NEW ‘CLIMATE VOYAGE’

By guest blogger Steve Newman

NEW ‘CLIMATE VOYAGE’ VISITING REMOTE ISLAND OF JAN MAYEN (new port of call) – from £2,333pp –

For 2011, it's getting more and more remote with Hurtigruten. The cruise line is offering a new 8-day climate voyage travelling from Iceland to Spitsbergen, making an inaugural visit to Jan Mayen, one of the most isolated islands on the planet.

Its closest land mass is Iceland, some 600km to the south-west. Conditions allowing, a rare landing will be made here.

Themed on climate change, shore landings, lectures and discussions help passengers gain a better understanding of this topical issue. Departing July 21, 2011, price includes seven nights full board on the ship, flights from Longyearbyen to Oslo (based on two sharing). UK flights are extra.

For more information, click onto http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or contact The Cruise Line Ltd.
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Day Trips to Antarctica and Galapagos Islands

By guest blogger Steve Newman.

Setting foot on the wild and rugged Galapagos Islands and exploring the Antarctic base on foot are just two of the many unforgettable experiences awaiting guests aboard Seabourn Odyssey during its 73-day South America circumnavigation in 2011.

The Yachts of Seabourn is offering a choice of more than 120 optional shore excursions during the journey around South America, providing guests with numerous opportunities to see, hear, touch, taste and feel the amazing diversity of environments, historic and modern cultures, and the breathtaking natural scenery of the continent.

Seabourn’s new shore excursions in South America include:

Galapagos in a Day, Guayaquil, Ecuador: Since their exploration more than 150 years ago, these remarkable islands have not lost their ability to inspire and are home to many unique, indigenous species. Seabourn guests fly from Guayaquil to the islands, visiting the Giant Tortoises Reserve, the Twin Pit Craters and stop at the world renowned Charles Darwin Research Centre.

Antarctic Expedition, Punta Arenas, Chile: From Punta Arenas, guests board a chartered flight due south, crossing the Polar Circle to touch down at Frei Base, maintained by the Chilean Air Force and situated on an ice-free area. Stepping off the plane, guests explore the base and its surroundings on foot. A mile downhill walk on a dirt road brings them to the base and, from here, they board an inflatable boat to visit Ardley Island, a highly protected area occupied by breeding colonies of penguins.

A tremendous variety of excursions are available at the 31 ports of call during Odyssey’s 73-day South America circumnavigation. Capital cities such as Quito, Santiago, Lima, Buenos Aires and Montevideo as well as world class metropolises such as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia combine with exotic locations in Patagonia and the Amazon.

The voyage departs January 4, 2011, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. To reserve space on Seabourn’s optional shore excursions online prior to the cruise, guests can visit www.seabourn.com. Fares for the entire voyage begin at £17,998 per person, based on double occupancy. For travellers who are unable to sail on the full 73-day voyage, shorter itineraries are available, starting from £4,999 per person for 19 days.

For more information, visit http://www.seabourn.com/ or check with the luxury and adventure cruise specialists of 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.

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Rail Cruise to Alaska and the Rockies

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Discover a wonderful land-cruise opportunity to the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia with Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2011.

This unique land programme features one of the most iconic train journeys in the world, the Rocky Mountaineer, followed by an all-inclusive Alaskan cruise on board the intimate yet spacious Seven Seas Navigator.

Chhose from the following selection:

16 June 2011 13 Nights (6+7)
Canadian Rockies & Alaskan Cruise from £6,142pp (H)

30 June 2011 13 Nights (6+7)
Canadian Rockies & Alaskan Cruise from £6,655pp (H)

25 August 2011 18 Nights (6+12)
Canadian Rockies & Alaskan Cruise from £7,349pp (H)

What’s included:
 All inclusive cruise
 3 nights at the Fairmont at Banff Springs Hotel
 2 days GoldLeaf Service® aboard Rocky Mountaineer®
 2 nights hotel stay at Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver
 1 night in Kamloops Hotel
 National Par Tour & Gondola tour up Sulphur Mountain
 Tours of Lake Louise & Columbia Icefield including the Ice Explorer
 City tour of Vancouver & Capilano Suspension Bridge
 Return flights & transfers
 Free unlimited shore excursions in every port
 Luggage handling

For more information, visit www.rssc.co.uk/ or check out the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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The Galapagos - with the Adventure Cruise Collection

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The Galapagos is a national park and biological marine reserve second only the Great Barrier Reef. Now, cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd have a dedicated section of their Adventure Cruise Collection brochure devoted to these wonderful islands. It includes essential info like the best time to travel (mid-June to early September, and December-January), and the fact your journey will also take you via Quito, the Ecuadorian capital, from where you fly on to the Galapagos themselves.

