news to use GENERAL CRUISE NEWS Hurtigruten sees the lights


AGENT REPORT Stephen Horton of Virgin Holidays


Retail Team in Warrington won a competition with Norwegian Cruise Line’s training programme PHD@Sea to visit and review the Norwegian Epic. Here’s his story: “Having never cruised before I was anxious to see what all the fuss was about as my repeat cruise customers never stop talking about them! “For some reason I had an image in


Northern UK customers now have


easier access to the Northern Lights, since Hurtigruten added more regional departures to its Northern Lights programme for winter 2011/12 – anticipated to be a great period for Aurora Borealis. Direct flights from Leeds Bradford and Edinburgh are now featured for


the first time, plus an additional Manchester date. The new charter flights are direct to Bergen and connect with the cruise line’s 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Prices including return flights starting from £1,199pp from Leeds Bradford and £1369pp from Edinburgh and Manchester.


Kathryn Beadle, managing director at


Hurtigruten UK comments: “These new charters are a direct result of the increased demand we are getting from agents in these areas. If they sell well, then we will look to expand the options direct from these regions in the future.” www.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents


Seabourn releases Cruise Collection for 2012/13 Seabourn has released its new


Cruise Collection for 2012/13 introducing new itineraries across its six ships, and a pull-out pricing plan. New itineraries include 10-day


round-trips aboard Seabourn Spirit from Venice, calling in at Adriatic and Dalmatian ports, whilst Seabourn


Spirit's sister ship Seabourn Legend will offer two 10-day itineraries between Rome (Civitavecchia) and Monte Carlo, along the French and Italian Rivieras. Further afield, is a series of cruises


around Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia aboard Seabourn Odyssey.


my head of old people, ball room dancing and being stuck on a ship with nowhere to go! I couldn't have been more wrong. From the moment I walked onto the ship I was made to feel so welcome, nothing was too much trouble. “My balcony cabin was cosy and extremely modern, with everything I needed. The rooms are well sound- proofed and not even a faint hum from the ship disturbed my sleep. “Night time entertainment was when the ship really came to life. With over a dozen restaurants to chose from and numerous bars, my fear of being stuck for choice was out the window. It was like being on the ‘strip’ in any holiday destination but better as you didn't have to walk as far. I would recommend treating yourself to one of the specialist restaurants for only $10 - $30 - money well spent! “In the day the pool was amazing,


Seabourn Spirit will operate two new seven-day voyages between St. Maarten and Barbados, offering a luxurious 14-day Southern Caribbean experience. In South America, Seabourn Sojourn will start 2012 with a series of Patagonian cruises and in early 2013 will explore the Amazon. The newest ship in the fleet, Seabourn Quest, (see Ship Review by Natalie Budgen on page 12) will depart January 6 2013 on a 116-day World Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice via the South Pacific, Australia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia, India, Arabia and the Mediterranean. The catalogue comes with a separate pull-out pricing guide, which lists the fares by ship, itinerary and suite category, with information on combining itineraries, land excursions, deck plans and cruise planning calendar. www.seabourn.com


8 Autumn 2011 • www.sellinglonghaul.com


always warm and despite a full ship, never crowded – no sun wars at all! Waiters are on the ball and never let you have an empty glass. Live entertainment during the day - I never needed my ipod as the live music was great and the three flumes great fun. “As a first timer I have been spoilt. Great ship, great people, epic time! From start to finish I was amazed, entertained and well looked after -


Thank you!” www.ncl.co.uk


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