Cruisin' Magazine | Fred.\ Cruises

$: Cruisin' Magazine | Fred.\ Cruises$
Sum

mer

/Aut

umn

2014

PLUS DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS FROM YOUR FAVOURITE CRUISE LINES, GREAT OFFERS AND MORE…

CANADAMuch more than Mounties & Maple Syrup

JOHN CRAVEN Explores the Mekong

THE SECRET TO CREATING THE PERFECT CRUISE

OUR PICK OF SHORE EXCURSIONS

CRUISE ITINERARIES DELIGHT WITH MORE OVERNIGHTS

An exclusive look at port-intensive cruises with travel

writer, Sue Bryant

INTERVIEW WITH A TOUR GUIDE

Exclusive interview with a river/tour guide

The magazine dedicated to people who love to cruise

£Priceless

8featured inside4

18

More than mounties & maple syrup

Shepherd’s pie and KFCby John Craven14Ingredients for an

amazing cruise with Martin Lister

28An interview with a tour guide

with Michele Cook

23Our pick of shore excursions

Delight with more overnights

by Sue Byrant

Fred.\ is pleased to bring to you Cruisin’ magazine. This edition is

all about Destinations & Ports!

We all know that cruising isn’t just about what cruise ship you

travel on but that the destination you travel to is just as important,

if not more so. With that in mind, Cruisin’ Magazine brings you

news & views on the huge choice of ports of call, cities and

itineraries offered by the some of our favourite cruise lines.

On top of this we give you an insight into how your cruises are

put together thanks to Martin Lister, Planning Manager for Fred.

Olsen Cruise Lines; an interview with a tour guide and a river-

cruise review from none other than John Craven, following his

cruise along the Mekong with AmaWaterways!

Why book with ?Fred.\ understands that people like to book their holiday secure in

the knowledge that they are travelling with a reputable company.

As part of one of the UK’s most established travel companies -

Fred. Olsen Travel - you can be sure that you are travelling with a

company who over 25 years have successfully sold holidays and

built their reputation on delivering outstanding customer service.

• First-hand knowledge and experience to offer impartial, unbiased advice.

• Outstanding customer service, exceptional quality and value for money.

• We have no debit card charges.

• No booking fees.

• ABTA and ATOL bonding so you can book with complete peace of mind!

• Fly-cruise and tailor-made itineraries available.

Welcome to theSummer/Autumn 2014

ruisin’Magazine

0808 271 3549 www.fredcruises.co.uk

Cruisin’ Magazine 3TO BOOK, CALL YOUR CRUISIN’ SPECIALIST...

Leading the way When choosing a cruise, there are lots of factors to consider, from which cruise

line to choose, the ship itself and the price; to the departure port, ports of call,

what excursions are included and more!

Part of the ‘In Crowd’

According to research recently

conducted by Fred. Olsen

Cruise Lines, itinerary and

destination are right at the top

of the list when it comes to what the most

important factors are. A post-cruise survey

conducted with their customers revealed

that 39% of passengers chose their cruise

based on the innovative itineraries and

destination experiences on offer, while just

16% chose it based on the low cost.

This is reflective of a lot of opinions

amongst cruisers and is one of the reasons

why this edition of Cruisin’ Magazine is

heavily focused on destinations and ports.

It’s worth bearing in mind however, that

depending on whether you are a first-time

or experienced cruiser, a family, couple or

an individual, and whether you are looking

to cruise the Caribbean, Med or somewhere

else entirely, these priorities can shift from

time to time. For example, if you want to

head to the Caribbean for the beaches,

many islands are similar, so you may decide

that the cost of getting there or the facilities

on board the ship are more important to you

than the ports of call. Alternatively, if you are

more interested in soaking up the culture

on a Mediterranean cruise or learning more

about an exotic location, your ports of call

become of utmost importance; while on a

transatlantic cruise, it’s sensible to suggest

that the ship itself and the onboard activities

will hop straight to the top of the priority list! Good news Cruise fans! The popularity of cruising holidays is still growing, so

you are in great company. But where is this growth coming from? Well, the

‘younger generation’ are beginning to make up more and more numbers, helped

by increased awareness of the great value of cruise holidays as well as the new

innovations happening on board cruise ships. The increasing opportunities for ‘active’

holidays at sea with both extreme and ‘soft’- adventure excursions available, plus exciting

onboard facilities are all having a hand in this. Multi-generational cruising is also on the rise,

as is ‘celebration cruising’ where groups of friends, families or even colleagues and social

groups are choosing a cruise as the perfect way to celebrate occasions such as weddings,

birthdays and anniversaries.

This is all good news as is means that cruise lines are now thinking of more innovative

ways to engage & attract customers with enriching onboard experiences, ‘speciality’ theme

cruises, diverse itineraries and exotic locations.

Hot locations for this year……include the American Rivers, Canada

& New England, Africa, Exotic Rivers,

South America, Antarctica, Middle East,

as well as Trans-Pacific cruising and

World Cruises.

8 New ships launching in 2015!This increasing popularity inevitably

means more ships. On top of the 16

launched or launching in 2014, there are

8 new cruise ships launching in 2015!

Including:

Cruise Line Ship Passengers NCL Norwegian Escape 4,200

P&O Britannia 3,611

RCCI Anthem of the Seas 4,180

TUI Mein Schiff 4 2,500

‘Destination & Itinerary’

4 Cruisin’ Magazine TO BOOK, CALL YOUR CRUISIN’ SPECIALIST...

Exploring Canada…Cruisin’ Featured Destination

As a cruising destination, Canada continues to grow in popularity. Often

stereotyped simply as the land of Mounties, maple syrup and hockey-lovers, this

stunningly diverse country boasts the world’s longest shoreline at a staggering

243,000 km – making it perfect for cruise-lovers!

From wide-open spaces, vast wilderness and an abundance of wildlife to

cosmopolitan cities, historical ports and fascinating aboriginal culture, Canada

is most certainly on most people’s bucket lists. With that in mind, here is Cruisin’

Magazine’s guide to Canada’s most fascinating and diverse ports of call…

Unlike any other place in the world,

Newfoundland & Labrador has over

29,000km of coastline, peppered

with rugged fjords, inlets, coves, and

bays. Perfectly designed for cruising,

Newfoundland & Labrador is surrounded

by water. Its vibrant capital St Johns, has

long been a favourite with cruise-lines,

many of which include it not only on their

Canadian itineraries but also as a stop on

Norway & Iceland cruises. Here, you can

experience its rich and colourful history,

architecture and breath-taking countryside,

or step further afield and explore

Newfoundland’s ancient volcanoes, glaciers

and rocks at the GeoCentre on Signal Hill.

