Travel News

When it comes to cruising your favourite holiday destination – be it the Caribbean, the River Rhine or the Greek Islands – the majority of first-timers say they'd do it again, a new report has claimed.

In fact, out of the 1,200-strong survey poll, 65 per cent of people claimed to have sailed to exotic locations, with almost three-quarters (71 per cent) of those added they would certainly like to enjoy a similar experience once more at some point in the future.

The data was collected by Spectrem's Millionaire Corner and supported by information from The Cruise Line, which added that more than 21 million people went on cruises in 2013 and that the figure is set to rise for this year.

Only five per cent of those questioned claimed they would entirely rule out the prospect of taking to the high seas once more, although even they might find themselves challenged by the sheer variety of choice now on offer for cruises.

Once upon a time, cruisers were limited to large-scale vessels that were only able to visit ports capable of accommodating such an extravagant mode of transportation. Nowadays, other forms of cruise are becoming popular, such as the catamarans provided by Seafarer that only hold as few as eight people.

Such a vessel can prove to be extremely comfortable and provide a more personalised experience, as you're likely to know all the crew on first-name terms before the end of the first day. However, even the mega yachts of Variety Cruises, which with between 20 and 36 cabins, still provide a more intimate and friendly luxury yachting experience.

That is without mentioning the sheer volume of choice involved – cruises to Italy, Greece and more exotic destinations in the Indian Ocean, for example are likely to inspire some people to take that unique trip.

Wherever you travel with Seafarer, we can ensure you enjoy your holiday and show you a cruising experience quite unlike any other.

As if you needed another reason to experience a cruise in the Caribbean, it has emerged that the budget adjustments to Air Passenger Duty (APD) announced by chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne will be particularly beneficial for those flying to this part of the world.

While prices to fly to many long-haul destinations are likely to fall as a result of swapping from a four-tier to a two-tier system, Caribbean officials have been arguing that the country has faced reduced tourism due to being placed in tier C rather than tier B with the US.

Currently, a family of four travelling in economy on the 4,400 mile trip from London will pay $551 (£332) in APD, with the price set to fall to $458 (put £ here too) in April 2015 when the changes come into effect.

Jeffrey Vasser, director general of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), commented: "The Caribbean region has finally achieved one of its goals and will be fairly taxed in comparison with a flight to the US."

It was a sentiment that Beverly Nicholson-Doty, chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, agreed with. "[It's] a complete victory for the Caribbean, which has lobbied against the unfair system that placed the US at a competitive advantage," she said.

The Caribbean is a favourite destination among cruise-goers, with many newcomers to the holiday style choosing it for year-round sunshine, stunning wildlife and extraordinary natural scenes that include pristine beaches and tropical forests.

It is common for cruise enthusiasts to book their flights separately from their actual cruise if they want to get a feel for the area over a few days before boarding their vessel.

At Seafarer, we offer the opportunity to tour the Caribbean via a majestic Star Clipper, a luxury Tall Ship Clipper or a comfortable and stylish catamaran. You might also consider getting aboard our Treasures of Costa Rica and The Panama Canal cruise, which offers all the charm of these destinations. If travelling in the winter of 2014 or in 2015, we have just added a brand new mega yacht cruise around Cuba which is worth a look.

Internationally renowned review site TripAdvisor published its list of favourite beaches throughout the world last week, as voted for by its users, and if some of these don't get you hungry for a cruise then nothing will.

According to the website, Baia do Sancho of Fernando de Noronha in Brazil took the top spot, with Turks and Caicos' Grace Bay picking up the silver. Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico came in third.

But which destinations picked up multiple nominations throughout the top 25? Which places boasted quantity as well as quality?

Unsurprisingly, Europe performed well, with stunning stretches of sand in Italy, Greece and Spain picking up rankings. The Greek Islands secured a mention with Elafonissi Beach on Elafonissi, which is renowned for its characteristic coastline that is peppered with rocks.

