Cunard & P&O Get Sporty

One of the things we often here at World of Cruising is, "How do I stay in touch while I'm at sea?" And that is especially true during a big sporting year like this one, when sports fans are desperate to keep tabs on all the action even while they're cruising.

And it's especially true in 2014, when there is the summer World Cup in Brazil, the winter Olympics from Sochi, Russia, in February and Andy Murray defending his Wimbledon title in July

But both P&O Cruises and Cunard have announced that they will provide a guaranteed haven for sports fans on their two fleets this year. All coverage will be shown in public areas on board, starting with the Winter Olympics.  

The second half of the Premier League season will also feature, ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June and July. German Bundesliga matches will be shown, together with Formula 1 motor racing, the Australian French and US Open tennis tournaments and golf’s Ryder Cup, Open Championship and US Open.

Live coverage will be available to all P&O Cruises and Cunard passengers on Sport 24, and is satellite dependent.

Chief commercial officer Gerard Tempest said: “We are delighted to be able to include coverage of these major sporting events on board. We don’t want passengers to miss out on any of the excitement of the games by taking a cruise holiday – and now they won’t. Besides, I can’t think of a better way to watch the World Cup, or see Murray serve to retain his Wimbledon title, than sipping a mojito in the Med!” 

For summer cruises to watch the World Cup or Wimbledon:

P&O Cruises is offering a selection of seven and 14-night fly-cruise holidays in the Mediterranean on family-friendly contemporary ship Ventura from £999pp (N413B cruise, dep June 25), including return flights from Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester, a seven-night cruise in an inside cabin, full board meals and entertainment on board.

More info: visit www.pocruises.co.uk or call 0843 373 0111.

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 (pictured, above) will undertake 18 seven-night Atlantic crossings between Southampton and New York, with fares from £1,099pp, including one-way flight.

More info: visit www.cunard.co.uk or call 0843 374 0000.

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Be AzAmazed With Azamara

As part of Azamara Club Cruises’ 2013 European season, newly refurbished duo Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey will launch AzAmazing Evenings, exclusive, custom-designed events which will immerse guests in the cultures that intrigue them. The inclusive night touring experiences are bespoke and authentic to the destinations in which they take place. 

The new season also marks the inclusion of boutique wines, international beers and select standard spirits in the ships' restaurants, bars and lounges when open. Travellers eager to experience Europe can also take advantage of up to $2,000 credit per stateroom against the voyage fare when booking flights through the line’s ChoiceAir feature. 

The twin ships will sail European waters through November, calling at familiar favourites such as Monte Carlo, Ibiza and Santorini, as well as some of the more hidden gems such as Sochi in Russia, host to the 2014 Winter Olympics; Cassis in France; and Propriano and Palamos in Spain. For an even more culturally-rich experience, guests can combine two, three or more consecutive sailings that repeat almost no ports and multiply their choices of AzAmazing Evenings and destination immersion.

Throughout the season, guests may also pair their holiday with a sailing that coincides with some of the region’s top cultural events, including the Monaco Grand Prix on 23 May or the British Open on 14 July.  For example, Azamara Quest’s seven-night, Seville April Fair sailing includes an opportunity for guests to experience Seville’s annual spring celebration, including a spectacular midnight fireworks show.  The ship, which sails to many destinations that larger ships cannot get to, docks in the heart of the city, just a short walk from all the festivities.

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

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