Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has swept the board recently, winning nine awards in ten weeks. The list which includes a mix of significant consumer and trade accolades, confirms the line’s place at the top of the luxury cruise market.
Managing Director of UK & Ireland , Trudy Redfern said: "We are thrilled and grateful to receive such varied recognition. It is a reflection of the exceptional quality of the brand which is recognised by guests and shows the strength and importance of our relationship with Travel Agents in the UK."
Consumer Awards
· Condé Nast Traveller – Best Small Ship Cruise Line
· Guardian and Observer Travel Awards – Best Cruise Line
· Elegant Resorts – Favourite Cruise Company
· ITC Classics – Favourite Cruise Company
· World Travel Awards – World’s Leading Small Ship Cruise Company
Agent Awards
· Travel Bulletin – Star Luxury Cruise Company
· Selling Long Haul – Best Luxury Cruise Line
· SPAA – Best Premium Cruise Line
· Elite Travel Group – Best Luxury Cruise Line
Silversea are also current award holders with Travel Weekly, Triton Group, Travel Trust and Irish Travel Trade News.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Orion Expeditions - Responsible Award Winners
By guest blogger Steve NewmanOrion Expedition Cruises, the leading operator of five-star expedition cruising in the Australasian region, has been named “Best Responsible Cruise Operator” at the 2010 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards which took place at World Travel Market in London this week (World Responsible Tourism Day).
Thousands of tourism organisations and travel experiences were nominated by the public in just 13 categories, with the central tenet being that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. The awards recognise individuals, companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and are providing a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation.
Orion Expedition Cruises operates the 106-passenger expedition vessel Orion (above) in the Kimberley region of Australia, the Australian Islands, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the Sub Antarctic, Melanesia, the Spice and Forgotten Islands and Antarctica. In May 2011, Orion Expedition Cruises will increase the size of its fleet with the addition of a second specialist expedition vessel, Orion II.
Based on thorough research, and following the success of Orion’s recent voyages, Orion II will be based in south-east Asia, offering a wide range of expeditions that will include Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Borneo, the Inland Sea of Japan and the Russian Far East.
For further information, visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/ or the UK's specialist adventure cruise experts, The Cruise Line
Digital and APP versions of the "Cruising Bible"
By guest blogger Steve NewmanAfter 26 years' success in print form, the annual Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships is now also available in digital form as the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App. The beauty of the new app is that, with just a couple of touch-screen taps, would-be cruise-goers can search the 284 featured cruise ships according to their needs - whether for size of ship, families, couples, solo travellers or star ratings, among many more.
Available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App features in-depth searchable cruise ship reviews. For regular cruise-goers and first-time cruisers alike, the App features quick and easy access to Douglas Ward's authoritative and hard-hitting reviews, ratings and statistical information through user-friendly touch-screen menus.
Browse through the ships according to Ward’s world-respected rating system, search by traveller type, ship size or cruise line, and highlight favourite ships for future reference. As the most extensive cruise ship information available anywhere, the App allows users to find out about each cruise ship's accommodation, cuisine, entertainment and fitness facilities, and to see images of every vessel.
Completely independent and accepting no sponsorship, the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App and its author sets the internationally recognised ratings system for cruise ships worldwide. Douglas Ward is recognised as the world’s top authority on cruising and cruise ships, with more than 40 years of experience. He continues to spend up to 200 days a year aboard cruise ships, inspecting and evaluating their facilities.
Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App is available now at a promotional price of £9.99 (standard price £12.99). For further information, visit http://www.berlitzpublishing.com/
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Great Early Booking Deals With MSC
By guest blogger Steve NewmanMSC Cruises recently announced that its 2011-12 winter collection will include the United Arab Emirates as a brand new destination.
To celebrate, MSC Cruises is offering amazing early booking prices, meaning the cost of an 8 day, 7-night cruise will start from an unbeatable £399 per person. Flights to Abu Dhabi are available on request at a discounted price of £500 per person. This incredible promotion will run from until November 15.
The elegant MSC Lirica will be based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for her busy 2011-12 winter season. Her itinerary includes nineteen 8 day, 7-night cruises from Abu Dhabi, with departures every Sunday from October 20, 2011, to March 4, 2012, and from Dubai, with departures every Friday from October 28-March 9.
With guaranteed sunshine, spectacular scenery, unbeatable shopping and the deluxe surroundings, cuisine and hospitality that are MSC standards, this is one deal that is definitely too good to miss!
