300 onboard credit bonus.

A 7-Day Caribbean Isles cruise departing February 2: sail on Seabourn Pride from Aruba to St Maarten with  $300 onboard credit per suite. Prices start from just £1,499 per person, for cruise only, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully-stocked mini bar.

7-Day Caribbean Discovery departing February 16:  this cruise on Seabourn Pride goes from Aruba to St Thomas in the US Virgin islands and also features the $300 onboard credit per suite. Prices start from just £1,799pp, cruise only, again based on two sharing a suite, and inclusive of all tips, fine dining, open bars and stocked mini bar.

More info: call 0843 373 2000 or visit http://www.seabourn.co.uk/

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have SO much to offer in 2014. Check out the special rates on this link!

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Seabourn's Winter Wonders

Small-ship luxury cruise line Seabourn is offering some great value cruises this winter, with 7-day voyages from just £1,299 per person - perfect for exploring some of the great historic civilizations of Western culture, away from the maddening summer crowds, and some of the Caribbean’s hottest destinations.

Take your pick from this wonderful little selection:

7-day Mediterranean Wonders

Departure Date: Nov 10

Route: Civitavecchia (Rome) to Piraeus (Athens)

Ports of Call: Naples, Messina, Crotone, Corfu, Corinth Canal and Mykonos, with prices from £1,299 per person.

10-day Indonesian Odyssey

Departure Date: Dec 11

Route: Singapore to Benoa (Denpasar), Bali

Ports of Call: Semarang, Java, Indonesia; Surabaya, Indonesia; Probolinggo, Java, Indonesia; Celukan Bawang, Bali, Indonesia and Lembar, Indonesia, with prices from £2,099pp.

11-day Caribbean Harbors

Departure Date: Dec 10

Route: Fort Lauderdale, round-trip

Ports of Call: Grand Turk, Prickly Pear Island, BVI; Antigua; St. Martin; St. John (Cruz Bay), USVI; San Juan, Puerto Rico, with prices from £2,199pp.

All prices are per person and based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully-stocked mini bar.

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

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Seabourn's Luxury 2014 World Cruise

Luxury Seabourn Cruise Line has announced their award-winning Seabourn Sojourn will sail a 116-day world cruise in 2014, encompassing destinations such as Hawaii, the South Pacific, Indonesia, south-east Asia, Australia, India, the Arabian peninsula and the Mediterranean.  

The ship will depart Los Angeles on January 4, 2014, and arrive in Venice on May 1.  Sojourn will stop at 53 ports in 20 countries and, for the first time on a world cruise, will explore Western Australia. 

Several new ports are scheduled in the land “down under,” including Geelong, Victoria; Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island; and Bunbury, Geraldton and Exmouth in Western Australia. The itinerary also includes an exciting combination of many of the world’s most popular cities, as well as smaller treasures and charming towns. In addition, there will be overnight calls in many of the world’s greatest cities, such as Honolulu, Sydney, Hong Kong and Mumbai.

Fares for the full 116-day voyage include a value-packed menu of complimentary benefits and amenities, including:

 

• A pre-cruise Gala Bon Voyage event and luxury overnight stay in Los Angeles.
• Specially created shoreside events and exclusive shore excursions.
• Personal Valet luggage shipping service.
• Shipboard credits of £1,575 per guest.
• Private car transfers.
• Complimentary round-trip business class air or $2,500 air credit.
• Gala onboard celebrations.
• A variety of commemorative gifts.

Rates for the full voyage begin at £35,799 per person, based on double occupancy and including round-trip air and a host of other complimentary amenities. For guests who cannot sail on the entire cruise, shorter segments from 22 to 94 days are also available, with rates starting at £8,899 per person based on double occupancy, including air and certain complimentary amenities.

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

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Seabourn's Antarctica & Patagonia Quest

More than 20 years after the company pioneered an entirely new style of small-ship, ultra-luxury cruising, Seabourn is extending its repertoire to include Antarctica for the very first time. 

Passengers can now book a series of four 21-24-day voyages in 2013 on Seabourn’s newest ship Quest, sailing between Valparaíso, Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The all-suite ship will cruise the Chilean coast, including visits to Puerto Montt for the Chilean Lakes District, Castro on the huge island of Chiloé, and Puerto Chacabuco for the Rio Simpson Valley and Coyhaique. It will also call at Punta Arenas, from where guests can tour the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park.

The ship will then thread the glaciers, peaks and channels of the Chilean Fjords, culminating in a transit of the Beagle Channel and its spectacular Glacier Alley. Weather permitting, following a call at Ushuaia in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, Seabourn Quest will cruise by Cape Horn bound for the Southern Ocean.

