Fred Olsen Promise To Get 'Closer To The Destination' in 2015

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has announced its big programme for 2015/16, with the promise they will get guests 'closer to the destination' than ever before.

The full schedule for the winter season in 2015/16 will visit no fewer than 245 destinations in 81 countries around the globe, including 42 countries on its 2016 ‘Grand Voyages’ alone. The preview ‘Launch Brochure’ for the new itineraries will be unveiled to existing guests on March 17 and the cruises will go on general sale from March 24.

Fred. Olsen’s four ships, Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch, will sail from 10 convenient regional UK departures ports – Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Bristol (Avonmouth), Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow) and Belfast – meaning British guests will be within a maximum 90-minute drive away from joining a Fred. Olsen cruise, reinforcing their reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line’.

More info: call 0845 508 4947 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

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Fred Olsen's Solo Specials

We often highlight the relative plight of solo travellers in the cruise world, with single supplements sometimes as much as 200% of the regular fare for two people in a cabin.

But Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines work hard to be attractive to solo guests, and have just introduced a ‘no single supplement’ on certain grades of twin cabins for sole occupancy, on a selection of 2014/15 cruises. These special ‘no single supplement’ deals, which came into effect this month, mean that a solo guest, occupying a twin cabin, will pay the same per person rate as a couple, on applicable cruises.

Once on board, solo travellers will find exclusive gatherings for them to get to know each other, and staff on board will seat them together for dinner, and arrange companions for solo travellers when going ashore, if required. There are also Gentleman Hosts and Dance Couples to provide dancing partners for solo guests. The relatively small size of Fred. Olsen’s four ships and the relaxed and friendly atmosphere on board also make their cruises especially attractive for those travelling alone.

These ‘twin-for-sole occupancy’ fares for solo travellers are now being offered on a range of cruise itineraries, including (subject to availability):

- Balmoral’s eight-night ‘Norwegian Rivers & Railways’ cruise, from Southampton on August 10.

- Braemar’s nine-night 'Canary Islands' fly-cruise, from Southampton on November 23 (flying back to the UK from Tenerife at cruise end).

- Black Watch’s eleven-night 'France, Spain & Portugal' cruise, from Newcastle on September 28.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.  

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Celebrity's Early Summer Sun

It's perfectly normal at this time of year, after our long, wet, miserable winter, to be thinking of some early summer sun. And the cruise lines are well aware of our desire to 'get away from it all' as soon as possible.

That means they are continuing to put out some tempting offers for early-summer cruises, notably to the Mediterranean, which can still pretty much guarantee the necessary sun and warmth in April and May.

The latest offer to hit our Inbox is a particularly good one from Celebrity Cruises, so we thought we'd make its heady excitement the subject of today's blog:

Head to the Med and explore ancient cities, tuck in to local cuisine and soak up the sun on European sands onboard the Celebrity Eclipse on a 14-night Mediterranean cruise, sailing round-trip from the UK from only £949 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom).

It's terrific value, too, as the price includes the full fortnight's voyage, all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. It departs from Southampton on May 10 and calls at Malaga, Cannes, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence or Pisa), Genoa, Gibraltar and Lisbon (above), before returning to Southampton.
 

More info: call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk.

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All Aboard For Saga’s New Antiques Seashow

Calling all fans of BBC's Antiques Roadshow - you can take to the sea with Saga Cruises AND enjoy your favourite TV show on a special voyage to northern Europe this May.

In keeping with Saga's style of adding onboard value to the entertainment and lecture programmes, Roadshow presenters Paul Atterbury and Ian Harris (above) will lead a fascinating series of talks, master-classes and valuations on board the Saga Sapphire's sailing to the Baltic.

They will be joined by valuer Clive Steward-Lockhart, who is also a familiar face on the show, and archaeologist and antiquities lecturer Dr Ann Birchall, who will give fascinating talks on underwater archaeology and life in the classical world.