Calling here in 2014/15… Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines; Holland America Line; Crystal Cruises; Princess Cruises; Royal Caribbean International; Oceania Cruises; Silversea…

(Not to be confused with Saint John, New Brunswick – another great port!)

St. Johns - Newfoundland & Labrador

Quebec, Canada’s famous French-

speaking provence, is home to the sea-

port of Sept-Iles. As the heart of the Innu

Community, the most populous Aboriginal

nation in Quebec, Sept-Iles provides a

unique cultural experience as two nations

old and new, come together to thrive in

harmony. As hunter/gatherers, the Innu

would traditionally have made the Boreal

forest their home yet were ultimately forced

to ‘settle down’ - thankfully however, their

language and culture have continued to

stand the test of time. You can experience

this unique blend of culture and more in

Sept-Iles, including its long sandy beaches,

historical monuments, museums, markets

and walking trails.

Calling here in 2014/15… Silversea; Crystal; Holland America Line

Sept-Iles - Quebec

Also in Quebec, Gaspé, situated at the

tip of the Gaspé Peninsula is the epitome

of an ‘outdoor paradise’. A real adventure

playground, the bay of Gaspé boasts

four magnificent beaches and a host of

watersport options to choose from including

sea-kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and

whale-watching, as well as adrenaline

activities such as canyoning, natural

waterslides and waterfall rides (that’s riding

across the waterfalls, not down them you’ll

be pleased to know!). Long inhabited by

the Indians of the Sea, the Micmacs, the

beautiful Bay of Gaspé stretches inland

for 21 miles and is part of one of the oldest

land masses on earth. If you find yourself

enthralled by the wonder of nature, Gaspé

should definitely make it onto your list.

Calling here in 2014/15… Norwegian Cruise Line; Princess Cruises; Silversea; Holland America Line; Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines; Seabourn

Gaspé - Quebec


This year, Holland America Line has

put Cartwright on the map – adding it

to its Canadian ports of call for the first

time. Named after English Merchant and

adventurer Captain George Cartwright, who

settled in the area establishing a fish and fur

trading business, Cartwright is set to delight

outdoorsy-types and keen fishermen alike,

with the ‘best salmon fly fishing in the world’

found in Eagle River, just 20 miles southwest

of town.

Calling here in 2014/15… Holland America Line

Cartwright – Labrador

Positively brimming with culture, the

island city of Montreal is a popular cruise

port for many reasons; diverse architecture,

its small-town ‘European’ feel, fantastic

gastronomy and festivals. In fact, the city

hosts over 40 festivals a year, so there is

no shortage of activity all year round, from

Jazz, comedy, food and varied music &

dance performances! To really delve into the

essence of Montreal, why not indulge in a

culinary tour to discover the multi-cultural

cuisine on offer in its food boutiques?

Calling here in 2014/15… Holland America; Seabourn; Regent Seven Seas; Oceania; Silversea

Montreal – Quebec

The country’s biggest and newest territory,

Nunavut, is Canada’s Arctic Wilderness

Frontier - a vast and pristine landscape

of glaciers, icebergs and tundra. Rarely

visited, you may be lucky enough to spot

the iconic polar bear (or Ursus Maritimus as

it is otherwise known) during the summer

months. Other attractions include the

Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum and the

Nunavut Legislative Assembly Building,

which both house incredible collections

of Inuit Artwork. Itinerary dependent, you

may also be able to enjoy a traditional

performance of throat singing, or ‘Iirngaaq’,

– a unique and enchanting form of musical

expression unique to the Inuit.

Calling here in 2014/15… Silversea Expeditions

Lower Savage Islands - Nunavut

• Winnie the Pooh! – that’s right, in 1915

a bear cub named Winnipeg (Winnie

for short) was exported from

Canada to London Zoo. A young boy

named Christopher Robin loved to visit

Winnie, and this inspired his father,

A.A Milne, to create his Winnie-the-

Pooh stories!

• Celebrities - Bryan Adams, Justin Beiber,

Leslie Nieslen, Jim Carrey, Avril Lavigne…

are just some of the famous people hailing

from Canada.

• Politeness - 90% of Canadians aged 18-

25 will immediately apologise if a stranger

bumps into them.

• Lakes – Canada has more lakes than any

other country in the world, approaching

3 million.

• The Rocky Mountains – known as the

‘Serengeti of North America’, the

mountains are home to an amazing array

of wildlife including grizzly bears, black

bears, foxes, wolverines, coyote, lynx,

wolves, moose, mountain goats, caribou,

bison and deer!

What else is Canada famous for?

Nova Scotia (meaning New Scotland)

will be visited for the first time in 2015 by

Fred. Olsen’s Black Watch as part of her

Rugged and Rural Canada cruise. She

will join a whole host of cruise lines who

have put Sydney firmly on the ‘must visit’

list for Canada. Home to Gaelic-speaking

descendants of Scottish settlers, this

industrial town is a perfect base to explore

the Cape Breton Highlands, the Bras D’Or

Lakes and the Fortress Louisbourg National

Park. The craggy coast of Cape Breton

has been carved through the ages by the

Atlantic Ocean and the Northumberland

Strait; its rolling hills and picturesque valleys

make for a unique contrast to this major

coal-producing region.

Calling here in 2014/15… Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines; Norwegian Cruise Line; P&O Cruises; Cunard; Princess; Royal Caribbean; Regent; Celebrity Cruises; Silversea; Seabourn; Cruise & Maritime; Holland America

Sydney – Nova Scotia

• 50% of the world’s polar bears can be

found in Nunavut.

• The oldest rocks, in northern Labrador

date from almost four billion years ago

and are amongst the oldest on Earth.

• Canada stretches 5,500km from the

Atlantic to the Gulf of Alaska.

• Saint John, New Brunswick, is home to an

astonishing phenomena, the Reversing

River Rapids – these are caused by the

fierce tides of the Bay of Fundy which

rise with such force that they actually

cause the St. John River to reverse

direction and flow upstream!

• Newfoundland and Labrador is almost

one-and-three-quarter times the size of

the UK.

• Canada’s boreal forest is home to 85

species of mammals, 130 species of fish,

some 32,000 species of insects, and 300

species of birds.

Did you know?

Exploring Canada…

TO BOOK, CALL YOUR CRUISIN’ SPECIALIST...6 Cruisin’ Magazine

Three big offers.Choose yours and go.

Celebrity Eclipse ® - voted best ship from the UK

UP TO $1,400 CLASSIC DRINKS PACKAGE

OR, SAIL TO EUROPE AND CHOOSE TWO INCREDIBLE OFFERS!

