Day Trips to Antarctica and Galapagos Islands

By guest blogger Steve Newman.

Setting foot on the wild and rugged Galapagos Islands and exploring the Antarctic base on foot are just two of the many unforgettable experiences awaiting guests aboard Seabourn Odyssey during its 73-day South America circumnavigation in 2011.

The Yachts of Seabourn is offering a choice of more than 120 optional shore excursions during the journey around South America, providing guests with numerous opportunities to see, hear, touch, taste and feel the amazing diversity of environments, historic and modern cultures, and the breathtaking natural scenery of the continent.

Seabourn’s new shore excursions in South America include:

Galapagos in a Day, Guayaquil, Ecuador: Since their exploration more than 150 years ago, these remarkable islands have not lost their ability to inspire and are home to many unique, indigenous species. Seabourn guests fly from Guayaquil to the islands, visiting the Giant Tortoises Reserve, the Twin Pit Craters and stop at the world renowned Charles Darwin Research Centre.

Antarctic Expedition, Punta Arenas, Chile: From Punta Arenas, guests board a chartered flight due south, crossing the Polar Circle to touch down at Frei Base, maintained by the Chilean Air Force and situated on an ice-free area. Stepping off the plane, guests explore the base and its surroundings on foot. A mile downhill walk on a dirt road brings them to the base and, from here, they board an inflatable boat to visit Ardley Island, a highly protected area occupied by breeding colonies of penguins.

A tremendous variety of excursions are available at the 31 ports of call during Odyssey’s 73-day South America circumnavigation. Capital cities such as Quito, Santiago, Lima, Buenos Aires and Montevideo as well as world class metropolises such as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia combine with exotic locations in Patagonia and the Amazon.

The voyage departs January 4, 2011, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To reserve space on Seabourn’s optional shore excursions online prior to the cruise, guests can visit www.seabourn.com. Fares for the entire voyage begin at £17,998 per person, based on double occupancy. For travellers who are unable to sail on the full 73-day voyage, shorter itineraries are available, starting from £4,999 per person for 19 days.

For more information, visit http://www.seabourn.com/ or check with the luxury and adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Yachts of Seabourn offers Fantastic Savings

By guest blogger Steve Newman

A selection of luxurious winter itineraries and destinations, including the Caribbean on the new Seabourn Sojourn, are being offered by The Yachts of Seabourn. Guests booking this week can make substantial savings on a variety of Winter Sun destinations as per the below selection.

30th November 2010 - Seabourn Sojourn departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day round-trip 'Yachtsman's Caribbean' cruise. Highlights of the itinerary include San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gustavia, St Barths, St Kitts and Cruz Bay, St John. Fares start from £3,099pp (air inclusive).

20th December 2010 - Sojourn departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 16-day 'Christmas and New Year's Sojourn' to Los Angeles. Highlights of the itinerary include Cartagena, Colombia, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, Huatulco, Mexico and San Diego. Fares start from £5,199pp (cruise only).

3rd December 2010 - Seabourn Legend departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day round-trip 'Caribbean Splendor' cruise. Highlights of the itinerary include Nassau, Bahamas, Gustavia, St Barths, Prickly Pear Island and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fares start from £2,599pp (air inclusive).

Prices are all person, based on two sharing a suite, fully inclusive, including all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bar and fully-stocked mini-bar.

For more information, vist http://www.seabourn.com/ or call the specialist luxury cruise agents at the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Yachts Of Seabourn Offer ends 30th October

By guest blogger Steve Newman

BOOK BY 30th OCTOBER 2010 AND EXPERIENCE SEABOURN FOR JUST £1,999pp

Ultra-luxury cruise line, The Yachts of Seabourn is offering air-inclusive fares from just £1,999 per person on European itineraries on board Seabourn Legend in 2011. For guests who love to experience the enchanting history and culture of Europe, the 7-day itineraries are the perfect introduction to the luxury and adventure that awaits onboard Seabourn.

Itineraries priced from £1,999 per person:

Florence and Bella Italia
Monte Carlo, Monaco – Rome, Italy
Seabourn Legend
7 Days, departures: 10th April and 1st May 2011

Yachtsman’s Riviera
Rome, Italy – Monte Carlo, Monaco
Seabourn Legend
7 Days, departures: 17th April and May 15th 2011

To book, visit http://www.seabourn.co.uk/ or call cruise specialist The Cruis Line on 0800 008 6677.

