Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2023/January 2024 i Cruise & Travel

POSTCARDS I’ve never had any desire to go to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. All those marching bands, bagpipes and drums – not for me. So why, you may ask, am I one of almost 9,500 people sitting in the stands in front of the city’s castle at 9pm waiting for the show to start? I’m in Edinburgh overnight on Explora l, the first ship launched by new line Explora Journeys, and they’ve got tickets for the last night of the Tattoo – and wow, am I glad I went! There is indeed plenty of marching, bagpipes and drums, but the perfect formation is fabulous. And that’s just the start. As they march off, on comes the US Air Force band. This is different – there are electric guitars and…

As the sun began to rise over Luxor, I looked across the west bank of the Nile to see the faint outlines of hot-air balloons slowly rising above the horizon. One by one, they appeared and soon there were more than a dozen decorating the skies, with the calm waters of the Nile and the green sugar canes below – all set against the hazy backdrop of the steep limestone cliffs in the Valley of the Kings. It was the perfect snapshot of this wondrous place. Just 24 hours earlier, I had been lucky enough to be up in one of those colourful balloons, floating gently in the air and gazing down over the landscape of Luxor’s sprawling temple sites and the local life that was just waking up below.…

Some people associate cruising with mega-ships carrying many thousands of passengers, complete with waterslides, rollercoasters and racetracks – yet there are many small ships offering a very different way to cruise. In maritime terminology, a small cruise ship is one carrying fewer than 1,000 passengers, though the term covers many that are much smaller than this, perhaps accommodating under 100 guests on board. These vessels offer everything from exciting expeditions to the Galapagos and remote Pacific islands to thrilling tall-ship sailing itineraries, with the warm breeze filling billowing sails. They can open up new destinations since even the largest small ships can dock in ports that bigger ships can’t reach; often you’ll be the only ship in town, sharing the harbour with local yachts and fishing boats. BIG NAME, SMALL…

Could Silversea have chosen a better name for its brand-new ship than Nova? The word is derived from the Latin word novus, meaning new, and sums up everything about this vessel. The ship holds 728 passengers, which is more than other Silversea ships, but there’s so much space inside and out that you’ll never be stuck for a lounger or wait for a drink. ESSENTIALS This layout is totally new for Silversea, as its ships have previously always been in two halves – suites at the front, public rooms at the back – but on Silver Nova, rooms and public areas both run the full length of the ship. And how about that sun deck? Instead of the pool being in the middle as is typical, it’s to one side,…

The Portuguese capital is a popular port of call on Mediterranean and transatlantic cruises throughout the year – and arriving there is quite the spectacle, sailing up the Tagus River into the culture-rich city. Pass by the 16th-century Belém Tower on one side and the Cristo Rei statue, which was inspired by Christ the Redeemer of Rio de Janeiro, across the river in Almada. There’s so much to see and do in the ‘city of seven hills’, but after taking a ride on one of the yellow trams through the narrow streets of Chiado and visiting the vibrant heart of the city that is historical Baixa, you should take some time to tuck into the capital’s local cuisine. It would be a crime to leave Lisbon without sampling a pastel…

AFFORDABLE LUXURY Fresh off the vine, the sweet and succulent chardonnay grapes explode in our mouths. But before we fill up on the summer-ripe fruit, we are ushered from the fields to a traditional Italian lunch of beef ragu pappardelle, paired with bottomless wine straight from the vineyard to our communal table. We’re on a Tuscan farm countryside lunch and wine-tasting excursion at the Fattoria il Poggio agriturismo (country estate) in the province of Lucca, Italy. In true Mediterranean style, the hosts put on a bountiful spread, setting the tone for our midsummer voyage on Norwegian Viva, calling at some of Europe’s chicest destinations including Florence, Cannes and Ibiza. Cruise lines are doing more than ever before to cater to luxury travellers, whether it’s with sleek superyacht-style vessels, spacious suites…

1 FRANCE Set sail for the gastronomic heart of France on this river journey from Dijon to Lyon, featuring delicious stops in pretty towns like Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon. The itinerary is peppered with opportunities for tastings, but a visit to the legendary walled vineyard Clos de Vougeot – which shaped the region’s wine-making traditions over the course of 900 years – is a highlight. Continue your exploration back onboard, where a serious selection of fine wines reflecting the region are waiting to be sampled. AmaWaterways’ seven-night Flavours of Burgundy cruise on AmaCello, departing May 2, 2024, starts from £3,351 per person, all-inclusive; flights extra. amawaterways.co.uk 2 SOUTH AMERICA This gourmet cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro is your ticket to a bounty of tantalising excursions in some of…

