Cruise and Maritime Voyages (www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 833 9798) is offering savings of £400pp on a choice of 14 night Autumn Mediterranean cruises. Departing from London Tilbury on September 20, Marco Polo sails to coastal resorts of Spain and Portugal, the Balearics plus Gibraltar and Tangier. Then, on October 16, the ship heads to Spain, Portugal, Madeira, the Canaries and Agadir. Book a superior ocean view cabin for £1199pp (saving £400pp, 25%) or a premium ocean view cabin for £1,399pp (saving £400pp, 22%).

Marco Polo’s ‘Mediterranean Odyssey’ Cruise on September 20 heads to Gijón on Spain’s north coast, Portimão on Portugal’s Algarve, Gibraltar, the exotic city of Tangier, and the islands of Menorca, Majorca and Ibiza. The ship calls at Lisbon before returning.

Marco Polo’s October 16 departure calls at Spain’s northern port of Vigo then Morocco’s thriving port of Agadir. The ship calls at the Canary islands of Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Gomera, Madeira’s capital of Funchal and heads home via Leixoes for the Portuguese city of Oporto.

Marco Polo offers adult-only, traditional British style cruising and a highly rated entertainments programme.

The prices of £1199 a superior ocean view cabin and £1,399 for a premium ocean view cabin are per person based on two sharing and include full board and daytime and evening entertainment.

Reservations Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 833 9798 or contact your local ACE agent
 

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 833 9798) can help you delay the onset of autumn with this ex-UK cruise down to the Western Mediterranean which include coastal resorts of Spain and Portugal, island resorts of the Balearics plus Gibraltar and Tangier. Departing from London Tilbury on September 20 for 14 nights on board Marco Polo, prices start at £849pp (saving £50 – 6%) for a standard twin inner cabin or £999 (saving £200 - 17%) for a standard ocean view cabin.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 833 9798), the cruise line specializing in Ex-UK departures with no flying, has two bargain cruises next month. The traditional and elegant style Marco Polo departs from London Tilbury on two exciting ocean adventures to the Baltic and St Petersburg for 12 nights plus another cruise down to the sunny Mediterranean for two weeks. Marco Polo is an adult only cruise ship.

The first departure is 8 September for 12 nights sailing to Oslo, Kalundborg (for Copenhagen) Tallin, overnight for sightseeing in St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm before returning via the Kiel Canal to Tilbury. Prices are from £799pp (was £849 saving £50 – 6%) for a standard twin inner cabin, or £899pp saving £200 – 18% for a standard outer cabin.

The second cruise departs 20 September for 14 nights sailing south to Gijόn (Spain), Portimao - the Portuguese Algarve, Gibraltar, Tangier, Menorca, Palma, Ibiza, and Lisbon. A good choice of 8 ports providing excellent optional excursion opportunities. Prices are from £849pp (was £899 saving £50 – 6%) for a standard twin inner cabin, or £999pp saving £200 – 17% for a standard outer cabin.

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a cabin on a full board basis with daytime activities and evening entertainment

Reservations Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 833 9798 or contact you local ACE agent.
 

Guests on board the Cruise & Maritime Voyages (www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 333 9798) ship Marco Polo are in for a major treat on the 19 August cruise visiting the Norwegian Fjords and Scotland. Katy Setterfield* is booked as the star act on the 10 night cruise.

*After playing the lead female vocalist in the touring show That’ll be the Day, Katy entered the BBC1 TV show The One & Only and won the live contest in 2008 with a memorable impersonation of pop legend Dusty Springfield.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Operations Director, Lloyd Cross said “Like all our artists and guest speakers, Katy mixes with our passengers and enjoys the Marco Polo traditional style of affordable cruising. She has now added to her material a ‘Here come the girls’ show which includes remarkable tributes to Tina Turner, Cher and Alison Moyet in her amazing repertoire”.

A few cabins are still remaining from £599pp (was £799 saving £150 – 20%) for a standard twin inner cabin, or £699pp saving £300 – 30% for a standard outer cabin.