UNESCO has declared the 12 main islands and dozens of smaller islands and rocks of the protected volcanic Galapagos archipelago a World Heritage Site. The wildlife here has no instinctive fear of humans, allowing you to observe the life-cycles of an incredible range of species, including marine mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and birds, at unbelievably close quarters.

For more details visit The Cruise Line 0r call 0800 008 6677

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Oceania 2011 Alaskan cruise shore excursions

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Alaska’s celebrated sights and wild wilderness will provide the backdrop for four brand-new Oceania Cruises’ summer 2011 itineraries, featuring off-the-beaten-path ports of call and an ‘Alaskan Immersion’ collection of interactive shore excursions.

The ‘Alaskan Immersion’ excursions include:

· Wild Alaska Culinary Extravaganza – this one-of-a-kind culinary class is led by a local host and culinary expert who takes guests through the steps of preparation and grilling Alaskan seafood, before indulging in the results. The inventive menu includes wild salmon, Dungeness crab, halibut and plenty of other local delicacies plucked from the sea.

· The Bering Sea: Crab Fisherman’s Tour – led by a seasoned Bering Sea captain and crew aboard Aleutian Ballad, the storied crab boat on the Discovery Channel series “Deadliest Catch” the adventure begins in the calm, protected waters of coastal Ketchikan. Skilled fishermen haul in crab pots and lines from the depths, revealing all manner of sea life, including king crab, shark, octopus, prawns and rock fish. Common tour sights also include bald eagles, seals, otters, sea lions and whales.

· Musher’s Camp & Sled Dog Discovery – this enriching activity allows guests to experience a one-mile, round-trip expedition on a wheeled sled pulled by a husky team through South-east Alaska’s temperate rainforest. There will be time to cuddle husky puppies and take a guided walk through the musher’s camp to learn more about this northern pasttime and the people who have dedicated their lives to it.

· Kodiak Guided River Fishing – a day of fishing for salmon, trout and halibut followed by an outdoor barbecued salmon bake is a quintessential Alaskan experience. Expert guides will personally scout seven possible fishing sites for a successful day, including rivers, shorelines, ocean bays and inlets. Following the tour, guests can have their fish vacuum-packed to carry on board or have it shipped to a destination of their choice.

Other distinctive excursions for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure-seekers include Golf, a Sea Kayaking Adventure and ‘ZipRider,’ the World’s Largest Zip-Line. These excursions - and more are offered - to guests on board Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Regatta (above) – an intimate ship acclaimed for its open-seating gourmet dining (no surcharges), luxurious public rooms and staterooms and warm, attentive service.

Oceania Cruises’ 10-day Alaska sailing costs from £1,406 per person for bookings received by December 31, based on 2 sharing, including a $1,000 onboard credit, all meals, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

To find out more, visit OceaniaCruises.co.uk or check with the specialst luxiry cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Norwegian Epic’s Inaugural Season in Europe

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Norwegian Epic’s inaugural season in Europe takes place next year from May until October. The round-trip departing from Barcelona offers the chance to get a taste of Tuscany in the mellow squares and art galleries of Renaissance Florence, take a tour of Pompeii – the stunning city buried under volcanic ash for nearly 1,700 years - or get to know Rome in an exclusive visit to the Vatican City.

While onboard, guests can choose from no less than 20 international dining options and take in a number of fantastic shows, such as the Blue Man Group or Legends in Concert. There is plenty of opportunity to get active, with onboard rock-climbing, 10-pin bowling and fitness centre and aqua park. Or, for guests who prefer to simply relax, Norwegian Epic is also home to the largest spa at sea.

Itinerary: Western Mediterranean – round-trip Barcelona

Ports: Livorno; Civitavecchia; Naples; Palma.

Duration: 7-night fly-cruise

Price from: £839

What’s included: Return flights to/from Barcelona, 7 nights freestyle cruising on board Norwegian Epic, including all meals and entertainment (price based on October 9 departure).

For more information, visit http://www.ncl.co.uk/ or call the cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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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Spring sunshine with Royal Caribbean International

By guest blogger Steve Newman

With the average temperature at 23°C in the Canary Islands in May, guarantee yourself some sunshine and join Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas (above) on a 10-night Canaries cruise from just £931 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

The price includes a 10-night cruise-only departing Southampton and calling at Funchal (Madeira, Portugal), Tenerife (Canary Islands), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Lanzarote (Canary Islands) and Vigo (Spain) before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Independence of the Seas is brimming with 15 decks of activities, including a Flowrider surf park at sea, an onboard ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall, a children’s water park, a teen-only nightclub, mother and daughter/father and son spa facilities, basketball and volleyball courts, miniature golf course and shopping.

Price is based on a departure of May 4, 2011.

For more information, see http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/ or talk to the cruise specialist agents of 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.

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