Star Clippers Offers Med History

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has announced a series of lectures on Mediterranean history that will take place on two Cyclades voyages on their majestic 170-passenger Star Clipper this summer.

Dr Renate Scheiper, a qualified archaeologist and expert in the Mediterranean region, will be on board on August 17 and 24 to give talks to guests in both English and German. Her lectures will be specific to the ports to which the four-masted clipper ship will be sailing, bringing each destination alive. Subjects on the August 17 departure, which sails to Rhodes, Bodrum, the Dalyan River, Santorini and Hydra, include archaeology, medieval history, mythology and the legend of Atlantis. Prices are from £1,435pp, including full board on the ship, all lectures and port taxes (flights are extra).

On the August 24 departure, which calls at Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Patmos, Amorgos, Mykonos and Monemvasia, Dr Scheiper will discuss the history of Ephesus, St John the Apostle and the monastery on Patmos, and the temples of Delos. Prices are from £1,435pp, including full board on the ship, all lectures and port taxes (flights extra).

As well as Dr Scheiper’s historical lectures, Star Clippers will be offering yoga and culinary-themed cruises this summer in the Mediterranean and the Baltic.

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

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Singles Save With Star Clippers

Tall-ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering savings of up to £500 per person for solo travellers booking a double cabin (for single occupancy) on a choice of two escorted art-themed cruises in the Mediterranean in 2013. Guests on the two sailings can enjoy art tuition and the company of like-minded aspiring artists in some of the most beautiful settings of the Mediterranean: the French and Italian Rivieras in April or the coast of Croatia in September.

A cruise on Star Clippers’ graceful tall ships is the perfect holiday for single travellers, due to the friendly, relaxed atmosphere on board. The al fresco Tropical Bar is the ideal place to chat to fellow guests while watching the scenery drift by. Meals are informal, with open seating and the opportunity to sit with other guests, so nobody has to dine alone unless they want to.

On the Art Afloat voyages, the group will have the opportunity to attend daily workshops and spend time sketching and painting ashore together, creating an ideal environment for spending time with people with a shared interest.

Each cruise is escorted by Suffolk-born Richard Nichols, a successful artist who specialises in seascapes and coastal scenes. Richard will run workshops covering everything from sketching to watercolours, aimed at all levels of experience and helping artists to capture the dazzling turquoise of the sea along the Croatian coast, the texture of a cream sail filled with wind, or the ochres and terracottas of the houses lining the chic little bay of Portofino.

Included in the cruise price is a special lightweight artist’s backpack that converts into a seat for sitting and sketching on location. The backpack contains sketchbooks, paper, watercolours, brushes and pencils, so guests do not need to supply any equipment.

The ‘Art Afloat’ cruises are:

Monaco round-trip on Star Clipper, seven nights, departing April 27, and calling at Calvi, Bonifacio, Costa Smeralda, Portoferraio, Lerici and Santa Margarita (for Portofino). From £2,199 per person including flights to Nice, transfers, full board on the ship, sole occupancy of a double cabin, all art equipment, daily tuition and welcome cocktail party. Saving: £170 per person.

Venice round-trip on Royal Clipper, eight nights, departing September 27, and calling at Kotor, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Rovinj and Piran, with a night in Venice before the cruise. From £2,399 per person including flights to Venice, transfers, one night’s B&B accommodation in Venice, full board on the ship, sole occupancy of a double cabin, all art equipment, daily tuition and welcome cocktail party. Saving: £500 per person.

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

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Dance With the Stars, Holland America Style

Holland America Line has announced an exciting new “Dancing with the Stars” experience will be featured on board its ships next year. Whether you like to Tango, Quickstep or Paso Doble, or just sit back and enjoy watching the sizzling performances, the new programme offers guests an entirely unique experience on the seas.

Six themed cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing with the Stars” events, including dance lessons, a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos, and a dazzling production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show. Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson, and pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer, with more names to be announced soon.*

In addition to the themed cruises, every sailing on all 15 ships in the HAL fleet will feature an exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” programme, including dance lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance centre stage in an exciting dance-off performance. These activities will feature the ships’ professional dancers and will be developed in collaboration with the show’s dancers and choreographers.

