Innholdsfortegnelse for June - July 2016 i Cruise & Travel

We’ve been very busy at Cruise International over the past few weeks going on board some of the most exciting new ships around. Viking Sea, Holland America’s Koningsdam and Carnival’s Vista are all game-changers – turn to page 31 to find out more. We know that some of you prefer not to fly to join your cruise, so on page 57 we have a selection of the best no-fly cruises for the year ahead; and on page 101 you’ll find some enticing cultural river cruises – you could be listening to an exclusive performance by a Vienna choir on the Danube, or making your own brandy on the Garonne. Also in this issue we have delicious afternoon tea recipes from celebrated master pâtissier Eric Lanlard (page 24); and Strictly’s Anton…

LUSCIOUS LIPS If you’re cruising this summer make sure your lips are well moisturised – Bobbi Brown’s Nourishing Lip Color Oil-Infused Shine is our new favourite lippy. With a blend of five emollient natural oils and Vitamins C and E, the lipsticks deliver 24-hour hydration and conditioning, as well as a luminous finish (available from Bobbi Brown Travel Retail locations worldwide). VISIONS OF CHINA Inspired by the Chinese art form of Kunqu, Shanghai-based fashion designer Chris Chang has created a range of exquisite cosmetics for her M.A.C collection, including lipstick, cream colour base and eyeshadow. We love. Available from M.A.C Travel Retail locations worldwide. EYE LIFT A cream that mimics the effects of snake venom may not sound like something you want to put on your face, but Barcelona beauty…

PISTACHIO AND ROSE SCONES MAKES 6 These scones always remind me of walking through a Middle Eastern souk with all the gorgeous spices and dried edible flowers. I love serving these green beauties with a rose petal jelly. 225g (8oz) self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting ½ tsp salt 25g (1oz) golden caster sugar 50g ( ½ oz) unsalted butter, diced 2 tsp rose extract 125–150ml (4–5fl oz) buttermilk 4 tbsp milk 50g ( ½ oz) shelled pistachio nuts, chopped beaten egg, to glaze METHOD • Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C)/400°F/gas mark 6. Line a baking sheet with baking paper. • Sift the flour into a mixing bowl, then stir in the salt and sugar. Add the butter and rub in using your fingertips until the mixture resembles…

From the moment you step on to Viking Sea it feels as though you’re in a haven of Nordic tranquillity. Cool blonde wood, designer chairs and soft furnishings including the much-coveted Scandinavian rugs and cushions abound; this is a ship designed for total relaxation as you cruise to your destinations. Highlights include the main swimming pool area, which feels like a chic St Tropez beach resort; the Wintergarden, a soothing space for afternoon tea; and the Explorer’s Lounge, with its fabulous views. All of the public areas have a stylish vibe, but manage to be welcoming; the Living Room, with its books and café, and the atrium, its stunning staircase and gallery, set the tone for the rest of the ship. Everything feels well made and designed, without being fussy…

Our ship seemed to be steaming straight towards an impenetrable wall of rock stretching across our path. I should have been panicking. Instead I was intrigued. In normal circumstances I wouldn’t have been quite so relaxed, but I was on board cultural cruise line Swan Hellenic’s ship Minerva and we were approaching the entrance to Greece’s Corinth Canal – an engineering masterpiece which links the Ionian Sea with the Aegean, so saving a 131-nautical mile journey around the Peloponnese peninsular (which effectively became an island once the waterway opened in 1893). As dusk fell, I couldn’t see any sign of the canal opening and only hoped the Captain had better eyesight than I did and knew where to go. Of course he did, he’d done this many times – sailing…

1. Jumping with excitement each morning as we opened the curtains to see what view awaited us (and seeing something different every time). 2. Visiting new and exciting places on one holiday, and deciding whether we might like to go back and visit at some point. 3. The leisureliness of the holiday. For someone who is always on the go, it was lovely not to lift a finger for a whole week, not even to make a cup of tea. A total break from reality. 4. There was never a time when we had nothing to do. There was always somewhere to go and something to do if we wanted to. 5.The football pitch. Ollie because he made new friends from other countries and because it gave me the opportunity…

