Azamara Add More Free Flights Offers

Azamara Club Cruises is boosting its New Year offers with the addition of more FREE flights to join sailings to destinations such as Seville, the Cote d’Azur and Andalucía.

European cruise holidays booked between now and the end of January include both free flights and a free balcony accommodation upgrade.

The new offer now sees cruises from Seville in March and April with flights included on direct charters from London Gatwick, and the accommodation upgrade. Prices for an all-inclusive cruise on Azamara Quest start from £1,699 per person for a seven-night Seville 'April Fair' voyage on April 21.

The cruise coincides with Seville's April Fair and overnights in the city to allow holidaymakers to enjoy the last night of fiesta celebrations and midnight firework display. It also sails the Guadalquiver River and calls in Gibraltar, Montril for Granada, Valencia and ends in Barcelona with an overnight in the city. Plus, holidaymakers can enjoy the recently refurbished ship, which features refreshed public spaces and rooms such as new poolside furniture, new gym equipment and new mattresses.

Also new for  2013 in Europe for both ships – Azamara Journey and Quest – is a more-inclusive approach to pricing. Included are spirits, wines and international beers on board, and a new ‘Azamazing Evening’ land excursion event on each sailing. This is in addition to the New Year offer elements such as free flights.

Further cruises on the free flights and accommodation upgrades offer are a seven-night Santa Semana cruise from Seville departing on March 27 from £1,599 per person; a seven-night Arts on the Cote d’Azur departing from Barcelona from £1,699 per person with departures available on April 3 and 28; and an 11-night Celebrating Andalucía cruise departing Monte Carlo from £2,199 per person on April 10.

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

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Paul Gauguin's New Horizons

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the MS Paul Gauguin, has unveiled its 2013 itineraries for the cruise line’s second ship—the 90-guest MV Tere Moana—which will offer voyages in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

 
In the Gauguin tradition, cruise fares for Moana are all-inclusive with gratuities, soft drinks, select wines and spirits included. Also, with superior dining options, a luxury spa and a staff of 54 serving just 90 guests, the experience onboard promises to be nothing short of first class.

 
After undergoing a multi-faceted renovation to be completed this December, the Moana will set sail under the Gauguin Cruises banner on December 29 on a gala seven-night Caribbean voyage with chairman Richard Bailey onboard.

The new ship - currently the chic Le Levant of Compagnie du Ponant - will sail 13 itineraries in 2013. Like the Gauguin, Moana will specialise in warm-weather destinations, with an emphasis on delivering unique voyages that larger ships cannot offer and exploring hidden ports throughout these regions. The ship will sail during the summer months in Europe and winter in the Caribbean and Latin America.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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SeaDream Unveils 2013 European Schedule

Luxury line SeaDream Yacht Club have released their 2013 programme of European voyages for the UK market, featuring a variety of new destinations and experiences from May to October.

Their two immaculate super-yachts SeaDream I and SeaDream II will sail to Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro, Malta and Portugal, with new destinations including Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Russia. 

Highlights of the grand 2013 European season include:         

Voyage 11323, Jun 5-16: Yachting the best ports of Turkey, Greece and Croatia in 11-nights. Voyage-only fares from $7,599pp, plus govt fees and handling (approx. £5,335pp inc tax).        

Voyage 11333, Aug 17-30: 13-night full circumnavigation of the Black Sea, including Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia and the north coast of Turkey. Voyage-only fares from $9,299pp plus $868pp fees and handling (approx. £6,559pp inc tax.

Voyage 11334, Aug 30-Sep 7: An educational, 8-night voyage visiting ancient Troy and the Gallipoli battlefields in Turkey and Greece’s archaeological site of Mycenae. Voyage-only fares from $5,699pp, plus $488pp fees and handling (approx. £3,990pp inc tax).

Voyage 11335, Sep 7-13: “Mamma Mia” comes to life with calls to Skiathos Island, Volos, Kayala and Thassos in Greece. Voyage-only fares from $4,299pp, plus $441pp fees and handling (approx. £3,055pp inc tax).