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Sojourn's Southampton Debut

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Seabourn Sojourn, The Yachts of Seabourn’s newest deluxe ship, is making its debut in Southampton on April 27, 2011. The Port of Southampton will be the second UK port to feature a visit from Sojourn and is the final stop on its 111-day grand World Cruise from Los Angeles.

The ultra-chic vessel also represents the first luxury cruising-yacht to sail into and depart from Southampton in 2011. On the same day it arrives, Sojourn also sets sail on its round-trip Mediterranean Sojourn I & II itinerary, arriving back in the UK on May 14. The following day, Sojourn makes its final departure for the year from the famous south coast port, headed for Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea.

Itineraries including Southampton:

MAIDEN VOYAGE WORLD CRUISE SEGMENT VOYAGE
15th – 27th April 2011; 12 Days
Rome – Southampton
Ports of call: Rome, Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, Lisbon, Bordeaux and Southampton;
cruise-only fares from £3,099 per person

MEDITERRANEAN SOJOURN I & II
27th April 2011 – 14th May 2011; 18 Days
Southampton round-trip
Ports of call: Southampton, Vigo, Gibraltar, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Rome, Florence, Alicante, Lisbon, Porto and Southampton; cruise-only fares from £5,399 per person (including car parking at Southampton)

BALTIC SOJOURN
15th – 25th May 2011; 10 Days
Southampton – Copenhagen
Ports of call: Southampton, Stockholm, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Copenhagen; cruise-only fares from £3,899 per person

All fares are based on double occupancy and two people sharing a grade A Seabourn suite, including in-resort transfers, fully inclusive cruise, all fine dining, open bar, fully stocked mini-bar, tips and gratuities onboard.

Sojourn is the second of Seabourn's award-winning Odyssey-class vessels and accommodates guests in 225 spacious suites, 90 per cent of which have private verandas. Top-of-the-range staterooms include the Wintergarden Suites with private solarium and veranda, and Signature Suites with sweeping verandas and unrivalled views facing forward. The two-deck, state-of-the-art Spa at Seabourn features a Spa Villa that can be privately reserved, as well as a Kneipp Walk, herbal bath facility and an aroma steam bath with salt inhalation. The yacht offers four dining venues and six bars and lounges serving a full range of beverages, including fine wines and spirits with Seabourn’s compliments.

For further information, visit http://www.seabourn.com/ or http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/seabourn-cruises/.

Yachts of Seabourn are also exhibitnig at The Cruise Show in Birmingham on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia from March 26-27 in 2011.

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Luxury amongst the Fiords

By guest blogger Steve Newman

If you like to think about quality and unashamed luxury when you’re choosing a cruise, then there is one company you simply must look at. With their unmatched sense of style, elegance and grace, The Yachts of Seabourn offer a sophisticated and luxurious journey that’s right up there at the top of the tree.

From the acclaimed culinary delights served up in a choice of dining venues to the wonderfully appointed all-suite accommodation, you will encounter services and luxuries that would normally be experienced only on a private yacht.

The smaller trio of sisters carry just 208 passengers and, at three times the size, the new Seabourn Odyssey and Sojourn carry just 450, all five pride themselves on visiting locations inaccessible to larger vessels. The professionally trained staff (at more than one per suite) not only knows you by name, but knows your personal preferences as well.

Of special note, from the 15th of September the brand new Sojourn will be visiting the majesty of the Norwegian Fjords for a 12-night voyage. Starting at Copenhagen, she will visit Bergen, the wonderful port of Alesund with its Art Nouveau architecture and the incredible Geiranger Fjord (above, and this link will take you to a revolving webcam).

If you’ve not visited the Geiranger before, you have a treat in store. When you travel down the 10 miles of the fjord that leads to the World Heritage site of village of Geiranger, you pass cliffs that are thousands of feet high with waterfalls cascading down almost the same distance, glowering over you and dwarfing any ship beneath them. All this against a backdrop of blue sky and white clouds whilst Sea eagles drift nonchalantly past to keep you company. If this wasn’t enough, the voyage also visits Amsterdam before culminating at Dover.

As well as visiting those destinations larger vessels simply cannot reach, each yacht offers all-suite accommodations, Seabourn's signature water-sports Marina, an open-bar policy serving premium wine, champagne and spirits, and menus by renowned celebrity chefs.

