Christmas Under Sail

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering spectacular stay-and-cruise packages this Christmas, combining a few days on the beach in a luxury hotel with a voyage on a romantic square rigger in either the Caribbean or Costa Rica.

Choose from three alternatives:

Christmas cruise & stay; Beach & Grenadines

Spend four days topping up your tan in Barbados at the newly-renovated Tamarind, one of the finest boutique hotels on the island’s ritzy Platinum Coast, before boarding the magnificent, five-masted flagship, Royal Clipper, which carries 227 guests, for an eight-night, round-trip sailing from Barbados. Ports of call include various islands in the Grenadines, among them the beautiful Tobago Cays and pretty Grenada and Bequia, as well as Martinique and Dominica. Christmas Day is spent soaking up the sun in Marigot Bay, St Lucia, in the morning, moving on to Soufriere after lunch, and returning to Barbados on Boxing Day. Departs December 14, from £2,199 per person including four nights’ hotel accommodation, eight days full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

Christmas cruise & stay; Caribbean gems

The 170-passenger Star Clipper sails from St Maarten for her Christmas cruise on an eight-day round trip, calling at Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Antigua, spending Christmas day anchored off the chic little port of Gustavia, St Barths. Spend five nights before the cruise at the four-star Grand Case Beach Club on St Maarten, on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Departs December 13, from £1,999 per person including five nights’ hotel accommodation, eight days full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

Christmas cruise & stay; Central America

Star Flyer, meanwhile, will be sailing the coast of Costa Rica, offering a chance to escape completely. On a week-long voyage from Puerto Caldera, the ship will call at out-of-the-way ports and anchorages in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests will wake up on Christmas Day in the stunning National Reserve of Curu, moving on to Isla Tortugas for a beach barbecue and overnight. Spend four nights before the cruise in the four-star Hotel Parador, a stunning beach resort set in 12 acres of tropical rainforest, adjacent to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Departs December 15, from £2,299 per person including four nights’ hotel accommodation, seven nights full board on the ship, flights, transfers and port taxes.

For more details, log on to http://www.starclippers.co.uk/ or call the specialist cruise agents of the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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MSC Cruises Remembers The Fallen

By guest blogger Steve Newman

On Sunday November 14, 2010, the nation will once again remember the fallen from 1914 through to Iraq and Afghanistan.

To mark Remembrance Sunday, MSC Cruises will be offering military veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces, together with their families, an amazing 50% discount off all 2011 Mediterranean Summer sailings. The reduction will apply to all new bookings made from November 11-15.

Customers should be registered with the MoD and provide a valid service number. One cabin will benefit from the discount (regardless of its occupation) per service number provided. Discount applies on the cruise portion only; flights and other additional services can be booked at usual rates.

In addition to the discount, as with all MSC cruises, children under 18 travelling in the same cabin as two adults cruise for free.

For more information, log on to MSC Cruises or check out specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line on 0800 008 6677.

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South America with Noble Caledonia

By guest blogger Steve Newman

In 2012, Noble Caledonia are repositioning MS Island Sky to South America and have just launched the new brochure which features itineraries from the tip of Patagonia up to the West Indies.

From January to April 2012 she will operate a number of cruises throughout Latin America, up as far as Central America and through the Panama Canal to little known areas of the Caribbean.

Having been involved with many small ships in South America and the West Indies, Noble Caledonia know this area to be ideally suited to expedition cruising. The wild, open spaces of Patagonia and the dramatic coastal scenery of the Chilean fjords make for an unforgettable trip particularly if you prefer the cooler temperatures.

Alternatively, Chile’s lake region and northern territory with its magnificent national parks combines well with the natural and cultural wonders of Peru. Continuing north along the Pacific coastline, there is the chance to explore Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica, including the remote Cocos Island, a mini Galapagos located some 300 miles out in the Pacific and an area much favoured by Jacques Cousteau, known for its sea turtles, rays, dolphins and hammerhead sharks.

Later in the season finds Island Sky exploring the little known but remarkably beautiful islands of the southern Caribbean Sea as well as the Caribbean Coast of Panama and Costa Rica. There will also be the opportunity to visit Cuba, the Southern Bahamas, Turks & Caicos islands and the pristine waters of the British Virgin Islands.

Why not join them for the Island Sky’s maiden visit to these endlessly fascinating waters and explore the wonders of nature and man with our accomplished expedition team and guest speakers?

For more information, visit http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk.

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Celebrity Western Caribbean Cruise

By guest blogger Steve Newman

With the mercury dropping at home, guarantee yourself some sunshine by joining Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse for a nine-night Western Caribbean fly/cruise from £1,409 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Eclipse features include the unique hot glass-blowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass, a real grass ‘Lawn Club’ and the Celebrity iLounge, the Apple-only internet café and Apple reseller.

Price includes return flights from London Heathrow, one-night pre-cruise hotel accommodation and a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise departing from Miami and calling at George Town (Grand Cayman), Cozumel (Mexico, Above), Costa Maya (Mexico) and Roatan (Honduras), before returning to Miami; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price is based on 26 November 2010 departure.

For more information, visit http://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/ or look up the Celebrity Cruises pages on The Cruise Line Ltd website.

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APT River Crusies new Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

As part of APT’s trademark world-class touring collection, they are proud to launch their new 2011 Boutique River Cruise brochure featuring a selection of 19 incredible cruises in Europe, Russia and Egypt and - new for 2011 - Vietnam. APT is also pleased to introduce three distinct touring styles – Premier Plus, Premier and Affordable – so they have just the river cruising holiday to suit every taste and budget.

