Royal Caribbean Cruises have 21 ships in their cruise fleet, and the facilities that they offer on board are excellent. Obviously exactly what’s on offer will vary from ship to ship, but amongst the many things you could choose to be a part of when on board, are such things as ice skating, salsa dancing, rock wall climbing, fruit and vegetable carving, wine tasting, scavenger hunts, bingo, karaoke, talent shows, golf, or football. Or, if being entertained is more your style, there is usually live music and theatre shows taking place, or you could just enjoy a walk on deck in the sun.

Fine dining is available with a five course meal in the main dining room, or you could opt for a casual bite in one of the cafes or family restaurants on board. There are even specialty restaurants available, or you could opt for a quiet night in and dinner in your state room.

There are over 100 destinations to choose from when you cruise with Royal Caribbean, so you could choose the rugged beauty of www.royalcaribbean.co.uk

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Episode One (12 April, 9pm on ITV1) sees Joanna exploring some of Egypt’s most iconic sites. Starting in Alexandria, once home to Cleopatra, the intrepid presenter then heads south to Cairo, visits Giza’s Great Pyramids and travels onwards along the banks of the Nile to Luxor and Aswan.

Specialist tour operator, Voyages Jules Verne, offers an extensive range of Egyptian options, including:

• A Few Days at the Pyramids: Enjoy a four-night stay at the five-star Mövenpick Cairo Pyramids hotel that includes a day’s city sightseeing, visits to the Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids and Great Sphinx, amongst others, and a private evening sailing on the Nile by felucca. Price is from £727 pp*.

• Pyramids & the Nile: Combine a short stay in Cairo with a four-night Nile cruise on this week-long itinerary where sightseeing highlights such as the temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Aswan await. Price is from £995 pp*.

• Royal Egypt: Live like an Egyptian king or queen on this spectacular 14-night itinerary that encompasses Alexandria, Cairo and Luxor (including a private evening reception at Luxor Temple) as well as a seven-night cruise on the SS Misr, an historic vessel described as the ‘most luxurious steamship on the Nile’. Price is from £2,695 pp*.

• The Alternative Nile: Of particular interest to the returning traveller and new for 2010, this seven-night tour journeys to lesser-visited sites along the Nile. Thanks to recent changes in Egyptian regulations, it’s now possible to access ancient treasures – such as Esna Temple, Gebel el-Silsila, the temple of Horemhep, the Valley & Tombs of the Nobles, and the temples at Adydos and Denderah – in the company of an Egyptologist. Accommodation is on the luxurious SS Misr steamship (see above). Price is from £1,695 pp.

*According to the itinerary selected, prices include air travel and taxes, transportation, accommodation, some meals, a sightseeing programme and the services of guides and local representatives. Prices are based on two people sharing.

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A “last-minute” cruise offers discounted rates whilst allowing the traveller to enjoy a cruise to his or her dream destination anywhere in the world. A last-minute cruise deal is the best option after the peak of the tourist season, which is usually between September 1st and December the 15th, and after the spring break from the middle of March to June the 15th.

Booking of last-minute cruises should be completed at least six days before departure, which is considered to be the latest deadline for all cancellations of cruise reservations without penalties. Last-minute cruises usually offer highly reduced rates to fill cancelled slots.

Many last-minute Holland-America cruises offer big discounts, but like any deal that comes with “too good to be true” rates, it is still wise to know the pros and cons of what it involves. Typically, these cruise deals may not allow upgrades or may still charge service fees or taxes. To learn about more last-minute deals, check websites of different cruise ships that offer such special deals.

Last-minute cruise bargains are usually not available during major holidays such as Christmas or New Year breaks or Easter week. But there are plenty of trips in the Caribbean during September, and until early November; the pre-Christmas holiday period, which is in the first two weeks of December; and the post-Christmas holiday period, which is in the first two weeks of January.

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The Mediterranean is a popular holiday cruise destination known for its golden beaches and warm climates. Indeed, a cruise is the best way to explore this majestic region that takes pride in its diverse cultures. Most of the touristy spots in this region are equally as interesting to explore but why not indulge in the tourism wonders that the Balearics, Italian and French Rivieras, and Spanish Costa can offer? On such a cruise, tourists get to savour the different cultures of world-famous cities such as Barcelona, Rome, and Cannes.

In this part of Europe are traditional “old towns” where visitors can enjoy a drink while enjoying the sight of the majestic ancient churches. The laid-back atmosphere in these spots is something most travellers relish.