Yachts of Seabourn are exhibiting at the Cruise Show in Birmingham's NEC in October and you can see some more latest deals for this excellent company here on this link: Late Deals.

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Europe Or Bust!

The charge is on - and European waters may never be the same again!

That is to say, there will be more ships in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas than ever before, and the cruise menu will be bulging at the rivets with possibilities for April-October 2011.

For reasons that even the cruise industry seems to be struggling to explain (although it may have something to do with lower port duties and fees in many of the ports, as opposed to Alaska), there will be an absolute plethora of maritime options throughout Europe next year.

As if the high numbers and record-breaking volume of the cruise capacity in 2010 isn't enough, many lines are going a step further in 12 months' time. And it is not just the mass-market operators - everyone is at it, including upmarket companies like Oceania Cruises and the Yachts of Seabourn.

One by one, from Princess to NCL to Holland America to Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, the lines have announced increased capacity, more ports of call and enhanced itineraries. It is not so much a rush as an ocean-going stampede - and the cruise customer stands to benefit enormously.

There are already some handsomely attractive advance deals (like Oceania offering two-for-one pricing), and they could well become the norm in the coming months as this year fills up and people start to look at 2011.

Here's how the 'big boys' of the cruise business are shaping up:

Princess Cruises: 7 ships, with 106 itineraries, 42 of which are brand new.

Celebrity Cruises: 3 of their Solstice-class vessels will be in Europe for the first time

NCL: 3 ships, based uniquely in Copenhagen (Norwegian Sun), Barcelona (the new Norwegian Epic) and Venice (Norwegian Jade).

Royal Caribbean: a stunning 10 ships, visiting 78 ports on 109 different itineraries.

Holland America: 7 ships - including 2 of their largest Signature-class - offering 15 maiden ports of call and 16 overnight ports.

And that is before you consider the 'resident' European specialists like P&O, Fred. Olsen, Costa, MSC Cruises and Thomson.

It is an amazing line-up of cruise-going hardware - in excess of 60 vessels all featuring European itineraries - and it all serves to underline, yet again, that the best holiday choice remains a cruise choice.

Or, in the words of a famous politician, You've never had it so good. Or so varied!

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Sizzling Seabourn

Call me biased, but when it comes to truly distinctive, ultra-deluxe cruising, Seabourn have pretty much set the standard since their inception in 1988. Their original trio of chic, classy small-scale vessels introduced a whole new way of enjoying life at sea, and they maintained that style and reputation right through the 1990s and early 2000s.

Then, when their crown was in danger of being stolen by several high-quality rivals, they set out to restore their class-leading advantage and raise the bar still further. The result was the stunning Seabourn Odyssey in June 2009, a new vessel of such breathtaking vision and clarity the usual caveats of waiting to see how a ship's first 2 months panned out went completely by the wayside.

Here was a newcomer that immediately demonstrated that it knew exactly what it was supposed to be, how best to appeal to regulars and first-timers alike, and how to launch with everything perfectly in sync service-wise (the usual bane of new vessels). Odyssey maintained the same handsome, sleek profile but also looked the part of sharp 21st century technology (as opposed to yet another floating tower block).

More importantly, Odyssey wasn't just a larger-scale version of the original trio. Although she was three times the size of her stablemates, she both refined the highly successful formula and expanded on it in a totally delightful way, making the suites more sumptuous, the public rooms more glamorous, the service more personable and the whole experience more memorable.

Now, just a few months before the launch of sister Seabourn Sojourn and with third vessel Seabourn Quest set for 2011, the company has announced a visionary range of new itineraries and options for 2011 and 12.

From March 23 (the day the new programme goes on sale) to June 30, the full Europe and Asia schedule of voyages will be available at special promotional fares from £2,300 per person. These incredible fares will also include round-trip airfare for the first time, making it the most inclusive launch campaign Seabourn have ever done.

From January 2011 to April 2012, the line will offer its most extensive and diverse menu of itineraries ever, calling at a record 266 ports in 78 countries during 252 scheduled voyages visiting a wide variety of popular destinations and exotic locations across the world. Fares and details will be available on Seabourn’s website on March 23rd, and a lavishly illustrated catalogue will be published in April.