Guests will also be able to join a hosted antique-hunting shore excursion, where the experts give hints and tips along the way during this new A Voyage the Baltic cruise.

Saga Sapphire will sail from Dover on May 19, heading to the Baltic via the Kiel Canal,  a 60-mile channel through the German countryside. The journey ends when passing the Canal lookout station, which uniquely plays the national anthem of each ship as it passes.

Blending the imposing grandeur of St Petersburg with the refined grace of Helsinki and the stylish allure of two ports in Sweden, Stockholm and Gothenburg, this cruise celebrates northern Europe's great maritime heritage, as well as that of the the new Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which have each celebrated more than two decades of independence.

Tallinn in Estonia is acclaimed for its fairytale skyline of turrets and spires, while there is great shopping in Latvia's Ventspils and, from the Hansa port of Klaipeda, in Lithuania, passengers can visit the 13th century Memelburg Castle.

The 14-night cruise costs from £2,368 per person, with the price including VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals and snacks, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, entertainment and lectures, all gratuities, porterage, travel insurance and cancellation cover.

More info: call 0800 056 8986 or visit saga.co.uk/cruises.

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Fred Olsen's Canadian Autumn

For those who enjoy the glories of autumn, the 'Fall' colours of New England and Canada take some beating. The great forests of russet, orange and gold are truly a sight to behold, and they can also be combined with a cruise these days, as various lines offer trips along the St Lawrence Seaway and down to New York (or vice versa).

And, for those with the necessary time and curiosity to explore a bit further afield, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 32-night ‘Canadian Fall with New York & Boston’ cruise this September is an absolute must-try for the best of the autumn splendour.

Setting sail on Balmoral from Southampton on September 1, this longer cruise is perfectly timed to coincide with the best of the glorious Fall foliage on the other side of the Atlantic, and gives guests the chance to enter the iconic city of New York by cruise ship - one of the most exhilarating experiences at sea.

Prices for this cruise start from £3,149 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

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Princess Unveil All-Inclusive Packages

Princess Cruises has broken the mould of modern, big-ship cruising by announcing an ‘all inclusive’ package on one of its UK-based ships for the first time.

The offer, which forms part of the Princess Cruises 2015 Europe programme, will be available on 10 sailings in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe on board Caribbean Princess (above). The 3,000-passenger ship will set sail from the UK during spring and summer next year and include a fully inclusive drinks package for all guests who book within the special promotional period.

Other 2015 highlights include a reduced deposit of £99 per person on all Europe cruises and an increased number of sailings across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

The cruise line has also revealed that Royal Princess, which was launched by HRH the Duchess of Cambridge last year, will return to the UK for spring and summer 2015. The ship will sail out of Southampton for a series of British Isles round-trips, including calls at Liverpool, Edinburgh and Belfast. She will additionally tour the Baltic on a 12-night tour in June of next year, including visits to Copenhagen, Stockholm and St Petersburg.

Paul Ludlow, Princess Cruises managing director UK and Europe, said: “2015 is all about choice as our Europe-based ships will make 150 departures and visit over 120 destinations. European cruises are booming in popularity and as such we’ve provided something for everyone, including destinations and packages to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets.

“It is particularly fitting that Royal Princess will sail round-trips of the UK, as it will give people across the country the opportunity to welcome a ship that was so warmly received here last year."

The 2015 cruises will go on sale on March 11 at 3pm. The complimentary drinks package and £99 deposit are available on all 2015 cruises booked before June 30.

Caribbean Princess

The Caribbean Princess will spend the summer (Apr-Sep 2015) on ten sailings from Southampton to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, with the complimentary drinks package on all bookings made between March 11 and June 30, 2014.

Programme highlights include:

• Four 14-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruises, sailing round-trip from Southampton to the Western Mediterranean.
• One 14-night North Cape and Summer Solstice departure in June which sails north to the Arctic Circle during the peak Midnight Sun period.
• One 7-night Scandinavia cruise, departing from Southampton via Copenhagen.

