Innholdsfortegnelse for June/July 2018 i Cruise & Travel

Get fit at sea Forget standard exercise classes on your cruise. Celebrity Cruises and Canyon Ranch are reinventing fitness at sea with 20 new classes and seminars stretching across a whole host of disciplines. Tabata sessions offer a full-body workout, while ‘spiritual cycling’ combines mindfulness with spinning. There will also be acupuncture and longevity talks. “With this new programme, guests can enjoy the best-in-cruise fitness experience with unrivalled amenities, experienced and highly trained fitness experts, and a full schedule of invigorating and body-changing classes on board our ships,” explains Brian Abel, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations at Celebrity Cruises. For more details, see celebritycruises.co.uk READER OFFER HOMEBODY Homebody’s range of loungewear and nightwear is ideal for journeys, particularly night flights. Suitable for sensitive skin, the range is made from…

Embarking on a cruise doesn’t have to mean exploring well-trodden tourist tracks. Small ship expeditions can put remote and exotic destinations within easy reach – especially when you sail with Coral Expeditions, Australia’s pioneering cruise line. The company has more than 30 years’ experience of small ship adventures in Asia and the Pacific, taking guests to some of the most beautiful yet undiscovered regions. Its fleet of small Australian-flagged and crewed ships are specifically built for ocean voyages to far-flung areas that are typically inaccessible to larger cruise vessels. On board the atmosphere is relaxed and intimate, while the friendly and highly trained New Zealand and Australian crew do their utmost to ensure your cruise is a success. Cuisine is prepared small batch on board using fresh, local ingredients that…

With a sleek, matte black exterior, The A, formerly Uniworld’s River Ambassador, certainly announces its desire to do things differently from the outset. Inside, the design ethos has taken its cue from cool city eateries and funky boutique hotels: elegant and luxurious on one hand, cheeky and fun on the other. The decor is sleek and bold with neon artwork and limited edition prints of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe. Social interaction, whether on board or online, is the mainstay of The A, with its total rethink of river cruising’s classic style apparent from check-in. The service rings the changes: the crew sport black jeans and hoodies, while itineraries are delivered by WhatsApp and displayed on screens around the reception area in a nod to the social media generation’s connectivity and…

For 30 years, Ponant, the only cruise line sailing under the French flag, has endeavoured to send the ‘French way of life’ to the world’s oceans with its exceptional itineraries and unique, boutique-style ships offering superb service and exquisite gastronomy. And 2018 marks the arrival of the first two of the cruise line’s 92 stateroom Explorer-class ships: Le Lapérouse, launching in June, followed by Le Champlain, set for delivery in autumn 2018. Le Bougainville and Le Dumont-d’Urville will follow in 2019 and two more Explorers are scheduled for 2020. The ships will offer an even wider selection of destinations, including new itineraries in tropical and sub-tropical regions. These sister ships will boast the exclusive concept of a multi-sensorial underwater lounge known as Blue Eye. This world first will allow passengers…

Designed and developed by world-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Academy Award-Winner Robert De Niro, and Hollywood Producer Meir Teper the Nobu Hotel Miami Beach is inspired by the Japanese hospitality tradition, omotenashi, which emphasises a dedication to exquisite service, selfless hospitality and experience. You and a guest could be enjoying this one-of-a-kind hotel experience of complete tranquility and relaxation. Sample the world famous Yellowtail with Jalapeño or Black Cod Saikyo Miso at the Nobu Miami Beach restaurant or enjoy a laid-back luxurious lunch overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the hotel’s new Malibu Farm Restaurant, the South Florida outpost of Helene Henderson’s Californian restaurant serving simple farm-to-table dining that is fresh, organic and locally sourced. Be pampered at the Miami Beach Spa & Fitness Centre, which specialises in holistic wellness. Cool down…

Effortlessly cool but with a village-like charm, Amsterdam is probably one of the easiest cities in Europe to explore. One of its most compelling features has to be its history. Founded as a fishing village around a dam on the Amstel river in the 13th century, Amsterdam developed quickly during the 14th and 15th centuries. However, it was during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century that it really started to enjoy commercial success and became a centre of trade and power and a leading centre for finance and diamonds. From this city of canals and islands, the Dutch became one of the world’s mightiest naval powers and forged an empire across the world. Amsterdam flourished, becoming the wealthiest city in the world, and developing into a hub of…

