Tuesday, 15 October 2013

CroisiEurope’s three new hotel barges for 2014 w



Following the successful launch of CroisiEurope’s first hotel barge, the 11-berth MS La Jeanine, the French river cruise company has announced details of three new hotel barges for 2014 which will operate on four new routes through the Burgundy, Provence and Champagne regions as well as on the Canal Saint-Martin through Paris.

For couples, families or groups of friends, travelling by hotel barge is an ideal way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and the French waterways offer some of the most splendid views and flavours in the continent. The CroisiEurope cruises offer one of the most spectacular ways to relax, unwind and discover the breath-taking French countryside, while enjoying delicious food and fine wine.

The brand new custom designed hotel barges – the Anne-Marie, Raymonde and Madeleine – will be equipped to provide maximum comfort. The barges, which will be fully air-conditioned, will each have twelve outward facing cabins with windows or portholes and private bathrooms, a spacious lounge and dining room and a fleet of bicycles for the use of the guests, who are looked after by a team of five highly-qualified and experienced crew. 

The four new itineraries are as follows:

PROVENCE

The seven-day cruise on the Anne-Marie starts in Avignon and visits Beaucaire, Arles, Saint-Gilles, Aiques-Mortes and Palavas-Les Flots before finishing in Sète. There are three departures in 2014 – 26th May, 7th July and 15th September – with prices from £1,690 per person including accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals and at the bar (excluding Champagne, special wines and fine brandies), onboard entertainment, excursions, use of onboard bicyles and port taxes.

CHAMPAGNE

The seven-day cruise on the Raymonde starts in Chalons-en-Champagne and visits Epernay, Dormans, Château-Thierry, La Ferte-sous-Jouarre, Meaux and Nogent-sur-Marne before finishing in Paris. There are three departures in 2014 – 12th June, 10th July and 4th September – with prices from £1,665 per person including accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals and at the bar (excluding Champagne, special wines and fine brandies), onboard entertainment, excursions, use of onboard bicyles and port taxes.

PARIS

The four-day cruise on the Jeanine starts and finishes in Paris. There are five departures in 2014 – 17th March, 29th September, 13th October, 10th November and 11th December – with prices from £545 per person including accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals and at the bar (excluding Champagne, special wines and fine brandies), onboard entertainment, excursions, use of onboard bicyles and port taxes.

BURGUNDY

The seven-day cruise on the Jeanine starts in Saint-Leger-Sur-Dheune and visits Santenay, Chagny, Charlon-sur-Saone, Saint-Jean-de-Losne and Petit-Ouges  before finishing in Dijon. There are four departures in 2014 – 30th May, 27th June, 25th July and 3rd October – with prices from £1,620 per person including accommodation in an outside cabin with all onboard meals, drinks with meals and at the bar (excluding Champagne, special wines and fine brandies), onboard entertainment, excursions, use of onboard bicyles and port taxes.

For reservations and further information call CroisiEurope on 020 8328 1281 or visit www.croisieurope.travel

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? They 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 their free prize draw offer. See this link!


Monday, 14 October 2013

What's New For 2014 On The World's Most Spectacular Tall Ship Cruises


  

 
Tall ship cruise specialist Star Clippers has announced new ports, new destinations and new itineraries for 2014 on board the line’s three head-turning sailing ships, Star Clipper, Star Flyer and Royal Clipper, including a maiden season in Cuba, a sailing taking in the Monaco Grand Prix, new sailings from Mallorca and new port calls in Porto, Formentera and Corsica.
In February 2014Star Flyer will operate a maiden season in Cuba, returning to the island for second season from November 2013.
In May 2014, Grand Prix fans will be able to access the atmosphere of the most prestigious race of the F1 season in Monte Carlo, when guests on Star Flyer will be in pole position in the harbour.
Summer 2014 sees Star Clippers sailing a season from Palma de Mallorca for the first time, while new ports of call for the Mediterranean season include Porto and the Scandolo Nature Reserve in Corsica, and La Sabina in Formentera.
Another brand new itinerary has been introduced for the 2014-15 Caribbean season; Royal Clipper will operate a completely new cruise in March 2015, spending a leisurely two weeks sailing the southern Caribbean and skimming the coast of South America on a one-off voyage to Venezuela and the Dutch Caribbean.
In addition to new destinations and routes, there is more variation in length of cruise than ever before, from a three-night taster from Venice in September to a 21-night transatlantic crossing on Royal Clipper from Barbados to Rome.
Highlights for 2014 include:
·         NEW destination – Cuba - on Star Flyer for February 2014
·         NEW Caribbean itineraries from Panama to Cuba and Cuba to St Maarten in 2014
·         NEW Itinerary taking in the Monaco Grand Prix in May 2014
·         NEW departure port for summer 2014 – Palma de Mallorca
·         NEW sailing area in Corsica for 2014, visiting the remote Scandola Nature Reserve
·         NEW ports of call in Venezuela and the Caribbean in 2015
·         Up to 20% early booking discount on certain itineraries
·         5% discount for Star Clippers repeat passengers
Maiden Cuba season for Star Flyer
The 170-passenger Star Flyer will sail to Cuba for the first time in February 2014, offering a series of seven-night itineraries out of the historic southern port of Cienfuegos, calling at some of Cuba’s most beautiful beaches and anchorages, as well as the Cayman Islands. From November 2014, the ship will return to Cuba offering cruises from five to seven nights. There will be options to extend each cruise in Havana, the island’s capital.
·         From £870 (plus £90 port charges) per person for a five-night taster cruise from Cienfuegos, departing December 2, 2014 (excluding flights)