The fiery colours and rhythms of Latin America set the tone for a cruise around a region that encompasses two continents. From the beaches of Mexico to the powerful surf of the South Atlantic, from the US border to the tip of Argentina, this is a place that exudes tradition mixed with cool coastal living and scenery that veers wildly between the eerie flatness of the pampas grasslands to rugged mountains, throwing in everything from fjords to rainforests, and waterways from the relentless might of the Amazon to the placid, but equally unstoppable, shortcut of the Panama Canal. This is a region that has everything. The Panama Canal, which links the Caribbean and the Pacific, is one of cruising’s must-do experiences “The popularity of South America is growing with latest…

Q I’m very interested in taking a cruise to Russia, but would like to be able to stay a few days in Moscow or St Petersburg to see as much as possible. What are my options? A. First, decide what type of cruise you’d like. River cruises generally take in both cities and stay for a few nights in each. Companies such as Viking River Cruises, Scenic and Uniworld offer sailings between St Petersburg and Moscow. Several ocean cruise lines include St Petersburg on Baltic sailings, docking for up to three nights. Those offering such itineraries include P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International. Be aware of the visa situation as passengers on ocean cruises don’t need a visa if they take cruise line excursions, but if…

RACY AND GREEN An homage to the first British Grand Prix, the 42mm Swiss-made Brookland C70 1926 has 27-jewel quartz movement, a stainless-steel case and is waterproof down to 100m (£599, christopherward.co.uk). FORM, AND FUNCTION White Stuff’s Henry canvas tote is stylish, durable and very useful. Aside from its external card holder, inside there are slip and zip pockets for your everday essentials (£45, whitestuff.com). TASTY TAKEAWAY Billed as a “take-everywhere DSLR”, the petite 18-megapixel EOS 100D has a 3in touchcreen, video function and 18-55mm lens. The kit includes a 75-300mm zoom (£349, johnlewis.com). GOOD LISTENERS Easy on the eyes, and the ears, Bang & Olufsen’s B&O Play H8 headhones are wireless, touch-controlled and carry Bluetooth 4.0 (£399, johnlewis.com). SMART MOVER Mandarina Duck’s striking Cabin Rebel Low is a light,…

If you want to cruise on a ship that has the look and feel of a glamorous luxury New York hotel, then Koningsdam is for you. Named by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, it’s quite simply one of the most beautiful vessels at sea. The ship’s music theme starts in the atrium, which was inspired by the curves of an instrument, and continues with exquisite artwork and sculptures throughout. Staterooms are understated and chic, with accents of lilac, persimmon and pistachio, extremely comfortable beds, clever touches such as bedside USB ports, and spacious bathrooms; the new family and solo staterooms are also guaranteed to be a big hit. There are two good-sized swimming pools, and a double-deck glass-roofed Lido Deck with contemporary accents, an ideal space for relaxing during the…

NORTH EUROPE MSC's MSC Splendida is back in Southampton, operating several return trips including three Northern Europe cruises in September. First stop is Zeebrugge, a short train ride from Belgium’s chocolate capital Bruges, and Amsterdam, where the Outsider Art Museum of contemporary art is housed in Hermitage Amsterdam. The cruise then goes to Hamburg, where there are historic ships and a walking trail around refurbished warehouses, cafes and small shops. It also docks at Le Havre, for the Museum of Modern Art Andre Malraux and France’s biggest collection of impressionist art. Departs 7 September for seven nights, from £549pp, two sharing (020 3426 3010; msccruises.co.uk). ITALIAN MED Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas is back in Britain this year and has an Italian Mediterranean Cruise round trip from Southampton…

Holland America Line held a Dedication Ceremony for MS Koningsdam in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in May. Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands officially blessed the bell and named Koningsdam on board the ship. The celebration began with Her Majesty Queen Máxima performing the ceremonial honours of blessing the ship’s bell in the Lido pool area by pouring a glass of champagne over it. Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line, said: “As our company was founded in Rotterdam more than 143 years ago, it was fitting to return to our roots for Koningsdam’s royal dedication.” In the evening the ship set sail for Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and fireworks lit up the sky as Koningsdam passed Hoek van Holland. Thousands of Dutch residents turned out throughout the day to join…

