Innholdsfortegnelse for Wave 2022 i Cruise & Travel

ANTARCTICA BOOST FOR SCENIC Scenic has seen bookings to Antarctica double in the past year and has unveiled a 2023/24 programme to the region featuring fly-cruises and an Antarctic Circle crossing. The Antarctica and South America Voyages & Land Journeys collection features a second ‘discovery yacht’, Scenic Eclipse II, which will join its sister vessel in Antarctica in December 2023. Among the additions are fly-cruises that skip the notorious Drake Passage with a two-hour flight to King George Island, where guests embark on an 11-day Wild Antarctica: Fly the Drake voyage. Prices start at £13,450 departing December 24, 2023. A 19-day Beyond the Antarctic Circle voyage is also new, heading to the far south to see changes in environment, sea ice and wildlife. Prices start at £15,850 on February 8,…

CURRY CHICKEN SERVES 4 “Wherever I am in the world, when I eat Caribbean food it takes me back to a specific memory. This curry chicken recipe evokes memories of lovely Sundays in Trinidad, of being with my family and enjoying great, warm, plentiful food. I always want to make this when I need a little reassurance; it gives me that feeling of comfort. The recipe can be adapted, depending on what you have around the house, so it’s always a little loose. Tweak it to find your own style.” INGREDIENTS 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, roughly chopped 3 cloves garlic, grated 2 tbsp chopped coriander 2 tbsp curry powder 1 tbsp ground cumin 8-12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 250ml chicken stock made with 1 stock cube 1 x…

NEW SHIPS The first thing that catches your eye as you board Rotterdam is Harps, a stunning stainless steel sculpture that rises up through three decks in the ship’s atrium. It’s a fitting welcome onto a vessel dedicated to art and music. In all, there are more than 2,500 original pieces of art on board, much of it music-themed. Collectively it’s worth an eye-watering $4.1 million (Harps alone cost $620,000), so no wonder the ship is touted as a floating art museum. The seventh ship to bear the name Rotterdam in Holland America Line’s 150-year history, it launched in October 2021 and come May will be the second Rotterdam christened by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. It’s also the biggest, hosting 2,668 passengers. If you get lost, take your bearings…

There’s something magical about casting off from UK shores, watching the British coast fade into the distance as you head off for an adventure on the high seas. Throw in the added bonuses of going flight-free – among them seamless travel, no airport queues and no need to feel the flush of flight-shaming – and it’s not hard to see why demand for ex-UK cruises is booming. And with an ever-greater number of cruise lines getting in on the trend, from the all-new Ambassador Cruise Line sailing from Tilbury in April to MSC Cruises extending MSC Virtuosa’s UK season, you aren’t short on choice. But no-fly cruises don’t only have to mean ex-UK. More and more operators are packaging up Eurostar or coach travel with continental river cruises, bringing the…

Just five more minutes, I think, as I draw another deep breath of crisp mountain air and exhale slowly, watching the tiny cloud of fog swirl away towards the forested slopes in front of me. The lure of the heated railway carriage and reclining seat is tempting, to be sure, but having this open-sided observation car all to myself is just too good to give up. Passengers had been wandering in and out all morning to take photos or exchange stories of their travels thus far – many of them comparing notes on Alaska cruises or offering tips for those about to embark. But now, there’s nothing to distract me from the view except the rhythmic trundling of the train on its tracks and a distant buzz of chefs hard…

DO BOOK THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT “Travel agents play a vital role in the holiday experience, matching the customer with the right cruise line, ship and itinerary. They are also best placed to help those holidaymakers trying a cruise for the first time. Choosing a suitable cruise can seem a daunting process, but agents have the expertise and access to the best resources to help those who may want some additional guidance. They also work with a variety of cruise lines – and often travel with those lines – so they can offer personal and professional insight on different cabins, destinations, excursions and more, as well as on other complex issues such as travel insurance. From tips on finding a romantic bistro in a port city and the best times…

Verona has a lot to thank William Shakespeare for. Not only did he set two of his most famous plays here, forever associating it with the phrase ‘fair Verona’ despite never setting foot on Italian soil, but he also sparked an obsession that still draws millions of visitors to this underrated city every year. They flock here in search of the ‘real’ Romeo and Juliet, captivated by theories that the story was based on two feuding families from the late Middle Ages, known as the Montecchis and the Cappellos. The names are just similar enough to Montague and Capulet for tourist guides to proudly proclaim Romeo’s House in the centre of the city and to encourage visitors to queue up for their fantasy moment on Juliet’s balcony. It’s largely wishful…

