Three Cruise Lines, Three Round-Britain Cruises!

Here's a great trio of alternatives for the increasingly popular round-Britain cruises that many lines are now offering. They obviously all come with the benefit of no flights involved, and take in some fabulous parts of the United Kingdom. Here's what they say...

Voyages of Discovery

Departing from Portsmouth, discover the history, heritage and tradition of the British Isles. Around the shores of this island nation, discover stunning landscapes that inspired celebrated artists, and those that played starring roles in stirring epics. Set foot in atmospheric castles that hosted legendary figures, and stately homes where literary heroes penned immortal words. Turn the pages on Britain’s Royal story peopled by famous monarchs, and through great abbeys and cherished cathedrals trace the power of the church.

The 14-day National Treasures of the British Isles departs May 4 and costs from £1,939 per person. 

More info: call 0844 334 8389 or visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk.

Swan Hellenic

Travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh, Scotland’s dynamic capital, and explore this historic city. Visit Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Hopetoun, Scotland’s finest stately home. Sail to the Caithness port of Scrabster to stand on the most northerly point of mainland Britain at Dunnet Head overlooking the Pentland Firth. Follow Bonnie Prince Charlie as he escaped over the sea to Skye and visit Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, built on a rock in an idyllic loch-side setting. Enjoy inspirational scenic cruising as Minerva cruises off the west coast of Scotland, passing islands, glens and bays – including the tiny island of Staffa – en route to Oban, and then on to Liverpool.

This 15-day Treasures of the British Isles cruise departs July 1 and costs from £2,470 per person. 

More info: call 0844 488 0716 or visit www.swanhellenic.com.

Hebridean Island Cruises

A voyage into the unknown - join Hebridean Princess on the annual ‘Surprise’ cruise where the Captain will decide the itinerary. Enjoy the magnificent scenery of Scotland’s west coast and Hebridean islands as the Captain decides on the itinerary day by day. While the itinerary is unknown, the level of comfort and service on board  is assured. The cruise departs from Oban with only 50 guests, fine food and wine with spacious, elegant well-appointed cabins

The 7-night An Island Surprise voyage departs April 1 and costs from £2,660 per person. 
More Info: call 01756 704 700 or visit www.hebridean.co.uk.

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Costa Rica Raises Cruise Profile

With the 2013-14 cruise season officially now under way, Costa Rica has announced a new strategy to strengthen and promote its growing relationship with the cruise industry. 

Minsiter of Tourism Allan Flores explained: “In addition to reaching important agreements with industry executives, we have concentrated our efforts on improving port infrastructure and the amenities available to passengers through our local entrepreneurs. These relationships and efforts will continue to strengthen our position as a cruise destination and create an even better experience for visitors.”

The arrival of Princess Cruises' Island Princess to the Port of Limón (above) marked the start of a cruise season filled with new arrivals, partnerships and improvements aimed to support the destination’s offerings and passenger services. This was the first of 64 ships expected to arrive in the port city, 12 per cent more than last year. Officials also announced plans to include the improvement of infrastructure as well as projects for the recovery of

architectural and cultural heritage in the Caribbean city.

As part of the destination’s new strategy, Costa Rica has also announced a cooperative partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Through this partnership, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and New York will begin promoting travel packages that include three-night stays in Costa Rica, with a city tour, running through to December 31.

To further solidify the country’s cruise offerings, a new Mesoamerican regional agreement has also been implemented. For the first time, countries in the region have cooperatively developed a partnership with cruise lines worldwide to introduce new routes through the Pacific. The new route, named Amazing Pacific, will begin operations on January 14, with the arrival of Azamara Club Cruises, part of the Royal Caribbean company, to Costa Rica’s Puerto Caldera region. Additional major Pacific ports will include Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.

More info: visit www.VisitCostaRica.com. 

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Celebrity's Captain's Club Bonus

Michael Bayley, Celebrity Cruises' president and CEO will host a Captain’s Club members “President’s Cruise” on board the line’s Celebrity Equinox departing from Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) on July 26 next year.

And featured as part of the cruise will be an evening of open-air entertainment and a complimentary dinner rich with authentic Italian fare and robust local wines in Bolgheri, a 15th Century medieval village in Tuscany.

