Saturday, 9 October 2010

Regent Seven Seas Autumn Sunshine

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Five nights of Autumn sunshine are now possible with Regent Seven Seas Cruises on their new Barcelona cruise this November. The voyage includes Valencia and Funchal (Madeira) on Seven Seas Voyager (above), departing November 8, with 5 nights in a balcony suite from £1,499 per person.

The full itinerary is as follows:

8 November, sail from Barcelona
9 November, Valencia 8am-6pm
10 November, Cartagena 8am-6pm
11 November, Malaga 8am-6pm
12 November, At Sea
13 November, Funchal, Disembark

The generous price includes the 5-night all-inclusive cruise, free return economy flights, free unlimited shore excursions in every port, fine dining including speciality restaurants, all drinks and beverages, all gratuities, all onboard activities and use of luxury amenities, and 24-hour room service and in-suite dining.

For more information, look up http://www.rssc.co.uk/ or visit Regent Seven Seas at the Cruise Show at Birmingham NEC on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia next March (26-27). For more great deals on RSSC cruises, check out top specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Friday, 8 October 2010

Crystal's Taste of the Exotic in 2012

Ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises has announced its 2012 cruise collection, unveiling an enticing choice of exotic voyages. Now offering 68 worldwide itineraries - including brand new coveted destinations - the line frequently voted 'World’s Best' introduces its most extensive global presence yet.

Continuing to maintain the highest number of repeat customers and with an ongoing commitment to selling only through the trade, Crystal will offer even greater choice in 2012. These new itineraries and voyages have been meticulously crafted to appeal to today’s discerning luxury traveller.

The 2012 voyages are now available for waitlist and include:

· 94-day “Epic Islands and Empires” Pacific Rim World Cruise through Hawaii, the South Pacific, eastern and western Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Alaska, British Columbia and San Francisco, including a three-day inclusive overland adventure in Beijing; a maiden call in Newcastle, Australia; and a return to South Korea for the first time since 1994

· Christmas/New Year cruises in Australia/New Zealand and the Mediterranean

· Expanded collection of Mediterranean itineraries, including late Autumn options

· Expanded collection of Baltic and Northern European cruises

· More seven-day cruises in the Mediterranean and New England/Canada, as well as a seven-day voyage during Thanksgiving through the Mexican Riviera

· Transatlantic cruises from New York to Dover and from Miami to Lisbon, which can be combined with European cruises

· Late Autumn cruises in the South Pacific and New Zealand

· More overnight stays in destinations, including Ashdod, Reykjavik, Odessa, Honfleur, Hamburg, Edinburgh, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Istanbul, Venice, Sorrento and Bordeaux, as well as destinations throughout Asia, Australia and South America.

Andy Harmer, UK sales and marketing director for Crystal says: “Globally renowned not only for its unrivalled luxury but for leading the way with unique and compelling offerings, the 2012 itineraries promise to be another milestone for Crystal Cruises. It is extremely exciting to have both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in European waters for an expanded season and to announce new Christmas and New Year cruise destinations as part of our commitment to remain the World’s Best.”

Agents can access the day-by-day itineraries from October 30 at http://www.crystalcruises.co.uk/.

Now available for waitlist; contact Crystal Cruises on 020 7287 9040 or online. Or call specialist agent The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677 or http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/.

Cruise Show Tickets


The Daily Telegraph presents CRUISE Birmingham, 16-17 October; NEC, Birmingham

Get TWO tickets for the price of one with Time Spent At Sea by booking in advance quote “Time Spent At Sea” visit http://www.cruisingshow.co.uk/

PLUS! Exclusive advance ticket competition and ticket offer – Time Spent At Sea

For a chance to win one of five pairs of tickets to the Birmingham show, email your name, address and email address to sue@escapeevents.co.uk (not forgetting to mention Time Spent At Sea Birmingham as your reference!).

Even if you don't win the free tickets, you can till receive TWO tickets for the price of one to the show when booked in advance. You can receive two £6 tickets for just £3 each. Under 16s are free (add £1.50 postage and packing per order).

Order online at cruisingshow.co.uk or call 0871 620 4024 and quote “Time Spent At Sea”.

Opening Times
Saturday, 10am-5pm
Sunday, 10am-4pm

Ticket Prices
On the door: £10; under 16s free

Thursday, 7 October 2010

New Cruises from Spirt of Adventure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Discovery cruise ship Spirit of Adventure (above) has launched a new programme of exotic and intrepid itineraries for 2011, bringing passengers closer than ever before to the local cultures and traditions of many remote and unexplored destinations.

New to the schedule for next year are the United Arab Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah and the exotic islands of Madagascar, Réunion and Indonesia, as well as the fascinating coasts of east, west and southern Africa. MV Spirit of Adventure will also be spending Christmas and New Year in the warm waters of Australasia, visiting Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands.

As one of the leading cruise companies, the small, intimate size of the ship means she can reach unusual and lesser known cities, islands and ports, including ports where no other cruise ships have ventured before. To get the most out of the destinations en route, Spirit of Adventure creates insightful tailor-made excursions, included in the price of the cruise, and carefully selects a range of expert guest speakers to inspire and educate passengers.