For further details vist http://www.msccruises.co.uk/ or call the cruise specialist agents at The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.
Luxury Expedition Cruises to Australasia
By guest blogger Steve NewmanQantas Holidays has introduced a new programme of luxury expedition cruises to explore remote areas of Australasia with Orion Expedition Cruises. The cruise options are:
• 2010 Expedition Cruises in Australasia with 7 nights Wild Tasmania from £2,699
• 2011 Expedition Cruises in Australasia with 2 nights New Zealand Expedition Sampler from £959
• 2011 Expedition Cruises in Asia with 7 nights Gulf of Siam Explorer from £3,349
Orion Expedition Cruises is a fantastic way to explore Australasia and Asia, combining luxury cruising with the chance to get up close and personal with the people, wildlife and culture. Many parts of the Asia-Pacific region remain largely inaccessible to conventional touring options but, with Orion, travellers can get to remote areas with experienced expedition leaders, hopping onboard zodiac boats to get into small inlets and islands, returning each night to the luxury of the cruise ship.
2010 Expedition Cruises in Australasia– 7 nights Wild Tasmania from £2,699
Highlights include unrivalled glimpses of the amazing scenery, culture and bio-diversity of Australia and New Zealand. The ‘Wild Tasmania’ cruise starts and ends in Hobart and departs on December 1, taking in the starkly beautiful Flinders Island along with the dramatic, red granite peaks of Wineglass Bay and apple blossom and vineyards of Port Huon.
2011 Expedition Cruises in Australasia – including 2 nights New Zealand Expedition Sampler from £959
2011 Expedition Cruises in Australasia – including 2 nights New Zealand Expedition Sampler from £959
From the two night ‘New Zealand Expedition Sampler’ (departing February 24) up to the 20 night ‘Scott and Shackleton’s Antarctica’ (departing January 27, from £12,635), the 2011 programme has something for adventurers of all tastes and budget. The ‘New Zealand Expedition Sampler’ offers a taste of the coastline of bays and white sand beaches of the beautiful Bay of Islands, where the Maoris first arrived.
2011 Expedition Cruises in Asia – including 7 nights Gulf of Siam Explorer from £3,349
2011 Expedition Cruises in Asia – including 7 nights Gulf of Siam Explorer from £3,349
Explore Japan’s inland sea, the rainforests of Borneo, the temples of Thailand and the Mekong Delta from the comfort of the Orion II, fresh from an £11million refit. The ‘Gulf of Siam Explorer’ operates from Singapore to Bangkok or in reverse, departing on October 10 and December 22, 2011. Highlights include visiting sublime islands and beaches as well as some of Asia’s major centres, seeing both traditional and modern Asia from a different perspective, often far away from the crowds.
All prices include all taxes, fees and port related charges; Cruise transportation; All meals onboard; 24-hour room service, entertainment and educational programmes; Use of ship’s sporting equipment and facilities; Zodiac excursions and tender transfers.
Fares do not include: travel and medical insurance, laundry charges, shopping onboard, bar expenses, optional shore experiences, medical treatment, telephone and internet charges, international and domestic flights. All prices are ‘from’ prices, per person, based on two adults sharing. Qantas Holidays general booking conditions apply.
For more information, visit http://www.qantasholidays.co.uk/. For more info on a wide range of expedition voyages, including Orion Expedition Cruises, see the Adventure Cruise Collection of specialist agent The Cruise Line Ltd on this link: http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/Adventure-Cruises.
All prices include all taxes, fees and port related charges; Cruise transportation; All meals onboard; 24-hour room service, entertainment and educational programmes; Use of ship’s sporting equipment and facilities; Zodiac excursions and tender transfers.
Fares do not include: travel and medical insurance, laundry charges, shopping onboard, bar expenses, optional shore experiences, medical treatment, telephone and internet charges, international and domestic flights. All prices are ‘from’ prices, per person, based on two adults sharing. Qantas Holidays general booking conditions apply.
For more information, visit http://www.qantasholidays.co.uk/. For more info on a wide range of expedition voyages, including Orion Expedition Cruises, see the Adventure Cruise Collection of specialist agent The Cruise Line Ltd on this link: http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/Adventure-Cruises.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Fred Olsen - Road Show Cruise
By guest blogger Steve NewmanThe Danish-born historian, lecturer and broadcaster, Lars Tharp – who is also one of the longest running experts on the BBC’s ‘Antiques Roadshow’ – will be one of the special guest speakers aboard Fred Olsen’s 23-night Black Watch cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean in May 2011.