Ports of call on offer include Livorno (for Florence), Villefranche (for Nice) and Porto Torres (Sardinia). During the cruise, members of Celebrity's Captain’s Club loyalty programme (“Classic” level membership or higher) can enjoy a series of culinary events including:
 

A Taste of Nice: A four-course Mediterranean dinner featuring locally-caught seafood, farm-to-table vegetables, artisanal olive oils, local wine pairings and dessert, all created by Celebrity Chefs Thomas Szymanski and Thierry Houlbert, and served in the elegant Murano restaurant. The prix fixe menu is $95pp.
 

Molecular Cocktail dinner: Guests can join Celebrity's James Beard-featured chef John Suley and “The Liquid Chef” Junior Merino for a unique pairing menu combining cocktails from the Molecular Bar and dishes from the ‘uniquely unordinary’ onboard speciality restaurant, Qsine. The prix fixe menu is $95 per person.

A Taste of Spain: Captain’s Club members can enjoy traditional tapas such as Iberico ham and samples of olive oils direct from Andalusia. Celebrity's chefs Rufino Rengifo and Thierry Houlbert will host the evening with Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson, pairing Spanish delicacies with fine wines including Riojas, Priorats and Sherry. The prix fixe menu is $95pp.

Guests on this sailing also can purchase new shore excursions, from the Celebrity Exclusives collection, such as a hot air balloon ride over the Tuscan countryside, a tour via Ferrari of the Côte d’Azur and a specially designed helicopter flight prior to an intimate lunch at renowned Chef Alain Ducasse’s Provencal Inn. Space is extremely limited within the collection of Celebrity Exclusives, and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

For more information about the President’s Cruise, Captain’s Club members can log into their member account at www.celebritycruises.com/captainsclub. Anyone over the age of 18 can join the Captain’s Club.

More info: visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk or call 0844 493 2043.

 

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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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Saga Sets Sail With E-Book Library

Saga Cruises' adventuring voyager Saga Pearl II is setting sail later this month with an all-new e-books library curated by Penguin Books.

From November 22, passengers will be able to pick up a tablet and choose from 36 titles specially curated by Penguin’s experts, a world-first on cruise ships.

The tablets will carry a selection of Penguin titles downloaded in 12 genres, including crime and adventure, escapist fiction, travel writing, literary gems, historical fiction and celebrity biography to match Saga passengers’ reading preferences. Penguin has also donated physical copies of all 36 books to Pearl II’s library.

The ship sails from Southampton and arrives in Venice on December 3, where passengers can extend their stay in a 4 star-rated hotel for three nights. There will be a Venetian masked ball, performances from soprano Hayley Westenra, The Operababes, The Three Tenors tribute act and The Gondolier Trio, plus the opportunity to visit the ancient ruins of Cartagena, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, mythical Corfu, historic Split and the beautiful city of Venice.

Prices for this all-inclusive cruise start from £1,679 for 11 nights (Nov 22-Dec 3), £1,999 for 13 nights (Dec 3-16) or £2,749 for 24 nights. The three-night stay in Venice costs from £399 including breakfast. The price also includes UK door-to-door travel service, all meals, soft drinks and house-branded alcohol, entertainment, gratuities, room service and travel insurance and cancellation cover.

More info: call 0800 051 3355 or visit saga.co.uk/cruises.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Un-Cruise's New Washington Adventures

Adventure travellers seeking to explore Washington State’s islands and shores will have a whole new opportunity next spring as the experts of Un-Cruise Adventures unveil a novel itinerary. And there's a bonus for anyone booking by December 20, with a saving of $100 per couple on the new 'Explore! Olympic Wilderness & San Juan Islands' sailings.

Beginning April 2014 and returning in the autumn, the 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer expedition vessel will explore Washington’s Puget Sound and Salish Sea from South Hood Canal to Olympic Peninsula and the San Juan Islands. Week long Active Adventure cruises sail round-trip from Seattle, with cruise rates beginning at $1,595 per person, double occupancy (before savings) and including all meals, transfers, adventure activities, hot tub, sauna and yoga on deck.

Guests making a new booking by December 20 for travel April-May 2014 or September-November 2014, receive a $100 per couple Adventure Savings.
 

The expedition vessel carries a full complement of adventure gear for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking and skiff excursions. A custom-made kayak launch platform allows four kayaks at once to quickly and safely launch off a stable platform.

Highlights of the itinerary include hiking in the Olympic Mountains, Mt. Constitution and Washington State Parks. Waterborne expeditions by kayaks, skiffs and paddle-boards explore glacial fjords and the San Juan archipelago. In Quilcene Bay, a local family hosts a home-grown oyster and clam tasting. Guests enjoy free time in scenic Friday Harbor and discover Native cultures in Port Townsend.