All prices quoted above are per person and based on two people sharing a cabin on a full board basis, with entertainment, guest speakers and activities.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 333 9798 or contact your local ace agent. 
 

If you live in the North West of England you can benefit from a cruise leaving from Liverpool and head off down to the Mediterranean in September.

The Ocean Countess originally entered service as the Cunard Countess and became one of the best-known ships to sail in the Caribbean.  The ship’s distinctive traditional profile has been a popular choice for those wanting a British style cruising experience this year. Prior to the commencement of her ex-UK cruise programme this year, Ocean Countess underwent a £3 million refurbishment programme.

 The Cruise & Maritime Voyages Ocean Countess heads South from Liverpool 13 September on a 12 night  ‘Iberian Discovery’ cruise. The itinerary is full of contrasts offering Spanish, Portuguese and Moorish cultures all in one cruise. You will visit Lisbon and then Cadiz, before crossing over to Casablanca. The ship calls in at Gibraltar followed by Malaga, and Praia da Rocha on the Algarve. On the way back to Liverpool you stop at Gijόn in Northern Spain.

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a cabin and includes full board, daytime activities and evening entertainment on the ship.   Prices start from £899pp for a standard inner cabin and £1149pp for a standard ocean view.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages has launched its preview edition brochure for 2011 featuring 63 cruising holidays all departing from the UK and Ireland. The new cruise line, established last year, continues to offer different ports of departure around Britain, so passengers avoid lengthy and unnecessary travel.

For next year, the cruise operator has introduced Dublin with a special coach connection from Belfast. The Cruise & Maritime programme is a ‘no fly’ operation throughout, aboard medium sized classic style ships. Prices will start from £159pp for a two night cruise to Amsterdam and from £399pp for a 5 night Fjords cruise.

Announcing the new brochure Michelle Daniels, Sales Manager said “Marco Polo and Ocean Countess have been a great success this year thanks to superb agent support. Our programme offering a traditional cruising experience from ports around Britain with no flying involved has seen agents enjoying additional easy to sell business. For 2011 we have kept our great value brochure price policy, avoiding confusion with higher prices and early booking discounts.”

Cruise & Maritime Voyages New 2011 Brochure

• New cruises for 2011 – British Isles in Bloom, Nordic Cities, Wartime Memories, Fjords & Fairytales, Mediterranean Odyssey and a unique Pilgrimage cruise from Dublin
• Longer voyages to the West Indies, Amazon & Orinoco, the spectacular Land of the Northern Lights & Midnight Sun, the breathtaking Norwegian Fjords and Spitzbergen, Baltic & St Petersburg, Iceland & Northern Isles, The Med and Canary Islands
• Round Britain cruises remain a popular feature
• More short cruises for the Dutch bulbfields, Christmas markets and European cities
• More departures from 7 regional ports including Dublin and additional sailings from Hull, Newcastle and Leith
 

The prices are per person based on two people sharing a cabin and include full board, daytime activities and top evening entertainment on the ship.

Still not booked your Summer holiday? Take a look at the great choices from Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 833 9798 for those who want to see more and do more. The company is offering three different cruises departing from the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury starting at £599pp on board the traditional and elegant Marco Polo. Independent ratings gave Marco Polo excursions top marks throughout 2009.

Cruise to England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales - 4 July for 11 nights
The best way to discover some of your islands rich heritage. Visit the Scottish port of Invergordon to see Highland scenery, followed by the Orkney Islands and Outer Hebrides before calling in to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. The next stop is Dublin before crossing the Irish Sea to Anglesey, and then cruise down to the Isles of Scilly and Guernsey. On the way back to London, Marco Polo stops at the medieval Northern French port of Hornfleur. Prices from £699pp for an inside cabin saving £150 or £849pp for an outside cabin saving £300. Most popular excursions on this cruise are the ‘Scenic Orkneys’ and the ‘Tresco Abbey Gardens’ tour on the Isles of Scilly.