Prices start from just £979pp.

More info: visit www.princess.com or call 0843 373 0333. 

 

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Saga's Spellbinding Norway

It's the final day of our fabulous Cruise Week with Saga Cruises, sailing their world and enjoying their cruise style and destinations. To conclude, we have a final journey to epic, beautiful Norway...

We make no bones about it - Norway is one of the most amazing countries to visit, especially by cruise ship, and this voyage just about has the lot.

Set sail on Saga Sapphire from Dover in July and you can visit quaint villages, historic ports and experience the UNESCO-protected landscape of Norway’s stunning fjords. In the evenings, guests can also get into the 1960s groove with the Steve Love Band and, to continue the theme, a 60s culture speaker will also be on board to bring back memories of the ‘Make love, not war’ era.

And then there are the ports. Old Stavanger (above left) is characterised by white-boarded houses, fantastic gardens and cobbled streets. Extremely quaint and dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, these houses are still lived in today and make for a fascinating tour. You can also explore the beautiful Lysefjord, where the cliff walls rise more than 300ft out of the still, blue waters for a distance of more than two miles.

The cruise then calls in at Flam deep in the Aurlandsfjord, surrounded by picturesque scenery of meadows, orchards and imposing mountains. Here, guests can enjoy a choice of several excursions, including include a ride on the Flåm Railway - one of the most dramatic train journeys in Europe.

Next up, the impossibly pretty village of Olden stands at the end of the beautiful Nordfjord,

with its quaint wooden homes, miles of forest and simple way of life. You can visit the Briksdal Glacier (right) on a guided hike or the Norwegian Glacier Centre, where you can learn about how glaciers are formed.

Finally, the Sapphire calls into the quintessential Norwegian port, Bergen. Surrounded by mountains and fjords, the waterside city has one of the most spectacular settings in all of Scandinavia and is a guaranteed hit with passengers. There has been a settlement here since Medieval times and the colourful waterfront buildings of the Hanseatic Wharf, known as the Bryggen, are testament to its fascinating history.

Saga's 7-night Spellbinding Norway voyage costs from £909 per person, departing Dover on July 24 and calling at Stavanger, Flam, Olden and Bergen.

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruises.aspx.

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Saga and Fjordland Melodies

Think “Norway” and you’re thinking of one the most visually spectacular places in the world. Winding fjords lined by snow-capped mountains with waterfalls thundering down thousand-foot cliffs to the still waters below while eagles waft lazily across the bow of your ship.

The fjords may be stunning but there is plenty to more to enjoy in this scenic part of the world as the towns and cities with their architecture frozen in time and exquisite seafood-based cuisine are complemented by the people being so friendly.

And Saga's Fjordland Memories voyage will encapsutale much of it, spending three leisurely days cruising the Hardangerfjord during the unique Hardanger Music Festival, with musicians from the festival performing on board against a backdrop of breath-taking scenery.

The voyage starts in picturesque Bergen (above), however, where there will be a chance to visit composer Edvard Greig’s former home at Troldhaugen. After exploring the old town,

it's back on to the ship for a leisurely drink in the bar as Saga Sapphire sets sail out of the lovely harbour.

Passengers will then be able to fully enjoy the Music Festival and the local natural beauty, just at the time the fruit orchards are in bloom. But you can’t come to Norway without seeing the fjords and this cruise takes in one of the finest, with the classic vista of precipitous cliffs and waterfalls, plus the small settlement of Eidfjord, as the gateway to Norway’s largest National Park. Here, the clear blue sky sets the off the snow-capped mountains perfectly and it is a wonderful place to disembark and just wander the fabulous pathways.

The colossus of Hardangerfjord also gives rise to the lesser-visited Sorfjord (below) at one end, with the traditional town of Odda set at the foot of the mountains. Here, guests can view the beautiful waterfalls of the Odda Valley on a panoramic drive or perhaps take in the interesting Tyssedal Hydropower Museum.

