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Whether it’s a relaxing meander through the rivers of Europe or a family trip around the Caribbean, Insurance Choice is here to help!

Many cruise operators insist that holiday makers have sufficient insurance, just incase things don’t go according to plan. For this reason, Insurance Choice allows you to buy whatever you need two years prior to your holiday.

Travel and luggage delay is included in your policy so if you find yourself waiting around at the airport, all you have to worry about it resisting the temptation to buy more goodies from Duty Free!

Insurance Choice also offers medical expenses of up to £10million, with all pre-existing medical conditions being covered too.

If something unexpected happens and you need to cancel trip, they offer high cancellation cruise insurance for cruises of any value, even in excess of £100,000! Plus, you’re also covered if either you tour operator, airline or cruise company goes into insolvency.

We know it’s easy to get lost in a whirlwind of packing suitcase, boarding planes and keeping hungry kids at bay but at least when you book your policy with Insurance Choice, a small part of your mind can always be at ease.

Visit www.insurancechoice.co.uk for more information on how to cover your cruise.

VTA’s itineraries for 2013 will strengthen its focus on history and culture with 16 cruises from March through to November 2013.

New destinations include Carcassonne, Palma, Barcelona, Elba, Izmir and Jerusalem.

More time will be spent in ports to allow passengers the opportunity to enjoy the destinations and passengers sailing into or out of Venice on some itineraries will also benefit from two nights on board Aegean Odyssey.

Eight new single cabins have been added on board to support the increase in single travellers.

This stay includes a private evening visit to St Mark’s Basilica and a special lecture series presented by members of the city’s oldest families.

The 2013 programme will build on the current award winning lecture programme from renowned historians – such as Mary Beard and Jonathan Phillips – to military experts like General Sir Michael Rose and well-known journalists such as Martin Bell.

For further information about the itineraries, please visit our dedicated Voyages to Antiquity page.

Find the latest cruise news in every issue of Cruise International. Click here to subscribe to Cruise International.

One of the many new features added to the refurbished ships is Celebrity Cruises’ AquaClass category of staterooms, with private balconies. AquaClass and its host of features will be added to Celebrity Constellation in 2013 and will offer guests exclusive access to the speciality restaurant, Blu; complimentary access to the Persian Garden and Relaxation Room in the AquaSpa; a personal Spa Concierge, in-room features and daily complementary deliveries of bottled water and tea.

The project was completed within less than two years, with each ship completing the massive transformation over the course of an only three-week drydock period.

Celebrity Millennium is the fourth and final ship to complete the cruise line’s $140-million investment programme, dubbed “Solsticizing”.

Ships that have been enhanced now feature a host of venues and experiences including a host of new bars and dining opportunities. The exclusive restaurant “Qsine” has been added to Celebrity Millennium as well as The Celebrity iLounge. Celebrity Cruises’ new balconies added to the ship’s spacious Celebrity Suites and additional oceanview and inside staterooms.

Find the latest cruise news in every issue of Cruise International. Click here to subscribe to Cruise International.

The three “Emerging Artists”-themed North Cape and Mediterranean cruises are in collaboration with The Music Centre – Performing Arts Centre of Los Angeles County.

The performers are all winners of the Music Centre’s annual Spotlight Awards.

Each voyage also includes Master Classes At Sea, showcasing the intense mentoring and preparation required for professional career success.

The three cruises are:

·         19th June: 12-night cruise from Venice to Istanbul on Crystal Serenity – ‘Ballet and the Classics’ with Royal Danish Ballet dancers, opera and classical pieces brought alive.

·         8th July: 15-night cruise from Copenhagen to Stockholm on Crystal Symphony – Jazz-themed repertoire featuring a diversified mix of jazz performers.

·         13th August: 12-night cruise from Venice to Barcelona on Crystal Serenity – Boasting an international twist, this “world tour” through music and movement features song, guitar and regional folk dancing.

