Grab An MSC Med Bargain Break

Those looking to banish the January blues might well be tempted by the latest offer to hit the World of Cruising inbox, which offers an immediate cure for our miserable winter.

MSC Cruises are featuring a holiday on board their splendid MSC Splendida, cruising the Mediterranean from only £399 per person, with a free upgrade from an inside to a balcony cabin.

This offer is available on selected Med winter sailings, departing from Genoa, from now until February 15.

On board, guests will be treated to the stylish surrounds synonymous with the MSC fleet. The ship boasts a variety of restaurants, sports facilities (including a fully fitted gym and squash courts) and the award-winning Aurea spa, as well as an exclusive solarium to soak up some winter sun.

MSC Splendida also hosts the luxurious MSC Yacht Club. A ship within a ship, the Yacht Club offers luxury and privacy, with exclusive services including 24-hour Butler service, a Sun Deck Complex only for Yacht Club guests and luxurious designer suites.

Ports of call on the cruise include Marseille, Barcelona, La Goulette, Palermo and Civitavecchia (for Rome), with a variety of interesting excursions on offer. From the bustling Provencal markets of Marseille to the vibrant sights and sounds of Barcelona, there is something to suit every taste.

Book a cruise now to enjoy this exclusive late availability offer.

More info: call 0844 561 1955 or visit www.msccruises.co.uk.

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Banish Winter Blues With A Caribbean Cruise!

The cold and dark of winter has now firmly arrived, but here at World of Cruising we're thinking about the sunshine-filled Caribbean. And Holland America Line is, too, as they are offering a bargain seven-night cruise to the region from just £585 per person, departing January 18 – the perfect way to start the New Year.

This round-trip cruise from Fort Lauderdale includes a wonderful range of Caribbean ports of call, kicking off with Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos, famed for its white beaches and coral reef. The next stop is San Juan, Puerto Rico, with its unique cultural history, followed by a call in Dutch Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Guests will then enjoy a relaxing day at Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas, before returning to Fort Lauderdale.

This seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage on MS Westerdam starts from £585pp, based on two sharing an inside stateroom, and includes full board accommodation. Fly-cruise prices are available direct from Holland America.

More info: call 0843 374 2300 or visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk.

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Live Like A Sultan With MSC In UAE

Those looking for a luxurious sunshine break need look no further than  a Dubai cruise with MSC Cruises from just £699 per person, including return flights with Emirates from Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle or Manchester.

From November 23 until March 29, MSC Lirica is offering 18 8-day/7-night cruises from Dubai, calling in Abu Dhabi and Khor al Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates and Muscat and Khasab in Oman, with an exciting overnight stay in Dubai. For shopaholics, this incredibly rich itinerary is nothing less than the voyage of a lifetime

The region’s legendary shopping is every bit as eclectic, and whether bartering for traditional goods at a bustling souk or spending money in style in colossal malls, this glittering giant of the desert has truly perfected the art of shopping.

 

Glitz, glamour and retail therapy in Dubai

 

For instant immersion in the glitz, glamour and luxury goods of modern Dubai, Retail Therapy, Dubai Style is the perfect excursion. On this unique tour dedicated entirely to shopping, travellers will start with a leisurely amble through Souq Madinat Jumeirah, before visiting two of the world’s largest shopping centres, the Mall of the Emirates, strategically located in the heart of 'New Dubai', and the Dubai Mall, complete with Olympic-sized ice rink, huge aquarium and underwater zoo and the beautiful Dubai Fountain display.

 

Other excursions combine fascinating sight-seeing with serious shopping, including Sunset Dhow Cruise And Shopping and Dubai At Night From The Burj Al Khalifa, which starts with a fascinating 360-degree view of Dubai from the 124^th floor of the world’s tallest building and ends with a trip to the Dubai Mall, while the Discover Dubai & Lunch At The Burj Al Arab is a tour of old and new Dubai, includes stops at the aromatic spice market and the huge gold souk.

 

Bustling souks in mystical Muscat

 

Several MSC excursions in Muscat include visits to the magnificent Muttrah Souk, one of the country’s most popular attractions for tourists and locals alike. This mystical labyrinth of narrow, fragrant alleyways is bursting with shops offering a wide range of goods including typical Omani souvenirs and jewellery.

