Innholdsfortegnelse for Planner 2022 i Cruise & Travel

Sea sharp Inspired by nature, More Than Swim not only makes sustainable swimwear to order, but the designs come in some gorgeous prints that will be sure to make a statement on your holiday (£110, morethanswim.com). EYE CANDY Ideal for a long-haul flight or relaxing in your cabin, Tiggy + Bo’s handmade eye masks are made from 100% super-soft cotton and satin, in two striking patterns (£10, tiggyandbo.com). HAIR HYDRATION We love being in the sunshine, but often our hair doesn’t. One of our favourites to give hair the nourishment it needs is Moroccanoil’s Hydration Discovery Kit. It includes a shampoo, conditioner, mask and oil treatment in handy travel sizes (£26.85, lookfantastic.com). FLYING COLOURS Made from 100% bamboo, these bright, stylish Belle-Modelle scarves are the perfect addition to your cruise…

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL This pioneering US line behind some of the biggest wow-factor ships in the world is hoping for a record-breaking year in 2022, propelled by its strongest-ever European line-up. Royal Caribbean plans to base eight ships in the region including the two newest additions to its fleet. Wonder of the Seas, at 6,988 guests, will take the title as the world’s largest cruise ship upon its March launch. It will be the fifth Oasis-class ship with many identical features to its sisters, though the top decks are redesigned and there’s a new Suite Neighbourhood in addition to favourites such as Central Park, the AquaTheater and Boardwalk. It follows hot on the heels of Odyssey of the Seas, unveiled late last year and spending this summer sailing in the…

HAVILA VOYAGES This new entrant on Norway’s cruising scene emerged in summer 2020 promising a fleet of emission-free battery-powered ships to sail the scenic Norwegian coastal route year-round. The first ship, Havila Capella, commenced sailings last December and three more ships – Havila Polaris, Havila Castor and Havila Pollux – are set to follow this year. The 640-passenger vessels showcase crisp Nordic design and local cuisine, and claim to offer the most spacious cabins on the route, along with an observation lounge, fitness room and on-deck hot tub. The voyages between Kirkenes and Bergen call at 34 ports and include the 12-day round-trip and six or seven-day one-way sailings. 03455 280026; havilavoyages.com HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES The pocket-sized Scottish cruise line has carved out a niche, offering classy sailings around the…

Long, leisurely days in the Med encompass everything there is to love about travelling by sea, waking up each day in a place even more extraordinary than the last. You can start off in Barcelona, snapping as many selfies as you can muster in front of La Sagrada Familia or in Parc Guell; sail to Civitavecchia for a tour of Rome’s Colosseum and a gelato stop on the Spanish Steps; then carry on to Santorini to witness the world’s most spectacular sunset across the caldera – and all while only having to unpack once. New tall-ship line Tradewind Voyages has chosen the Med and surrounding region for its first season of summer sailings, and will work its way from Palma, where it will be based from May, through Italy and…

Baltic cruises are set to soar this year as many of us seek out new and interesting destinations that don’t mean travelling too far from home. With just a short flight or even a sailing from a UK port, you can find yourself immersed in the art, architecture and enchanting capitals of northern Europe, discovering treasures you didn’t even know were practically on your doorstep. Stroll the medieval streets of Estonian capital Tallinn, explore the Unesco-listed Old Town of Riga in Latvia, cycle the shorelines and green spaces of Helsinki, or make a beeline for the Abba Museum in waterfront city Stockholm – all in one easy journey. You’ll also have a chance to marvel at the Little Mermaid statue watching over Copenhagen’s harbour, inspired by the timeless stories of…

The sheer scale of South and Central America – spanning everything from the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica to the furthest reaches of the continent at Cape Horn, via verdant banks along the Amazon and one-of-a-kind wildlife in the Galapagos Islands – means there’s no end of experiences on offer both by land and water. A cruise is a great way to cover its vast distances without the hassle of overland travel, plus there’s no better opportunity to compare the climates and cultures of this huge, diverse region than by pitching up in a new port of call each day, ready to explore. That’s why it was chosen by the newly relaunched Swan Hellenic brand as one of the first spots for its ‘cultural expedition cruises’, operating a range of…

HOT SPOT While Santorini and Mykonos bring Instagrammers flocking with their winding white-stone streets and bougainvillea-draped balconies, there’s another lesser-known star among the Cyclades. Syros is more than just a tourist hot spot – it’s a living, breathing Greek island with a bustling capital, Ermoupoli, full of grand, honey-coloured stone buildings that showcase the wealth amassed here when it was a centre of shipbuilding in the 19th century. While its port is awhirl with activity from dawn until dusk, it’s easy to sneak away to one of the small, secluded beaches that dot its shores or head inland to the lofty reaches of old town Ano Syros. This medieval settlement is high up in the hills, built by the Venetians and full of twisting passageways or tiny hiding places designed…