Saga's 7-night Fjordland Memories cruise costs from £909 and departs Dover on June 2,

calling at Bergen, Ulvik, Eidfjord and Odda.

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruises.aspx.

For a fuller version of this feature, see our website on this link.

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Saga's Treasures Of The Caribbean

We're on to Day 4 of our wonderful Saga Week with Saga Cruises, and today's story takes a rather different form, with a fun look at a typical Caribbean cruise...

Sunshine, Moonlight, Good Times, Boogie - the Pirates of the Caribbean party was rocking to The Jacksons’ dance track as Saga Sapphire sailed out of St Lucia.

If ever there was an anthem for our cruise, this was it. With the rum punch flowing, passengers spilled from the deck to the balconies, synchronising dance moves, singing to the music and shimmying under the stars.

We had started the day by gliding through the rainforest canopy on an aerial tram and, as temperatures reached 28C, we cooled off with a swim in Marigot Bay, a picture-postcard cove where filming of the Dr Doolittle movie took place.

Still buzzing from the party, we docked in St Vincent and arranged a trip to the tiny island of Bequia (above). A glistening guard of flying fish raced our speedboat across the 6,000ft-deep rolling sea, only dropping back when we entered Admiralty Bay.

On the waterfront we chose Mac’s cafe for lobster pizza and the pre-requisite rum punch al fresco while midnight-blue hummingbirds hovered within arm’s reach. Our One Day in Paradise was over too soon. We had joined the jet-set for a day by sharing the cost of a speedboat between a group of eight.

Another indulgence was to take a 45-minute helicopter ride from Antigua to Montserrat, the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean before a volcano erupted in 1997.

Next stop was nearby St Kitts, after a gentle overnight sailing we grabbed a cab to tour the island. Other passengers opted for the scenic railway, once the sugar train which transported cane to the mills. We stopped off­ at Ottley’s Plantation Inn, a 15-minute drive from the port. This 35-acre estate was once a haunt of Princess Margaret - and no wonder - with the poolside dining area offering panoramic views over the sea to Nevis. We, too, were treated like royalty at this friendly and surprisingly laid-back retreat. We took a stroll round the estate to walk off lunch to admire the beautiful gardens.

And so on to Martinique (above), with its very French feel. Snorkelling was the order of the day. Prospect, our guide, showed us the way and we jumped into the clear, clear water like a bunch of excited schoolchildren. With beginners’ luck a turtle swam alongside and everyone on the ship heard about it for days.

Saga Sapphire sailed on to Trinidad where we found Port of Spain empty on ‘the morning after the night before’ Fantastic Friday carnival celebrations. We drove past Queen’s Park Oval and talked about the days when the West Indies cricket team were at their peak – and how Brian Lara once scored 375 and 400 against England. Ouch.

Next stop, Grenada, so pretty and relaxed after show time in Trinidad. At Mollinere Beach we snorkelled over James de Caries’ underwater sculptures. The 14ft-deep artwork was thought-provoking and all the better for the vast numbers of tropical fish which proved a delightful distraction.

How couldn’t we be pleased? We had woken up to a different view every day, ate breakfast in the sunshine, explored island after island and spent the evenings getting a taste for fine dining and, of course, dancing the night away.

Sunshine, Moonlight, Good Times, Boogie - and a cruise to remember forever.

Factfile: A similar cruise, Treasures of the Caribbean, departs on January 13, 2015, from Southampton. The 35-night all-inclusive cruise starts from £5,999 per person calling in at Funchal, Madeira; Porto Grande (Sao Vincente, Cape Verde); Scarborough, Tobago; Hillsborough, Carriacou Island; St George’s, Grenada; Kingstown, St Vincent; Bridgetown, Barbados; Roseau, Dominica; Little Bay, Montserrat; Blowing Pint Anguillla; St John’s Antigua; Ponte del Garda, Sao Miguel; Lisbon, Portugal; Southampton.

Price includes VIP door-to-door travel service, all house-brand alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks, all meals, 24-hour room service, entertainment and porterage.