Enjoy a range of drinks, worth up to $1,400,

including – spirits and cocktails such as

Stolichnaya Vodka, Glenfiddich Scotch

Whisky and Bombay Sapphire Gin, beers

such as Budweiser and Leffe, and wines such

as Pinot Grigio Mezzacorona Estate, PLUS

unlimited soft drinks.

UP TO $1,400 CLASSIC DRINKS PACKAGE*

UP TO $300 ONBOARD SPEND*

GRATUITIES INCLUDED*

OCEAN VIEW STATEROOMS AND ABOVE ON SELECTED SHIP AND

SAILING DATES

Three big offers.Choose yours and go.

1UP TO $300 TO SPEND ON BOARD

Treat yourself to an immersive shore

excursion, or a relaxing spa treatment, the

choice is yours.

2GRATUITIES INCLUDED

Intuitive service is all part of the Celebrity

experience. These gratuities will help you reward

the staff who make your cruise extra special.

3

The 123Go! promotion is valid for new bookings created before 31st July 2014 meeting the conditions stated. The 123Go! promotion is valid for selected sailings departing in 2014-15. The 123Go! promotion is applicable to Oceanview stateroom categories and above. The 123Go! promotion is not applicable with any other offer unless otherwise stated above. Further T&Cs apply, ask your cruise specialist for more details, 2014 ex UK Itinerary dates and pricing are correct at time of print however are subject to change and availability. Prices are per person in pounds sterling, based on two people sharing a stateroom and are inclusive of taxes, but do not include any service charges.

Hurry, call your cruise specialistto book your cruise before

July 31st to benefit fromthe 123 Go campaign!

From August onwards call yourcruise specialist for the

current campaign.

TO BOOK, CALL YOUR CRUISIN’ SPECIALIST... Cruisin’ Magazine 7

That’s what we call modern luxury.

Exciting overnights.Celebrity will also offer exciting overnight stays in 2015-16 with

29 destinations to choose from! Guests will have the opportunity

to experience the nightlife in dynamic, culture-rich cities and be

part of glamorous, world-renowned events and occasions such as:

The Redentore Festival (when Celebrity Constellation will visit

Venice, Italy); the star-studded Cannes Film Festival (Celebrity

Equinox); the festive Chinese New Year celebrations (when

Celebrity Millennium will overnight in Hong Kong); Rio Carnival (where Celebrity Infinity will take guests for the first time in 2016);

and to top it off, Celebrity Equinox will present overnight stays in

two destinations widely recognised for their vivacious nightlife:

Ibiza, Spain and Mykonos, Greece.

The award-winning modern luxury cruise line will offer an array

of thrilling adventures and itineraries in 2015-16 to excite world

travellers. An enticing line up of 261 destinations in 72 countries,

Celebrity will sail to all seven continents, visit new ports of call in

Alaska, Europe and Asia, and offer exciting overnight stays, many of

which coincide with internationally renowned festivals.

To inspire you, Celebrity will sail to new far-flung destinations for

the first time ever.

New ports include: Haines (Alaska) | Fredericia (Denmark)

Beppu and Kanazawa (Japan) | Vladivostok, Russia.

CRUISIN’ OFFERS

Norwegian Fjords 9th May 20157 nights aboard Celebrity Eclipse Fares from £699 per person* Visiting: Southampton (UK) | Bergen (Norway) | Alesund (Norway)

Geiranger (Norway) | Stavanger (Norway) Southampton (UK)

The Black Sea & Redentore Festival (Venice) 5th July 201514 nights aboard Celebrity Constellation Fares from £1786 per person* Visiting: Istanbul (Turkey) | Sochi (Russia) | Yalta (Ukraine

Sevastopol (Russia) | Odessa (Ukraine) | Kusadasi (Turkey)

Athens (Greece) | Split (Croatia) | Venice (Italy)

The Cannes Film Festival 11th May 201510 nights aboard Celebrity Equinox Fares from £1010 per person* Visiting: Barcelona (Spain) | Provence (France) | Cannes (France)

Florence/Pisa (Italy) | Ajaccio (Corsica) | Cagliari (Sardinia) | Sicily

Amalfi Coast | Rome (Italy)

South America & the Rio Carnival 31st January 201614 nights aboard Celebrity Infinity Fares from £1669 per person* Visiting: Buenos Aires (Argentina) | Sao Paulo (Brazil) | Ilhabela

(Brazil) | Buzios (Brazil) | Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | Punta del Este

(Uruguay) | Montevideo (Uruguay) | Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Exotic Southern Caribbean 7th December 201414 nights aboard Celebrity Eclipse

Fares from £997 per person* Visiting: Miami (USA) | Willemstad (Curacao) | Kralendijk (Bonaire)

Bridgetown (Barbados)

Russia & Eastern Europe 30th May 201515 nights aboard Celebrity Eclipse Fares from £1399 per person* Visiting: Southampton (UK) | Copenhagen (Denmark) | Stockholm

(Sweden) | Tallinn (Estonia) | St. Petersburg (Russia) | Klaipeda

(Lithuania) | Gdansk (Poland) | Berlin (Germany) | Southampton (UK)

*Prices are based on two people sharing a cabin, cruise only, correct at time of print and subject to availability, shore excursions are available at extra cost, flight packages available, please ask for details. Operators terms and conditions apply.

Ruth’s Choice...“My favourite itinerary is

Celebrity Equinox, 10th May 2015, to go star-spotting over two days in Cannes and experience the nightlife too. The majesty of Florence; the lavender fields of Corsica; the stunning Sardinian coast; tasting Sicilian ice cream and my favourite place in the world, the Amalfi Coast”.

Ruth Gardiner, Strategic Account Manager, Celebrity Cruises


It’s lunchtime on the Mekong and we return to our river boat

after a hot, steamy morning of sightseeing and rickshaw rides

along its banks to discover that our Cambodian chef has

prepared, of all things, shepherd’s pie.

Even though the local cuisine is exotically delicious, and always on

offer as an alternative, when you’re far from home there are times

when familiar comfort food seems the answer to a prayer, and chef

timed his pie just right. We didn’t have the heart to tell him that, as it

was made from beef, it should have been cottage pie!

It was one of many unexpected delights during a seven-night

cruise on board AmaWaterways’ RV AmaLotus, the newest and

largest boat on the wide and mighty Mekong. With a crew of 60 to

look after twice as many passengers, this was a boutique hotel that

floated along at a stately pace. We boarded her near Cambodia’s

capital Phnom Penh and disembarked 311 miles further south in

Vietnam close to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon.

