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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines launches Norway 2016-17 brochure

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 23 April 2015 23 April 2015

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destinational UK based cruise line, says it has launched a brochure, entitled ‘The Best Fjords of Norway, which showcases 20 Norwegian sailings on offer in its 2016-17 cruise programme.

"From a ‘Five-Night Fjords’ cruise, ex Newcastle on 21st May 2016, to an eight-night ‘Norwegian Fjords & the Orkney Isles’ sailing ex Greenock (Glasgow) on 15th July 2016, there is no better way to take in one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena than a scenic fjords cruise on Fred.’s smaller ships – from just £100 per person, per night," the company said in a statement.

Nathan Philpot, Sales & Marketing Director, said: “At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, we recognise that the reason that guests book a fjords cruise is to actually see the fjords, so the scenic cruising element is just as important – if not more important – than the port calls themselves. We don’t just take our guests from port to port, we devote much more time to showcasing the winding fjords, sheer mountainsides and thundering waterfalls, including intercoastal passageways that can only be cruised by smaller-sized ships. We deviate away from the direct route in order to reach the very best of the fjordland – much of which has its own story to tell – and your camera will be just as busy on sea days as it is ashore!”

Examples of the cruises available in Fred. Olsen’s ‘The Best Fjords of Norway’ brochure include:

- Braemar’s nine-night M1607 ‘Norwegian Cities & Fjords’ cruise, ex Dover on 1st April 2016. Prices start from £899 per person.

Experience beautiful cities and some of the best fjords in Norway on this unique sailing. Guests will cruise first to Stavanger, which is a former ‘Capital of Culture’, where they can explore the Old Town, Gamle Stavanger, or even take a helicopter ride over the city and the impressive Lysefjord.

After cruising Karmsund, Braemar will arrive in Flåm, where guests can take the magnificent funicular railway, a 20km-long spiralling sensation weaving through tunnels, over bridges and past waterfalls and towering mountains.

Next, Braemar will cruise along the imposing Nærøyfjord, which has been rated joint top in National Geographic’s list of natural heritage sites worldwide. At 17 kilometres long and just 250 metres wide at its narrowest point – meaning that it is only accessible to smaller ships – this passage through the fjord is one of the most dramatic in Europe.

Guests will then spend a day in Norway’s ‘Second City’, Bergen. Take a trip on the funicular railway to Mount Fløyen, for panoramic views of the landscape.

Braemar will then spend a full day scenic cruising. Guests can find a space on the wrap-around deck and enjoy the views as the ship passes Hidrasund and Strandsfjord, Flekkefjord and Stolsfjord, Fedafjord and Listafjord and Rosfjord.

Braemar will then continue towards Norway’s fascinating capital, Oslo. There are many highlights to discover, including the wonderful medieval Akershus Castle, the unusual Vigeland Sculpture Park, the fabulous Viking Ship Museum and the National Gallery, home to Edvard Munch’s The Scream.

One of the recommended tours in Oslo is ‘Fred. Olsen History in Norway’, which tells the story of the Olsen family’s proud heritage. The Fred. Olsen Company originated in the small village of Hvitsten in 1848, when three Olsen brothers – Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas – bought their first ships and began an international shipping company. Now into the fifth generation of the family, guests will be able to visit the Olsen homestead and learn how the community has been influenced by their ancestors.

Braemar’s final call is to Arendal, the inspiration for the fictional ‘Arendelle’ kingdom in Disney’s hit animation film Frozen. With its reputation steadily growing, Arendal boasts many local pubs and restaurants, as well as numerous intriguing monuments, such as the Town Hall and the Ibsenhuset Museum, which contains treasured belongings of playwright Henrik Ibsen.

- Balmoral’s five-night L1610 ‘Norwegian Festival & Fjords’ cruise, ex Newcastle on 26th May 2016. Prices start from £599 per person.

It is the location of the departure port that makes a cruise of this short duration possible, perfectly reflecting Fred. Olsen’s regional strategy. Sail straight to the heart of Norway in a fraction of the time it would take to sail there from a Southern UK departure port and find yourself amongst stunning landscapes, just a short while after departure.

First, guests will visit Lysefjord – one of the ‘Pearls of Norway’ – featuring ‘Preikestolen’ (‘Pulpit Rock’) and ‘Kjerag’ (‘The Mountain Bolt’). Both of these cruise highlights are only accessible by ships up to 50-metres in height, because of the bridge at the entrance.

Next, guests can explore the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, in the fine city of Bergen. Balmoral’s visit also coincides with the fantastic ‘International Festival’ – an annual celebration of music, theatre, dance, opera and the arts.

Guests will then arrive in stunning Eidfjord, a picturesque town surrounded by the mighty Hardangerfjord, which has been voted as a top 10 fjord experience by Norwegians. For those feeling adventurous, head out onto the glass-like waters on a kayak, and get up close to the mountainsides and waterfalls.

Next, Balmoral will cruise to Maurangerfjord, where guests will pass the stunning Fureberg Waterfall. After a day of cruising the Hidrasund and Strandsfjord – a narrow passage between the island of Hidra and the mainland – the ship cruises the Southern fjord of Stolsfjorden and the size-restricted Flekkefjorden, where guests will be surrounded by rolling green landscapes.

All prices listed are based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, Inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. Guests can also choose to upgrade to Fred. Olsen’s ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night*.

