Ocean & River Cruising from Liverpool in 2011 by Liverpool Post & Echo

Ocean & River Cruising from Liverpool in 2011

TRAVEL

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Cruising on board Ocean Countess

Already well-known to a generation of British cruise holidaymakers, the 17,500-tonne Ocean Countess, following a £3m refurbishment, sailed from British waters for the first time in 2010. With her distinctive ‘classic’ profile, extensive traditional wooden decks and wide range of amenities – including her newly refurbished dining room and several lounges and bars – Ocean Countess, stabilised and air conditioned throughout, will, together with her friendly crew, offer memorable cruising at simply wonderful prices. Ocean Countess offers seven passenger decks served by two lifts, and an abundance of deck space – perfect for those sunny days at sea. The heated sea-water swimming pool and the two whirlpool baths are focal points of life on deck, while the pool bar is a popular meeting point. Other on-board facilities include the comfortable Holyrood Show Lounge, where each evening you can look forward to first-class entertainment provided by the team of professional singers and dancers. The Lido Deck boasts a library and card tables, and there is also a shopping gallery, a well-equipped gym with sauna and spa, as well as massage, hairdressing and beauty facilities. As you would expect from a cruise holiday where the accent is on the traditional, dining on board Ocean Countess will invariably be one of the high points of the day, even if all your resolutions about calories and exercise are broken Cat Cabin Type the minute you sit down. The two-sitting Kensington OS Owners Suite Restaurant, redecorated in the JT Junior Suite Twin refurbishment programme, is the JD Junior Suite Double perfect location for the DL De Luxe Twin sumptuous formal dinners on board the ship, and where you 10 Single can expect to be looked after by 9 Superior Twin friendly, attentive waiters. 8 Standard Plus Twin This fantastic value cruise 7 Standard Twin programme from a selection of UK ports, a taste of which is on 6 Standard Twin the next two pages, features a 5 Single (Inner) choice of the fabled Northern 4 Superior Twin (Inner) Lights, British Isles Discovery, Portugal & Spain or Baltic cities 3 Standard Plus Twin (Inner) cruises, journeys to the beautiful 2 Standard Twin (Inner) Norwegian fjords and an Amazon 1 Standard Twin (Inner) Explorer cruise. Sun Deck 10

For further information and a FREE brochure:

0151 227 5987

What’s included in the price: • Cruise itinerary as described • Traditional British & International full-board cuisine including afternoon tea & late night snacks • Excellent service from an attentive crew • Superb programme of stylish entertainment • Wide range of leisure facilities

Lido Deck 9

Promenade Deck 7

Upper Deck 6

Reception Deck 5

To make a booking call:

Main Deck 4

0844 391 2170 quoting code LPE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: TRINITY MIRROR NORTH WEST & NORTH WALES IN CONJUNCTION WITH: NEWMARKET PROMOTIONS LTD. ABTA V787X. 0844 CALLS COST 4p PER MIN.

Admiral Deck 3

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Fjordland Splendour Cruise

British Isles Discovery Cruise

9 days from

£649

Full-board

Sailing from Liverpool

Ports of Calls Liverpool, U.K. Relaxing Day At Sea Lerwick, Shetland Isles, U.K. Alesund, Norway Flåm, Sognefjord, Norway Gudvangen, Norway Œ Bergen, Norway Kirkwall, Orkney Isles, U.K. Relaxing Day At Sea Liverpool, U.K.

Day 1 2 3 4 5

This wonderful cruise direct from Liverpool combines the magnificent fjords of Western Norway in their late summer glory, one of the world’s most breathtaking sights, with island calls in Shetland and Orkney.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Ocean Countess sails from Liverpool early this evening. Day 2 - Today is spent at sea. Day 3 - Our first port of call is the Shetland capital Lerwick, a land of ancient legend, traditional crafts and incredible bird-life. See the town, or join the excursion to the 3,000 year-old archaeological site at Jarlshof, with its Bronze and Iron Age remains. Day 4 - The Norweigan port of Ålesund, with its natural harbours lined by pastel-painted, gabled and turreted buildings, resembles more of a fantasy movie set rather than a working town.