But before boarding the AmaLotus, my wife and I flew to Siem

Reap, in the north of Cambodia, once a small village but now the

country’s fastest-growing city. That’s because millions of visitors go

there to trek round temples, and there are lots to choose from. More

than a hundred of them stand in what is now an archaeological park

stretching for 150 square miles, centred on Siem Reap.

Most of the temples were built up to nine centuries ago but later

abandoned and swallowed by the surrounding jungle, their fate

unknown to the outside world. Victorian explorers put them back on

the map – especially the most famous of all, Angkor Wat, perhaps

the largest religious monument ever known.

First a Hindu temple (Wat means temple in the local Khmer

language) then a Buddhist one, it dominated the forested landscape

just a few minutes drive from our fine resort hotel. Protected by a

moat and an outer wall two miles long, the building is on three levels

(climbing by ladderlike stairs to the top one is not for the faint-

hearted) topped by five towers, the central one 213ft tall.

Archaeologists are still doing a fine job in restoring much of Angkor

Wat’s glory and I was told the best time to see it is at sunrise. On a

drab, overcast day, though, its dark mass of stonework left me a little

underwhelmed.

I perked up at the next temple on our list, Bayon, just a short

distance away. It’s a place that radiates happiness thanks to 216

huge faces carved into its many towers – each one of them smiling

John Craven, TV presenter for Countyfile, reveals what

happened to him on his recent trip on the Mekong River in

Cambodia with AmaWaterways.

*That’s Khmer Fried Crickets!

on a Mekong Cruise in Cambodia

Shepherd’s Pie and KFC*


serenely. Like every tourist there (and it was heaving), I just had to

have my photograph taken in front of one of them, smiling of course.

Our temple trail (you can get a three-day pass for £34) then led

us to what turned out to be my favourite, Ta Prohm. It has been left

almost untouched and jungle trees with massive roots still intertwine

with walls and buildings in a spooky yet sublime blend of nature and

human achievement. No wonder Hollywood thought this the perfect

setting for Lara Croft and Tomb Raider.

After our three-night temple ‘fix’ at Siem Reap, we faced a long

road journey to join the AmaLotus – she hadn’t been able to sail

closer because water levels on the Tonle Sap River, which feeds into

the Mekong, were too low.

But the drive was an opportunity to see remote rural life, to stop

at a village food market where delights on display included KFC

(Khmer Fried Crickets – yes, really, and rather crunchy!).

Eventually we caught sight of our home for the next week. From

the outside the AmaLotus looked unremarkable, as many riverboats

do, but inside her style was classic French colonial, all dark wood and

elegant furnishings.

Our cabin was spacious with a small balcony and the bathroom

had a shower cabinet you could move around in.

In the comfortable, open-seating restaurant the friendly, ever-

attentive team served some of the best Asian and Western food I’ve

ever experienced on water.

A stark reminder of Cambodia’s past…

Echoes of Pol Pot’s murderous regime in the Seventies were still all

around as we travelled through Cambodia. Almost everyone in this

country lost relatives and friends; our guide was orphaned at the age

of one when his teacher mother and doctor father were shot, just

because they were educated people.

Sadly, but understandably, the killing fields where one third of

the population perished have become tourist attractions; I’m glad

I decided to join the trip to the memorial site at Choeung Ek, just

outside Phnom Penh, because only in the penetrating silence of that

awful place can you comprehend the scale of the genocide.

Our visit also included a now empty secondary school where

victims were detained and tortured until they wrongly confessed to

working for the American CIA, and were then sent to Choeung Ek.

It brought back haunting memories of the time I spent during my

Newsround days filming in a refugee camp in Thailand, close to the

Cambodian border. Everyone I spoke to told harrowing stories of the

Khmer Rouge’s brutality and many had seen family members killed

as they desperately fled towards freedom.

These days, Cambodia is still rebuilding and Phnom Penh is a

lively, upbeat city. There’s no public transport and only 20 taxis so

everyone either walks or goes by tuk tuk - a cheap, fun way to see

the city.

After leaving Phnom Pehn we meandered down the Mekong into

Vietnam, passing endless paddy fields, strolling through villages and

even a still-preserved jungle hideout used by the Vietcong during the

Vietnam War. But there was also time to relax on the sundeck and

watch fishermen cast their nets from sampans.

We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to find the old ‘Pearl of the Orient’

retains some of its colonial charm. Paradoxically, in this city now

named after a communist icon, capitalism is king – ‘we have free

trade but not free mouths’ someone told me.

Our journey through two countries whose recent history was

steeped in conflict but which now live in peace was remarkable for

the warmth of the welcome. Even the Americans in our party, some

I’d guess Vietnam veterans, commented on it.

I called in at Halong Bay as part of an AmaWaterways land cruise

holiday to Vietnam and Cambodia, which included an overnight stay

on a junk.

Around 150 of them are large enough to have comfortable cabins

and I boarded in the early afternoon, just as the junk flotilla was

setting sail – a spectacular sight, even if it would have looked better

in brown than white! (the junks’ traditional, natural colour of polished

brown has been re-painted white, due to an ill-advised order from

communist tourism bosses!).

But nothing could spoil the pleasure of cruising round the misty

bay, calling at one large island to explore its magnificent cave

system, being taken by local fishermen in their small boats to visit

their floating village, watching our crew haul up the sails (at least

they are brown) and dining on the finest Vietnamese fare.

After breakfast, we sailed to shore and as I travelled back to Hanoi

across the Red River Delta I couldn’t help feeling that, as tourism

grows, if all that changes is the colour of the junks then Halong

Bay will have got off lightly…

Relive John Craven’s adventure with AmaWaterwaysCall today to find out how!


A cruise with Princess offers

beautiful scenery, brand

new experiences and fresh

perspectives. You’ll come

home with new friendships, new stories to

tell and new memories to share. This is our

promise – that you’ll come back new.

Cascading waterfalls, the glow of the

midnight sun, fairytale palaces and scented

lavender fields… All are within easy reach

with a Princess cruise from Southampton.

Discover the jewels of the Mediterranean,

capitals of the Baltic and the drama of

the Norwegian Fjords. Take a fly-cruise to

explore ancient treasures of the Greek Isles

and Black Sea. Or join Royal Princess on a

voyage around the British Isles.

As well as the Mediterranean and

Northern Europe, you could discover

the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of

Alaska, and add a landtour in Alaska or the

spectacular Canadian Rockies.

Explore the colourful islands of the

Caribbean, or enjoy a front row seat as you

glide through one of the great wonders of

the world, the Panama Canal. Cruise the

beautiful Chilean Fjords and experience

vibrant cities of South America like Buenos

Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Add a landtour

to the ancient site of Machu Picchu or the

Iguaçu Falls.