Viking Aton is the line’s second brand-new ship on the Nile, following the launch of sister vessel Viking Osiris in summer 2022. Two more identical ships – Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek – are set to join them on the river in 2024 and 2025. While the ship has been designed to glide along the Nile, Viking has cleverly blended its much-loved Nordic heritage with Egyptian architecture throughout. Think clean lines, woven textiles and natural woods alongside Egyptian sculptures. There are even prints from the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s private photography collection, capturing the moments when he and Egyptologist Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of Tutankhamun more than 100 years ago. ESSENTIALS What really impresses when you step aboard Viking Aton is the sense of space, thanks to its clever…

TRENDING / HOTSPOT If uncrowded beaches, an abundance of wildlife and the chance to see a live rocket launch appeal, then Florida’s Space Coast could be the perfect pre-cruise spot. Port Canaveral may be less than an hour from the thrills and spills of Orlando’s theme parks, but the region is also home to some superb natural attractions. Watch the water come alive with a bioluminescent kayak tour in the glowing Indian River, or witness sea turtles nesting along the Atlantic coast. Leaping from the natural to the futuristic, Kennedy Space Center is close by – visit the complex to see spaceships of the past, and if schedules align, watch an exhilarating rocket launch from Cape Canaveral. Cruise departures from Port Canaveral are set to rocket in 2024. Already home…

For centuries, ships have sailed through Halifax harbour, famous for its fascinating seafaring history and a base for the British military since 1749. Now, visitors arriving by sea are immersed right away in the lively atmosphere of its 2.5-mile boardwalk, filled with restaurants, cafes and soaring art installations. Stroll along this working harbourfront, which glows at dusk with roaring fire pits and scenic views of George Island and Halifax’s sister city, Dartmouth. The popular Harbour Hopper adventure tour is a good way to learn about the city’s maritime heritage, as entertaining tour guides regale sightseers with epic stories while pointing out notable landmarks. Look out for one of Canada’s top tourist attractions, Citadel Hill; spot the distinctive Old Town Clock built in 1803 to improve soldiers’ timekeeping; and the Victorian-era…

ANTARCTICA I’m paddling through a frozen seascape so crammed with hulking chunks of ice, it’s hard to remember this is the Antarctic Ocean and not one gigantic ice floe. A series of narrow channels enables our two-person kayaks to float gingerly past a succession of growler icebergs, paddles rasping against the soupy ice-filled waters, as we gaze in wonder at the ivory sculpted outlines punctuated with slashes of vivid turquoise. Suddenly a shout goes up from one of the kayakers and I spot a clutch of Adelie penguins shooting through the water like a volley of bullets, rising up in unison just centimetres above the surface before diving to the icy depths. It’s a magical moment that has us all transfixed, but when we then try to move forwards, our…

ZIMBABWE Are warthogs the funniest animals in Africa? With their moustache-like horns and a tail that shoots straight up when they trot about, these delightful phacochères always make me laugh. That’s the French term for them, as my wife, Alice, and I quickly learn on our nine-day safari cruise that combines time at a private game-viewing lodge in Namibia with a dreamy voyage on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba. This twin-centre adventure is the brainchild of CroisiEurope, a French, family-run company that has been operating for more than 40 years, albeit better known for its river cruises on waterways like the Rhine and Danube. While such trips can carry as many as 180 passengers, our exclusive holiday is limited to just 16 guests sailing on one of two purpose-built, near-identical cruise ships,…

STEVE JONES, DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING AND OPERATIONS, ORCA “ORCA is a whale and dolphin conservation charity that uses cruise ships, ferries and other vessels as platforms of opportunity to collect scientific data on cetacean numbers, behaviour and migration routes. We know less than you might think about these creatures – they spend a large proportion of their lives underwater and that can make them tricky to find! We can’t protect what we don’t understand, so studying them is vital to keeping them safe for future generations. Cruise ships allow us to access hard-to-reach parts of the world and working on vessels of all size is vital when it comes to assessing the impact of the industry on whales and dolphins. You’ll find ORCA Ocean Conservationists onboard ships from Ambassador…

My husband and I planned a Mekong River cruise for our 40th wedding anniversary, but the pandemic hit, so we shelved it. Although we’ve been a little reluctant, we’re still keen to go. Are river cruises in Asia back to normal and which do you suggest? Tony Andrews, managing director, Cruise.co.uk River cruises in Asia are indeed back in action, offering a fantastic way to explore this culturally rich region. And there are numerous cruise lines to choose from, including Riviera Travel, AmaWaterways and CroisiEurope, to name a few. There’s no need to hesitate; a Mekong cruise offers a wealth of experiences. You can visit ancient temples, port-town markets and fishing villages, all set against epic natural landscapes. Plus, the river is renowned for its wildlife, so you might spot…