 

With return flights with Emirates, MSC guests will also enjoy the facilities of one of the world’s leading international airlines. The airline offers all the mod-cons, from spacious seating to a generous 30kg baggage allowance. Cruise prices start from just £699 per person for departures on December 14 and January 11, and from £799 for departures on January 4, 18 and 25.

More info:  visit www.msccruises.co.uk or call 0844 561 1955.

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Holland America's Caribbean Christmas

Christmas has come early at Holland America Line, with Caribbean cruises now starting from just £249 for a 'taster' cruise and £499 for a full week’s holiday, cruise-only - the perfect antidote to the hectic festive season.

Take your pick from this delightful selection:

Four night pre-Christmas Bahamas taster cruise
Departing Fort Lauderdale on December 18, this four-night voyage on board the MS Eurodam calls at Key West, Nassau and Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas). The trip is ideal for combining with a Christmas break in Florida and costs from just £249 per person cruise-only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. A verandah cabin starts from £349 per person.

Seven night Western Caribbean cruise
This week-long sailing onboard the MS Nieuw Amsterdam departs from Fort Lauderdale on January 26. The ship then calls at Half Moon Cay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Key West before returning to Fort Lauderdale. The cruise also features special performances from the professional dancers of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. The trip costs from just £499 per person, cruise only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. A verandah cabin starts from £699pp.

14 night Southern Caribbean cruise
Start the New Year in style with a two-week cruise of the southern Caribbean. Departing from Tampa, on January 5, the MS Ryndam calls at Key West, San Juan, St Thomas, St John’s, Castries, Soufriere, Willemstad, Oranjestad and Grand Cayman. This leisurely cruise to some of the Caribbean’s less well-known islands starts from just £1,109 per person cruise only, based on two sharing an inside cabin. Ocean view starts from £1,229pp.

More info: visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk or call 0843 374 2300.

 

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Explore The Ancient Med With Fred!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ guests can escape the chill of the autumn and head for sunnier climates and warmer waters on Black Watch’s 28-night ‘Ancient Monuments of the Mediterranean’ voyage, departing from Dover on October 19. A history-lover and sightseer’s dream, this cruise uncovers ancient lands and some of the best-known architectural wonders in the world.

The first port of call is Lisbon, Portugal’s bustling capital. Here, guests can expand their knowledge of the Alcobaca Cistercian Monastery, or discover the history of Alcobaca and its connection to medieval Portugal at this World Heritage Site, before exploring the charming little town.

Black Watch then visits La Goulette (for Tunis) in Tunisia; the medina is its historic heart, with a network of alleys, souks and the Eighth Century Al-Zaytuna Mosque, a direct contrast to the palm trees and café terraces of the new town. Close-by are the ruins of Carthage and Sidi Bou Said, quite possibly Tunisia’s most beautiful village.

Next stop is Izmir, in Turkey, before reaching iconic Istanbul. Ornately-decorated buildings rub shoulders with art galleries, museums, restaurants and boutiques. Guests can visit the Topkapi Palace, or take a tour of the Byzantine heritage of the city, taking in some of the impressive monuments and mosques; a highlight is the Basilica Cistern, a huge underground reservoir built in 532 AD.

After calling at Canakkale, where guests can join a tour to the fabled city of Troy, Black Watch makes its first call in Greece at Volos, which boasts many exquisite finds from the early 20th Century and modern archaeological excavations at the Volos Archaeological Museum and Makrinitsa. The voyage then heads to Greece’s main commercial port of Piraeus, which has practically melded with Athens. The awe-inspiring Parthenon, sitting atop the Acropolis, Cape Sounion, Corinth and Delphi – with its impressive Temple of Apollo – make this one of the most historically-significant destinations on this cruise.

Next up are Kalamata and Itea, before reaching Corfu. Here, guests can relax on a tour to the Achilleion and Corfu Old Town, where the beautiful Greek countryside teems with orange, lemon, cypress and olive groves.

Black Watch then continues to Valletta, the cosmopolitan capital of Malta, known for its fortifications, architectural appeal and Grand Harbour. Guests can also gain a better understanding of the vital role Malta played in the two World Wars by visiting the Malta at War and National War Museums.

The final destination is Gibraltar, with a tour to the must-see World War II tunnels, which were excavated between 1939 and 1944, as an extension to the Great Siege Tunnels of 1779 to 1783. In total, these stretch for more than 30 miles. Black Watch then sets sail on her return voyage to Dover.

