Back In Time With Fred. Olsen's Antiques-Themed Cruise

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering a special antiques-themed cruise in autumn 2013, through its acclaimed onboard enrichment programme, Vistas. This 14-night ‘The Art of the Mediterranean’ cruise aboard Balmoral departs from Southampton on September 27 and will be accompanied by Lars Tharp (above), the Danish-born historian, lecturer and broadcaster, as the onboard antiques expert.

Lars is one of the longest-standing experts on the ‘Antiques Roadshow’ and this enticing Mediterranean cruise calls first at Malaga, the wonderfully warm and inviting capital of the Costa del Sol. Balmoral then continues to Palamos, a historic Spanish fishing village which dates back to the 12^th Century, and Ajaccio on the exotic island of Corsica, overflowing with reminders of its most famous resident, Napoleon. 

The cruise goes on to visit Mahon (Menorca), famous for its Xoriguer Gin Distillery, and Cartagena, an important port for over 2,000 years, before reaching Portugal’s lively capital, Lisbon. Here, guests can take in the delightful mix of palaces, churches, Art Nouveau cafés, museums and splendid bridges. Balmoral will then have a relaxing day at sea before returning to Southampton on October 11.

Prices for this cruise start from £1,459 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded ‘Inside’ cabin, Grade ‘I’, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, plus port taxes. Guests can join Lars’ fascinating talks free of charge. 

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

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Get Ready for National Cruise Week

It's National Cruise Week later this month (next week, in fact; September 15-23) and the first offers are starting to roll in, in advance of the UK's big annual cruise-selling bonanza. Take this one, for example:

Head to the home of the world famous school of ballet in St Petersburg, take in the tranquil beauty of the Caribbean islands or embark on the ultimate pampering holiday - celebrate National Cruise Week with a number of special offers from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

Royal Caribbean

To Russia with love: Explore northern Europe taking in the spectacular Scandinavian landscapes and enjoy an overnight in St Petersburg to experience the nightlife in the Russian capital. Join Brilliance of the Seas on a 12-night Scandinavia and Russia cruise-only sailing May 27, 2013, from just £1,849 per person.

This price includes free regional flights, coach or car parking, an upgrade to a balcony stateroom and $100 on board credit in celebration of National Cruise Week. The cruise departs Harwich and calls at Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn and Gothenburg before returning to Harwich and includes meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd.

Celebrity Cruises

Springtime sunshine: Join Celebrity Equinox on a 12-night Venice fly/cruise on April 30, 2013, from just £1,649 per person, sailing from Barcelona and calling at Villefranche (for Nice), Livorno (for Florence), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik before returning to Barcelona. 

The price includes £49 regional flights, coach or car parking, an upgrade to a balcony stateroom and $100 on board credit in celebration of National Cruise Week, plus all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. 

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

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Impressions Of China & The Yangtze

If you have ever considered a trip to China, in luxury style and with everything included, there is a terrific new option in the 'Impressions of China & The Yangtze' cruise-tour being offered by Uniworld Cruises and Titan Travel.

Just to start with, there are an amazing selection of excursions included, such as The Great Wall of China, Shibao Pagoda, the Forbidden City and many more. Flying in to Shanghai, guests stay here for two nights before flying out to Yichang to board the new luxury vessel Century Legend.  

Guests will then enjoy a different perspective of China whilst cruising along the Yangtze for the next four days, with the amazing rock formations of the Lesser Gorges and the ancient pagoda of Shibao carved into the cliffs towering above you. A host of cultural classes and events, including tai chi, folk dance, Chinese calligraphy, opera performances and more, are also provided throughout the cruise.

The last two nights are in Beijing, with excursions to The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Included in the package are:

·        Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service.

·        2 nights in a Shanghai hotel, the 4-night cruise, 3 nights at a Beijing hotel and 1 night in-flight (ship and hotels as specified or similar).

·        Scheduled British Airways or another leading airline direct flights.

·        Meals: Breakfast on Days 3-11, Lunch on Days 3, 5-7, 9-10, Dinners on Days 4-10.

·        A selection of included shore excursions

·        Captain's Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner.

Prices are from £3,199 per person, based on two people sharing. 

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

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Moorish Bargain From Holland America

Holland America Line is offering a five-star nine-night ‘Moorish Empires’ cruise from just £349 per person this autumn. 

Departing from Civitavecchia (Rome) on October 7, guests will enjoy nine nights’ full board accommodation on board flagship MS Rotterdam, combining Mediterranean sunshine with exciting cities on this voyage through Southern Europe. 

Guests have the chance to explore the delights of Rome before discovering the magical architecture and sumptuous food in the Catalan capital of Barcelona. The cruise then sails to vibrant Valencia, home to Spain’s best paella and Santiago Calatrava’s famous City of Arts and Sciences. 

Rotterdam then sets sail again and guests will be treated to the fascinating history of Cartagena, before stopping in Gibraltar and Portugal’s jewel in the crown, Lisbon (above). The cruise ends in Rotterdam on October 16.

This £349 per person cruise-only offer is based on two people sharing an inside stateroom and includes nine nights’ full board accommodation. Upgrades to an ocean view stateroom start from £50 per person and fly/cruise prices start from £849 per person. 

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

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Celebrate At Sea With Fred Olsen

Many guests on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ worldwide cruises have something to celebrate, and a cruise is the perfect way to mark a birthday, an anniversary, or perhaps a retirement. Mindful of these many special occasions, Fred. Olsen offers a choice of packages for guests with something extra to celebrate.