Here is a sample of next year's fascinating offerings:

The Undiscovered Coast
Visiting the lesser-known ports along Africa’s west coast, passengers will get an insight into authentic village life, including a unique opportunity to meet with a chief priest in the small village of Sanguera in Togo and a ceremonial Voodoo dance.
(17 nights from £3524 per person, based on two sharing; departs February 1, 2011)

Into Indonesia
Spirit of Adventure ventures to virgin territory as she leaves the ports visited by larger cruise ships to explore Indonesia’s picturesque islands. Passengers will be welcomed to remote villages by local tribes where they can visit the beautiful natural sites and track down the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon.
(16 nights from £3,229 per person, based on two sharing; departs November 16, 2011)

To the Land of the Long White Cloud
For an unforgettable Christmas and New Year, customers can join this exciting voyage around the south coast of Australia and New Zealand, for the opportunity to visit incredible National Parks or join kayaking and jet boat excursions to see the most beautiful scenery.
(22 nights from £3924 per person, based on two sharing; departs December 15, 2011)

Red Sea Explorer
On an adventure off the well-trodden cruise path, passengers will visit the undiscovered ports of the Middle East as they sail from Dubai through to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, stopping to explore the picturesque villages of Salalah before calling at the rarely visited ports of Massawa, Eritrea, and Suakin, Sudan.
(16 nights from £2274 per person, based on two sharing; departs April 15, 2012)

All Spirit of Adventure cruises include a choice of tailor-made excursions, return scheduled or chartered economy flights, car parking at the departure port or airport, return transport, porterage, all visas, port taxes, all meals and on-board gratuities, a programme of lectures and presentations, welcome and farewell cocktail parties, entertainment and activities, plus table wines with lunch and dinner on selected cruises. What’s more, new passengers can take advantage of an introductory discount of up to £300 per person.

For further details, please visit http://www.spiritofadventure.co.uk/

You can also learn more about Spirit of Adventure offerings at The Cruise Show at Birmingham NEC on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia next March (26-27).

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

Fred Olsen's Caribbean Braemar Games!

By guest blogger Steve Newman

You can now join Fred Olsen's Braemar (above) for a unique 15-night Caribbean/Cuba cruise on December 9 this year.

Flying from London Gatwick or Manchester, the grand voyage begins in Bridgetown, Barbados, with ports of call at Willemstad (Curacao), Oranjestad (Aruba), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Havana (overnight), George Town (Grand Cayman) and Montego Bay (also Jamaica) for flight home.

Fred Olsen's 'Late Saver' fares are from just £1,141 per person, based on an inside twin bedded cabin, subject to availability, and includes charter flights, all food and entertainment on board, port and airport taxes, transfers and fuel supplement.

(Please note: cabin numbers are not confirmed until embarkation; Manchester flights have very limited availability)

This cruise also features Flagship Golf, an exclusive package designed for golfers who want to incorporate their favourite sport into a cruise holiday. This is available on all the company's ships in the fleet, and on a variety of cruises from the UK to destinations including the Mediterranean, Canaries and Baltic, and fly-cruises to the Caribbean.

There is an additional charge of £425 per person for Caribbean fly-cruises, and £375 per person for all other cruises.

You can also learn more about Fred Olsen's offerings at The Cruise Show at Birmingham NEC on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia next March (26-27). For more great deals on Fred Olsen's Caribbean cruises, check out top specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Tuesday, 5 October 2010

Amazing Middle East Offer

By guest blogger Steve Newman

You can now join Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas (above) next year on an eight-night Dubai fly/cruise from just £919 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

This terrific low price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers and a seven-night cruise departing Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and calling at Fujairah (United Arab Emirates), Muscat (Oman) and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) before returning to Dubai, with all meals, entertainment on board and all relevant cruise taxes/fees also included.

Price is based on February 28, 2011, departure.

You can also learn more about Royal Caribbean's offerings at The Cruise Show at Birmingham NEC on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia next March (26-27). For more great deals on Royal Carribean cruises, check out this link with top specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Monday, 4 October 2010

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Niche tall ship cruise operator Star Clippers operate three of the world’s most head-turning ships, the magnificent four-masted, 170-passenger Star Flyer and Star Clipper and the flagship, five-masted, 228-passenger Royal Clipper.

2010/2011 is an exciting time for Star Clippers, with many new destinations and itineraries including new sailing areas, new home ports, several maiden calls and some unique cruise-and-stay ideas.

For example, this November sees the Star Flyer embarking on an exciting series of tall-ship sailings in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua for the first time, exploring the bays and inlets of the Pacific coastline, with visits to lush rainforests and hidden lagoons. Prices are from £1,140 for a week’s cruise, including all meals on board, low-key evening entertainment and port charges, excluding flights.

Flyer will also make two spectacular transits of the Panama Canal, one at each end of the season, skimming the north coast of South America, visiting Cartagena (Colombia) and Margarita (Venezuela), as well as the southern Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao.

For more details, check out www.starclippers.co.uk

Are you going to the Cruise Show in Birmingham in October (16-17) or London in March (26-27)? You can learn more about Star Clippers - and the whole wide world of cruising!