A cruise through the ancient history of Egypt is an extraordinary experience, a voyage like nowhere else. One of river cruising’s grand dames, it has been through a bad patch; internal unrest in Cairo reflecting badly on the slow, relentless waters of the Nile. But now, with Foreign Office warnings for the Nile Valley area rescinded, the tide has turned and the Nile is hot again. At the forefront is Viking Ra, a boutique, 52-passenger ship designed with the same Scandi-chic style as the cruise line’s other contemporary river vessels, but with an Egyptian twist. “We have been overwhelmed with the response to our Nile cruises and the fact that they have sold out so quickly demonstrates travellers’ strong interest in returning to this magnificent river – our guests safety…

Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and deservedly so. With its churches, squares and Venetian palaces, the pretty town has oodles of history and charm. Its mountain backdrop adds a hint of drama; its bay a sense of calm. Wander through the cobbled streets of the Old City during the day. As well as the medieval churches, look out for the grand 17th-century Prince’s Palace and 19th-century Napolean’s Theatre. Enjoy the buzz of the bars and live music after dark. >> Turn to page 30 for a review of luxury new ship Seabourn Ovation which is sailing the Adriatic…

Carnival Horizon is packed with action and energy and, as the newest flagship of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, it effortlessly grooves to the lively beat for which Carnival is famous. More floating fun factory than cruise ship, it is poles apart from the traditional style of cruising and, as a result, appeals to a young, buzzing crowd of mainly couples and families. Like its sister ship, Carnival Vista, which launched in 2016, Carnival Horizon has many of the same attractions: notably, the novel aerial cycling SkyRide, known as the ‘bike ride in the sky’, and an impressive Imax cinema for 3D film screenings. These are in addition to its sports court, al fresco movie screen and top-deck ropes course that are almost de rigueur on today’s larger resort-style ships,…

SEATTLE AND ALASKA Whether you’re watching the wildlife or marvelling at the power of nature in its full glory, Alaska is one of the most iconic cruise destinations. Most of its extraordinary sights – the turquoise blue and white twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm Fjord and soaring snow-topped mountains – are best approached from the sea. Whale-watching tours from Juneau are highly recommended and hikers can often see brown bears, although bald eagles are a safer bet. These soar above towns such as Ketchikan where an organised tour can help you spot them swooping down on salmon. And for history lovers, Skagway has a Gold Rush cemetery or you can follow the Gold Rush Trail of ‘98 to Klondike Summit on day tours. Cruises from Seattle in Washington State…

“Angola? Really?”  was the reaction of most people when I told them I’d be visiting the formerly war-torn south African country on my Silversea expedition cruise. Like me, their perception was largely formed by news reports when we were growing up, and the images of Princess Diana stepping into an active minefield; but the war has been over since 2002 and it’s no longer deemed dangerous – though cruising there still feels rather intrepid. My African adventure begins in Cape Town, where I take advantage of a short pre-cruise stay to hike up Table Mountain accompanied by Frank, an expert in fynbos (a type of vegetation) from the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. I also take a cab to glorious Boulders Beach at Simon’s Town, home to a colony of carefully…

Europe has long been a popular river cruise destination for the chance to uncover its remarkable past, marvelling at the glorious architecture and savouring diverse cuisine. With award-winning Titan, you can take in the wonders of Europe’s historic waterways on board its two exclusively chartered river ships, MS Serenade 1 and MS Bellejour. Compact and elegant MS Serenade 1 launched in March 2017 and has quickly become popular with Titan guests. Its slightly larger but equally intimate sister ship MS Bellejour is new and will begin sailing in 2019. Both vessels will offer cruises on the Dutch waterways for that year, then 136-passenger MS Serenade 1 will sail on the beautiful Rhine while MS Bellejour, accommodating 180 guests, will cruise on the iconic Danube. Four-star-plus MS Bellejour is luxuriously designed and…

“Have I got tarantula in my teeth?” This is not a question I have ever had to ask before. It’s true that I do have a lot of teeth and harbour a constant fear of food being trapped in them, but this is one type of protein that’s new to me. Also rich in zinc and folic acid, the deep-fried tarantula turns out to be far worse in appearance than in taste, which is curiously smoky and not unlike crunchy chicken. Historically Cambodians have hunted spiders as an ingredient for traditional medicine, but in the 70s the brutal regime of the sinister Khmer Rouge left much of the population starving, so people were forced to seek them out for food. Now considered a delicacy in Cambodia, we are served…

