Tour-Smart Limited

 

New business partnership for cruise sector between
All Leisure Holidays Ltd and Cruise & Maritime Voyages

A new long-term partnership between two established cruise companies is announced today, delivering an exciting great value cruise experience from February 2013.

All Leisure Holidays Ltd has joined forces with Cruise & Maritime Voyages to offer cruises in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. All Leisure Holidays’ 700 passenger ship Discovery, which currently operates under the Voyages of Discovery banner, will now be operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages under the CMV brand from February 2013, following a scheduled extensive dry-dock and refurbishment.

This joint venture will allow passengers to sail on the much-loved, classic ship, Discovery, with the renowned on board experience of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, whilst offering a range of UK regional departures and a selection of Mediterranean fly cruises.

All Leisure Holidays Ltd, led by Roger Allard, is renowned for its entrepreneurial approach to business and has continued to challenge the market with developments, partnerships and acquisitions to grow its penetration of the over 55 British travel sector.

The partnership with Cruise & Maritime Voyages, who have established a much admired cruise brand since their launch in 2009 with a programme capacity of around 45,000 passengers, adds to the growing collection of diverse travel experiences from the All Leisure Holidays Ltd portfolio.

Roger Allard

Roger Allard, Executive Chairman, All Leisure Holidays Ltd explains:

“Continuing to evolve and innovate the way we do business is a key mantra for All Leisure Holidays Ltd. The opportunity to work in partnership with the established and much-respected Cruise & Maritime Voyages is a great route to increase the audiences we appeal to and deliver something new to the cruise sector. Within the All Leisure Holidays Ltd business we now have a great value cruise brand to bolster the existing discovery and luxury options already on offer. We look forward to welcoming new and existing passengers on board Discovery, which will premier its refurbishment and refresh when the first passengers join its inaugural sailing as part of the Cruise & Maritime Voyages fleet in February 2013.”

Chris Coates, Commercial Director, Cruise & Maritime Voyages commented:
“We are delighted to have concluded a long term joint venture deal with highly respected All Leisure Holidays Ltd and firmly believe that the introduction of Discovery into the CMV fleet in 2013 alongside our popular flagship, Marco Polo will consolidate our position in the traditional ‘smaller ship’ British cruise market sector. We have enjoyed three highly successful summer seasons operating Ocean Countess from regional ports around the British Isles and now look forward to operating the upgraded Discovery and establishing her as a great value cruise brand. Our booked passengers will be transferred to Discovery with around 80% of our scheduled ex-UK regional cruise programme largely unaffected”

The joint venture on Discovery will offer regional departures and a small-ship traditional cruising experience to a UK-focused audience, with departures from ports of call across the country including Liverpool, Harwich, Hull, Bristol and the Port of Tyne as well as fly cruises from destinations in Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Focused on offering a small ship cruise experience at great value, mini one-night cruises will start from just £69 per person, with a five night cruise costing from £409 per person.

Longer cruises from five to 18 nights are available and a two-week cruise costs from £1,129 per person – less than £87 per night – including all meals and entertainment, and from a convenient departure point. Itineraries and destinations on offer include Natural Wonders & Wildlife (Orkney, Faroe Islands and Iceland) Baltic Symphony (Estonia, Denmark and Russia) and Cradle of Civilization (Egypt, Turkey and Israel).

The on board experience will be provided by Cruise & Maritime Voyages, featuring a friendly yet attentive service for which Discovery has always been known, but with different entertainment options including production shows, comedians and speciality acts as well as guest speakers.

To enjoy Tour-smart articles about countries featured in these great cruises please click on the following links:-

ICELAND  ESTONIA  DENMARK  RUSSIA  EGYPT  ISRAEL   TURKEY

Both All Leisure Holidays and Cruise & Maritime Voyages will sell this new product with both teams able to offer expert advice to all customers. Travel Agent bookings for Discovery will be made with Cruise & Maritime Voyages.

For more details on Voyages of Discovery and Voyager please visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.com or call 0844 822 0820. For more information about Cruise & Maritime Voyages please visit www.cruiseandmaritimevoyages.com or call 0845 430 0274.

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Voyages of Discovery's new ship MV Voyager is less than 100 days away from it's launch date


MV Voyager

To celebrate the fact that there is now less than 100 days to go until the launch of Voyages of Discovery’s new ship, MV Voyager, guests booking an outside cabin on any winter 2012/13 cruise on Voyager will receive £100 on board credit per cabin, on bookings made before 30th September 2012.

Voyages of Discovery announced just last month that the final refurbishment work on the 540 passenger ship will be carried out in Portland Port in the UK by Northern Ireland based international contracting company, Mivan, before setting sail on its maiden voyage on the 4 December 2012.

Alan Murray, Managing Director, Voyages of Discovery, says: “The countdown to the launch of mv Voyager has now well and truly begun. We are all extremely eager to welcome a new ship into the Voyages of Discovery fleet and we believe that the addition of mv Voyager will enable our customers to really experience discovery cruising at its best. Alongside mv Discovery, the new ship will provide the best of both worlds, offering enhanced facilities without compromising on the Voyages of Discovery ethos.”