We tried our first cruise around the UK last summer and loved it – where should we go next? Becky Fantham, Cruise International contributor When UK cruising finally restarted after the cruise lockdown, it was lovely to see so many people taking advantage of these great-value UK cruises. It seems like you’ve caught the cruise bug – there’s no going back now! Seeing as you loved the beauty of the British Isles, I’d wager you’d enjoy discovering the unspoilt, and rather dramatic, majesty of the Norwegian fjords. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to cruise lines: I’d recommend the cool Scandi vibes of P&O Cruises’ Iona, Princess Cruises’ chic Sky Princess or brand-new British cruise line Ambassador, sailing from Tilbury. We haven’t seen our grandkids as much as we’d…

SEABOURN This year marks the resumption of service for Seabourn’s entire fleet of five ocean ships and the debut of its first expedition ship, with a second following in 2023. Seabourn’s final three ships to resume sailings are Seabourn Encore in February, with Canary Islands trips followed by a season of Greek islands voyages; Seabourn Sojourn in June, which will spend summer in the western Mediterranean and Canary Islands; and Seabourn Quest, which will homeport in Venice to cruise the Adriatic and Ionian seas before sailing to Western Europe and heading north to the UK. Seabourn Ovation starts 2022 with 12 new itineraries featuring the Caribbean and Europe and includes the ship’s first stop in the US. The line has also unveiled a new collection of Seabourn Journeys in Europe…

FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES Fred Olsen’s four-strong fleet has seen a significant change as two of its older ships, Boudicca and Black Watch, were retired after former Holland America Line ships Bolette and Borealis joined the line in 2020. This year will be the first time the fleet has resumed normal operations, with Borealis returning to Fred Olsen’s homeland, Norway, on Northern Lights sailings with departures around the British Isles and Nordics and flagship Bolette embarking on its first season of sailings from Southampton to northern Europe, the Italian coast, Norwegian fjords and Iceland. Balmoral returns to service from May, sailing predominantly from Newcastle to the Norwegian fjords, Orkney and Shetland Isles and Scandinavia, while Braemar resumes from Edinburgh in July with cruises to Ireland and the Norwegian fjords. Other…

VIKING The Scandi line goes stateside in June as its first Mississippi cruises cast off with new custom-built vessel Viking Mississippi, accommodating 386 guests. Summer also marks the launch of 80-passenger Viking Saigon, which has been built to cruise the Mekong River, while a third new river ship, Viking Osiris, sets sail on the Nile in September. In Europe, a new Holland and Belgium itinerary between Amsterdam and Antwerp visits the famous flower-filled Keukenhof Gardens, and a number of Danube itineraries include the Oberammergau Passion Play, staged once every 10 years by the Bavarian village of the same name. 0800 319 6660; vikingrivercruises.co.uk AMERICAN QUEEN VOYAGES This is the new name for American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines after AQSC acquired Victory last September. It covers cruises across…

The British Isles led the resurgence of cruising last summer, as travellers keen to be on the water again jumped at the chance to bag a spot on the first sailings to depart the moment travel restrictions were lifted. New ship MSC Virtuosa set sail from Southampton on May 17, 2021, Viking Venus launched just a few days later, then a host of other lines followed suit in setting up round-Britain sailings over the summer, exclusively for UK guests. P&O Cruises’ new flagship Iona even sailed around its namesake Scottish island in the Inner Hebrides on its maiden voyage. Yet it seems that wasn’t enough to sate our appetite for sailings closer to home, with many more British Isles cruises slated for this year as we seek to make the…

Few places can claim to be as awe-inspiring by night as they are by day, but Norway is the exception that proves the rule. You can meander along its quiet coastline, tracing the ins and outs of glacier-carved fjords where sheer-sided mountains rush down to a glassy sea, then bundle up by night for another of nature’s most spectacular shows, the Northern Lights. Better yet, if you’re not a fan of flying, there are a host of ex-UK departures that will bring you to Norway’s shores without stepping foot inside an airport, so you’ll have your sea legs by the time you reach the big-ticket sights. It’s the chosen location for P&O Cruises’ Iona this summer, with Norwegian fjords itineraries out of Southampton starting from April. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines…

The reopening of the US and Canadian borders last autumn was greeted with an outpouring of joy thanks to the many cultural, historical and family ties that stretch across the Atlantic Ocean. Experts are predicting North America will experience a boom among British travellers this year, so whether you want to cross the ocean in classic cruise style aboard a Cunard liner to New York or look out for whales, turtles, dolphins, manta rays and more in California’s Sea of Cortez, there’s an option to suit you just across the pond. Alaska is the top choice for anyone celebrating a much-delayed birthday or anniversary as its spectacular scenery and varied wildlife are sure to make any special occasion even more memorable. This year, you’ll find Holland America Line marking an…