It will feature:

New Itineraries
In 2011/12, Seabourn returns to Canada and New England with a series of 9-day Autumn Maritime cruises on Sojourn, which will include the yacht’s maiden call to New York. Sojourn will also operate six 14-day Patagonian Passage voyages to the picturesque Chilean Fjords, Cape Horn and the Falkland Islands between Valparaiso, Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Seabourn Pride remains in Asia for a second season of year-round exotic cruises to major destinations such as Japan, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. New for 2011, Pride will operate a series of 12-day cruises from Singapore-Bali with calls to exotic ports in Borneo, Sulawesi and Java.

(Big cheers for that Patagonia series, by the way - the ultimate combination of great destination and perfect vehicle)

In early 2012, Seabourn Legend will be based in the Arabian Sea and offer Indian Ocean Delights, with stops to Oman’s capital city of Muscat, also known as “Arabia’s jewel,” and the vibrant city of Mumbai, India. Other new itineraries include a 60-day Stars of the Southern Cross cruise round-trip from Los Angeles to French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii aboard Odyssey; new seven-day St Petersburg & the Baltic cruises between Copenhagen and Stockholm aboard Sojourn; week-long Gems of the Adriatic and Dalmatian Discoveries cruises round trip from Venice aboard Spirit; an 18-day Path of the Vikings transatlantic voyage from Dover to Quebec, and a 12-day Canada & Colonial Autumn voyage from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale aboard Sojourn.

New, Exotic Ports of Call
Seabourn’s record number of port visits will include more than 50 destinations that are either maiden calls or ports the line has not visited in years. New stops include Bangaram (Laccadive Islands), and Porbandar, India; Matarani, Peru; Brindisi, Italy; Burnie, Tasmania; Cape Town, South Africa; Chan May, Vietnam; Constantza, Romania; Pointe des Galets, Reunion; Doha, Qatar; Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Port Louis, Mauritius; Fanning Island, Republic of Kiribati; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Gili Sudak Island and Waikelo, Sumba, Indonesia; Qaqortoq, Greenland; Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; the island of St Helena; Sur and Khasab, Oman; Manama, Bahrain; Maputo, Mozambique; and Walvis Bay, Namibia.

New Seabourn Journeys
In 2011/12, Seabourn will offer two new Seabourn Journeys, fully-escorted packages for guests wishing to extend their stays on land. A new 3-night pre- or post-cruise Journey from Sydney, provides an in-depth exploration of the Australian Outback, including a sunset camel safari to a bush barbecue and visits to the breathtaking scenic wonders, the Olgas and Uluru, and the largest monolith on earth, also known as Ayers Rock. Also new is a 5-night Safari Journey from Cape Town, South Africa, to the Singita Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.

To my mind, it all adds up to a stunning array of luxury cruising and superb destination planning. So, if March 23 (when Seabourn's 2011 programme goes on sale) isn't already in your diary, is should be pretty soon!

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Great choice for 2010

We're accustomed to a wonderful variety of new ships to look forward to each year, but 2010 promises to deliver an absolutely bumper crop of newbuilds, as much for their variety as anything else.

From the 150,000-ton Norwegian Epic (above, with its Aqua Park) and the 220,000-ton Allure of the Seas (sister to the recent Oasis), to the boutique little Independence of American Cruise Lines (3,000 tons) and the chic Le Boreal of Compagnie du Ponant (10,600 tons), this is a line-up that truly offers something for everyone.

The year starts with the latest vessel for Costa Cruises, the Costa Deliziosa, a sister to the Luminosa and the second in this intermediate class of ship for the Italian-based line. MSC Cruises then add the MSC Magnifica, the fourth in their Musica-class vessel, and their 10th ship in all. Quite an upgrade on their traditional, three-ship fleet of just nine years ago!

Celebrity follow up with Celebrity Eclipse in April, the third in their growing and impressive Solstice-class, and, in the same month, P&O Cruises add their biggest ship to date, the 116,000-ton Azura.

May should be a big month for small-ship lovers, with the arrival of the Independence to boost their unique style of American river and coastal cruising. This will be the third vessel of this style and it is obviously proving a big successful with those who enjoy their cruising small-scale.

Le Boreal is the other attractive smaller option, with a truly sumptuous new look for this chic French line. Well worth considering in 2010.

The pace doesn't slow down in June, though, as we welcome the huge Epic of NCL (their biggest-ever ship) and the Seabourn Sojourn of the Yachts of Seabourn, who made a huge splash (ho, ho!) in 2009 with their Odyssey, a ship hailed as a real 'game-changer' in the deluxe end of the cruise market.