The celebratory £100 on board credit offer is available on all winter 2012/13 itineraries on board mv Voyager including:

Voyage to the Caribbean – 18-day cruise from £999 per person. Departs from Portsmouth (UK) before calling at La Coruna (Spain), Funchal (Madeira), St. Kitts (Basseterre/Nevis), Antigua (British West Indies), Martinique (French West Indies) and Barbados (British West Indies) –overnight. Based on a 4 December 2012 UK departure.*

A Tapestry of Central America – 21-day cruise from £2,839 per person. Departs from Montego Bay (Jamaica)-overnight before calling at Progreso (Mexico), Belize City (Belize), Puerto Cortes (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Cartagena (Colombia), San Blas Islands (Panama), Balboa (Panama) and Manta (Ecuador). Based on a 4 January 2013 UK departure.*

Natural Wonders of Latin America – 22-day cruise from £3,049 per person. Departs from Valparaiso (Chile)-overnight before calling at Puerto Montt (Chile), Puerto Chacabuco (Chile), Punta Arenas (Chile), Ushuaia (Argentina), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), Puerto Madryn (Argentina) and Buenos Aires (Argentina)-overnight. Based on a 5 February 2013 UK departure.*

Key additions to mv Voyager during the refurbishment include the introduction of an explorer theme across the whole ship, a new piano bar – Scott’s Lounge, a new speciality restaurant, a ‘look-out’ lounge and an al fresco dining terrace with all-weather awning. Mv Voyager will offer a choice of 270 cabins, 87% of which are outside cabins and 30 of which have balconies.

To keep up to date with all the latest developments on board mv Voyager visit the dedicated blog at www.voyagesofdiscovery.com/voyager

For more information and to book call 0844 822 0820 or visit the website at www.voyagesofdiscovery.com, Facebook or follow Voyages of Discovery on Twitter - @Voyagediscovery. 

* Price for all cruises includes return flights to a London airport and overseas transfers (where applicable), talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all on board gratuities and all relevant port and airport taxes/fees. On board credit offer is available on outside cabin bookings only.
 

Head to the Caribbean and celebrate Christmas on board mv Voyager’s Caribbean Gems cruise from £1,999 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Guests will get up close to the highest waterfall in the world - Angel Falls, learn about the rum heritage of Barbados and visit Montserrat – the ‘modern day Pompeii’ which was preserved by a volcano eruption in 1995.

The 17-day Caribbean Gems itinerary departs from Barbados (British West Indies) and calls at St. Lucia (British West Indies), Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe), Montserrat (Montserrat), Grenada (British West Indies), Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago), Margarita Island (Venezuela), La Guaira (Venezuela), Curacao (Netherlands Antilles), Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Montego Bay (Jamaica). Price is based on a 20 December 2012 UK departure.

Alternatively, raise a glass to the New Year on board the 21-day A Tapestry of Central America cruise from £2,859 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). Guests can discover the ancient Maya and Aztec civilisations of Central America, before enjoying a transit of the Panama Canal.

The A Tapestry of Central America itinerary departs from Montego Bay (Jamaica) - overnight before calling at Progreso (Mexico), Belize City (Belize), Puerto Cortes (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Cartagena (Colombia), San Blas Islands (Panama), Balboa (Panama) and Manta (Ecuador). Price is based on a 4 January 2013 UK departure.

Mv Voyager will join the Voyages of Discovery fleet along sister ship, mv Discovery, in December 2012. Key additions to mv Voyager include a new piano bar – Scott’s Lounge, a new speciality restaurant, a ‘look-out’ lounge and an al fresco dining terrace with all-weather awning.

Prices for both cruises include return flights from a major UK airport, relevant transfers, all on board gratuities, service charges and port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on board. All Voyages of Discovery shore excursions are now also bookable online – visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.com for further information.

For more information and to book call 0844 822 0820, visit the website at www.voyagesofdiscovery.com, Facebook or follow Voyages of Discovery on Twitter - @Voyagediscovery and to keep up to date with all the latest news from Voyages of Discovery, visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.com/blog
 

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Explore the life and work of Norway’s greatest artist,
Edvard Munch, on a Fred. Olsen Scandinavian cruise


 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering an enticing cruise for art lovers in summer 2013; ‘Scandinavian Capitals & St. Petersburg’ (D1312) is a 14-night cruise aboard Boudicca, departing on 9th June 2013 from Greenock (Glasgow). This cruise is part of the Vistas onboard enrichment programme, and has a theme of ‘Art’, hosted by the distinguished art historian and lecturer, Dr. Patricia Andrew. Dr. Andrew holds two degrees, in English Literature and History of Art, and has worked in museum curatorship and management around the UK.

Since 2002, Dr. Andrew has been self-employed as a lecturer, heritage consultant and University teacher, combining this with art-historical research, principally in 18th Century and early 20th Century fields. An experienced speaker and an accredited lecturer for the National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies (NADFAS), she travels all over the UK. In Edinburgh, she gives regular public lectures at the National Gallery of Scotland, where she has a large personal following of loyal attendees. Her presence aboard this exciting cultural cruise is sure to enhance the enjoyment of any art-loving guest.