The themed cruises are: February 16, Eurodam 7-day Eastern Caribbean; June 22, Veendam 7-day Canada & New England; June 30 and July 7, Oosterdam 7-day Alaska; January 5, 2014, Nieuw Amsterdam 7-day Eastern Caribbean and January 12, 7-day Western Caribbean.

(*Performers are subject to change)

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

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Crystal's Mediterranean Garden Bonanza

Crystal Cruises is providing a uniquely verdant perspective on the Mediterranean next year with a new Garden & Floral Design-themed voyage sailing from Barcelona to Venice on April 21.

Aptly named “La Dolce Vita,” the Crystal Serenity cruise offers more than 15 serenity-filled Crystal Adventures visiting some of the most renowned, romantic and private gardens that epitomise the Catalan coast and French and Italian Rivieras. On board, British celebrity floral designer Paula Pryke and Sybil Sylvester, founder of Wildflower Designs, will offer hands-on workshops and presentations in floral design, arrangement and other flower-related topics.

The Garden highlights include:

· Venice – insider explorations of cosy Venetian squares and private courtyards, including a garden created by Italian modernist architect Carlo Scapa inside the 16^th century Palazzo Querini Stampalia museum and library complex.

· Monte Carlo – from exotic gardens of succulents and sub-tropical micro-climate species to umbrella pines and rare fruit trees, Crystal takes guests throughout the Cote d’Azur to explore classic French, Spanish and even English garden design, complete with stunning coastline views and even a lesson in cooking with flowers.

· Barcelona – excursions go off the beaten tourist path, from the city’s newest garden hotspot – the conservation-focused Botanical Garden, showcasing the plants of five Mediterranean climate – to the oldest, the neoclassical Cypress-filled maze of Labyrinth Park, as well as to the area’s popular Park Güell, one of Gaudí’s most famous works.

· Rome – Italy’s finest Renaissance garden includes cascading fountains and dripping grottoes dating back almost 450 years.

Starting with an overnight in Barcelona, the 11-night luxury cruise visits Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Sicily and Trogir before finishing with an overnight in Venice. A second Garden & Floral Design-themed voyage sails from Los Angeles to New York on May 6, offering visits to lush private and public gardens in Charleston, Florida, Costa Rica and the Caribbean.

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

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Learn A New Skill At Sea With Swan Hellenic

Want to perfect your handiwork with a paintbrush, get to grips with Tai Chi or learn the art of needlework? Join Swan Hellenic’s recently refurbished ship, MV Minerva, for a 15-day Passage to Oman cruise and try your hand at a new skill.

Passengers on board the Middle Eastern cruise can make the most of the ship’s enhanced facilities during their time at sea and take part in a range of workshops and masterclasses. Tai Chi master Qu Leilei will join passengers on board to teach them the ancient art of body and mind relaxation whilst Sophie Long, who is trained in more than 30 embroidery techniques, will also be hosting fascinating needlework workshops.

The Passage to Oman cruise starts from £1,595 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin) and departs from Safaga (Egypt, overnight) to call at Djibouti, Salalah (Oman), Muscat (Oman, overnight), Khasab (Oman) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates, overnight). The price is based on the November 21 departure. Masterclasses on board other Swan Hellenic cruises can include painting, bridge, writing, singing and wine-tasting.

The price also includes return flights from the UK, transfers, a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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AMA's New Culinary Delights Of Europe

AmaWaterways, one of Europe’s leading luxury river cruise operator, is introducing 'Culinary Delights - Sights and Bites’, new cooking classes, walking tours and food and wine tastings on select European river cruise itineraries in 2012. 

The culinary experiences will be introduced during the course of this year and include the entire experience, from choosing local produce to preparing regional specialties such as the Bulgarian dish ‘banista’ and smoked salmon rolled with ‘cervelle de canuts’.

With an intimate group of 20 people per tour, passengers are able to explore another side of the city, visiting cooking schools, distilleries and local markets. The tours include visits to culinary specialty shops, chocolatiers and charcuteries. Select tours include a visit to Studio of Cabestan in Avignon, France. Chefs take passengers to Les Halles market to select the freshest ingredients before donning aprons and hats for a hands-on cooking demonstration in Provencal cuisine. In Amsterdam, travellers are provided a panoramic city tour topped off with a tasting of Jenever, Dutch liquor. The tour sweetens when passengers visit the Belgian city of Antwerp for a waffles-and-chocolate tasting session.