Paradise awaits on the idyllic shores of

Hawaii and Tahiti, with impossibly beautiful

white sand beaches and dramatic volcanic

landscapes. Immerse yourself in the exotic

Far East, with a huge choice of cruises in Japan and Southeast Asia, or discover the incredible diversity of Australia and New Zealand.

As unforgettable as the sights may be, your Princess ship promises to be the best destination of all. From your stateroom steward who greets you by name each morning through to the delicious dinners and dazzling musicals afterward, it’s the perfect floating home away from home from which to enjoy the wonders of the World. So

unpack, unwind, make yourself at home…Eastern Caribbean Voyager4th November 2014 Ft. Lauderdale roundtrip10 days aboard Royal PrincessFares from £699* per guestVisiting: Ft. Lauderdale (Florida) | St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Lucia | Barbados | Antigua | St. Thomas (Virgin Islands)

Princess Cays (Bahamas) | Ft. Lauderdale (Florida)

Thailand, Indonesia & Malaysian Grand Adventure29th December 2014Singapore roundtrip15 days aboard Sapphire PrincessFares from £1299* per guestVisiting: Singapore | Bali (Indonesia) | Kuala Lumpar

(Malaysia) | Phuket (Thailand) | Singapore | Bangkok

(Thailand) | Ko Samui (Thailand) | Singapore

Hawaiian Islands17th February 2015 Los Angeles roundtrip15 days aboard Grand PrincessFares from £1099* per guestVisiting: Los Angeles (USA) | Hilo (Hawaii) | Honolulu

(Hawaii) | Kauai (Hawaii) | Maui (Hawaii) | Ensenada

(Mexico) | Los Angeles (USA)

*Prices based on 2 people sharing an inside cabin, cruise only, inc taxes, fees & port expenses. All offers valid at time of print & subject to availability & change. Onboard spend subject to terms and conditions - please ask about eligibility.

Experience new cultures… Discover new places...

Sophie’s Choice...“My favourite destination is Alaska!

It’s amazingly different, with abundant wildlife, the tallest mountains, the largest area of national parklands and the highest concentration of glaciers in the World. Alaska is a place of magnificence and like nothing else on earth!! And..it’s not beyond the reach for even the most average person”.

Sophie Collins, Business Development Manager, Princess (uk)

Learn more about the world you don’t see every day...

Grand Mediterranean6th August 2014 Venice to Barcelona12 days aboard Regal PrincessFares from £999* per guestVisiting: Venice (Italy) | Dubrovnik (Croatia) | Athens

(Greece) | Kusadasi (Turkey) | Mykonos (Greece) | Naples

(Italy) | Rome (Italy) | Florence/Pisa (Italy) | Toulon

(France) | Barcelona (Spain)

Cruisin’ Favourites

Cruisin’ Prices

Up to $75 on

board spend

available - ask for

details!*

To theme or not to theme?

AmaWaterways is the premier river cruise line on Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Main, Mosel, Seine and Rhône rivers and also offers luxury river cruises in Portugal, Russia, Africa, Vietnam & Cambodia and, new for Autumn 2014, Myanmar (Burma).

Book before 31st July 2014 and save up to 10% on 2015 sailings.

Call your cruise specialist TODAY to take advantage of these fantastic prices before 31st July 2014.

The Enchanting Rhine From £1406 per personVisiting: Amsterdam, Cologne, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, and Basel

Melodies of the Danube From £1462 per personVisiting: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Linz, Passau and Vilshofen

Provence From £1687 per personVisiting: Lyon, Belleville, Vienne, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon and Arles

Enticing Douro From £1519 per personVisiting: Porto, Regua, Barca d’Alva, Vega Terron, Pinhao, Regua, Entre-os-Rios and Porto

Included features • Return flights and transfers†

• Luxurious cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom – most with French

or Revolutionary Twin Balconies

• Fine dining including wine, beer & soft drink at lunch and dinner

• State of the art Infotainment System featuring free in room direct internet

access, free Hollywood movies and more

• Life enriching tours and daily excursions with personal headset included

• Special highlights include lectures, theme dinners, cooking demonstrations,

onboard music and/or dance performances and live piano music every

afternoon & evening

• Bicycles to explore on your own plus guided bicycle tours – capacity controlled.

*Fares based on 2 adults sharing a category E cabin, cruise only, port charges included. All prices are correct at time of print and are subject to availability and/or change and can be withdrawn at any time. Early booking discount applies to 2015 sailings booked before 31 July 2014, thereafter, prices revert to standard. AmaWaterways terms and conditions apply.

Cruisin’ Magazine 11

THAT is the question on a lot of cruise operators’ minds these days as they strive to make their cruise itineraries stand out from the rest. Enter the realm of ‘speciality cruises’ centred around themes such as food & drink, wellness, knitting, celebrities, dancing or even Bridge!

Here’s a quick round up of some of the themed cruises on offer this Summer/Autumn from your favourite operators…

Yoga Tall ship specialist Star Clippers is offering free daily yoga and meditation classes on two cruises this year; a Balearics voyage aboard Star Flyer departing 2 August and the Autumn transatlantic crossing of flagship Royal Clipper (6 November). Qualified yoga teacher Christel Vollmer, will be aboard Royal Clipper offering daily sessions of Astanga yoga, also known as power yoga, on deck in the cool morning air, with a second session just before sunset, including meditation. She will also deliver lectures on the philosophy of yoga and advice for practice at home. The yoga expert aboard Star Flyer will be Raphaella Rose, who practises the popular Ishta Style yoga.

Wine Culinary cruises, whether they be food or drink related are always popular. AmaWaterways have two wine-themed river cruise packages on offer this November, each starting with a 3 night stay in Prague, followed by a 7 night Danube cruise aboard AmaPrima (8 Nov) or AmaSonata (9 Nov). The cruises are accompanied by special wine hosts Holly Howell, of Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, NY and Gerry & Mick Wilson of Wilson Creek Winery, CA, respectively.

Bridge Card games have long been an integral part of long journeys, often the perfect way to while away the hours with friends old and new. But now, the popularity of games such as Bridge has given rise to ideas of dedicated Bridge programmes complete with Bridge room, organised games and seminars with an emphasis on sociability – as well as a little bit of competition! Voyages of Discovery have a well-established ‘Mr Bridge’ programme on board Voyager, along with a host of other sociable activities such as bingo, arts & crafts and dancing that can be enjoyed all year round.

Strictly Come Dancing The huge popularity of the BBC’s hit dance show Strictly Come Dancing is undeniable, which is why P&O Cruises have dedicated a whole host of cruises to it! Craig Revel Horwood and professional dancers from the show, Pasha Kovalev & Katya Virshilas, Ian Waite & Camilla Dallerup, will be bringing all the glamour of the ballroom to Ventura, Aurora, Azura and new ship Britannia! In 2014 there are two cruises to choose from, departing 2 August and 25 September, both from Southampton.

