What's New From Oceania

It's been a while since we featured the boutique and foodie-centric style of Oceania Cruises, so we thought we would provide a quick update and look ahead to what they have in store for 2014.

Well-known for their exceptional culinary offering and emphasis on comfort and service, Oceania has new itineraries, new culinary classes, a $50m refurbishment programme and a re-christening in store this year, as well as a new art book and new facilities on board the line’s five mid-sized luxury ships.

New cruises for summer 2014

Oceania's summer sailings include an almost entirely new line-up of over 90 voyages, including 70 European sailings (of which 93% are new), featuring 10 new ports of call in Tirana, Antibes, Hamburg, Chania, Kos, Syros, Ullapool, Lysekil and Milford Haven. 

 

In total during summer 2014, the line’s five ships – Riviera, Marina, Regatta, Insignia and Nautica – will sail to more than 180 destinations. In addition to the European programme, the ships will sail 10 Alaska voyages, 7 new Canada/New England cruises and 3 Panama Canal voyages.

New Grand Voyages for winter 2014

 

Oceania is adding 19 new Grand Voyages for winter 2014, ranging from 24 to 71 days. Included among the sailings is a 71-day South American Odyssey on board the 684-guest Regatta. This is a round trip from Miami, crossing the Panama Canal to Peru, sailing through the Chilean fjords and around the southern tip of Cape Horn, and spending two nights in both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. 

 

Meanwhile, Nautica explores the East on a 46-day Imperial Explorer, a voyage from Cape Town to Hong Kong showcasing the best of Africa and Asia. Depending on the length of the voyage booked, guests will receive a one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, laundry service and round-trip transfers.

 

Re-christening event

The big re-christening ceremony for the return of Insignia to the fleet will take place in April in Istanbul. The ship has been on a two-year 'sabbatical' with Oceania but returns this summer and will be feted in the Turkish port ahead of a 10-day Holy Land voyage to Greece, Israel and Cyprus.

The ship will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before rejoining the fleet, and the ceremony will be performed by Virginia Watters, wife of founding chairman Joe and the original godmother of the ship 10 years ago.

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

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The Andes & Caribbean With Swan Hellenic

               

Destination specialists Swan Hellenic are offering a fabulous chance to explore the Caribbean AND the Andean mountains in one extended voyage in the New Year.

Swan's "Discover the Wonders of the Andes & Atacama" 25-day cruise departs on January 5, taking passengers through the Caribbean and along the Panama Canal to explore the highlights of Ecuador, Peru and Chile. 

Along the way, guests will get to admire the best Pre Columbian and Incan gold and pottery artefacts in Lima’s fine museums; discover the Santa Catalina Convent in the Peruvian ‘White City’ of Arequipa; and savour the fine wines of Chile’s Casablanca Valley. New Saver Fares start from £3,685 per person for an inside cabin and £4,735 for an outside cabin. With limited availability, early booker can now take advantage of fantastic savings of up to £1,015 per person.

Alternatively, the "Caribbean to the Canaries" journey is a 17-day cruise departing on March 29. Passengers will be able to step back in time to explore an historic Plantation House in Barbados; admire the natural beauty of the towering Pitons on the lush, volcanic island of St Lucia; and explore the undiscovered Iles des Saintes. The final port of call on this fascinating itinerary is the volcanic island of Tenerife, where the lava fields of Mount Teide await discovery. As part of an Autumn Sale, prices for this cruise start from £1,734 per person for an inside cabin and £2,256 for an outside cabin if booked by November 11.

Prices for both cruises include return flights to/from the UK, gratuities onboard and ashore, all relevant overseas transfers, meals, a comprehensive series of Guest Speaker talks and selected shore excursions. 

 

More info: visit www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844 488 1048.

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Expedition Amazon With Hapag-Lloyd

Anyone looking to experience the amazing Amazion River in true expedition style should give serious consideration to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and their adventuring duo Bremen and Hanseatic.

