TRAVELOcean & River Cruisingfrom Liverpool in 2011Ocean & River Cruisingfrom Liverpool in 2011

Already well-known to a generation of British cruise holidaymakers, the 17,500-tonne OceanCountess, following a £3m refurbishment, sailed from British waters for the first time in 2010.With her distinctive ‘classic’ profile,extensive traditional wooden decks andwide range of amenities – including hernewly refurbished dining room andseveral lounges and bars – OceanCountess, stabilised and airconditioned throughout, will, togetherwith her friendly crew, offer memorablecruising at simply wonderful prices.

Ocean Countess offers seven passenger decks served by two lifts, and anabundance of deck space – perfect for those sunny days at sea. The heatedsea-water swimming pool and the two whirlpool baths are focal points of lifeon deck, while the pool bar is a popular meeting point. Other on-boardfacilities include the comfortableHolyrood Show Lounge, whereeach evening you can lookforward to first-classentertainment provided by theteam of professional singers anddancers. The Lido Deck boastsa library and card tables, andthere is also a shopping gallery, awell-equipped gym with saunaand spa, as well as massage,hairdressing and beauty facilities.As you would expect from acruise holiday where the accent ison the traditional, dining on boardOcean Countess will invariably beone of the high points of the day,even if all your resolutions aboutcalories and exercise are brokenthe minute you sit down. Thetwo-sitting KensingtonRestaurant, redecorated in therefurbishment programme, is theperfect location for thesumptuous formal dinners onboard the ship, and where youcan expect to be looked after byfriendly, attentive waiters.This fantastic value cruiseprogramme from a selection ofUK ports, a taste of which is onthe next two pages, features achoice of the fabled NorthernLights, British Isles Discovery,Portugal & Spain or Baltic citiescruises, journeys to the beautifulNorwegian fjords and an AmazonExplorer cruise.

Cruising on boardOcean Countess

Cat Cabin Type

OS Owners Suite

JT Junior Suite Twin

JD Junior Suite Double

DL De Luxe Twin

10 Single

9 Superior Twin

8 Standard Plus Twin

7 Standard Twin

6 Standard Twin

5 Single (Inner)

4 Superior Twin (Inner)

3 Standard Plus Twin (Inner)

2 Standard Twin (Inner)

1 Standard Twin (Inner)

Lido Deck 9Sun Deck 10 Promenade Deck 7 Upper Deck 6 Reception Deck 5 Main Deck 4 Admiral Deck 3

What’s included in the price:• Cruise itinerary as described• Traditional British & International

full-board cuisine includingafternoon tea & late night snacks

• Excellent service from anattentive crew

• Superb programme ofstylish entertainment

• Wide range of leisure facilities

To make a booking call:

0844 391 2170 quoting code LPE

For further information and a FREE brochure:

0151 227 5987BROUGHT TO YOU BY: TRINITY MIRROR NORTH WEST & NORTH WALES IN CONJUNCTION WITH: NEWMARKET PROMOTIONS LTD. ABTA V787X. 0844 CALLS COST 4p PER MIN.

TRAVEL readertravelholidays.com

To make a booking call:

0844 391 2170 quoting code LPE

For further information and a FREE brochure:

0151 227 5987BROUGHT TO YOU BY: TRINITY MIRROR NORTH WEST & NORTH WALES IN CONJUNCTION WITH: NEWMARKET PROMOTIONS LTD. ABTA V787X. 0844 CALLS COST 4p PER MIN.

TRAVEL readertravelholidays.com

Sailing from LiverpoolThis wonderful cruise direct from Liverpoolcombines the magnificent fjords of WesternNorway in their late summer glory, one ofthe world’s most breathtaking sights, withisland calls in Shetland and Orkney.

ItineraryDay 1 - Ocean Countess sails from Liverpool earlythis evening.Day 2 - Today is spent at sea.Day 3 - Our first port of call is the Shetland capitalLerwick, a land of ancient legend, traditional craftsand incredible bird-life. See the town, or join theexcursion to the 3,000 year-old archaeological siteat Jarlshof, with its Bronze and Iron Age remains.Day 4 - The Norweigan port of Ålesund, with itsnatural harbours lined by pastel-painted, gabledand turreted buildings, resembles more of afantasy movie set rather than a working town.