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruise.

For a longer version of this story see our News pages at the World of Cruising website, presented by Saga Cruises, on this link.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

 

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Britannia's Maiden Season

Following on from yesterday's big news about all the wonderful culinary features and debut season of P&O Cruises' spectacular new ship Britannia yesterday (see this link), here is a round-up of her maiden season's voyages.

Pre-registration is open today (Feb 13), with regular bookings available from March 27.

MAIDEN CRUISE

Spain, Italy & France  

Mar 14-28, 2015 • 14 nights • Britannia B502

Southampton - Gibraltar - Barcelona - Monte Carlo - Rome (tours from Civitavecchia) – Ajaccio, Corsica - Cartagena - Seville (tours from Cadiz) - Southampton

Prices from £1,149 per person.

MAIDEN CANARIES CRUISE

Portugal, Spain & Morocco   

Mar 28-Apr 11 • 14 nights • Britannia B503

Southampton - Madeira - Tenerife - Gran Canaria - Lanzarote - Agadir - Seville (tours from Cadiz) - Lisbon - Vigo - Southampton

Prices from £1,199 per person.

MAIDEN SHORT BREAK

Guernsey

July 4-6 • 2 nights • Britannia B512

Southampton - St Peter Port, Guernsey - Southampton

Prices from £249 per person.

MAIDEN NORWAY CRUISE

Norway, Nordfjord & Sognefjord   

Apr 25-May 2 • 7 nights • Britannia B505
Southampton - Bergen - Olden - Cruise in Nordfjord - Flaam - Cruise in Sognefjord - Stavanger – Southampton

Prices from £699 per person.

MAIDEN BALTIC CRUISE

Scandinavia, Estonia & Russia

May 30-Jun 13 • 14 nights • Britannia B509

Southampton - Kristiansand - Oslo - Copenhagen - Stockholm - Tallinn - St Petersburg - Helsinki - Bruges (tours from Zeebrugge) - Southampton

Prices from £1,499 per person.

MAIDEN BRITISH ISLES CRUISE

British Isles              

July 6-18 • 12 nights • Britannia B513     

Southampton - sailing by Flamborough Head & South Shields - Edinburgh (tours from South Queensferry) - Inverness (tours from Invergordon) - Kirkwall, Orkney Islands - sailing by Cape Wrath - Glasgow (tours from Greenock) - Liverpool - Dublin (tours from Dun Laoghaire) - Cork (tours from Cobh) - sailing by South Cornwall - St Peter Port, Guernsey - Southampton

Prices from £1,249 per person.

MAIDEN TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE

Portugal & Caribbean                             

Oct 23-Nov 7 • 14 nights • Britannia B524

Oct 23-Nov 8 • 15 nights • Britannia B524A

Southampton - Madeira - St Maarten - St Lucia - Dominica - Grenada - Barbados (overnight in port on B524A) - Overnight flight to UK

Prices from £1,099 per person.

CARIBBEAN

Fly UK to Barbados (Friday departures overnight in port) - Grenada - Isla Margarita - Curacao - Aruba - Tortola - St Maarten - Antigua - St Kitts - Barbados (Saturday departures overnight in port) - Overnight flight to UK (flights from selected UK airports)

Friday Departures; Nov 20-Dec 5 • 15 nights • Britannia B526

Prices from £1,399.

More info: call 0843 374 0111 or visit www.pocruises.co.uk.

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Saga's 'Last Chance' Arctic Explorer

Feb. 12.- It's Day Two of Saga Week on World of Cruising magazine, with a series of stories, features and special offers from the classic British cruise line. Today - a rare chance to visit exclusive Arctic destinations... 

Magdalena Bay is one of the most beautiful places on earth. There are no cars, no shops, no houses and no roads in this pristine, glistening fjord. The only trace of human life comes in the form of centuries-old whalers’ graves and the remains of whaling vats in this north-westerly region of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago (above, at sunrise).

