SeaDream Presents Luxury Adventure for the Discerning Scuba Diver

Scuba Diving guests can experience some of the Caribbean’s best dive sites with SeaDream Yacht Club as their floating, five-star home. This December, two superb itineraries have been designed specifically for viewing colourful coral reefs and exotic sea life.

SeaDream I sails San Juan to St. Thomas, December 9 – 16 (7 nights); and SeaDream II sails St. Thomas to San Juan, Dec. 16 – 22 (6 nights). On both voyages, the first dive site is Culebra, located 27 km (17 miles) east of Puerto Rico. Culebra’s reefs are in excellent condition, abundant with marine life. The second dive site is Saba, the premiere dive spot in the Caribbean. This volcanic island warrants a two tank dive, it’s that good. Then, overnight in St. Barts visiting chic shops and a Marine Park flush with sea turtles, stingrays, barracudas and angelfish.

The final days of these two voyages are spent yachting the British Virgin Islands. Tortola is home to the “Wreck of the Rhone”, visited by National Geographic, BBC and The Travel Channel. Next, from Norman Island discover exciting reef-sites suitable for the newly qualified to the experienced diver. The last dive takes places off Virgin Gorda; a two tank dive around the coral reefs of Great Dog to the fish filled currents flowing around West Dog and Cockroach Islands and the remote wreck of the Chikuzen.

For more info and booking details,  check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Silver Explorer sails into 2013 at the bottom of the Earth

The luxury expedition ship Silver Explorer sails into 2013 at the bottom of the Earth, offering a series of cruises to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Spring and Summer are highlighted by adventures along the west coast of Africa, Western Europe, the British Isles, and Svalbard's frozen Arctic landscapes. First-ever expedition voyages in Canada's Hudson Bay highlight August. In September, Silver Explorer heads south to offer a series of Caribbean and Central America explorations before arriving in Ushuaia in November to conclude the year with Antarctic expeditions.

For more information or to book a Silversea cruise, call 0844 251 0833, or visit www.silversea.com. Terms and conditions apply.

Cabin Upgrades from Star Clippers

To celebrate National Cruise Week, which runs from September 20-25, 2010, tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is offering free cabin upgrades for all bookings made during that period.

Book any Star Clippers voyage to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Central America during National Cruise Week, or one of the longer ocean crossings, and the cabin paid for will be upgraded by one category (terms and conditions apply). For example, pay for a Category 3 cabin on Commodore Deck and stay in a Category 2 cabin, which has more space and superior fittings and is located on Clipper Deck. On one of Royal Clipper’s seven-night Caribbean cruises this winter, this represents a saving of £110 per person.

Better still, this cabin upgrade offer, if taken up during National Cruise Week, can be combined with existing Star Clippers early booking offers. These include 10% off any cruise in the 2011/2012 programme and a spectacular 20% discount on selected sailings for 2011 and 2012, as follows:

On Royal Clipper, the five-masted flagship of the fleet, special offers include departures in April and October, 2011 and certain sailings out of Barbados in December 2011 and January 2012. As an example, the April 30, 2011 cruise from Barcelona to Rome calls at Palma, Mallorca; Mahon, Menorca; Bonifacio and Calvi on the beautiful island of Corsica; and Portoferraio on Elba.

Special offers on the four-masted,170-passenger Star Clipper are valid for Mediterranean cruises in April, early May and October, as well as four Caribbean sailings from St Maarten in December 2011. Take advantage of a Mediterranean mini-cruise; a five-night short break from Athens to Malta departs October 8 and calls at Monemvasia and Pilos in Greece and historic Siracusa in Sicily.

The 20% saving on cruises operated by sister ship Star Flyer, meanwhile, applies to six Mediterranean cruises and five sailings out of Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica in 2011 and 2010. These fantastic Central American voyages call at the laid-back beach resort of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, as well as the national parks, scattered islands and sheltered bays of Costa Rica’s rich, rainforested coastline, with superb opportunities for diving, snorkelling and hiking.

For more information visit www.starclippers.co.uk

WINDSTAR CRUISES UNVEILS NEW 2012 COLLECTION OF LUXURY SAILINGS

Windstar Cruises, operator of a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts, has unveiled its new 2012 collection of luxury voyages in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Baltic, Italy, Mediterranean and Greek Isles.

Windstar’s new 2012 collection of luxury voyages visit enchanting destinations and provide unforgettable experiences at exceptional values. In addition to receiving the lowest introductory pricing in years, guests who book by 30th June 2011 will receive a $200 shipboard credit per cabin. Windstar’s Foremast Members receive an additional 5% discount on all itineraries.