Additional options on the European river cruises include a hands-on demonstration to prepare Lyonniase cuisine and Banistra pastry; a presentation on how to pair chocolates and wine; a demonstration of mustard production; a tasting tour of traditional Dutch foods like Frietzak (Dutch fires with mayonnaise), poffertjes (pancakes) and rollmops (pickled herring); and the opportunity to prepare, cook and taste Goulash in the historical city of Budapest.

As the only river cruise line inducted into La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary organisations, AmaWaterways continues to lead the industry in innovative experiences both on-board and on-shore. The Culinary Delights – Bites & Sights tour is a facet of the river cruise line’s prestigious food and beverage offerings.

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading river-cruise specialist agents.

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Fred Olsen's Irish Touch

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is setting itself up as the real Irish cruise expert in the next year or so as they offer a series of tempting voyages that feature The Emerald Isle, including sailings from Belfast in 2013.

Take Braemar's nine-night voyage from Dover on May 22, for example. The first port of call is vibrant Dublin, the welcoming city with its famous ‘craic’ where guests can delight in the beautiful Book of Kells in Trinity College, indulge in a tour of the Guinness Brewery or enjoy superb shopping, sightseeing, or fine food and wine in the many excellent bars, restaurants and cafés. The ship stays overnight, giving more time to explore and allowing guests the extra pleasure of an evening visit to take in some of the great live entertainment.

The next visit is to Belfast, a port with which the cruise line enjoys long associations as another part of the Fred. Olsen group, Fred. Olsen Energy, owns the famous Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, where the Titanic was built 100 years ago. Guests here can visit the recently opened ‘Titanic Belfast' exhibition, which tells the whole story of the fateful ship in film, video and archive material. An alternative excursion is a visit to the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway, which never fails to delight visitors.

Fred. Olsen is also pleased to be offering cruises from Belfast starting in 2013. On leaving the port, Braemar heads north, travelling right up to the Orkney Islands, where she visits beautiful Kirkwall. The town has a Scandinavian feel and, in fact, the name ‘Kirkwall’ comes from the Norse for ‘Church Bay’, referring to the 11th Century Church of St Olaf. The most northerly port on this cruise, Kirkwall is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the islands. It is an amazing, haunting place, with over 5,000 years of history and a wealth of wildlife, where you will feel you are in another world.

Braemar also has a final call at Invergordon, a town long associated with the Navy and home to a fine golf course. She then journeys south, returning to Dover. Prices for this cruise start from just £399 per person with a Latesaver deal. This is based on two adults sharing twin-bedded accommodation, and includes all meals and entertainment on board and port taxes. The cabin grade will be confirmed on embarkation. An added attraction on this cruise is a theme of ‘Houses & Gardens’ through the onboard enrichment programme, Vistas. This is hosted by the expert gardening writer, John Negus (pictured, above).

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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Oceania's New Culinary Discovery Tours

With the debut of its new luxury cruise ship Riviera this May, Oceania Cruises is expanding and enhancing its culinary enrichment programme with the introduction of Culinary Discovery Tours to more than 25 ports worldwide.

Uniquely designed for each port, the new tours provide guests with the opportunity to explore local food markets in small groups, alongside an expert chef. Guests will have the opportunity to visit an artisanal cheese maker, a chocolatier, a wine vineyard or a fish market. Tours also incorporate mini-lectures, demonstrations or lunch before returning to the ship’s Bon Appétit Culinary Centre for a hands-on cooking class, drawing inspiration from the local market. The Culinary Centres feature 24 fully-equipped work stations with induction cook-tops and convection ovens to provide participants with the opportunity to gain a hands-on cooking experience. Classes cater to all levels of aptitude, from beginner to master-chef level.

The Culinary Discovery Tours will launch this spring aboard the 1,250-guest sister ships Riviera and Marina and can be booked prior to departure.

