Travel Bulletin Cruising Supplement 2014

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All About

Cruising July 2014

Your one-stop guide to all the latest news and developments in Cruising

Produced by

www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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All About

CRUISING I

f I had to describe the UK cruise market at the moment, it would be with just one word - “Up”! As we head into the summer, there’s a huge amount of good news about cruise. The latest figures show that 2013 was another record year for the UK cruise market, with 1.72 million Britons choosing to take an ocean cruise – 25,000 more than the previous year – with the UK keeping its crown as Europe’s number-one market.

The number of passengers starting their cruises here in the UK continues to grow strongly, passing the one million mark for the first time. And that growth is set to continue as cruiselines invest in more ships dedicated to the UK market. Next spring will see the arrival of two new ships – P&O Cruises’ Britannia and Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas which will both be based in Southampton.

It’s not just ocean cruises that are growing in popularity, river cruises are too, with passenger numbers up almost a quarter. More than 20 new river ships are being launched this year and that’s on top of the 27 that were introduced over the past two years.

With the summer holidays fast approaching, many families are looking for good value, hassle-free holidays that fit around the key term periods. For families, a cruise holiday provides the perfect respite with everything taken care of the moment you step on board. With a huge choice of dedicated children’s facilities on board most ships, parents can relax and unwind while their children are entertained.

The increasing popularity of cruise holidays also makes them a great opportunity for agents and at CLIA, we run a wide range of training programmes for agent members to help them stay up to date with this fast moving industry. In addition to our e-learning programme, we are also running a number of events to enable agents to experience and learn more about cruise holidays.

In the coming months, we’ll be holding a series of events starting with the Luxury Cruise Expo in Dover from August 30-31, focusing on luxury cruising. Three ships will be available to visit including Crystal Symphony, Holland America Line’s Ryndam and SeaDream Yacht Club’s SeaDream 1, with each vessel offering a different style of cruising and experience.

This is followed by CLIA Cruise Week taking place from 27 September-5 October, which brings together agents, cruiselines and travellers to celebrate the many benefits of cruise holidays.

On 16 November we have the fourth annual River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam, where agents can visit river vessels from Uniworld, A-Rosa, Amadeus River Cruises, AmaWaterways and Tauck.

Hope to see you there.

Andy Harmer, director of CLIA UK & Ireland To become a CLIA partner agent, please visit www.cruisexperts.org

CONTENTS New ships - 4

River cruises - 5

Family cruises - 11

On-board entertainment - 15

Best of British - 20

Round-up - 22

Published by Lower Ground Floor, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX Tel: 020-7834 6661 Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe Written and researched by: Angela Cronin Email: angelacronin2003@yahoo.co.uk Design/Layout: Lee Telot & Nicky Valsamakis Printed by: Bishops Cover Picture: iStock ISSN: 0956-2419

3 All About Cruising

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NEWSHIPS

FROM CLASSIC TO FUTURISTIC With growth in the cruise market showing no signs of slowing down, cruiselines are looking to the future with plans for new ships of all shapes and sizes

Royal Caribbean’s new ship Quantum of the Seas under construction at Meyer Werft dockyard in Papenburg, Germany

MSC Cruises The Italian cruiseline has unveiled plans to strengthen its fleet of ships with four new vessels being built before the end of 2019.

The ships will carry up to 5,300 passengers each and feature enhanced entertainment options and extended waterparks, specially designed family cabins, an extended MSC Yacht Club and sea-level promenades with outdoor spaces, shops and restaurants.

P&O Cruises P&O Cruises is poised to welcome the arrival of its newest ship Britannia in March next year.

The ship will carry 3,600 passengers, making it the biggest ship built by a British cruiseline and will have a big focus on dining with 13 restaurants.

UK, home porting from Southampton for the 2015 season.

Signature entertainment for Quantum and Anthem include: SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea; RipCord by iFly, the first skydiving experience at sea; Two70°, a stage for a futuristic approach to entertainment.

Holland America Line Cruise and Maritime Voyages CMV is expanding its fleet next year with the launch of the 550-passenger classic cruise ship Azores.

Azores will replace Discovery as CMV’s second ex-UK cruise vessel operating alongside Marco Polo. It will operate year-round sailings, and its inaugural voyage will leave Bristol Avonmouth on 26 January 2015 with a 30-night maiden voyage to the West Indies. Azores will also be sailing from Hull and London Tilbury.

Royal Caribbean International The US cruise giant is poised to welcome its latest ship Quantum of the Seas, which sets sail on its inaugural voyage from Southampton on 31 October 2014.

The ship, which will carry 4,905 guests, and will be sister ship to Anthem of the Seas, which will be based in the

larger suites. As a result, Le Lyrial will have 122 staterooms and suites compared to the 132 on Le Boreal, L’Austral and Le Soleal. Le Lyrial will be cruising round the Mediterranean for her inaugural season before heading to the icy shores of Antarctica.

Compagnie du Ponant The luxury French yacht cruiseline specialist is adding to its three-strong fleet with the introduction of Le Lyrial next spring.

Le Lyrial, sister ship to Le Boreal, L’Austral and Le Soleal, will have a redesigned deck six to accommodate

Carnival Corporation has announced plans to launch a HAL ship, scheduled for delivery in February 2016.

The new ship will accommodate 2,660 guests and will be the first in a new Pinnacle class of vessels.

The ship will be consistent with HAL’s five-star brand and will have new culinary and entertainment venues.

Viking Ocean Cruises The cruiseline has unveiled plans to push ahead with its plans to expand its ocean cruise operation with the launch of two additional ocean ships, bringing the total number of ships in its new fleet to three.

Viking Sea and Viking Sky will both debut in 2016 and will join the 930passenger Viking Star, which is currently under construction and will set sail in early 2015.

4 All About Cruising

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RIVERCRUISES

THE ONE TO WATCH With 24 new ships launching this year, everyone is mad about river cruises

R

iver cruises are, without question, the success story of the cruise industry in recent years.

There has been a 22% increase in the number of UK passengers taking a European river holiday in 2013, a rise of nearly 50% since 2010.

A lot of this growth can be attributed to ocean-loving cruisers looking to try something different and have been enticed to try river cruising by the investment in new ships. This has helped to bring the standard of accommodation, entertainment and service closer to the levels cruisers have come to expect from their ocean voyage experiences.

Since 2012, 27 new ships have been rolled out on to European waterways, with 24 more due this year. The new ships are larger, have a number of dining places, spas and lots more cabins with balconies.

But it’s not all about European river cruises. The global opportunities are vast these days, with cruise operators offering voyages down the Amazon, along the Mekong and even the backwaters of Burma. And, of course, there’s always a plethora of much-loved Nile cruises to choose from.

We catch up with the experts to find out which times of year are best suited to visit certain rivers around the world

Spring The cruise: the eight-day Blue Danube – Vienna, Budapest and Salzburg cruise from Riviera Travel.

Where does it go? Cruising the Danube is one of those boxes on the bucket list that has to be ticked. This cruise from Riviera Travel starts off in beautiful Budapest and heads north to the historic town of Esztergom, which was once the capital of Hungary, before continuing west to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The voyage then passes

Fred.\ River Cruises is offering 40% off its autumn cruises down the Danube ption

through Lower Austria to the town of Durnstein for a visit to the monastery in Melk. The cruise stops off at Linz for an excursion to Salzburg where passengers get to visit the residence of Mozart.

