Cruisingexcursions expands ports range


Cruisingexcursions.com has introduced several tours and destinations to match changes to cruise line itineraries, up to 2023. The excursions specialist, which pays 16% commission, now offers tours in Sochi, Pionersky and Vladivostok, in Russia, Grundarfjordur in Iceland, Praia da Vitoria in the Azores and Trieste in Italy, in response to lines’ scheduled sailings in the areas. cruisingexcursions.com


Crystal Endeavor offers five Iceland sailings


Crystal Expedition Cruises’ first vessel Crystal Endeavor is to sail around Iceland this summer. The 200-passenger ship will run five reduced-capacity 10-night cruises from Reykjavik, crossing the Arctic Circle, from July 17. Crystal announced in February that guests must be fully inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine 14 days prior to boarding. Prices start at $13,999. crystalcruises.com


Seabourn to set sail


from Athens in July Seabourn is to resume cruises in the Mediterranean this summer. The sailings out of Athens starting from July 3 are available to book now. Two seven-day itineraries on Seabourn Ovation span the Greek islands and Cyprus. The line said it would confirm further details about shore experiences “in the coming weeks”. seabourn.com


Elixir Boutique Cruises


launches 50-berth ship Elixir Boutique Cruises is to launch a 50-passenger yacht and offer sailings around the Greek islands from May. The Elysium vessel – formerly Celebrity Cruises’ ship Celebrity Xperience – will operate two eight-day itineraries, Ancient Paths and Divine Cyclades, across 24 departures until October 30. Prices start at £2,500 per person based on two sharing a cabin. elixirwellnesscruises.com


16 15 APRIL 2021


Celestyal Cruises to base a second


ship in Athens this summer Celestyal Cruises is to deploy a second ship out of Athens this summer. Celestyal Olympia will sail from the line’s terminal at Lavrion Port & Marina on seven- night Legendary Archipelago itineraries from June 28 to August 30. The all-inclusive cruise will call in Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes in Greece and Limassol in Cyprus, with prices from £759. Celestyal Crystal is to sail from the port from May 29. celestyal.com/uk


Scarlet Lady


Riviera drops Ireland so its July cruises on Seaventure are UK-only


Riviera Travel has dropped Ireland from its four UK sailings on Seaventure in July. Belfast will replace County Donegal as a port of call on the Cruising Scotland’s Highlands & Islands itinerary, while a Cruising the Emerald Isle sailing has been axed in favour of the Scottish itinerary. All ports are now UK-based to avoid “any travel limitation concerns”. rivieratravel.co.uk


Virgin’s Scarlet Lady to debut with sailings from Portsmouth


Phil Davies


Virgin Voyages will make its long-delayed debut along the English coast instead of in the Caribbean. The adult-only cruise brand is to sail from


Portsmouth after cancelling inaugural summer sailings from Miami until September. Six short UK cruises in August on the new line’s first


ship Scarlet Lady have been confirmed. It was originally due to make its debut more than year ago before Covid shut down all global cruises. Prices start at £499 for three nights and £599 for


four nights on the ship, with no ports of call. The itineraries start on August 6 with the first


of three long-weekend departures, while four-night weekday trips start on August 9. The final UK cruise runs during the week of


August 23-27, prior to the bank holiday weekend. Sailings along the south coast of England will be restricted to UK residents aged 18 or over who have


been vaccinated against Covid-19. Additional testing and protocols will be confirmed closer to departure “in line with the most up-to-date recommendations from the UK government”. The 2,770-passenger ship will operate at limited


capacity for the phased restart from the UK. Entertainment will feature local British talent as the


brand runs a “homecoming tour” before repositioning Scarlet Lady to its Miami base. The Summer Soiree Series of sailings went on sale on Tuesday (April 13). Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson said:


“Our team has curated such a fantastic experience for our sailors [passengers] and know this will be a holiday they will love.” President and chief executive Tom McAlpin


added: “We look at our new UK summer voyages as a homecoming to pay homage to our British roots and what an excellent way to kick off our sailing season before heading to PortMiami.” firstmates.com


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURES: SWNS/Tom Wren; Filippo Vinardi


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