SHINING ON THE TYNE- CRYSTAL AND REGENT TO VISIT NEWCASTLE IN AUGUST

In what amounts ot a double shot of elegant, exclusive luxury, the port of Newcastle will for the first time play host to two ultra luxury cruise ships in August within the space of a week. This is a huge coup for the port that could set a possible trend for future, upscale arrivals in the region.

First, we have Regent Seven Seas’ classy Seven Seas Voyager. The 50,000 ton, 700 guest all suite ship will dock at North Shields for the day on Wednesday, August 19th.

One week later, it will be the turn of the sublime Crystal Symphony, slated for an 1100 arrival at North Shields on Wednesday 26th, and departing at 1900 that same evening.

The Tyne is no stranger to great luxury ships; as well as being a seasonal home base for the ships of Cruise And Maritime and Fred. Olsen, the port has been graced by such star attractions as the QE2, Silver Cloud, Westerdam and MSC Magnifica among others in recent times.

While this should hardly be surprising when considering the sheer glut of scenic overkill that the region is famed for, not to mention it’s world renowned hospitality, the arrival of these two highly styled, very exclusive vessels one after another cannot help but raise the region’s profile on the international cruise circuit.

For the locals, it will be a matter of great pride to welcome these two superb vessels and their guests to the Tyne. Stay tuned for further details.

Magnificnet Durham Cathedral; one of many regional masterpieces on offer to cruise passengers visiting the Tyne

CRUISES TO THE NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND

Durham has a magnificent setting

North East England’s amazing cities, historic sites and stunning, sweeping coastline is receiving more cruise ship visitors year on year. And, when you look at the wealth of attractions encompassed within such a welcoming, relatively compact area, it’s hardly surprising that the really savvy, forward thinking lines are already visiting and, in some cases, even basing ships on Tyneside during the long, light days of summer.

History in it’s most classical sense is on display in dignified, dramatic Durham, the third oldest university city in the United Kingdom, and also the site of a truly stunning Norman castle and cathedral, dating from the year 1086, that sits overlooking the meandering sweep of the River Wear. Granted UNESCO World Heritage Status, this remarkable brace of Romanesque revelations constitute the most completely intact constructions of their kind anywhere in Northern Europe.

All cruises to date arrive at North Shields/Port Of Tyne, the gateway to the region. Not far away is Newcastle, a swaggering, graceful city garlanded with some stunning Georgian architecture, and an amazing span of bridges that vault the steel grey Tyne itself. This alone makes for one of the most heart stopping and dramatic photo opportunities in the world. Not too far away is the stand alone Angel Of The North, initially controversial, but now as much a symbol of the region as the famous Tyne Bridge itself.

Intrigued by Harry Potter? Just north of Newcastle is stately, patrician Alnwick, with the castle and formal gardens that were used as sets for the world famous film series. And the local White Swan Hotel also contains many of the first class fittings and fixtures from the Olympic, the almost identical twin sister ship of the Titanic. It’s a wonderful setting for afternoon tea, or just a look around.

The keep of famous Durham Castle

That same coastline of Northumbria is famed for some amazing, honey coloured beaches, crowned by ancient ruined castles clinging to stunning headlands, where the play of light across sea and landscape is truly breathtaking. This is the area around Lindisfarne, a storied and stoic outcrop steeped in lore, legend, and memories of Saint Cuthbert.

Moving south from Durham, you have cities such as Stockton, quite literally the birthplace of modern rail travel, and historic Hartlepool, with its preserved old naval quarter that plays home to the HMS Trincomalee, an outstanding example of a Nelson era, fully restored ship of the line. Sunderland has beautiful, covered winter gardens, with a riot of gorgeous fauna displays, and swathes of sturdy old Victorian architecture right throughout the city centre.

When you combine all of this with world class shopping and dining, and add in the natural warmth and friendliness of the local population, the wonder surely is that more cruise ships do not have Port Of Tyne on their schedules. As time passes, expect that to change dramatically.

And, if you want to actually cruise from here to the convenient, absolutely spellbinding scenery of Norway and Scandinavia, both Cruise And Maritime and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have ships that sail, round trip, from the Tyne during the summer. A great opportunity, then, to combine a fantastic cruise adventures with the warmth and beauty of North East England.

FERRY NICE- NEW START UP SERVICE FROM NEWCASTLE TO NORWAY (Updated)

The stunning beauty of Western Norway

After months of rumours and stop-start negotiations, start up company Norwegian Seaways has finally announced the oft bruited resumption of a direct ferry service between Newcastle and Western Norway. This will be the first such direct link between the UK and Norway since the 2008 demise of the Bergen Line.

The route, scheduled for two weekly round trips from North Shields to both Bergen and Stavanger, is tentatively scheduled to start from the Tyne on April 14th next year.The trips, which will also be sold as mini cruises, will be of about three days’ duration each.

