Innholdsfortegnelse for October-November 2015 i Cruise & Travel

Welcome to the latest issue of Britain’s biggest and best-selling cruise magazine. I love this time of year – the nights may be drawing in but it’s the perfect time to start planning your next cruise holiday, and with National Cruise Week from 19-27 September there are some fantastic offers around. To help inspire you to choose your next holiday we’re highlighting the hottest destinations for 2016 (page 76) – which ones will be going on your wishlist? Personally I’d love to go to Cuba and see Havana, but I’m also very tempted by Antarctica... The Baltic is always a popular cruise destination – there’s something very special about seeing the fairy tale capitals of Eastern Europe and also, of course, St Petersburg. Don’t book a thing though until you’ve…

MSC Lirica will make the Chinese city of Shanghai its new homeport from May 2016. MSC Cruises CEO, Gianni Onorato, said: “MSC has been present in China since 2010, successfully bringing Chinese guests to cruise on its modern fleet to its many destinations, especially to Europe and the Mediterranean.” MSC Lirica is scheduled to reach its new homeport on 1 May 2016 after a 60-day Grand Voyage from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, via Europe and Dubai in the UAE. This follows the news that from December 2015 MSC will be the first global cruise line to offer travellers the opportunity to visit Cuba and set sail on one of 16 cruises that MSC Opera will operate from Havana (msccruises.co.uk).…

GET AHEAD Floppy hats are going to be massive this autumn - we love this one from Hobbs (£45, hobbs.co.uk). SILVER STAR A simple ocean-inspired silver ring, like this one by Nina Trommen, will make a big statement. SOFT APPEAL Ponchos are perfect for a quick cover-up – and rose pink is a hot trend this season (£55, Betty Barclay.com). TOTE SWEET A leather tote bag is fab for travelling (£195, houseoffraser.co.uk). PRETTY GREEN Add an elegant splash of colour with a gorgeous on trend Ombre Edge scarf (£50, jaeger.co.uk). BELT UP This very cool Biba belt is our must-buy tip – at £40 it’s a total bargain (houseoffraser.co.uk).…

Mary's secret Great British Bake Off star Mary Berry, CBE, hosted cookery classes on board P&O’s Britannia in the summer, but if you’ve ever wondered how she stays so svelte while sampling all that cake she says it’s all about having a little of what you fancy: “I think a balanced diet is the way to stay fit and healthy, sensible portion sizes and not going back for second helpings.” We’ll do our best. Feet first Did you know that walking barefoot reconnects your brain with the sensory information coming from the soles of your feet? Vivobarefoot, a footwear brand championing barefoot movement, has just launched Motus, the ultimate movement shoe with an ultra-flexible puncture-resistant sole. The unisex shoes are ideal for travelling, exploring and adventure (£110, vivobarefoot.com). EAST MEETS…

I’ve just spent a blissful fortnight on P&O’s Azura. Again. I love that ship. I know it so well that it’s become a home from home for me, and the itinerary was port-rich: eight in 14 days. I have always wanted to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and it was even more fabulous than I imagined. Plus it made for great background selfie material – essential criteria for my two teenage sons. Later that day I was handbag shopping in Florence, though it was 42°C so thank goodness for the shelter of cafés which served ice-cold Peronis and pumped out cool fine water vapour over its grateful customers. We posed by the Colosseum in Rome, purred at the yachts and Ferraris in Monaco, and paddled in the Corsican sea.…

My son is hanging upside down in a giant plastic tube, his arms outstretched as he learns how to fly for the first time. Below us, several would-be surfers are experiencing total wipe out on the FlowRider, while a few steps away, just past the giant pink polar bear known as Felicia, brightly-coloured dodgems are whizzing around. When you consider that we’re in the middle of the East China Sea, it’s pretty mind-blowing. Our Asian adventure began in Shanghai: with its extraordinary skyscrapers, straight out of Blade Runner, it’s both intriguing and intimidating. We were both overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of pedestrians as we made our way (slowly, there is no other way) along the Bund, the main street, to Yuyuan Garden and through the noisy, chaotic and smelly…

For my last holiday, I travelled to Crookhaven in southwest Cork and strolled by Mizen Head and visited the now ruined Mere Brow signal station where Marconi first sent radio signals to America. It’s a highly atmospheric and special place. Cruising is a great way to visit destinations because it gives you a different view every day. I love how the inside of the cabin stays the same but the outside changes. My favourite cities in the world are New York, Los Angeles and Prague; I love their busyness. I also love St James in Barbados for the peacefulness. I always love returning to my hometown of Ormskirk,a market town in West Lancashire famous for its gingerbread. I’m very lucky to travel around a fair bit with my career and…

