Innholdsfortegnelse for April/May 2018 i Cruise & Travel

Luxury means different things to all of us. For me it’s breakfast on the balcony as the sun comes up, but you might be hankering after butler service, or a private island; on page 37 we reveal the top 20 luxury cruises for the year ahead, while on page 30, broadcasting legend Jennie Bond shares her experiences of cruising on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. Meanwhile, I sample the exquisite culinary offering on board Oceania’s Riviera (page 50). Honestly, it’s a wonder I’m not as big as a house. Cruising opens up the world in a way I never thought possible. This month, for example, I’m taking a cruise that calls at Angola, somewhere I think none of us would have contemplated visiting for pleasure even 10 years ago. On page 81…

EXQUISITE DESIGN UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION THE STYLE: It’s style and then some on a string of river ships kitted out with fantasy flair, in most cases much like a French château, all rich fabrics, marble and chandeliers. All-inclusive with tours, plus bikes, even Nordic walking poles, to borrow. And the experience extends around the world. In India, Ganges Voyager II looks unassuming and traditional yet inside it is a world of hand-painted murals and colonial splendour, rooms with rain showers and flat-screen TVs. LUXE FACTOR: Exclusive excursions offering afternoon tea with an actual princess. LIVE IT: Ganges Voyager II’s 13-day India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges trip combines a seven-night cruise from New Delhi to Kolkata with an overland tour. From £7,999pp, departing regularly, including flights, most…

With its skyscrapers and five very distinctive boroughs, New York is a brilliant city for exploring – and the sail away from the Brooklyn cruise terminal, boasting views of the Statue of Liberty, is one of the great iconic cruise moments. Must-sees: If you’re a first-timer then the Observation Deck at the Empire State Building will give you breathtaking views of the city, while a Circle Line boat trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island offers an intriguing insight into its history – plus there are brilliant photo opportunities of the Manhattan skyline. For that quintessential New York experience, Central Park is a joy to walk through all year round. On a sunny day grab a hot dog from one of the Nathan’s Famous stands and simply enjoy…

EMERALD WATERWAYS REVEALS 2019 RUSSIA CRUISE Emerald Waterways has launched a 12-day Russian itinerary for 2019. David Winterton, Global Brand Curator for Emerald Waterways, said: “We have always put authentic and unique experiences at the forefront of our river cruises, offering guests the opportunity to explore new and exciting destinations. “Russia offers so much in the way of culture and history, and sailing the Volga is the perfect way to discover all of the fantastic architectural sights. “We hope that this itinerary will whet the appetite of our guests who want to experience a unique culture and imperial grandeurs.” The 12-day Imperial Charms of Russia commences in St Petersburg and concludes in the capital city of Moscow (emeraldwaterways.co.uk). Titan launches second cruise ship Following the success of Titan’s exclusive charter…

MARINE DREAM With a stunning design by British illustrator Karen Mabon, all of the profits from the sale of the very special limited edition Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 100ml in aid of the charity Women for Women International will benefit marginalised women living in conflict areas (elemis.com). SKIN TREAT Estée Lauder’s new Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment leaves skin feeling intensely hydrated and plumped, so it looks more cushioned, and it also contains a powerful smoothing formula to help re-texturise, firm and lift. Amazing (available from Estée Lauder Travel Retail counters worldwide). FLOWERPOWER With three new fragrances, including Plum Blossom (notes of yellow plum and white musk), Nashi Blossom (nashi fruit, pear and rose) and Sakura Cherry Blossom (cherry blossom and bergamot), Jo Malone’s trio of limited edition florals…

CREOLE-STYLE SHRIMP SERVES 4 In New Orleans, wherever you go you are surrounded by food and music. I made this dish right in the heart of the city in Louis Armstrong Park – the perfect setting. The Creole flavours come from the French and Spanish settlers that made Louisiana their home. INGREDIENTS 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 8 slices crusty bread 1 knob of butter 1 medium onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tbsp Creole seasoning 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 2 tsp dried thyme 6 tbsp white wine 2 tbsp tomato purée 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes 3 bay leaves 1 tsp caster sugar 150g pimento-stuffed olives in brine, drained 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp hot sauce Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper…

ROYAL CARIBBEAN Awarded Best for Onboard Activities in the prestigious Cruise Awards 2017, Royal Caribbean offers family cruises with the wow factor, and you’ll find everything from sky diving to surfing on board. Fresh from a multi-million pound makeover, Royal Caribbean favourite Independence of the Seas will be back at sea this year, boasting new features including two new waterslides, the newly improved Splashaway Bay waterpark, and the gravity-defying Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience, set in a futuristic dome. DON’T MISS: A visit to beautiful Geirangerfjord to experience the thundering Seven Sisters waterfall, or a visit to beautiful Hornindalsvatnet, Norway’s deepest lake. BOOK IT: Why not move away from the traditional Mediterranean voyage with an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise from Southampton, calling at the Norwegian ports of…