Special add-ons include:

Birthday Celebration package

Champagne breakfast for two in their cabin, a celebration cake at dinner, a birthday gift, card and a souvenir photograph, priced from £65 per package.

Wedding Anniversary Celebration package

Flowers or chocolates in the cabin upon arrival, champagne and canapés on the special day, plus a gift and a celebration cake, priced from £90 per couple.

Retirement package

Champagne, canapés, a congratulatory card and celebratory cake, priced from £45 per person.

Welcome Aboard package

This special add-on includes a floral bouquet upon arrival on board, sparkling wine and canapés, hand-made chocolates and a fruit basket, priced from £60 per package.

Spa package

To enhance the cruise experience further, why not take the opportunity to treat yourself and indulge in a luxurious spa treatment? There are two packages on offer, one for women and the other for men. At just £50 each, guests will save £29 on the combined cost of all the therapies included. 

This year in particular, all Fred. Olsen guests have something to celebrate with the new ‘all-inclusive’ upgrade. If guests book by September 30 for all departures on or after April 6, and featured in its current ‘2013/14 Worldwide Cruises’ brochure (excluding the 2014 Balmoral and Black Watch ‘Grand Voyages’ and their sectors, and full-charter Boudicca cruise), they will automatically qualify for a free upgrade to an ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package, including beers, wine, spirits and soft drinks. 

This deal will be added to all applicable bookings retrospectively, but future guests will need to be quick to secure their place, as this offer is limited to the first 100 bookings per sailing taken between now and the end of September.  

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

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Zegrahm's Wild Central & North America

Small-ship adventure-cruise specialist Zegrahm Expeditions is offering two unique wildlife excursions in 2013 that feature amazing biodiversity in North and Central America, with an abundance of wildlife and a chance examine the long and significant human history of the regions visited.

The Wild Alaska itinerary focuses on the rich marine and wildlife habitats of the North Pacific, while the Rain Forests & Reefs itinerary explores Central America and offers a tremendous variety of flora and fauna, exceptional birding and many opportunities for terrific snorkelling.

Zegrahm President Jon Nicholson explained: “Our expeditions allow travellers to have up-close interactions with wildlife that inhabit some of the most remote coves, forests, and marine geological formations. In addition to the many wildlife excursions, we also provide many opportunities to learn about the history and people of the places we visit.”

The 15-day Wild Alaska journey allows guests to take full advantage of the long hours of mid-summer to trace pristine shores, cross the Arctic Circle and step ashore and back into history on both American and Russian lands. Travellers will enjoy numerous Zodiac excursions, negotiating sea cliffs and sculpted basalt formations for up-close sightings of nesting seabirds. 

 

In addition, there are excellent opportunities to view and photograph the region’s iconic wildlife, including brown bears, fur seals, walrus and Arctic foxes. This expedition departs July 11 and is priced from $11,980 per person.

At the crossroads of two continents, the 15-day Rain Forests & Reefs expedition reveals the wonders of five countries, including Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama. 

 

Travellers will have numerous opportunities to snorkel and dive over colourful reefs teeming with tropical fish, as well as discover an abundance of birds and wildlife during nature walks and Zodiac cruises, particularly during the journey through Costa Rica. This expedition departs March 8 and is priced from $11,980 per person.

 

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

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New All-In-One Brochure for 'Un-Cruise Adventures'

Travellers seeking Un-Cruise Adventures may now reach for one brochure detailing InnerSea Discoveries’ Active Adventures and American Safari Cruises’ Luxury and Heritage Adventures.  

The new 72-pager details Un-Cruise Adventures in south-east Alaska, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, the Hawaiian Islands, Columbia and Snake Rivers, coastal Washington and British Columbia. Three styles of adventure cruises are available on four yachts and three expedition vessels carrying from 22 to 88 guests. The brochure covers adventures from November 2012 through to April 2014.

Active Adventures

Active Adventure cruises focus on adventure activities outside such as trekking, kayaking, paddle-boarding and skiff excursions. Activity levels vary from shore walks to all-day hikes or kayaking excursions. Offered at a moderate price point, meals and activities are included. Massage, alcohol and port fees/taxes are extra.

Three expedition vessels, the 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer and 76-guest Wilderness Explorer and Wilderness Discoverer, sail active adventure cruises in from May to September. Explorer will sail its first season in Hawaii beginning November 2013.

Luxury Adventures

Luxury Adventure cruises are more inclusive and combine soft adventure activities with extra amenities and comforts on board. Voyages in five un-cruise destinations include all meals; premium spirits, wines and microbrews; activities and port fees/taxes; a massage Safari Explorer and Endeavour.

Three yachts, the 22-guest Safari Quest, 36-guest Safari Explorer and 86-guest Safari Endeavour, offer luxury adventure cruises. All three sail in Alaska from May to September, while Endeavour sails in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés from November-April, Explorer sails in the Hawaiian Islands, and Quest sails a coastal Washington and British Columbia itinerary in spring and autumn.

Heritage Adventures

History is brought to life on board and ashore on a Heritage Adventure cruise. Guest presenters, character reenactments and shore tours highlight history along the way and onboard Legacy Leaders guide the journey. 

The Safari Legacy joins the fleet in mid-August 2013 for two 11-night Gold Rush Legacy cruises in south-east Alaska. In autumn and spring, the ship sails week-long Legacy of Discovery cruises along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Cruise fare includes all meals; premium brand spirits, fine wines and microbrews; activities; one massage and port fees/taxes.

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