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QE2 Anchor is placed in Southampton’s Old Town

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 12 July 2011 12 July 2011

The huge anchor from the city’s beloved cruise-liner the QE2, has been re-homed on the footpath in front of Holy Rood Church. On 10 July, the 13 tonne anchor, given to Southampton City Council as a gift from Cunard was lifted into place. It will create another historical site in Southampton and will be celebrated with a formal opening in the late summer.

Councillor Royston Smith, Leader of Southampton City Council, said: “Cunard’s generous gift has finally been given an appropriate home in Southampton. Not only will it add an important heritage site to the city, it will also raise the profile of the QE2 Mile and ultimately attract more people to Southampton’s Old Town. I look forward to formally unveiling the name plaque and opening the site with Cunard in due course.”

Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, added: "QE2 called at her home port of Southampton more times than any other port during her long and illustrious career so it is entirely fitting for there to be such a tribute to her in her home city. The anchor and the designated 'QE2 Mile' will ensure that her legacy in Southampton will endure for many years to come.”

The QE2 anchor has a strong connection with Southampton. Not only did the ship bring prosperity to the city but it is also a symbol of great pride as it sailed off to help in the Falkland conflict 1982. In 1957 Holy Rood Church was dedicated as a memorial to the sailors of the Merchant Navy.

The council says it is turning Southampton’s Old Town into an exciting and vibrant city quarter, celebrating the city’s medieval heritage. Holy Rood Place will create a more pedestrian friendly environment with new green bedding and will encourage al fresco dining from several of the new restaurants in the area. Another milestone in the Old Town includes Tudor House and Garden opening on July 30.

Seabourn Quest calls at Marmaris on her maiden voyage

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 01 July 2011 01 July 2011

Following her naming ceremony, Bahamas flagged Seabourn Quest has made her inaugural call at Marmaris on her maiden voyage which started in Barcelona last week. Seabourn Quest arrived with her 410 passengers and 344 crew members on board at Marmaris Cruise Port in the early hours of Thursday morning.

For the occasion of Seabourn Quest's maiden voyage and inaugural call in Marmaris, a welcoming ceremony was arranged by Marmaris Cruise Port. The new luxurious ship was greeted in traditional Turkish style and hospitality with folk dancers and red roses. The music and dancing put smiles on passengers' faces and they showed their excitement by taking lots of photos. Evil eye beads and gifts with views of Marmaris such as, bags, postcards, magnets and bookmarks were given to passengers as memorabilia. Passengers also got the chance to taste delicious Turkish delight. After the ceremony, as some passengers went on excursions, others preferred to visit the town of Marmaris and take advantage of the sunny day at the beach. Passengers had enough time to enjoy the beauties of Marmaris before the ship's departure at 18:00 on her way to Kusadasi.

For her maiden voyage, a commemorative hand crafted wooden plaque made of a traditional ceramic tile with Ottoman Gallion motives was presented to the master of Seabourn Quest by Marmaris Cruise Port management.

It was a pleasant and busy day at Marmaris Cruise Port welcoming two cruise ships; Seabourn Quest and regular caller AIDAdiva.

Seville improves locks, Braemar to call at city centre

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 24 June 2011 24 June 2011

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will make itsinaugural visit to the Port of Seville on 27th June 2011, with the call of the 24,400 gross ton Braemar. Matt Grimes, Director, Planning, Ports & Logistics for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said in a statement: “We are delighted that Braemar will be the first Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ship to berth at the Port of Seville.”

“The recent refurbishment of the port’s entrance lock means that we are able to call into the heart of Seville, berthing the ship only a short walk from the centre of the Andalucian capital. It is an important addition to our busy cruise programme, and offers an exciting combination of tradition and innovation, making it an ideal destination for the enjoyment of our guests. The call demonstrates FOCL’s ability to reach smaller ports that today’s new mega-liners are unable to call at.”

To commemorate this maiden call to the city, a representative of the Seville Tourism Board will board Braemar to offer commentaries and information about the Guadalquivir River to all the guests enjoying the cruise along this scenic waterway, allowing them to make the most of their beautiful surroundings as the ship sails some 40 nautical miles inland from the coast.