The cruise then heads back eastwards to Vienna, home of Strauss, before finally arriving back in Budapest.

Why should I do this cruise in spring?

May is the perfect time to visit as the weather is good, but the summerholiday crowds have yet to descend on the beautiful towns and cities that populate the banks of the Danube.

How much? Prices for the eight-day cruise lead in at £1,099 with selected departures in May. The price includes

full-board accommodation, excursions, flights and the services of an experienced cruise manager.

To book: www.rivieratravel.co.uk

Summer The cruise: an eight-day cruise on board Cattleya, a new, intimate luxury yacht with just four suites which sails out of Iquitos in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon.

Where does it go? From Iquitos, Cattleya travels down the Amazon and the Rio Marañon into the PacayaSamiria Reserve – the largest national park in Peru and home to freshwater grey and Amazon pink river dolphins,

5 All About Cruising

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RIVERCRUISES caimans and a huge variety of birdlife.

Guests get to explore side channels and creeks that feed off the Amazon and take short walks through the jungle to see more wildlife including monkeys, sloths, iguanas and giant capybara guinea-pigs.

Why should I do this cruise in summer?

There are regular departures from June through to December, and the best time to visit is summer when the humidity levels are low.

How much? RealWorld Holidays offers a package including an eight-day cruise

AmaWaterways’ new ship AmaSerena, which launches next spring, will be sister ship to AmaCerto (above)

on Cattleya, plus internal flights, hotel accommodation in Lima and private transfers from £3,695 per person.

To book: www.realworldholidays.co.uk/ peru/

Autumn The cruise: Fred.\ River Cruises has an eight-day cruise on Mozart river cruise ship that sails along the River Danube through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. Lawrence Peachey, head of sales at Fred.\ River Cruises, says Mozart is a popular ship as it has flexible accommodation with cabins for one, two or three people. There is also a heated swimming pool with spa, as well as features such as an ocean-style atrium and lobby. Certain cabins are also equipped for people who require kidney dialysis.

Where does it go? This eight-day voyage takes passengers from Passau to Budapest via Krems and Esztergom, and then on to Bratislava, Vienna and Melk before returning to Passau. Shore

THE DELUXE RIVER CRUISE COMPANY

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We offer the unique combination of amazing river cruises, exceptional value for money and backed-up with the support of a trade-friendly team.

Brochure hotline: 0161 233 1988 or visit www.emeraldwaterways.co.uk Terms and Conditions: Price is per person based on two people sharing a Cat. E Stateroom and are subject to availability and include the £500 per person saving.

Supplements apply for upgraded accommodation. The £500 per person saving is for new bookings only on any 2015 river cruise made by 29th August 2014. Prices and offers are correct at time of going to print (June 2014) and are subject to flight and cruise availability at the time of booking and may change. For full itineraries and booking conditions, please see our 2015 river cruise brochure or visit www.emeraldwaterways.co.uk.

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RIVERCRUISES excursions include bus and walking tours of the major cities and visits to the picturesque towns of Esztergom, Visegrad and Szentendre along the Danube.

Why should I do this cruise in autumn?

The change of the seasons make cruising the Danube a spectacular sight. Peachey also says: “Mozart river cruise is a really good transitional product for agents who have cruising clients looking for a river cruise with the same standards found on an ocean cruise.”

How much? Fred.\ River Cruises is offering up to 40% off this cruise with prices from £1,224 per person on departures of 18 and 25 September and 9 October. The price includes seven nights’ full board, flights and transfers.

To book: www.fredrivercruises.co.uk The cruise: 10-night Golden Treasures of Myanmar cruise on board AmaWaterways’ new ship AmaPura, which will operate a

Winter

new river cruise programme on Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady River from November.

Where does it go? The cruise starts in Yangon and sets sail down the Ayeyarwady River taking in a number of the centuries-old sights along the way, including the massive temple complex of Bagan, the Golden City of Mandalay, the mighty Myathalun Pagoda, Mount Thantkyi and Mount Popa and U Bein Bridge in Amarapura.

The cruise will tap into the culture and historic treasures of Burma that have been hidden from the world for so many years.

How much? The Golden Treasures of Myanmar itinerary costs from £3,435 per person, for bookings made by 31 July 2014, including two nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Yangon, transfers to and from the ship, 10 nights on board the ship, all tours and all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with meals.

The cruise: a seven-night Nile cruise with Red Sea Holidays.

Where does it go? The voyage on board Grand Rose sails down the Nile and includes visits to historical sights such as the Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple complex, the Colossi of Mamnon, The Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, Medinet Habu, Temple of Sobek, Temples of Philae, Aswan High Dam and the unfinished obelisk.

Why should I do this cruise in winter?

The temperatures are cooler in the winter so it makes visiting all the mustsee Egyptian sights a lot easier.

How much? Red Sea Holidays’ sevennight, all-inclusive Nile Cruises start at £459 per person and includes transfers and scheduled EgyptAir flights.

To book: www.redseaholidays.co.uk The cruise: winter cruises in Europe are all about visiting the traditional Christmas Markets in the region, and for

Europe’s Finest River Cruises

Rhine Danube Moselle Main Elbe Rhône Seine Douro

5 days from £669 per person 8 days from £1,099 per person 14 days from £1,549 per person Selected departures up to November 2014 and April to November 2015

z Modern luxurious ships z Award winning service z Full board throughout z Unrivalled quality z Transport by Eurostar or Air* to price ratio z Excursions included z No surcharge z Riviera Travel on board team guarantee

T

here are many vessels cruising European rivers but few ships can match the luxury and elegance of our selection of four-star superior and five-star vessels including the five-star William Shakespeare, Lord Byron and brand new Jane Austen, all boasting superb cuisine and the most comfortable surroundings possible. We offer a choice of eleven beautiful and fascinating cruises visiting some wonderful sights such as Cologne, the Douro Valley, Trier, Basel, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Lucerne, Budapest, Vienna, Berlin, Dresden, Amsterdam, Arles, Avignon, Bruges, Paris or Rouen. See vineyards, monasteries, medieval towns, breath-taking Alsace and the Black Forest and absorb yourself in the history of the Hapsburgs.

For information on selling Riviera Travel holidays contact the Agency Sales Team Call: 01283 744307 or Email: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk Reservations now open Saturdays 9am-2pm for Travel Agents 01283 744370 For bulk brochure supplies please visit www.trade-gate.co.uk Terms & Conditions. Holidays organised by Riviera Travel, ABTA V4744 and ATOL 3430 protected. Price based on two people sharing a twin cabin. *Supplement may apply for certain regional stations/airports. Single rooms and optional insurance available at a supplement. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel.

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RIVERCRUISES

The pool on board Emerald Waterways river cruisers

this festive season, Emerald Waterways has a 15-day Amsterdam to Budapest Christmas extravaganza.

Where does it go? For those who really love Christmas, then this cruise is perfect for them as it visits Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenburg, Wetheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremburg, Passau, Vienna and Bratislava. Every village, town and city celebrates will be celebrating Christmas with a festival of sights, sounds and amazing

Christmas markets. From the lively Leidseplein Square in Amsterdam, with its open-air performances, outdoor ice rink and market stalls, to more than 25 different Christmas market places in Vienna, this is the cruise for those who count the days down until Christmas.

