Innholdsfortegnelse for June/July 2025 i Cruise & Travel

What is it about new ships that’s so exciting? Having just returned from Miami where I got to cruise on MSC’s new super ship World America, I can honestly say it’s that wonderful feeling that comes from being on a ship that’s pulling out all the stops to impress you. Whether it’s a fun new ride, bar, restaurant or show, every day will be packed full of surprises. And don’t be shocked if the staff are as excited as you are about all the fun new amenities and attractions onboard. In this issue we’ve got the low-down on two new mega ships, MSC World America (pg 46) and Norwegian Aqua (pg 78) hitting the waves this summer. Which one is best? That’s for you to decide! Elsewhere, you can discover…

Sporty chic This year’s swimwear is stripped back in subdued natural colourways. John Lewis leads the trend with its affordable styles that pay homage to gym and track-honed bodies. Swimsuit, £59; bikini top, £24, matching bottoms, £16. johnlewis.com BUST SOME MOVES If you’re lucky enough to be sailing on a Cunard ship for more than seven nights and love dancing, look out for the line’s complimentary dance classes. Led by experienced instructors, the classes include ballroom, Latin and line dance. They’re lots of fun and in the summer, you can practise steps on the outside deck. Then as twilight falls, you can show off your newly honed skills in the chandeliered grandeur of the Queens Room. cunard.com REJUVENATE AT SEA One of the biggest trends in cruise is wellness voyages…

“It's important that the cuisine not only pays homage to the surrounding cultures but also gives back to the communities and land“ From grab-and-go sushi to menus created by Michelinstarred chefs, in the world of cruise cuisine, there’s literally a flavour for everyone. If you’ve cruised before, you’ll know and appreciate the sheer variety of dining and drinking options available, and the best thing is, meals are usually included in your fare – if you go all out on a luxury sailing, you’ll find that most drinks are, too. So what might be on the menu? Many ships serve regionally inspired dishes for a deeper insight into a destination. Found onboard four of the line’s luxury ships, Silversea’s S.A.L.T Kitchen has a daily changing menu and curated recipes, designed to…

From the latest super ships with rollercoasters and waterparks to a raft of family cabins and kid-friendly dining, it’s easy to see why families love cruising. There’s a sailing style for every type of family, from ones with Lego-loving kids to adventurous groups in search of Alaskan wildlife. Your starting point is choosing the cruise line that is the best fit for your family. Do your own research or work with a specialist cruise travel agent, such as Hays Travel or Iglu Cruise, who’ll find the right cruise for your family. Among the best cruise lines for families are Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises and Marella Cruises. With plenty of itinerary choice from the Med to the Caribbean, here are factors to consider…

1 THE BAZAAR ON CELEBRITY CRUISES Look out for The Bazaar – a brand-new live extravaganza that will be unveiled this November on new ship Celebrity Xcel. Each day, The Bazaar will bring onshore experiences on to the ship in the shape of markets, festivals, local food and entertainment. The idea is to give you an enhanced experience of the destinations on your cruise. There will be plenty of surprises in store at The Bazaar which will appear over three decks of the ship. celebritycruises.com 2 PRINCE REVOLUTION ON NCL A new tribute to his Purple Highness Prince has just launched on NCL’s new ship Norwegian Aqua. Revolution: A Celebration of Prince features hits such as Little Red Corvette and Purple Rain, honouring the Oscar and Grammy-winning artist in an…

I love travelling on cruises. It’s amazing how varied each trip can be. I took my grandaughter on a Fred. Olsen cruise to north Norway when she was 18. She’s autistic and it worked for us both. We could explore a part of the world that was new to both of us, but she always had a familiar cabin to return to. More recently, I was a guest lecturer on Seabourn Encore. I was on my own but because I was sharing my love of reading and writing with interested travellers, it was very easy to meet other, like-minded people. I’m looking forward to travelling on two Seabourn cruises. Later this year I’ll be sailing from Melbourne to Auckland and in May 2026, I’ll be travelling on a short cruise…

The bright June sunshine means our sunglasses are firmly clamped to our faces, but it’s decidedly chilly on the front row of our whale-watching boat. With binoculars trained on the horizon, everyone is silently concentrating on the merest flicker of water on the icy fjord. Then suddenly someone whispers “There, up ahead, on the right”. We all quickly stand up to get a better view as one, no, two humpback whales glide out of the water treating us all to a dolphin-like dance. Then with a quick flick of their tails, they’re gone. I’d been trying to plan something memorable for my husband Jonathan’s 60th birthday, so a cruise to Iceland to go whale watching ticked all the boxes. The fact that we’d also be visiting Greenland and Canada, before…

THE SUITE LIFE Leading five-star hotel Sea Containers London on the city's South Bank has unveiled four new cabin suites inspired by the golden eras of cruising. The Edwardian Cabin Suite, Art Deco Cabin Suite, Mid-Century Cabin Suite and Dynasty Cabin Suite offer guests the chance to stay in a cruise-inspired luxury room of their choice. These luxe quarters have been brought to life with period-appropriate vintage and antique furniture sourced by Jacu Strauss, Designer and Creative Director of Lore Group, in partnership with pre-loved marketplace, Vinterior. All four suites also hold a selection of books inspired by its era and curated by leading book publisher Phaidon, and guests will be treated to exclusive new cocktails inspired by the four eras when they check in. seacontainerslondon.com SAILING INTO…

If Disney was to emulate Amsterdam, it would probably ignore the cafes and canals of the city centre. Head outside the capital though, and you’ll get a sense of what Walt was likely thinking for the Dutch section of the famous It’s A Small World ride. A scenic and flat 35km cycle ride from behind Amsterdam Centraal station will take you away from the city crowds and through the Dutch countryside to Zaanse Schans, a neighbourhood in Zaandam, full of historic windmills and distinctive green wooden houses that create the feel of a 19th century village. The hour-long cycle may seem daunting, especially on a low-gear bike rental, but you start easily by crossing the IJ river on the free Buiksloterweg ferry, competing amicably for space with pedestrians, motorbikes and…

Best known as the birthplace of Starbucks, Jimi Hendrix and everyone’s favourite nineties rom-com, Seattle is a cinematic city in more ways than one. This peak-backdropped Pacific Northwest gem nestles between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, owing its very existence to its natural assets. The city’s deep-water harbour attracted settlers in 1851, who christened it New York. It was renamed Seattle two years later after Sealth, a Native American chief who welcomed the first white people to shore on what is now West Seattle. The area’s ubiquitous pine trees not only earned Seattle its Emerald City moniker, but made it the epicentre of a major lumber industry in the mid 1900s. From green gold to the real thing, the discovery of the precious metal in Alaska’s Yukon Valley in…