Innholdsfortegnelse for April - May 2016 i Cruise & Travel

Disney Cruise Line has announced plans to build two additional cruise ships to be completed in 2021 and 2023. Each new ship will be slightly larger than the newest Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms. While design plans, ship names and itineraries are still in development, the Walt Disney Imagineering team is already dreaming up exciting new ways to create the world’s most magical oceangoing adventures. More details about the Disney Cruise Line fleet expansion, including onboard offerings and itineraries, will be announced at a later date (disneycruise.disney.go.com).…

MSC Cruises is introducing an exclusive Wellness Experience, developed in partnership with Technogym, the world’s leading wellness company. The experience features cutting-edge technology and state-of-art fitness facilities, co-created food and beverages available throughout the day and exclusive shore activities. Guests will receive a one-to-one appointment with a Technogym Master Trainer who will conduct an assessment consisting of a body scale analyser test combined with an in-depth consultation, as well as a health check-up by an MSC Doctor. The Wellness Experience is open for booking for cruises starting in April 2017 – prices for UK guests start at £629pp on seven-night Mediterranean sailings, cruise only (msccruises.co.uk).…

You can see the full list of this year’s categories below * Best Cruise Line * Best River Cruise Line * Best Luxury Cruise Line * Best Luxury River Cruise Line * Best Value For Money Cruise Line * Best Cruise Agency * Best Cruise Agent * Best Boutique Cruise Line * Best New Ship (River) * Best New Ship (Ocean) * Best for Onboard Entertainment * Best Destination (Europe) * Best Destination (World) * Best for Wellbeing * Best Product or Service * Best for First-Time Cruisers * Best Cruise Blogger * Best for Families * Best for Adventure * Best for Food * Best for Onboard Activities * Best for Enrichment * Cruise Agent Lifetime Achievement * Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry To nominate, go to…

Famous for its incredible all-inclusive voyages to the world’s best destinations, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers fantastic experiences at excellent value. And arriving this summer, the cruise line’s Seven Seas Explorer is set to be the most luxurious ship ever built. With spacious interiors and magnificent design, the 750-guest ship will also feature a new culinary kitchen experience and fabulous spa. Seven Seas Explorer’s three distinct speciality restaurants will include new gourmet French restaurant Chartreuse, serving classic French dishes, and Asian-fusion restaurant Pacific Rim, featuring a diverse array of delicious pan-Asian culinary creations. For relaxation, the lavishly appointed Canyon Ranch SpaClub® offers unparalleled luxurious facilities. Out on the spa’s private deck, a beautiful infinity-edged plunge pool contouring the stern of the ship will offer outstanding views across the horizon. SEVEN…

Luxury cruising has long been associated with sumptuous interiors and impeccable service, and there are a range of cruise lines which are dedicated to offering the very best amenities, excursions and itineraries. World famous designers decorate onboard interiors with sophisticated colour schemes. Elegant rooms are complemented with Ralph Lauren furnishings and indulgent toiletries from Bulgari, Molton Brown and L’Occitane. Dining options are fantastic too, and many luxury cruise lines boast exclusive partnerships with the world’s best chefs. From free flowing Champagne to unlimited shore excursions and included gratuities, there is a luxury cruise line to suit every guest. Here are Jetline Cruise’s pick of the best luxury cruise lines: Regent Seven Seas Cruises With a fleet of four outstanding cruise ships, Regent’s all-inclusive price policy covers fine dining, all soft…

Located on the Mississippi River, New Orleans is one of the most enchanting cities in the US, a cultural melting pot of Creole, French and Spanish influences, with a vibrant, intoxicating atmosphere. You don’t have to visit during Mardi Gras to find someone playing jazz or Cajun music – it’s everywhere. The impact of Hurricane Katrina devastated the area; 100,000 people left and never returned. But the essence of New Orleans remains, and the residents are incredibly friendly and justifiably proud of their wonderful city. Even if you’re only in New Orleans for a night or two, a stroll around the idyllic French Quarter with its charming houses, intricate ironwork, courtyards and fountains is an absolute must, as is a visit to the historic park at Jackson Square, with its…

