Enjoy A Red Sea Winter With MSC

Escape to warmer climes this winter, and embark on a seven-night cruise to the Red Sea with MSC Cruises from just £689 per person – including return flights. On board MSC Armonia, guests will be able to explore the rich history and culture of this ancient region. Be it cultural enlightenment, relaxation or adventure, all shore excursions are tailored to encourage guests to discover this beautiful region at their own pace and according to their taste.

From November 10 to March 16, the ship has a full schedule of 19 cruises, departing every Sunday from Sharm El Sheikh, with scheduled stops in Sokhna and Safaga (Egypt), Aqaba (Jordan) and Eilat (Israel).

Itinerary highlights include tours of the Dead Sea incorporating a clay bath; visits to Bedouin settlements; trips to southern Jordan’s timeless and stunning Wadi Rum valley (above) and drive and fly-tours through the wildly beautiful landscape of the Negev desert.

MSC Armonia features 777 beautifully appointed cabins. Its luxurious facilities include four restaurants - offering excellent Mediterranean and international cuisine - several bars and lounges, the incredible MSC Aurea Spa, a mini-golf course, numerous boutiques, casino, theatre, nightclub and children’s club.

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

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Gauguin's 2014 Collection

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the MS Paul Gauguin, and the newly launched MV Tere Moana (above), has released its new "Voyages by Gauguin 2014 Collection" brochure.

The brochure features 26 itineraries and 62 voyages by the line’s two deluxe small ships, which both offer an elegant yet casual ambiance, luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, trademark Polynesian hospitality and extraordinary all-inclusive value. Fleet distinctions, dining venues, entertainment, activities, destination guides, deck plans and sailing schedules are also highlighted.

For 2014, seven to 14-night voyages are offered on both ships, with the Gauguin sailing in French Polynesia, the South Pacific and South-east Asia, and Moana offering voyages in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

New itineraries on Gauguin include an 11-night Fiji to Australia voyage, a 12-night Australia to Fiji voyage and two 14-night voyages between Australia and South-east Asia. Maiden ports include: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; Kieta, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea; Rabaul, Papua New Guinea; Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea; Thursday Island, Australia; Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Indonesia; Benoa, Bali, Indonesia; Semarang, Indonesia; Singapore; and Maupiti, Society Islands.

Returning favourites on Gauguin include: 12 and 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands; 7-night Tahiti & Society Islands; 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands.

In 2014, Moana offers a variety of new seven-night itineraries: Round-trip Rome; Rome to Nice; Round-trip Nice; Nice to Barcelona; Colón, Panama to St. Martin; and Round-trip Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. New ports include: Mahón, Menorca; Palamós; Villefranche; Sanary-sur-Mer; Antibes; Ponza; San Remo; San Blas and Isla Gamez, Panama; Golfito, Drake Bay, Quepos and Isla Tortuga/Curú Wildlife Reserve, Costa Rica.

Moana will again offer a seven-night Colón to St. Maarten, voyage; a seven-night Round-trip St. Maarten itinerary; 14-night Transatlantic cruises; and seven-night European sailings in the Greek isles, Spanish isles, Dalmatian coast, and coastal France, Italy, and Spain.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is also extending included airfare from Los Angeles on Paul Gauguin itineraries. Prices start from £4,001 per person fly/cruise and from £1,497 cruise-only on Moana.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Crystal's South American Odyssey

Ultra-luxury line Crystal Cruises begins its South American cruise season in November with a stunning 16-night Miami to Rio de Janeiro voyage followed by a 12-night Rio to Buenos Aires sailing. 

And, to experience more of South America, as well as Crystal’s renowned, award-winning offering, travellers can combine the two voyages and save an additional 5%. 

In all, Crystal Symphony’s Brazilian calls include Belém, Fortaleza, Natal (maiden call), Maceió, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro (overnight), Buzios, Ilha Grande, Paraty, Santos/São Paulo, and Rio Grande du Sol. Depending on the departure, the cruises also include ports in the Caribbean, Uruguay and Argentina. 

All-inclusive fly/cruise fares start from £3,576 per person for the first sailing on November 23 and from £3,792 per person for the subsequent sailing on December 9. The price of the two cruises starts from £6,221 per person fly/cruise.

Crystal's expertise for creating unique, luxury experiences both on land and at sea have helped earn the company top ratings from international travellers for two decades. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Discover Eastern Med With MSC

Dive into the soul of Eastern Mediterranean civilisation and embark on an historical journey onboard MSC Armonia – from £599pp incl. flights

This summer, MSC Cruises' MSC Armonia will be sailing through the heart of the Mediterranean, uncovering historical and architectural treasures from Italy, Greece and Croatia, the birth place of western civilisation, and following in the footsteps of the great philosophers and builders of empire. Even better, this seven-night cruise starts from just £599 per person, including flights from London.