Cruise to Baltic Treasures & St Petersburg – 30 July for 12 nights
Cruise through the Keil Canal to Warnemϋnde in Germany with a chance to see Berlin, before sailing east to the delightful medieval town of Tallin, Estonia. The highlight of the cruise is staying on board overnight in St Petersburg which offers the opportunity to do plenty of sightseeing and perhaps the ballet in the evening. Sailing on to Helsinki, Stockholm and Kalundborg, close to Copenhagen. Prices are £899pp on an inside cabin saving £50 or £1099 saving £150. Most popular excursions on this cruise are ‘St Petersburg City Highlights’, ‘City of Helsinki’ and the ‘Copenhagen City & Harbour Tour.

Cruise the Norwegian Fjords – 11 August for 8 nights
The best views of the fjords are from the Marco Polo decks. Cruising via Bergen you will visit Molde which opens up excursion options to see the magnificent fjords. You will cruise to Ǻndalsnes with dramatic scenery before cruising into the Geiranger fjord considered the most beautiful. Flåm is the next call where many take the spectacular train excursion on the famous Flåm Railway. A brief call is made in Vik before visiting Eidfjord. Prices are from £599pp for an inside cabin. Most popular excursions are ‘Flåm Railway’, ‘Eidfjord’ and ‘Geiranger Fjord Centre’.
The prices are based on two people sharing a cabin and include full board, daytime activities and top entertainment on the ship. 

Reservations contact Tel: Tel: 0845 833 9798 www.cruiseandmaritime.com
Press & Public Relations: Paul Foster Public Relations
Contact: Tel: 01737 353887

 

Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 833 9798 has two cruises due to visit scenic Iceland and the Northern Islands this Summer, both departures have been reduced to start at £599pp based on the best cabin available. This means a couple are saving £600.

Cruise & Maritime’s man on the spot in Iceland says ‘The volcanic activity in Eyjafjallajökull glacier has halted and the eruption is most likely finished, an official declaration from local authorities is expected early next week (31May). The volcanic activity has calmed down and there is no lava or ash coming from the volcano at the moment. The area nearest to the glacier is still a restricted area for travelling in light of safety’. Full details go to www.visiticeland.com .

22 June Marco Polo cruises from London Tilbury on a 12 night cruise from £599pp. This elegant and traditional vessel sails up to Scotland’s Orkney Islands then across to the Westmann Islands, off Iceland, before circumnavigating the nature reserve of Surtsey which usually offers magnificent views from the ship. Then it is off to Reykjavik, followed by visits to Isafjörd, Akureyi and Seydisfjördur, before journeying back via the Faroe and Shetland Islands.

Alternatively, you can set sail 12 July from Leith, Scotland for 12 nights on board Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ sister ship, Ocean Countess, she follows a similar itinerary to the Marco Polo. The price is also £599pp with the same large saving.

The prices are per person based on two people sharing on a’ best available cabin’ basis that includes full board, evening entertainment and daytime activities.
 

You have to feel a little bit sorry for the people promoting Iceland tourism at the moment. However, for those who make a living from visitors to the island, such as Gunnar Birigsson, the port agent for Cruise & Maritime Voyages in Reykjavik, the outlook remains optimistic..

In this week’s regular update, Gunnar says “Our daily life is unaffected. This is true about the majority of the Icelandic people.  It is a relatively small area in the south of the glacier that was unfortunately hit by ashfall.  There has been a significant ashfall in these rural areas and near the small town of VIK in south of Iceland. Other parts of the country have not been affected at all.  

Based on the situation as it is today, people are able to travel and enjoy everything there is to see and experience here in Iceland during their cruise without the need of being concerned.  People are coming to Iceland and many view the current eruption as a new exciting reason for visiting”.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages has two cruises due to visit Iceland this Summer, both departures start at £599pp, a reduction of £350 – 37%.

22 June Marco Polo cruises from London Tilbury on a 12 night cruise from £599pp. This elegant and traditional vessel sails up to the Orkney Islands then across to the Westmann Islands, off Iceland, before circumnavigating the nature reserve of Surtsey which usually offers magnificent views from the ship. The next stop is Reykjavik, then other visits to Isafjörd, Akureyi and Seydisfjördur, before journeying back via the Faroe and Shetland Islands.

