Get Ready For Our Spring Issue!

We're now putting the finishing touches to our Spring issue, with some real treats in store for our readers. Our Cover Story theme for this edition is Into Africa, as our contributing editor Gary Buchanan puts together a special 'cruise-safari' experience through Southern Africa, taking a Silversea voyage around South Africa and Mozambique and then travelling inland to try a river-cruise aboard the luxurious Zambezi Queen (above).

It's a unique and wildlife-filled journey, capped off with a look at the pre- and post-cruise attractions of the port city of Cape Town, but that's only the start of an epic series of distinctive voyages in our latest edition.

From Southern Africa we head to Mexico's Sea of Cortes with American Safari Cruises as our adventure-cruise expert Steve Newman samples this unusual small-scale cruise style, and then it's off to South America with Holland America Line as another top writer, Yvonne Horn, takes readers on a typical voyage 'around the Horn.' Malta is also on our cruise radar, with an in-depth review of this wonderful Mediterranean hot-spot.

We also have the BIG ship stories, and they don't come much bigger this year than Norwegian Cruise Line's new Norwegian Breakaway, with Anthony Nicholas providing a full preview of this outstanding new-build, which is due to debut at the end of April. And then we have a special look at the onboard speciality restaurant of Todd English aboard Cunard's classic Queen Mary 2 and a historic cruising perspective by Peter Newall on the inimitable old-timer SS United States and the ongoing attempts to save her from an ignominious fate.

 

We also have a bonus for river-cruise fans, with three contrasting river journeys, on three different continents, highlighting all the delights of the deluxe Orient-Express cruiser Road to Mandalay in Myanmar; the European Waterways hotel barge Panache in the Netherlands; and the wonderful new Queen of the Mississippi of American Cruise Lines through the heartland of America.

 

Of course, our regular columnists are also well to the fore, with the award-winning style of Captain Greybeard (John Honeywell), The Cruise Guy (Stewart Chiron) and Cruise Radio (Doug Parker) adding their unique opinions and insight of the cruise world, alongside the essential World of Spas section, which takes a look at the gorgeous spa offerings of Morocco this time out.

 

With our regular News, Reader Letters and Passenger Perspective features, it all adds up to the best read on the best holiday choice from the best writers in the business. Be sure to have your subcription up to date - or join our growing band of happy readers - on 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.

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Cruise To Floriade - The World Horticultural Expo

Floriade is an international exhibition of flowers and gardening held every 10 years in the Netherlands, attracting visitors from all over the world, and eWaterways is offering cruises through the Dutch and Belgian waterways that include a visit to Floriade 2012 as a full-day optional excursion.

The voyage is available on the Amadeus Brilliant, Diamond and Elegant luxury cruise ships.

For more details, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or the UK's river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.

A 'Royal' European River Cruiser

eWaterways, the niche and river cruise experts, continue to expand their luxury cruise portfolio with the addition of five-star river yacht Royal Crown. The luxury cruiser renowned for its private members’ club feel and bespoke client service will begin a new sailing programme with eWaterways this April, offering an authentic exploration of some of Europe’s most iconic cities via historic rivers and lesser known waterways. To promote the launch, there will be NO single supplement for solo travellers throughout 2011.

Royal Crown will launch 10 thoughtfully assembled itineraries across 12 European countries for a rediscovery of popular destinations such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest from a more intimate, relaxing perspective. Taking in the myriad sights along the enchanting Rhine; encountering the less familiar but infinitely beautiful Mosel as it winds through the Black Forest or enjoying the magnificent Danube as it traverses fairytale landscape on its way to the Black Sea, each cruise ensures that every stage of the journey is an awe-inspiring and integral part of the travelling experience.

On the Dutch Golden Age Journey, guests will see up close the charming canals and gabled town houses of 17th century Amsterdam onboard the Royal Crown II, the river yacht’s private sloop, before setting sail on the Ijsselmeer for the picturesque port towns Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Volendam. Those opting for a longer cruise holiday, such as the two-week Grand Europe Journey. will follow in the steps of the Romans as they voyage to celebrated cities including Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and the Bavarian region.

At full capacity, Royal Crown caters for just 88 guests in a total of 44 luxuriously appointed cabins with flatscreen TVs and fully-stocked mini-bars to promise an all-inclusive and sophisticated cruise holiday. Often described as an 'Orient Express on Water', the river yacht exudes 1930s glamour and style with Art Deco design and bespoke butler service.

The 52-strong team caters to each individual’s needs with every comfort onboard considered, from the choice of pillow to a favourite drink, everything is taken care of. The traditional ambiance and décor is propelled into the 21st century with modern facilities, including a deluxe spa, golf putting area, well-equipped fitness room and 24-hour multimedia business lounge. On each cruise, guests - and particularly solo travellers - will enjoy a luxurious offering: exquisite fine dining, classical music concerts and, of course, Europe’s most stunning vistas, all at great value.

For more info, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.

AMA Waterways New Offers

Once again river cruise specialists AMA waterways are offering huge savings. Take a look at this latest selection from the boutique river-cruisers:

25th April : Tulip Time Cruise, saving £427 per person

A 7-night cruise on board AmaCello through Holland's spectacular bulb-fields, now from £1,329pp (was £1,756), with accommodation in a spacious cabin with French balcony. The spring flowers are at their best from mid-March through to mid-May and this is the perfect time to discover the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways. As with all AMA cruises, prices include all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner; free Wi-Fi and free use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions.

8th May: Enchanting Rhine, saving up to £460pp

A 7-night luxury cruise along the Rhine, from Amsterdam to Basel visiting Cologne, Kloblenz, Rudesheim, Worms, Heidelber, Strasbourg, Breisach and Basel, sailing through majestic historic cities and towns, can now be booked from £1,425pp (was £1,885).

14th May : Legendary Danube with £457pp saving

A 7-night Danube River cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest, with prices from £1,595 per person (was £2,052pp), this sailing cruises through the charming towns and beautiful vistas of Hilpoltstein, Regensburg, Passau, Salzburg, Linz, Melk and Vienna.

14th May: Rhone and the Provence with £457 saving per person

A 7-night luxury river cruise along the Rhone, from Lyon to Arles, visiting Trevoux, Vienne, Tournon, Viviers and Avignon, with wine-tasting in beautiful wine growing regions where such famous wines as Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape are produced, can now be booked from £1,595pp (was £2,052).

For more info, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.