However, the firm date, as announced in Stavanger last week by Peter Iles, chairman of Norwegian Seaways, has been apparently greeted with astonishment by his own board, according to a Norwegian newspaper. They seem to have concerns that the ship- believed to be a ferry acquired from the Mediterranean- might not be ready for that early start date.

In any event, this seems a relatively minor storm in a teacup. The vessel in question is said to be around 27,000 tons, and with a length of around two hundred metres. With the intention of capturing both the business and holiday market, the as yet unnamed ship will boast a full service spa, several bars and restaurants, a casino and a disco. Cabin configurations are as yet unknown.

She will also be fully stabilised. That’s a key requirement for the often mercurial North Sea, and especially important as the ship is expected to sail year round. A move is afoot to promote Norway as a potentially viable ski-ing destination during the winter. The fact that a ship would have a far more generous baggage allowance than any budget or scheduled flight could be a key marketing advantage for the projected new service.

Street scene in Stavanger

Western Norway has huge potential as a ski destination, with runs at least comparable, if not far superior, to those of winter France, Italy and Switzerland. It’s unclear yet what the car carrying capacity of the ship will be, though obviously there will be a full trailer and lorry carrying operation on the ship.

The service should also have considerable appeal as a cruise/ferry option. Both Bergen and Stavanger are extremely attractive ports in their own right, especially in the long Nordic summer nights. It is to be hoped that the new company will also offer a cruise-and-stay option, both for passengers from the UK, and those embarking in Norway to visit the Newcastle/Durham region.

This is definitely one to keep an eye on for 2014. As always, my advice is to stay tuned.

UPDATE: The vessel in question is said to be the Zeus Palace, originally built in 2001. In her current configuration, the ship has some 500 staterooms for around 1300 passengers, and a capacity for some 1,000 cars. She is currently sailing for Italy’s Grimaldi Lines in the Mediterranean.

Another update: A second company source has just said that the company has not purchased any vessel, and that the service might not start in 2014 at all. Bit of a dog’s breakfast……

THE FUN RUN-DFDS FERRIES TO AMSTERDAM FROM THE TYNE

Get out there……

For quite a few people, their first experience of a voyage at sea has been on one of the year round, overnight ferry runs offered by DFDS Seaways from the Tyne over to Holland. Even now, the route remains a popular staple for hen and stag nights, as well as being a simple, relatively cheap and enjoyable break away in its own right.

The basic deal revolves around a two night mini cruise on one of the large, 1800 plus passenger DFDS cruise ferries that sails from the Port of Tyne quay at North Shields, County Tyne and Wear, at five o’clock each evening. After an overnight voyage, they arrive at the port of Ijmuiden, some eight kilometres from Amsterdam, at around nine o’clock the next morning.

Coaches then take passengers on an included drive into Amsterdam, dropping everyone off at the Hotel Victoria, opposite Dam Station. There is then about five hours of free personal time, before a mid afternoon pick up at the same hotel returns passengers to Ijmuiden for the overnight crossing back to North Shields.

So what do you actually get for your money? Well, basic accommodation is in an inside, two berth cabin with shower and toilet. These are functional rather than luxurious, but more than comfortable enough. And, if you really want to push the boat out (pun wholly intentional) then you can upgrade several levels.

The creme de la creme is Commodore Class, which has upgraded luxury cabins, a free mini bar, and a private, concierge style lounge. It’s roughly the equivalent of flying club class.

Remember that this is a ferry, not an all inclusive cruise ship. All meals and drinks are at an extra cost, as is use of facilities such as the cinema. There is an excellent dinner buffet that allows you to go back and fill up on a raft of tempting hot and cold appetizers, entrees and desserts as often as you want, within a set time frame. Alternatively, the ships have a dedicated on board Explorer’s Steakhouse that allows you to savour an excellent, waiter service meal. On arrival days, there is also an extensive breakfast buffet.

All of these can be booked online in advance, at a discount running at around twenty per cent on the onboard fare.

The ferries have several comfortable bars and lounges. There is usually a floor show of some kind, and a live band/disco combination that rocks through until the small hours.

The ships themselves are big, impressive, and comfortable enough. But never forget that this is the famously capricious North Sea. It can be horrendously rough in June, and as still as glass in December. Be prepared accordingly.

Take a canal boat tour in Amsterdam

Night times can vary from lively to rowdy; your chances of a more sedate crossing are heightened by avoiding weekend sailings if at all practical.

The prices are very competitive, and these trips are overall very good value; a great little opportunity to recharge the batteries at a price that won’t break the bank, either.

What is sad is that we now have only the one ferry route operating from the Tyne. Once over, it was also possible to sail to Germany, Denmark and Norway, too.

Still, the Amsterdam run is well worth considering. And you also have the option of extending your stay to include a stay ashore in a hotel. DFDS can also arrange this for you.