Innholdsfortegnelse for June/July 2017 i Cruise & Travel

Joie de Vivre Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s newest Super Ship, S.S. Joie de Vivre, boasts an onboard spa and wellness venue, Club L’Esprit, offering a variety of massage therapies and beauty treatments, as well as a fitness centre. Yoga session and aquatic fitness classes are available daily and you can also enjoy a refreshing smoothie in L’Esprit Bar (uniworld.com. For more on S.S. Joie de Vivre, turn to page 32). THE science bit… German brand Arcaya Active’s power-packed skincare ampoules contain the highest and purest concentration of advanced active ingredients including phytoestrogens, peptides, vitamins, antioxidants and more (£75 for a pack of 10, from arcaya-actives.co.uk ). DO YOU double dip? If you’ve ever wondered why you get ingrown hairs after waxing, double dipping – where the…

' We , re in the Kilim National Geopark and if you’re a nature lover then this is one of the most exhilarating excursions you , ll experience Eagles, at least 20 of them, are circling overhead before swooping for fish as our motor boat zips over the jade-green water, through mangroves and past towering limestone cliffs dating back millions of years. We’re in the magnificent Kilim Geopark on the Malaysian island of Langkawi, and if you’re a nature lover or want to release your inner Indiana Jones then this has to be one of the most exhilarating excursions you’re ever likely to experience on a cruise. And the best is yet to come. We disembark at a jetty to be greeted by wild macaque monkeys (including tiny babies) before…

Do you fancy soaring through the sky at twice the speed of sound in a MiG fighter jet; walking across the roofs of some of Stockholm’s oldest buildings; or whizzing through the streets of Shanghai in a motorcycle sidecar? Alternatively, how about flying over a snow-covered glacier in Alaska to watch grizzly bears catching salmon from a river; hiking across the slopes of an active volcano; or trekking through the Amazonian jungle? Or maybe you’d like to have tea with a real Austrian princess in her castle. These are just some of the more exciting cruise shore excursions that companies now offer, and are a world away from the days when passengers endured dreary coach tours that inevitably ended up in a ceramics factory, with their overpriced gift shops. Now…

TWIN RIVERS Sail from just outside Luxembourg through Europe’s fairy tale scenery – hills, castles, palaces and medieval towns. See Germany’s oldest city, Trier, as you head for Koblenz, snuggled into a corner between the Moselle and the Rhine. From there it’s the Rhine Gorge (rounding a sharp bend past dramatic Loreley rock), Rüdesheim (perhaps take a riverside cycle ride), Mannheim for Heidelberg (don’t miss the castle perched high above town), Strasbourg and on to Basel. BE AMAZED: See the world’s biggest wine barrel in Heidelberg’s castle, which holds nearly 50,000 gallons. THE DETAILS: An eight-day Splendours of the Rhine & Moselle fly-cruise, departing 31 May 2018, starts from £2,249pp, all inclusive with transfers (0800 988 5175; titantravel.co.uk/cruiseinternational). TASTE OF VIETNAM This is the classic cruise that travels the length…

With enchanting landscapes featuring hilltop castles, craggy cliffs, steep vineyards and intriguing churches, it’s little wonder the Rhine is one of Europe’s best-loved waterways. Its name comes from the Celtic word ‘renos’ meaning ‘raging flow’, and it has served as a link between northern and southern Europe since the Roman times. Approximately 800 miles long, the Rhine spans six countries – Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Its most picturesque section is the Middle Rhine in Germany, 40 miles of which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights along this premier river include the cathedral city of Cologne and Marksburg Castle in Germany, France’s pretty city Strasbourg with its half-timbered houses and the mystical Black Forest, home of the cuckoo clock and eponymous chocolate and cherry gâteau.…

At first glance Viking Sky appears to be a carbon copy of its sister cruise ships in the Viking Ocean Cruises fleet, Viking Star and Viking Sea. The same soothing Scandi-inspired interiors, Nordic design accents – how we love those stylish cushions and throws – and clever use of glass and blonde wood to maximise the feeling of light and space. But there are some subtle and pleasing design changes on Viking Sky, in response to guest demand. For a start, the large beauty salon has been scaled down on Viking Sky, and the resulting extra space now houses an impressive, light-filled gym. On the top deck, the outdoor gym equipment seen on the other two ships has been replaced with comfortable seating and foliage decor, creating more havens for…

Located on Australia’s east coast, the Sydney area has been inhabited for more than 30,000 years by indigenous Australians, but was settled by the British in 1788. Most ships dock either in Sydney Harbour, the largest natural harbour in the world, or White Bay Cruise Terminal, close to the iconic Anzac Bridge (which means you get to sail right underneath magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge, an experience not to be missed). The bridge was built in 1932, and the Opera House wasn’t actually constructed until 1973, but of course is still considered to be one of the world’s most distinctive buildings. Must-sees Any visit to Sydney should start off with Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. You can climb Sydney Harbour Bridge if you have a head for…