Colouful Art Deco houses are a feature of the mainstreet, Kongens gate, while close by the SunnmøreMuseum is a truly impressiveheritage centre. Thisafternoon Ocean Countess threads her waythrough the islands that dot this beautiful coastline.Day 5 - Awake as Ocean Countess navigates themighty Sognefjord, the world's largest anddeepest, as you cruise to Flåm, set in one of thefjord’s remotest corners. From here board theworld famous Flåmsbana Mountain Railway, togasp in amazement at the beauty and the feat ofengineering of the unforgettable six-mile climbdown to Myrdal and onward spectacular journeythrough to pretty Gudvangen, where you’ll rejoinOcean Countess later this afternoon or stay onboard for a day of scenic cruising.

Day 6 - This morning we dock in the city ofBergen, birthplace of composer Edvard Greig withits cobbled streets, medieval houses andharbour-side fish market. Take the chance to strollthrough the ancient Bryggen area and see thewonderful view of the city from the summit of‘Mount’ Fløyen, reached by the taking theFløibanen funicular railway.Day 7 - Our final port of call is Kirkwall, historiccapital of Orkney, with the St Magnus Cathedral itsglorious centrepiece. Explore the streets andexcellent museum, or enjoy a shore excursion,

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

FjordlandSplendour Cruise

— See page 2 for cabin types and price inclusions —

Sailing from LiverpoolThis not-to-be-missed circumnavigation ofour ‘sceptred isle’ – with calls in Guernseyand the Scillies as well as three contrastingScottish ports – also features Ireland’s Cobhand Norman Honfleur.

ItineraryDay 1 - Join Ocean Countess for this afternoon’ssailing, and enjoy your first evening on board.Day 2 - An afternoon call is made in the Scottishresort of Oban, gateway to the offshore isles. Takea shore excursion, perhaps to one of a host ofnearby whisky distilleries.

Day 3 - Kirkwall, the historic capital of Orkney,has magnificent St Magnus Cathedral as itscentrepiece. Explore the streets and museum,or enjoy a shore excursion, taking in the watersof Scapa Flow, Churchill’s famous Barriers, thebeautiful Italian Chapel, the UNESCO WorldHeritage site at Skara Brae and the Ringof Brodgar.Day 4 - This morning Ocean Countess ties up inInvergordon, gateway to the Highlands. Take anexcursion, perhaps to Inverness, with the famousLoch beyond. Golfers might head to nearbyDornoch, while whisky connoisseurs might make avisit to the Ord Distillery!Day 5 - Today is spent at sea.Day 6 - The exquisite port of Honfleur, with its oldharbour, gabled houses, and pretty quayside, isgateway to the stunning Normandy countryside.Spend time exploring this favourite retreat of theFrench Impressionists, or take excursions to thefamous Normandy beaches, or the historic ‘Joanof Arc’ city of Rouen.

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

Day 9 - Ocean Countess arrives in the port-resortof Cobh, gateway to the great Irish city of Cork.Take a shore excursion to discover this historiccapital of southwest Ireland, or head into thebeautiful rolling countryside beyond, to thefashionable resort of Kinsale, famed for its finefood and seafishing, or to Blarney Castle, justnorth of the city, for a chance to kiss the famousBlarney Stone.Day 10 - Ocean Countess arrives in Liverpool.