The programme will roll out in Asia, South America and the Caribbean in winter 2012-13. Prices start at $175 per person, including the escorted market tour and cooking class. On Oceania's smaller, 650-guest ships – Regatta and Nautica – the new tours will combine excursions to local markets with hands-on cooking experiences at a shore-side cooking school or a well-known restaurant kitchen. In Istanbul, for example, guests will follow their tour with a cooking class at Cooking Alaturka.

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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Silversea's Monaco Grand Prix Experience

Guests sailing on the nearly sold-out Silver Spirit voyage on May 24, 2012, are in for a special treat. Silversea is offering an optional two-day "70th Grand Prix de Monaco" land package. Spirit guests will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of a Formula One race at Europe's most glamorous motor-race during the ship's overnight visit on May 26.

On Saturday, guests will enjoy witnessing the time trials (practice runs for the drivers and their cars) from Tribune K reserved seats. From this section of the grandstand, guests will see cars racing towards them at tremendous speed, slow down and then accelerate, before making the next turn.

In the evening, guests attend an invitation-only cocktail reception hosted by the ship's captain and a former Grand Prix driver, followed by a themed dinner of Mediterranean and Monegasque cuisine served in La Terrazza. On Sunday, guests return to their same reserved seats for the exciting race itself. The tour includes escorted transfers and a gift package of spectator essentials featuring Bushnell binoculars, an official "70th Grand Prix de Monaco" programme, souvenir drawstring bag, hat, seat cushion and protective earplugs.

Priced at $1,799 per guest, this special two-day, mid-voyage land adventure is only offered on Silver Spirit's May 24 voyage (No. 5213), sailing from Barcelona to Rome. It requires advance booking through Silversea's reservations department by January 24. However, since space is limited, the tour may sell out before the booking deadline.

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

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Fred Olsen Sign Up The Osmonds!

Three of The Osmonds, perhaps the world’s best-known pop family, are to perform live on two Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ voyages on Balmoral in 2012.

Wayne, Jay and Jimmy will be bringing a touch of ‘Osmondmania’ to the high seas on L1205, a 14-night cruise of the Western Mediterranean, departing on May 12 from Southampton, and on L1206, a three-night mini-cruise to Ostende and Le Havre from the same port, departing on May 26.

The Osmonds have enjoyed a string of massive hits on both sides of the Atlantic throughout their long career, and have sold millions of albums, with several gold and platinum discs to their credit. Well known for their close harmonies, The Osmonds now perform all styles of music, from barbershop to pop, rock, country and jazz.

The Western Med voyage calls at Lisbon, Almeria, Alicante, Palma, Mahon (Menorca), Gibraltar and La Coruna before returning to Southampton. It also has a theme of ‘Drawing’ as part of the onboard enrichment programme Vistas. Prices for this cruise start from £1,549 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’, and include all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes – and, of course, live performances by The Osmonds.

The mini-cruise L1206 is an ideal ‘taster’ for those who are new to cruising, with visits to Ostende and Le Havre before returning to Southampton. Prices for this Bank Holiday Weekend cruise start from £379 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘H’. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

For Fred Olsen booking details, be sure to check with specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.

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Big Bands and Ballroom with Crystal Cruises

With classic dance moves currently taking centre stage on “Strictly Come Dancing”, Crystal Cruises has expanded its live Big Band and Ballroom Dance theme cruises for 2012. Guests will feel like stars themselves as they swing, cha-cha and tango across the Atlantic accompanied by two old-school favourites: the Glenn Miller Orchestra on Crystal Symphony’s 19th March Miami-Madeira-Lisbon voyage, and the Artie Shaw Orchestra on Crystal Serenity’s Barcelona-Canary Islands-St Maarten-Miami cruise on 9th December.

Whether a dancer or just toe-tapping listener, guests will be surrounded by live 17-20-piece orchestras with vocalists, plus complimentary daily dance sessions, including: Professional group dance lessons for all levels of experience; Advanced dance workshops for more proficient dancers; Twice the usual number of professional dance instructors; Extra Ambassador Hosts to lead women without dance partners; and Dancing both in the afternoon and late into the evening.