Their small size means the ships can travel a particularly long way upstream, giving passengers first-hand experience of the wonders of the Amazon both on board and during extensive Zodiac rides. The shallow draft of both vessels actually enables them to travel the more than 4,000km passage from the mouth of the Amazon in Belem to Peru and back.

A total of 12 robust Zodiacs await to carry the maximum 164 guests aboard the Bremen on numerous detours into the fascinating Amazonian environment while the slightly larger Hanseatic can carry 184 passengers and has 14 of these inflatable boats to take guests exploring. 

After Manaus, the Amazon narrows and flattens but both ships to continue on to Iquitos in peru. The constant proximity to the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the unusual flora and fauna and the indigenous cultures combine to make Hapag-Lloyd's Amazon cruises a true adventure.

Example cruise:

Bremen: Expedition Amazon from April 10-26, 2015 (16 nights) from Iquitos/Peru, in the Upper Amazon to Manaus; onward journey downstream from the Lower Amazon to Belem/Brazil, from £5,700 (per person, cruise only).

More info: call +49 40 3001-4580 (English-speaking hotline), email salesteam@hlkf.de or visit www.hl-cruises.com.

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Oceania's Grand Winter Collection

For those looking ahead to 2014/15, Oceania Cruises has announced its 2014-15 Winter Collection, the largest winter launch in the company’s history. With new ports in Asia, Africa and the Americas, Oceania Cruises’ five ships will visit a diverse array of destinations on five continents. 

The launch will feature a record-breaking 86 voyages for the company, 44 of which are new itineraries and include 19 all-new Grand Voyages ranging from 24 to 71 days, and 15 Around the World Combination itineraries as part of Insignia’s epic Around the World in 180 Days cruise.

All 2014-15 Winter Collection voyages include launch fares and free airfare. Guests who book a Veranda stateroom or higher category by December 31 will enjoy the added value of free pre-paid gratuities, free unlimited Internet and early booking savings of up to £3,225.

Kunal S. Kamlani, the line’s president, explained: “The Winter Collection truly spans the world with new and diverse itineraries, plus 16 new ports of call in South America, Africa, China, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands. As always, our goal is to bring our guests the world at a tremendous value, which is why we’re offering free pre-paid gratuities, as well as unlimited Internet for veranda staterooms and above, to those who reserve a sailing by year’s end.”

Riviera in the Caribbean 
Riviera offers 12 itineraries exploring the Caribbean for the winter 2014-15 season. The new seven-day cruise, Colorful Caribbean, stops in Honduran city of Trujillo, a new port for Oceania. The new 14-day sailing, Sunny Getaways, stops in three new ports: Santa Marta, Colombia; El Guamache (Isla Margarita), Venezuela; and Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. Several new 10-day itineraries visit the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and the new 12-day Holidays in the Tropics spends the holiday season calling on beautiful islands that include St Barts, Antigua and Barbados. With the exception of the ever-popular Mayan Mystique, all itineraries are new.

Marina in Paradise

Marina begins the season in Rio de Janeiro with two South American voyages, including the new 16-day Southernmost Wonders that sails around the southern tip of the continent. The remainder of the season will mostly be spent in the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand with nine new voyages ranging from 10 to 18 days, including overnight stays in Easter Island, Bora Bora, Tahiti and Nuku Hiva. The season ends with a fascinating 16-day voyage, Americas Adventure, from Lima to New York through the Panama Canal.

Nautica from Africa to Asia

Nautica returns to Africa and Asia with eight itineraries ranging from 15 to 35 days, stopping in ports from Cape Town to Beijing and Dubai to Tokyo. Guests can explore Africa on the South African Holiday, a 15-day cruise that visits Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth, two new ports for Oceania in South Africa. The 30-day Safaris, Temples & Jewels visits exotic ports from Cape Town to Singapore with overnight stays in both cities as well as the Maldives. Nautica then begins five cruises exploring Asia, ranging from 16 to 35 days, which showcase ports throughout China (above), Japan and south-east Asia, including two-night stays in Shanghai and Rangoon and one-night stays in Bangkok, Saigon, Hanoi, Tokyo and Beijing.