Cambodia Siem Reap, the resort town with its awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temple complex, and Phnom Penh, including its Killing Fields excursion, are the river cruise highlights, but there are also monasteries and remote villages that enthral. China The Great Wall and Xi’an, home to the Terracotta Warriors, might not be on the coast but are reachable by excursion with ships now calling at half a dozen ports. Tianjin is 100 miles from Beijing and Baoshan serves Shanghai. India You can experience the Victorian city of Mumbai, the canal-crossed, trade route city of Cochin in the south, the beautiful beaches of Goa and sprawling, colourful Chennai (Madras). Stopovers in New Delhi – or try a river cruise on the Ganges. Indonesia This is a true tropical paradise with volcanoes, royal temples,…

A TRIP OF A LIFETIME For those interested in taking a cruise to commemorate Shackleton’s journey, as described in the March issue of Cruise International, my husband and I spent three days in the Antarctic Peninsula on Holland America’s MS Zaandam en route from Buenos Aires to Santiago. There was ample opportunity to view spectacular scenery, enormous icebergs and enjoy wildlife – our itinerary included the Falkland Islands where we were able to get only a few feet away from King and Gentoo penguins. Unforgettable. Dr Lynda Pritchard Newcombe TO THE MED AND BACK Last summer my family and I enjoyed a 15-day cruise on board Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, sailing from Southampton. In total 11 members of my family were on the trip, including my son, daughter,…

CAPRI, ITALY Located in the vivid azure waters of the Gulf of Naples, the island of Capri is a haven of verdant flora and fauna, known for attracting the rich and famous. The first recorded tourist to visit here was the French antiques dealer Jean-Jacques Bouchard in the 17th century, and his diary remains an important source of information about the island. Sweden’s Queen Victoria is also known to have stayed on Capri, as did British artist John Singer Sargent, who produced paintings inspired by its unspoiled scenery. The mystical Blue Grotto – a sea cave found on the island’s north coast – is configured in such a way that sunlight shines through seawater, resulting in dazzling cobalt blue illuminations, a spectacle described in Mark Twain’s travel book The Innocents…

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers will be sailing in Indonesian waters for the first time in 2017. The company is offering a choice of 19 departures between 6 May and 14 October 2017 on board Star Clipper. Seven-, 10-, 11- and 14-night sailings include Bali round trips, and from Bali to Singapore and in reverse. Highlights of the six new itineraries in Indonesian waters include: the opportunity to view Komodo Dragons, the world’s largest living species of lizard that live on Indonesia’s islands; a visit to the village of Wera to see traditional Indonesian sailing ships, or pinisi, being made and sailed; and an optional excursion to Mount Bromo, an active volcano in East Java. A seven-night Bali round trip on board Star Clipper starts from £1,325pp (plus port…

Luxury cruise line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is offering itineraries devoted to art appreciation on board Europa 2. On the art2sea 2016 cruise, renowned experts such as Axel Rüger, director of the Van Gogh Museum, will hold discussions with guests who are interested in art. The artist Rupprecht Matthies, whose works can be found on Europa 2, will also be accompanying the cruise, along with an onboard artist who will be drawing portraits. Europa 2‘s 13-day art2sea 2017 cruise departing Hamburg, Germany, on 2 October 2017 (calling at London, UK; St Peter Port, Guernsey; Bilbao and Vilagarcia, Spain; and Leixoes and Lisbon, Portugal) starts from £4,380pp, cruise-only (hl-cruises.com).…

Taylor Taylor London’s new salon at legendary department store Liberty offers a chic oasis in the heart of the West End, with sumptuous bespoke Liberty print antique furniture and views of Carnaby Street. We asked Colour Director Michael Kelly how you can keep your highlights looking fresh when you’re cruising. “Unwanted yellow tones that make your creamy hue feel dull are caused by environmental impact,” he told us. “The lighter your hair, the more porous it becomes. You have to think of your hair like a sponge. Whatever goes onto the hair, whether it’s wet or dry, will absorb into the hair strands and layer up to create a build up. My suggestion is to use a de-mineralising shampoo at least once a week, because they’re designed to break down…