In addition, guests who book by 31st May 2015 inclusive can make the most of Fred. Olsen’s ‘Three cruises for the price of two’ campaign**, which includes all sailings of less than 35 nights’ duration departing from 6th October 2015, as well as those featured in the new 2016/17 cruise programme. By booking by 31st May 2015, guests can also benefit from all gratuities paid for by Fred. Olsen.***

Royal Caribbean declares tax-free holiday for U.S. vacationers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 11 April 2015 11 April 2015

This tax season, take a vacation from paying taxes for a cruise vacation. For five days only, from April 11 through 15, 2015, vacationers who book a new Royal Caribbean International sailing will have their cruise booking taxes, port charges and fees paid by the cruise line.

With Royal Caribbean’s Tax-Free Holiday, U.S. residents can save up to $200 per guest when they make a new booking on a six-night or longer Bahamas, Caribbean and roundtrip-Europe itinerary. The offer applies to sailings that depart on April 15, 2015, through March 31, 2016, but does not include Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. For more information, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/TaxFree starting Saturday, April 11.

Royal Caribbean International launches WOW sale

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 21 March 2015 21 March 2015

Spring break is right around the corner and Royal Caribbean is making it irresistible for families to plan their next adventure now. Starting Saturday, March 21, 2015, U.S and Canadian vacationers can take advantage of Royal Caribbean International’s five-day WOW Sale, and receive up to $200 onboard credit and enjoy 50 percent off the cruise fare for the second guest in the same room with a full-fare guest on nearly all open sailings, departing on or after May 15, 2015. Vacationers also can save an additional 50 percent for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom if they make a new booking for a 2016-17 sailing. Furthermore, guests who make a new booking on a five-night or longer itinerary in an Oceanview or higher-category stateroom can receive 50 percent off a second Premium Beverage Package when they purchase one at full price by mentioning promo code ‘BOGOBEV’ at the time of booking. For more information about the WOW Sale, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/wowsale on March 21.

The WOW Sale combines an onboard credit offer with the current BOGO50 offer for nearly all new bookings made between March 21 and 25, 2015. Additional to the half off second, third, and fourth guests’ cruise-fare offer mentioned above, guests will receive $50 onboard credit per stateroom on five-night or shorter itineraries; $100 onboard credit per stateroom for six- to nine-night itineraries; and $200 onboard credit per stateroom for 10-night or longer cruises. Vacationers also can take advantage of the offer’s 50 percent reduced deposit and make a reservation for as low as $50 per person. Guests can apply their onboard credit toward a heart-pumping shore excursion, an intimate specialty dining experience to celebrate a special occasion, or a dazzling memento from Royal Caribbean’s fine onboard boutiques.

New bookings for sailings departing prior to May 15, 2015, and for all Anthem of the Seas, trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific and China sailings will only receive the onboard credit and 50 percent reduced deposit. The WOW Sale does not include Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.

Outside of the WOW Sale period, BOGO50 is valid for new bookings, made between March 11 and April 30, 2015, in Oceanview and higher-category staterooms on five-night or longer itineraries, departing on or after May 15, 2015. The offer does not include bookings on Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, and China sailings.

Savings on Windstar Cruises

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 01 April 2015 01 April 2015

Windstar Cruises is offering guests the chance to save big during the week of March 31 - April 7, 2015. Save up to 76% on featured voyages in the Greek Isles, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Tahiti, with fares starting at $1,599 per person.

Discover hidden coves and explore must-see legendary landmarks in private yacht style. With exclusive private events and access to small ports, Windstar brings the cultural and culinary delights of the world closer to you.

In every voyage in 2015, all guests will experience one of Windstar's new Private Events, a spectacular onshore event created exclusively for Windstar. These complimentary events are crafted to give guests an in depth local experience on each cruise. Examples include Kusadasi: Evening in Ephesus, a once-in-a-lifetime experience of dining under the stars at the Celsus Library; and Bora Bora, Dinner on Your Private Motu, a traditional Tahitian feast complete with fire dancers.

Offer expires April 7, 2015.

MSC Cruises changes pricing structure for summer 2015 in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 09 March 2015 09 March 2015

MSC Cruises, the world's fourth largest cruise shipping groups, said it is changing the structure of its pricing in the UK for the summer of 2015.

The Keep It Simple pricing structure will feature four pricing bands that depend on the month of departure. Usually, the company's prices are based on experience - the higher the fare, the more services are included in it.

" For the rest of the summer season MSC Cruises will have two sets of fly-cruise fares – one for its biggest ships operating in the Western Med from Genoa [MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina and MSC Fantasia], and another for its Eastern Med ships sailing from Venice [MSC Magnifica and MSC Musica]," it said in a statement.

Keep It Simple prices – which go live from March 13 2015 – will be divided into 4 booking price bands depending on departure month.

Western Med fly cruise sailings: (April, November) start at £569 per person, rising to £599 (May, October); £679 (June, September); and £939 (July, August)
Eastern Med fly cruise sailings: (April, November) start at £839 per person, rising to £889 (May, October); £939 (June, September); and £1,089 (July, August)

For even more clarity, guests can work out the cruise-only cost – should they wish to purchase their own flights - by simply deducting £150 from the cost of their chosen West Med itinerary or £250 off East Med sailings.

To underline MSC Cruises commitment to the trade, agents will receive full commission on the flight and cruise portions of all fly-cruise bookings. Passengers that have booked the Bella experience will be upgraded to Fantastica, the next level, free of charge, MSC Cruises said.