Following a summer of celebrations marking its 175th anniversary, Cunard has released a set of nostalgic snapshots from the line’s image archive that capture the grandeur and glamour it is still famous for today. The collection of stunning photographs – taken during the 20th century – show the opulence of Cunard’s first class lounges, dining rooms and promenades as well as some of the famous guests to have graced its decks, including singer Bing Crosby, legendary actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor, ‘the King of Hollywood’ himself, Clark Gable, screen beauty Rita Hayworth and Nelson Mandela. You can see more images at cruise-international.com/ vintage-cunard-photos.…

EXOTIC TASTE In what we think must be the first chef-inspired fragrance, new perfume FOUR, a collaboration between Jason Atherton, food mag FOUR and fragrance creators Boadicea the Victorious, takes inspiration from Jason’s experiences and travels. It has notes of vetiver and bergamot, combined with the sweet spiciness of Tunisian neroli, and balanced with deep notes of Atlas cedar wood, amber and black, white and pink pepper (available from Harrods Perfumery and internationally, £245 for 100ml). Best in Show They say dogs owners look like their pooches, and we love the new M.A.C campaign for their Haute Dogs collection, with models including Sophie Dahl and canine lookalikes. The range features buttery fur tones, regal berries and gold-spun sculpting powders (available at M.A.C travel retail locations worldwide). THE FUTURE IS GREIGE…

PENNE ARRABIATA SERVES 4 3 to 4 fresh red chillies, finely chopped 6 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped 2 x 400g tins quality chopped tomatoes 200ml organic vegetable stock 400g penne A bunch of fresh basil, leaves picked and torn 25g Parmesan cheese Optional: ½ Scotch bonnet chilli, very finely chopped Extra virgin olive oil FOR THE PANGRATTATO 50g sourdough or ciabatta breadcrumbs ½ a bunch of mixed fresh herbs, such as sage, rosemary, thyme, leaves picked and chopped 1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped Olive oil METHOD • Mix all the pangrattato ingredients and a glug of olive oil together in a bowl. Tip onto a baking tray, then spread out evenly and toast under the grill for 2 to 4 minutes, or until lightly…

CUNARD Cunard celebrated its 175th anniversary this year, and the line is synonymous with elegance and grandeur, with three ships – Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria – offering traditional cruising with every possible modern comfort, as well as excellent food, state-of-the-art spas and exclusive performances from big name artistes. An added highlight of any cruise with Cunard is the famous White Star service, which is, true to its mantra, legendary, elegant and memorable. THE LUXE FACTOR Choose to stay in one of Cunard’s Queens Grill or Princess Grill Suites and you’ll enjoy a superb level of luxury including the most exquisite cuisine available and the option to dine in your suite. For more information call 0843 374 2224 or visit cunard.co.uk. BELMOND The five luxury barges of…

Think Baltic cruise and most people don’t get much past St Petersburg, the classical Russian city with its ornate Winter Palace and extraordinary art collection in the Hermitage museum. St Petersburg is a must-see on any Baltic voyage, usually for a two or three-day stay, yet there are a wealth of other destinations to discover; some cruises take in a clutch of other East European nations (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland), there’s usually at least a touch of Scandi style and sometimes even a look at the fjords. EAST MEETS EAST While three full days in St Petersburg is the highlight of this voyage on Oceania Cruises’ elegant East Coast American-style ship Marina, there are other fascinating Eastern European ports to explore. Almost unvisited by cruise ships is Klaipeda, Lithuania’s third…

With its cobbled streets, mix of contemporary and old architecture and incredible gastronomy Montreal is probably one of the most unique cities in the world; and despite the fact that it’s in Canada, the first language here is French. It’s a very popular cruise destination, with Oceania, Holland America and Seabourn among the lines that call here, and the port is within easy reach of many of the city’s attractions, including Old Montreal. Must-sees While the gothic Notre-Dame Basilica is probably the most famous church in Montreal, the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral is also well worth visiting – it’s meant to be a smaller version of the Vatican, and if you go inside the ceiling is absolutely spectacular. Parc Mont-Royal offers great views of the skyline and is…

Whether you’re looking for your next cruise holiday or you want to experience an ocean or river cruise for the first time, Titan’s super collection of itineraries for 2016 has everything you’re looking for. From the spectacular glaciers of New Zealand to the exhilarating vistas of Antarctica, the vibrant cities of South America to the raw beauty of the Icelandic coastline, the beautiful islands of Greece to the intriguing waterways of Russia and the stunning beauty of the Rhine, Douro and Danube, there’s an adventure for everyone. And when you book with Titan you can rest assured that everything will be taken care of, from your flights to and from your departure city, and a tour manager to ensure all your travel arrangements are taken care of. Not only that,…

From the chic streets of Paris to the lush vineyards of Burgundy, Uniworld offers superb itineraries for lovers of French art, culture and cuisine. Burgundy and Provence follows the footsteps of Post-Impressionist painters Van Gogh and Cézanne across the same magnificent countryside that inspired their masterpieces; Paris and Normandy is a foodies’ odyssey, offering the chance to sample an abundance of rich cheeses, crisp ciders and warming calvados Sailing in style on board Uniworld’s award-winning river cruise ships, you’ll be able to relax in total luxury. Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service ensures a stress-free start to your travels, whisking you from your front door to the airport and home again after your cruise in total comfort. PARIS AND NORMANDY Explore the world-famous landmarks of Paris, the ‘City of Light;’ stroll…

