Oceania's Second Phase of Fleet Enhancements

By guest blogger Steve Newman

As part of the company’s ongoing fleet enhancements, the most significant product investment in the company’s history, Oceania Cruises has announced the second phase of its 'Pillars of Distinction' initiative. The multi-million-dollar upgrades are in addition to the previously announced physical enhancements being made during the regularly scheduled dry-docks for Regatta (above), Insignia and Nautica.

The latest fleet enhancements include:

· An expanded menu of “Jacques Pepin Signature Items” in the Grand Dining Rooms, which include Cotes d’Agneau Grillees – grilled lamb chop served with ratatouille and lamb gravy with thyme, and Gambas Sauté Provençal – sautéed shrimp in olive oil from Nice with garlic, parsley and tomatoes.

· Evening menus in the Terrace Café will focus on regional specialities from the area where the ship is sailing, in addition to each evening’s ever-changing range of traditional favourites.

· Gourmet VIP canapé service for all suite guests now includes a wider array of speciality, gourmet-inspired delicacies which are presented on new, custom-designed china.

· A free shuttle service in more than 90 ports worldwide where the ship is docked away from the city centre.

· Dramatically faster internet speeds as a result of a new partnership with MTN.

· Complimentary in-suite newspaper delivery for Owner’s, Vista and Oceania suites.

· Upgraded bath amenities and toiletries in all accommodations, including Bvlgari for Concierge-level and suite guests.

· Laptops, currently featured in all Owner’s and Vista suites on Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, will be added to all Penthouse Suites.

· iPads for all Owner’s, Vista and Oceania suites.

The new Pillars of Distinction amenities will also be extensively featured on Oceania's new Marina, scheduled for delivery in January 2011, and her sister ship Riviera, which joins the fleet in April 2012. They will be introduced on board Regatta, Insignia and Nautica in the spring of 2011.

To find out more about Oceania Cruises, visit OceaniaCruises.co.uk or call the UK specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Yachts of Seabourn offers Fantastic Savings

By guest blogger Steve Newman

A selection of luxurious winter itineraries and destinations, including the Caribbean on the new Seabourn Sojourn, are being offered by The Yachts of Seabourn. Guests booking this week can make substantial savings on a variety of Winter Sun destinations as per the below selection.

30th November 2010 - Seabourn Sojourn departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day round-trip 'Yachtsman's Caribbean' cruise. Highlights of the itinerary include San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gustavia, St Barths, St Kitts and Cruz Bay, St John. Fares start from £3,099pp (air inclusive).

20th December 2010 - Sojourn departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 16-day 'Christmas and New Year's Sojourn' to Los Angeles. Highlights of the itinerary include Cartagena, Colombia, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, Huatulco, Mexico and San Diego. Fares start from £5,199pp (cruise only).

3rd December 2010 - Seabourn Legend departs from Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day round-trip 'Caribbean Splendor' cruise. Highlights of the itinerary include Nassau, Bahamas, Gustavia, St Barths, Prickly Pear Island and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fares start from £2,599pp (air inclusive).

Prices are all person, based on two sharing a suite, fully inclusive, including all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bar and fully-stocked mini-bar.

For more information, vist http://www.seabourn.com/ or call the specialist luxury cruise agents at the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Two Voyages For the Price of one Offer

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Hurtigruten is offering two voyages for the price of one on its Classic Round Voyage, Voyage North and Voyage South cruise-only itineraries. Available on selected dates between now and December 16, these last-minute deals offer savings of up to £1344 per person and are a great way to see the very best of Norway and, hopefully, spot the Northern Lights.

Simply book a voyage and two people can travel for the price of one. Choose from the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the far north and back, or one of the two half-voyages (North or South). These journeys call at more than 30 ports, many of which are not visited by commercial cruise ships, and those which are visited at night on the way up, are visited in the day on the return journey to ensure nothing is missed.

And of course, as the winter sets in, Norway is a perfect place to see the Northern Lights. The ships are ideal viewing platforms, away from artificial light and, as they travel further north above the Arctic Circle, chances of spotting them increase.

‘TWO FOR ONE’ OFFER ON VOYAGE NORTH - £940 PER COUPLE (SAVE £940) – Depart on selected dates until December 16 for a six-night Voyage North from Bergen to Kirkenes. Now costing from £940 per couple, including full board on the ship. Flights are extra. Based on two sharing.