Forget Kylie – the name on the lips of Aussie cruise fans this year is Kimberley, the remote, rugged northwest region that is best visited by ship. It’s as far as you can get from the perennially popular cities of Sydney and Melbourne, so it rarely makes it onto the radar of first-time travellers, but whether you’ve been Down Under before or you simply want to celebrate the long-awaited reopening of Australia’s national borders with a truly epic trip, Kimberley is one-of-a-kind. You’ll be well rewarded with vast tracts of red-rock terrain that hold some mind-boggling marvels of nature, from the beehive-shaped stacks of the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park (pictured) to the giant dinosaur print still visible on the shores of Broome. There’s even the Horizontal Falls –…

AS THE TREATS ARE LAID OUT, I’M CONTENT TO SAVOUR THE SWEETNESS OF THE MOMENT With a grand flourish, the butler throws open the hotel suite’s wooden louvred doors leading on to the balcony, and everyone gasps in astonishment. Before us lies what can only be described as an astounding visual feast: the indigo waters of the Nile sprinkled with lush emerald islands and the ivory sails of gliding felucca yachts, against a backdrop of golden Saharan sand dunes. Put bluntly, it’s a view to die for – and the irony of this is not lost on me as we are standing in the Agatha Christie Suite of the historic Old Cataract Hotel in Egyptian city Aswan. This is where the best-selling murder mystery queen stayed for six months in…

Princess Cruises is offering one lucky Cruise International reader the chance to win an amazing seven-night cruise for two people, sailing from Southampton to Spain and France. Book excursions and connect with nature on a picturesque coastal cycle tour in Guernsey. Or travel to the peaceful islet of Herm, which remains almost unspoilt by man. From La Rochelle, you will discover the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of cognac on the vineyards at the Camus Cognac chateau, or visit beautiful Bordeaux with its lush gardens, magnificent churches, sparkling waters and graceful bridges. Then on to Bilbao where an explosion of flavours awaits on a Local Connections Basque Cuisine Masterclass, or see exciting exhibitions at the masterpiece of titanium and limestone that is the Guggenheim Museum. Finally, a call at…

Antarctica, the Seventh Continent, remains one of the world’s great wildernesses, and with no significant human habitation and strict rules around the conduct of both cruise ships and passengers, it’s set to remain a relatively pristine place for years to come. Flawlessness does not necessarily mean a warm welcome, however – conditions in the extreme south still dictate much of the planning for expedition leaders and ships’ captains. Many Antarctic itineraries are deliberately kept vague in case weather or ice prevent landings or, in some cases, even stop the ship from entering certain seas. Yet with much of the fun in the anticipation, it’s good to have an idea of where you’ll go and what you might see on your sailing. Even with all those qualifiers in place, here is…

WOMEN IN CRUISE For centuries, the only female you’d find on most ships was the carved wooden figurehead, affixed to the bow, that the sailors believed would bring them navigational luck. Fast forward to 2022 and it’s all change: the past couple of decades have witnessed some inspirational women make a real and lasting impact across the industry. To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, we bring you six women – in fields from conservation to captaincy, culture and science – making their mark in the rapidly changing cruise world. JO RUXTON Ocean conservation ambassador, Aurora Expeditions Film producer and plastic pollution campaigner Jo Ruxton founded Ocean Generation, an NGO on a mission to restore a sustainable relationship between humanity and the ocean. Jo has been hailed by Sir…

We missed out on our silver wedding celebrations last summer so we’re making up for it by splashing out on a big holiday to Alaska next year. Would we be better off upgrading our stateroom to a suite, or upgrading to a luxury line but with a more basic room category? James Cole, founder and managing director, Panache Cruises When you’re booking a cruise for a special occasion such as a silver wedding anniversary, it’s important to get it right. I always advise customers to look at the total cost of the cruise, rather than the initial cost. Many mainstream cruise lines charge a lower ticket price – the cost to get on board – but have considerable extra charges for the likes of drinks, excursions, speciality dining, Wi-Fi and…

Tucked away on the banks of Norway’s fjord-filled coastline, Trondheim is a guaranteed feature on any cruise itinerary along these shores. While you might saunter through the city’s compact centre – stopping to take photos of its colourful waterfront wharves from the Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) or admire the magnificent façade of the Nidaros Cathedral – don’t miss the foodie revolution going on behind its quiet cobbled streets. Trondheim and the surrounding region of Trøndelag have been awarded the title of European Region of Gastronomy in 2022, showcasing top-class chefs and passionate local producers who have made this spot Norway’s leading culinary destination. The city is home to the world’s three most northerly Michelin-starred restaurants: the chandelier-filled dining room at Speilsalen; Credo, which was granted Michelin’s first sustainability award;…