My husband and I would love to go on a holiday that combines a river cruise with hotel stays. Which itineraries do you recommend? Julie Peasgood is a travel expert, TV presenter and Contributing Editor for Cruise International As it happens, I have just returned from a Scenic cruise, Treasures of the Mekong, which was bookended by stays in Park Hyatt hotels in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia – and I can highly recommend it (turn to page 98 to read the review). Viking offers a similar itinerary with the Magnificent Mekong cruise, which includes a stay in Hanoi. So as well as enjoying the actual cruise – discovering floating markets, monasteries and culture and history of some exotic cities, too. Another not-to-be-missed itinerary…

SILHOUET TE SAILS from Southampton Celebrity Silhouette sailed into Southampton at the end of last month for its first summer season of cruises from the UK. Celebrity Cruises UK, Ireland and Asia vice president and managing director, Jo Rzymowska, said: “It’s a huge summer for Celebrity Cruises, and along with Celebrity Eclipse sailing out of Dublin this year marks our biggest ever UK and Ireland deployment.” Celebrity Silhouette – younger sister of Celebrity Eclipse – includes a real grass lawn with a wine tower spanning two decks. “We’re excited to bring Celebrity Silhouette to Southampton, offering guests new luxurious experiences to try out on their holidays,” added Rzymowska. The ship will run eight- to 14-night itineraries to the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Italy, the Norwegian fjords and Iceland. New ship…

Sleek, sophisticated and elegant, Seabourn Ovation exudes contemporary style and an ultra-luxurious vibe. With indoor and outdoor spaces created by renowned designer Adam Tihany and his team, and inspired by private yachts, every aspect of Seabourn Ovation has been developed to give guests the feeling that they are connecting with their environment, maximising the use of light and space to stunning effect. From the central staircase which evokes the movement of the ocean, to the coloured glass that adorns the Thomas Keller restaurant, there is beauty and surprise in every detail. This is an ‘all suite’ ship and every category is impressively spacious, with walk-in closets, sofa beds, bars and probably one of the most comfortable beds at sea. Mahogany-effect wood and a cream, bronze, gold, navy and plum colour…

With their impressive scale and luxury design, cruise ships can take up to three years to design and build, and yet MSC Cruises is launching three ships in little over a year – and has many more planned for the near future. All include Mediterranean destinations, including opportunities to see explore cultural sites of Rome and the coastal delights of Spain and the sound of France. Here, we preview the three ships on the immediate horizon: MSC Seaview, MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa. Each has its own character and luxury appeal. CHASING THE SUN The newest ship to launch, this June, is MSC Seaview, affectionately known as the ship that ‘follows the sun’ for its sun-seeking itineraries around the world. This wonderfully grand ship can carry more than 5,000 guests…

Symphony of the Seas is every inch a floating mini Las Vegas, packed to the funnels with facilities and attractions at every turn. This latest leviathan from Royal Caribbean International sailed into service in April, the fourth such vessel the line has launched, and snatching the title of world’s largest cruise ship from its (very slightly) smaller sister Harmony of the Seas, thanks to higher tonnage. It’s easy to become blasé at the appearance of yet another vast floating resort that takes nearly 7,000 passengers. After all, Symphony shares many of the same features of its sisters; from the seven different neighbourhoods that include the Central Park area filled with thousands of plants; the Boardwalk with its full-size custom-made fairground carousel; and the Royal Arcade shopping street lined with boutiques,…

A-Rosa to sail the Douro A-Rosa river cruises is to build a new ship to sail the river Douro in Portugal for the first time. Lucia Rowe, head of A-Rosa UK, said: “This is a really exciting development for us. “The Douro is a beautiful river and one that our tour operator partners have been asking us to feature for several years,” she added. The river cruise line will introduce the new 126-passenger long ship for 2019, and expects to christen it in May. It is the line’s first new build since A-Rosa Flora in 2014 and will feature four decks, a swimming pool, spa and fitness area with sauna. A-Rosa’s new ship will sail the Douro from May to November 2019 with a seven-night itinerary from Porto and calling…

Fishing for piranhas, I feel a bite at the raw beef bait attached to my wire on a stick. I bend backwards, pulling in my prey. This will be dinner tonight, baked and served with a squeeze of lime. Above, squirrel monkeys leap between towering palms and colourful macaws call out. Iguanas and three-toed sloths rest on exotic branches. This is the Maranon River, one of 1,100 Amazonian tributaries where today fellow travellers also reel in impressively whiskered catfish and wolf fish. In fact there are 5,600 species of fish here, but today it’s piranhas we want. Anything else is thrown back into the swirling black waters. My catch flounders on the floor of our motorised skiff before our guide Juan Carlos expertly disconnects a hook so it can join…