Why should I do this cruise in winter?

This cruise is great for buying unique Christmas gifts and is the perfect voyage for those who love Christmas

European style.

How much? The original price was £2,495 but if you encourage your clients to book before 31 July, the 15day voyage will cost them £1,495. The price includes flights, transfers, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks to accompany lunch and dinner, shore excursions and free wifi. The tour departs on 29 November.

To book: www.emerald waterways.co.uk

News in Brief AmaWaterways will be launching the 164-passenger AmaSerena next spring.

The new ship, which is sister ship to AmaSonata, AmaReina, AmaPrima and AmaCerto, features a heated pool with swim-up bar; a Chef’s Table restaurant with a gourmet tasting menu and a show kitchen in addition to the main restaurant; twin-balcony staterooms; and a fleet of bicycles for guests to use in port.

AmaSerena, which will cruise the Rhine and the Danube, will set sail on its maiden voyage on 22 April 2015 from Amsterdam to Basel on a one-week cruise via Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, and Breisach.

Meanwhile, the 124-passenger AmaDara will be launching on the Mekong in August 2015 as a sister ship to AmaLotus.

Both AmaDara and AmaLotus will sail a seven-night voyage on the lower Mekong ending in Ho Chi Minh City.

Peruvian boutique river cruise line specialist Aqua Expeditions has announced plans to launch its third vessel on the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam in October.

Aqua Mekong will have 20 outward-facing suites, a spa

and fitness centre, dining room, library, screening room and an observation deck with a swimming pool and lounge bar.

Michelin-starred executive chef David Thompson will be putting together the menu for Aqua Expeditions’ guests.

Aqua Mekong will operate three, four and seven-night itineraries that will run from Siem Riep down river to My Tho, near Ho Chi Minh City, stopping in Phnom Penh along the way, and vice versa.

CMV Signature River Cruises has introduced a series of scenic cruising holidays on the Rhine and Danube rivers on board Vienna I. The cruiseline opted to add these river cruises following a survey among its ocean-cruise passengers, of which 80% said they would consider taking a river cruise.

For 2015, CMV’s Signature River Cruise product will feature 17 sailings on board the Bellejour, Bellevedere and Bellefleur.

These departures will include the Rhine and Dutch Waterways, Rhine and Switzerland, Rhine & Moselle, Rhone & Saone, Danube and Xmas Markets.

8 All About Cruising

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Experience 5,000 years of history on a Nile river cruise

Join us on a voyage of discovery as we visit the majestic ancient monuments that line the banks of the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, including the World Heritage Sites of the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Kom Ombo, Philae and an optional excursion to Abu Simbel . Enjoy your cruise in style with scheduled Egyptair flights and luxurious accommodation aboard the five star MS Grand Rose.

10 free excursions

Your price includes

Luxor Temple y

Return flights with Egyptair

Karnak Temple y

In-flight meals

Kom Ombo Temple y

Personal in-flight entertainment

Philae Temple y

46kg pp luggage allowance

Aswan High Dam y

VIP airport lounge*

Unfinished Obelisk y Colossi of Memnon y Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple y

All meals on board

Medinet Habu y

Local alcoholic and soft drinks

Valley of the Kings y

Late check out cabin

7 night Nile cruise from only

7 night Cruise & Stay add-on from

£499pp

£110pp

Resort transfers

Save up to

10 fully-guided excursions

£200

Low deposit Just

this summer

º

£75pp

The Egyptian Experts Call today on 0845 072 2477 Visit redseaholidays.co.uk/agent ABTA No.Y2507

Subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Based on minimum 2 adults sharing.

Discount is per booking, not per passenger and applies on holidays booked by 31/07/2014 and departing 01/07-31/10/2014. Abu Simbel excursion: payable locally. ºCruise & stay packages: airline may vary.*UK airport only. Other conditions apply; see brochure for details. ATOL protected 9749. ® Red Sea Holidays logo is a registered trade mark of Red Sea Holidays UK Ltd. © 2014.

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IF YOU NEVER DID YOU SHOULD. THESE THINGS ARE FUN, AND FUN IS GOOD. ~ DR. SEUSS §

FAMILY FUN! We can promise families more fun for their money. We’ve all sorts of activities to keep everyone happy, plus kids’ clubs MVY KPќ LYLU[ HNL NYV\WZ HUK L_JP[PUN L_J\YZPVUZ [VV *HTW *HYUP]HS 0[»Z L]LY`[OPUN JOPSKYLU SV]L HIV\[ Z\TTLY JHTW HUK [OLPY MH]V\YP[L IHI`ZP[[LY HSS PU VUL *HTW *HYUP]HS Vќ LYZ [VUZ VM HJ[P]P[PLZ KLZPNULK MVY JOPSKYLU PU [OYLL KPќ LYLU[ HNL NYV\WZ! [V `LHYZ [V `LHYZ and 9 to 11 years.

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CALL RESERVATIONS ON: 0845 351 0556 OR GO ONLINE: WWW.GOCCL.CO.UK

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*HTW 6JLHU is currently available on Carnival Freedom only. *HYUP]HS :L\ZZ H[ :LH PZ H]HPSHISL VU *HYUP]HS )YLLaL *HYUP]HS :WSLUKVY *HYUP]HS :\UZOPUL HUK *HYUP]HS -YLLKVT

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SCHOOL’S OUT Affordable, stress free and fun for all the family, cruises are just the ticket for parents and their offspring

Go dog sledding in Norway during February half-term on a shore excursion during Hurtigruten’s Classic Voyage North

W

hen it comes to catering for the family market, the cruise industry has come a long way in 10 years.

The variety of cruises that cater for families during the school holidays is vast, and the facilities on new ships are phenomenal. Take Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, which is due to launch later this year. The ship will have the largest indoor active space at sea. Called Seaplex, it will cater for all types of sports, but it will also have bumper cars, roller skating and a circus school where passengers can learn how to use a trapeze.

Norwegian Breakaway, which launched last year, features an Aqua Park 17 decks above the sea which has five multi-storey waterslides.

And these are just a few of the latest innovations that the cruiselines have introduced. Ultimately, the beauty of a family cruising holiday is that they are stress free, and great value for money. And with all this fun to be had, we all know that if the kids are happy, the parents can relax.

But is it really possible to find a cruise to suit any school holiday time? Well, it is, and here are some of our recommendations

February half-term What’s the cruise? A seven-night Classic Voyage North cruise along the Norwegian coastline with Hurtigruten.

Where does it go? The cruise starts off in Bergen in southern Norway and heads north through the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord to the colourful Art Nouveau town of Ålesund and Norway’s first capital Trondheim before crossing the Arctic Circle and sailing up to Europe’s northernmost point, North Cape, for a great photo opportunity. The final stop is at Kirkenes, which is located close to the border between Russia and

Norway where the east meets the west.

Why February half-term? It’s a great time to go as there’s still lots of snow and the kids might get the chance to see the Northern Lights.

Why is it so great for families? There are so many adventure-packed shore excursions for families to enjoy.