Find the latest cruise news in every issue of Cruise International. Click here to subscribe to Cruise International.

Independence of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas have all undergone recent renovations to deliver more dining options, cutting-edge entertainment and modern on board features.

The new 15 night itinerary for Serenade of the Seas will offer new Caribbean itineraries from New Orleans (Louisiana).

Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Independence of the Seas will call Fort Lauderdale home for the season, and alternate six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

Additionally, Freedom of the Seas will continue its year-round sailings from Port Canaveral, along Florida’s Space Coast. The ship will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Navigator of the Seas will debut in Galveston, Texas and offer two Western Caribbean itineraries, both seven nights in length.

Find the latest cruise news in every issue of Cruise International. Click here to subscribe to Cruise International.

P&O Cruises will be showing live BBC World News coverage of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations on June 5.

The television coverage which will commence at 0900 GMT will be shown on board all seven ships in the P&O Cruises fleet. All coverage will be shown live in public areas on board, and is satellite dependent.

Highlights of the coverage will include:

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first formal carriage ride since their wedding in April 2011.

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry joining the procession.

The Queen’s 1902 state landau travelling along Whitehall and the Mall to Buckingham Palace following the Diamond Jubilee lunch in Westminster Hall.

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment providing a Sovereign’s Escort for the remaining members of the royal party.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh gathering with senior royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the crowds and watch an RAF formation fly past.

In addition, passengers will have the opportunity to watch a three-part series called, Diamond Queen, in which Andrew Marr from the BBC looks at the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Diamond Queen will air on board on June 2nd/3rd, 9th/10th and 16th/17th.

For more information please see the Cruise International dedicated P&O page.

Britannia will rule the waves once again on 3 June when one of the world’s largest cruise ships, Independence of the Seas, plays host to a giant Diamond Jubilee Big Lunch.

Joining in with the spirit of The Big Lunch – which will see thousands of neighbourhood street parties across the country  – Independence of the Seas will also be celebrating with its 3,634 guests. The on board Big Lunch will provide guests with the choice of dining in the elegant main dining room or opt for a more informal setting in the Windjammer Café.

Great British themed dining options such as prawn cocktails, roast beef and all the trimmings, and bread and butter pudding will be on the menu as well as some great British classics including beer battered fish and chips, steak and kidney pie and Cumberland sausage mash and red onion gravy.

Celebrations will run from 11.30am to 1.30pm, with the Royal Promenade decked out in red, white and blue bunting. Guests will be able to enjoy live music, traditional village fair-style stalls, English strawberries and Union Jack cupcakes. Photographers dressed in patriotic attire will be on hand to capture the party for posterity.

The festivities will continue on into the evening on 4 June when the Royal Promenade will be the venue for the ‘Rock Britannia’ performance by the onboard team.

For more information on Royal Caribbean please visit our dedicated Cruise International site.

The Avalon Visionary delivers an intimate setting, along with two full decks of suites featuring Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air Balcony.

With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, giving you the rare opportunity to wake each morning to the enchanting scenery and fresh breezes.

Onboard amenities include an Internet corner, complimentary Wi-Fi access, an expanded fitness center, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, shade system, whirlpool, and the delightful open-air bistro.

Cruise along the legendary Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers, enjoying fresh breezes and enchanting scenery from the comfort of your suite. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each morning facing the splendid passing scenery.

Onboard amenities include an expanded fitness center, Internet corner, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, shade system, whirlpool, and the delightful open-air bistro.

The smaller 52 suite Avalon Visionary will whisk passengers away on an 8-day ‘Romantic Rhine’ trip whereas Avalon Vista will sail longer itineraries, including the 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’, the 11-day ‘Legendary Danuble and the 13-day ‘Blue Danube Discovery’.

With luxury furnishings, fine dining and 5-star service, the popular trips are the perfect way to explore the rivers of Europe.

But don’t take our word for it… take a look through our picture gallery to see for yourself or read about the fantastic dual-christening of the ships in Holland!