And Saga Cruises' Saga Pearl II will dock here for the last time during its Arctic Explorer voyage, departing June 22, when passengers will wake up surrounded by snow-capped mountains and giant glaciers.

The ORCA charity team will also be on board to help passengers watch for wildlife and record sightings. On the ship’s last visit to the region, more than 400 mammals were seen, including blue whales and humpback whales.

Nearby Ny-Ålesund will also become a final port of call, also as a result of the heavy oil ban from January 1, 2015, which means no conventional ships can sail within the borders of Svalbard’s national parks on the east and west coast of the archipelago. Polar bear

numbers equal people in Ny-Ålesund’s shimmering, icy landscape, which is the world’s most northerly inhabited settlement. Wildflowers clothe the landscape in June as warmth from the midnight sun brings them to life after the long, dark polar winter nights.

Saga Pearl II will also call in at Longyearbyen, the largest and oldest settlement on Spitsbergen, where passengers can join a glacier hike or dog-sledding trips. During the sailing to Spitsbergen, the ship will visit the Lofoten Islands, where sea eagles make their home and Tromso, with the world’s most northerly botanic garden, as well as Stavanger, Geirangerfjord and  Bergen on a historic cruise, which promises holiday memories that can never be repeated.

This amazing 15-night cruise costs from £3,099 per person, departing Dover on June 22, and includes Saga's standard VIP door-to-door travel service, all meals, 24-hour room service, all gratuities, porterage, travel insurance and cancellation cover.

More info: call 0800 056 8986 or click on this link.

For a longer version of this story see our News pages at the World of Cruising website, presented by Saga Cruises, on this link.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

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Royal Caribbean Reveal Anthem's Southampton Voyages

By Editor Simon Veness

The big question (in every sense) about what itineraries Royal Caribbean will be offering from Southampton with their new Anthem of the Seas next year has been answered - with a bold array of different cruises from April to September.

As we have already noted here at Time Spent At Sea, Royal Caribbean will be going head-to-head next spring and summer with P&O Cruises out of Southampton, with P&O debuting their all-new Britannia at the same time as the Anthem arrives for her inaugural season.

Anthem is Royal Caribbean’s second Quantum-class ship and will offer 20 Mediterranean sailings beginning on April 22, 2015, before heading to Fort Lauderdale in the autumn, and her itineraries range from three to 16 nights, with a strong focus on ‘taster’ cruises designed to attract British holidaymakers who haven’t previously considered a cruise holiday.

Quantum and Anthem will mark another step forward for the cruise industry, introducing more unique facilities at sea, such as a skydiving experience called RipCord by iFLY and the North Star (above), an engineering marvel featuring a capsule that extends 300ft above the ocean and over the side of the ship to deliver 360-degree views for guests.

Additional cutting-edge venues include SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller-skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever. These new, larger rooms enable innovation in design, storage and comfort, including the industry’s first 'virtual balconies.'

Royal Caribbean's managing director for UK and Ireland, Stuart Leven, explained: “The unveiling of the Anthem of the Seas itineraries is another major milestone in our exciting year. We have significant confidence in the strength of pent-up demand for the Royal Caribbean holiday product from UK and Ireland."

Anthem's cruise options from Southampton next year are as follows:

• Four 3-night taster cruises and one 4-night taster cruise calling at Bruges and Paris (Le Havre).
• One 7 and one 8-night 'France & Spain' cruise calling at Bilbao and Paris (Le Havre).
• One 16-night 'Mediterranean Cities of Distinction' cruise including Barcelona, Nice, Rome Seville and Lisbon.
• Three 13-nights, one 10-night and one 12-night 'Sunshine in the Canaries' cruise.
• One 7-night 'Norwegian Fjords' sailing.
• Two 14-night 'Italian Mediterranean' sailings.
• One 14-night 'Spain & Mediterranean Beaches' sailing, including an overnight in Palma de Mallorca and a call into Ibiza, not departing until 8pm in the evening.