There’s the Wilderness Adventure Camp where all of the family get the chance to go dogsledding and snowmobiling in the valley of Tamok as well as meeting the local Sami people and learning about how they make their living from their herds of reindeer. Snowmobile safaris are also popular in Kirkenes as they take guests up to the Russian border, so kids feel like they are in a James Bond movie.

Finish off the cruise by bedding down for the night at the Snow Hotel in Kirkenes.

How much? Hurtigruten offers the seven-night Classic Voyage North cruise departing from Bergen on 14 February and arriving in Kirkenes on 20 February for £1,624 for two adults and two children sharing a fourberth outside cabin on full-board basis.

International flights and transfers are available for an additional £395 per person. Shore excursions are extra.

To book: www.hurtigruten.co.uk

Easter holidays What’s the cruise? Celebrity Cruises’ seven-night Southern Caribbean Cruise on board Celebrity Summit.

Where does it go? The cruise departs from Puerto Rico on 11 April and visits the Virgin Islands, St Kitts, Dominica, Grenada and St Thomas Why Easter? Sunshine in the Caribbean is guaranteed during March and April so it is a good cruise for families who like to know they will definitely get great weather that early in the year.

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All About Cruising

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THEFAMILYMARKET Head to the Caribbean with Celebrity Cruises for an Easter escape

Why is it so great for families? There are lots of familyfriendly shore excursions on this itinerary including a tour of Stockholm by land and water, a chocolate-making workshop in Tallinn, a cruise around Helsinki’s archipelago, a performance of Swan Lake at the Alexandrinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and a visit to the Blue Planet Aquarium in Copenhagen. There is also a big focus on ensuring the kids are entertained while they are on board, so the junior activities directors put together a programme of activities for children of all ages.

There is also the Fantasia playroom and a video arcade for teens.

How much? The 10-night Baltic Reflections all-inclusive, flycruise for a family of two adults and one child sharing a stateroom starts at £4,530 including flights.

To book: www.crystalcruises.co.uk

Norwegian Cruise Line

Why is it so great for families? This cruise offers families the opportunity to see a number of destinations across a seven-day period.

How much? £432 per person cruise only, based on four people sharing an interior stateroom cruise-only To book: www.cruisingpower.co.uk What’s the cruise? A seven-night round-trip western Mediterranean cruise on board MSC Splendida, departing Genoa on March 29, 2015.

Where does it go? The cruise starts off in Genoa, heads to Civitavecchia for a visit to Rome, then sails down to Palermo in Sicily, before heading to La Goulette for a visit to Tunis, Palma in Majorca, Valencia, Marseille and back to Genoa.

Why Easter? The Easter holidays is a great time to visit the western Med as the weather will be starting to warm up.

Why is it so great for families? There are five different, age-appropriate kids’ clubs on board and dedicated children’s menus in restaurants. And all under 18s sail free regardless of the cruise or the ship.

How much? Prices start at £2,208 for two adults and two children in a balcony cabin, including return flights.

To book: www.msconline.com

Summer holidays What’s the cruise? A 10-night Baltic Reflections voyage with Crystal Cruises on board Crystal Symphony.

Where does it go? The cruise departs Stockholm on 7 August and heads to Tallinn, Helsinki, St Petersburg for two nights and then on to Copenhagen.

Why summer? The weather is perfect this time of year, and on this particular voyage, kids under 17 sail for free if they are sharing a stateroom with two adults.

What’s the cruise? A nine-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami on board Norwegian Getaway.

Where does it go? The cruise starts off in Miami and then heads to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Nassau in the Bahamas and then back to Florida.

Why summer? A summer family cruise in the eastern Caribbean is a great alternative voyage for those who have already sailed around the Mediterranean and want to try something a bit different.

Why is it so great for families? Norwegian is a bit of a pioneer when it comes to new entertainment innovations at sea. Norwegian Getaway has plenty of activities and shows for all the family to enjoy. There’s also mini golf, a sports court, ropes course, rock-climbing wall, aqua park, pools, hot tubs, and the cruiseline’s youth progammes for 3-17-year-olds. While the kids are entertained, the parents can check into the Spa Saltroom, which offers treatments that mimics natural salt caves found in Eastern Europe How much? Norwegian Getaway’s nine-night Eastern Caribbean departs on 17 July with prices from £2,046 per person based on two adults sharing an inside stateroom including return flights. Child prices start at £1,417.

To book: www.ncl.co.uk

October half-term What’s the cruise? A six-night Spain and France cruise on P&O Cruises’ Azura.

Where does it go? The cruise sets sail from Southampton on 25 October and heads to the architecturally stunning city of Bilbao where passengers will be able to visit the iconic Guggenheim Museum.

Azura then sets sail for the pretty French harbour city of La Rochelle before heading to France’s main naval port of Brest which, due to its location near the western tip of the Breton peninsula, is steeped in maritime history, and many of the port’s museums and buildings celebrate this history.

The port also has a new aquarium called Oceanopolis.

Why October half-term? This cruise will be a dedicated

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THEFAMILYMARKET It’s all about the five-storey waterslides on board Norwegian Getaway’s cruise around the eastern Caribbean in the summer

family-friendly voyage so P&O will be pulling out all the stops to ensure the kids are kept busy while on board.

Why is it so great for families? Azura was one of the first P&O Cruise ships to be built with the family market in mind so accommodation caters well for families.

There are four age-appropriate kids’ clubs and plenty of shows for the whole family to enjoy. Shore excursions are tailored to meet the needs of the family market and include visits to beaches, water parks, dolphin and whale watching, adventure trips and family-themed city tours.

And for the parents, there’s entertainment day and night, comedy, cabaret, movies, live music, dance classes, spas and casinos.

How much? P&O Cruises’ six-night Spain and France cruise on Azura costs from £659 per adult and £329 per child and departs from Southampton on October 25, 2014. The price includes an inside cabin, all meals, entertainment and children's facilities.

To book: www.pocruises.com

Christmas What’s the cruise? Costa Diadema’s seven-day cruise around the Western Mediterranean.

Where does it go? Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma, Naples and La Spezia.

Why Christmas? Families have the option of two school holiday departures; one on 20 December 2014 to enjoy Christmas on Costa Diadema, Costa Cruises’ newest flagship, or see the New Year in by joining the ship on its 27 December 2014 departure.

Why is it so great for families? There will be lots of new on-board entertainment including the debut of the Country Rock Club, which is guaranteed to be a big hit with families who enjoy classic rock music.

The Star Laser room is certain to be popular with the children as it features different styles of interactive laser games including the maze and shooting games.

A 4D Cinema is also a new addition for the cruiseline, with an exclusive show that Costa promises will be a delight to five of our six senses.

There’s also a Grand Prix race car simulator and a video arcade area with all the latest generation of games.

Mums will have the chance to shop until they drop at the London-inspired Portobello Market Piazza, which will have a number of designer stores and retail outlets.

There’s also three swimming pools, one with a retractable roof so guests will be able to enjoy night entertainment with parties, live music, dances and animation. And of course, there’s the Squok Club, which has a daily programme of entertainment to keep the kids happy from dawn ‘til dusk.

