Innholdsfortegnelse for February - March 2016 i Cruise & Travel

If you’ve ever fancied taking a cruise from Vancouver or Montreal, both fantastic cities for a cruise-and-stay, Air Canada offers more daily flights from the UK to Canada than any other airline. From LHR, the airline operates daily services to Montreal and up to daily flights to Vancouver. Find out more at aircanada.com or call 0871 220 1111. Return flights in Economy from LHR to Montreal start from £435.15 (March 2016). Canada’s whale-watching season runs from May to October.…

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced it will offer regular cruises from Southampton on Norwegian Jade sailing from summer 2017. “Not only are we offering the possibility to embark in Southampton but we’re also bringing one of our newest and most innovative ships back to Europe,” said Christian Boell, Managing Director Europe, Middle East and Africa for NCL. Following a two-and-a-half-week dry dock, Norwegian Jade will arrive in the UK with a fresh new look to begin its regular cruises from Southampton on 12 May 2017 (ncl.co.uk).…

WELLNESS ON SILVERSEA Silversea Cruises has launched a collection of wellness-themed expedition cruises designed for travellers looking to recharge their mind and body by combining exploration travel with a holistic approach to rejuvenation. The Wellness Expedition Voyages offered on board Silver Discoverer in 2016 and 2017 offer a complimentary programme that includes stretching, yoga and Pilates classes held on board and on shore (depending on location); fitness classes conducted in the ship’s onboard swimming pool; choice of one complimentary spa massage treatment, and gym sessions led by personal trainers. Also featured is a dedicated team of wellness specialists to accompany guests on their journey (silversea.com). Stay calm If you need a little help with your digestive health when you’re travelling, Linda Booth, founder of the UK’s most successful natural digestive…

This spring, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® will embark on a two-year $125 million fleet-wide refurbishment programme to provide guests with a consistent look and feel across all its ships. Beginning with one of Regent Seven Seas Cruises® most loved ships, Seven Seas Navigator will undergo extensive renovations so that it features the same elegant style as new vessel Seven Seas Explorer, which will launch this summer. The overhaul will enable guests to experience the same level of luxury and excellence you expect from Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, no matter which of its ship you choose to sail on. Seven Seas Navigator will be the first to receive the luxurious upgrade, followed by Seven Seas Voyager in late 2016 and Seven Seas Mariner in the spring of 2017. Following its renovations,…

The haunting beauty of a fado song drifting through monastery walls. The first sip of port savoured at the winery where it was made. The romance of a maritime history on beautiful blue and white tiled walls. Trust Viking to capture the Portugal of your imagination and bring it to life on an award-winning journey along the Douro, ‘River of Gold.’ Everything you need to enjoy yourself is included in the price. Everything you imagined, and more. Day 1 Lisbon Day 2 Lisbon Day 3 Coimbra and Porto Day 4 Porto and Bitetos Day 5 Régua and Pinhão Day 6 Barca d’Alva Day 7 Salamanca and Vega de Terrón Day 8 Pinhão Day 9 Régua Day 10 Porto What’s included: Two nights’ hotel stay in Lisbon On board deluxe ensuite…

Just as the sun shines brightly in the Caribbean, so too does Viking Star. Our state-of-the-art ocean ship, featuring the first glass-walled infinity pool at sea, gives you the best views, the best choice of alfresco restaurants, the best accommodation and arguably the very best spa on the water. And all for one, great-value inclusive price. Plan your escape next winter on this unforgettable journey. West Indies Explorer Day 1 San Juan, Puerto Rico Day 2 San Juan, Puerto Rico Day 3 Road Town, Tortola Day 4 St. John’s, Antigua Day 5 Castries, St. Lucia Day 6 Bridgetown, Barbados Day 7 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe Day 8 Basseterre, St. Kitts Day 9 Philipsburg, St. Maarten Day 10 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Day 11 San Juan, Puerto Rico Everything you need to enjoy…

Marvel at the Mekong Ancient kingdoms and grand temples are the hallmarks of cruises along the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. On stops between Ho Chi Minh City and Prek Kdam in Cambodia, passengers also travel by oxcart, trishaw and small motorboats to explore these former French territories. Learn about the horrors of Cambodia’s Killing Fields on a tour of Phnom Penh and barter with locals at a floating market in Cai Be. Travellers can add six nights to visit Hanoi; Siem Reap, for the famous Khmer ruins at Angkor; and Halong Bay, to spend a night on a traditional wooden junk amid the spectacular limestone outcrops. GETTING THERE: A 16-night package comprising a one-week cruise, two-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City pre-cruise, and a six-night add-on post-cruise,…