The Panama Canal & South America on Regatta

Regatta begins her season with a new 16-day Panama Canal sailing, Festive Panama Canal, which stops in Corinto, Nicaragua, a new port, followed by the popular 10-day Mayan Mystique cruise in the Western Caribbean. Another new Canal cruise, the 18-day Bridge of the Americas, travels from Miami to Lima, followed by three South American voyages that explore the natural beauty of Peru and Chile, the vibrant cultures of Argentina and Brazil and the exotic wonders of the Amazon. Regatta completes the season with two cruises in the Eastern Caribbean, followed by a final Panama Canal transit from Miami to San Francisco that stops in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, another new port for Oceania.

Around the World with Insignia

After a Caribbean and an Amazon cruise, Insignia departs from Miami for the company’s first ever Around the World in 180 Days voyage, a star-studded, port-intensive cruise setting sail round-trip from Miami on January 10, 2015. This extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime voyage circumnavigates the globe visiting five continents, 44 countries and 89 ports of call.

All New Grand Voyages

With the Winter 2014-15 launch, the company unveils 19 new Grand Voyages ranging from 24 to 71 days blending multiple itineraries for in-depth exploration. For example, Regatta’s 71-day South American Odyssey is a round-trip from Miami, crossing the Panama Canal to Peru, sailing through the Chilean fjords and around the southern tip of Cape Horn, and spending two nights in both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Nautica explores the East on Imperial Explorer, a 46-day voyage from Cape Town to Hong Kong showcasing the best of Africa and Asia.

These voyages feature launch fares and the additional value of Exclusive Prestige Package amenities. Depending on the length of the voyage booked, guests will receive a one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, laundry service and round-trip transfers. For bookings made by December 31, these voyages also offer free pre-paid gratuities and free unlimited Internet for all stateroom and suite categories. 

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

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Adonia's New Caribbean & Latin American Voyages

Adonia, the smallest ship in the P&O Cruises fleet, will offer a new Caribbean, Central and South America fly-cruise programme for the first time in spring 2015. The port-rich programme will boast 10 new destinations, including three maiden calls for P&O - Bequia in the Grenadines, Cayenne in French Guiana and Trujillo in Honduras.

With a choice of 11 different itineraries from January 4 to April 4, 2015, the programme encapsulates some of the lesser-frequented, smaller and more intimate Caribbean islands; two of the world’s largest rivers (the Amazon and Orinoco); the rainforests in Central America as well as the popular Caribbean destinations of Barbados, St Maarten, St Lucia and Grenada.

Other new ports of call for Adonia include Colon in Panama, Horta in The Azores, Kingstown in St Vincent, Mayreau in the Grenadines, Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, Port of Spain in Trinidad and Puerto Limon in Costa Rica.

A choice of 14 and 28-night cruises starting and finishing in Barbados are available from £1,599 per person for a Vantage Fare. The 16 and 18-night transatlantic repositioning cruises are also available at the start and end of the season from only £1,349 per person for a Vantage Fare. A full list of cruises, with flights, include:
 

• A 19-night Caribbean Transatlantic cruise (D501) from Southampton to Barbados, departing January 4, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,499pp
• A 33-night Caribbean Transatlantic, Amazon and Orinoco cruise (D501A), from Southampton to Barbados, departing January 4, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,779pp
• A 15-night Amazon and Orinoco cruise (D502), round-trip from Barbados, departing January 22, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,599pp
• A 29-night Amazon, Orinoco & Eastern Caribbean cruise (D502A), round-trip from Barbados, departing January 22, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,579pp
• A 15-night Eastern Caribbean (D503), round trip from Barbados, departing February 5, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,699pp
• A 29-night Eastern Caribbean, Costa Rica & Honduras cruise (D503A), round-trip from Barbados, departing February 5, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,679pp
• A 15-night Costa Rica & Honduras cruise (D504), round-trip from Barbados, departing February 19, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,699pp
• A 29-night Costa Rica, Honduras & Eastern Caribbean cruise (D504A), round-trip from Barbados, departing February 19, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,679pp
• A 15-night Eastern Caribbean cruise (D505), round-trip from Barbados, departing March 5, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,699pp
• A 31-night Eastern Caribbean & Transatlantic cruise (D505A), from Barbados to Southampton, departing March 5, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,649pp
• A 17-night Transatlantic cruise (D506), from Barbados to Southampton, departing March 19, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,349pp