British IslesDiscovery Cruise

— See page 2 for cabin types and price inclusions —

Full-board

Day Ports of Calls

1 Liverpool, U.K.

2 Oban, U.K. Œ

3 Kirkwall, U.K.4 Invergordon, U.K.5 Relaxing Day at Sea6 Honfleur, France

7 St Peter Port, Guernsey, U.K. Œ

8 St Mary’s, Isle of Scilly, U.K. Œ

9 Cobh, Ireland (for Cork)

10 Liverpool, U.K.

Œ Indicate ports where shore arrangements will be madeby ship’s tender

Full-board

Day Ports of Calls

1 Liverpool, U.K.2 Relaxing Day At Sea3 Lerwick, Shetland Isles, U.K.4 Alesund, Norway5 Flåm, Sognefjord, Norway

Gudvangen, Norway Œ

6 Bergen, Norway

7 Kirkwall, Orkney Isles, U.K.8 Relaxing Day At Sea

9 Liverpool, U.K.

Œ Indicate ports where shore arrangements will be madeby ship’s tender

Departs 6 September 2011

Category 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 DL JD JT OS

Price £ 749 849 949 1049 1449 1049 1099 1149 1249 1849 1649 1949 1999 2299

9 days from

£64910 days from

£749

Departs 29 August 2011

Category 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 DL JD JS DS

Price £ 649 749 849 949 1199 949 999 1049 1149 1599 1449 1599 1699 1999

Discover the world’s most famousflower gardens, the canals andcobblestones of Amsterdam, and thehistoric fishing villages on thesurrounding ‘polder land’. Embark inthe delightful Dutch capital ofAmsterdam before journeying toVolendam and Zaandam on theMarkermeer. Explore a remarkablearea of inland sea and reclaimed land,home to pretty towns and fishingvillages. Join us on one of our greatvalue optional excursions whichinclude a visit to famous KeukenhofGardens with breathtaking flowerdisplays, and the chance to discoverroyal Het Loo Palace. Thesespringtime cruises are irresistible.

Day One ~ Embark in AmsterdamTravel to join Olympia in the wonderful Dutchcapital. This evening, enjoy dinner as the shipslips her moorings and makes the shortjourney out into the Markermeer – the shallowlake that once was part of the Zuider Zee thatspilled out into the North Sea – and moorsovernight in the former fishing village andartists’ retreat of Volendam.

Day Two ~ Volendam,Lelystad & ZaandamWander the pretty streetsof Volendam this morning,before cruising across theinland sea to Lelystad, onthe shore of the reclaimedFlevoland. This afternoon’soptional excursion takes inthe garden city ofApeldoorn and Het LooPalace, glittering formerDutch Royal residence.Olympia heads back across the Markermeerto Zaandam, where once Tsar Peter the Greatbriefly lived incognito as a humble ship-builder,and whose windmills and colourful houseswere once subjects for impressionist ClaudeMonet.

Day Three ~ Keukenhof GardensThis morning’s unforgettable includedexcursion is to the world-renownedKeukenhof Gardens, where some sevenmillion flowers carpet the ground in abreathtaking display. Wander through thisfloral paradise, perhaps stopping in one of theseveral restaurants and cafés, or take a boatride (payable locally) through thestunning gardens.

Rejoin Olympia in Amsterdam, to spend a finalafternoon and evening on board. Join ouroptional canal cruise – perhaps the best wayto see the sights of the city.

Day Four ~ Disembark in AmsterdamBid “Farewell” to Olympia, and begin yourreturn journey to the UK.

Optional Excursions Price per person

• Het Loo Palace £18• Amsterdam Canal Cruise £18

Book both excursions and save£4 per person

Dutch Bulbfields &Amsterdam Waterways River Fly-Cruise

Departing from Liverpool or ManchesterDeparture dates1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19 April 2011(Prices are based on two people sharing a Standard Lower cabin.)

Cruise Highlights• Embark in Amsterdam – delightful Dutch

capital

• Call at Volendam – historic Zuider Zeeport

• Included half-day excursion to therenowned Keukenhof Gardens

• Call at Zaandam

• On-board English commentary

• Full-board – breakfast, lunch and dinner

• On-board entertainment

Cabin Supplements per personClassic Lower £30Standard Promenade £60Classic Promenade £90Single Cabin Promenade £140

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

15 April 2011 from just £309

Also available by coach from Hull with P&O Ferries...Romantic Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

12 days from only £995 departing 27 May 2011

Black Forest Rhine Cruise8 days from only £589 departing 12 October 2011

Splendours of the Rhine and Moselle11 days from only £919 departing 25 September 2011

4 days from

£459

To make a booking call:

0844 391 2170 quoting code LPE

For further information and a FREE brochure:

0151 227 5987BROUGHT TO YOU BY: TRINITY MIRROR NORTH WEST & NORTH WALES IN CONJUNCTION WITH: NEWMARKET PROMOTIONS LTD. ABTA V787X. 0844 CALLS COST 4p PER MIN.

TRAVEL readertravelholidays.com