Guests on board will experience five days in Antarctica, including scenic cruising of highlights such as the breathtaking Lemaire Channel, picturesque Paradise Bay and the Gerlache Strait. An experienced Antarctic expedition staff will ensure guests enjoy the best of the hundreds of available sites for landings and cruising in smaller inflatable boats, based on real-time weather and wildlife reports during their Antarctic adventures. Scientists, naturalists and other lecturers in a number of disciplines will speak on board and accompany guests ashore to add insights to their once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

During the South Atlantic portion of the voyage, guests will enjoy visits to Port Stanley, in the Falkland Islands, and Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital, en route to or from Buenos Aires. A 24-day Holiday version will include two days exploring the sub-Antarctic wildlife Eden of South Georgia Island, renowned for its beauty and its vast, teeming rookeries of king penguins  and other seabirds, as well as breeding elephant and fur seals.

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

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Don't Miss The South of England Cruise Show!

OK, we're slightly biased as our main sponsors The Cruise Line Ltd are behind this, but the new South of England Cruise Show on February 18 is definitely a date for all cruise lovers' diaries.

From 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm at Hurstpierpoint College in West Sussex, it promises to be the ideal forum for all those looking for their next (or first) cruise, with a host of cruise lines presenting their wares.

Plus, there is the chance to win a FREE cruise with luxury French line Le Compagnie du Ponant, hence there is plenty of reason to visit.

Under the banner headline of 'Discovering The World,' the Cruise Line Ltd will showcase no less than 14 of their brands, including the leading luxury cruise companies and some of the most exclusive niche and boutique lines.

The full line-up reads: Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Oceania, Hapag-Lloyd, Titan Travel, Cunard, Hebridean International, Crystal, Princess, P&O, Hurtigruten and Compagnie du Ponant.

There will be nine special 30-minute presentations on cruise lines or companies, featuring everything you need to know about their distinctive style, with the chance to ask questions and learn even more about the wonderful range of choice on offer these days. The nine sessions are as follows:

10am: Seabourn
10.30am: Silversea
11am: Crystal Cruises
11.30am: Oceania Cruises

12 noon: Regent Seven Seas
12.30am: SeaDream 
2pm: Hebridean International
2.30pm: Hapag-Lloyd
3pm: The Rocky Mountaineer railroad (Canada)

There will also be additional special offers and features on the day, and best of all, it is FREE to all visitors. However, you must call in advance to reserve a place on 0800 008 6682 or email info@cruiseline.co.uk.

Be sure to have a great time, and remember to say World of Cruising sent you!

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Seabourn's Free Upgrades On Select Cruises

Ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn has welcomed in the New Year with the offer of free upgrades on selected popular European cruise-only and fly/cruise itineraries. For UK travellers seeking a luxurious ocean-bound adventure, before the height of summer, Seabourn’s early-season fully inclusive cruises offer exceptional value and variety.

Whether guests opt for the charm and style of the chic 208-passenger ships Seabourn Legend and Spirit or the sleek design and modern comfort of the larger, 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey, the luxury and comfort of a Seabourn voyage is hard to beat.

All itineraries listed below offer the free suite upgrade:

10-Day Italy & Adriatic, April 5; Seabourn Spirit - ports of call: Malaga, Menorca, Naples, Lecce, Dubrovnik, Sibenik, Pula and Venice. Prices: £1,999pp cruise only, £2,419pp fly/cruise.

9-Day Mediterranean, April 11; Seabourn Legend - ports of call: Athens, Cesme, Mykonos, Corfu, Crotone, Messina, Naples and Rome. Prices: £1,799pp cruise only, £2,189 fly/cruise.

12-Day Atlantic Odyssey, March 21; Seabourn Odyssey - ports of call: Fort Lauderdale, transatlantic, Funchal and Lisbon. Prices: £1,699pp cruise only, £2,499pp fly/cruise.

Prices are all per person, based on double occupancy and fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine-dining, open bars and a fully stocked mini-bar in each suite.

For booking details, see this link for UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Now THAT'S How Cruise Awards Should Be Done

Having given the so-called British Travel Awards a major kicking recently for their laughable selection of Cruise Awards, it was refreshing to see the Cruise Critic UK Awards come out this week with a sane, sensible and highly credible approach to pretty much the same thing.

Using their own in-house editorial experts, led by extremely knowledgeable editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer-Brown, they have 25 individual awards - from the obvious things of Best New Ship and Best For Kids to Best Itineraries and Best Buffet - and all have the ring of authenticity and genuine cruise know-how.