Since 1923, Case Luggage has been the go-to store for the world’s finest luggage. From timeless brands including Bric’s and Samsonite and contemporary designers Tumi and Kipling to the cutting edge style of Lulu Guinness and Ted Baker, Case Luggage has hundreds of suitcases, carry-ons, trolleys, holdalls and backpacks to choose from, meaning you’re bound to find something you love. Caseluggage.com is offering Cruise International readers 15 per cent off your next purchase; just enter the code ‘cruise15’ when you’re at their online checkout.…

A LITTLE RUNAROUND We love this trolley case, and it complies with most airlines carry-on size regulations once the removable front portfolio case is zipped off (£695, uk.tumi.com). STYLE STEEL Crafted in Dorset, these contemporary cufflinks combine fine American walnut set within diamond knurl marine grade stainless steel. Each pair comes with a presentation box handmade from one piece of leather and brass Chicago screws (£75, mangunbear.com). POWER UP The 4-in-1 Worldwide Travel Plug Adaptor works in over 150 countries, making it fantastic for cruises. Follow the colour-coded list of countries, click the different components of the plug together and you’re away (£20, bearandbear.com). BACK IN ACTION This bright backpack offers one main compartment with an inside laptop pocket that fastens with a sturdy one-hook function. Made from a rubberised…

ARussian river cruise gives you the chance to discover more about this fascinating country, with plenty of opportunities to disembark, meet local people and find out more about its fascinating past. Sail between Moscow and St Petersburg on the Volga, the Svir and the Moscow Canal, taking in the country’s rural, timeless interior as the ships cross vast lakes and pass through uninhabited plains, skirting medieval villages and passing the onion domes of ancient churches dotting the horizon. JEWELS OF RUSSIA Boutique ship Scenic Tsar takes 112 guests and, launched in 2013, is the first new ship on Russia’s waterways for more than 25 years. Scenic’s Jewels of Russia cruise includes four days each in Moscow (with visits to St Basil’s Basilica and the Kremlin) and St Petersburg. Scenic’s included…

CUBA SOUTH KOREA ANTARCTICA AND THE FALKLAND ISLANDS RIO INDIA HAWAII SEATTLE AFRICA CUBA The Caribbean socialist republic is set to become the hottest destination in the cruising world as relations with America thaw and Cuba moves in from the political wilderness. It’s easy to see why. Cuba offers a unique cocktail of Caribbean communism combined with Spanish colonialism, evident in the cool bars and 19th century hotels of Old Havana that were popular haunts of author and hell-raiser Ernest Hemingway. From Santiago de Cuba, the city that gave birth to Fidel Castro’s revolution, to the well-preserved Spanish colonial city of Trinidad, there is much to captivate. The Caribbean’s largest island isn’t short of natural appeal either, with the rugged Sierra Maestra mountains and a selection of stunning beaches. Get…

Where to stay The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth is a five-star hotel with a superb location – many of the rooms have views of the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral and it's within easy walking distance of the city’s main attractions. What makes it really special, though, is its history. It’s the hotel where John and Yoko had their famous ‘bed-in’ for peace (Lennon actually wrote and recorded Give Peace a Chance in their suite). Dignitaries who have been welcomed through its doors have included HM The Queen and Nelson Mandela. Rooms are well-appointed with marble bathrooms and amenities by covetable brand Le Labo Rose 31; upgrade to a Fairmont Gold room and you’ll also have the use of the exclusive lounge, which has fantastic city views and also serves…

Straight out of a storybook, the River Rhine is completely enchanting at every turn. Its banks are filled with hilltop castles, fairy tale forests, rolling vineyards, pretty villages with medieval timber-framed houses and ancient cities with glorious cathedrals. Flowing through the historic heart of Europe, the Rhine is as important as it is beautiful. Basel, Strasbourg, Koblenz and Speyer are just some of the historic cities and towns that have grown and prospered along its banks. From its source in the Swiss Alps to the North Sea at Rotterdam, the river flows for 765 miles through six countries. But it is the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine that captures hearts and imaginations. This is the Rhine of dreams and of myths, including the legend of the Lorelei, the beautiful siren of the…

An impressive 23 million people will take a cruise holiday this year with guests being drawn from many different countries, and in turn they will visit amazing places found in the four corners of the world. The vast majority of cruise passengers are American, with Germany holding the second spot followed by us Brits, but I’ve been on cruises where different nationalities can number way above 30. When I think back to when I was first introduced to cruising, only two popular destinations really came to mind – the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, the latter still being the most popular with British cruisers. A lot has changed since then and cruising is now very much a global industry. Ports and destinations remain the number one drive for holidaymakers and cruise…