Voyage 11338, Oct 2-12: 10-nights, featuring fabulous Greek Islands, Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast and a rare call to the island of Cyprus. Voyage-only fares from $6,999pp plus $610pp fees and handling (approx. £4,310pp inc tax).

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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American Safari Cruises Ready For Hawaii Debut

Hawaii-bound holiday-makers have an extra incentive to book an inter-island yacht cruise aboard American Safari Cruises’ 36-guest Safari Explorer in the next month or so. To celebrate its inaugural season in the islands, the line is offering a $150/person travel credit for reservations made before July 29.

Sailing week-long or 10-night active, adventure itineraries between Maui and the Big Island from November 2011 through April 2012, the all-inclusive Explorer visits the islands of Moloka’i, Lana’i and Molokini.

The $150 travel credit is intended to help guests defray air costs to the Hawaiian Islands where they will embark on their adventure cruise.

Flexible yacht itineraries focus on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands. The unstructured itinerary allows time for seeking wildlife such as Manta rays, dolphins and humpback whales. Outfitted for active adventures, the yacht’s well-stocked water sports equipment includes kayaks, paddle boards, snorkelling gear, wet suits, sailboats and inflatable skiffs for up-close excursions. Guided snorkelling tours are a highlight throughout the trip. Two knowledgeable expedition leaders guide hiking and kayaking tours. Bicycles are also available for guest use on Moloka’i and Lana’i.

Fares start at $4,995 for the seven-night cruise and $6,495 for the 10-night voyage, both per person, double occupancy. Itineraries feature exclusive excursions and include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1 and includes Hawaii residents who have personal knowledge of the islands.

For more info, visit www.americansafaraicruises.com or contact the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Crystal To Go All-Inclusive in 2012

This is some pretty surprising - but very welcome - news from Crystal Cruises that should make them even better value from spring 2012. Here is their official press release:

Crystal Cruises is enhancing its already expansive host of luxury services and amenities. Effective spring 2012, holidays on the award-winning Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will include free fine wines and premium spirits in all restaurants, open bar service in all lounges and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff. The complimentary gratuity amenity includes butler service and service in all of Crystal’s fine specialty restaurants and sushi bar.

“Our ‘All Inclusive’ is an evolution of Crystal’s luxury services and responds to the desires of today’s upmarket cruisers,” says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises. “As many lines throughout our industry have itemised their services for additional charges, Crystal is maximizing the guest experience by eliminating additional transactions -- further enhancing the ease and luxury of a Crystal cruise. We believe this service will offer greater convenience, simplicity and comfort.”

The new benefits begin with each ship’s first Trans-Atlantic cruise next year: Crystal Symphony’s “Beyond the Sea” sailing from Miami to Lisbon on March 19, 2012, and Crystal Serenity’s “New World to Norway” voyage from New York to Dover on May 8.

A complete list of 2012 Crystal itineraries are available on www.crystalcruises.co.uk and all are ready for wait-list.

Since its inception, Crystal Cruises has added to its experience each year with more and more complimentary amenities, services, workshops and dining opportunities.

Always included at no additional cost are: all non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, speciality coffee drinks, soft drinks and fresh juices; all meals, including dining in speciality restaurants that feature the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio; high tea; ice cream and frozen yoghurt bar; gym, steam, saunas and whirlpools; numerous fitness classes such as Spinning and group Pilates Reformer instruction; golf lessons with PGA pros; Walk-on-Water weighted vests and Nordic Pole walking equipment; Yamaha keyboard classes; Berlitz language classes; paddle tennis; dozens of computer/technology classes; art classes; Crystal Visions lecture series, featuring Crystal Visions lecture series featuring distinguished speakers; award-winning entertainment; in-stateroom movie and CD rentals; film screenings in the onboard cinema; dance lessons; dedicated junior cruiser facilities; early embarkation luncheon; welcome champagne; comfortable shuttles to town; pillow menus; self-service laundries; twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service; and 24-hour room service.

Penthouse accommodations also include personal butler service, pressing, stocked bar and other amenities and services.

All guests enjoy Six-Star service from European-trained waiting staff, concierges who belong to the prestigious “Les Clefs d’Or,” and sommeliers certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers. Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk

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