As one of the UK’s leading luxury cruise and tour operators, Elegant Resorts offers a wide choice of bespoke itineraries and experiences for discerning travellers. Their global cruise programme allows guests to add pre- and post-cruise stays at the best hotels in the world’s finest locations. Whether you choose to extend your holiday with additional nights in a new destination or finish in style by visiting a place of interest and exploring a hidden gem, Elegant Resorts can top and tail your voyage with a host of different possibilities. From relaxing in beautiful surroundings to embarking on outstanding shore excursions, Elegant Resorts has a catalogue of options to suit all tastes. ALL-INCLUSIVE LUXURY Journey to some of the world’s greatest destinations with a luxury cruise line where everything is included,…

Award-winning specialist tour operator Anatolian Sky offers a range of fantastic holidays and bespoke boutique cruises. Personal service and attention to detail is paramount to their philosophy, and Anatolian Sky’s small ship cruises generally have no more than around 50 guests on board. They are relaxed and friendly sailings for people who like to discover new places, unwind and enjoy good company. You will be spoiled with truly attentive service, with up to 19 crewmembers on board a 25-cabin small ship. And their small ships can moor right in the heart of ports, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for guests to explore on shore. Anatolian Sky’s Adriatic Cruise is one of their most popular itineraries. Guests can choose to begin their journey in either Split or Dubrovnik – two…

WE HAVE GLORIOUS VIEWS OF THE BAY IN THE COMPANY OF FREE-ROAMING PEACOCKS Luminous pink and purple triffid-like sculptures loom over us as the Singapore skyline turns inky black with the clouds of an impending storm. We’re at the Gardens by the Bay, the Southeast Asian island’s version of the Eden Project, and there’s a definite carnival atmosphere in the balmy evening air as local people and tourists alike gaze up in wonder, waiting for the Marina Bay Hotel’s evening laser display to begin. Singapore, which celebrated 50 years since independence in 2015, has often, unfairly, been regarded as the city-state you stop at for a night or two on your way to Australia or New Zealand; but it actually becomes more interesting the closer you look at it. Yes…

Luxury river ship operator Pandaw has launched a new expedition on the Kapuas River system in the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. Pandaw founder Paul Strachan said: “This will be a truly pioneering expedition into a rarely visited area where the main attraction will be the scenery, wildlife and tribal village life.” The seven-night Into the True Heart of Borneo itinerary includes traversing the Danau Sentarum system of lakes that connect to the river and are now a national park. The Borneo rainforest is one of the world’s oldest rainforests and one of the few remaining natural habitats for the endangered Bornean orangutan, and an important refuge for the Borneo elephant, Eastern Sumatran rhinoceros and the dayak fruit bat. Cruise-only prices for Into the True Heart of Borneo…

Q My husband and I would like to explore Myanmar with a river cruise along the Irrawaddy – which cruise lines offer the best itineraries? AmaWaterways feature journeys from Pyay to Mandalay, including two days in the historic capital of Yangon. Paukan offers a selection of boutique cruises and discovery explorations on board its beautiful ship RV Paukan, while Pandaw has an extensive range of cruises on several different vessels, covering the highlights of this enchanting country. Expect to be mesmerised by jungle-covered riverbanks, captivating villages, bustling markets, breathtaking monasteries and thousands of magical temples. Julie Peasgood A. Sailing through Myanmar is an unforgettable experience and thankfully there are now a number of lines that offer cruises ranging from three to 17 nights. Belmond celebrates its 20th anniversary in October…

New-build ships MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside have made their debut in MSC Cruises’ 2017/18 cruise programme. Launching in May 2017, MSC Meraviglia will sail in the western Caribbean, while MSC Seaside, to be launched in November 2017, will navigate the Caribbean from Miami. A number of Caribbean itineraries on a selection of MSC Cruises ships also feature the new Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s purpose-built resort island in the Bahamas, which is scheduled to open in time for MSC Seaside’s inaugural season. Plus, guests booking any cruise featured in the 2017/18 programme before 30 June 2016 can take advantage of price reductions of up to £300pp (msccruises.co.uk).…

Cunard has announced details of its biggest-ever programme for its current fleet on sailings taking place between May and December 2017. An extensive and flexible Mediterranean fly-cruise programme will be available on Queen Victoria between July to November 2017, covering the Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean regions. Queen Elizabeth will offer 30 round trip Southampton cruises taking in the Mediterranean, Atlantic Islands, Western Europe, Northern Europe, including the Norwegian Fjords, and the Caribbean. Highlights for 2017 include Queen Mary 2 being the special guest at celebrations in Le Havre to mark the city’s 500th anniversary. In addition, 2017 will see two special Cunard celebrations marked – the 10th birthday of Queen Victoria and the 50th anniversary of the launch of QE2 in September 2017. Special themed voyages include QM2’s Transatlantic…