Santiago García-Dils de la Vega, Head ofPromotion, Marketing and Visitor’s Centre, Seville Tourism Board, said: “Seville has become a regular stop-off point for several cruise lines, and the Seville Port Authority and the Seville Tourism Board have been working closely together to promote the city as an ideal destination for cruises."

“The welcome growth of this cruise activity, and the increasing importance of the ‘Delicias’ dock area, reinforce the integration of the Port of Seville into the city, greatly enhancing it in turn from a touristic point of view."

“The maiden call of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in Seville City is a moment of special satisfaction after the fruitful Promotional Action Plan that the Seville Tourism Board and the Port of Seville have developed in co-operation with this prestigious cruise line over the past few years.”

Larger ships call at Cadiz on the Atlantic coast of Spain and passengers are then taken by coach to Seville on tours.

Saga River Cruises publish 2024 programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 25 April 2023 25 April 2023

Saga River Cruises, which is part of the UK based Saga plc group, has published its 2024 itineraries.

“There are a lot of exciting new experiences for our river guests in 2024, including Spirit of the Douro arriving in the fleet to operate one of our most popular regions, the introduction of ‘taster cruises’ that are just five nights, new itineraries including to Lake Ijssel and Flanders Field and more of what our customers love most, such as André Rieu events,” Nigel Blanks, CEO of Saga Cruises, said in a statement.

“Our ‘Spirit’ river cruises are now all-inclusive from dining and drinks to wifi and gratuities, and we offer a complimentary chauffeur service from home to the airport or St Pancras, and back again. Everything is taken care of so our guests can just relax and enjoy the rivers.”

Excitingly, Saga’s fleet will be joined from March 2024 by a new addition, Spirit of the Douro, which will operate on its namesake river throughout the full season.

The ship will offer 63 cabins, all of which face out onto the river. Like its sister ships, Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danube, Spirit of the Douro will also boast a restaurant with panoramic views and a sun deck for the warm weather. It will be almost impossible to miss any of the sights from the ship and guests can expect the same high-quality, all-inclusive experience and ‘Spirit’ service that they experience on other Saga cruises.

Spirit of the Douro will undertake 36 Douro Explorer cruises between March and November 2024, with prices starting from £1,461 per person. The region, which is incredibly popular with travellers, is famous for its beautiful wines and attractions such as the city of Salamanca and Lamego’s baroque Sanctuary of Nossa Senhore dos Remedios.

Saga will also be offering a range of five-night ‘taster’ river cruises, which are a great option for those who want to try river cruising before committing to a longer itinerary. Examples include A Taste of Holland with Keukenhof which starts in Amsterdam on 4 April 2024 and visits Hoorn, Lelystad, and Zaandam, where guests will tour the famous Keukenhof Gardens.

Battlefields and concerts

Saga will also be offering an Ypres and Flanders Fields cruise, stopping at the town that saw some of the most bitter fighting of World War I. The tour will call at the Flanders Field Memorial Museum and the Menin Gate Memorial during the Last Post ceremony to pay respect to those who fought and fell. The cruise, which starts in Amsterdam on 1 May 2024, will also call in Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Ghent, and Brussels. Prices start from £1,536 per person for this six-night itinerary on Spirit of the Rhine.

A new Rhine in the Springtime cruise, also on Spirit of the Rhine, will offer the only stop of the season in beautiful Bingen – once the home of visionary and composer Hildegard von Bingen. The cruise will start in Dusseldorf on 20 March 2024 and call in Koblenz, Rudesheim, Speyer and Arnhem. This eight-night cruise starts from just £1,409 per person.

An unusual itinerary along Lake Ijssell in the Netherlands will explore the maritime ports and tiny islands on its shores. This 11-night Hidden Treasures of the Ijsselmeer cruise departs from Amsterdam on 8 June 2024 on Amadeus Elegant, and will visit Enkhuisen, Den Helder, Oudeschild, Harligen, Sneek, Kampen and Deventer. Prices start from £2,511 per person.