·         This exciting new season for Star Flyer commences with a 14-night repositioning voyage from Balboa, Panama, to Cuba – a unique opportunity to enjoy a Panama Canal transit, two calls in Colombia and a visit to the Cayman Islands. From £2,440 (plus £285 port charges) per person, excluding flights, departing February 2, 2014.
New mini-cruises in the Mediterranean
Royal Clipper will sail three short ‘taster’ cruises in 2014, out of Venice (three nights), Rome (four nights) and Malaga (five nights). The Venice cruise calls at Rovinj in Croatia and Piran in Slovenia. The Malaga itinerary visits the Balearic Islands and the Rome departure calls at ports in Corsica and Sardinia. Star Clipper will also offer a five-night voyage from Athens to Valletta, via ports in Greece and Sicily.
·         From £630 (plus £65 port charges) for a three-night cruise round-trip from Venice, departing September 3, 2014 (excluding flights).
See the Monaco Grand Prix from Star Flyer
Star Flyer will sail a one-off Monaco Grand Prix cruise as part of a series of voyages from Monaco and Cannes. The ship will spend the day of the Grand Prix in the harbour at glamorous Monte Carlo, near the heart of the action, before sailing to Corsica and ports along the French Riviera. Many of the Monaco and Cannes departures visit the Scandola Nature Reserve on Corsica, a new call for Star Clippers, cruising an area known for its dramatic rock formations and bird life, including sea eagles.

·         From £1,380 (plus £155 port charges) per person, departing May 24, 2014 (excluding flights and Grand Prix tickets).

New cruises from Palma de Mallorca
Star Flyer will operate a series of seven-night voyages from the yachting paradise of Palma de Mallorca, cruising the Balearic islands (a favourite sailing spot of the King of Spain) and calling at anchorages only accessible to small ships, including the sleepy but beautiful islands of Formentera and lively Puerto Pollença on Mallorca.

·         From £1,315 per person (plus £155 port charges) for departures in July and August, 2014 (excluding flights).

For 2015: New Caribbean itinerary for Royal Clipper
Royal Clipper will spend winter 2014/15 operating her usual enticing Windward Isles and Grenadines itineraries out of Barbados but a new, exciting cruise has been added, circling the entire southern Caribbean. Departing Barbados, the 14-night voyage calls at four ports in Venezuela (the coast of which is scattered with beautiful, unspoiled islands); the ‘ABC’ islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao in the Dutch Caribbean; and the Grenadines and St Lucia.
·         From £2,660 (plus £250 port charges) per person, departing March 28, 2015 (excluding flights).
Eastern and Western Mediterranean and Caribbean
Many popular itineraries are continued for summer 2014, not least Star Clipper’s series of sailings from Athens to various Greek islands and Turkish ports, as well as longer, 11 and 12-night Western Mediterranean itineraries on Royal Clipper, sailing between Venice and Rome. Winter 2014/15 sees all three ships sailing the Caribbean, with a choice of departures from Barbados, St Maarten or ports in Costa Rica and Cuba.
Early booking discounts of up to 20% are available on winter bookings made before April 30, 2014 and summer bookings made before January 31, 2014.

The 2014-15 season is featured in a new preview brochure. To book or for a copy, tel. 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.

Contacts:
Star Clippers reservations: 0845 200 6145
e-mail star.clippers@fredolsentravel.co.uk


Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? They 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 their free prize draw offer. See this link!



Sunday, 13 October 2013

Celebrate the 100-Year Anniversary of the Panama Canal with a Daylight Transit and Exclusive Tour


Zegrahm Offers Small-Ship Expedition Cruise to Five Central American Countries during Panama Canal Centennial Year

Zegrahm Expeditions, the world leader in small-ship cruising and overland adventures, is pleased to present its 15-day Rain Forests & Reefs expedition, departing February 7, 2014. At the crossroads of two continents, this expedition reveals the wonders of five countries, including Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama and is ideally timed during the centennial year of the Panama Canal.

A particular highlight in Panama will be the opportunity for travelers to not only complete a daylight transit of the Panama Canal, but also be treated to a VIP tour of the five billion dollar Panama Canal expansion project that began a decade ago and is scheduled to be completed in 2015. Travelers will go behind the scenes at the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center near the Gatun Locks on the Caribbean Sea. Here, travelers can observe the four billion cubic meters of structural concrete that is being poured into the ditches that comprise the new set of locks from a vantage point rarely visited by the public, plus will have the opportunity to meet with one of the authorities currently working on the expansion project.

Additional highlights of Zegrahm’s time in Central America include searching for Central America’s incredible diversity of wildlife during Zodiac cruises and nature walks—over 750 species of birds have been recorded in Costa Rica alone; meeting the Kuna Indians of San Blas and the Emberá Indians of the Darién who proudly preserve their cultural heritage; experiencing world-class snorkeling from Belize’s Half Moon Caye to one of the world’s largest marine parks in Coiba, Panama; and stepping ashore on seldom-visited Isla de Providencia, Colombia—its long history includes tales of colonization, conquest, and buried treasure.


This expedition is aboard the all-suite, 100-guest Island Sky and is priced from $11,980 per person. For more information about Zegrahm or to make a reservation on an upcoming expedition, please visit www.zegrahm.com or call 1-800-628-8747.