CELEBRITY CRUISES This spring marks the arrival of the line’s latest ground-breaking Edge-class ship Celebrity Beyond, which will sail its maiden voyage from Southampton in April, before spending its inaugural season in the Med. From here, Celebrity Beyond will cruise the French and Italian rivieras and Greek islands before moving to the Caribbean in autumn. This new vessel has the same standout features as its two sister ships: Celebrity Apex, which was named last year, and Celebrity Edge, which launched in 2018, both of which will also be based in Europe this summer. Their most notable feature is the ‘Magic Carpet’ moving platform on the side of the ship that serves as a bar and restaurant, but other cool hangouts include a chic rooftop garden and multi-terraced Sunset Bar across…

QUARK EXPEDITIONS Established 30 years ago, Quark Expeditions is a key player in this sector, ratcheting up a number of tourism firsts to the polar regions. The US-based line unveiled its first purpose-built polar vessel Ultramarine last November, taking 199 guests and equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, wrap-around deck and a water-level Zodiac hangar enabling guests to embark the ship’s 20-strong fleet of inflatable Zodiacs in half the average time. Ultramarine is set to debut new adventure and wilderness activities ranging from heli-hiking and alpine kayaking to mountain biking. Quark also promises a first in polar adventure travel this summer with a sea, land and air exploration of Greenland as part of a one-week cruise from Reykjavik that includes an overnight back-country camping experience. Other voyage highlights of its Arctic…

COMPETITION Set sail from Southampton on the brand-new MSC Virtuosa to the Norwegian fjords Seeing the ground-breaking MSC Virtuosa launch in Southampton last year was just the lift we cruise fans were looking for. Not only was it the first ship to set sail, kicking off a whole summer of UK cruising and signalling the sector’s restart, but it was also such an incredible ship with so many innovative onboard features, you couldn’t help but feel inspired to get back out on the high seas. Now, you’ll have the chance to see it for yourself as MSC Virtuosa returns to Southampton for another summer of all-inclusive sailings this year – and we’ve teamed up with MSC Cruises to give one lucky reader and their guest a chance to get on…

Journeying beyond the reaches of the Arctic Circle offers a glimpse into the furthest extremes of the Earth and, unlike its southern counterpart of Antarctica, into the lives of the people who call these places home. You’ll see polar bears padding quietly across a vast frozen expanse, ready to strike ferociously at the first sign of prey; spot brightly coloured flowers hardy enough to bloom amid the most unforgiving of landscapes; and marvel at the glassy fjords of Greenland or the gushing geysers and lava-spewing volcanoes of Iceland, dubbed ‘the land of fire and ice’ for good reason. But go beyond the natural beauty of this region and you’ll also meet people who have adapted their way of life to flourish in extraordinary conditions. Cruise along Greenland’s west coast and…

The Caribbean is a hit for cruise ships big and small, and with limited sailings in some other winter-sun destinations this season, it’s not too late to bag a last-minute booking to enjoy its clear, sun-warmed waters and the chance to explore a host of islands, each with its own distinct character, all in one go. There’s plenty of choice, from Virgin Voyages’ new adult-only vessel Scarlet Lady to the huge resort-style ships of Royal Caribbean, through to smaller vessels from the likes of SeaDream Yacht Club – whose 56-cabin yachts visit places that larger ships can’t reach such as Canouan in the Grenadines and Soufriere, Saint Lucia – and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection due to launch later this year. Celebrity Apex shifted to the Caribbean from a few introductory…

Antarctica is the ultimate in expedition cruising, and is seeing a real boom in interest right now as we emerge from the travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic and seek out bigger and more elaborate adventures to satisfy our pent-up wanderlust. Expedition cruising has been on the rise for some time, leading many established ocean and river cruise lines to expand into the polar regions by launching vessels tricked out with everything from helicopters and submarines to citizen science labs on board. But that trend is only set to grow in 2022 with many travel experts predicting that this will be the year of the big-ticket, bucket-list trip. Unlike many other adventures in nature, wildlife sightings are all but guaranteed on an Antarctica cruise. You’re sure to see enough penguins…

While most of Asia and the Antipodes have been off-limits since borders shut down at the start of the pandemic, signs are pointing to a more positive year for travel to this part of the world, which is good news given the range of cruise experiences on offer. You can stroll the streets of Singapore, marvelling at a mosaic of cultures that sees towering skyscrapers sit side-by-side with old shophouses and diverse culinary traditions drawn from centuries of settlers, then depart on a port-packed ocean cruise around Asia. Or for a complete contrast, voyage along the lesser-travelled Brahmaputra river, seeing the real life of small Indian villages play out along its riverbanks. The Mekong is a perennially popular route, and will play host to APT’s new ship, Mekong Serenity, from…