An example from the Munch Museum

One of the ports of call on this Scandinavian sailing is Norway's lively capital, Oslo, whose National Gallery plays home to Edvard Munch’s haunting painting, ‘The Scream,’ possibly the most recognisable work of contemporary art in the world. Dr. Andrew will bring this masterpiece to life in her illuminating lectures and talks on this great artist, who is currently the subject of a major exhibition at London’s Tate Modern.

The full ‘Scandinavian Capitals & St. Petersburg’ cruise itinerary begins with Denmark’s pretty and cosmopolitan capital, Copenhagen. Boudicca then visits Tallinn in Estonia, with its picturesque, cobbled streets and magnificent domed churches. Next port is one of the cruise highlights, Russia’s glorious St. Petersburg, where an overnight stay allows more time to explore the feast of architectural delights. Next port is Helsinki, the attractive capital of Finland, which also offers great cultural stimulus in its museums and galleries, alongside tempting street cafés and bars. This is followed by a call into Nynashamn (for tours to Stockholm), Sweden, before the final port of call – Norway’s capital, Oslo, where Munch’s ‘The Scream’ and other great works by European artists can be viewed at the National Gallery. The cruise then returns to Greenock.

Rådhus Gate in Olso

The cruise will have a special resonance for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, with its strong Norwegian heritage and influences. A theme of ‘Art’ is also fitting given the Olsen family’s long-established interest in art, having been collectors and patrons of artists, both traditional and contemporary, over several generations. In fact, guests aboard Fred. Olsen ships will find original artworks from the Olsen family collection displayed within easy viewing distance…and without the queues that you find in art galleries!

Prices for this fascinating cruise start from £1,599 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes, and there is no extra charge for taking part in Vistas activity.
 

 

Find out more about this and all Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Scandinavian cruises by visiting www.fredolsencruises.com You can book online, by calling Reservations on 01473 742424, or through any ABTA travel agent.
 

From ticket stubs of the ship’s first journey in 1954, photographs of the early days aboard ‘Ankara’ or even memorable tales from the 70’s when Swan Hellenic passengers sailed aboard ‘Orpheus’ – all anecdotes and memorabilia are most welcome.

Marking 60 years of small ship discovery cruising, Swan Hellenic is aiming to compile a story from each year of the cruise line’s history.

To coincide with the launch of Swan Hellenic’s Diamond Anniversary project, the cruise line has announced details of an epic 84-day grand voyage of South America to commence celebrations for this historic year.

Swan Hellenic’s recently refurbished ship, mv Minerva, will circumnavigate South America – emulating a popular itinerary last undertaken by the cruise line in 2007. Minerva will also make maiden calls at Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Casilda in Cuba, Cartagena in Colombia and the San Blas islands.

The 84-day Grand Faces of South America cruise on board Minerva costs from £11,765 per person and departs from Bridgetown (Barbados) on 5 January 2014.Passengers on this spectacular voyage will travel from the Atacama Desert, through the Panama Canal and Chilean Fjords, around Cape Horn to the tropical rainforests of the Amazon River.

Highlights of the epic journey include a visit to Coro - one of the earliest Spanish colonial towns in South America, a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines where images of a spider, monkey and hummingbird are etched into the desert as well as sailing through the Chilean Fjords past glaciers and rocky peaks and cruising the Amazon River to visit remote riverside communities.

Passengers wanting to join in the celebrations but for a shorter duration can enjoy a choice of two sectors of the grand voyage;

• Grand Secrets of the New World -48-day voyage from £7,370 per person, departing on 5 January 2014 (first half of Grand Faces of South America). Highlights include the mysteries of the New World including the mummies of the Chinchorro tribe and passengers can follow in the footsteps of renowned explorer Pizarro and uncover the civilisations of the Pre Columbian societies

• Grand Brazil and Amazon – 37-day voyage from £4,895 per person, departing on 21 February 2014 (second half of Grand Faces of South America). Highlights include a visit to the Rio Carnival in Brazil and exploring the tropical rainforest in Manus

In true Swan Hellenic style, each grand voyage will be accompanied by prestigious Guest Speakers to bring the destinations to life and include in your cruise fare an inclusive tailor-made programme of shore excursions.

Prices for all grand voyages include flights and transfers from the UK, a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant port taxes/fees.

The 2014 Grand Voyage and shorter grand voyage section cruises for 2014 are on sale now.

Anyone wishing to submit memorabilia should send to [email protected] or post to Diamond Anniversary, 14th Floor, Dukes Keep, Marsh Lane, Southampton, S014 3EX. Swan Hellenic reserves the right to publish any submitted information and cannot be held responsible for any damage - items regrettably cannot be returned.

Perfect for keen walkers, the 10-night Footloose Through The Celtic Fringe cruise is escorted by specialist walking guides to explore the hidden gems from Ayrshire to Argyll and the Isles via Northern Ireland. Guests can enjoy full day and half day walks as well as visits to distilleries and museums.