TO BOOK, CALL YOUR CRUISIN’ SPECIALIST...


Upper PremiumCruise Line

The world’s only

The unique itineraries of Oceania

Cruises show you the world

in an entirely new way. They

have long held a reputation

for innovation, and nine out of every ten

itineraries are new in 2014.

For the first time, Oceania have four

ships exploring Europe from the treasures

of Scandinavia to the pearls of the

Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Regatta spends

the summer amidst the majesty of Alaska.

In the Autumn, Insignia joins Regatta to

explore the vibrant foliage of Canada and

New England, before Regatta continues

south to the wonders of the Caribbean,

Panama Canal and Amazon River.

Oceania not only call on classic

destinations like St. Petersburg and Venice

but also chart a new course with novel

ports such as Ullapool in the Scottish

Highlands, Lysekil at the heart of Sweden’s

caviar culture, and Antibes, the stylish

resort town on the Côte d’Azur.

Explore Milford Haven and its colourful

seafaring past or follow the footsteps

of Hippocrates as you walk along the

streets of Kos, Greece. On the other side

of the globe near Saguenay, Quebec, take

in views of the dramatic fjord that has

enchanted travellers for centuries.

Cuisine, Comfort, Service and Outstanding Value are the pillars that define

Oceania Cruises’ five-star product – making it the cruise company of choice

for travellers seeking a truly refined and casually elegant travel experience.

NEW! North Atlantic Exploration2nd October 2014 Southampton to New York 15 Days aboard Insignia Fares from £2269* per guest, including flights and gratuities

Visiting: Belfast (UK) | Dublin (Ireland) | Cork

(Ireland) | St. John’s (Canada) | Halifax (Canada)

Saint John (Bay of Fundy, Canada) | Portland

(USA) | Boston (USA) | New York (USA)

NEW! Engaging Harbours20th September 2014 Southampton Roundtrip 12 Days aboard Insignia Fares from £1779* per guest, including gratuities

Visiting: Paris (Honfleur, France) | Portland (UK)

Milford Haven (UK) | Dublin (Ireland) | La Coruna

(Spain) | Bilbao (Spain) | Bordeux (France)

Pont-Aven (France) | Saint-Malo (France)

Mayan Mystique1st November 2014 Miami to Miami 10 Days aboard Insignia Fares from £1909* per guest, including gratuities (one night pre-cruise hotel stay required)

Visiting: Costa Maya (Mexico) | Roatan

(Honduras) | Santo Tomas (Guatemala) | Belize

City (Belize) | Cozumel (Mexico) | George Town

(Cayman Islands) | Key West (USA) | Miami

(USA) | Pont-Aven (France) | Saint-Malo (France)

*Fares are per person, based on double occupancy and reflect all savings. Cruise-related government fees and taxes are included. An additional £2.50pp APC Levy is payable on a flight inclusive package, which is paid to the Civil Aviation Authority to provide protection to you. This is subject to change. Checked baggage fees may apply. Transfers / hotel not included.

Cruisin’ Prices


The Finest Cuisine at Sea

Sail during the Winter season with Oceania Cruises and

you can glide across a lagoon in Bora Bora searching for

black pearls, walk suspended above a rainforest canopy in

Costa Rica or float along the vast expanse of the Amazon

River. View giraffes, zebras and lions in Africa, relax on

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temples of Thailand to gauchos roaming the countryside in

Brazil, your world awaits you!

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• Finest cuisine at sea, served in a variety of distinctive

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Chef Jacques Pépin

• Port-intensive itineraries featuring more overnight visits and

extended evening port stays

• Country club-casual ambience; tuxedos and gowns are never required

• Bon Appétit Culinary Centre, the only purpose-built, hands-on cooking

school at sea†

• Acclaimed Canyon Ranch SpaClub®

• Extraordinarily high staff-to-guest ratio ensures exemplary

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• Youngest fleet in premium-class cruising with 85% of accommodation

featuring private balconies

What’s Included?

† Available onboard Marina and Riviera *Terms and conditions apply

Louise’s Choice...“I love Grand Cayman as

it was great fun to feed the Stingray at Stingray City and I tasted the most delicious rum cake that is sold in most stores by the port”.

Louise Craddock, Sales Manager (South), Oceania Cruises

Boldly claiming to serve “the finest cuisine at sea” might

seem to be an overstatement. But Oceania Cruises

wouldn’t make such an immodest assertion if not for

the tremendous contribution of the legendary Master

Chef Jacques Pépin. As Executive Culinary Director aboard their

ships, he inspires their chefs to perform feats of gastronomic

wizardry. Memorable dining begins with open-seating, as it allows

you to dine when you are ready and with whomever you choose.

Regardless of which restaurants you select, there are no additional

dining charges. Enjoy Toscana’s authentic Italian dishes, Polo Grill’s

steakhouse fare, Continental cuisine in the Grand Dining Room, and

made-to-order favourites in the Terrace Café. Marina and Riviera

both offer two additional complimentary dining venues: Jacques,

the eminent Jacques Pépin’s exquisite French bistro, and the

contemporary Asian culinary masterpiece called Red Ginger.

It is this restaurant, Red Ginger, serving Authentic Asian cuisine

in a bold, contemporary setting which has recently won the Cruise

International award for ‘Best Restaurant at Sea’. ‘Best Dining’ was

also awarded to Red Ginger at the 2013 Cruise Critic (UK) Editor’s

Pick Awards.

With a nod to feng shui, Red Ginger radiates harmony and

tranquillity. The interior simply glows with ebony woods, a dramatic

waterfall wall and striking, modern Asian artworks. To complement

the stunning decor, Red Ginger’s chefs have created contemporary

interpretations of Asian classics. In Red Ginger, the gustatory

pleasures are as striking as the visual ones.



In your (expert!) opinion what makes a good itinerary? A really

good itinerary, in my opinion, is one that firstly, balances port and sea

days; secondly, offers something of added value that makes every

second of the cruise a great experience – whether an event in one

of the ports or some really fantastic scenic cruising; thirdly, that the

ship can dock as close to the centre of the destination as possible

with adequate time in the port; and finally, a varied shore tours

programme!

How do you keep your itineraries fresh and exciting? We start each

new season with a completely blank canvas. With our ex-UK cruises,

we do not operate ‘track’ itineraries, meaning we are not repeating

the same route over and over again. We write the overall schedule

and each individual cruise from scratch every year. Obviously, we

review the performance of cruises and may re-introduce successful

cruises and ports that have performed very well, but even then

we review the content and see if small tweaks will improve the

experience.