In full, the 2011 award winners are:

Best New Ship - Carnival Magic
Best New River Ship - SS Antoinette (Uniworld)
Best For Luxury - Seabourn Cruise Line
Best for First Timers - Ventura (P&O Cruises)
Best Line for Kids - Royal Caribbean
Best Itineraries - Cunard Line
Best for Adventure - Star Clippers
Best River Cruise Line - Viking River Cruises
Best Value for Money - Voyages of Discovery
Best for Fly-Cruises - Thomson Cruises
Best for Dining - Oceania Cruises
Best Buffet - Marina (Oceania Cruises)
Best Alternative Restaurant - The Verandah (Cunard's Queen Elizabeth)
Best for Entertainment - Cunard Line
Best for Healthy Cruising - Celebrity Cruises
Best Suites - Marina (Oceania Cruises)
Best Cabins - Holland America Line
Best Shore Excursions - Noble Caledonia
Best Guest Speakers - Voyages to Antiquity
Best for Honeymooners - Princess Cruises
Best for Wine Lovers - Celebrity's Solstice-Class
Best Cruise Ship Bar - The Glass House (P&O's Azura)
Best UK Port of Call - Newcastle
Best UK Departure Port - Southampton

All the category winners come fully explained with the 'why' of their choice and some useful info on the award-winner, and categories like Best Value and Best Suites are extremely relevant to today's cruisers (are you taking note, BTA?).

The categories like Best Bar and Best for Wine-Lovers are just plain fun, and the choice of Newcastle as best UK port of call is sure to start some earnest debate on the subject (as well as rewarding a go-ahead port authority - for my money, Lerwick in the Shetlands would be hard to beat as they simply work so hard to attract ships and provide a unique port experience, but that's a very minor quibble).

Do I agree with all the selections? No, but then you probably would struggle to get any two major cruise experts to agree anyway as there is so much that's subjective about these types of awards (as well as so much choice these days).

I probably wouldn't have given Cunard Best Itineraries as their ships are all so big there are many ports they CAN'T visit (unlike, say, Crystal, Silversea or even someone like Orion Expedition Cruises, whose itineraries are truly eye-catching), while I also think there are many other better contenders for Best Alternative Restaurant than QE's Verandah.

Ideally, I'd also like to see more categories to highlight the major differentiation these days between the large mega-ships and the smaller, more boutique types (for instance, how do you compare a new ship like Carnival Magic against the tiny-by-comparison Seabourn Quest?).

But that is really just nit-picking as against the big beefs I have with the comparable cruise section of the BTA. All in all, the Cruise Critic UK awards are a laudable and highly worthwhile exercise, and all the winners are to be congratulated.

For the full story, go to this page on Cruise Critic UK and click on the necessary link to see the Winners.

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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Seabourn Celebrates National Cruise Week

Seabourn is offering special cruise rates from September 18-26 in celebration of National Cruise Week.

Book one of their fantastic cruises by September 26 to experience the award-winning Seabourn service on a wide range of itineraries featured across all six ships, with all-suite accommodation offering sweeping ocean views, beautiful spacious rooms and many with verandas.

Complimentary champagne and open bars run throughout the ships, as well as fine wines poured at lunch and dinner. These special touches ensure Seabourn provides the most luxurious of cruising experiences.

Examples of itineraries include:

14 -Day Mediterranean Discovery - £2,199 per person

18^th November; Seabourn Legend - Nice, France, to Athens, Greece

Ports of call: Nice, France; Cannes, France; Livorno (Florence), Italy; Ajaccio, Corsica; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Sorrento, Italy; Trapani, Italy; Valletta, Malta; Syracuse, Italy; Itea (Delphi), Greece; Nafplion, Greece; Thira (Santorini), Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Piraeus (Athens), Greece

10-Day Gems of the Java Sea - £3,099 per person

15^th January & February 6,2012, Seabourn Legend - Singapore to Benoa, Bali

Ports of call: Singapore; Semarang (Java), Indonesia; Surabaya, Indonesia; Probolinggo (Java), Indonesia; Celukan Bawang (Bali), Indonesia; Lembar, Indonesia; Benoa (Denpasar), Indonesia

16-Day Panama Canal Holiday - £4,199 per person

20^th December, Seabourn Odyssey, Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles

Ports of call: Fort Lauderdale (Florida), USA; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal, Panama; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Acapulco, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Los Angeles (California), USA

For more info, see www.seabourn.com or the lusury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.