The Footloose Through The Celtic Fringe itinerary, costs from £4,115 per person in an outside cabin and departs from Greenock, calling at the Clyde Island of Bute Arran and Sanda, the south west ports of Troon and Port Patrick, Campbeltown and Tarbert on the Kintyre Peninsula, Rathlin Island and Ballycastle in Northern Ireland and the Hebridean Islands of Jura, Iona and Tiree before arriving at the final destination of Oban. Price is based on a 25 August 2012 departure.

Alternatively, join the final Hebridean Island Cruises walking cruise of 2012 – Footloose on Skye. Steeped in history and romance, walk in Skye’s Cuillin Mountains or alternatively enjoy a drink in the most remote mainland pub in Britain, The Old Forge, and visit the ‘Museum of the Isles’ at Armadale Castle with its unique poetry trail.

The seven-night Footloose on Skye cruise, costs from £2,675 per person in an inside cabin and departs from Oban. The cruise calls at the Isle of Eigg, Loch Scavaig, Carbost, Uig, Portree and Armadale all on the Isle of Skye, the remote mainland villages of Plockton and Inverie and Craignure and Tobermory on the Isle of Mull before arriving at the final destination of Oban. Price is based on an 18 September 2012 departure.

Price for both cruises includes all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, gratuities, all relevant cruise taxes/fees and coach transfers from Glasgow to and from the ship or free parking at the port.

Complimentary air or rail travel from anywhere in the UK will be provided for guests on the Footloose Through The Celtic Fringe.

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P & O Cruises




celebrates 175 years of heritage in style with Royal fleet review


A P&O Parade of Captains

Southampton, July 3rd 2012: P&O Cruises today celebrated 175 years of heritage with a ‘Grand Event’ in its home port of Southampton. The company’s seven ships were first welcomed into port by ship’s Godmother Darcey Bussell for a day of celebrations. HRH Princess Royal later reviewed the fleet as it departed in formation in the Solent, after a spectacular ‘flutterfetti’ evening send-off, and a display by seven jets of the Red Arrows.

The P&O Fleet lines up in Southampton
 

The seven ships – Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Oceana, Oriana, and Ventura – with a combined gross tonnage of 569,000 tonnes, sailed into Southampton at dawn, marking the first-ever occasion all seven P&O Cruises ships have gathered together in their home port.

On the aft deck of Azura, Darcey Bussell, who named the ship in 2010, was presented with seven captain’s hats – one for each ship in the fleet – as jets from the Red Arrows performed a flypast over the ship.

Later, HRH The Princess Royal was greeted by the seven ship’s captains in a special ceremony. Her Royal Highness, godmother to two P&O Cruises ships, joined the VIP reception on board Oriana, with P&O Cruises consultant chefs Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar and wine expert Olly Smith in attendance, as well as a special cake baked by celebrity patissier Eric Lanlard.

David Dingle & Carole Marlow help Darcy cut the cake

With 2,600 bottles of champagne and 1,750 whole lobster loaded on board, passengers enjoyed barbeques on deck as the ships left their berths in the early evening.

Once in formation, the ships were reviewed by HRH The Princess Royal, who was on board the Trinity House vessel Patricia. HRH The Princess Royal was escorted by the Royal Navy’s newest Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dragon. After a ‘flutterfetti’ departure with streamers and daytime pyrotechnics and a display over Southampton Water by the Red Arrows, the ships took the Royal salute. They then went their separate ways on seven Grand Event cruises around the world, including the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Scandinavia and the Canary Islands.

HRH The Princess Royal reviews the P&O fleet

In a complex logistical operation, 15,000 passengers disembarked and 15,000 new passengers boarded the ships during the ‘Grand Event’ day. Over 10,000 spectators gathered at vantage points around Southampton Water to watch the departure of the ships. The whole event is estimated to bring £17 million to the local Southampton economy.

 

Join television and film actor, Robert Powell, on board Swan Hellenic’s Hellenic Highlights cruise , from £1,865 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Best known for the title role in Jesus of Nazareth and, most recently, BBC’s Holby City, Robert will be entertaining passengers aboard Minerva’s Hellenic Highlights cruise which sails around the Greek Islands this August.

As part of the refined after dinner programme, Robert, renowned for his distinctive voice, will delight passengers with his rendition of ‘A Victorian Celebration’ – a collection of Victorian poems, stories and letters featuring Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, and Thomas Hardy. In addition he will be giving a one man performance of ‘Silver Screen’ – a nostalgic romp through the first hundred years of cinema. Robert will also take part in a special 'Question & Answer' session hosted by the Cruise Director.

The 15-day Hellenic Highlights cruise departs from Piraeus (Greece), and calls at Souda Bay (Greece), Gythion (Greece), Nauplion (Greece), Delos (Greek Islands), Mykonos (Greece), Paros (Greece), Chios (Greek Islands), Symi (Greek Islands), Fethiye (Turkey), Kusadai (Turkey) - overnight before arriving at Istanbul (Turkey). Price is based on 29 August 2012 departure.

Prices for all cruises include a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

For more information and to book your cruise visit www.swanhellenic.com.