6 7 8 9

10 days from

Sailing from Liverpool

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join Ocean Countess for this afternoon’s sailing, and enjoy your first evening on board. Day 2 - An afternoon call is made in the Scottish resort of Oban, gateway to the offshore isles. Take a shore excursion, perhaps to one of a host of nearby whisky distilleries.

Œ Indicate ports where shore arrangements will be made

by ship’s tender

Day 6 - This morning we dock in the city of Bergen, birthplace of composer Edvard Greig with its cobbled streets, medieval houses and harbour-side fish market. Take the chance to stroll through the ancient Bryggen area and see the wonderful view of the city from the summit of ‘Mount’ Fløyen, reached by the taking the Fløibanen funicular railway. Day 7 - Our final port of call is Kirkwall, historic capital of Orkney, with the St Magnus Cathedral its glorious centrepiece. Explore the streets and excellent museum, or enjoy a shore excursion,

Colouful Art Deco houses are a feature of the main street, Kongens gate, while close by the Sunnmøre Museum is a truly impressiveheritage centre. This afternoon Ocean Countess threads her way through the islands that dot this beautiful coastline. Day 5 - Awake as Ocean Countess navigates the mighty Sognefjord, the world's largest and deepest, as you cruise to Flåm, set in one of the fjord’s remotest corners. From here board the world famous Flåmsbana Mountain Railway, to gasp in amazement at the beauty and the feat of engineering of the unforgettable six-mile climb down to Myrdal and onward spectacular journey through to pretty Gudvangen, where you’ll rejoin Ocean Countess later this afternoon or stay on board for a day of scenic cruising.

Ports of Calls Liverpool, U.K. Oban, U.K. Œ Kirkwall, U.K. Invergordon, U.K. Relaxing Day at Sea Honfleur, France St Peter Port, Guernsey, U.K. Œ St Mary’s, Isle of Scilly, U.K. Œ Cobh, Ireland (for Cork) Liverpool, U.K.

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

This not-to-be-missed circumnavigation of our ‘sceptred isle’ – with calls in Guernsey and the Scillies as well as three contrasting Scottish ports – also features Ireland’s Cobh and Norman Honfleur.

Œ Indicate ports where shore arrangements will be made

£749

Full-board

taking in the waters of fabled Scapa Flow, Churchill’s famous Barriers, the beautiful Italian Chapel or the UNESCO World Heritage site at Skara Brae and the fabled Ring of Brodgar. Day 8 - We spend at sea, cruising off Scotland’s beautiful west coast. Day 9 - Ocean Countess returns to Liverpool at the end of a truly wonderful summertime cruise.

Departs 29 August 2011

Day 3 - Kirkwall, the historic capital of Orkney, has magnificent St Magnus Cathedral as its centrepiece. Explore the streets and museum, or enjoy a shore excursion, taking in the waters of Scapa Flow, Churchill’s famous Barriers, the beautiful Italian Chapel, the UNESCO World Heritage site at Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. Day 4 - This morning Ocean Countess ties up in Invergordon, gateway to the Highlands. Take an excursion, perhaps to Inverness, with the famous Loch beyond. Golfers might head to nearby Dornoch, while whisky connoisseurs might make a visit to the Ord Distillery! Day 5 - Today is spent at sea. Day 6 - The exquisite port of Honfleur, with its old harbour, gabled houses, and pretty quayside, is gateway to the stunning Normandy countryside. Spend time exploring this favourite retreat of the French Impressionists, or take excursions to the famous Normandy beaches, or the historic ‘Joan of Arc’ city of Rouen.

Day 7 - Guernsey’s delightful St Peter Port welcomes us today,as we spend time enjoying the pleasures of this beautiful Channel Isle.See the medieval,cobbled central quarter of St Peter Port, where shops and colourful stalls offer tax-free gifts. Day 8 - This morning finds us anchored off the Scilly Isles, with the opportunity to go ashore to explore tiny Hugh Town on St Mary’s, and the chance to take an island ferry to stunning Tresco, with its famous Abbey Gardens.

Day 9 - Ocean Countess arrives in the port-resort of Cobh, gateway to the great Irish city of Cork. Take a shore excursion to discover this historic capital of southwest Ireland, or head into the beautiful rolling countryside beyond, to the fashionable resort of Kinsale, famed for its fine food and seafishing, or to Blarney Castle, just north of the city, for a chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Day 10 - Ocean Countess arrives in Liverpool.