Indulge in Otium A spa where you can eat chocolate and sip champagne? Sign us up! Yes, you read that correctly – the new Otium spa from Silversea Cruises is all about prioritising indulgence and positivity over sweat and sacrifice. Inspired by the Romans, you can expect spa treatments using honey or Argan oil – plus a glass of champers with your mani-pedi – and quiet spots to relax. The concept also extends to your suite, where tailor-made mattresses, 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and a pillow menu offer a peaceful night’s sleep, along with scented bath salts, natural loofahs, spa amenities and a sea-inspired cocktail list to enjoy on your veranda. It will be available on Silver Dawn, due to set sail in spring, and new ship Silver Nova,…

NEW SHIPS When you step aboard a ship and come face to face with a 13-foot-high replica of the Statue of Liberty, neon-bright Times Square-style billboards and a four-deck-high LED screen with projections of the Manhattan skyline, you know you’re on a vessel that’s out to make a statement. And MSC Seashore certainly does that. MSC Cruises’ new flagship is as big and bold as New York itself, with wow-factor features at every turn, including Danza del Mare (Dance of the Seas), a mesmerising spiral art installation with 190 shimmering glass fish that ‘swim’ up four decks. The vessel is the 19th and largest in MSC’s expanding and evolving fleet and was the first-ever ship to be christened at the cruise line’s private island, the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve…

I’m meditating alongside a large amethyst crystal and can almost feel the indulgences of the night before slipping away. The detoxing Crystalarium Energy Healing spa treatment on board Celebrity Apex is just one of the ship’s next-level wellness offerings – the element of earth is said to emanate a ‘luminous vibrancy’, while the natural crystal serves as the ‘conduit for healing energy’. If this sounds like your kind of sea day heaven, you’ll be happy to know there’s much more where that came from, partly in thanks to Celebrity Cruises’ partnership with wellness and lifestyle brand goop. In fact, the ‘goop cruise’ was trending for much of last year, not least because the brand’s founder, Gwyneth Paltrow, has been appointed Celebrity’s ‘wellbeing advisor’. Then there’s the line’s Women in Wellness…

APT: ISLANDS OF CROATIA CRUISE When a company quadruples capacity in just one destination, you know that it must be selling well – so it’s a sign of APT’s confidence in Croatia that it has added new dates, more itineraries and a second ship to its fleet in order to keep up with demand this summer. Custom new-build yacht Lady Eleganza is sailing nine-day voyages from May to October, stopping off to tour Dubrovnik, visit the Benedictine Convent in Hvar, explore Diocletian’s Palace in Split and see Marco Polo’s birthplace on the island of Korcula. A second ship, Princess Eleganza, is being refurbished and is due to join the fleet in spring. Prices start at £2,795 per person including flights, accommodation, some meals, beer and wine at lunch and dinner,…

CRUISING THE CROATIAN COAST ON A PRIVATE YACHT Take one luxury superyacht, two Michelin-worthy chefs and swathes of sparkling blue sea along the sun-kissed Croatian coast, and you’re certainly in for a treat. That is exactly what Julie Peasgood discovers as she sets off on an Adriatic adventure with local yacht charter firm Goolets. SHIP REVIEW: SILVERSEA CRUISES’ SILVER MOON Embark on a culinary cruise with Silversea’s new foodie programme, Salt, which brings all the flavours of the region on board with cooking classes, creative restaurants and even a cocktail menu in keeping with the local area. Editor Katie McGonagle gets the lowdown on Silversea’s most recent ship launch in the Greek Isles. Sign up now to our FREE weekly cruise newsletter Follow us @Cruisemag Like us facebook.com/cruiseinternational Follow us…

FLORIADE EXPO 2022 When is it? April 14 to October 9 What is it? The springtime delights of the Dutch bulbfields have long been a delight for garden enthusiasts, and there’s an extra special reason for green-fingered visitors to head to Holland in 2022. The Floriade Expo, held in the city of Almere outside Amsterdam, takes place only every 10 years. Spread over 150 acres, the global horticultural event showcases gardening expertise, innovation and inspiring ideas with input from the world’s leading horticultural experts. The theme of this year’s event is ‘growing green cities’, and after the six-month show finishes there are plans to turn the site into an eco-friendly residential neighbourhood. Pavilions, ornamental gardens, a vast greenhouse and an arboretum will be filled with more than 3,000 trees, shrubs,…