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

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Crystal's South American Odyssey

Ultra-luxury line Crystal Cruises begins its South American cruise season in November with a stunning 16-night Miami to Rio de Janeiro voyage followed by a 12-night Rio to Buenos Aires sailing. 

And, to experience more of South America, as well as Crystal’s renowned, award-winning offering, travellers can combine the two voyages and save an additional 5%. 

In all, Crystal Symphony’s Brazilian calls include Belém, Fortaleza, Natal (maiden call), Maceió, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro (overnight), Buzios, Ilha Grande, Paraty, Santos/São Paulo, and Rio Grande du Sol. Depending on the departure, the cruises also include ports in the Caribbean, Uruguay and Argentina. 

All-inclusive fly/cruise fares start from £3,576 per person for the first sailing on November 23 and from £3,792 per person for the subsequent sailing on December 9. The price of the two cruises starts from £6,221 per person fly/cruise.

Crystal's expertise for creating unique, luxury experiences both on land and at sea have helped earn the company top ratings from international travellers for two decades. 

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

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Sail The Amazon With Voyages of Discovery

Cruise the Amazon with Voyages of Discovery on board new ship MV Voyager and be immersed in Brazilian culture on the 14-day 'Portrait of The Amazon' voyage, including witnessing the ‘Wedding of the Waters’ in Santarem, where the crystal clear waters of the Tapajós meet the muddy Amazon. Guests can also enjoy the views of the rainforest and its spectacular wildlife on this amazing voyage.

A Portrait of The Amazon departs from Recife and calls at Natal, Fortaleza, Devil’s Island (French Guiana), Santarem, Boca De Valeria and Manaus (overnight) and starts from £1,999 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin and a March 12 UK departure).

Alternatively, join the 17-day 'Amazonian & Caribbean Explorer' cruise to explore white-sand freshwater beaches and get up close and personal with giant water lilies and exotic wildlife along the world famous Amazon. Highlights of the trip include spectacular performances inspired by the famous Boi Bumba festival in Brazil and a visit to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Aruba.

This voyage departs from Manaus on March 24 and calls at Parintins, Alter do Chao, Macapa, Devil’s Island, Trinidad, La Guaira (Venezuela), Aruba and Montego Bay (Jamaica, overnight) and is priced from £2,199 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Fares for both cruises include return flights from the UK, overseas transfers, all meals, entertainment, the guest speaker programme on board the ship and all onboard gratuities. Cabin number may not be allocated at time of booking.

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

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Argentina v Falklands - Cruise "Cowards" Row Rumbles On

Since the Daily Telegraph highlighted the decision of more cruise lines to pull out of visits to the Falkland Islands after "intimidation" by Argentina (i.e. by the Argentinean ports saying they cannot guarantee the safety of visiting ships that also visit the Falklands), and our red-hot debate over whether this amounts to cruise cowardice - more news agencies have picked up the story and highlighted the massive iniquity in operation here.

Our columnist Captain Greybeard added a blog about it on his regular posting for the Daily Mirror, pointing out our editor's comments on the situation and highlighting the lines involved.

The Shipping Times also weighed in with more government reaction to the ongoing dispute, which, of course, dates back to Argentina's dispute of the sovereignty of the Islands, claiming them as their own while they have been a British territory since 1833 (with the 1982 War being the most obvious example of that histility).

Another Telegraph story highlights British PM David Cameron's call for the Islanders themselves to send the world a definitive message about their nationality wishes in their March referendum.

