RMS St Helena Benefits From Big Refit

Travellers can set sail for a bygone era in style aboard the RMS St Helena, one of the world’s last working royal mail ships, which has undergone an extensive re-fit to offer increased capacity and an enhanced voyage experience.

Not just a passenger vessel, this working liner acts as the lifeline to the remote island of St Helena in the South Atlantic, sharing a fascinating glimpse into the leisured travel of days gone by. The refresh, carried out in dry dock in Cape Town, includes the addition of seven cabins affording 17 extra berths, and an improved gym with new equipment. The newly positioned gym is located on the top deck and is glass-fronted so passengers can run, row or pedal whilst admiring the ocean view.

This complements the existing facilities, which include two bars, full service dining room, a sun deck, shop, swimming pool and library.  From the attentive staff to the traditional ocean-going pastimes, passengers are assured of a first-class vintage voyage. The RMS St Helena regularly visits the ports of St Helena, Ascension Island and Cape Town. Passengers are made up of tourists and St Helenians, or ‘Saints’ as they are fondly known locally, travelling home.

The ship was built in 1989 specifically to supply the island of St Helena, the British Overseas Territory deep in the tropical South Atlantic. Royal Mail Ships are sea-going vessels that carry mail under contract by Royal Mail. The RMS St Helena is one of last remaining ocean-going vessels in the world still to carry the venerable title, held in the past by so many famous British passenger liners, the original Queen Elizabeth amongst them. She is British registered, 6,767 gross ton and has 56 officers and crew. She also has modern facilities; stabilisers, air-conditioning plus fax, email and satellite communications.

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

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.

St Helena Still On The Rise

The remote South Atlantic island of St Helena continues to prosper, with visitor figures rising by three per cent in 2011, according to latest statistics released by St Helena Tourism. Overall, 2,177 visitors were brought to St Helena’s shores in 2011 by the unique 128-berth passenger/cargo vessel, the RMS St Helena, currently the only regular means of accessing the island.

The UK remains the second largest source of tourists (behind South Africa, the nearest mainland to the island), accounting for 33 per cent of all tourists to the destination. With construction underway for the island’s very first airport, expected to be operational by December 2015, tourism is forecast to grow.

In addition to passengers brought ashore by the RMS St Helena, cruise ship arrivals are also rising. Seven cruise ships called at St Helena in 2011/12 bringing more than 2,800 passengers ashore, compared to 1,600 passengers in 2010/11.

A recent survey conducted by the tourist board reported very positive satisfaction levels among cruise visitors, with over 90% of visitors rating their visit as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ with people describing St Helena as ‘a place to rival Eden’. An encouraging 92% said they would recommend the island to their friends. Highlights mentioned including Jacob’s Ladder, the Napoleonic sites and Plantation House, residence of the island’s Governor and home to Jonathan the tortoise – reputed to be the oldest living animal in the world.

For bookings, be sure to contact The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading adventure cruise cruise specialists on 0800 008 6677.

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.

Big Savings To St Helena

St Helena Line is offering a 30% discount on its May voyage to St Helena on board the unique RMS St Helena (above) departing Cape Town on May 27. Visitors can now join the 18-day return trip between Cape Town and St Helena from just £1,428 return per person, a saving of over £600 per person, based on an A-Deck cabin with en-suite.

The discount is applicable on the 10-day sea voyage only and includes all food and entertainment on board this 128-berth passenger/cargo vessel. Passengers will spend eight nights on the remote South Atlantic Island of St Helena where there is a wide range of accommodation available. The 30% discount is valid on all published fares and all cabin grades and is subject to availability.

With the advent of the island’s first ever international airport, which is not due to be operational in December 2015, take advantage of this great offer and set sail on the RMS to visit this extraordinary island now. Currently, getting to the remote spot by sea is as much a part of the holiday. Located 1,500 miles north-west of Cape Town, St Helena boasts stunning natural beauty and is steeped in history – perhaps best known as the place where Napoleon was exiled.

For bookings, visit this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure cruising experts.

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.

Make it a ‘Caribbean Christmas’ With Fred. Olsen

Christmas is a time for celebration and relaxation, and what better way to do both than on a sunny Caribbean cruise? Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has a leisurely 25-night ex-UK ‘Caribbean Christmas’ cruise aboard Black Watch, departing from Southampton on December 17.

The long Atlantic crossing allows for plenty of time to relax and enjoy the many activities and facilities the ship has to offer. Guests can join in quizzes and traditional deck games, read in the peace of the library, swim, work out in the gym, or take part in many other enjoyable activities, as the ship makes her way to the warm Caribbean waters.

Christmas Day sees Black Watch in the middle of her Atlantic crossing, and the day is celebrated at sea in the traditional way – there is a sumptuous feast, a visit from Santa Claus for younger guests, as well as carol singing, festive entertainment, quizzes and, of course, a ship glittering with Christmas trees and decorations.

The first Caribbean port of call is Barbados on December 28 followed by the lovely islands of St Lucia, Antigua, Tortola and St Maarten, while the return crossing includes a visit to the Azores before arriving back in Southampton on January 11.

An extra-special attraction on this festive cruise is live entertainment from two of the best tribute bands around, appearing as part of the exclusive Fred. Olsen's ‘Music & Laughter’ programme. The acts are ‘Bee Gees Magic’ and ‘Abba Magic’, and they will be recreating the great sounds of the Seventies’ super-groups during the cruise.

Prices for this Christmas cruise start from £3,597 per person, based on two adults sharing an outside twin cabin, Grade ‘E’, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board – including the ‘Music & Laughter’ programme – and port taxes.

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the specialst cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd at 0800 008 6677.

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.

Discover the remote hideaway of St Helena

Calling all intrepid travellers with a passion for the unknown! A new hosted tour to discover the far-flung South Atlantic island of St Helena has been introduced by St Helena Line.

Travelling on board one of the world’s last working Royal Mail Ships, the RMS St Helena, the 22-day Hideaway Tour departs Cape Town on June 17 and costs from £2,395 per person. Leading the tour from the departure will be Colin Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Rhodes University (South Africa) and an expert on St Helena, its history and natural environment. Prof. Lewis will offer a unique insight into this British outpost, taking travellers beyond the guidebook.

Arriving in St Helena on the June 22, the group will be joined by Island residents Basil George and Vanessa Thomas for a fascinating and diverse eight-day itinerary.

St Helena is perhaps best known as the place of Napoleon’s exile. The tour includes a trip to Longwood House, the last house of the French revolutionary, in addition to other sites of historic importance, including his Tomb. There is also a Botanical Day where some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna will be identified, plus a tour to spot the Wirebird, endemic to St Helena.

Other tour highlights include a boat trip, scenic island tour, evening talk from the National Trust of St Helena and a walking tour of the capital, Jamestown. The RMS arrives back in Cape Town on July 6.

The tour costs from £2,395 per person based on two sharing an A deck cabin. The price includes eight nights’ accommodation on St Helena, entry fees and guide costs, all meals on the RMS and meals as specified in St Helena. International airfares are not included. Economy fares from London to Cape Town with South African Airways start from £614 per person.

The 128-berth RMS is a unique blend of passenger ship and cargo vessel, acting as the lifeline to St Helena being the sole source of supply of all goods to her island namesake. Passengers are made up of tourists and St Helenians, or ‘Saints’ as they are fondly known locally, travelling home.

For more information, contact www.rms-st-helena.com or call the adventure cruise specialists of the The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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.