LAKE BRATAN, BALI Serene and captivating, Lake Bratan is one of the most stunning locations in the world. Found more than a kilometre above sea level in the crater of the Bratan volcano on the Indonesian island of Bali, a tropical yet cool microclimate produces breathtaking weather displays, from spectacular sunsets to moody rainstorms. Standing powerfully on its western shore, the Pura Ulun Danu Brata water temple complex dominates an otherwise placid vista where forest-covered volcano crater meets an ever-changing watercolourist’s sky. Built in 1663, the temple is used to make offerings to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess, Dewi Danu. Mount Catur, on the east side of the water, is the place to go for rewarding panoramas. >>Turn to page 69 to read about a cruise to Bali…

River cruise line Scenic will launch its first ocean ship, Scenic Eclipse, in the summer of 2018, with sailings from Istanbul to Venice, the Americas, Antarctica, Europe, the Arctic and the Norwegian Fjords. The six-star ship, which is being billed as the ‘world’s first discovery yacht’, will offer 20 cruise itineraries and feature 114 all-verandah suites, six dining venues, a 240-seat theatre and three bars, along with state-of-the-art engineering and technology. Carrying 228 guests in non-polar regions and 200 guests during polar expeditions, Scenic Eclipse will come equipped with two seven-seater helicopters, 12 Zodiacs, a seven-seater submarine and kayaks, as well as scuba diving and snorkelling gear. The ship will also feature a spa offering an extensive menu of luxury treatments, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, and plunge pools, while the…

VIKING Sea Launches: April 2016 Viking Ocean Cruises’ first ocean ship, Viking Star, arrived in 2015 and was shortlisted as Best New Ship in the Cruise International Awards; Viking Sea is its identical twin. Interiors have been designed with Viking’s signature Scandi chic style. Staterooms are decked out in pale wood, the fabulous Wintergarden serves afternoon tea and guests can choose to swim in the main pool, glass-backed infinity pool or indoor pool. The spa is gloriously Nordic; relax in the sauna and then revitalise in the grotto, where snowflakes descend from the ceiling. The all-inclusive ship carries 930 guests (but feels more intimate) and really does include just about everything; specialty restaurants, wine with dinner, excursions and wifi. A 15-day Bergen to the Bosphrous fly-cruise…

THE FUTURE OF FUN Carnival Vista is our newest, biggest and best FunShip to date, designed to provide a true connection to the sea. Carnival Vista truly brings the indoors outdoors. Whether your clients are dining out on deck, or enjoying a cocktail or two with a 360 degree sea view, they can have the most fun under the sun – and the stars too. And it’s not just the ocean as far as the eye can see – fun fills the air, everywhere. There are so many new spaces and bigger places to enjoy. From our thrilling upgraded Carnival WaterWorks™ aqua park to the al fresco mojito-mixing Havana Bar. And with the world’s first floating IMAX› cinema experience to keep guests entertained, fun is always guaranteed. Let the good…

Imagine sailing around the Mediterranean on one of the most glamorous ships in the world. Cruise International has teamed up with MSC Cruises to offer one lucky reader and their guest the chance to win a seven-night cruise holiday on MSC Preziosa, christened by movie star Sophia Loren. MSC Preziosa will depart Civitavecchia, just outside Rome, on 18 September 2016 to call at cities that have shaped the history of the Mediterranean region, including the picturesque cities of Palermo, Italy, and Valencia, Spain. You and your guest will visit six destinations in seven days, waking up every day in a new and enticing location. Following departure, MSC Preziosa calls at Palermo before heading down to the World Heritage Site of Valletta in Malta. It then heads to Valencia, Spain’s third…

Whether you want to experience Moscow and St Petersburg on a relaxing river cruise or enjoy an exciting adventure between the two cities by high-speed train, award winning escorted tour specialist Titan Travel has two very special itineraries. Steeped in history and filled with breath-taking architecture, Titan gives you the chance to visit iconic landmarks including Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow, along with the fabulous Hermitage Museum and grand Winter Palace in St Petersburg. Opt for Titan’s luxurious Russia’s Royal Waterways river cruise for the opportunity to explore several enchanting towns lining the riverbanks between the two cities, such as Kizhi Island and Uglich; travel by train and you will have a new city to discover in a little over four hours. With flights and excursions included, it’s…

OUR CANARIES CRUISE My husband and I have lovely memories of cruising the Canary Islands on board P&O’s Oceana. The picture on the left shows my husband Richard and son Harri before dinner on formal evening, just as the sun was going down. Our cruise visited Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lisbon in Portugal. We have lots of happy memories from our time on board, but the highlight for us was the beautiful sunsets and the warm sea in Gran Canaria. Shan Wynne THREE CHEERS FOR RMS ST HELENA I’m a St Helenian but I now live in Bristol, UK. I have always loved travelling to and from my remote island former home on board RMS St Helena and will miss it dearly when it retires this summer.…

