Archers Direct Introduces New Cruises To Cruise Collection 2007
August 2006
Archers Direct has launched its 2007 Cruise Collection with an expanded range of river, ocean & coastal cruises in different destinations for next year to add to the existing choice of cruises throughout the world in Europe, China, Caribbean and North America.
Due to the popularity of river cruising, new river cruise itineraries are introduced on the Rhine, Danube, Guadalquivir (Spain), Po (Italy), Nile and Yangtze (China). Seven new ocean cruises are available in Mexico & the Panama Canal, the Baltic States, the Dalmatian coast and Eastern and Western Mediterranean.
Free travel insurance worth up to £210 per couple for all bookings up to 24th December 2006 is on offer as well as a loyalty bonus of £50 off a second Archers holiday booked before 31 July ‘07 for travel between
1 January - 31 December ’07.
The eight day ‘Andalucia & the Algarve’ cruise along the Guadalquivir and Guadiana rivers in southern Spain, and Portugal with Croisieurope starts from Seville before visiting Cadiz, Vila Real, Alcoutim, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Santa Maria, Jerez and Cordoba. Two night extensions are available in Seville (priced from £1005 per person). A winter itinerary is also available - a three night cruise from Seville.
Alternatively, the newly featured six day ‘Venice & the River Po’ with Croisieurope starts from Venice on the River Po in the Venetian Lagoon with Croisieurope and visits Venice, Polesella, Mantura, Verona, Taglio di Po, Chioggia. Priced from £649 per person.
New for 2007, Archers Direct will be featuring a new range of ex-UK cruises, sailing out from Dover aboard Fred Olsen’s Black Watch cruise ship offering clients a more traditional way of cruising; the 14 day ‘Western Mediterranean Odyssey’ (priced from £1165) and the 12 day ‘Splendours of Iberia & Morocco’ (priced from £899).
Also new is the 12 day 'Jewels of the Mediterranean & the Black Sea’ which takes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea on the three star MSC Rhapsody cruise ship. Highlights include Salerno, Athens, Yalta, Odessa, Istanbul, Messina and Naples (priced from £859 per person).
The seven night cruise ‘Western Mediterranean Odyssey’ starts and ends in Barcelona and offers freestyle cruising (flexible dining) aboard NCL's Norwegian Dream with highlights including Messina, Naples, Civitavecchia (for Rome) Livorno and Villefranche on the French Riviera (priced from £775 per person).
Archers Direct is launching a range of 11 cruises available on-line. Brief details are available in the brochure and then clients can view the full itineraries and book on line at www.archersdirectcruises.co.uk. Cruises include the Black Sea Discovery, Magic of Mauritius, Iberian Highlights and the Mexican Riviera as well as several themed Christmas Market cruises on the Rhine and the Danube as well as Tulip Time in Amstersdam.
Zoe Hanson-James, Product Manager commented ”Our sales figures show that river cruising is really increasing in popularity with over 40% increase reported for this year - on the back of this growth we have expanded the choice to include areas not generally associated with cruising such as Andalucia, the Algarve and the Venetian Lagoon in Italy.”
She added: “Most of our cruises can be combined with a resort or city stay and it’s a popular option as clients can enjoy the benefits of both. For example a cruise in spectacular Alaska can be followed by a few days in the vibrant city of Vancouver or a relaxing week’s stay in Hawaii.”