How much? A seven-night cruise on board Costa Diadema from 20 or 27 December 2014 leads in at £1,836 for a family of four (two adults and two children aged 2-18) staying in an inside cabin, cruise only.

To book: www.costacruises.co.uk

13 All About Cruising

(1) Ponant bonus fare based on two people sharing a cabin, excluding pre/post transport, port and security taxes. Ponant bonus fare is susceptible to change depending on the availability at the moment of the reservation. More informations at www.ponant.com Photo Credits : © Compagnie du Ponant, Istockphoto.

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Luxury Cruising by Compagnie du Ponant

ADRIATIC AND AEGEAN SEA: THE ULTIMATE YACHTING EXPERIENCE Taking a cruise with Compagnie du Ponant in the Mediterranean offers you a perfect combination of relaxation, exclusivity and cultural discoveries across a range of locations such as Venice, Kotor and Athens.

The 132-cabin, 5-star yacht LE SOLÉAL reaches some of the Mediterranean’s best kept secrets whilst treating guests to unrivalled passenger service, the finest cuisine and a bilingual crew ready to tend to your every need. Discover the treasures of the World by sea.

Summer 2014 - 13 departures from € 1250(1)

Start your journey on ponant.com

Contact your travel agency or call our UK call centre

0800 980 40 27

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ONBOARDENTERTAINMENT

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

Keeping guests entertained is a competitive game these days, and the cruiselines are pulling out all the stops to ensure their voyages provide world-class performances

MSC Preziosa has the the longest waterslide at sea, Vertigo

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ruiselines have really raised their game over the last 10 years when it comes to onboard entertainment.

From Broadway shows to interactive cookery classes with celebrity chefs, from zipwiring at sea to dancing the foxtrot with stars from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, life at sea is a rollercoaster of entertainment and adventure.

And it seems there is no end in sight to what cruiselines will do to keep passengers entertained and to ensure there is a never a dull moment on a cruise.

Here is a round-up of what the cruiselines are up to when it comes to entertainment – day and night.

Celebrity Cruises For theatre-goers: on board its 11 ships, Celebrity Cruises really pulls

out all the stops, to keep theatre lovers entertained with a whole host of shows, ranging from the very best of Broadway, the West End and Las Vegas to its own musical theatre tribute shows and song and dance spectaculars. The cruiseline’s entertainment staff even put on a panto (oh, yes they do!) at Christmas time, which obviously goes down well with British cruisers.

There’s circus shows too from international producer Poet Theatricals, comedians and live music of all genres at various lounges around their ships.

For active types: for cruisers who like to stay active while out at sea, there is plenty of activities to chose from, including yoga classes, body sculpt boot camp and cycle workout classes.

For players: freshly cut grass is not something you expect to see when

you are miles out at sea, but back in 2008, Celebrity introduced The Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice. The concept proved successful, and has since been rolled out across other vessels, so cruisers can indulge in a game of boules or croquet if they fancy.

There’s also a Fortunes Casino onboard every ship, offering table games in a Vegas-style setting. www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Costa Cruises For theatre-goers: Costa’s ships each have their own theatre which hosts two to three production shows and international variety artists on every cruise.

For active types: Costa has plenty to keep active cruisers busy on board, including multi-purpose sports pitches, outdoor jogging tracks, pools and gyms. The cruiseline is 15

All About Cruising

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ONBOARDENTERTAINMENT particularly proud of its kids’ clubs, known as the Squok Clubs, which offer a programme of fun-filled activities for smaller guests on board all ships across the fleet, hosting everything from pizza parties and pirate treasure hunts to face painting, masquerades and even Italian language lessons. These take place at all times of the day.

Teenagers are also well catered for in the TeenZone, where they can do anything from jewellery and costume making to playing computer games, basketball and water polo.

For players: there are numerous entertainment options for those who want to indulge their playful side.

They can try their luck at on-board casinos, pretend they are Lewis Hamilton on the Grand Prix Simulators or tee off with the golf simulators. There are dedicated Playstation rooms, virtual reality areas and 4D cinemas too. www.costacruises.co.uk

MSC Cruises For theatre-goers: the Italian cruiseline prides itself on its Broadway-style theatre shows, and cruisers can expect to spoilt for choice with no less than six shows per cruise put together by accomplished artistic directors, choreographers, set designers, costume designers and lighting and sound engineers.

For active types: cruisers have the opportunity to learn a new dance move or two with samba, tango and rock and roll dance lessons throughout the cruise. For those, who prefer something a little more zen-like, there are daily yoga lessons to enjoy. There’s fullyequipped gyms with panoramic sea views on every ship with personal trainers on board to work you that much harder.

The cruiseline loves to talk about its award-winning Vertigo waterslide on board MSC Preziosa. It’s the longest waterslide at sea and features transparent sections, which jut out over

The Lawn Club on board some of Celebrity Cruises’ ship is a popular space with guests who use it to play boules, croquet or just relax on.

the sea.

For players: like all the big cruise players, MSC has full-gaming casinos on all ships, which are suited to both novice and seasoned players. There’s also the chance to improve your bridge and chess game with daily lessons on board and competitions. www.msconline.com

Norwegian Cruise Line For theatre-goers: Norwegian Cruise Line has been somewhat of a pioneer with its theatre innovations at sea, getting the highly acclaimed Vegas performance troupe The Blue Man Group on board it’s ships to perform their dazzling light, music and comedy shows.

Then there’s the Cirque Dreams and Dinner show, which invites passengers to enjoy an unusual dinner adventure with acrobatics, show and comedy.

Another dinner experience with a difference is The Illusionarium on board Norwegian Getaway, where guests go for an intimate dinner and get the chance to enjoy a magnificent show that features world-class magicians.

The Legends in Concert brings some of the world’s most established celebrity tribute artists on board, so guests can expect to be enjoying an evening with lots of “legendary artists”, such as Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Steven Tyler and Elvis Presley, among many others.

Musical shows on board Norwegian Breakaway include the much-loved tribute to 1980s big-anthem guitar ballads, Rock of Ages, while Legally Blond is performed on Norwegian Getaway.

The first-ever GRAMMY Experience at sea features live jazz and R&B performances by past GRAMMY winners and nominees.

And the kids are guaranteed to be impressed by the Pajama Jam character breakfast where they will get to meet TV stars SpongeBob, Dora and other Nickelodeon characters.

For active types: Aqua Parks on board Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway feature multiple water slides, swimming pools and as many as four hot tubs on Breakaway.

Those who have a head for heights

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can have a go at the high-wire ropes course with the ultimate thrill being to take on The Plank that extends 8 feet over the side of the ship.

For players: the cruiseline’s full-action casino is on the Norwegian Epic with poker, black jack, roulette, craps and hundreds of slot machines. There are also on-board video arcades. www.ncl.co.uk

Regent Seven Seas Cruises For theatre-goers: in the past 14 months, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has introduced 12 new productions exclusively for Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator.

With the help of Jean Ann Ryan Productions, a well-known live production company that specialises in cruise ship entertainment, 12 new shows have been created exclusively for the cruiseline.

Highlights from the new line-up of shows include the Cirque Rock ‘n Roll which takes guests on a musical tour through the history of rock ‘n’ roll. The show features epic numbers from legends such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith and Beyoncé.

