Cruise & Maritime takes on 1,250-passenger Magellan as its new flagship

British-based Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has acquired Grand Holiday which will begin ex-UK operations under the CMV livery in spring 2015.

She will be re-named Magellan and at 46,052grt will carry about 1,250 passengers becoming the new flagship of the CMV ocean fleet operating as an adult-only (16 years plus) ship alongside Marco Polo (800 passengers), Astor (600) and Azores (550). 

The ship originally entered service in 1985 as Holiday, sailing under the Carnival Cruise Line flag, and she still has the trademark Carnival whale-tail funnel - although CMV plan to carry out major surgery as the artists's impression (above) shows. More recently, she sailed for the Spanish operator Iberocruises, and earlier this year was used to provide hotel accommodation at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Chris Coates, Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted to have secured this excellent addition to our fleet which we believe will be very well suited to our core British market. The introduction of Magellan will increase UK capacity by 40 per cent to 74,000 passengers. Having already sold 65 per cent of capacity for next year we remain confident that Magellan will help satisfy the growing demand for our product”.

Christian Verhounig, CEO and Chairman of CMV added: “The introduction of Magellan to our growing ocean fleet is another important milestone in the expansion and strategic development of the group’s presence in the UK and wider international markets which will increase overall capacity to 115,000 passengers. The CMV brand is now creating much wider recognition and we remain confident that our medium to longer term growth objectives will be achieved”.

A new 2015 special launch edition brochure will be released tomorrow (4 November) detailing Magellan’s inaugural CMV summer 2015 and winter 2015-16 programme. Special introductory fares with savings of up to 50 per cent plus a 25 per cent single supplement deal for the solos market will be on offer to launch the programme. The maiden CMV voyage will be a 12-night cruise to Iceland and the Faroes for the Solar Eclipse and Northern Lights sailing from London Tilbury on Sunday 15 March. She will also be sailing from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Other programme changes include an Azores ex-Liverpool summer season and an 11 night Autumn Mediterranean fly cruise series plus a second Marco Polo 34 night Autumn Commemorative voyage to Canada. Magellan will be cruising to the Amazon in winter 2016 while Marco Polo will embark on a new 54 night voyage to Brazil, Argentina & Chile and Tierra del Fuego. 

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Quark Carries Olympic Torch To North Pole

Quark Expeditions has just successfully reached the geographic North Pole for the 46^th time as part of its first voyage of the 2013 Arctic season. Since 1991, Quark has operated voyages to the North Pole by icebreaker in June and July each year, with two signature departures carrying 250 fortunate travellers aboard the powerful nuclear icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory.

This autumn, in honour of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, the 50 Years of Victory will be participating in the Olympic torch relay, carrying the flame to the North Pole. After the official lighting ceremony in Greece, the flame will travel through all Russia’s nine time zones and even to the International Space Station on board the Soyuz TMA-11M manned spaceship, completing its route in Sochi in early February 2014.

Bookings are being taken for the few spaces still remaining for the 2014 North Pole voyages departing on the 50 Years of Victory, June 19 and June 30, 2014.

Prices start from: £15,965 for twin occupancy for 14-day trip, with one night in Helsinki on B&B, transfers, group helicopter trips, three meals a day, shore landings and on-board lectures. Flights not included. 

For more on adventure cruising, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Reignite Olympic Passion With Voyages of Discovery

Still missing the likes of Tom Daley and Victoria Pendleton taking over your TV screen? Join Voyages of Discovery’s MV Discovery and visit the home country of the 2014 winter Olympics.

The 12-day Black Sea Explorer cruise, which costs from £1,299 per person, calls at Sochi in Russia, which offers the opportunity to visit the neighbouring town Krasnaya Polyana, the host of the next winter Olympics and popular with skiers and snowboarders from around the world.

Non-sports enthusiasts can explore the rich culture of Odessa (Ukraine), which is known as the St. Petersburg of the south. Take in the iconic Odessa Opera House and the Uspensky Cathedral before visiting the home of Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin.

The Black Sea Explorer departs from Istanbul on October 19 and calls at Trabzon, Sochi (overnight), Novorossiysk (Russia), Yalta, Sevastopol and Odessa (Ukraine) and Nesebur (Bulgaria) before returning to Istanbul (overnight).

Price includes return flights from a major UK airport, transfers, all on board gratuities, service charges and port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on-board. Plus, passengers can take advantage of reduced single supplement on all categories.

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

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.