And due to the overwhelming demand, Saga will now be offering four 2024 André Rieu cruises (in previous years there has been a maximum of three), all including tickets to one of the ‘King of Waltz’s’ concerts. One, a seven-night André Rieu’s New Year Concert in Amsterdam promises to be a brilliant start to 2024, as it departs on Spirit of the Rhine on January 3, 2024, with cabins available from £1,849 per person.

The other 2024 André Rieu cruises will be on Amadeus Elegant, which joins the fleet in May 2023. These include: André Rieu in Maastricht, a four-night cruise departing on July 5 and July 9 2024 respectively with prices from £1,299; The André Rieu Hometown Experience, an 11-night cruise departing on 24 June 2024 from Amsterdam starting from £3,144 per person, and The Moselle and André Rieu, a 12-night cruise departing on 13 July 2024 from Maastricht with prices from £3,314 per person.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to visit Antarctica on 78 night cruise from Portsmouth

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 24 November 2022 24 November 2022

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be cruising from Portsmouth this December, offering a selection of festive cruises and an unforgettable exploration of South America and the Antarctic.

Leaving on 10^thof December, Balmoral will depart from Portsmouth on a festive voyage to Spain and Portugal where guests will be able to admire the festive light displays of Vigo and meander Funchal’s Christmas markets in Madeira.

Other sailings from the port include a chance to enjoy a warm festive break with Christmas celebrations in the Canaries, offering guests an unforgettable Christmas at sea with Balmoral in full festive decorations.

And in early 2023, Balmoral will depart on a 78-night exploration of South America and the Antarctic. On this sailing, there will be a chance to enjoy an unforgettable circumnavigation of the continent, where guests can enjoy cruising the scenic Patagonian Fjords in Chile, the wildlife rich Galapagos Islands, the sandy beaches and blue waters of the Bahamas or, for the first time in Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s history, the Antarctic.

Portsmouth is just one of Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s regional departure ports, alongside Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth (Edinburgh).

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“At Fred. Olsen, we have almost 200 years of seafaring history, and so to welcome guests aboard form Portsmouth, a city with rich maritime heritage, is particularly exciting for us.

“These sailings have been hand-crafted by our team of dedicated Journey Planners, to offer our guests something special at the time of year they are visiting. Plus, the smaller size of Balmoral means everyone can be sure of a warm and friendly atmosphere aboard all of her sailings, whether it’s for a warmer festive break, or that once-in-a-lifetime voyage to South America and Antarctica.”

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ sailings from Portsmouth this winter are as follows:

Balmoral’s 12-night L2233 ‘Festive Spain and Portugal’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 10^th December 2022. Prices start from £599 per person.
Itinerary: Portsmouth, England – Lisbon, Portugal – Cádiz, Spain – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay) – Vigo, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Portsmouth, England
For more details: Visit Balmoral’s L2233 ‘Festive Spain and Portugal’ cruise

Balmoral’s 14-night L2234 ‘Christmas Celebrations in the Canaries’ cruise. Departing from Portsmouth on the 22^nd December 2022. Prices start from £1,599 per person.
Itinerary: Portsmouth, England – Funchal, Madeira, Portugal (overnight stay) – Santa Cruz De La Palma, Spain – Arrecife, Spain – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain – Portsmouth, England
For more details: Visit Balmoral's L2234 'Christmas Celebrations in the Canaries' cruise

Balmoral’s 78-night L2301 ‘Exploration of South America and the Antarctic’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 5th January 2023 (returning to Southampton). Prices start from £7,999 per person.
Itinerary: Portsmouth, England – Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal – Horta, Azores, Portugal – King’s Warf, Bermuda – Nassau, Bahamas – Colon, Panama – Panama Canal – Guayaquil, Ecuador – Callao, Peru (overnight stay) – Matarani, Peru – Arica, Chile – Valparaiso, Chile – Castro, Chile – Puerto Chacabuco, Chile – Cruising Chilean Fjords – Punta Arenas, Chile – Cruising by Cape Horn – Ushuaia, Argentina – Cruising Antarctica Peninsula (three days) – Port Stanley, Falkland Islands – Montevideo, Uruguay – Buenos Aires, Argentina (overnight stay) – Itajai, Brazil – Ilhabela, Brazil – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (overnight stay) – Salvador, Brazil – Recife, Brazil – Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Southampton, England