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Construction of Titanic II could start this year



RMS Titantic leaving Liverpool
 

Shanghai: The construction of a Titanic replica could begin this year after the billionaire behind the project said an engineering company had been hired to carry out a feasibility study.

Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer’s Blue Star Line announced that Finland's Deltamarin will undertake a full review of the Titanic II project to ensure the vessel will be compliant with all current safety and construction regulations, as well as meeting the design criteria laid down by Blue Star Line.

The work carried out by Deltamarin will enable China's CSC Jinling Shipyard to begin construction in time for the projected 2016 launch of the vessel.

"More than 20,000 people have registered on Blue Star Line's website expressing an interest in receiving regular updates from us or requesting information on how to secure bookings for Titanic II's maiden voyage," Palmer said. [20/06/12] (Excerpt from Sino Ship News)

See our Titanic article by clicking on R.M.S.TITANIC
 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has just launched a special selection of cruises for summer 2012, offering great savings on brochure prices. There are sailings from a range of regional UK ports, to destinations including the Norwegian fjords, the Baltic, the Arctic, Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, as well as several mini cruises. All offer exceptional value for money, with prices starting from £64 per person per night, and savings on brochure prices of up to £1,500 per cabin. Guests booking two or more cabins at the same time may also be eligible for an extra saving of 10% on the ‘Specialsaver’ price.

Departure ports include Dover, Southampton, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Greenock (Glasgow) and Rosyth (Edinburgh), with the PortLink coach service available from 42 pick up points nationwide.

Some sample cruises include :-
• Black Watch ‘Majestic Fjords’ cruise, W1212, a seven-night cruise from Dover to the Norwegian fjords, departing on 2nd September 2012, with ports including Bergen, Stavanger, Flam and Eidfjord. Prices start from £629 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin (brochure price £819).

• Boudicca ‘Waterfalls & Volcanoes’ cruise, D1216, a 10-night cruise to Iceland from Rosyth (Edinburgh), departing on 31st July 2012, that includes an overnight stay in Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital, and well as a call into the Faroe Islands. Prices start from £849 per person, reduced from £1,169, saving £320 per person.

• Balmoral’s ‘Portugal & Spain with Barcelona’ cruise, L1213, a 14-night cruise from Southampton, departing on 11th August 2012, with ports that include Gibraltar and Lisbon (Portugal) as well as vibrant Barcelona (Spain). Prices start from £1,079 per person, formerly £1,589.

• Black Watch mini cruise, W1213, a three-night cruise departing from Dover on 9th September 2012 and calling at Rouen (France) for an overnight stay. Prices start from £229 per person (formerly £339)

All prices are per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, Grade ‘I’ and include all meals and entertainment on board and port taxes.

Editor's Note:
These summer sailings represent amazing value for money, with all the meals served on board ship and the full programme of onboard entertainment included in the price, as well as port taxes. For anyone who has not yet booked a summer break, they will find these prices very hard to beat, and there is a great choice of destinations and departure ports.

Update April 2012

Carnival Corporation & plc and its subsidiary Costa Crociere have announced that Pier Luigi Foschi will retire as the cruise operator’s chief executive officer effective July 1, 2012.

Foschi, 65, will remain as chairman and a managing director of the Costa group and remain on the board of directors of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Michael Thamm, currently serving as president of Germany-based AIDA Cruises, has been appointed CEO of the Costa group, which includes Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, as well as Spanish cruise operator Ibero Cruises. Thamm will also serve on Costa's board of directors. Thamm will relocate to Genoa, Italy, and in his new role will report to Costa’s board of directors, which includes Micky Arison and Howard Frank, Carnival Corporation & plc’s chairman and CEO, and vice chairman and chief operating officer, respectively.

The moves are part of a long-term succession plan which included the scheduled retirement of Foschi once he reached the age of 65.
Longtime AIDA senior executive Michael Ungerer has been named AIDA Cruises’ president and Gianni Onorato will continue in his role as president of the Costa Cruises brand.

Foschi joined Costa Crociere in 1997 and was elected chairman of the board in 2000. Over the past 15 years, Foschi has played an integral role in the company’s tremendous growth and success while building upon its distinction as Europe’s number one cruise operator. In his role as Costa’s chairman, Foschi will continue to oversee the company’s government relations, matters related to the Costa Concordia accident and spearhead a number of strategic projects.

“Pier has made it known for some time that he intended to retire once he turned 65 and today’s announcement is part of our longtime succession plan that allows us to tap into our talented management team to find qualified individuals to oversee our brands,” Arison said. “Pier has developed Costa into a very successful and profitable organization and we wish to thank him for his many years of dedicated service. At the same time, Michael has done a superb job managing AIDA Cruises and we have every confidence that Michael will continue these efforts at the helm of Costa,” Arison added.

All of the various appointments are subject to approval by Costa’s board.
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).

Together, these brands operate 98 ships totaling 195,000 lower berths with 10 new ships scheduled to enter service between May 2012 and March 2016. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

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The NEW 2013 Cruise & Maritime Voyages Brochure is Out Now!

The new brochure is packed with a wonderful choice of 60 exceptional value cruising holidays aboard our ever popular classic cruise ships, the 800 passenger Marco Polo and Ocean Countess.

