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Blue Water Blog - Spring 2013

Read the latest small ship, luxury and river news and features from the experts.

May 2013

Exploring Venice on a City Cruise Break

A city cruise break is an ideal way to explore the romantic city of Venice and its lagoons. Moor in the heart of Venice and explore the highlights including St Mark’s Square and Burano.

Northern Lights to reach their peak in the next 12 months

According to scientists, the Sun’s current cycle of activity will peak this year, so the best opportunity for seeing the northern lights should be in late 2013 and early 2014.

Sailing the Cote d’Azur from Monaco on Royal Clipper

I arrived in Monaco, home to more expensive yachts than you can imagine, on board the one ship that can make the owners stop and stare - the superb five-masted tall ship Royal Clipper!

Exploring Norway in Search of the Northern Lights - Customer Review

A truly memorable and enjoyable experience - the scenery was stunning, the ship exceeded expectations, and we saw magnificent displays of the Northern Lights.

MS Europa2 sets new standard for luxury ships benchmark

The recently launched Europa 2 from Hapag-Lloyd sets a new benchmark for the luxury cruise sector with a distinct philosophy - relaxed luxury with a smart casual no-tie ambience.

April 2013

Our Top 5 World Heritage Sites in the Mediterranean

With such a wealth of history and culture in the Mediterranean, we have picked out our favourite five UNESCO World Heritage Sites to help you decide where to start.

See the World in a new Light with Voyages to Antiquity

Discover the world with superb cruises around the Mediterranean and Far East with Voyages to Antiquity. Carefully planned included shore excursions bring to life the history, culture, art and architecture of a destination.

Our Favourite Cuisine from Burgundy and Provence

The South of France is renowned for its gastronomic delights and magnificent vineyards. We have put together our favourite menus from Burgundy and Provence.

Our Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations

So you want to relax on a beach, he fancies water sports, but you want to spend romantic evenings together? Don't worry, we’ve put together our Top 5 Honeymoon destinations.

New River Douro Ships Launched

This year, three new ships will be launched on Portugal's River of Gold, giving customers more choice and increasing availability.

Our Favourite Greek Islands

Everyone who has been to Greece has a favourite Greek island. The team at Blue Water Holidays has selected three of our favourites.

Viking River Cruises Featured

Blue Water Holidays started selling Viking River Cruises in 2002. Since then, they have secured millions of pounds of investmen which has led to a new range of ships.

Best selling excursions in Norway

The best selling excursion for Hurtigruten cruises along the Norway coast in 2012 was the visit to the North Cape.

Voyages to Antiquity extends its lecture programme

Voyages to Antiquity has added new lecturers to its 2013 programme, including artist Kevin Dean and war journalist Sandy Gall.

Bora Bora and Moorea Top 10 Islands

The idyllic islands of Bora Bora and Moorea in the South Pacific were finalists in the "Top 10 Islands in the World" category at the Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Blue Water Holidays finalists at Agent Achievement Awards

Blue Water Holidays, the small ship cruise specialist, is one of five finalists for both the Cruise Agency of the Year and Online Travel Agency of the Year at the Agent Achievement Awards.

March 2013

Blue Water Holidays release 2013/14 Northern Lights brochure

Blue Water Holidays has released the 2013/14 edition of its Northern Lights brochure in association with Hurtigruten, with an exclusive £50pp discount on all voyages in the brochure.

Viking sets Guinness World Record

Viking River Cruises set a new Guinness World Record for ’The Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company’ as it christened eight new Viking Longships at a ceremony in Amsterdam.

Discover the Greek Islands with Blue Water Holidays

Visit the picturesque Greek Islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and Skopelos on a sailing or megayacht cruise.

British Prefer to Travel Solo

Almost a third of British people prefer to travel alone, according to a recent survey. Blue Water Holidays offer fantastic savings for single travellers.

Explore Turkey on a relaxing Gulet

Explore the picturesque Turkish coast on a relaxing, informal Gulet cruise from Blue Water Holidays.

Escape the British weather to the Indian Ocean

Escape the cold British weather and enjoy some winter sun on an Indian Ocean voyage from Blue Water Holidays.

Worldwide celebrations planned for St Patrick’s Day

Sunday 17th March 2013, people around the world will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day. Blue Water Holidays offer a selection of small ship cruises to Ireland.

Blue Water Holidays release 2013 Spring Brochure

Blue Water Holidays has released the Spring 2013 edition of its exclusive River and Small Ship Brochure featuring twenty-nine exciting itineraries.

New Arctic Itinerary combines Spitsbergen and the Northern Lights

Combine the spectacular phenomenon of the Northern Lights with the remote island of Spitsbergen on a 2013 voyage to the Arctic.

UK river cruise passenger numbers rise

The number of British river cruise passengers rose by 14% in 2012, with figures showing that Europe was the most popular destination.

2012 breaks record

Last year was a record year for UK ports as passenger numbers increased by 10 per cent, with the percentage expected to rise in 2013.

AmaWaterways release 2014 programme

AmaWaterways has released 2014 dates for its Europe and World River cruises with new ships and superb early booking discounts.