Alternatively, Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ other ship, Ocean Countess sets sail 12 July from Leith, Scotland and follows a similar itinerary for 12 nights. The price is also £599pp.

The prices are per person based on two people sharing on a’ best available cabin’ basis that includes full board, evening entertainment and daytime activities.

For more information and to book please comtact ypur local ACE travel agent or contact Cruise & Maritime Voyages direct at  www.cruiseandmaritime.com or on 0845 833 9798.

Take a no-fly cruise holiday out of the UK next month and you can be sure that your departure and return dates will be unaffected by the volcanic fall-out. Cruise and Maritime Voyages has two cruises taking in the spectacular scenery of the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle with its fabulous Land of the Midnight Sun. Both 12-night cruises depart on June 10. Marco Polo sails from London Tilbury and Ocean Countess sails from Newcastle. The price starts from just £699, a saving of up to £200. Ocean view cabins start at £899pp (a saving of £300)
 

Marco Polo’s route from Tilbury takes the ship to the Norwegian fjord ports of Ulvik, Eidfjord and Olden before sailing into the Arctic Circle for Leknes on the Lofoten islands, Hammerfest and Honningsvaag. From here, if weather permits, is an opportunity to see the Midnight Sun. On the return route, Marco Polo calls at Tromsø, Alesund and Bergen. Inside cabins start from £699p, ocean view cabins from £999pp.

From Newcastle, Ocean Countess calls at the fjord ports of Hellesylt and Geiranger before heading to the Arctic Circle and North Cape ports. The return route takes in Bergen, Rosendal and Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. The cruise ends at Leith from where there is a free coach transfer to Newcastle. An inside cabin is from £699pp and ocean view from £899pp

Prices are per person based on two sharing on a full board basis that also includes evening entertainment and daytime activities.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages - www.cruiseandmaritime.com - 0845 833 9798 or visit your local ACE accredited travel agent.

Experience the spectacular sights of the magical land of the Midnight Sun on a cruise from the UK next month. Departing for 12-nights on June 10, Cruise and Maritime Voyages is offering a choice of departure ports and ships. Marco Polo sails from London Tilbury and Ocean Countess sails from Newcastle. The price starts from just £699, a saving of up to £200. Ocean view cabins start at £899pp (a saving of £300)
 

Marco Polo’s route from Tilbury takes the ship to the Norwegian fjord ports of Ulvik, Eidfjord and Olden before sailing into the Arctic Circle for Leknes on the Lofoten islands, Hammerfest and Honningsvaag. From here, if weather permits, is an opportunity to see the Midnight Sun. On the return route, Marco Polo calls at Tromso, Alesund and Bergen. Inside cabins start from £699p, ocean view cabins from £999pp.

From Newcastle, Ocean Countess calls at the fjord ports of Hellesylt and Geiranger before heading to the Arctic Circle and North Cape ports. The return route takes in Bergen, Rosendal and Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. The cruise ends at Leith from where there is a free coach transfer to Newcastle. An inside cabin is from £699pp and ocean view from £899pp

Prices are per person based on two sharing on a full board basis that also includes evening entertainment and daytime activities.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages - www.cruiseandmaritime.com - 0845 833 9798 - or contact your ACE accredited travel agent.
 

Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the leading no fly cruise operator with two traditional style cruise ships, has been picking up airline passengers stuck abroad.  

Yesterday (Sunday 18 April) the Marco Polo cruise ship picked up two stranded people in Tangier who joined 750 people on board enjoying an eleven night Iberian Highlights cruise. This morning (Monday 19 April) another 12 passengers were taken on board at the Portuguese city of Portimao on the Algarve. 

Cruise & Maritime Voyages Marketing Manager, Mike Hall said ‘Usually we have sold all the cabins but on this sailing we had 7 cabins available so we were delighted to help out. The passengers involved are delighted, not only to be returning home but also to experience the delights of Marco Polo. We may well have found some new customers for the future.”