Dancing in the Streets pays tribute to the legends of soul and Motown with orchestrated medleys featuring music from The Four Tops, The Temptations, Lionel Richie and The Jackson Five.

Film Flashback brings the ‘80s to life with iconic moments from stage and screen with dancers performing scenes from much-loved movies, Flash Dance, Footloose and Dirty Dancing.

Elton John and Billy Joel fans will be thrilled to hear about The Piano Men original production, which offers a night of well-known songs by these two epic artists, performed by the Regent Signature Orchestra.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Legends in Concert has performances from some of the world’s most successful tribute acts, one of which is a Britney Spears tribute

Cirque Navigator transports the audience to a fantasy forest with choreography showcasing modern dance, aerial feats, Celtic dance and classic ballroom routines, while Broadway Tonight celebrates music from top Broadway shows including The Book of Mormon and Kinky Boots, as well as long-running favourites such as Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and Nice Work if You Can Get It. Dawning of Aquarius is a 1960s retrospective performance featuring music from The 5th Dimension, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Meanwhile, Cirque L’Amour pays tribute to the city of Paris and its renowned nightlife featuring an aerial ballet with romantic displays of human power and trust, while Come Sail Away resurrects the 70s with the music from the Divas of Disco

including Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor and Alecia Bridges, as well as favourites by The Carpenters and The Bee Gees.

Finally, Dancing to the Hits is a display of ballroom dance with music by pop favorites Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Adele.

For active types: keen golfers can practise their swing on the on-board driving nets or tee off on the oceanview putting greens. A leisurely game of shuffleboard and table tennis is also on the RSSC agenda as well as the odd fitness class or a session with a personal trainer.

For players: game lovers can indulge their inner gambler at RSSC’s on-board casinos, which feature blackjack and stud poker and roulette wheels as well as lots of slot machines. www.rssc.com

to Silversea’s ships and will feature a broad curriculum of culinary events designed exclusively for Silversea by Relais & Châteaux.

Silversea's culinary trainer chef David Bilsland will host an array of cooking classes including specialised

workshops covering an array of topics from basic knife skills and kitchen terminology to sauces and baking; cooking demonstrations with wine pairings and interactive Q&A sessions. www.silversea.co.uk

Silversea The luxury cruiseline is offering guests the chance to become a bit of a master chef at sea with the launch of the Relais & Châteaux L’École des Chefs.

The luxury hotel and restaurant chain will be taking its chef school on

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ONBOARDENTERTAINMENT

Stars from Strictly Come Dancing will be joining passengers on P&O voyages

Royal Caribbean International: For theatre-goers: the US cruise giant knows a thing or two about keeping passengers entertained while at sea and it has an impressive selection of shows to delight its audiences. Currently available on Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, there’s the DreamWorks Experience featuring stars from Madagascar, Shrek and Kung Fu Panda. The award-winning West End and Broadway production Chicago: The musical is performed on board Allure of the Seas in the ship’s 1,380-seat West End-style proscenium stage in the Amber Theatre.

The eight-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hairspray is one of the star attractions on board Oasis of the Seas, while Saturday Night Fever: The Musical features on Liberty of the Seas in the ship’s 1,320-seat Platinum Theatre.

Oasis of the Seas will be hosting performances of much-loved West End musical Cats after it completes its drydock this autumn, while new ship Quantum of the Seas, which launches later this year, will be putting on smashhit musical Mamma Mia. For active types: there is no end to the menu of activities to choose from on board Royal Caribbean’s ships.

There’s the FlowRider surf simulators, scuba diving on board Oasis and Allure of the Seas, rock climbing, ice skating, zip lining and fitness classes including kick boxing, pilates, yoga, aerobics and

spinning. There’s also sports courts where guests can get involved in a number of team sports including basketball, volleyball and football.

For players: every one of Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ships features a Casino Royale, packed with all types of table games and slot machines.

Games onboard include: Blackjack, Roulette, 3 Card Poker, Texas hold ‘em, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride, Craps and Slot Machines. There’s also a rewards programme for distinguished high rollers. www.royalcaribbean.co.uk

P&O Cruises For theatre-goers: like all of the big cruiselines, P&O’s seven ships cater for theatre lovers with West End and Broadway shows as well as tributes to well-known stars. However, what P&O has that the other cruiselines don’t is stars from the hit BBC series Strictly Come Dancing.

There are themed Strictly cruises, which feature two pairs of the programme's professional dancers as well as acerbic judge Craig Revel Horwood. Guests can also expect to meet Mark Foster, Lisa Riley and Patrick Robinson, who will also be travelling at different stages on the Strictly-themed cruises.

Robin Windsor, Ian Waite or Camilla Dallerup will put passengers through their paces with the opportunity to learn a step or two to the rumba, the tango or the samba.

Regular dance classes are on offer throughout the cruise and passengers can participate in a dance competition, with the grand finale performances taking place in the main theatre, judged

by Craig and the special celebrity guest.

The Strictly stars will give interviews on board, photo opportunities and signing sessions, and official Strictly Come Dancing showcases.

There will also be a selection of costumes from the television show on display around the ship, with organised fashion events to showcase them.

For active types: on board P&O’s latest ship Britannia next year, there will be the state-of-the-art Cookery Club with a dedicated space comprising of 12 cook stations with a chef’s performance area at the front. Each station is fully equipped with hobs and prep space, which will allow for a fully participative experience. Special cameras will pick up all of the finer detail and be relayed on screens for the participants to follow.

P&O Cruises will be running regular two-hour cooking classes, including a wide range of cuisine, from European and Asian to baking with Eric Lanlard, and even children’s classes. Following the session, the class will get the opportunity to enjoy the results of their labour alongside the chef at the chef’s table.

On 10 selected cruises next year, celebrity chef James Martin and French pâtissier and celebrity chef Eric Lanlard will be on board to host cooking classes.

For guests who want to stay in shape while they are on board, there’s gyms on board ships with classes and personal trainers on hand to put together fitness programmes for guests. There’s also plenty of opportunities to play deck tennis, football, cricket, golf, shuffleboard and deck quoits.

For players: P&O casinos have traditional card and table games so guests can expect to enjoy three-card poker, blackjack, bingo and roulette.

There are also gaming lessons available where passengers can learn valuable tips on how to improve their game. www.pocruises.com

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BESTOFBRITISH

HOME ADVANTAGE More than one million passengers passed through UK ports in 2013, with Southampton named as Europe’s largest embarkation and disembarkation port

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x-UK cruises have never been so popular, which means that UK cruise terminals have never been so busy.

According to figures from Cruise Britain, the number of British and overseas passengers joining their cruise at a UK port passed the one million mark for the first time in 2013, jumping 8% to 1,062,000.

More than 100 ships from 49 cruiselines visited UK ports in 2013, with a variety of voyages, from short sailings to round Britain cruises.

Daren Taylor, incoming Chair of CruiseBritain, says: “The rise in both the day call and embarkation figures is extremely encouraging and is a positive endorsement of Britain's value as a cruise destination and source market. The growth in passengers beginning their cruise includes overseas passengers who represented 21% of the total, a proportion which returns to 2010 levels.”

Southampton is without a doubt the cruise capital of the UK. In fact, the south coast port was Europe’s largest embarkation and disembarkation port last year, with total passenger numbers including ‘day visits’ climbing 7.5% to 1.64 million.