“Book Now” prices (if booked by October 31) start from £1,862 per person for Symphony’s 10-night 19th March voyage and from £2,290 per person for Serenity’s 12-night 9th December voyage. Price includes complimentary return economy flights, overseas transfers and accommodation on an all-inclusive basis including all meals, complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, open bar service in all lounges and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff.

Crystal's entertainment offerings include a range of venues and performances, from cabaret nightclub to piano bar saloon; acclaimed productions to headline entertainers; and sophisticated enrichment activities to in-room Blu-ray-viewing.

For further information, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Hurtigruten Launches New 2012 Brochure

Fancy kayaking silently in the fjords against an impressive mountainous backdrop? Or learning prawn-shelling skills from local Norwegian fishermen? These are just two of the activities available in 2012 as part of Hurtigruten’s new ‘The Spring Awakening’ onboard programme, which runs from 15 March to 31 May.

For next year, Hurtigruten is focusing on the different experiences the four seasons offer in Norway as they each offer something unique to enjoy. In addition, for 2012, Hurtigruten will be offering a range of packages that include flights from Stansted for added value, plus an extended Opera Voyage for those who like something a little different. The Spring Awakening programme aims to enrich the voyage with onboard activities and new land excursions.

It takes guests closer to the teeming life in the ocean, the migratory birds and the inhabitants of small communities. It includes activities such as fishermen coming on board and presenting skills such as shelling prawns with the guests, on board lectures and, for something a little different, during the spring a saxophonist plays on deck. In addition, customers can now enjoy a new excursion ‘Kayaking in Tromso’ which offers the chance to paddle in the waters off the coast of Tromso and enjoy the views and get closer to the marine life. Hurtigruten use stable, double sea kayaks and no experience is needed. Priced from £129pp.

For those with music as a passion, Hurtigruten has extended its annual ‘Opera Voyage’ from four days to 12 where, alongside the set programme of concerts, additional concerts ashore can be added to make even more of the journey. The voyage features soloists and musicians from the National Norwegian Opera and provides an extra dimension to a winter sailing.

In addition, optional concerts can be added in impressive arenas such as the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø, the North Cape Plateau and the Lofoten Cathedral, making this opera voyage a magical and memorable journey. Priced from £1,232 per person for a 12-day voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, it departs on 6 January including 11 nights full board on the ship, a tour leader and various concerts (based on two sharing).

Flights are not included and can be added from £400pp (price valid for bookings made before 31 December). For those looking for great value and direct flights, Hurtigruten’s 2012 flight inclusive packages from Stansted to Bergen are available on selected dates in April, May, September and October. The flights will combine with the 12-day Classic Round Voyage, which travels from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Packages will include flights, cabin on full board plus transfer arrangements and prices lead in at £1,801pp if booked by 31 December.

For more info, visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk or adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Listen Very Carefully, I Will ‘Sail’ This Only Once!

Two stars of the BBC’s much-loved Second World War comedy, ’Allo ’Allo!, Herr Otto Flick of the Gestapo (Richard Gibson) and Private Helga Geerhart (Kim Hartman), are to join two Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ voyages in 2012. Both actors will be lecturing and performing on the theme of ‘Comedy’ as part of the line’s award-winning cruise enrichment programme, Vistas.

They will be taking centre stage on board Boudicca’s 14-night ‘Canaries & Morocco’ cruise in January and on a 25-night sector of Balmoral’s epic ‘New World’ cruise, in March.

Boudicca’s voyage is a 14-night cruise, departing from Southampton on January 5, calling at the islands of Madeira, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, then Agadir in Morocco and a final call into Lisbon before returning home. Prices start from £1,189 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘H’, and include all meals and entertainment on board, as well as port taxes.

Balmoral’s cruise is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 9 to Southampton, also calling at Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza and Santarem (all in Brazil), then the Cape Verde Islands and, finally, Funchal, Madeira, before reaching Southampton on April 3. Prices for this exciting cruise sector start from £2,684 per person, based on two adults sharing a superior outside twin cabin, Grade ‘B’, and include all meals and entertainment on board, as well as flights from London to Rio and port/airport taxes. There is no extra charge for enjoying the company of Herr Flick and Private Helga!