Peak summer holiday cruises include the 14-night Italian Mediterranean cruise and the 14-night Spain & Mediterranean Beaches sailings to appeal to family travellers. In addition, the three-night taster cruise operating over August Bank Holiday weekend is expected to be popular.

A 14-night cruise from Southampton starts from £1,599 per person, based on a July 2015 departure. The taster three-night cruises start from £449 per person, based on a May 2015 departure, and the programme goes on sale on March 4. 

More info: call 0844 493 4005 or visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link. 

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.

It's Saga Week On World of Cruising!

By Editor Simon Veness

Get ready for a full week of Saga Cruises here at World of Cruising this week, with a whole range of stories, insight and special offers from Britain's classic cruise line.

Starting tomorrow (Feb 11), we will have a new story each day on an aspect of the Dover-based company, who operate two ships - Saga Pearl II and Saga Sapphire - on a series of extensive voyages that appeal to the serious cruiser.

Taking it day by day, we will devote our new-look main website - www.worldofcruising.co.uk - to the full Saga story, with an in-depth look at what they do and a full week's worth of special offers, with follow-up stories here at Time Spent At Sea and our Twitter account, @WorldofCruising.

Both Saga ships offer a contrasting experience and a tempting programme of voyages, varying from 3 days to extended 20 and 30-day grand voyages to the Black Sea, Caribbean and further afield, with most setting sail from Dover but many from Southampton as well. There are themed cruises and Christmas cruises, plus special guests like Dame Stella Rimington (ex-MI5) and Dr Ann Birchall of the Antiques Roadshow and a 100th anniversary commemoration of the Gallipoli campaign in April 2015.

Intimate and casual, the 18,591-ton Saga Pearl II (left) is small enough to go where many big ships can't and features more off-the-beaten-track ports of call as a result, but still with a full array of amenities and facilities on board, including excellent dining, a choice of bars and lounges, plus an indoor pool, sauna and the latest fitness equipment.

The 37,301-ton Saga Sapphire (below) is the former five-star Europa of stylish Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, fully renovated and redesigned internally for British guests and maximum comfort, with a rather more contemporary style but still carrying only a maximum of 720 passengers. The vessel boasts spacious cabins, a state-of-the-art Spa, full promenade deck, three dining venues and a great range of public rooms, including the classic Britannia Lounge for afternoon tea.

All Saga dining is fully open seating (although there are fixed-seating tables if you prefer),

meaning you can dine when you like with whom you like, and it all comes with a friendly, efficient service that marks Saga out as one of the true individuals in the cruise world today. All cruises also feature a specialist lecture programme into the areas and ports visited by the ships, with expert guests to add real depth to the voyage.

Other Saga extras include:

• Door-to-door chauffeur service
• Travel insurance and additional cancellation cover
• All onboard gratuities
• 24 hour room service
• Free shuttle bus to take you to the nearest town centre
• Porterage of luggage

Now, be sure to tune in to Time Spent At Sea every day this coming week for more great news and offers on Saga cruises, and see more on our main website. And get ready to set sail!

More info: call 0800 096 0074 or visit http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/ocean-cruises.aspx.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link. 

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.

Fred. Olsen's Norwegian Celebration With Julian Lloyd Webber

This spring, guests aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ seven-night ‘Norwegian Celebration’ cruise will have the chance to listen to the fantastic musical sounds of renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber as they take in the sights of the magnificent fjords.  

This unique combination of views and music will be on offer aboard the 929-guest ship Braemar, where guests will be able to enjoy some of the most stunning vistas in Europe whilst also listening to one of the finest musicians of his generation. 

To encourage new and loyal customers to book by February 28, Fred. Olsen is also offering 10% off its great-value brochure fares. If guests book two cruises, they can save 20% off both, and, if they buy three or more cruises, they can save 30% off all cruises.

Prices for this cruise, which sails from Harwich on May 13, start from just £629 per person based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link. 

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.