Innholdsfortegnelse for October - November 2016 i Cruise & Travel

WONDER SPA We’ve always been big fans of the award-winning Aurea spa on board MSC Cruises’ ships, and its new ‘smart ship’, MSC Meraviglia (it means wonderful or wonder in Italian), which starts sailing in June 2017, features an exclusive treatment room for MSC Yacht Club guests. We can’t wait to get on board (msccruises.co.uk). CLEVER PETALS Next time you’re served a dessert or cake with edible flowers on your cruise, it’s worth remembering that they’re packed with nutrients, antioxidants and are a brilliant source of potassium. They also support collagen production. We Love... STRIP OK, so waxing salons aren’t usually the most relaxing places, but Strip really is different. Its gorgeous boutique-style salons offer seven scents of wax, ranging from chocolate to orange blossom, so you can choose your…

Probably one of the most laid-back and welcoming cities in the US, Miami has a relaxed vibe. Hang out on South Beach, take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, go shopping at one of the malls, and enjoy cocktails and dinner al fresco. Originally occupied by the Tequesta Indians, Miami was founded by Julia Tuttle, a local landowner who in 1896 convinced railroad tycoon Henry Flagler to expand his Florida East Coast Railway to the new city she had helped develop on the Miami River, and as a result Miami steadily grew to a metropolis. Today Miami is an intoxicating, stylish city and well worth exploring for a few days before or after your cruise, and the skyline at sunset as you sail out of the port is one of…

TOUR DE FRANCE French river cruises are a big trend right now, and Riviera Travel has a River Rhône & Provence itinerary that will take you from Burgundy to Provence, as well as the Ardèche gorges from only £1,199pp for eight days, including return train travel and meals (rivieratravel.co.uk). RIVER CRUISE SURVEY European rivers are still the most popular river cruise destinations for the UK market, an Iglu Cruise survey has found. Some 83 per cent of us are opting for itineraries including the Rhine/Moselle, Danube, Rhône/Seine and Douro, while seven per cent of us choose Asia cruises including the Mekong. The research also found that the average width of a river cruise ship is the same as four dolphins – that’s 39.4ft. SAIL AWAY WITH TITAN Titan’s new river…

With the azure blue sky above us, the SS Catherine glides effortlessly through the blue waters of the Saône – the Rhône’s northern tributary – between Lyon and Chalon and, as we take our seats for dinner in the Cézanne restaurant, I’m reminded of the famous French pearl of wisdom: “Life is too short to drink bad wine”. As the evening meanders on, glasses are charged delicious course by delicious course with wine carefully selected by the onboard sommelier to showcase the vineyards we sail by and complement the local cuisine on our plates. The passion for the grape is palpable: the waiters and sommelier are bursting with knowledge and eager to share. So, despite our 3am rising and the steady supply of Champagne since we were welcomed on board…

FASHION AT SEA Cunard held a fashion show earlier this month featuring work by graduates from the Royal College of Art to celebrate its first ever transatlantic fashion week crossing with Dame Zandra Rhodes on board Queen Mary 2. “This crossing was the first of its kind offering guests a unique chance to meet and dine with some of the most celebrated names in the fashion industry,” said Angus Struthers, Director, Cunard. “Queen Mary 2 has always been synonymous with glamour and style so inviting fashion royalty on board is an exciting move for Cunard and one we expect to carry into the future.” WONDERFUL FJORDS My husband Wayne and I went on a cruise around the Norwegian fjords with P&O on board Ventura. The scenery was absolutely stunning. It…

With its extraordinary history Vietnam is one of the most intriguing destinations you can visit on a cruise. There are parts of the country where time seems to have stood still, offering fascinating glimpses into rural life, particularly in the rice paddy fields, where you can see traditional farming and planting methods; in fact, wet rice cultivation here dates back to Neolithic times. You can see the paddy fields, many of them terraced, as you travel through the country on your way to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. >>Turn to page 79 to read our ultimate guide to river cruise itineraries…

The Rat Pack have just walked into the crowded nightclub and the singers – one Dean Martin, two Frank Sinatras – are crooning We Open in Venice, much to the delight of the audience, who are all singing along and enjoying the attention of the very handsome trio. These guys may not have been born until 30 years after the original Ocean’s 11 film was released, but they certainly know how to work a room. This isn’t, perhaps, what one might expect on a Viking ocean cruise. Sophisticated Scandi-chic interiors, Norwegian-influenced food and an emphasis on destination immersion, yes; but the first-class entertainment in Torshavn, the New York-style nightclub, and also in the Star Theatre – well, this is actually a revelation. My Explorer suite has a wraparound balcony with…