It has four state-of-the-art cruise terminals, all with ship-to-shore walkways, and parking and connections to public transport from the port make arriving and departing from Southampton a smooth process.

The first one, the Mayflower Terminal, was opened in 1960 and modernised in 2003, while the latest one, the Ocean Terminal, opened in 2009.

A fifth cruise terminal is scheduled to open in 2015, which will be able accommodate some of the largest

Cruise and Maritime Voyages newest ship Azores kicked off the 2014 season with its inaugural call at Dover

ships at sea, and is predicted to be a huge boost for the local economy.

The port is home to the UK fleets of both P&O Cruises and Cunard Line and is used regularly by Royal Caribbean International, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line, Silversea, Azamara, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.

The cruiselines sail to a variety of destinations from Southampton.

Celebrity’s destinations from Southampton include: the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltics and transatlantic cruises.

Holland America Line has an 83night round-trip cruise from Southampton to Africa which departs on 28 September.

Royal Caribbean’s ship Independence of the Seas is based in Southampton for this year and sails

western Mediterranean voyages and Canary Island cruises as well as sailings to Paris, Bruges and Norway.

Adventure of the Seas sails around the Mediterranean and Northern Europe from Southampton this year, which for 2015, Anthem of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas will be sailing out of Southampton to Bruges and Paris, France and Spain, Mediterranean, Canaries, Norwegian Fjords and Italian Mediterranean.

Azamara operators a number of cruises sailing from Southampton, the highlight of which is the 14-night Food and Wine Voyage on 3 September, which cruises from Loire and Bordeaux to Bilbao and Porto.

Meanwhile, Dover, which is well connected by road and public transport, has seen its cruise passenger traffic pass the quarter of a million mark in 2013, growing 23% to 255,137 passengers, making it the

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BESTOFBRITISH

Fred. Olsen’s Black Watch has a 2014 season of sailings from Newcastle

second busiest cruise port in the UK. And this year looks set to see those figures grow even further as Dover prepares to welcome a number of inaugural calls this year on the back of the port hosting the CLIA UK and Ireland Luxury Expo last year, and its attendance at the Cruise Shipping Miami 2014 recently.

New for 2014, is the arrival of Cruise and Maritime Voyages latest ship Azores, which kicked off the 2014 season with its inaugural call at Dover on 30 March.

Portuscale Cruises’ Funchal, formerly the Portuguese Presidential Yacht, will also be calling in at Dover for the first time.

Other inaugural visits include AIDA Cruises’ AIDAbella, Sea Cloud Cruises’ Sea Cloud II, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud, Seabourn’s Seabourn Quest and SeaDream Yacht Club’s Seadream I. The German cruiseline Aida has 21 calls booked for 2014, and will be joining Dover regular Fred. Olsen and Holland America Line, which has two of its ships Eurodam and Ryndam sailing to a number of destinations including Paris, Italy and northern Europe.

Hurtigruten’s explorer ship MS Fram will be sailing from Dover to the Norwegian Fjords on a one-off Fjords Highlights itinerary, which will set sail from the port on 1 May. Port of Tyne in Newcastle saw a record 623,000 cruise and ferry passengers pass through last year and is set to welcome 31 cruise calls this year.

The Port of Tyne’s passenger terminal can accommodate around 95% of the world’s cruise ships at its purpose built cruise berth, Northumbrian Quay in North Shields.

The port has good transport links to Newcastle, Edinburgh, York and London.

Cruiselines that sail from Port of Tyne: this year, CMV’s Marco Polo is embarking on a number of voyages from the Port of Tyne to the Baltic Cities and Petersburg, Iceland and the Northern Islands and the fjords of Norway.

Fred. Olsen’s Black Watch is sailing out of Newcastle to a variety of destinations including Greenland, the Baltics and the Canary Islands.

Swan Hellenic’s Minerva, Thomson Spirit and Hapag Lloyd’s Hanseatic are also setting sail from Newcastle throughout the year.

It’s been a busy year for Portsmouth with the events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day focusing on the south coast port.

Fred. Olsen’s Braemar is a new visitor to the port and took passengers across the channel from Portsmouth to the Normandy beaches, along with CMV’s Marco Polo and Swan Hellenic’s Minerva, which started and ended its special D-Day cruise in Portsmouth.

The German luxury liner Amadea also returned to the port in June for the first time since 2008.

Serenissima, a classic small luxury ship, Greek cruise ship Louis Aura and Le Boreal, the mega-yacht operated by Compagnie du Ponant, also sailed out of Portsmouth earlier this year.

Next year, Silversea’s Silver Explorer will sail out of Portsmouth on an 11-day voyage to Dublin.

The small port of Kirkwall in Scotland’s Orkney Islands welcomed three cruise ships earlier this month carrying 2,000 passengers.

Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess, MSC Magnifica and Oceania’s Nautica docked at Kirkwall to offer guests the chance to enjoy guided tours of the major tourism sights on the mainland of Orkney.

The port stats Southampton retained its position as Europe’s largest embarkation and disembarkation port in 2013, with total passenger numbers including ‘day visits’ climbing 7.5% to 1.64 million ● Dover’s cruise passenger traffic passed the quarter of a million mark in 2013, growing 23% to 255,137 passengers. ● Guernsey saw cruise passenger traffic at St Peter Port soar by 82% in 2013 to 110,040 passengers ● Liverpool saw cruise passenger traffic grow 17.3% in 2013 to 45,000 passengers ● Kirkwall saw cruise passenger traffic increase by 26.5% in 2013 to 50,765 passengers ● Invergordon saw cruise passenger traffic rise by 16.5% in 2013 to 89,772 passengers ● Clyde saw cruise passenger traffic grow 29% in 2013 to 84,011 passengers ●

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G UCIN D O INTR es

Azor the to

New eet! fl

2015 Cruise Collection Buy One Get One Free!

We are launching our new 2015 programme with an amazing Buy One Get One Free early booking offer across our full range of 2015 ex-UK ocean cruises*.

The first adult pays the full brochure fare and the second passenger, sharing twin accommodation, travels absolutely free! This incredible deal is available on all our cruises departing from and returning to a UK port between 1st December 2014 and 31st October 2015*. This amazing offer must end on 31st August 2014 so start selling now!

• British Cruise Experience. Traditional cruising holidays from London Tilbury, Bristol Avonmouth, Edinburgh Leith & Rosyth, Hull and Newcastle Tyne.

• Introducing Azores - New to the fleet, for 2015, the impressive and more intimate 550 passenger Azores replaces Discovery. A truly classic ocean liner; beautifully restored.

• Celebrating 50 Golden Years! In 2015, we will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Marco Polo.

The highlight will be a special Commemorative Voyage to Canada & Greenland.

The Trade Friendly Cruise Line Basic 12.5% Enhanced Commission+.

No Direct Book Online Discounts.

Extra 5% Group Discounts plus Free Places.