How do you decide what new cruises to come out with? We review

the performance of existing cruises to gauge passenger demand and

if it’s extremely popular and warrants repeating then we will! We also

look at customer feedback. For example, this year, two of the top

performing cruises are ‘French River’ cruising and ‘Film Stars & Fast

Cars’; both are being repeated in 2015. After reviewing feedback and

performance it’s then time for us to plan any extra special cruises

that need to operate on certain dates, such as our D-Day Anniversary

cruise. We then move onto longer cruises, which require more

planning and research, before getting to our core product of classic

customer favourites – such as the Canary Islands and Norway.

What challenges do you have when producing an itinerary?

We have very strong and positive relationships with our port and

destination agents which helps us in planning varied and new

itineraries; however we do face challenges. When I am putting

together cruises there are many things that I must consider, such as

tidal restrictions, pilot requirements, berthing allocations, managing

speeds and schedules, the ability to re-stock the ships in ports around

the world, destination experience and crew changes – and this is just

naming a few!

How important are the ports / excursions to the overall cruise?

Very. With Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines the destination is the destination

– sounds fairly obvious, but for many cruise lines the ship is

the destination! For example, as well as using our own officers’

experience, we have inter-coastal pilots on all of our ‘Norwegian

Fjord’ cruises so that we have the best knowledge of this area -

enabling us to deviate away from the direct route and divert into

smaller and restricted fjords to really showcase what Norway is all

about. To find out which ports are most desired, we ask our guests

to complete a pre-cruise survey – this asks them to rate how each

port of call on their cruise influenced their decision to book. To gauge

guests’ satisfaction with the ports they visited, we then ask them to

complete a post-cruise survey, where they rate their enjoyment of

each port of call - we aim to feature as many of the most highly rated

ports as possible.

What is your favourite itinerary and why? I guess I’m not supposed

to have favourites – they should all be my favourites – but I can

honestly say that I do have two that I am particularly proud of in the

2015/16 cruise season. These are Black Watch’s 16-night ‘Rugged

and Rural Canada’ cruise and Braemar’s 15-night ‘You Choose Your

Cruise’. ‘Rugged and Rural Canada’ is the shortest no-fly Canada

cruise from the UK on the market. I have so many people ask me

‘can you really do Canada in 16-nights?’ and the answer really is yes!

When you look at the map, the destinations normally within reach in

For the past 9 years, Martin Lister,

Planning Manager at Fred. Olsen

Cruise Lines, has been responsible for

putting together itineraries to keep

their customers coming back year

after year. Cruisin’ Magazine grabbed

him for a chat about how he keeps

Fred. Olsen’s cruises so fresh and

what is involved in putting together a

memorable cruise itinerary…

Ingredients for an Cruisin’ Exclusive

amazing cruise...

Cruisin’ Magazine 15TO BOOK, CALL YOUR CRUISIN’ SPECIALIST... Cruisin’ Magazine 15

a 13-16 night duration are the Baltic, West Mediterranean and Canaries;

people would never think Canada. It seems so much further compared

to these European destinations because it is Trans-Atlantic and on

another continent, but it is possible and we’re the only ones doing

it! This cruise requires just 11 days leave, departing on a Friday and

returning on the Sunday - great for the working public who generally

think that Canada on an ex-UK cruise is not possible.

What is your favourite port and why? So far, my favourite port of

call is Seville. The city is absolutely beautiful and has something for

everyone. Stunning Moorish architecture, flamenco, great gastronomy,

pretty orange trees lining the streets and the immense gothic

cathedral, which is the largest in the world as well as the burial site of

Christopher Columbus. Furthermore, on our upcoming ‘Spanish Cities

with Seville’ cruise, April 2015, on board Braemar, guests will be taken

all the way up the Guadalquivir River and into the heart of the city.

Again this fantastic itinerary is available because of Braemar’s smaller

size and shallower draft. It also requires careful scheduling on the

correct tides, but most other cruise lines can only sail as far as Cadiz

on the coast and operate tours to the Andalucian capital.

What destinations do you see rising in popularity and why? In

2014 we have found that our ‘River Cruising’ has proven to be really

popular, as well as cruising to remote islands that are difficult to reach,

such as the Azores. In 2015, early indication shows that our 35-night

‘Voyage to the American Deep South’, our 16-night ‘Rugged & Rural

Canada’ and our range of German, French and Spanish River cruises

are proving popular.

What was your thinking behind ‘You Choose Your Cruise’ and what

challenges / logistics do you have to take into account? Well, in

2014 we scheduled the ‘Mystery Cruise’, which turned out to be the

biggest talking point for that season. So for 2015, we needed to

schedule another cruise that was truly unique and innovative. It was

a real ‘light bulb’ moment when I thought of guests choosing the

ports and I spent a week or so pondering if the concept could really

work. It has taken a lot of planning to get the itinerary right, but it’s

also been really good fun. The biggest challenges for me have been

balancing durations in the different ports, choosing contrasting

destinations and ensuring there is enough time on board, so that

guests can enjoy the excitement and fun of this very special cruise

experience. Guests will vote for the next port of call as the cruise

progresses, from two choices each time. Guests can opt for vibrant

Gaudi-inspired Barcelona versus the traditional Palamós on the

Costa Brava; or cultural Valencia versus Mallorca’s cathedral city of

Palma; or Andalucian Malaga for the Alhambra Palace and Granada

versus Gibraltar’s unique blend of Anglo-Spanish culture and tax free

shopping!

Finally, what would you say sets Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines apart from

other cruise operators? I think there are lots of things that make

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines very special – our crew on board, who are

outstanding; delicious food; an intimate atmosphere, and of course

our innovative itineraries and award-winning shore excursions. Plus,

we are the cruise line that is ‘bringing the world closer to you’ with

10 regional departure ports across the UK! We also have a great mix

of recognised core product, i.e. standard cruises we feel we do very

well, for example Norway – and special cruises that include something

of added value, such as themes, national/international events and

longer cruises to exotic and enticing destinations. We can also take

full advantage of Braemar’s shorter and shallower dimensions - which

has allowed us to schedule the French, German and Spanish River

Cruising and also a couple of very exciting Baltic cruises, where

Braemar docks in ports and at piers that are restricted to ships of

Braemar’s size only.

