Tour-Smart Limited

 

The Fleet's in Port waiting for you - Southampton 2012
 

P&O Cruises has added nine short cruises ranging from two to five nights in 2013, visiting the Channel Islands, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Classical singing sensations Jonathan Antoine & Charlotte Jaconelli, who shot to fame in this year’s Britain’s Got Talent on U.K. TV, will appear on Azura’s four-night cruise on April 18. Their first album is now certified gold and was the highest ever entry by a classical album into the main album chart. This cruise provides an opportunity to see them before the start of their UK tour next summer.

Available on a choice of family-friendly large and mid-sized ships from April to July 2013, all short break cruises conveniently depart from and return to Southampton, available to book from today. Prices start from £199 per person for a two-night cruise on Azura in April.

April:
•    Departing April 16, 2013, a two-night cruise on Azura (A309P) calling at St Peter Port starts from £199 per person for a Vantage Fare.

•    Departing April 18, 2013, a four-night cruise with opera duo, Jonathan & Charlotte from Britain’s Got Talent on Azura (A309Q) stopping at Zeebrugge and St Peter Port starts from £319 per person for a Vantage Fare.

•    Departing April 22, 2013, a three-night cruise with a special celebrity guest on Azura (A309R) calling at Zeebrugge and St Peter Port starts from £249 per person for a Vantage Fare.

•    Departing April 25, 2013, a two-night cruise on Azura (A309T) calling at St Peter Port starts from £199 per person for a Vantage Fare.

May:
•    Departing May 27, 2013, a four-night cruise on Ventura (N313N) calling at Zeebrugge and St Peter Port starts from £349 per person for a Vantage Fare.

•    Departing May 31, 2013, a three-night cruise on Ventura (N313P) calling at Zeebrugge and St Peter Port starts from £249 per person for a Vantage Fare.

June:
•    Departing June 3, 2013, a five-night cruise on Ventura (N313Q) calling at Amsterdam and St Peter Port starts from £449 per person for a Vantage Fare.

July:
•    Departing July 14, 2013, a two-night cruise on Oceana (E316N) calling at St Peter Port starts from £249 per person for a Vantage Fare.

•    Departing July 16, 2013, enjoy a three-night cruise on Oceana (E316P) calling at Zeebrugge and St Peter Port starts from £349 per person for a Vantage Fare.

Added due to an increasing demand for shorter cruises, these escapes are an ideal introduction to a cruise holiday for couples, families, groups or even single travellers as some of the ships have sought after large single cabins. They also make an ideal Christmas present or value for money alternative to a city break.

Azura’s facilities include four pools, Oasis Spa, gym, age-specific children’s clubs and a selection of restaurants and bars including Sindhu fine dining restaurant by Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar and The Glass House bar with wines selected by TV expert Olly Smith.

Ventura’s facilities include four pools, Oasis Spa, gym, age-specific children’s clubs and a selection of restaurants and bars including The White Room fine dining restaurant by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White and from April The Glass House grill and bar with wines selected by TV expert Olly Smith.

Oceana’s facilities include four pools, Oasis Spa, gym, sports court, golf nets, age-specific children’s clubs and numerous restaurants and bars including Cafe Jardin bistro by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Vantage Fares have great benefits including a choice of cabin, the flexibility to make amendments to, or even change, the choice of cruise or cabin up to 90 days prior to departure, plus one of the following; on board spending money, car parking in Southampton or return coach travel to Southampton. P&O Cruises Price Promise protection ensures that should the price of a cruise reduce, the difference will be awarded in on board spending or a cabin upgrade.

For more information or to book call P&O Cruises on 0843 373 0111 or visit www.pocruises.co.uk.


* * *

 

UK BBC Television's "Strictly Come Dancing" judge, Craig Revel Horwood, will join seven Strictly cruises next year, along with a flurry of the BBC show’s professional dancers. Available on selected cruises to Europe from May to October 2013, the professionals set to storm the stage include some of this year’s favourites; James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Natalie Lowe and Kristina Rihanoff. Prices start from £1,179 per person for a 13-night Canary Islands cruise.

The legendary acerbic judge Revel Horwood will join all seven Strictly Come Dancing themed cruises. In addition, each cruise will have two professional dancers to bring all the glamour and glittering performances to the dance floor. All cruises depart from and return to Southampton. The 2013 Strictly Cruises are:

Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe on a 13-night Canary Islands cruise on Azura (A311N) departing May 11, 2013. Ports of call are Madeira, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz and Lisbon. Vantage Fares from £1,179 per person.

James Jordan and Ola Jordan on a 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Azura (A313N) departing May 31, 2013. Ports of call are Cartagena, Messina, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Malta and Gibraltar. Vantage Fares from £1,669 per person.

Pasha Kovalev and Katya Virshilas on a 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Aurora (R308) departing June 18, 2013. Ports of call are Alicante, Messina, Cephalonia, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and Cadiz. Vantage Fares from £1,749 per person.

Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor on a 12-night Canary Islands cruise on Ventura (N317) departing July 1, 2013. Ports of call are Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Lisbon. Vantage Fares from £1,199 per person.

Ian Waite and Camilla Dallerup on a 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Arcadia (J310) departing August 4, 2013. Ports of call are Cadiz, Malta, Venice, Dubrovnik, Cartagena and Gibraltar. Vantage Fares from £1,849 per person.

Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova on a 14-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Oceana (E321) departing September 1, 2013. Ports of call are Cartagena, Barcelona, St Raphael, Florence/Pisa, Palau, Gibraltar and Corunna. Vantage Fares from £1,379 per person.

Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova also on a 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Azura (A323N) departing October 1, 2013. Ports of call are Cadiz, Messina, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Malta and Lisbon. Vantage Fares from £1,509 per person.

The top names will show off their routines with the samba, foxtrot, rumba, quickstep, jive and more. Guests will also see a collection of the intricate costumes worn by the celebrities and stars this series.

For more information or to book call P&O Cruises on +44 (0) 843 373 0111 or visit www.pocruises.co.uk.


Update October 2012

Discover Latin America’s diverse mix of culture, history and stunning landscapes with Voyages of Discovery’s mv Voyager.

Join the 21-day A Tapestry of Central America cruise and relax on the white sands of Montego Bay (Jamaica), explore Mexican Mayan ruins at Progreso (Mexico) and visit the tropical Costa Rican jungle.

A Tapestry of Central America costs from £2,499 per person and departs from Montego Bay (Jamaica)-overnight and calls at Progreso (Mexico), Belize City (Belize), Puerto Cortes (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Cartagena (Colombia), San Blas Islands (Panama), Panama Canal transit (Panama), Balboa (Panama), Manta (Ecuador) and Quito (Ecuador). Price is based on 4 January 2013 UK departure.

Alternatively join the 22-day Natural Wonders of Latin America cruise, from £2,399 per person. Guests can marvel at the glacier-capped mountains of the Chilean Fjords and take in the historic past of Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) before arriving in the world famous cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires (Argentina).

Ushuaia in Argentina

The Natural Wonders of Latin America departs from Valparaiso (Chile)-overnight and calls at Puerto Montt (Chile), Puerto Chacabuco (Chile), cruising the Chilean Fjords (Chile), Ushuaia (Argentina), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), Puerto Madryn (Argentina) and Buenos Aires (Argentina)-overnight. Price is based on 5 February 2013 UK departure.

Prices include return flights from a major UK airport, transfers, all on board gratuities, service charges and relevant port/airport taxes, a comprehensive Guest Speaker programme and all meals and entertainment on board. Cabins will not be allocated at the time of booking with the fares quoted above.
All Voyages of Discovery shore excursions are now also bookable online – visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.com for further information.

CareVacations / Cruise Ship Assist is a family owned company based in Leduc, Canada, with agents in most of the major cruise ports of the world and working with all the major cruise lines, are the leading providers of mobility equipment for cruising clients who have a disability, be it short term or long.

CareVacations provides a variety of equipment, including standard wheelchairs, scooters, power chairs and hospital beds and hoists.

In Europe the Company is represented by CareVacations & Commerce UK, who provide a complete service, delivering your hired and fully maintained equipment to your cabin on the day of embarkation and collecting it after you disembark.

CareVacations also offer mobility equipment for your pre/post hotel stays in London. Bookings are done over the phone or via email, clients only deal with one person in the UK.

CareVacations / Cruise Ship Assist have been offering clients in North America this service for at least 25 years. All the main USA and Canadian cruise ports are serviced, as well as the Caribbean.

Cruising is an ideal holiday for anyone who wants to leave the stress and strain of travel behind and just enjoy themselves, whether you have a disability or not!

For more information about the UK representation and the Canadian owned company, visit these websites:-

www.carevacations.co.uk

www.carevacations.com

Contact details in UK:-
Krystyna Stafford – Mobile 07821 614803
Email:- [email protected]

See your money go further on a cruise to the popular Asian country, Sri Lanka with Swan Hellenic. Recently named the ‘best value destination’* for the third year running, the To Sri Lankan Shores cruise offers temples, heritage and nature on a voyage around the island.

'Time for Tea'
One of Sri Lanka's tea plantations

Explore the ancient port of Galle (a UNESCO heritage site) admire the Dutch architecture of the city or venture to Koggala, famous for its stilt fisherman. Sail to Sri Lanka’s capital – Colombo before travelling across the countryside to visit the Temple of Tooth and the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.

The 15-day To Sri Lankan Shores cruise is available from £2,125 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). The itinerary departs from Singapore and calls at Port Klang (Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia), Langkawi (Malaysia), Port Blair (Andaman Islands), Chennai (India), Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), Galle (Sri Lanka) and Colombo (Sri Lanka). Price is based on a 13 February 2013 departure.

Prices includes return flights from a major London airport and relevant transfers, 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.

Swan Hellenic passengers choosing an outside cabin grade or higher (Grades A-I) can enjoy a complimentary return chauffeur service from their home to the UK departure airport or port within a radius of 75 miles (excess mileage charges on journeys over 75 miles will apply) on all 2013 cruises departing from 13 February 2013. Passengers on this cruise booking an outside cabin (Grades F-I) will also receive £100 onboard credit per cabin, or passengers booking a balcony suite (Grades A-D) will receive £200 onboard credit per cabin.

See Tour-smart's article about this Asian paradise by clicking on SRI LANKA.

For more information and to book visit www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844 822 0679. Follow Swan Hellenic on twitter - @Swanhellenic and like us on Facebook.

* * * 

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.

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

* * *

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.

* * * 

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
 

* * * 



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.

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.