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.com or consult the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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'Hooray! Hooray! It’s a Holi-Holiday!’

As part of its popular ‘Music and Laughter’ variety programme, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is pleased to announce it will eature a line-up responsible for some of the biggest hits of the Seventies. ‘The Sounds of Boney M, featuring Sheyla Bonnick’ will be entertaining guests on 15-night Caribbean fly-cruise M1126, on board Braemar (above), departing December 8.

Sheyla Bonnick is a member of the original Boney M line-up, and the group will be playing all the famous hits, such as Daddy Cool, Rasputin, Ma Baker and Hooray! Hooray! It’s a Holi-Holiday, in the relaxed, tropical surroundings of the Caribbean.

Sheyla leads a show-stopping set, with spectacular costumes, dazzling dance routines and a great live band, recreating some fantastic songs which will have everyone on their feet joining in the fun.

As an added bonus for golfers, this cruise also features Fred. Olsen’s dedicated golf package, Flagship Golf. For £425 per person, golfers can enjoy some of the finest, most challenging courses on earth, whilst relaxing in the comfort of their cruise. The price includes: a combination of four rounds of golf, onboard professional tuition, practice sessions and social activity for golfers and non-playing partners.

Prices for this ‘Smooth Pop and Soul’-themed Caribbean fly-cruise start from £1,672 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes accommodation, all meals and entertainment, and port/airport taxes.

See more info at www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the cruise-agent specialists of The Cruise Line.

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Swan Hellenic's Summer Bargain

Don’t miss out on Swan Hellenic’s 14-night ‘Rivers and Vineyards’ cruise this summer at the new lower fare of £1,375 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). If you enjoy a fine glass of wine, then this is the cruise for you: not only does the itinerary offer a superb programme of wine-tasting across some of Europe’s most famous vineyards but guests will also be joined on board by guest speaker Christopher Campbell, Managing Director of Rothschild Waddesdon Wine, who will share his knowledge on wine varieties, regions and much more.

The price includes flights from London, transfers and a 14-night cruise departing Lisbon (Portugal) and calling at Oporto (Portugal), Gijon (Spain), Bilbao (Spain), Bordeaux (France), St Peter Port (Channel Islands), St Malo (France), Rouen (France) before arriving at Portsmouth; meals, entertainment and gratuities on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, plus inclusive shore excursion programme and onboard lectures from a team of renowned guest speakers. Price is based on a June 8 departure.

For more information, see www.swanhellenic.com or the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Crystal Cancels Mazatlan

Amidst increased reports of violence in Mazatlán, Crystal Cruises are the latest line to cancel calls to the Mexican port town, scrapping its scheduled 4th April visit there on Crystal Symphony. The round-trip Los Angeles “Treasures of Mexico” voyage will now adjust its itinerary to allow guests more time in other ports of call.

The new schedule switches travel days so guests will now have an overnight call in popular Cabo San Lucas, with Crystal being the only cruise line in town for those two days. Subsequent days will provide travellers with a full day in Loreto and a half day in La Paz. Full days in Puerto Vallarta and San Diego are still on the schedule.

“The safety and security of our guests and staff is always our top priority,” says Crystal’s International Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Philip Ordever. “After monitoring the situation in Mazatlán for weeks, we simply feel far more comfortable with other ports of call in Mexico.”

The “Mind, Body, and Spirit” theme of the 31st March to 10th April sailing will remain unaffected, with numerous complimentary classes and presentations still being offered on board throughout the 10-night cruise.

For more information, visit http://www.crystalcruises.co.uk/

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Agatha Christie Meets Fred Olsen!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Easter cruise to Iberia and Morocco, aboard Balmoral, will be something special. To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the birth of legendary author Agatha Christie, the cruise is being completely themed in conjunction with Agatha Christie Limited.

A highlight of this ArtsClub theme – Fred Olsen’s programme of special interests on board – will be talks and lectures on Christie and her work from exclusive guests, including her grandson Mathew Prichard, who will enthral the audience with personal memories of his grandmother.

Julius Green, producer at the Agatha Christie Theatre Company, will also be on hand to discuss the great crime writer with guests. In addition, there will be live performances of some of Christie’s rarely-heard 30-minute radio plays.