Travellers also spend the week searching out and seeing marine life and seabirds up close. Gray whales, orcas, seals, sea lions and bald eagles are all found in the area. A knowledgeable team of expedition guides leads excursions and provides interpretation along the way.

A Washington craft beer theme cruise scheduled for the April 19 departure also features guest experts Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones, authorities on the Seattle craft beer scene. Guests will enjoy nightly tastings of select craft beer from nearby breweries aboard the vessel, presentations by the Jones’ and beer recommendations matching the evening’s dinner menu.

More info: call (in the US) 1888 862 8881 or visit www.un-cruise.com.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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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Try A Hurtigruten Christmas & New Year

Hurtigruten is now offering two voyages for the price of one on selected dates over the festive period, meaning a Christmas break could cost as little as £49 per person per night on full-board basis, with their unique Norwegian coastal cruising.

Hurtigruten ships offer traditional festive specialities and the typically Norwegian relaxed atmosphere. Guests who not only want to enjoy the festive atmosphere on board but also experience the Norwegian Winter’s Tale on shore have a whole host of activities to choose from, including a dog-sledding tour, a snowmobile safari and even a reindeer sleigh ride. There is something on offer for every Arctic adventurer!

On December 24, all the line's ships will moor in their respective ports for approximately 24 hours. In each location, guests are cordially invited to attend Christmas mass at the local churches. Christmas Eve is then celebrated on board with the crew and guests, and Julenissen, the Norwegian Father Christmas, pays the ships a visit.

The MS Polarlys will be arriving in Kjøllefjord on Christmas Eve, where it will stay until Christmas evening. The 12-day Classic Round Voyage departing on December 19 costs from £1,177 per person (based on two sharing, full board basis). Those taking advantage of the ‘two for one’ offer will enjoy the trip for just £589 per person. Flights are available for an additional £450 per person. The Wilderness Adventure camp excursion, including reindeer driving plus dog-sledding or snowmobile safari, costs from £235 per person.

Guests on the MS Midnatsol will be able to welcome the New Year in a very special place: after a festive New Year's Eve on board in the port of Tromsø, they can enjoy a New Year’s Day excursion to the North Cape, mainland Europe’s northernmost point. There, guests are greeted by an exclusive New Year’s concert in the North Cape Hall.

The 7 Day Voyage north on board Midnatsol, departing from Bergen on December 27, costs from £1,046 per person (based on two sharing on full board basis). Flights are available for an additional £510 per person. The excursion to the North Cape costs £165 per person. The two for one offer is for a limited period only and subject to availability.

More info: call 020 3582 6642 or visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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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Seabourn's World Voyage Selections

Luxury cruise line Seabourn has released a selection of terrific offers for those seeking some excitement this winter, based on several sectors of the grand World Cruise aboard Seabourn Sojourn (which we highlighted earlier this month on this blog).

 

The two tempting sectors are as follows, with their special pricing (and onboard credit bonus) after each one:

34-day cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney

Itinerary: Los Angeles, California; Hilo, Hawaii; Lahaina, Hawaii; Honolulu, Hawaii; Nawiliwili, Hawaii; crossing the equator; Papeete, French Polynesia; Moorea, French Polyensia; Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Cross International Dateline; Auckland, New Zealand; Tauranga, New Zealand; Wellington, New Zealand; Nelson, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia.

• Scenic cities – Auckland & Los Angeles
• Hawaiian gems – Honolulu & Nawiliwili

Prices now start from £10,999pp for fly/cruise, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini-bar. They also include $500 on-board spending.

22-day cruise from Mumbai to Venice

Itinerary: Mumbai, India; Salalah, Oman; Aqaba, Jordan; enter Suez Canal at Suez; daylight transit Suez Canal; exit Suez Canal at Port Said; Ashdod, Israel; Haifa, Israel; Rhodes, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Kerkira, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Triluke Bay, Croatia; Venice, Italy

• Scenic cities – Venice & Mumbai
• Guests can experience the Suez Canal

Prices start from £6,599pp for fly/cruise, based on two people sharing a suite, fully inclusive of all tips and gratuities, fine dining, open bars and fully stocked mini bar. Price also includes $250 on-board spending.

 

More info: call  0843 373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.co.uk.

 

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to WIN a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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.