C O M P E T I T I O N

WIN one of 5 fantastic Virgin Experience Days: Super car blast | Pamper day | Tree Top Adventure | 3 course meal for 2 at The Shard | Afternoon Tea at Harrods Email your booking references, name and ABTA to agents@cruiseandmaritime.com**

Book online at: www.cruiseandmaritime.com ■ Call: 0844 414 6161 Agency Sales: 0844 414 6140 ■ Brochures: www.trade-gate.co.uk Offer subject to availability and may be reduced or withdrawn without notice at any time.*Excludes Marco Polo’s 36 night Special Commemorative Voyage to Canada & Greenland cruise P520 (24th July 2015) and Azores cruise, 12 night Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights cruise R502 (14th March 2015). +Applies to sales achieved over £5K for 2014/15 cruises. ** Bookings made on or before 31st Aug ‘14. Offered for sale in the UK by South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd trading as Cruise & Maritime Voyages. ABTA V9945 ATOL 4619.

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CRUISE ROUND-UP

WHAT’S TRENDING From 50th anniversaries to emerging trends as cruisers look for more tailormade options, we look at the big picture for 2015

Aurora Expeditions

Western and Oriental

The remote-area cruiseline specialist is adding to its portfolio of destinations with the introduction next year of voyages to Papua New Guinea.

There will be four tours to choose from ranging from 11 days to 25 on-board Oceanic Discoverer, which will take passengers on an adventure through this remote archipelago to explore natural landmarks such as the Spice Islands, protected marine parks brimming with vibrant corals and the mighty Sepik River.

The tours take cruisers into the Trobriand Islands and Milne Bay Province where they will meet native townsfolk and get up close to a plethora of wildlife including birds of paradise, honey eaters, cassowaries and marsupial cuscu.

There will also be on-board lecturers and guides for all of the departure dates. These include Rabaul to Cairns, which departs on March 9, New Guinea Circle and the Cairns to Wewak, which both leave on March 22, and Wewak to Darwin which departs on April 3. www.auroraexpeditions.co.uk

The escorted tours specialist has expanded its Indochina portfolio with the addition of the new 20-suite Aqua Mekong river cruise in Vietnam and Cambodia, which launches in September.

The small size of the ship means guests will be able to visit areas that are only accessible by boat such as remote stilt villages, Buddhist monasteries and flooded forests.

Cruise and Maritime Voyages CMV is marking the 50th anniversary of its ship Marco Polo next year with a voyage to Canada and Greenland.

The ship will set sail from Tilbury on July 24 on a 36night cruise that will head to the Shetlands, then up to the Faroe Islands and on to Iceland. The ship then cruises to Greenland and includes visits to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the St Lawrence River, Québec and Montréal with a call into Cork in Ireland on the way back to Tilbury.

With the launch of its Voyages Cruise Collection 2015, CMV has introduced a ‘buy one get one free’ offer, where the first adult pays the full fare and the second adult, sharing twin accommodation, travels free. www.cruiseandmaritime.com

Seal the deal We talk to two experts from the cruiselines to find out how a little bit of a knowledge can go a long way when it comes to getting your clients to book that voyage.

Ian Sutton, trading support and planning manager, Celebrity Cruises UK, says: “We’re going to see a trend towards more in-depth tailored excursions and further immersion into dining experiences and innovative new on-board offerings.

“My favourite cruise has to be on Celebrity Eclipse, Norwegian Fjords cruises with outstanding city excursions, stunning northern European architecture and a chance to see the Northern Lights.”

Fred. Olsen sales and marketing director Nathan Philpot says that agents need to be aware of Fred’s Enjoyment Promise which can help them to attract new customers.

“People who have never cruised with us before will be able to try a cruise, and if they do not enjoy it, within 48 hours of stepping on board the ship, they just need to let guest relations know on-board and we promise to arrange and pay for their flight back to the UK and repay the cost of their cruise.”

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Carnival has launched an On Location programme, which will give clients the chance to get to grips with the culture of the region that they are cruising in

well as the Burmese capital of Yangon and Komodo Island, home to the famous dragons, which is only accessible by sea.

Other new destinations that feature for 2015/16 include Brevik in Norway, Flensburg and Bremen in Germany, Red Bay in Canada, Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia in Greece, Savannah in the state of Georgia in the US and Charleston in South Carolina.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Prices lead in at £5,299 per person for a seven-night sailing from Ho Chi Minh City to Seam Reap. The price includes fullboard accommodation, flights and activities on the cruise. www.westernoriental.com

Holland America Line The US cruise giant is tapping into the increasing demand for guests to know more about the regions they are sailing in with the launch of its On Location programme.

On each cruise, a Location Team from the region will either visit the ship or sail on-board and share information with guests about local customs and the way of life through lectures, demonstrations and performances.

Each region will feature specialists and experiences that are connected to that part of the world such as stargazing with an astronomer in the South Pacific, learning to tango with a professional in Argentina or playing a didgeridoo in Australia.

Meanwhile, HAL has launched a summer-on-sale campaign that allows children to cruise for £1 on selected voyages during the school holidays.

The £1 kids’ fare cruises include a seven-night, ex-UK Norwegian Fjords cruise, which departs on August 2, with prices from £599 for adults.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched its 2015/16 programme which will see its four ships Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch, sail from 10, regional UK ports, Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth, Greenock and Belfast.

Fred. Olsen will be embarking on its inaugural 76-night African Grand Voyage on-board Boudicca in 2016, which will be calling in at Luanda in Angola, Maputo in Mozambique and Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean.

The cruiseline’s 115-night Around the World Grand Voyage on Black Watch in 2016 will be taking in a grand total of 27 countries, visiting the maiden port of Tuticorin, in India, as

The luxury, German, small-ship cruiseline has launched its programme of voyages for Europa 2, which will feature debut ports, new destinations and flexible cruises.

Africa will feature in the ship’s itineraries for the first time, with five cruises from December 2015 to January 2016 that will call in at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Walvis Bay and Durban.

New ports in northern Europe include Riga, while Port Grimaud and Piran will feature in the Mediterranean for the first time. Bali will be Europa 2’s first port in Indonesia.

Next summer, Europa 2 will cruise on two different routes, which guests can combine to make a six, 12, 15 or 20-night cruise. Prices lead in at £3,230 per person for a sevennight, cruise-only Kiel round-trip, May 14 2015.

For agents MSC Cruises is raising the bar in the world of cruise when it comes to putting UK agents at the heart of its sales strategy.

The Italian cruiseline has launched the Serving You initiative, which features a whole host of trade-friendly measures designed to increase awareness of the cruiseline, making it easier to work with and boost bookings from the UK market.

MSC Cruises executive director UK and Ireland Giles Hawke said: “We have made no secret of our desire to become a significant player in the UK cruise market – ‘Serving You’ signals our intent to make the trade our top priority.

“Our aim is to reach 200,000 UK passengers by 2017 – more than trebling our current level of business. We can only do that by engaging with agents and putting them at the heart of what we do.”

The highlights of the Serving You initiative include: ● A doubling of the MSC Cruise sales force with a 20strong field sales team; ● The cruiseline will share certain booking and sales data, allowing agents to see how customers holiday, which will give them the scope to focus their marketing efforts; ● MSC Cruises will support efforts to drive early bookings with a clearer promotional campaign structure; ● There will be tailored commission payments, rewards for generating growth and commission on MSC’s shore excursions; ● A bespoke agent booking system, MSC Book, will be launched along with a new e-learning programme and an improved call-centre system.

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