'TWO FOR ONE’ OFFER ON CLASSIC ROUND VOYAGE - £1344 PER COUPLE (SAVE £1344) – Depart on selected dates until December 16 for a 12-day Voyage North from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Now costing from £1344 per couple, including full board on the ship. Flights are extra. Based on two sharing.

Special offer applies to cruise-only prices. Flights are extra and can be booked by Hurtigruten if required.

To find out more, visit http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or talk to cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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SeaDream's Amazon Adventure

SeaDream Yacht Club has unveiled its 2012 winter and spring itineraries, featuring a FIRST for the ultra-deluxe line. Because, in February 2012, SeaDream II will sail two 20-night voyages to the mighty Amazon, with prices from $11,799 per person ($1,120pp taxes & fees).

The line's two luxury mega-yachts will spend the late aitumn season of 2011 and early 2012 cruising the Caribbean - with an emphasis on visiting the smaller yachting playgrounds and harbours that large ships cannot reach - and then offer the two signature Amazon voyages.

SeaDream’s President Bob Lepisto explained: “We are thrilled to be adding the Amazon to our programme of itineraries. While at the same time, the British Virgin Islands, such us Norman Island, Jost van Dyke and Virgin Gorda are true yachting destinations and continue to be a favourite with our SeaDream guests.”

Whether travellers are looking for adventure and exploration in the Amazon, or simply seeking a pampering, tropical Caribbean holiday, SeaDream’s intimate size and award-winning service are unmatched at sea. Lepisto added: “In fact, it is our size and maneuverability that allows our yachts to reach tricky spots like Anavilhanas, Brazil, and Iquitos, Peru.”

2012 Amazon Adventure Highlights:

· In February and March 2012, SeaDream II will sail the Amazon on two 20-night voyages: departing on February 13 from Barbados, sailing to Iquitos, Peru; or departing Iquitos on March 4, sailing to Barbados
· Itineraries showcase the best of the Amazon including Cuxiu Muni, Brazil, where guests have the option to take a night canoe trip in search of crocodiles, snakes and other night creatures.
· In Alter do Chao, Brazil, SeaDream hosts their Champagne and Caviar Splash™ on one of Brazil’s best beaches and guests may take a riverboat cruise on Maicá Lake to see rare pink dolphins.
· In Manaus, Brazil guest go “Flightseeing” in single or twin-engine aircraft, soaring over the Rio Negro, Rio Solimões, the Meeting of the Waters, the Amazon River and the magnificent expanse of jungle below.
· Visiting a small village located on Tupinambarana Island, guests enjoy a “Boi-Bumba” celebration. This exotic ritual of magic, mystery, passion and faith is a feast for the eyes and ears.
· A naturalist will be aboard both Amazon voyages, providing in-depth information about the great river wilderness.
· Excursions will showcase Amazonian tribes, museums, markets and the jungle’s exotic plants and animals.

Caribbean 2011/2012 Highlights:

· SeaDream II will operate two voyages round-trip from Barbados, exploring the glorious, lush Grenadines, St. Lucia and Grenada.
· SeaDream I will operate a round-trip voyage from Marigot, St. Martin, with an emphasis on the unspoiled French West Indies.
· SeaDream I & II will call on St. Barts with overnight stays, allowing guests to go ashore and enjoy the island nightlife.
· SeaDream I & II will call on the unique and less visited islands of Saba and Culebrita. Culebrita offers the rare opportunity for guests to swim in a Bioluminescent Bay.

The expression “Yachting” is not a sentiment about size; it is a statement about lifestyle aboard the small vessels. Chic and stylish, SeaDream’s 56-stateroom yachts are favoured for their elegant informality, state-of-the-art facilities, personal service provided by a crew of 95, inclusive open bar and gratuities, oceanview accommodations, luxury spa and world class cuisine.

SeaDream fares are always voyage only, and include open bar, wines with lunch and dinner, use of recreational and water sports toys (subject to local conditions) and include onboard gratuities.

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A night at the Opera in Prague - River Cruise

By guest blogger Steve Newman

How about a Night at the Opera in Prague, combined with a nine-day journey along the Main and Rhine Rivers aboard the MS Johann Strauss, all with a 10-night price from £1595?

Music-themed tours from Noble Caledonian in 2011 will include musical performances either on board your vessel, at your hotel or ashore in idyllic settings. There will also be an expert to provide informal talks and accompany you on excursions.