A regular with Fred Olsen, Lars speaks on antiques-collecting, as part of the cruise line’s onboard programme of special interests, The ArtsClub. Originally trained as an archaeologist, Lars was a Director of Sotheby’s, where he specialised in European ceramics and oriental works of art. In 2008, he was appointed the Director of the Foundling Museum in London, and Visiting Professor at De Montfort University, Leicester. On this cruise, Lars will give some highly entertaining and informative talks, and will also offer to value small items brought on board by guests, in true ‘Antiques Roadshow’ style.
Lars will be on board as far as Istanbul, where he will disembark, and the ship will be joined by his ‘Antiques Roadshow’ colleague Will Farmer. Will specialises in 20th Century decorative arts, covering ceramics, glass and furniture. He studied at the Birmingham School of Jewellery, undertaking a combined BA Hons in Silversmithing and Fine Art History. Will has featured as an expert on the BBC’s ‘20th Century Roadshow’, and is now in his fourth season as an expert with the Roadshow.
This cruise also offers a wealth of opportunities to explore the Ancient World, as it visits some of the great classical cities of Greece, Turkey and Tunisia. Black Watch departs from Dover on May 18 and ports of call include Cagliari in Sicily, Kalamata (anchor port) and Piraeus (the port for Athens) in Greece, Canakkale in Turkey, with tours to the fabled city of Troy, as well as Istanbul, Valletta – capital of Malta – and La Goulette for Tunisia’s capital, Tunis.
Highlights of this cruise include the chance to explore the remains of ancient Troy, a full day to take in the sights of historic Athens, and another day in Tunis, where French colonial architecture sits cheek-by-jowl with ancient Moorish buildings.
This classical cruise is a history-lover’s dream, and the additional ArtsClub ‘Antiques’ theme, hosted by Tharp and Farmer, is especially well-suited to this itinerary.
Prices start from £2,279 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.
If you would like to join Tharp, Farmer and other history-lovers on this cruise, find out more by visiting www.fredolsencruises.co.uk or call specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Royal Caribbean's Big 5-Ship Refurb
London, 9 November 2010 – Royal Caribbean International has announced the revitalisation of five ships in its fleet; Radiance of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas will all undertake various updates during 2011.“The planned enhancements of five ships in 2011 will help expand some of the most successful programmes that we have launched on our incredible Oasis-class ships to deliver these new ‘wows’ to more ships in our fleet,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “We are proud to continue to deliver more to see, do, and love than ever before to our guests.”
In mid-2011, Radiance will begin its revitalisation with the addition of new speciality restaurants, including the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, Mexican-themed Rita’s Cantina, and the Italian Giovanni’s Table, as well as the Park Café deli-style restaurant and the exclusive Chef’s Table dining experience. Other enhancements to the ship will include a new Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty programme members, as well as the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, interactive flat-panel televisions in all staterooms, and Wi-Fi throughout the ship.
Splendour will receive two new speciality restaurants, and the Park Café, the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, a Diamond and Concierge Lounge, flat-panel televisions, and Wi-Fi throughout the ship. In addition, there will be new balcony staterooms added, select stateroom enhancements and upgrades to public areas, including a refreshed Windjammer Marketplace.
Oasis of the Seas will also launch new onboard guest programmes starting in the first quarter of 2011. Guests will be able to enjoy the DreamWorks Experience and 3-D films in the main Opal Theater. Also, a Starbucks coffee shop will replace Mondo Café on the Royal Promenade. This follows the first-ever Starbucks at sea which will launch onboard Allure of the Seas when the sister ship enters service on 1 December 2010.
In early 2011, Freedom (above) and Liberty of the Seas will introduce new dining, entertainment, children’s programming and other enhancements made popular on the Oasis-class ships. This will include the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, The Cupcake Cupboard, the groundbreaking Wayfinding navigation system for guests, and an oversized outdoor video screen in each ship’s main pool area. In addition, the DreamWorks experience, 3-D movies and complimentary guest service kiosks, which will be introduced on Allure, also will be implemented onboard Freedom and Liberty, as well as sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, Royal Caribbean’s third licensed main-stage musical production, will debut on Liberty in the main Platinum Theater.
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