EGYPT WITH VIKING Viking River Cruises has announced details of the newest addition to its river fleet, Viking Ra, which will sail on the Nile in Egypt. “Egypt is one of the most intriguing countries in the world,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “We are committed to Egypt and we look forward to providing our award-winning service to our guests on the Nile and to their experiencing this culturally rich region in the Viking way.” Tailored to an intimate sailing experience for 48 guests, Viking Ra will sail the Nile River on a new 12-day Egypt cruisetour, Pharaohs & Pyramids, launching in March 2018. The cruisetour begins with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where guests can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramid…

NCL SAILS TO CUBA Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first ship to sail to Cuba, has made its maiden call in capital city Havana. Norwegian Cruise Line President & CEO Andy Stuart said: “Our cruises to Cuba offer our guests a unique opportunity to engage in true cultural immersion with the freedom and flexibility to explore this destination on their own timetable and as they choose.” Norwegian Sky will sail a total of 53 four-day voyages to Cuba, with 52 including an overnight stay in Havana. The ship, which offers NCL’s Premium All Inclusive experience, will also call at Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas (ncl.co.uk). CRUISE ROLE FOR SCHOFE TV presenter Phillip Schofield has become Princess Cruises’ first UK brand ambassador. Tony Roberts, Princess…

Silver Muse was christened in Monte Carlo, a suitably ritzy location for one of the world’s most elegant new ships. The ship is designed to feel intimate but at the same time spacious and this is something it achieves perfectly. All the suites (there are seven categories to choose from, including the lavish Royal, Grand and Owner’s Suites) are superbly appointed with marble bathrooms and full-size baths as well as showers, private teak verandas and walk-in wardrobes. The design of Silver Muse is a masterclass in understated luxury. Décor throughout is in sophisticated hues of silver, gold, cream, chocolate, moss green and rose, creating a seductive boutique hotel ambience. With capacity for just 596 guests, the ship’s public areas are inviting and relaxing. Particularly impressive is the pool deck, with…

Everyone who votes in the Cruise Awards 2017 will have the opportunity to enter our prize draw to win a seven-night voyage with SeaDream Yacht Club Picture yourself and a guest sailing around the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, visiting some of the world’s most stunning destinations, in one of the world’s most beautiful ships. SeaDream Yacht Club has achieved the industry’s highest accolades for its casually elegant sister mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, rated the number one and number two Best Boutique ships according to the 2017 Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships guide. With a maximum of only 112 guests and a 95-person award-winning crew, “it’s yachting, not cruising,” defines not only the size of the vessels, but the onboard lifestyle and anticipatory service. SeaDream Yacht Club provides a…

There’s nothing better than arriving well rested and relaxed at your embarkation port, ready to make the most of your floating home and the new destinations you are about to uncover. For sailings departing from Southampton, The Bell Inn makes a fabulous pre-cruise haven that will set the tone for your holiday. Independently owned by the same family for more than two centuries, 18th-century The Bell Inn offers authentically warm hospitality and is only 12 miles from Southampton port. If you fancy a round of golf before your cruise then pack your clubs as it is also home to Bramshaw Golf Club, which hosts two outstanding 18-hole golf courses including the oldest golf course in Hampshire. WARM WELCOME The Bell Inn itself is a gorgeous Grade II listed building boasting…

The beginning I’m relaxing on a comfy lounger reading a magazine. The sea is shimmering below me; white horses occasionally glinting in the sun, which is blazing in a cloudless blue sky. Everything seems perfect, except for being dogged by the strange feeling that I am being watched. I’m attracting some inquisitive glances from my fellow passengers and there’s a bit of whispering, too. Eventually one lady can stand it no more and taps me gently on the shoulder: “I’m terribly sorry to intrude, but I have to ask – why are you here?” My mum and I joined Saga Pearl II in Fuerteventura and, flatteringly, it was noted that I was a bit on the young side. Saga Cruises passengers are usually 50 and over (although an over 50…

The low sun is peeking out from behind Cologne’s imposing cathedral as MS Serenade 1 glides under Hohenzollern Bridge. On board, there’s an air of relaxed contentment as guests mingle, drinking Champagne while waiting for the Captain’s Welcome Gala Dinner to start. Titan has a reputation for quality service that ensures their holidays run smoothly and we’re experiencing it first hand on board MS Serenade›1, the tour operator’s exclusive new charter ship. Originally built in 2005, the 136-guest vessel has been refurbished to a classic style with modern touches and, with only 68 outside cabins, there is a surprising amount of space throughout. Our cabin is located on the Mozart Deck in the middle of the ship, and is a beautifully appointed sanctuary with a French balcony – ideal for…