Ocean Countess and Marco Polo
 

Our 2013 programme offers a wide selection of cruising holidays including the spectacular Land of the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun, the breathtaking Norwegian Fjords, Spitzbergen, the glorious Baltic & Russia, Iceland & the Northern Isles, the Mediterranean and Black Sea and closer to home, our ever popular Round Britain & Ireland cruises. Next winter, why not join our ultimate escape the winter voyage to the mighty Amazon & West Indies. Alternatively, take a look at our magical Christmas & New Year cruise to the Canaries and Madeira or our great selection of short cruise breaks to whet the appetite.

Book by 31st July 2012 and save up to 25% with prices guaranteed against surcharge.

If you have already cruised with us then a copy of the new brochure will be sent to you shortly, if you are a new customer and would like a copy of the brochure, please contact us to join our mailing list by clicking on [email protected]

 

Swan Hellenic introduces its 2013/14 programme of cruises which sees its flagship 350 passenger ship, Minerva, visiting 16 new destinations. In total, the ship will sail to 184 ports around the world during 2013/14.

To celebrate the launch of the 2013/14 programme, Swan Hellenic – renowned for all inclusive value which includes an inclusive shore excursion programme and all gratuities on board and ashore – is offering passengers a 10 per cent discount on selected 2013 cruises and free travel insurance.

Passengers can benefit from free insurance on all bookings made between 17 April and 31 May 2012 on departures from 21 May 2013. An early booking incentive of 10% is also available on selected sailings during this same period.

Plus, for the first time, passengers choosing a higher grade Balcony suite (Grades A-C) can enjoy a complimentary return chauffeur service from their home to the UK airport or port within a radius of 75 miles (excess mileage charges on journeys over 75 miles will apply) on all cruises departing from 13 February 2013. Additional discounts can also be made if, when booking your 2013 cruise, you also book a cruise in 2012, and you can also achieve up to 30% savings on booking Grand Voyages in winter 2012/13. Terms and conditions apply on all these offers. 

In Summer 2013 Minerva will be sailing from its home port of Portsmouth, offering a varied programme of no-fly cruises to the Baltic, Norway, Spitsbergen, The British Isles, Iceland, France and Ireland. These include partnership cruises that have been designed in conjunction with the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society. Fly-cruises are also available, including the Black Sea and the Dalmatian coast and itineraries that explore the Mediterranean in the Autumn sunshine.

Further highlights of the summer 2013 programme include a cruise focusing on Oslo and the Fjords. This cruise, in June 2013, marks Minerva’s return to Oslo and also offers maiden calls in Haugesund, Førde and Ulvik. Scenic cruising in the fjords is a highlight of the cruise, which also features cruising Sognefjord to Flåm, for a chance to ride on the famous railway, and Nordfjord to see the spectacular Briksdal Glacier in Jostedal National Park. Prices start from £2,495 per person for a 16-day cruise.

Minerva will visit Spitsbergen for the first time on its Above the Arctic Circle itinerary in July 2013, spending four days calling at the remote settlements of Longyearbyen, Barentsburg and Ny-Alesund as well as cruising in Magdalenefjord. Prices start from £3,395 per person for a 21-day cruise.

Swan Hellenic, a British company founded in 1954, is also announcing its Winter 2013/14 programme, marking the start of its Diamond anniversary year. Minerva will cruise to the Caribbean, Central America and make a circumnavigation of South America. New ports of call include Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Casilda in Cuba, Cartagena in Colombia and the San Blas islands. Passengers can enjoy the 84-day winter voyage around South America from £11,765 per person.

Renowned for its eminent Guest Speakers, the 2013 programme includes Professor Mark Horton, co-presenter of BBC2’s BAFTA award winning programme Coast, the historian Mr Antony Beevor, Dr Andrew Burnett, Deputy Director of the British Museum, and Dr Emily Lethbridge, who recently spent a year in Iceland reading and researching the sagas in the landscapes in which they were written.

Swan Hellenic’s Managing Director, Colin Stone commented:

“Our passengers are constantly in search of new cultural experiences and enjoy visiting destinations that other larger cruise lines do not explore. With the addition of 16 new ports of call across five continents the forthcoming programme has something to suit all tastes. In addition, we always listen to our passengers’ comments and are pleased to be able to announce some new launch promotions. We anticipate that the complimentary insurance and chauffeur service will be well received, further reinforcing Swan Hellenic’s reputation of exceptional inclusive value small ship discovery cruising.”

Further highlights of the 2013 programme include:

The Realms of the British Isles cruise in partnership with the National Trust. This 15-day itinerary offers visits to distinguished National Trust houses, gardens and also features scenic cruising in the Inner Hebrides and along the Jurassic coast of Dorset. National Trust Guest Speakers feature on this cruise. Prices start from £2,175 per person for the 15-day cruise.

In partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, and with an RHS Guest Speaker, explore further off the beaten track with a cruise to the Shores of the Emerald Isle. Visit diverse gardens and enjoy maiden calls in the remote ports of Dingle in Eire, Inishmore on the Isles of Arran and the nature sanctuary of Lundy Island. Prices start from £2,175 per person for the 15-day cruise.