Friday's Montreal Gazette also mentioned the issue in their weekly cruise round-up, opining that "Hopefully, Argentina will grow up when it comes to allowing ships that berth in their ports to visit the Falklands." We couldn't have put it better ourselves.

And even USA Today has covered the story, asking if Argentina should be boycotted as a result of their rogue behaviour (another view we would share whole-heartedly).

It will be interesting to see if more mainstream media pick up on this theme in 2013, and if the UK's Passenger Shipping Association has any comment about it.

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Make A Date With The New Voyager

Join Voyages of Discovery’s new ship MV Voyager from just £999 per person this winter with a fabulous opening cruise offer for their latest vessel. With the countdown now well under way to the December launch, the discovery cruise line is also offering a range of special offers across the Winter 2012-13 season, including complimentary shore excursions and reduced flight fare upgrades on selected cruises. Plus all those booking an outside cabin will also receive £50 onboard credit per cabin.

This winter sees Voyager travel to South America, Central America and the Caribbean for her inaugural season, with the 540-passenger ship undertaking its final month-long refurbishment in Portland before sailing to its home port of Portsmouth in early December.

Highlights of the new offers include:

Voyage to the Caribbean, from £999 per person: cruise departs from Portsmouth before calling at La Coruna, Madeira, St. Kitts, Antigua, Martinique and Barbados (overnight). Price is based on a December 4 departure and guests can take advantage of flight upgrades to Premium Economy for just £100 per person when booking a category BC cabin or above.

South America’s Pacific Shore, from £1,999 per person: cruise departs from Manta (Ecuador, overnight) and calls at Santiago de Guayaquil (Ecuador), Salaverry (Peru), Callao (Peru, overnight), General San Martin (Peru), and Arica, Coquimbo and Valparaiso (all Chile). Price is based on a January 21 departure. A complimentary flight is available (on higher cabin grade bookings only), over the Nazca Lines as part of the shore excursion programme in Peru.

Prices include return flights from a major UK airport, relevant transfers, all on board gratuities, service charges and relevant port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on board. Cabins will not be allocated at the time of booking with the fares quoted above.

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

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Voyages Of Discovery's Latin American Odyssey

Discover Latin America’s diverse mix of culture, history and stunning landscapes with Voyages of Discovery’s New Year sailings on their boutique ship Voyager.

The 21-day 'Tapestry of Central America' voyage visits the white sands of Montego Bay (Jamaica), the Mexican Mayan ruins at Progreso (Mexico) and the tropical Costa Rican jungle.

The cruise costs from £2,499 per person and departs from Montego Bay on January 4, also calling at Belize City (Belize), Puerto Cortes (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Cartagena (Colombia), San Blas Islands (Panama), a transit of the Panama Canal, Balboa (Panama) and then Manta and Quito (Ecuador).

Alternatively, guests can join the 22-day 'Natural Wonders of Latin America' cruise, from £2,399 per person, to marvel at the glacier-capped mountains of the Chilean Fjords and take in the historic past of Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) before arriving in the world famous cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires (Argentina).

The voyage departs from Valparaiso (Chile) on February 5 and also calls at Puerto Montt and Puerto Chacabuco (Chile), Ushuaia (Argentina), and  Puerto Madryn (Argentina) and Buenos Aires (Argentina)-overnight.

Prices include return flights from a major UK airport, transfers, all on board gratuities, service charges and relevant port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on board. Cabins will not be allocated at the time of booking with the fares quoted above.

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

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Regent's Christmas Crackers

This December, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers guests an extra dash of merriment with all-inclusive festive sailings to the South Pacific and South America. Each ultra-luxury voyage offers the fantastic value of free round-trip air, unlimited complimentary shore excursions and ultra-luxury, all-inclusive offering on board.

Regent's team of talented chefs will serve special European and American tasting menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Sample menu items include lobster and ricotta ravioli, Christmas goose, roasted turkey on chestnut-stuffing, Bûche de Noël, and traditional pumpkin pie. An interdenominational service is also held on Christmas Eve.