BIT OF SPARKLE The shimmery hues in this gorgeous necklace will work well with any outfit (£25, east.co.uk). CORAL CLUTCH We love this bag – it’s big enough for all your essentials plus it looks super-stylish and summery too (£45, dunelondon.com). GLAM SHADES A pair of Tiffany & Co sunglasses will add some instant Hepburn-style glamour (£200, visionexpress.com). TUTTI FRUITTI We love the pattern of this super-flattering fifties-inspired bikini (£22 and £16, next.co.uk). HEADS UP Trilby hats are easy to pack – and the turquoise ribbon on this one definitely says summer holiday (£18, oliverbonas.com). IN THE PINK These sandals are ideal for exploring but will work well for evenings too (£59.95, modainpelle.com).…

We all have different ways of celebrating the significant milestones in our lives. For some it involves throwing a huge party, others might mark a birthday or anniversary in a favourite restaurant, or by taking the trip of a lifetime. And if that thought appeals, why not celebrate in style with a six-star Regent Seven Seas Cruises® voyage, heralded as the world’s most inclusive luxury cruise line. I’m actually celebrating a ‘big’ birthday this year, and can think of no better way to mark the occasion than a cruise with Regent. Spacious, stylish and sophisticated, their ships are modern luxury at its finest. Carrying around 700 passengers, and with an outstanding staff-to-guest ratio – including special touches such as a personal butler – guests can expect immaculate service and flawless…

I could not wait to explore the destinations I am like a child in a sweetshop, running from one side of the ship to the other so that I don’t miss a thing, as MSC Magnifica sails through the heart of Venice along the Guidecca Canal. As we pass palazzos, churches and St Mark’s Square I’m captivated by the iconic architecture – now I know why sailing out of Venice is regarded as one of the world’s most memorable cruise experiences. My eight-year-old son Ollie and I were thrilled at the prospect of our first cruise holiday. He was excited about the ship and I couldn’t wait to explore the destinations – Bari in Italy, then Katakalon in Greece, the island of Mykonos, over to Piraeus for Athens and then…

JEWELS OF CHINA Culture and cruising come together in China like nowhere else – and the best way to see that is on a trip, a perennial favourite, that’s split between the two. Viking’s 14-day Imperial Jewels of China combines one of the world’s most exotic river trips with an escorted tour. As you make your stately way along the Yangtze River, through the 150 miles of the Three Gorges dam, passing through the five-stage structure, you can attend lectures on both, and on the current affairs that make China so fascinating – and alien. Play mah-jong, have a stab at learning the language, sample local dishes and soak up the history. There are also two nights in vibrant Shanghai, two in Xian (to see the thousands of terracotta warriors…

I’m celebrating my 10th year in the cruise sector and I have seen first-hand the evolution of the cruise holiday. Companies have shown amazing innovation – with the ships they build, the dining and entertainment options and, not least, their itineraries to stunning destinations. Each year we welcome new vessels into our worldwide fleet and 2016 is no exception, with nine ocean and 18 river CLIA member cruise lines launching new ships. With these launches, we can expect a host of new products, ranging from the very large, to the very luxurious, and something in between. May was a particularly busy month. Royal Caribbean made the cruise headlines with the launch of the world’s largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas. Accommodating more than 6,600 passengers, this floating resort has…

I love London: it’s been my home for many years and it’s a place where you can find influences from all over the world. It’s also home to my tailor, Turnbull and Asser. Monaco is full of glamour, in the scenery and people. And I find the blending of the old with the new in Tokyo and Japan fascinating. I still haven’t made it to New York and I want to see if the Big Apple really does never sleep. I’d also love to visit Buenos Aires. If you’re going to do the Tango, where else could be better? My last trip was to San Francisco, which was followed by a driving tour along the coast of California – in a convertible Mustang, naturally. We also visited Napa Valley, Yosemite…