Flavours of the Caribbean

Features a unique collection of islands highlighting diverse countries, styles, landscapes and cultures of the Caribbean. Seven-night sailings on Wind Surf round-trip from Philipsburg, St Maarten visit Le Marin, Martinique; Pigeon Island, St Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; Falmouth Harbour, Antigua; and Gustavia, St Barts. Departures on 31st December 2011; 14th and 28th January; 11th and 25th February; and 10th and 24th March. Cruise only prices from £1,577 per person.

Passage Through Panama

Natural and manmade wonders unite on an exotic voyage encompassing Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, islands of Panama and a transit through the Panama Canal. Seven-night sailings on Wind Star from Puerto Caldera to Colon visit Bahia Drake, Costa Rica; Golfito, Costa Rica; Isla de Coiba, Panama; Panama Canal Transit; and San Blas, Panama. Departures on 31st December 2011; 7th, 21st and 28th January; 11th February; and 24th March. Cruise only prices from £1,636 per person.

Treasures of Northern Europe

Discover six of Northern Europe’s most captivating countries. Eleven-night sailings on Wind Surf between Lisbon and Oslo visit Le Havre; Dover; Antwerp; and Amsterdam. Departures on 16th July and 26th August 2012. Cruise only prices from £2,376 per person.

 

Capitals of Scandinavia

Explore the capital cities of Scandinavia while sailing from sea to sea. Seven-night sailings on Wind Surf between Oslo and Stockholm visit Stromstad; Copenhagen; Rugen; and Bornholm. Departures on 27th July and 19th August 2012. Cruise only prices from £2,497 per person.

Best of the Baltic

East and West convergence of Baltic culture, architecture and history highlighted by an overnight in St Petersburg. Eight-night sailings on Wind Surf round-trip from Stockholm visit Mariehamn; St Petersburg (overnight); Helsinki; Tallinn; and Sandhamn. Departures on 3rd and 11th August 2012. Cruise only prices from £2,949 per person.

 

Islands of Italy

Experience classic Rome and the unspoiled, intimate islands popular with Italian locals. Seven-night sailings on Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf from Rome to Rome visit Ischia; Sorrento; Lipari; scenic cruising by Stromboli; Porto Cervo; and Porto Vecchio. Departures on 21st and 28th April; 4th August; and 6th October 2012. Cruise only prices from £1993 per person.

 

Classic Mediterranean

Discover the ancient wonders and modern lifestyles of classic Greek and Italian cities. Seven- and eight-night sailings on Wind Spirit and Wind Star between Rome and Athens visit Ischia; Sorrento; Lipari; Giardini Naxos; Gythion; and Monemvasia. Departures on 28th April; 7th July; 11th August; 27th October; and 3rd November 2012. Cruise only prices from £1,993 per person.

Greek Isles and the Mysteries of Malta

A true microcosm of the Mediterranean – Greek, Italian and Arabic and North African influences are artfully represented in the architecture, cuisine and culture of this journey. Seven-night sailings on Wind Spirit between Athens and Valletta visiting Gythion; Argostoli/Cephalonia; Butrint National Park, Albania; Siracusa; and Gozo. Departures on 30th June; 7th July; 11th and 18th August; and 20th and 27th October 2012. Cruise only prices from £2,427 per person.

 

Transatlantic Crossing

Sail across the Atlantic Ocean reconnecting, recharging and indulging in Windstar luxury on a 21-night journey on Wind Star from Colon, Panama to Hamilton, Bermuda and ending in Lisbon. Departure on 31st March 2012. Cruise only prices from £824 per person.

Windstar’s 2012 voyages are available to book now. For more information on Windstar’s 2012 itineraries, please visit call 020 7292 2369 or visit http://www.windstarcruises.co.uk/

Sails off St Lucia

It's freezing again in Northumberland so we're back to the Caribbean with the luxury cruise ship Royal Clipper. This is her off St Lucia as the sun starts to go down. Have lovely day.

Pelicans

Back to the Caribbean this morning. I walked about two hundred yards to get this picture on coral lumps and as you can see I slipped when I took it. Hence the reason the sea is sloping! Have a great day

Deck Jacuzzi

This the deck of Royal Clipper somewhere in the Caribbean. Just thought I'd put it on to cheer me up as the winter gloom sets in! Have a great day and enjoy yourself!