Mediterranean cuisine is also diverse, with a dash of Greek, Moroccan, and Spanish influence. Cruisers can enjoy many dishes, but they should not leave without trying the Spanish Tapas (small dishes made from meat, vegetables and fish). Since Mediterranean countries are near the sea, fish has always been a staple of many dishes and is considered the “key” to the Mediterranean’s cooking heritage. Fish is cooked in countless ways, including casseroles, pastas, soups, and stews, depending on which country you visit. There are many vegetables and fruits that are grown in the warm Mediterranean climate, and these are a feast for the wandering traveller.

Travellers may also enjoy learning the languages spoken in this region. Although many people speak English in the coastal ports, it is always worth trying to speak the local language. Among the languages spoken in the Mediterranean region are Spanish, Italian, and Greek.

In order for you to experience the Mediterranean, many cruise deals are available at reduced or discounted rates. Plan a booking at least four months prior to departure to get an itinerary or the shore excursions of your choice.

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It’s a four night cruise that is all inclusive and ports include Southampton, Zeebrugge for Bruges, Rotterdam for Amsterdam and Cherboug. It departs on 28th May 2010. All you have to do is go to the competition page and fill in the form telling them what you would like to see and do on your dream luxury cruise (minimum 100 words). They will then judge the best entry and announce the winner on 30th September 2009.

To enter please visit http://www.whitestarcruises.com/win-a-luxury-cruise-with-white-star-cruises.phtml

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In an unusual move, the destination-led cruise specialist will also honour existing summer 2009 bookings with the savings. The new fares are strictly limited in availability and will run on a first come, first served basis.

From May to late August next year, all of Voyages of Discovery’s eclectic summer voyages from the UK will sail on a round trip from Harwich, with destinations ranging from Scandinavia to Russia, including the Baltic and Northern Waters. A selection of exciting fly cruises is also available to the Mediterranean. As ever, a highly acclaimed team of lecturers and guest speakers will be onboard to enrich the experience.

Don’t miss the boat – prices start at just £599 pp for the eight-day Norwegian Fjords I voyage departing Harwich on 24 May 2009 (brochure early booking price was £899).

The 10-day Italian Odyssey voyage departing 10 September 2009 (departs Gatwick – £15 supplement for Manchester), costs from just £1099 pp (brochure early booking price was £1,299).

Fares are based on two sharing a twin-bedded inside cabin and with all on-board meals and with entertainment, gratuities and port charges included (unlike many other cruise lines), and with the added value of free parking at Harwich or selected transfers to the port on no-fly cruises, it means that Voyages of Discovery’s value for money continues to be second to none!

Full ATOL and ABTA protection means that your money and holiday is safe. Voyages of Discovery also guarantees no currency or fuel surcharges.

For full details of the savings and voyages available, call 01444 462150 or visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk.

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So breathtakingly beautiful is Tanquary Fjord that the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) in conjunction with the Discovery Channel has chosen to film wildlife during this 16-day High Arctic expedition for a segment of the sequel to the award-winning “Planet Earth”.  “Frozen Planet,” is a six-part series that explores the Arctic and Antarctica.  Travelers aboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov will have the opportunity to watch dailies of just-shot footage of elusive Arctic wildlife.  The BBC film crew will deliver presentations aboard about their work when they are not filming.  BBC crew members use a Cineflex camera mounted on a helicopter to film from a long distance. This revolutionary technology permits close-up views without disturbing the animals.

Tanquary Fjord: Western Ellesmere Island embarks in Resolute, Nunavut, high above the Arctic Circle. The expedition includes: a visit to Devon Island; an exploration of the archaeological remains of the Thule people (ancestors of the Inuit); a transit through Hell Gate, seldom navigated by passenger vessels; a helicopter reconnaissance to see a petrified forest on Ellesmere Island’s western coast; and a flight over Axel Heiberg to search for musk oxen, wolves and Arctic hare.  A visit to Mac Dougall Sound will provide potential walrus and polar bear sightings.  The final day of the trip will be spent visiting Beechey Island, where members of Sir John Franklin’s crew were buried during their tragic quest to discover the Northwest Passage.

“Tanquary Fjord – Western Ellesmere Island” will take place from August 3 – 18, 2009.  The   price ranges from $13,390 to $22,990 per person in US dollars.

For more information, call Quark Expeditions at 800-356-5699 or visit www.quarkexpeditions.com.