With a fleet of six luxurious, elegant ships and boasting the finest cuisine at sea, Oceania Cruises offers incredible holiday experiences, with seasoned world travellers drawn to its expertly crafted voyages. Its recently released 2017 and 2018 Voyage Collection features 172 sailings that call at more than 370 ports across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Americas. Nearly 120 of the sailings unveiled feature completely new itineraries not offered by the line previously, as well as seven new ports for Oceania Cruises. Spacious and beautifully appointed accommodations on board 684-guest ships Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, and 1,250-guest vessels Marina and Riviera, invite passengers to explore the world in comfort and style. A sixth ship will be added to the fleet when 684-guest Sirena is delivered in April 2016. Here are…

LATER WE SET OFF DOWN FIFTH AVENUE, ADMIRING SHOP WINDOWS AND BECOMING PART OF THE UNMISTAKABLE NEW YORK CITY ATMOSPHERE New York City’s lights are twinkling in the distance, the resident band is playing live and there’s a celebratory atmosphere on board Queen Mary 2. After a whirlwind tour of the Big Apple, we’re waving farewell to the city that never sleeps and our sailaway party is in full swing. Our time in Manhattan made us feel as though we were starring in a glitzy American rom com: shopping on Fifth Avenue; crossing the Brooklyn Bridge; exploring Central Park; and a palatial suite at the Peninsula hotel, although sadly without Bradley Cooper or Paul Rudd in tow. A full day of sightseeing began with a trip to the Top of…

How do you define luxury? Is it being cocooned in a huge dressing gown with a butler serving you tea on a silver tray, with bone china and little silken bags of the finest organic brew? Is it quality Champagne on tap and a Michelin-worthy dining experience? Or is it superlative service where your every need is constantly anticipated and fulfilled? For me, luxury is all of these, combined with meticulous attention to detail and a feeling of exclusivity. And it can be found on every deck of Crystal Serenity. An aptly-named vessel, Serenity is the quietest, most tranquil ship I have ever experienced: tannoy announcements are kept to an absolute minimum, service is ultra-discreet, the Ink Spots croon softly while you eat your Cornflakes and even the obligatory handwash…

My chest is thumping to the rhythm of a steel band that’s in danger of breaking the sound barrier, and the air is filled with the scent of saltfish and sweetcorn. All around me scantily-clad dancers are moving with infectious excitement as they practise their steps for the Parade of the Bands, the highlight of the Trinidad Carnival. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, is at a standstill as its cast of exotic revellers samba and shimmy their way through the streets. It’s party time. Life on board Saga Sapphire is all about having a good time too, though there’s nothing primal about it – unless you count the queue for the spectacular barbecues on the Verandah deck. Held in the balmy evenings under the stars, they are the…

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection›will introduce its newest ship to›France’s Seine River in March›2017. The 128-guest S.S. Joie de Vivre›will reflect the French “joy of living” philosophy and their appreciation for food, wine, art and music. It’s Salon de Beaux-Arts lounge will house a collection of fine art and antiques curated from auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s. The S.S. Joie de Vivre will sail Uniworld’s› Paris & Normandy itinerary and when in Paris will dock in the heart of the city (uniworld.com).…

Discover Portugal’s outstanding scenery in regal style on board The Spirit of Chartwell, also known as the ‘Royal Barge’ because it was the ship used by HM The Queen during the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames. Since then, the vessel has been transformed into an intimate river cruise ship, chartered exclusively for small groups of Titan travellers on leisurely journeys along the incredible River Douro. Cruising between the coastal city of Porto and the Spanish border, you’ll enjoy included visits to historic towns, monasteries and palaces along the way, as well as a full day’s tour to Salamanca in Spain. Your holiday experience will be enhanced by folk shows, cooking demonstrations and talks by Titan’s guest lecturer. You’ll also enjoy two nights in the country’s vibrant capital, Lisbon,…