Guests on this cruise can take advantage of Fred. Olsen’s great-value ‘all-inclusive’ drinks upgrade package at just £10 per person, per night, and enjoy their holiday in style without any budget worries. Prices for this cultural cruise start from £1,372 per person (subject to availability), based on two adults sharing an inside, twin-bedded cabin, and include all accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit www.fredolsencruises.com or call 0800 0355 150 (Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm; Sat, 9am-5pm; Sun, 10am-4pm).

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Winter Sun with MSC in the UAE

For guaranteed sunshine this winter, consider a Dubai cruise with MSC Cruises, as they have just announced some great rates for their 7-day United Arab Emirates cruises, including from just £699 per person with return flights from Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle or Manchester.

Even in the winter months, temperatures in the UAE hover between 23 and 33C. Whilst on board, guests can enjoy the sea breezes and take advantage of the swimming pools and poolside service of cooling drinks and ice creams, while, for even more pampering, there is the MSC Aurea spa, which offers a variety of tempting treatments.

Guests on the UAE cruise will be treated to a series of contrasts, from the laid back and relaxing atmosphere on board to fantastic rugged landscapes, fabulous white sand beaches and desert sand dunes, all contrasting with futuristic skyscrapers, restaurants and high-end shopping.

With return flights with Emirates Air, MSC guests will also enjoy the facilities of one of the world’s leading international airlines. The airline offers all the mod-cons, from spacious seating to a generous 30kg baggage allowance.

Cruise prices start from just £699 per person for departures on 14 December and 11 January; £749 for departures on 30 November, 7 December, 22 February and £799 for departures on 4, 18 and 25 January.

For further information on MSC, bookings and terms and conditions please visit www.msccruises.co.uk or call 0844 561 1955. 

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Saga's Solo Traveller Boost

Solo passengers will be able to skip the single supplement on several Saga Cruises offerings from October to December this year. 

 

Even better, some cruises are all-inclusive so it is a great time to make savings, make new friends and make the most of sailing into the winter sunshine. Choose from:

Saga Sapphire

Brendan Lynch, a finalist in TV’s the Great British Bake-Off will be cooking up a treat with talks and demonstrations during the Western Mediterranean Explorer cruise. As well as fun on board, destinations are steeped in history and offer the opportunity to discover remnants of Cartagena’s Roman remains in Spain to Lisbon’s stunning architecture in Portugal. This 16-night cruise also includes the ports of Tunis, Valletta, Palermo, and Algiers.
All-inclusive price from £1,899, departing Southampton on November 15.

Saga Ruby

Have some fun and meet the monkeys when you visit Gibraltar (above) on the Classic Mediterranean Cities cruise. Photography is the theme for this trip so you can practice your skills by taking pictures of beautiful cities including Rome, Florence and Barcelona. This 15-night cruise also includes ports of call to Lisbon, Toulon, and Vigo.
Price from £2,149 for 15 nights, departing Southampton on October 10.

Contrast the untouched greenery of La Gomera against the fascinating ‘lunar landscape’ of Mount Teide, in Tenerife, during the 14-night Autumn in the Canary Islands cruise. Colin Bryant’s Hot Rhythm Orchestra will be on board to add some lively music to the evening entertainment. Ports of call include Madeira, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Agadir and Lisbon. 
Price from £1,999, departing Southampton on October 25.

Trade in the darker nights for sun-kissed shores on a Voyage to the Canaries. There are pretty villages to discover, volcanoes to explore and colourful gardens to enjoy on this 12-night cruise from Southampton, visiting Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Agadir.

All-inclusive price from £1,599, departing on November 23. 

For more info, follow this link for Saga Cruises; for more great cruise idea, see this link for The Cruise Line, the UK's leading cruise-agent experts.

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MSC's Canary Island Delights

This winter, MSC Cruises' smart mid-sized cruiser MSC Armonia will be based in the Canary Islands, offering guests two exciting new itineraries departing from Tenerife. With a series of seven-night cruises from only £639 per person, including return flights from London Gatwick, Manchester or Glasgow, there has never been a better time to get away for some winter sun. 

From November 8 until March 21, Armonia will be calling in Santa Cruz Tenerife, Las Palmas, San Sebastián de la Gomera, Funchal, Santa Cruz de La Palma and back to Tenerife, while the second itinerary features Tenerife, Las Palmas, Agadir, Casablanca and Arrecife de Lanzarote.