Rhythms of Cuba and the Caribbean offers two days exploring Havana, a full day in Santiago de Cuba and a morning call in Casilda, allowing exploration of many of the UNESCO world heritage sites in Cuba. Prices start from £1,950 per person for the 16-day cruise.

All brochure prices include return flights to/from the UK, transfers, a comprehensive selection of inclusive shore excursions in every port, and the opportunity to listen to enlightening talks by the eminent Guest Speakers on board. There are no additional gratuities or hidden extras and entrance fees to all attractions featured in the shore excursion programme are also included.

Make the most of the Great British summer and join Swan Hellenic’s 15-day Treasures of the British Isles cruise in partnership with the National Trust.

Visiting a number of National Trust properties including Wallington in Northumberland, Plas Newydd, the ancestral home of the Marquess of Anglesey, Greenway, the holiday home of Agatha Christie, the magical garden of the D’Oyly Carte family at Coleton Fishacre, as well as the spectacular Snowdonia National Park and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Helping bring the destinations to life, on board guests will be joined by National Trust Guest Speakers Jeremy Pearson, the Historic Properties Advisor for Devon and Cornwall and Adrian Tinniswood, an established author of several National Trust books. Both have lectured widely in the UK and abroad and will be able to offer their expertise on the properties visited. Other Guest Speakers on this cruise include ornithologist Tim Earl, Tresco Abbey Garden’s curator, Mike Nelhams and theologian, the Rt Revd Stephen Platten.

Treasures of the British Isles departs from Portsmouth (UK) and calls at Port of Tyne (England), Edinburgh (Scotland), Scrabster (Scotland), Stornoway (Lewis, Outer Hebrides) – overnight, Tobermory (Scotland) – overnight, Oban (Scotland), Anglesey (UK), Belfast (Northern Ireland) Isles of Scilly (UK), Dartmouth (UK), and St.Peter Port (Guernsey, Channel Islands) before returning to Portsmouth (UK). Price of £1905 per person is based on a special guarantee offer fare on 6 June 2012 departure. Savings of up to £930 per person are available on this cruise for selected cabins.

Prices for all cruises includes a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Special offer terms and conditions apply.

Voyages of Discovery is offering a series of summer savings of up to 40% per person on 2012 cruises.

With prices starting from as little as £489 per person for an eight-day cruise, including transfers and gratuities, the Summer Sale offers value for money on all European itineraries.

All cabin grades have been reduced; meaning the higher the grade of cabin booked the bigger the saving. The Summer Sale is valid on all bookings made before 12 April.

Cruises on offer include:

Voyage to the Mediterranean – 8 day cruise from £489pp - departing on 17 September 2012 calling at Leixoes (Portugal) and Barcelona (Spain). Fly cruise from Harwich (UK).

D-Day, Normandy, Dunkirk and Beyond – 9 day cruise from £589pp – departing on 9 June 2012 calling at Dunkirk (France) and Heligoland (Germany). No-fly cruise from Portsmouth (UK).

Oslo and the Magic of Norway – 10 day cruise from £679pp - departing on 25 August 2012 calling at Oslo (Norway) and Flåm and Gudvangen (Norway). No-fly cruise from Harwich (UK).

Timeless Baltic – 15 day cruise from £1,049pp - departing on 3 September 2012 calling at Copenhagen (Denmark) and St Petersburg (Russia). No-fly cruise from Harwich (UK).

Spitsbergen and the Northern Cape – 16 day cruise from £1,099pp - departing on 13 June 2012 calling at Trondheim (Norway) and Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen). No-fly cruise from Harwich (UK).

A Nordic and White Sea Adventure – 20 day cruise from £1,899pp – departing on 25 July 2012 calling at Archangel (Russia) and Ørsta (Norway). No-fly cruise from Harwich (UK).

Further summer cruises and offers are available. Please see www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk .

Price includes flights and overseas transfers from/to the ship (where applicable), all gratuities, service charges and port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on-board.

Savings are based on original brochure price. The £1,953 per person saving is based on a guest booking a category A cabin on the Nordic and White Sea Adventure sailing at original brochure price.

For more information and to book visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk.

Cruise on board the newly refurbished mv Minerva for less with Swan Hellenic’s (www.swanhellenic.com)  newly announced limited special offer fares.

Pay in full at the time of the booking and cruise from as little as £1,705 per person for a 15-day cruise. Savings apply to cruises throughout the 2012 programme.

Each booking is non-refundable and cabin number will be allocated the day before the cruise departs.

Selection of special fares:

Gardens of the Celtic Fringe – 14-day cruise from £1,745 per person – save up to 20% (£1,700 saving per cabin) on brochure price. Departing on 19 July 2012 from Portsmouth and calling at Dublin (Ireland), Portrush (Ireland), Killybegs (Ireland), Glengarriff (Ireland), Cork (Ireland), Isles of Scilly (England), Falmouth (England), St Peter Port (Guernsey) and Rouen (France) before returning to Portsmouth (England). Excursion highlights include the Giant’s Causeway, Ring of Beara, Tresco Abbey Gardens, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Seine River transit to Rouen.