Elsewhere, Italy also proved popular, with its interestingly named Rabbit Beach ranking in at fourth place. The island beach boasts a perfect arc of perfect white sand and gently lapping azure waves. 

Italy also picked up a mention for Cala Mariolu, located in Baunei, which features plenty of rugged coastline surrounding a bay of pure tranquility.

Outside of Europe, two beautiful beaches in the Seychelles featured prominently in seventh and 21st places.

Anse Lazio on Praslin Island was the better regarded, which is unsurprising considering the emerald forest that perfectly frames its golden sand, creating the epitome of what we consider to be a desert island paradise.

Anse Source d’Argent picked up the second nomination for the archipelago. Located on La Digue Island, it's worth checking out for its iconic rock structures, formed naturally over thousands of years.

Most beach getaways tend to focus around one stretch of coastline, but you can get more for your money by going on a cruise trip to the Seychelles, Italy, Greece or one of our other destinations.

Take advantage of the fact that you can easily drop off the aft platform for a swim in the crystal clear waters.

The cruise tourism sector will go from strength to strength in 2014, with four to five per cent growth expected within the industry over the course of the year.

This is according to attendees at the Cruise Shipping Miami expo, the 30th edition of which wrapped up last week, with various key players commenting on how they expect the playing field to develop over the next 12 months.

As always, the Caribbean is likely to account for much of the growth due to the fact it is a favourite for both regular cruisers and those who are new to the experience, thanks to its fantastic array of islands and islets that are great to explore on a small cruise vessel.

Locations such as Cuba and Martinique are particularly alluring due to their pristine beaches cropped with palm tree forests, glittering azure waters supporting extensive coral reefs and, above all, a tropical climate that ensures plenty of sunshine.

However, attendees at the four-day Cruise Shipping Miami event were quick to point out that European destinations are most certainly pulling their weight when it comes to drawing in the international cruisers.

Representatives of 24 Spanish port authorities, as well as 70 companies from the port community, chambers of commerce, city halls and port city tourism boards in Spain, pointed out that 7.6 million cruisers arrived in the nation’s ports in 2013 – a 275 per cent increase in the last decade.

Greece has also indicated a strong performance in terms of cruise arrivals, with visitors attracted to the history, mythology and natural beauty of its vast collection of islands.

With the health of the sector predicted to go from strength to strength throughout 2014, it can only be good news for travellers and operators alike.

Record numbers of cruise passengers started their holidays from the UK last year, with the figure topping one million for the first time in the industry's history.

Data released by port operator cruiseBritain indicated that of that figure, more than 800,000 (21 per cent) of cruisers were overseas passengers beginning their journeys in the UK, as opposed to being residents of the country.

More than 100 ships called into ports around the nation and 866,000 passengers made day visits to Britain's multitude of unique attractions – a 20 per cent increase on 2013, suggesting that London 2012 is still working its magic as an advertiser for the UK.

Incoming cruiseBritain chairman Daren Taylor welcomed the news, claiming that 2014's figures are likely to equal or exceed the previous year's judging by current booking sales.

"With a day call growth rate of this magnitude, we are on course to see over a million passenger day calls into UK ports this year," he said. "This represents significant tourism revenue for each of the ports visited."

Being conveniently located with plenty of access to Europe, Britain is often used as a stopover for those wishing to journey through the continent, exploring locations such as the beautiful Greek islands and the spectacular coast of Italy.

News of Britain's record-breaking stats came during the closing days of Cruise Shipping Miami, the industry's largest expo, where major industry figures spent the week pointing to Europe as a major growth market.

The continent offers a huge variety and its Mediterranean climate, sparkling blue seas and splendid beaches prove to be all too enticing for British tourists, many of whom want to experience a different culture without wishing to endure a long journey from the UK.

Big attraction for British travellers is the convenience of sailing from a port close to home and avoiding the need to fly. Seafarer will be introducing some small ship UK departures such as Falmouth, Dover and Hull soon…watch this space!

