Innholdsfortegnelse for October/November 2017 i Cruise & Travel

PURE GENIUS We’re loving the fab new Aura Botanica haircare range from Kérastase, made from up to 98% of natural origin ingredients including Samoan Coconut Oil and Moroccan Argan Oil to provide nutrition and up to 72 hours of anti-frizz (kerastase.co.uk). THINK PINK To mark the 25th anniversary of the pink ribbon campaign, Elemis is donating £25,000 to Breast Cancer Care from the sales of its Limited Edition pink 100ml Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Limited Edition, to help the charity continue their excellent work supporting women living with and beyond breast cancer (£99, elemis.com). GET SET GLOW Clinique’s new Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup SPF 15 is a sheer, fluid foundation that gives light to moderate coverage with an instant radiant effect. What’s more, over time its exfoliating and brightening…

SPA WITH Seabourn Blended exclusively by Molton Brown for luxury cruise line Seabourn, the limited edition Seabourn Collection features sophisticated products to pamper, including a body lotion, bath and shower gel in Immersive Samphire & Eucalyptus, which blends samphire and eucalyptus with cardamom, cedarwood, violet and mint. There’s also an Inspiring Basil & Vetiver shampoo and conditioner, which blends basil oil and vetiver with cardamom, bergamot, cedar wood and petitgrain. Available on board Seabourn’s ships as well as in Molton Brown shops and online (moltonbrown.co.uk). COMPLEXION perfection If you’ve ever tried microdermabrasion in an onboard spa you’ll know it can do wonders for your skin. Cult beauty device PMD Personal Microderm Pro allows for customised exfoliation treatments at home – celeb fans include actress Jessica Chastain (£199, uk.pmdbeauty.com…

What better way to see off the cold British winter than with a Voyages to Antiquity Caribbean cruise? From stretches of unspoilt beaches to lush flora and fauna, you can leave behind the chill and explore charming islands in the warmth of the Caribbean sunshine. With Cuba at the heart of these winter itineraries, you have the chance to marvel at this must-see destination’s colonial architecture, classic American cars and vibrant atmosphere. Few small ships serve this sun-drenched region, yet award-winning Voyages to Antiquity will take you there sailing on board the 350-passenger Aegean Odyssey. This well-appointed vessel is small enough to call at smaller ports that are inaccessible to mega-ships and there are no queues to embark or disembark. You will also find that the service is much more…

We’re the paparazzi of the ocean – cameras, mobiles and zoom lenses primed for an elusive shot of the marine megastar. Poised for action on our small boat, like troops awaiting a signal, we are silent and the sea is still. SUDDENLY 15 FEET OF WATER SHOOTS INTO THE AIR, FOLLOWED BY A GIANT EXPANSE OF BLACK Suddenly, a huge, sonorous, almost prehistoric sigh punctures the air and someone shouts: “There’s the blow – she’s straight ahead.” We swing round en masse to witness 15 feet of water shoot into the air, followed by a giant expanse of black as 40 feet of whale arches in slow motion above the waves. Breathtaking, tantalising and so graceful it makes me want to cry. I don’t get my photo of the humpback…

WE BASKED IN THE SUN WITH A GLASS OF WINE WHILE ENJOYING THE SCENERY “Be prepared for snow,” was the advice my friend and I were given when packing for our Norwegian fjords cruise adventure in May, and boy did we take it: snow boots, winter coats, hats, scarves and multiple layers crammed into our suitcases. What we didn’t anticipate was the glorious sunshine and balmy temperatures we experienced for much of our trip. We were cruising with Fred. Olsen on Balmoral from Dover, and our itinerary began with a full day at sea; an ideal time to wind down with a treatment (or three) at the Atlantis Spa. Everything was on offer, from full-body massages to manicures. After sailing through the night on moderately rough seas we woke early…

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT RIVER CRUISING IS THAT THE SCENERY IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING, PARTICULARLY IN THIS PART OF EUROPE, WHERE THE DANUBE MEANDERS THROUGH GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SLOVAKIA AND HUNGARY We’re sipping chilled Champagne in the drawing room of the magnificent Artstetten Castle near Austria’s Wachau Valley, being entertained with royal anecdotes, politics and history by an actual princess. Princess Anita von Hohenberg, of the Habsburg dynasty, is the godmother to S.S. Maria Theresa. She is also the great-granddaughter of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo in June 1914 led to the outbreak of the First World War. As she comments wryly, what happened more than 100 years ago seems particularly relevant right now. “All it takes is one person to commit one terrible act,” she says. It’s…

First sighted in the 17th century, its remote location in the southern Atlantic ocean means the only permanent residents on South Georgia are seabird and seal colonies. Yet the island’s solitude is very much part of its attraction. Cruising to this windswept outpost presents a fantastic opportunity to explore the hilly, mountainous landscape and marvel at the king penguin and albatross flocks that crowd its sandy beaches, while dolphins circle the cliff-lined coast and caracaras sweep the sky. Follow in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton, a century after his famous expedition to the island, and explore its shores as part of an Antarctic cruise, also calling at the Falkland Islands.…

I’m standing amid the gloom of a shadowy stone-walled chamber and ahead of me is a cauldron bubbling with a dark glutinous liquid. A voice in my ear instructs me to throw in a coloured ball from the nearby table. As I do, splashes and sparks fly out; magic is in the air. Every object I touch transforms into an orange butterfly and in seconds I’m surrounded by a kaleidoscope of these delicately fluttering creatures. Enthused, I grasp another ball and toss it into the cauldron. This time, everything I pick up becomes weightless so I throw some candlesticks at an armoured knight watching me menacingly from a doorway; laughing as they crash into him and he furiously lobs them back. It’s hilarious and fabulous fun, but it’s only when…

“PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA” Audrey Hepburn, Sabrina It’s impossible not to fall in love with Paris; just walking along the Left Bank by the Seine at twilight, with the Eiffel Tower in the distance on a balmy summer’s evening is enough to seduce you. What makes Paris so special is that whenever you travel there, it’s the perfect city to stroll around. Of course, it’s not all about romance: the French capital has been the battleground for multiple global conflicts, including the French Revolution and First World War. In the 17th century, as the Age of Enlightenment was born, Paris also became known as a centre for philosophy and learning with such eminent thinkers as Voltaire and Diderot. The architectural influence of Michelangelo and Raphael is still evident…

SWISS BLISS Sail into the snow-covered splendour of Switzerland on a Rhine river cruise. The Jura Mountains rise in the distance as you arrive in Basel at the end of an eight-day trip from Amsterdam on board sleek, contemporary Scenic Opal. Scenic’s 2018 voyage includes an overnight stay in Amsterdam with plenty of time to enjoy the dazzling 65ft tree outside the Royal Palace, the Ice Village market and the Winter Plaza ice rink. You’ll also visit Strasbourg, Cologne and Koblenz, and enjoy a classical concert in Rüdesheim. Departs 5 December 2018, from £1,670pp, all-inclusive with flights (0808 149 6493; scenic.co.uk). TAKE A BREAK During the busy festive season you might not have time for a full-length holiday, so a five-day break could be perfect. Riviera Travel offers a number…

Q I’m longing to take a voyage in India as I’ve heard it’s spectacular. Which cruise lines go there and what kind of excursions are on offer? A More cruise companies are waking up to the appeal of this vast sub-continent. It is a destination that lends itself to ocean and river cruises, though the latter will give you a far more immersive experience. Cruises along the Ganges River with APT, Uniworld and G Adventures are packed with culture, history and adventure, while sailings on the Brahmaputra River in Assam – offered by Pandaw, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Blue Water Holidays – cut a trail past ancient monuments, remote villages and the Kaziranga National Park where you may even spot tigers. Ocean cruises to India are offered by several…

NCL REVEALS FEATURES FOR NORWEGIAN BLISS Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed features for its 16th ship, Norwegian Bliss, which will sail to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera from June 2018. Like its sister ship Norwegian Joy, which started sailing in China this summer, Norwegian Bliss will boast a two-level go karting race track, an open-air laser tag course, as well as brand new dining options including a Texan smokehouse. “This will no doubt be our most incredible ship to date,” said NCL President & CEO Andy Stuart. “We have elevated Norwegian Bliss’s onboard experience to new heights, bringing the best features from across our fleet plus exciting new first-at-sea activities.” (ncl.co.uk). VOTE FOR US AND YOU COULD WIN A HOLIDAY There’s still time to vote for Cruise International…

With calls such as Amsterdam, Le Havre and Zeebrugge for Bruges, you have the opportunity to experience some of Europe’s most iconic destinations in our fantastic competition. We’ve teamed up with Thomson Cruises to give you the chance to win an eight-day cruise sailing on TUI Discovery. Our lucky winner and their guest will receive an all-inclusive holiday on the European Experience itinerary, departing 26 September 2018. Sailing round trip from Southampton, your first port of call is Germany’s Bremerhaven. The town has a rich maritime history and is home to Wilhelm›Bauer, a decommissioned U-boat that you can tour, or you can nose around Seute Deern, a three-mast ship from 1924. Vibrant Amsterdam is known as the Venice of the north thanks to its bridges and canals. Here you can…

As the sun set, we danced al fresco in the world’s party capital, Ibiza. It was hot – still in the mid 20s – and the music was so loud that it drowned out my laughter as I was spun around and around. But the man making all the moves wasn’t a raver in a nightclub on the Balearic island. He was a 63-year-old father of three who had come on a Saga cruise with his entire family to celebrate his dad’s 97th birthday. By 11.30pm the soirée on deck was in full swing. “Come on,” my new dance partner said, grabbing my hand for the conga. I could hardly keep up as we danced, in a line, up and down the stairs, round the salt-water swimming pool, and back…

SCENIC CHOICE OFFERS Scenic have launched its new Scenic Choice offers, allowing guests to choose from a range of options to enhance their 2018 European River Cruise. For a limited time only, guests can enjoy exclusive access to a range of benefits, plus savings of up to £1,800 per couple across any 2018 Europe river cruise, when booked before 30 September. Guests can also choose from privileges including private door-to-door chauffeur-driven transfers, Eurostar upgrade to Business Premier Class, a luxury on board spa package, or luxury pre-holiday airport hotel stay with parking (scenic.co.uk). UNIWORLD MASTERPIECES Uniworld is offering fully-inclusive European river cruises on selected departures in 2018 via its Masterpiece Collection offer, including return airfares and private home-to-airport chauffeured transfers for the very first time. The offer applies to all…

WITH JUST 98 GUESTS IN 49 STATEROOMS, THIS ‘BABY LONGSHIP’ HAS AN INTIMATE FEEL AND THE AMBIENCE IS GONGENIAL We are clutching our sweets like excited kids on a day trip from school. The state of Saxony beckons and Captain Ber, along with Hotel Manager Janos Olah, have dispensed chocolates and candies to send us off “with energy” for our excursion. In a few hours’ time, when we have gasped at the spectacular Bastei rock formations and taken far too many photos of the Elbe from its most dramatic lookout point, we are welcomed back with warm scented towels and more care and consideration than I have ever experienced on any ship before. And if it happens to be raining, the crew will be lining our path on both sides…