Blue Water Blog - Winter 2012/2013

With interest in Vietnam and Cambodia growing, Mekong river cruise and land tours are an excellent value way of seeing this region’s fascinating highlights.

Star Clippers have announced special fly-cruises on their last ever sailing cruises from Stockholm to Scandinavia and Russia.

The BBC documentary Penguins - Spy in the Huddle which follows the lives of Emperor, Rockhopper and Humboldt penguins has increased interest in cruises to the Antarctic

Croatia is expected to see a rise in tourism this summer after joining the EU and announcing a 15% sales-tax cut on tourist services

The 700 passenger cruise ship Discovery sails out of Bristol Avonmouth on Thursday 28 February, the first time a cruise ship has used the port for 20 years.

Hurtigruten has released 2014 dates for the direct charter flights in conjunction with Northern Lights cruises, with return flights from 8 UK airports.

Myanmar (Burma) is the new hot destination for 2013 as travellers seek out ’Asia as it used to be’ on a growing number of Burma river cruises and sea voyages.

Uniworld, the boutique river cruise line, is to offer "all-inclusive" Europe river cruises in 2014. They will include all gratuities, unlimited beverages, airport transfers and excursions.

Norwegian coastal cruise company Hurtigruten has just released three summer short voyages exploring Norway and the Midnight Sun.

Following the success of Galapagos cruises on Celebrity Xpedition two other major cruise lines have introduced their own ships to Galapagos Islands cruising.

Compagnie du Ponant has released new itineraries to Asia, a new destination for the French luxury cruise company. The cruises in Winter 2013/14 will be on board their new ship.

Blue Water Holidays has released its 2014 Scotland cruises on board 54-passenger Lord of the Glens, with a brand new itinerary visiting the Highland Sea Lochs.

In 1893 Captain Richard With’s steamer Vesteraalen started a weekly service along the coast of Norway. Now his Norway coastal cruise company Hurtigruten operates a daily service.

French river cruise company CroisiEurope is launching a new 3-deck ship, MS Cyrano de Bergerac, for its cruises on the River Garonne and Dordogne through the wine region.

Competition for cruise passengers on the Mississippi river from New Orleans is hotting up between newly launched Mississippi Queen and the older American Queen.

Following the success of Variety Cruises Cuba voyages in 2012/13 on board the sailing ship Panorama, Star Clippers are to add Cuba itineraries in 2014 on sailing ship Star Flyer.