South to the Mediterranean – 15-day cruise from £1,745 per person – save up to 20% (£1,710 saving per cabin) on brochure price. Departing on 1 August 2012 from Portsmouth and calling at St Peter Port (Guernsey), La Coruna (Spain), Oporto (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Cartagena (Spain), Palma (Majorca), Cagliari (Italy), Trapani (Italy) and Valletta (Malta) - overnight. Excursion highlights include an inclusive full day Alhambra Palace, Jerez Sherry Bodega, Phoenician Heritage of Sardinia and the Greek Temples of Sicily.
No single supplement also applies on selected cabins on this cruise.

Venice and Adriatic – 15-day cruise from £1,900 per person – save up to 20% (£1,860 saving per cabin) on brochure price. Departing on 15 August 2012 from Valletta (Malta) -overnight- and calling at Dubrovnik (Croatia)-overnight, Korcula (Croatia), Split (Croatia), Trieste (Italy), Venice (Italy), Pula (Croatia), Kotor (Montenegro)-overnight, Sarande (Albania), Itea (Greece), and Piraeus (Greece)-overnightx2. Excursion highlights include Dubrovnik Walled Town, Dalmation Coast, Diocletian’s Palace, Kotor Fjord, Delphi and Minerva’s transit of the Corinth Canal.

Passage to Oman – 15-day cruise from £1,705 per person – save up to 20% (£1,470 saving per cabin) on brochure price. Departing on 21 November 2012 from Safaga (Egypt)-overnight- and calling at Dijbouti (Djibouti) -overnight, Salalah (Oman), Muscat (Oman)-overnight, Khasab (Oman) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates)-overnight. Excursion highlights include Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings, Forts and Palaces of Oman, Musandam Fjord and Dubai skyline.

No single supplement also applies on selected cabins on this cruise.

Prices for all cruises includes flights and transfers (where applicable), a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

For more information and to book visit www.swanhellenic.com 


Discovery-led cruise ship sails home following its multi million pound refit

Swan Hellenic’s Minerva sailed into Portsmouth on Friday 2nd March following its multi-million pound winter upgrade programme.

Carrying a maximum of just 350 passengers, Minerva, the discovery led cruise ship, spends its days taking discerning travellers to some of the world’s most iconic destinations and hidden gems.

Built specifically for Swan Hellenic and originally named by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester, the vessel has a unique loyalty with both passengers and crew alike.

Minerva boasts a country house style and Swan Hellenic prides itself on its discovery cruising ethos, which was pioneered by the company in 1954. Each sailing is escorted by Guest Speakers who bring each destination to life covering topics as diverse as the legacy of Tsarist and Soviet rule to the archaeology and culture of Greek Islands. Each Guest Speaker is an expert in their field with many considered to be the world’s foremost authority on their subject.

The ship’s company prepared the vessel for its first passenger cruise that departed from Portsmouth that afternoon. HM Band of the Royal Marines will play as it departs on a 15 day cruise calling at Oporto and Lisbon (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Casablanca (Morocco) and Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Gomera, Santa Cruz de la Palma (Canary Islands) and Funchal (Madeira).

The upgraded ship boasts a number of new and improved features including:
• An additional 32 balconies to existing cabins, increasing the number of balcony suites to 23% of all cabin accommodation
• A new forward facing observation lounge and bar – the Orpheus Lounge – on the top deck, providing guests with expansive panoramic views
• A dedicated internet lounge
• An extension to the popular Shackleton Bar where guests can enjoy pre dinner drinks
• A new outdoor walk round promenade deck
• New en-suite facilities in every cabin

The ship also features a comprehensive library of approximately 5,000 volumes, many written by Guest Speakers past and present; two dining rooms enabling open seating dining, which allows passengers to dine with their friends at leisure plus the gym and spa services have also been relocated and upgraded.

The upgrade marks the first major work on the ship since its original remodelling from a spy ship vessel called ‘Okean’ (named after the Ukrainian shipyard where it was being constructed).

“Minerva’s renovations mark a new chapter in the long history of Swan Hellenic and underline All Leisure Group PLC’s commitment to the future of this popular ship, enabling it to remain at the forefront of cultural discovery cruising for years to come” explains Colin Stone, Managing Director Swan Hellenic. “We took onboard feedback from our passengers to ensure the major refurbishments allow the ship to continue to appeal to our loyal customers but also hopefully appeal to those who are keen to try their first discovery cruise on an intimate ship”.

The ship started its 2012 season by offering a series of spring cruises around the Canary Islands, Mediterranean and Black Sea. Passengers can explore the flora, fauna and landscapes of the Canary Islands on an Islands of the Sun cruise while the Vintage Iberia & Italy cruise allows passengers to travel up the Guadalquivir River and stay in the centre of Seville – an experience which is unique to Minerva due to her smaller size.

Prices start from £1,495 per person onboard the refurbished Minerva based on the 16 March 'Vintage Iberia & Italy' cruise.

All prices include return flights from the UK (where applicable), transfers, a tailor-made programme of shore excursions in e

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