DWC - 26 cruise vacations that showcase the kaleidoscope of vibrant history, cultures

**Ally** · 06-12-2007, 01:06 PM

Guests can choose from 10- to 42-night itineraries, calling at ports as diverse as Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, and Alexandria, with one of the main highlights being a 16-night voyage that includes a total Eclipse of the sun while cruising Arctic waters.

Rates begin at $1,695 per person, double occupancy on the 10-night Norwegian Fjords.

Consumers who book early will enjoy savings of up to 50 percent on selected sailings. In addition, the line is offering complimentary Economy Class air to Europe from select East Coast gateway cities.

Travelers from other parts of the U.S. may take advantage of deeply discounted air add-on fares of $99 from the Midwest, and $199 from West Coast gateways.

As part of Discovery's hallmark "cruisetour" program, passengers enjoy a two-night, pre-cruise hotel stay in London prior to many of the summer and fall voyages, which includes an orientation sightseeing tour of the city's landmarks.
Overnight calls are also scheduled in grand metropolises such as St. Petersburg, Nice, Venice, Istanbul, and Alexandria, among other ports. Guest lecturers will be on each sailing to provide insights into the history, culture and politics of the ports visited and, wherever possible, local performers are invited on board to entertain guests.

Travelers discover Europe's treasures aboard the intimate and convivial mv Discovery. The 650-passenger liner offers all the comforts and amenities, yet her size enables her to visit out-of-the-way ports, usually restricted from larger vessels.

Beginning April, Discovery offers 13 Northern Europe voyages, ranging from 10 to 30 days, which offer a choice of opulent Baltic cities or the natural beauty of Norway, Iceland and Greenland. On five sailings, guests will spend up to three full days in St. Petersburg - enough time to catch a performance at the Mariinsky Theatre (formerly the Kirov), devour the famous Hermitage and take an optional air excursion to Moscow.

Other ports include Stockholm; Warnemünde, gateway to Berlin; Korsør (maiden call) and Copenhagen, Denmark; Reykjavik, Seydisfjordur and Heimaey, in Iceland; Invergordon and Leith in Scotland - the latter two both being maiden calls; and Ny Ålesund, Longyearbyen and Barentsberg in Europe's northernmost territory of Spitsbergen. Northern Europe voyages begin at $1,695 per person, double occupancy.

Of particular interest is a 16-night North Cape, Spitsbergen & Eclipse sailing that plays hopscotch across Norway's islands and inlets on its way to Barentsberg and a total eclipse of the sun.

Discovery follows sultry Spanish shores and the French Riviera, hugs the Dalmatian coast, and explores Old World gems on the Aegean coast on four voyages, ranging from 12 to 19 nights. Interesting ports-of-call in Italy include Livorno - gateway to Florence and Pisa, Civitavecchia - gateway to Rome, Venice and Santa Margherita (maiden call); Koper, Slovenia; Zadar, Hvar, and Dubrovnik in Croatia; and the magical Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos. Rates begin at $2,195 per person, double occupancy.

From Istanbul, Discovery heads in search of ancient treasures and civilizations on four voyages along the Black Sea and North African coast, with four voyages ranging from 12 to 15 nights. Ports include Odessa, Sevastopol and Yalta in the Ukraine; Trabzon, Antalya and Kusadasi in Turkey; Alexandria, Safaga - gateway to Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza, and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; Benghazi, Al Khums, and Tripoli, Libya; and La Goulette, Tunisia.
Rates start from $3,095 per person, double occupancy.

For travelers with the luxury of time, the line offers seven Grand Voyages, ranging from 24 to 42 nights. Discovery World Cruises' Grand Voyages combine itineraries to offer guests more ports-of-call; longer time at each port - like three full days in Venice; and greater savings - such as two-for-one fares.
Rates begin at $5,095 per person, double occupancy on the Grand Italian & Byzantine Journey.

Discovery World Cruises is a division of All Leisure Group, which is headquartered in London and operates the mv Discovery under the Voyages of Discovery brand in the United Kingdom.

Discovery World Cruises was awarded the 2006 "Best Value" in the Specialty Cruises category from the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society.

(Source: Discovery World Cruises)