Groups and families looking for a cruise ship adventure should take advantage of new offers that have just been made available for our mega yacht holidays in a plethora of destinations.

Whether you prefer somewhere close to keep the kids happy – the islands of Greece or the coastline of Italy, for example – or would rather indulge in something a little more exotic such as the Seychelles or Cabo Verde, there's something available.

And thanks to these discounts, an enjoyable cruise trip with comfortable surroundings, in-the-know staff and great excursions is now better value than ever. 

Families will no doubt want to take advantage of the Kids Go Free offer, which allows either a single parent or a couple to take one or two children aboard completely free of charge provided the adults pay the full rate.

The offer only applies to those aged between seven and 12 – those above this age will be charged the child fare. It's bookable all year, but parents must remember to quote Kids Go Free when arranging their holiday.

Groups can also take advantage of great rates, with a five per cent reduction on the fare and one cabin free for every nine booked. The offer is available for all Variety cruise programmes in 2014 and 2015, so there is a huge range of choice when it comes to destinations.

Whether your group wants to experience the natural treasures of Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, or the laid-back atmosphere in coastal Greece, they can now do so at a reduced price that fully reflects the value of such a great holiday.

If you're looking for inspiration, why not take a Variety Cruisess mega yacht out on a special family occasion such as a birthday or anniversary? With their smaller size of between 22-26 cabins, they're also great for corporate incentive trips if you're looking to reward a particularly hardworking team.

Furthermore, the yachting division of Seafarer offers a range of motor yachts and sailing yachts with between two and 12 cabins that can be perfect for small groups of friends and family – and the group discount can mean it's surprisingly affordable.

Friends, family and co-workers often make your time away more worthwhile, so treat this as an opportunity to spend some much-needed time with loved ones, and book your cruise today.

The scars left by the global recession, the harshest since the Second World War, are gradually fading in the European tourism sector as various countries report rising levels in the number of tourists.

This is according to ISTAT data released earlier this week, which released a report indicating a 5.4 per cent rise in tourism across the first ten months of 2013, although some countries fared worse than others when it came to recovery across their travel sectors.

Despite apparent confirmation that Italy's tourism industry was back on track from data published at the start of January, the country was found to be suffering from below par visitor numbers, particularly compared to its European equivalents.

While the rest of Europe published a rise of 5.4 per cent, Italy's arrival figures actually fell by 4.3 per cent in arrivals and a 4.4 per cent drop in overnight stays, showing that some nations are experiencing problems not highlighted by the collective survey data.

Despite this, the report remained optimistic that tourism across the continent – and particularly in the Mediterranean – will witness dramatic recovery over the next few years.

"The period of economic uncertainty will produce an increase in spending by tourists with a growing availability of expenditure and those most sensitive to economic cycles," it stated, adding that countries such as Italy need to focus on their tourism levels in a unified manner.

Those wishing to glean an insight into a more authentic side of this magnificent nation should consider a small size cruise vessel, such as the 36-cabin Variety Voyager yacht offered on the Treasures of Italy itinerary.

Elsewhere, tourism numbers for Greece have been soaring, with the country's collection of beautiful islands proving as popular as ever and the country's airports welcoming in a 21 per cent increase in foreign visitors.

Island hopping is an especially popular pastime, and whether you fancy experiencing the Idyllic Aegean or prefer exploring the Jewels of the Cyclades, you're bound to appreciate the temperate climate and 

When it comes to experiencing the cruise trip of a lifetime, more people are considering Cape Verde as the ideal holiday destination, newly released data suggests.

According to Enapor port authority, cruise traffic to the archipelago saw a 96 per cent jump in 2013 in terms of the number of vessels docking, while the amount of passengers disembarking rose by an equally incredible 98 per cent.

Porto Grande in the city of Mindelo saw the most visitors with 61 separate holidays incorporating it as part of the journey, with Porto Praia taking the second ranking with 42 calls. Both ports can accommodate three ships of various sizes at the same time, explaining their popularity with operators.

