Cruise to a last minute bargain
By Tony Watts - Editor - 16/11/2009
If your dream holiday is a cruise, and your passport is up to date, then here’s news of some great last minute bargains being offered through Mature Times from one of the most respected operators, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
Drop onto the website linked at the bottom of this page and you’ll find details of short winter breaks, Christmas shopping cruises and longer ‘winter sun’ cruises – all at significantly reduced prices.
First up is a 15-night fly/cruise holiday in the Caribbean aboard the elegant Braemar – taking in the beautiful islands of Barbados, Dominica, Tortola, Cuba, Mexico, Jamaica and St Lucia, before returning to Barbados for the flight home. The start date for the cruise is 26 November and prices start at just £865 per person*. During her recent major refit and lengthening, Braemar added over eighty passenger cabins and suites with balconies and was subsequently voted ‘The Best Refurbished Ship’ in Cruise Critic's ‘Editor's Pick Awards’ 2009. We also have another Caribbean cruise departing 10th December for 12 nights with a great lead in price - please call 0800 954 0069 for more details.
Another chance to escape the winter leaves Dover for the Canaries on 29 November for 13 nights aboard the Balmoral. Carrying 1350 passengers, the Balmoral is certainly the grandest ship of the Olsen fleet, yet still compact enough to offer an intimate, homely atmosphere. The Balmoral offers 710 elegant comfortable cabins, world-class cuisine and diverse onboard activities. The full cruise itinerary is: Dover, Morocco, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Palma, Madeira and Portugal - before cruising back to Dover – and the price is from just £599 pp.*
If you want to get some unusual Christmas presents – and enjoy a few days afloat – then why not join The Black Watch on a five night Christmas Markets Cruise? From just £299 pp*, on 14th December you’ll be leaving from Southampton before crossing the Channel to Bremerhaven, going onto enjoy the delights of Amsterdam and Zeebrugge before cruising back to Southampton.
Starting on the 18th December, the Boudicca also offers a four-night winter break cruise from just £279 pp* – this time starting and ending in Portsmouth but also including Zeebrugge and Amsterdam on the itinerary.
But if you really want a Christmas with a difference and forget the rain and dark cold evenings, the Boudicca is offering the perfect ‘get away for Christmas’ cruise. Starting on 22 December and lasting for 14 nights, you’ll board at Portsmouth before steaming off to enjoy the warmth of Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and Madeira before cruising back to Portsmouth. Prices for this holiday begin at £1565 pp.*
Of course, unlike other holidays, cruises include a great many of the features built into the price. For all these holidays you can take advantage of all meals throughout your cruise and late night snacks; evening entertainment and special guests; a Captain’s drinks party; gala late-night buffet; complimentary cabin service for breakfast and light snacks; and tea and coffee during the day and early evening at selected venues.
The superb on-board leisure facilities include swimming pools, jacuzzis and a gymnasium while all of the cabins are en-suite and well equipped for all your needs. There are always lots of activities being laid on – so there is never a dull moment on board – and all of the port charges are included in your fares.
Why not find out about these and other last-minute offers that are regularly posted on the Cruise Network website. To take advantage of the ones mentioned above, quote reference ‘MAT’.
You can call 0800 954 0069 or email cruises@fredolsentravel.co.uk
If you have no time spare between now and Christmas - why not take advantage of the great early booking offers for 2010 available from Cruise Network - all them to find out more and don't forget to quote MAT for your Mature Times discount.
*All prices quoted are per person and based on two adults sharing a twin cabin and are subject to availability. Cabins allocated on arrival. Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines Terms & Conditions apply. ABTA & ATOL bonded for your financial protection.