Holland America join the newbuild party in July with their Nieuw Amsterdam, an old name for their latest and possibly their smartest (and the fourth ship actually to bear that name) to date. A sister to the Eurodam, this will be the 81st vessel to enter HAL service. Quite a run!

The autumn sees the arrival of Allure of the Seas, and the second of the mind-boggling Project Genesis series of Royal Caribbean. Our World of Cruising magazine hailed Oasis as 'the world's first space ship' recently, as a tribute to both the space-age look and huge amount of space involved in this vessel, and Allure should provide more of the same. Or, as I said last month - It's a cruise ship, Jim, but not as we know it!

One ship which I will be eagerly awaiting is the new Marina of Oceania Cruises in October, with this smart, upmarket line promising to deliver a mid-range ship full of innovation and style and providing a real challenge to the ultra-deluxe lines but with a slightly lower price tag. Definitely one to watch.

Finally, venerable Cunard will debut their latest offering the new Queen Elizabeth toward the end of the year, a 92,000-ton vessel that will maintain the line's great tradition but build on the modern styling that the Queen Victoria showed us last year, or 'the gracious new Cunarder,' as they like to say.

So, if that little lot isn't enough to get everyone excited about the possibilities for cruising in 2010, I don't know what will.

Merry Christmas everyone, and a happy Cruise New Year!

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Seabourn Get Smarter

It has been quite a year for the Yachts of Seabourn, with the launch of their much-heralded and admired Seabourn Odyssey and now a major makeover project for their three existing ships, Seabourn Spirit, Pride and Legend.

Never ones to rest on their laurels, it seems (especially with the Seabourn Sojourn arriving in summer 2010), the company has officially kicked off a multi-million dollar renovation of the original trio of its award-winning, small-luxury fleet.

The Spirit has just completed the refurbishment while Pride and Legend will undergo the same treatment in the coming year (January and autumn 2010 respectively), transforming the look and feel of each vessel with open and airy interiors, modern embellishments, and richly-coloured contemporary on-deck furnishings.

It is all in keeping with bringing the overall standard up to the new level which their latest newbuilds have brought about with their arrival this year.

“Seabourn Spirit came out of drydock a couple of weeks ago,” said Seabourn President and CEO Pamela Conover, “and the response of our guests, both multi-repeaters and first-timers, has been unanimous — the Spirit looks absolutely beautiful.”

The renovation programme is being overseen by RTKL Associates Inc. in Miami, an award-winning international design firm recognised for its creative approach to commercial and residential spaces. The extensive work is also being done during regularly scheduled periodic maintenance.

All the enhancements begin in the Reception Lobby with honey-toned wood panelling, two-toned marble flooring and furnishings re-upholstered in rich burgundy. The onboard entertainment spaces also shine, with the main show-lounge transformed with cut-velvet banquettes in muted blues and taupe chairs beneath glittering stars. In The Club, floral-motif carpeting plays off warm reds and burnt oranges while elegantly toned, matte stone panels invoke spaciousness throughout.

That play of colour and comfort continues in the observation lounge, where wrap-around windows illuminate new pale-green accents and soothing creams and beiges with the ever-changing light of sea and sky. New club chairs and sofas of creamy leather are inviting perches for taking it all in, accented with leaf-patterned throw pillows that echo the foliage theme in the carpeting.

In The Restaurant, celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer’s cuisine is now presented in a rich yet understated elegance of handsome toffee-toned woods, creamy caramel accents, dramatic sheer curtains striped horizontally in violet and gold interspersing muted purple drapes, and flooring finished in sumptuous golden stone with sage infusions.

Meanwhile, the open decks are going equally modern, with graceful new furniture of coffee-hued, powder-coated metal and chocolate-toned fabric.

Conover added: “The renovation of Pride, Spirit and Legend ensures guests will be enjoying the Seabourn experience on these unique vessels in a fresh, contemporary style. With our original three yachts scheduled for refurbishment, Seabourn Odyssey enjoying a stellar maiden year, and Seabourn Sojourn scheduled to launch in June 2010, Seabourn can now offer travellers more beautiful yachts in more exciting destinations throughout the year.”

It all serves to underline that the smart deluxe cruise operators are constantly looking to keep their product in that top-of-the-range echelon, and Seabourn will continue to be in the forefront of cruising's leading operators for the forseeable future.

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