From cruising the mighty Danube and Rhine Rivers visiting highlights such as Amsterdam, Vienna and Budapest; the impressive Volga that winds between the cities of St Petersburg and Moscow; the majestic Nile, where you’ll enjoy your own Egyptian adventure; to the mystery, beauty and intrigue of the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia – there really is no better time to experience an APT boutique river cruise.

The company are excited to introduce the beautiful region of Vietnam & Cambodia to ther clients. With four tours ranging from nine to 21 days and all including land touring and a seven-night Mekong river cruise, they believe they have a tour to cater to every taste.

And, with APT, there are no hidden extras as all of their cruises are fully inclusive and include return flights from a selection of UK airports; return airport to ship/hotel transfers; all meals as per itinerary with local wines, beer and soft drinks included on all cruises; a full range of small group sightseeing excursions; tipping and port charges.

APT’s lead-in prices for 2011:

Premier Plus Cruising: 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest (also operates in reverse direction) starts from £3375 per person

Premier Cruising: 8-day Tulip Time cruise sailing from and returning to Amsterdam and their 8-day Christmas Time cruise sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest (also operates in reverse direction) both start from £1745 per person

Russia Premier Cruising: 12-day Russian Waterways cruise sailing from Moscow to St Petersburg (also operates in reverse direction) starts from £2765 per person

Egypt Premier Cruising & Land Tour: 10-day Majesty of Egypt cruise departing from and returning to Cairo including a 4 night cruise starts from £2620 per person

Vietnam Premier Cruising & Land Tour: 13-day Angkor, Mekong & Ho Chi Minh City tour travelling from Siem Reap in Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, including a 7-night Mekong cruise (also operates in reverse direction) starts from £3405 per person

There are also special Early Bird savings of up to £930 per couple for all bookings received by 31 December 2010.

(Saving shown is based on a saving of £465 per person when booking an Owner’s Suite on 22-day Rivers of the Emperor cruise. Prices shown above include the appropriate Early Bird Discount)

For more information, log on to APT River cruises or visit the river cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd or call them on 0800 008 6677.

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Allure of the Seas and Twin Funnels

By guest blogger Steve Newman

With its twin funnels lowered for the first time, new cruise ship Allure of the Seas has passed under the Storebaelt Bridge with a tiny amount of breathing space. The 18km-long Storebaelt Bridge stretches between the Danish islands of Zealand and Flynn and towers to a height of 254 metres (833ft) with the road it carries at 65 metres (213ft) above the sea.

Allure of the Seas also stands at 65m at its highest point – the twin funnel stacks. The architects from Royal Caribbean behind the design of the new ship developed funnels that retract inside the stack to reduce its height by one metre, thus allowing the vessel to pass under the bridge. The tight manoeuvre took place as Allure made its way to its new permanent home, Fort Lauderdale in Florida via the North Sea, Dover Straits and English Channel having left the STX shipyard in Turku, Finland, on October 29.

The first paying guests will join Allure on December 1 when the ship begins offering cruises in the Caribbean for the first time. Prices for a nine-night fly/cruise, including flights from the UK for a seven-night voyage, start from £1,470 per person.

At 225,282 gross registered tonnes, Allure can accommodate over 6,200 guests and is 360 meters and 5mm long (1,187ft). If stood upright, bow to stern, the ship would dwarf the One Canada Square building at London’s Canary Wharf and New York’s Chrysler building.

Featuring huge outdoor spaces, highlights include an open air park – Central Park – longer than a football pitch, a two-level shopping street, 17 different bars, over 20 restaurants and cafes, two rock climbing walls, two FlowRider surf simulators, a zip-line ride and even a large outdoor AquaTheater for high diver performances and water shows.

For more information, see http://www.allureoftheseas.com/. (Photo: Simon Brooke Webb)

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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Free Flight Give Away.

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The largest ever flight give-away by a mainstream cruise line launches on 30 October 2010 when Royal Caribbean International offers a 10,000 flight give-away promotion on selected 2011 Mediterranean sailings. The offer will save UK holiday-makers an estimated £2 million* if they book a 2011 holiday during this promotion, which is designed to encourage cruisers to take advantage of the offer.

The 10,000 flight give-away will be on a first-come, first-served basis for any of the applicable cruises booked and confirmed between 30 October and 20 December 2010 – that’s just 59 days to take advantage of the phenomenal value on offer.

The flight give-away includes several regional options and are available on:

- 7-night Spanish Mediterranean cruise on 25 September and 7-night Italian Mediterranean cruise on 2 October 2011 onboard Grandeur of the Seas departing Palma de Mallorca from £589 per person for either itinerary
- 7-night Canary Islands cruise onboard Adventure of the Seas departing Palma de Mallorca on 8 October 2011 with prices starting from £509 per person
- 7-night Adriatic Sea Coastal cruise onboard Voyager of the Seas departing Venice on 8 and 15 October 2011 with prices starting from £569 per person
- 7-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) on 9 October and 16 October 2011 with prices starting from £559 per person onboard Navigator of the Seas
- 12-night Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona onboard Brilliance of the Seas on 22 October with prices from £1,079 per person

In addition to the 10,000 flight give-away, Royal Caribbean is also supporting early bookings made for selected Independence of the Seas cruises from Southampton including savings of up to £500 per stateroom and free car parking at the port.

Offer applies to new cruise bookings only; cruises must be booked and confirmed on the same day; and the flight giveaway offer cannot be combined with other early booking offers.

Log on to http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ for more information.

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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