THE DANUBE Glide past the medieval town of Dürnstein, the Danube curving behind and in front, hazy hills of the Wachau Valley giving way to hazier mountains, and you could be in another age, with nothing other than the sleek ship to break the spell. And one of river cruising’s iconic scenes is the Parliament Building in Budapest, the start or finish of most Danube cruises, many of which concentrate on the stretch to Nuremberg in Germany. The section features Vienna with its elegant centre. You also pass through Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, and Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Scenic has an eight-day Gems of the Danube cruise, departing regularly, from £1,895pp, based on two sharing, all-inclusive, including excursions and flights (0808 102 0100;…

The Danube is like a necklace, stringing together some of the superlative jewels of Europe. This is what I discovered as I cruised from Budapest in Hungary to Regensburg in Germany, taking in such highlights on the way as Bratislava, Vienna and the Wachau Valley wine region, and to finish off the whole incredible itinerary, Prague. From the welcome reception at the Akademia Klub, home of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the most prestigious academic association of Hungary, it was clear this was going to be no ordinary trip. The wow factor kicked in as soon as we entered the stunning venue when we were greeted with Champagne and canapés. The spirit and impression of the 1860s was further evoked by the exquisite classical music being played by a string…

Q I’ve been inspired to visit Rio de Janeiro thanks to the Olympics. Which is the best itinerary that will allow me to explore all the iconic landmarks in the Marvellous City? A Winter is the most popular time for cruise ships to visit Rio de Janeiro as this is the Southern Hemisphere summer. Several lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Princess Cruises visit Rio on sailings to South America, while others such as P&O Cruises and Cunard visit the city as part of longer voyages that sometimes include circumnavigations of South America. Cruise companies stopping at Rio offer a full range of tours to its main sights. Look out for itineraries that stay overnight in the city, so you get more time to explore. For the ultimate Rio…

P&O CRUISES TO BUILD UK’S BIGGEST SHIP P&O Cruises has unveiled plans to build the largest cruise ship for the UK market, with an expected delivery date in 2020. P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Paul Ludlow said: “These are very exciting times. The number of British passengers taking a cruise in the past five years has significantly increased, boosted most recently by our very successful launch of Britannia last year. “We know there is still huge potential as more people realise the value for money, choice and range of dining and entertainment options available on ships of all sizes.” The ship will be built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. It will offer a wide range of dining, entertainment and relaxing features and will accommodate approximately 5,200…

When you journey into Southeast Asia, you discover a world of ancient traditions, intriguing history, culture and some of the world’s most extraordinary cities. It’s for these reasons and more that this amazing continent is fast becoming the number one destination for cruise holidays, overtaking the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Snow capped mountains, luscious tropical forests and rippling rice fields form part of a stunning tapestry that stretches across numerous countries. In a region offering so many adventures and moments to experience, the toughest decisions are where to begin and what to see and do. With an Iglu Cruise Southeast Asia voyage, you will embark on a captivating once-in-a-lifetime journey that enables you to sail past mesmerising city skylines, dock closely to more remote areas and take in some of…

Premium service, outstanding itineraries and exquisite ships are the hallmarks of an unforgettable river cruise with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, in partnership with Titan Travel. Multi-award-winning luxury cruise line Uniworld boasts a fleet of luxurious ships that sail to spectacular destinations across Europe, Russia, Egypt, India and Asia. Working in conjunction with Titan to offer fantastic voyages, you know you are being offered the crème de la crème in river cruises. Titan has more than 35 years’ experience of escorted touring holidays and is renowned for exceptional service. Uniworld’s newest ship S.S. Joie de Vivre, launching in April 2017, offers the epitome of elegance and sophisticated river cruising which the cruise line is renowned for. The 128-passenger vessel has been designed to reflect the French “joy of living” philosophy…

Such was the informal house party ambience of AmaSerena, we soon fell into a rather relaxed routine of exploring each destination in the morning, while spending afternoons lazing on deck. When the sun shone, the girls spent hours in the pool; and if it didn’t, they pitted their wits against each other (and us) in drawn-out games of deck chess. Walking tours proved to be an ideal diversion – interesting for adults, but not too dry or highbrow for the girls – and in the summer heat, not too long either. Slovakia’s pocket-sized capital Bratislava was one of our favourite stops with its quirky character, history and ease of getting around on foot. It was also helped by AmaSerena’s docking spot, which was just a few minutes’ stroll from the…