A special extra attraction can now be revealed – the chance to sample the exclusive ‘Delicious Death’ cake. This cake was specially created by Jane Asher to celebrate the 120th birthday and re-creates a deadly cake that featured in Christie’s 50th novel, A Murder is Announced (1950). In this novel, the victim has indulged in a birthday tea that includes the rich and decadent chocolate cake, before she is found dead from poisoning - although, of course, the Fred Olsen version will be entirely poison-free!

The cruise is of 10 nights, departing from Southampton on April 23. Ports of call are La Coruna (Spain), Casablanca (Morocco), Gibraltar, Portimao (Portugal) and Lisbon (Portugal), returning to Southampton. Prices are from £980 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘G’. The price includes accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. There is no additional charge for taking part in The ArtsClub’s ‘Agatha Christie’ theme.

More details can be found at www.fredolsencruises.com/ or from cruise agent specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Beatles Tribute Cruise 2011

By guest blogger Steve Newman

We always like to highlight some of the more offbeat and unusual cruise stories here at Time Spent At Sea (along with all the best cruise deals and special offers!), and here is something that fits the bill perfectly - The Beatles Tribute Cruise 2011, which, we are told, has started booking their guests and already has a stellar line-up.

This starts off with the two-time Grammy Award Winner and former Wings lead guitarist Laurence Juber. LJ's incredible solo acoustic guitar work will be on display during two separate and intimate concerts during the 8-night cruise. LJ will also conduct a Beatles Guitar Workshop and offer private lessons to cruisers. The band Yesterday - A Tribute To the Beatles will be aboard and they'll rock out with three different concerts and have their own Beatles Guitar Workshop.

Also joining will be:

Tony Bramwell - long time Beatles friend, right hand man to Brian Epstein at NEMS and the author of Magical Mystery Tours - My Life With the Beatles; Shannon - "the World's Greatest Beatles Artist"; Tony Perkins - former Good Morning America host who interviewed Ringo, Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono; and it would not be the Beatles Tribute Cruise without Joe Johnson, the host and creator of Beatle Brunch, the nationally syndicated and longest running Beatles radio show.

The BTC 2011 sets sail from Miami on March 5 aboard Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas for 8 nights and will make stops in San Juan, St Martin, St Thomas and Labadee.

This is a chartered cruise and www.beatlestributecruise.com/register.htm tells you all about it and how the cruise must be booked so you can be party to all the Beatles elements that are included in the package.

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All Aboard with the Archers.

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Fans of the BBC's classic long-running radio soap opera The Archers will get a treat in 2011, when Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines hosts two Archers-themed voyages as part of its popular programme of special-interest cruises, The ArtsClub. Archers aficionados will get the chance to mingle with their favourite cast members from the long-running show, whilst cruising around the beautiful Mediterranean.

Various Archers cast members will be on board both cruises. They will be available to chat to at the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party and will perform a 'mock' recording whilst on board - complete with all the rural sound effects fans have come to associate with this much-loved show!
Balmoral departs from Southampton on a 10-night Easter cruise on April 23, 2011, calling at La Coruna, Casablanca, Gibraltar and Portimao (where she anchors), before returning to Southampton. Prices for this cruise start at £1,014pp, based on two adults sharing an inside twin-bedded cabin. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board, plus port taxes.

The Balmoral cruise also offers the supporting ArtsClub theme of Wine, where guests can learn more about wines from around the world, and discover the onboard expert’s recommendations.

Black Watch departs from Dover on September 12, 2011 for a 13-night cruise around the Western Mediterranean, taking in Cadiz, Almeria, Ibiza, Mahon, Palma and Lisbon, before returning to Dover. Prices for this cruise start at £1,392pp, based on two adults sharing an inside twin-bedded cabin. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board, plus port taxes.

The Black Watch cruise also offers keen golfers a dedicated package, Flagship Golf, providing the ideal opportunity to play on some of the finest courses in the region whilst relaxing in the comfort of Fred. Olsen's classic liner. The cost for this package is £375 per golfer.

Find out more at http://www.fredolsencruises.co.uk/ or through specialist cruise travel agents 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.