Viking has expanded its destination-focused cruising to North America and the Caribbean with five new itineraries launching in September. Viking Star will cross the North Atlantic with a new itinerary that sails from Bergen to Montreal, with stops in the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland. From Montreal, the award-winning ship will cruise the St Lawrence River and down the coast of New England to New York, before making its way down to San Juan, Puerto Rico, which will serve as its homeport for winter Caribbean itineraries. The ship will return to Europe in February 2017 with a transatlantic sailing from San Juan to Barcelona, Spain. Viking’s new North American itineraries will allow guests to sail the North Atlantic and visit original Norse settlement sites that date back…

MSC Cruises has unveiled ambitious plans to create its first private island with an exclusive marine reserve island experience in the Bahamas. With 2.4 km of pristine beachfront, the island, called Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, will be the biggest island development by any cruise company in the Caribbean, as well as the only marine reserve island experience. Highlights will include a family beach with kids’ restaurant and play areas; water sports; inland lagoon; zip wire crossing the island, and a pavilion for weddings and celebrations. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will open in November 2017 with guests on board MSC Seaside’s maiden voyage from Miami in December 2017 the first to visit the island (msccruises.co.uk).…

Legendary musician Midge Ure is to appear on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 during a transatlantic crossing bound for New York in September. The award-winning artist and Band Aid producer will present three performances of a stage acoustic show called Midge Ure Unplugged in Concert, as well as a personal interview appearance hosted by the flagship’s entertainment manager. “I will be performing songs acoustically, spanning 35 years of my career, including songs from Ultravox, Visage and solo,” said Midge. “The speaking event will tell the inside story of my strange and varied career, from the slums of Glasgow to producing Do They Know It’s Christmas? – one of the biggest-selling records in British musical history.” Angus Struthers, Cunard Director added: “Midge Ure is a fantastically talented artist and his appearances on…

When Oceania Cruises takes delivery of Sirena in March it will immediately undergo an extravagant £27m makeover to give it the same upmarket elegance as Oceania’s five other ships. Formerly Princess Cruises’ Ocean Princess, Sirena will emerge from its dry dock bedecked with extravagant interiors, chic staterooms and stylish fine dining restaurants. With its capacity reduced to 684 and using the recent makeover of sister ship Insignia as a blueprint, guests will stay in sumptuous suites furnished with rich hardwoods and fine fabrics. STATEROOMS Spacious and exceptionally luxurious, the six Owner’s Suites will be furnished in a fresh, contemporary style. These magnificent suites feature Oceania Cruises’ exclusive Prestige Tranquillity Bed, master bathroom with lavish, oversized shower, and a private teak veranda offering stunning views over the horizon. The four Vista…

With its gleaming skyscrapers reaching into the clouds, Dubai is a sophisticated, thriving city, boasting breathtaking architecture, superb restaurants, nightlife and shopping. Originally a small fishing settlement, it started to flourish at the end of the 19th century after the emirate declared foreign traders would be exempt from paying tax. Today, while the skyline is decidely modern it's possible to find elements of 'old' Dubai in the historic Dubai Creek area and the Al Fahidi neighbourhood, with its intriguing restored merchants' houses, art galleries and cafés, as well as the Fort, which was built from coral rock in 1787, making it the oldest building in Dubai. It's well worth spending a few nights in Dubai so you can appreciate everything it has to offer; the cruise terminal is located at…

MORE SAVINGS FROM TITAN Multi-award-winning travel company Titan Travel, in partnership with luxury river cruise operator Uniworld, has released the third edition of its 2016 river cruise brochure. Covering journeys taking place from February 2016 until June 2017, savings can be made on several river cruises when booked early. An eight-day Castles Along the Rhine cruise on board Uniworld’s S.S. Antoinette or River Empress departs on 17 August 2016 with prices starting from £1,979pp (saving up to £1,250pp). Alternatively, an 8-day river cruise on S.S. Catherine along the Rhône through the heart of Burgundy and Provence departs on 17 July 2016 and starts from £2,099pp (saving up to £1,200pp). The price for both all-inclusive cruises includes scheduled return flights, six excursions and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service (titantravel.co.uk). AMAWATERWAYS ENHANCES…

A chorus of gasps echo around the Great Gallery of the 18th century Schönbrunn Palace as we soak up the splendour of the opulent gilded hall. Our included excursion to the palace is already one of the many highlights of our visit to Vienna. An advantage of staying overnight means that we never feel rushed and have plenty of time to explore the Austrian capital. Outside, the buttermilk-yellow Baroque palace sparkles in the sun. The palace gardens are just as impressive as its interiors and are crowned with the Gloriette, an opulent terrace atop a hill that offers superb views of the city’s rooftops and church spires. The grounds also include a maze and the regal Neptune Fountain. We make our way across the Ringstrasse – the ring road built…