The two itineraries will provide the opportunity to discover the best of the Canary Isles, encompassing a blend of shopping, beaches and tourist towns, all surrounded by striking natural scenery. Highlights include visits to the National Park Caldera de Taburiente from La Palma, where guests are able to explore one of the biggest craters in the world, and the circular Las Cañadas mountain range in Tenerife.

With calls in Casablanca and Agadir, Armonia will also take in two of the most popular destinations in mystical Morocco as well as the scenic highlights of the Canaries. 

Visiting sacred mosques and magical bazaars, or simply being 'on location' in iconic Casablanca offers guests a rare experience, as well as the chance to travel further afield to the vibrant city of Marrakech. Another highlight of this itinerary is Agadir, Morocco's surfer’s paradise, where sun seekers can relax on the beach and the more adventurous can embark on an exploration of the region's rugged surroundings, the majestic Anti-Atlas mountains and the awe-inspiring Sahara desert.

A seven- night starts from just £639 per person, departing Decembe 13 or January 10, including return flights from London Gatwick, Manchester or Glasgow. The two itineraries can also be combined to offer a unique 14-night voyage.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's cruise-agent experts.

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Marco Polo's Caribbean Highlights

This November, the unique adventurer Marco Polo of Cruise & Maritime Voyages sails from London Tilbury on a spectacular 32-night cruise to the West Indies, taking in 9 different Caribbean islands and numerous opportunities to explore the region through an action-packed excursion programme. 

Departing November 3, it calls at Ponte Delgada in the Azores and then Antigua, St Barts, St Maarten, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent, Beuquia, Mayreau and Barbados in the blissful Caribbean, before returning to Tilbury via another stop in the Azores, this time at Horta.

Cruise fares start from just £1,969 per person, and one of the featured eye-catching shore excursions is as follows:

Barbados and the Catamaran Cruise & Turtle Encounter: This catamaran and lunch cruise leaves Bridgetown's harbour and, after a pleasant sail along the coast, anchors in a quiet bay where guests can take to the warm, inviting waters and snorkel, and spend some chill-out time on the beach. Afterwards they can simply relax - lie in the shady cabin or bask in the sun on deck and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The catamaran then sets sail to an area where guests will have the unique opportunity to view and swim with the enchanting Hawksbill Turtles, an opportunity not to be missed. A buffet luncheon is served on board and an open bar serves unlimited soft drinks, juice, beer wine and rum.

Marco Polo is a classic, elegant vessel with original wooden decks, small enough to get to know your way around and offer the unique country-house-hotel style experience on board that Cruise & Maritime are known for.

The fares are based on two people sharing an inner twin cabin on a full board basis with afternoon teas, daytime activities and evening entertainment, and complimentary tea and coffee between 6am and 10pm. Gratuities of £5pp per night will be debited to the onboard account.

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

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Try Some Arabian Nights With MSC

Having recently announced their return to the United Arab Emirates for the 2013/14 winter season, MSC Cruises are now offering a series of seven-night cruises from only £819 per person - plus up to £150 free onboard credit per cabin.

From November 23 until March 29, MSC will offer these 'Arabian Nights' voyages from Dubai on board MSC Lirica, calling in Abu Dhabi and Khor al Fakkan (UAE), and Muscat and Khasab (Oman), with an overnight stay in Dubai allowing guests to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of this glittering oasis of the desert.

On board, guests will appreciate Lirica's elegant surroundings, with traditional wood and brass features, while there is plenty to keep both young and old entertained, from a game of mini-golf to simply relaxing by the pool admiring the rugged Arabian coastline. Guests will also be able to indulge at the the superbly-equipped wellness centre, which offers a variety of tempting treatments.

With exciting ports of call, as well as a variety of new excursions, there is plenty to explore and discover ashore. Guests will be able to pick and choose from a range of activities, from an exhilarating experience of the Khor al Fakkan desert dunes in a 4x4 to a mystical tour of Muscat. For a spot of fun, experience the Ferrari World theme park in Abu Dhabi, go backstage at the Yas Marina f1 circuit or take in an aerial view of Dubai by hydroplane.

The seven-night cruise, departing November 23 and 30 and December 7, including return flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow starts from just £819 per person. The free onboard credit applies to outside or suite cabins on a double occupancy basis.

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

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