 Still time to catch a cruise this month that is unaffected by flying suspensions. Cruise & Maritime Voyages has a cruise on board the Marco Polo departing from London Tilbury this Friday April 23 for 6 nights from £299pp visiting Rouen, Isles of Scilly and Guernsey. You can also take a 3 night cruise departing the following Thursday, 29 April, across to Amsterdam & Antwerp from £129pp.
 

The first cruise is aimed at garden lovers. From Tilbury the Marco Polo will take you along the River Seine to medieval Rouen, the ‘City of a hundred spires’. Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny, spectacular in its springtime colours is offered on excursion. The charming St Peter Port on Guernsey is a jumble of pretty houses and terrace gardens in a steep valley and best explored on a walking tour. Marco Polo then heads to the Isles of Scilly, calling at picturesque St Mary’s. From here garden lovers can take an excursion to the Abbey Gardens on Tresco with their subtropical flavour and stunning borders. A return to Tilbury involves a relaxing day at sea.

The second cruise on April 29 again leaves Tilbury and visits Amsterdam then Antwerp. The springtime in bulb fields and cosmopolitan Amsterdam are in store followed by sightseeing in historic port of Antwerp.

Mike Hall, Marketing Manager at Cruise and Maritime Voyages said “The demand for last minute cruises has escalated and we are flat-out answering calls. It would seem the Brit’s simply do not want to risk booking a flight at the moment.”

All prices are per person based on two people sharing a cabin on a full board basis that also includes evening entertainment and daytime activities.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0845 833 9798 or contact your local ACE accredited travel agent.
 

Complimentary upgrades are being offered on a six night springtime cruise which includes the historic and botanical delights of Rouen,  Guernsey and the Isles of Scilly with Marco Polo and Cruise & Maritime Voyages.

This is a cruise to particularly delight garden lovers. From Tilbury the Marco Polo will take you along the River Seine to medieval Rouen, the ‘City of a hundred spires’. Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny, spectacular in its springtime colours is offered on excursion. The charming St Peter Port on Guernsey is a jumble of pretty houses and terrace gardens in a steep valley and best explored on a walking tour. Marco Polo then heads to the Isles of Scilly, calling at picturesque St Mary’s. From here garden lovers can take an excursion to the Abbey Gardens on Tresco with their subtropical flavour and stunning borders. A return to Tilbury involves a relaxing day at sea.

The elegant 22,080 grt ship, Marco Polo, has been rated as the No.1 Cruise Ship by the leading cruise review website www.cruise.co.uk. It offers a British cruise atmosphere, sterling currency onboard and an excellent programme of entertainment and informative presentations. It is a child-free ship.

Prices start at £399pp  on board the Marco Polo departing from London Tilbury on April 23. A Superior Ocean View cabin is now £599, a saving of £150. A Premium Ocean View cabin is £799pp, saving £100. Please contact your ACE travel agent for more details.

The Marco Polo cruise ship of Cruise & Maritime Voyages has been rated as the No 1 Cruise Ship by the leading cruise review website www.cruise.co.uk. The website analysis is based on more than 20,000 UK passenger ratings. Operations Director Lloyd Cross said “We are delighted that Marco Polo has been rated as the No 1 Cruise Ship. This elegant and classic ocean liner has also been rated in the Top 3 for the key elements of a successful cruise holiday – food, entertainment, shore excursions and staff.”

Lloyd Cross said “The survey is made up entirely from reviews written by cruise passengers who have experienced the atmosphere and unique style of the ship. To find that so many people rated Marco Polo the best has excited everyone at Cruise & Maritime Voyages. We aim to replicate the standards set on board our latest addition to the fleet –Ocean Countess which commences her debut season 18 April.

The next cruise on the Marco Polo is the 14 night Easter Canary Islands cruise departing from the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury. Recently reduced prices start from £599pp for an inside cabin and £698pp for an outside cabin.

All prices are per person based on two people sharing a cabin on a full board basis that also includes evening entertainment and daytime activities. Marco Polo is an adult only ship.