ATLANTIC CANADA Canada’s rugged east coast is a revelation: a wilderness of mountains, fjords and forests with deserted beaches, lighthouses and fishing settlements. It’s a wild country of stunning countryside and a history rolling back to Viking settlers in the 11th century at L’Anse aux Meadows, the first Europeans to reach North America. Also in Newfoundland are the glacier-carved fjords of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of towering cliffs, forests and waterfalls. Cruises off this Atlantic coast often start or finish in Quebec City, on St Lawrence River, a citadel of French Canadian culture and a sophisticated foil to the region’s extraordinary natural wonders. Scenic’s 13-day Iceland & Atlantic Canada cruise from Reykjavik to Quebec City via Greenland on Scenic Eclipse departs 15 August 2019, from…

YOUR PHOTOS These pictures were taken on Crown Princess last summer. We went on a family cruise to Norway on the Land of the Midnight Sun itinerary. Hazel Tucker Fogarty My wife Diane and I got married on a Norwegian fjords cruise. Jim Radford We just loved this view on our Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Jade. Kellie Collister Sunset taken on board when we cruised through the spectacular Inside Passage in Canada. Gilly Mcdonald The climb was definitely worth the effort for this picture. We were on Cunard’s Queen Victoria in Geirangerfjord, Norway. Richard Chalu Nothing beats a ship in Sydney. This was taken when Queen Victoria made its first visit here. Chris Frame Here I am standing tall in front of MSC Meraviglia. Sue Maxwell Here is my SeaPass…

My last holiday was to the Dominican Republic, which was amazing. It’s a really beautiful island and I managed to relax and chill out. I spent most of the time in the pool as it was so hot. My most memorable trip so far has been a family trip to Florida to celebrate my mum’s birthday. We rented a villa and we were all together, which was so special as it’s something we rarely get to do. Such great family memories. Jonny Wilkes and I will perform our new show Astonishing on P&O Cruises’ Britannia , Ventura and Azura this summer. It’s been an amazing journey designing and creating the show to such a high standard. Being there from…

CLEVER CASE The V3 expandable carry-on is durable, light and remarkably easy to manoeuver (£445, tumi.com). COOL WATCH This Men’s Series 800 chronograph by Movado boasts performance steel and is water resistant down to 200 metres (£895, watchshop.com). HOLDS ALL New for spring is Bric’s brilliantly spacious LIFE holdall, made from luxury stain-resistant micro-suede with leather details and available in a choice of elegant colours (£345, caseluggage.com). TUNE IN The new wireless H8i headphones from B&O with active noise cancellation and up to 30 hours playtime are fab for long-haul flights (£349, beoplay.com). STAY FOCUSED With its classic vintage style, the Instax Mini 90 has a built-in flash and a range of modes for easy snapping (£119, johnlewis.com). FLIGHT MODE Ideal for all your essentials, the Departure Lounge wash bag…

And... breathe. That’s exactly how I felt as my husband, Jim, and I finally stepped on board into the cool luxury of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. We were joining one of our favourite liners in the steamy tropical heat of the Seychelles, and ahead lay a voyage of discovery, to Mauritius and Reunion (islands we had never visited before) and onwards to South Africa (where I had covered two royal tours some years ago, but which Jim had never seen). I love the excitement of those first few hours on board. What will our stateroom be like? How big will the balcony be? Will there be Champagne on ice? And what’s for dinner? This time, as we were conducted for what seemed like half a mile along the “aft” corridor on…

The tide is turning with regard to solo cruising, and it’s not a moment too soon. For many years solo travellers have felt penalised for their single status, paying hefty supplements to make up for the ‘missing’ passenger in their cabin and with zero activity programmes tailored to their needs. But solo cruising is the new big trend, with cruise lines finally focusing properly on the solo traveller. Single cabins are on the increase on both new and reconfigured ships, more and more companies are reducing or even waiving surcharges, and considerable effort has gone into creating bespoke get-togethers for passengers travelling alone. With 12 million adults living by themselves (close to one in four of the UK adult population, according to ONS data) it’s not surprising we are witnessing…

Oliver says: I’ll be honest, I thought I’d outgrown it. But from the opening bars of Be My Guest in the stage show Beauty and the Beast on board Disney Dream, I realised not only did I have a big smile on my face, I’d gone full Disney. That’s the wonder of the Disney cruise experience: it’s so innovative and pioneering. We were enchanted from the moment we boarded the ship at Port Canaveral. Our deluxe stateroom had a balcony so we could really enjoy the spectacular views, a big comfy bed and split bathroom, which made it easy for the two of us to get ready. Disney cruises use a unique ‘rotational dining’ feature meaning you dine at different restaurants each night, but have the same waiting staff each…