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With state of the art tools and technology for the ultimate experience in exploring life above and below the sea, the National Geographic Explorer is currently carrying its first group of guests on a 14-day voyage from Iceland to Greenland. While onboard, Lindblad guests will have the opportunity to experience a myriad of exceptional accoutrements which make the National Geographic Explorer an unparalleled base for exploring the seas. Some of these features, which create Lindblad’s hallmark intimate and educational environment include:

– A Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) that can explore the ocean at depths to 1000ft.;
– A Reinforced Ice Belt ensuring the ability to go further with the greatest safety in polar regions;
– The Observation Lounge, a glassed enclosed venue with exceptional views, providing panoramic vistas of scenic destinations;
– A Chart Room with nautical maps and other navigational information;
– A Remote Controlled Crow’s Nest Camera with real-time footage broadcast on high definition LCD video screens within each cabin;
– An Electronic Chart System that broadcasts as a channel in the cabins;
– 14 Zodiacs with an internal boarding mechanism that allows guests to disembark quickly and seamlessly from the ship;
– 36 Kayaks that allows guests to kayak in remote and pristine environments — a unique ability of Lindblad in the Arctic and Antarctica.

“The National Geographic Explorer is a magnificent ship. With the tools and technology housed onboard, she is the ultimate 21st century expedition vessel. She is also a beautiful ship that has been built with careful attention to detail and comfort,” said Sven Lindblad, founder and president of Lindblad Expeditions. “I am certain that our guests are going to enjoying exploring remote and pristine places of beauty while traveling on the National Geographic Explorer and I am excited by this newest chapter in our company’s development.”

Details about the National Geographic Explorer as well as upcoming itineraries can be found at www.expeditions.com.

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The range of activities on-board a family cruise ensure children have a fun-filled and enjoyable holiday, in between day excursions. Most cruise lines advertising family cruises will offer children’s clubs on board, with activities such as discos and scavenge hunts. There are also activities that focus on fun for the whole family, both on-board, and on the shore excursions.

Cruises are a great way to ensure your children are kept entertained, and the variety of day trips means they won’t get bored with the same place. You may find the organised local tours suit your family, or you may be tempted by some of the more adventurous offerings. A cruise to Villefranche for example, offers canyoning for children and adults alike. Visits to the local theme park or horse-riding may also be more to your taste.

The Telegraph Cruise Channel has a variety of expert articles and guides to family cruises that may just inspire you and your family for your next trip abroad.

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European Rail, the UK’s largest independent rail ticketing and holidays company, has announced a new partnership with luxury river cruise operator, Amadeus Waterways, to provide wonderfully airport- and aircraft-free rail-to-river packages that depart from London to destinations throughout Europe. To celebrate, they have put together two specially priced and limited availability Christmas season dates on the Rhine and Mosel rivers between Amsterdam and  Germany’s oldest city, Trier.

Departing via high-speed Eurostar from London’s magnificently restored St. Pancras station, each 8 day trip combines the comfort, convenience and security of rail travel with the elegance of Amadeus’s unusually spacious river vessels. Travellers have departure options of 23 November with the cruise starting from Amsterdam, or 30 November and 14 December starting from Trier.

Both packages include return standard-class rail travel, a category E ‘Piano deck’ outside cabin on the Amadeus ship ‘Amadagio’, a generous selection of sightseeing tours, and all port charges and supplements. Prices start at £981 per person, with upgrades to first-class rail travel available from just £158 with complimentary meals or refreshments on high-speed train services. Cabin upgrades, including junior suites, and various other cruise options are available on request.

For bookings or more details, call 020 7619 1080 or email holidays@europeanrail.com.

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Cruise shipping companies should look forward to further rapid business expansion, a senior industry executive says. David Dingle, chairman of the European Cruise Council (ECC), said in Brussels this week that the European source market for cruises is growing at 11% a year and increasing.  This is higher than in North America, which has averaged 8% growth in recent years.

In 2006, Europe generated 3.4 million cruise passengers last year, equivalent to 23% of the global source markets, and the ECC forecasts that there will be 5 million by 2015. Dingle said he personally expects the figure to be reached much sooner, meaning that more than half the new cruise ships to be delivered in the near future should be employed in European markets.

The UK accounts for 34% of the European source markets and continues to develop at a brisk rate, and Dingle predicted that 2.0 million Britons would take a cruise in 2012. The figure for 2007 was 1.35 million and it is expected to rise by 200,000 this year, when several new ships will enter the market. The increase alone is roughly equal to the number of cruise holidays sold in the UK in 1994.

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