The musical journey begins in Prague. No central European tour would be complete without a few days in the magnificent Czech capital. To make your stay in this beautiful city even more memorable, the company have included a performance of Puccini’s La Boheme in the magnificent and historic Opera House.

After two days in Prague, you drive through the delightful countryside of Bohemia to Bavaria and the river port of Regensburg, just across the border in Germany. Sailing along the Main and Rhine, guests will get to enjoy the subtle changes in architecture and reflect on the many ways in which these mighty rivers have influenced the flow of history.

Just north of Regensburg is a great feat of engineering, The Danube-Main Canal, that allows vessels to connect between the Main and Rhine Rivers. Having meandered along the Main, you reach the Rhine passing through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the steep banks dotted with romantic castles before arriving at the great city of Cologne and crossing the border into the Netherlands.

Enhancing your river cruise will be London Festival Opera who will be aboard for the duration of the voyage. Bringing together established opera singers from major British opera companies, the LFO have achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera and music performances in a variety of worldwide venues and will perform on board in the lounge on three evenings.

Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, two nights hotel accommodation in Prague with breakfast and dinner, lunch on day 3, 8 nights aboard Johann Strauss on full board, house wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner on board, shore excursions, guest speaker, performances by London Festival Opera, services of a cruise director, tour manager, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes, gratuities to crew and on shore excursions.

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

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Jewish Heritage Excursions - AMA Waterways

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways will offer special Jewish Heritage excursions on two of its popular Danube cruises this autumn: the November 22 Blue Danube Discovery itinerary and November 21 Romantic Danube cruise. The complimentary Jewish Heritage tours, part of AmaWaterways’ included shore excursions offer, will include synagogue visits, Jewish districts, museums, monuments and other landmarks of significance to Jewish history. A dedicated guide will lead the tours, which are open to all interested passengers, regardless of their faith.

The seven-night Blue Danube Discovery departs Budapest on the MS AmaLyra and ends in Nuremberg. ‘Jewish Heritage’ highlights during the cruise include entrance to the Jewish Museum in Bratislava, as well as a special visit to the tomb of Chatam Sofer, the famous rabbi. Passengers will visit the Jewish Museum, Judenplatz and Old Synagogue, Sigmund Freud House (outside), Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Quarter in Vienna. In Regensburg, a specialist in Judaica will lead a tour that includes the site of the Regensburg Synagogue. In Nuremberg, the tour will include the Jewish cemetery, old Jewish ghetto and location where the Old Synagogue stood.

The cruise costs from £729 per person, cruise-only, saving £647pp, with optional hotel stays (at extra cost) in Budapest and, after the cruise, in Prague, with each extension featuring further Jewish-themed tours.

For more information, visit http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/ or try the river-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

The Romantic Danube cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen on the MS AmaDolce departs November 21. Jewish Heritage tours will be offered in Bratislava, Vienna and Linz and the cruise costs from £729 per person, cruise-only, saving £647pp, with optional hotel stays (at extra cost) in Budapest and, after the cruise, in Prague, each featuring additional Jewish-themed tours.

Guests aboard the 148-passenger AmaLyra and AmaDolce will enjoy the luxurious amenities that have made AmaWaterways so popular in river cruising. Both vessels feature French balconies in the majority of staterooms; plush down bedding, marble-appointed bathrooms, complimentary high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi and first-run Hollywood movies in staterooms; wine, beer and soft drinks at dinner; unlimited speciality coffees and bottled water; elevators, a fitness room and sauna, walking track and whirlpool on the Sun Deck plus a fleet of bicycles for passenger use.

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A Down Under Delight

By guest blogger Steve Newman

One of the big growth areas in cruising is the Adventure section, with more and more people seeing the appeal of hopping in and out of zodiacs and seeing wildlife and nature really up close.

In particular, areas of the world which seemed closed to the public are now opening at an amazing speed, especially Australia and New Zealand.

With this in mind, spcialist cruise agents the Cruise Line Ltd's Adventure Cruise Collection brochure has a double page spread dedicated to the two countries.

Why not try the Murray River cruise experience or perhaps the spectacular fjord views of Milford Sound? From the historic pearling town of Broome to the cities of Auckland and Napier, this region will take your breath away.

For further details, log on to http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/ or call them on 0800 008 7855.

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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