While the undeniable beauty of Cape Verde is certainly a huge draw, product development and plans to turn the country – which encompasses ten volcanic islands – into a more tourist-friendly destination have played their part in the rising figures.

"The growth is the result of good planning, execution and team work by all stakeholders involved but there is still much work to be done at a local level, and the government is stepping up its support," commented Luis de Carvalho, consultant to the Cape Verde Cruise Project.

"Our long term goal is to gradually expand itineraries and initiatives to include other West and Central African countries that are being motivated by the success of Cape Verde," he added.

The training of more guides and provision of better-suited facilities to island ports such as those of Sal, Boavista, Fogo, Sao Nicolau, Maio and Brava are developments that are thought to have resulted in the explosion of popularity.

Consider exploring the islands of Cape Verde aboard the Harmony V mega-yacht operated by Variety Cruises, which can provide a unique perspective to its surrounding islands with plenty of luxury available above and below deck in addition to stunning destinations and inspiring itineraries. Failing that, keep an eye out for Seafarer's short series of cruises sailing from next November to this fabulous destination, priced from £1,199 excluding port charges and flights.

The glittering azure waters of the Caribbean proved as inviting as ever in 2013, with its tourism bureau reporting higher than ever visitor figures this week.

In a statement released yesterday (February 16th), the Caribbean Tourism Organisation announced that both the number of visitors to the region and their annual expenditure have risen to its highest levels in three years.

Money spent by tourists was up by 2.3 per cent on 2012’s figures to $28.1 billion, while actual visitor numbers rose to their highest levels in three years to 25 million.

Beverly Nicholson-Doty, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, was quick to comment on the success.

“There wasn’t a single month during 2013 that any indicators fell below 2012 levels,” he claimed, adding that there had been significant progress in the industry that had allowed for the rise in arrivals.

Indeed, even the Caribbean’s own residents are showing signs of travelling within the region in order to explore what the islands have to offer – a sure sign that there are some incredible gems to be found here.

Travel between the islands was up 1.8 per cent, an encouraging sign despite the fact it is a slight decrease from 2012’s figures.

The report also highlighted a dramatic increase in the number of South Americans travelling to the region, although they are not the only ones able to enjoy this sunny paradise.

Intrepid travellers wishing to explore a different side to the Caribbean by seeing multiple islands should opt for a yacht cruise, something that can offer them an inside look at the cultures, people and natural beauty of this incredible region.

Travel via a Tall Ship Star Clipper or its larger Royal Clipper cousin for an even more majestic experience as you sail from island to island, witnessing the best beaches and coves of Barbados, St Lucia, Dominica and Antigua as you sail.

Holidaymakers embarking on a cruise to Turkey this summer are being warned that they will soon be required to fill out an electronic visa before they arrive in order to enter the country, in accordance with the new Law on Foreigners.

As of April 11th, the current practice of obtaining visas upon arrival at a point of entry into the country will come to an end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

However, it will continue to operate the current system for what it terms a 'transitional period', (comma) encompassing the 2014 tourist season.

While the news has been met with criticism from some in the tourist industry, others have pointed out it will signal the end of long lines at immigration for cruise goers and airline passengers, especially as it only takes three minutes to obtain a visa online.

The new system will also eliminate the need for tourists to carry the exact money in English pounds to obtain a visa, as is common practice in many entry points. In addition, fees for documents arranged over the internet will be cheaper than those paid for on arrival.

Passengers who arrive at Turkish ports and airports without previously paying for their e-visas will be required to do so in an interactive kiosk before they can proceed past the border.

While paying for an e-visa over the internet is expected to be the quicker and cheaper method of getting into the country, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned travellers to be wary of counterfeit sites that may charge additional fees for the collection of the visas.

"Some unauthorised websites may charge for information about e-visas, and for submitting applications," the FCO said in a statement. "These websites are not endorsed by or associated with the Turkish government."

Those apprehensive about such websites can directly reach the appropriate webpage via this link: www.evisa.gov.tr