Departs 6 September 2011

Category

Price £

749

849

949 1049 1449 1049 1099 1149 1249 1849 1649 1949 1999 2299 — See page 2 for cabin types and price inclusions —

To make a booking call:

0844 391 2170 quoting code LPE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: TRINITY MIRROR NORTH WEST & NORTH WALES IN CONJUNCTION WITH: NEWMARKET PROMOTIONS LTD. ABTA V787X. 0844 CALLS COST 4p PER MIN.

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4 days from

£459

Dutch Bulbfields & Amsterdam Waterways River Fly-Cruise Departing from Liverpool or Manchester

Discover the world’s most famous flower gardens, the canals and cobblestones of Amsterdam, and the historic fishing villages on the surrounding ‘polder land’. Embark in the delightful Dutch capital of Amsterdam before journeying to Volendam and Zaandam on the Markermeer. Explore a remarkable area of inland sea and reclaimed land, home to pretty towns and fishing villages. Join us on one of our great value optional excursions which include a visit to famous Keukenhof Gardens with breathtaking flower displays, and the chance to discover royal Het Loo Palace. These springtime cruises are irresistible.

Departure dates 1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19 April 2011

Day Two ~ Volendam, Lelystad & Zaandam

Wander the pretty streets of Volendam this morning, before cruising across the inland sea to Lelystad, on the shore of the reclaimed Flevoland. This afternoon’s optional excursion takes in the garden city of Apeldoorn and Het Loo Palace, glittering former Dutch Royal residence. Olympia heads back across the Markermeer to Zaandam, where once Tsar Peter the Great briefly lived incognito as a humble ship-builder, and whose windmills and colourful houses were once subjects for impressionist Claude Monet.

Day Three ~ Keukenhof Gardens

This morning’s unforgettable included excursion is to the world-renowned Keukenhof Gardens, where some seven million flowers carpet the ground in a breathtaking display. Wander through this floral paradise, perhaps stopping in one of the several restaurants and cafés, or take a boat ride (payable locally) through the stunning gardens.

(Prices are based on two people sharing a Standard Lower cabin.)

Also available by coach from your local area travelling with P&O Ferries from Hull

15 April 2011 from just £309

Rejoin Olympia in Amsterdam, to spend a final afternoon and evening on board. Join our optional canal cruise – perhaps the best way to see the sights of the city.

Day Four ~ Disembark in Amsterdam Bid “Farewell” to Olympia, and begin your return journey to the UK.

Optional Excursions Price per person • Het Loo Palace • Amsterdam Canal Cruise

£18 £18

Book both excursions and save £4 per person

Cruise Highlights • Embark in Amsterdam – delightful Dutch capital • Call at Volendam – historic Zuider Zee port • Included half-day excursion to the renowned Keukenhof Gardens • Call at Zaandam • On-board English commentary • Full-board – breakfast, lunch and dinner • On-board entertainment Cabin Supplements per person

Classic Lower Standard Promenade Classic Promenade Single Cabin Promenade

£30 £60 £90 £140

Also available by coach from Hull with P&O Ferries... Day One ~ Embark in Amsterdam

Travel to join Olympia in the wonderful Dutch capital. This evening, enjoy dinner as the ship slips her moorings and makes the short journey out into the Markermeer – the shallow lake that once was part of the Zuider Zee that spilled out into the North Sea – and moors overnight in the former fishing village and artists’ retreat of Volendam.

For further information and a FREE brochure:

0151 227 5987

Romantic Rhine Cruise to Switzerland 12 days from only £995 departing 27 May 2011

Black Forest Rhine Cruise

8 days from only £589 departing 12 October 2011

Splendours of the Rhine and Moselle 11 days from only £919 departing 25 September 2011

To make a booking call:

0844 391 2170 quoting code LPE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: TRINITY MIRROR NORTH WEST & NORTH WALES IN CONJUNCTION WITH: NEWMARKET PROMOTIONS LTD. ABTA V787X. 0844 CALLS COST 4p PER MIN.