Toasting the season, travellers will sail along the mighty Amazon aboard the line’s all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner for a 22-night cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Miami departing 16. The 'Ultimate Amazon' sailing offers up to 43 free shore excursions and visits eight different ports in Brazil, French Guyana, Barbados (above), St. Barts and Puerto Rico. 

Departing December 19, the 21-night 'South Pacific Secrets' voyage from Bali to Auckland aboard the 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager showcases the best of Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the 28 complimentary shore excursions, which include a winery tour in Western Australia, mountain biking in Tasmania and discovering sea lions on Kangaroo Island, guests can also enjoy the choice of a free three-night, pre-cruise land programme in Bali or a three-night, post-cruise hotel programme in Auckland. 

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

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Crystal's South American Bonanza

First-time visits to the Chilean Fjords and Puerto Chacabuco, plus nearly 100 Crystal Adventures on shore, highlight Crystal Cruises' new itinerary around the tip of South America on Crystal Serenity next winter. 

Sailing from Lima to Buenos Aires for the first time on February 2, 2013, the Crystal World Cruise segment takes guests on an immersive 24-night journey to some of the most awe-inspiring and culturally exciting sites in the Southern Hemisphere, including the breathtaking Seno Eyre Fjords, the dramatic landscapes and wildlife of Patagonia, the sprawling hillsides of Valparaíso (or “Paradise Valley”) and even the birthplace of the tango.

The many adventures include: 

• A rare visit to Earth’s last great wilderness, Antarctica, with a guided trek on King George Island and zodiac ride to view penguins in their natural habitat.
• Flying over the mysterious Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyph figures in the desert floor that can only be seen from above.
• An overnight option to Perito Moreno Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Various expeditions offer: 

• Exploration of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego by horseback.
• Hiking to the mouth of the magnificent Iguazú Falls.
• Kayaking through the Strait of Magellan.
• Pitching in at a working Uruguayan ranch.

The cultural and culinary experiences range from: 

• Exploring vineyards and tasting wines to visiting beachfront communities of the “jet set.”
• Perusing local markets and taking cooking lessons with local cuisine experts to browsing the art and homes of renowned Latin American artists such as poet Pablo Neruda.
• Tracing the footsteps of Argentina’s famed “Evita” and dancing the night away at a Buenos Aires nightclub.

As part of Crystal’s 2013 World Cruise, the voyage features expanded enrichment programming and courses in wellness, language and music. The line’s exclusive Ocean Views series will present expert lecturers discussing the day’s hot topics.

Until June 30, all-inclusive Book Now fares for the “Southern Fjord Exploration” start at £10,071 per person fly/cruise and can be combined with other World Cruise segments for greater savings. Crystal’s 2013 complete 74-night Grand South American Exploration sails round-trip from Miami starting January 16 with a Book Now starting price of £19,197 per person fly/cruise.

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

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Fascinosa Looks Fab

At last, some good news for beleaguered Costa Cruises - the Costa Fascinosa, the largest Italian-flagged cruise ship, has entered service for the big Italian-based line in Venice to a significant fanfare and positive reviews.

Costa's new flagship weighs in at 114,500 tons and carries 3,800 guests and was delivered by the big Fincantieri shipyard in Venice on May 5. She is the joint-largest Italian-flagged cruise ship, together with her sister Costa Favolosa.

The company, which is still dealing with the loss of Costa Concordia in February, has invested a total of €510 million in the newcomer, with the construction process in Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard involving the labour of around 3,000 yard workers plus a further 7,000 contractors.

After a successful maiden voyage, Fascinosa will spend the rest of the 2012 summer season (until the end of November) operating on seven-day cruises from Venice and Bari to Greece and Croatia. In winter, she will transfer transatlantic for South America cruises to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Then, in summer 2013, she will be back in the Eastern Mediterranean on one-week holidays to Greece and Turkey, with departures from Venice and Bari. 

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

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