Between June 7 and November 1, Armonia set off from Venice on this eastern Med odyssey, calling in Ancona (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Gythion and Kefalonia (Greece) and Kotor in Montenegro.

In addition to the many historical and cultural day trips on offer, MSC has also launched a new shore excursion to the beautiful small town of Medjugorje, the site of numerous Christian pilgrimages since 1981 when the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to six local Catholics. This is possible thanks to an extra-long call in Dubrovnik each Sunday, with Medjugorje situated in the Herzegovina region near the Croatian border.

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

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Take In An Eclipse With Fred Olsen

A total solar eclipse is one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles in the world - and one of the most difficult to view. It occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, entirely obscuring the Sun and blocking all direct sunlight, turning daylight into  darkness. A sensational full eclipse is due in March 2015, and the great news for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fans is that its 880-guest cruise ship Boudicca will be at the precise co-ordinates at this time to allow guests one of the best chances of viewing it from anywhere on the planet. The 15-night ‘Solar Eclipse Cruise’ departs on March 9, 2015, and is now on sale.  

The voyage departs from Southampton and calls at several attractive Norwegian ports: pretty Art Nouveau Ǻlesund, Tromsø, inside the Arctic Circle, sometimes described as ‘The Paris of the Arctic’; Alta (Finnmark), home for centuries to the Sami people and their herds of reindeer; and Leknes, in the remote and beautiful Lofoten Islands.

Boudicca then spends a day at sea on March 20, en route to the Faroe Islands and is positioned at the best-suggested co-ordinates – 64.26.3N, 6.39.0W – for guests to make the most of viewing the extraordinary total eclipse from the ship. The final port of call is Runavik on the Faroes, before Boudicca returns to Southampton

Prices for this fascinating ex-UK cruise start from £1,699 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin Grade ‘I’, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. There is an additional bonus of up to £250 free onboard spending credit per cabin, making this cruise unbeatable value for money. 

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

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A Cape Verde Invitation!

Here's an offer to literally warm the cockles of your heart - a chance to visit the beautiful Cape Verde islands with Noble Caledonia...

Escape the British winter this November or December and enjoy the warmth and beauty of the Cape Verde archipelago aboard the wonderfully comfortable MS Island Sky with Noble Caledonia as she undertakes exactly the type of itinerary that suits her best. 

Like the Azores but even more remote, the Cape Verde Islands are an intriguing archipelago located off the coast of Senegal. They are an amazingly varied group of islands that have been used as a staging post by mariners through the ages and there is truly no better way to explore the region, with its dramatic beauty and cultural vibrancy than by small ship and, with Island Sky as the base, guests can island hop with great ease.

Take your pick from these three idyllic 10-day cruises:

• Voyage 1: November 15-25
• Voyage 2: November 25-December 5
• Voyage 3: December 5-15

Special offer prices start from just £2,995 per person, including flights, full board accommodation, house wine, beer or soft drinks with meals, lecture programme and all excursions and gratuities.

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

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More Boutique Adventures From Crystal

Crystal Cruises is expanding its exclusive collection of intimate “Boutique Adventures” during summer Northern Europe cruises with two new experiences in Belfast and Berlin. The shoreside outings – none of which are available on any other cruise lines – offer intimate access to Northern Ireland’s political leadership and Germany’s Soho House, along with visits to film locations around the city. 

The excursions are limited to 15 guests max and will take place during five of Crystal Serenity's cruises between June and August:

• Belfast: Go behind the closed doors of Stormont, the seat of Northern Ireland’s governing Legislative Assembly and symbol of hard-won peace solidified by 1998s Good Friday Agreement. A friendly three-course lunch with an Assembly member follows at a 200-year-old Georgian manor and working farm.
• Berlin: From the port city of Warnemünde, travel to Berlin to be led by a local film expert through the city’s most famous movie locations, from films such as The Bourne Supremacy, Inglourious Basterds and Run, Lola, Run. A champagne “wrap party” and private screening of Billy Wilder’s One, Two Three will be held in the stylish Red Room inside members-only Soho House, formerly the home of the Soviet Politboro.

Launched in the Mediterranean this spring, Crystal’s new “Boutique Adventures” are crafted just for Crystal guests and provide opportunities for deeper cultural experiences when visiting key destinations.

The Belfast excursion is offered during the August 26 seven-night Dublin to Dover British Isles voyage. The excursion from Warnemünde to Berlin is offered on four, 10-night Baltic sailings between Copenhagen and Stockholm departing June 15 and 25 and July 20 and 30. All-inclusive fly/cruise fares for the sailings start at £2,961 per person if booked by June 28 at the latest. Boutique excursion rates vary depending on access fees and distance travelled.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.