“ We aim to feature as many of the most highly rated ports as possible”


Whenever you travel with Cunard you can be certain about one thing: seeing the world’s most wonderful places aboard an iconic Queen is an experience without equal…

Many Cunard cruises, including virtually every Queen Victoria departure, sail from Southampton and return to Southampton!

etting there is half the fun

Wonders of the Mediterranean8 October 2014 17 nights aboard Queen Victoria, from Southampton Fares from £1399pp* – Early Saver Fare! Visiting: Visiting: Cadiz | Catania | Corfu

Dubrovnik | Venice | Korcula | Gibraltar

Canary Islands Explorer9 November 2014 14 days aboard Queen Victoria, from Southampton Fares from £999pp* – Early Saver Fare! Visiting: Lisbon | Lanzarote | Gran Canaria

Tenerife | La Palma | Madeira | La Coruna

Eastbound Transatlantic CruiseNew York – it’s an exhilarating city. With so much to see and do, world class shopping and sensational cuisine, it’s a city like no other. To arrive on board one of the world’s most extraordinary ships, Queen Mary 2, will help ensure your holiday is a truly unforgettable one.

19 November 2014 7 days aboard Queen Mary 2 Fares from £1199pp* (Outside) – Early Saver Fare! Includes flight from London

Luxury Accommodation... Including 24-hr room service, interactive tv, nightly turndown service with pillow chocolates and more…

Flights & Transfers... All fares include flights where the embarkation/disembarkation port is outside of the UK.

Dining... All on board meals included in the main restaurants or self-service buffets

Drinks... Tea, coffee, water & fruit juice 24/7

Entertainment & On Board Activities... A full programme of daytime & evening entertainment

Fitness Centre...Children’s Facilities – all ships offer exciting programmes for children AND teenagers!

What’s Included?

*Prices based on two people sharing a cabin, cruise only, valid at time of going to print and are subject to availability and change. Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses included.

Cruisin’ Prices


Save up to 10% on country house-style cruising

Travel in comfort and style with just 350 like-minded passengers aboard Swan Hellenic’s Minerva, a small ship in the style of a country house hotel. A programme of tailor-made shore excursions (worth up to £650pp!) is included on EVERY cruise, while our renowned Guest Speaker programme illuminates days at sea.

All meals, excursions AND tips are included along with flights and transfers!

Realms of the Mediterranean8 October 201414 nights from £2655 per person*Visiting: Civitavecchia (Rome) | Portovenere (Italy) | Naples (Italy)

Amalfi (Italy) | Palermo (Sicily, Italy) | La Goulettee (Tunisia)

Sousse (Tunisia) | Valletta (Malta) | Itea (Delphi, Greece)

Piraeus (Greece)

Pyramids and Petra 22 October 201414 nights from £2608 per person*Visiting: Piraeus (Greece) | Kusadasi (Turkey) | Antalya (Turkey)

Tasucu (Turkey) | Limassol (Cyprus) | Beirut (Lebanon) | El Sokhna

(Egypt) | Aqaba (Jordan) | Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt)

To Burma and Beyond4 December 201415 nights from £2678 per person*Visiting: Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Galle (Sr Lanka) | Yangon

(Burma) | Langkawi (Malaysia) | Penang (Malaysia) | Malacca

(Malaysia) | Singapore

Cruisin’ Prices

…as well as theseSmall Ship Discovery cruises!Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and flexibility on a Voyage of Discovery. Small enough to reach out-of-the-way ports, Voyager carries just 540 passengers and avoids the excesses of today’s mega-liners. An award-winning Guest Speaker programme featuring historians, explorers, naturalists and diplomats, alongside an engaging shore excursion programme helps you delve deeper into each destination. All meals, onboard gratuities, plus port and pre-paid airport taxes are included along with flights and transfers.

Eastern Mediterranean & Red Sea22 October 201412 nights from £1457 per person*Visiting: Istanbul (Turkey) | Dikili (Turkey) | Kusadasi (Turkey)

Antalya (Turkey) | Limassol (Cyrpus) | Port Said (Egypt) | Suez

Canal | Aqaba (Jordan) | Sharm el-Sheikh (Eqypt)

Atlantic Voyager20 February 20159 nights from £980 per person*Visiting: Santa Cruz (Tenerife) | Santa Cruz (La Palma) | Funchal

(Madeira) | Lisbon (Portugal) | La Coruna (Spain) | Portsmouth (UK)

Treasures of the Indian Ocean3 December 201415 nights from £2697 per person*Visiting: Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Hambantota (Sri Lanka)

Male (Maldives) | Gan Island (Maldives) | Port Victoria (Mahe,

Seychelles) | Praslin (Seychelles) | La Digue (Seychelles)

Port Louis (Mauritius)

Cruisin’ Prices

*Fares are based on two people sharing an inside cabin, cruise only; are subject to change and availability and may be

withdrawn at any time. For single passenger fares, please be advised that once the single fare allocations have sold out

a 100% supplement will apply.

Extra 5% discount for past passengers!

Extra 5% discount for past passengers!


There’s something very special about an evening in a

beautiful Mediterranean port. The locals come out to

stroll, the heat of the day is fading and the best place

to be is sitting in a harbourside café with a cool aperitif,

watching the world go by.

Until recently, this hasn’t really been part of the experience on a

typical Mediterranean cruise. Why? Because traditionally, cruise ships

have tended to haul anchor and set sail at the end of the afternoon.

They have to reach the next port and in addition, it makes more

economic sense for the cruise line if the ship is sailing and people are

happily spending money in the bar on board.

Things are changing, though. Cruise lines are rethinking their

itineraries and there’s a growing fashion for ships not only to stay

much later in port but actually to overnight, so passengers can enjoy

a taste of the local nightlife.

Not all cruises include this opportunity, of course. Some lines

know their passengers want to see the most popular ports – in the

Mediterranean, cities like Venice, Naples, Livorno, Rome, Athens

and Barcelona – and follow the traditional pattern of arriving early

morning and leaving early evening; which is fine if your focus is on

sightseeing. But others, especially those with smaller ships, venture

into smaller, lesser-known places and often travel much shorter

distances, which means you often get later departures. Tall ship

sailing specialist Star Clippers is a classic example; its Athens to

Venice cruise in September calls at intimate ports along the Croatian

coast that are out of reach to huge ships, among them Korcula, Hvar

and Mali Losinj.

Others may offer mainstream ports but make a point of

overnighting in one or two, giving you the whole evening to explore

ashore and soak up the nightlife. This makes complete sense as

some cities simply have to be seen at night. Venice, when all the

day trippers have left Piazza San Marco and the square takes on

an ethereal quality. Athens, where you can sit in a rooftop bar and

gaze at the floodlit Acropolis. Barcelona, where the locals don’t even

emerge for tapas until 9pm. Cunard has introduced overnights in all

of these cities, as well as Istanbul and Monte Carlo, for its 2015 fly-

cruise programme on Queen Victoria.

Celebrity Cruises, too, has extended the opportunities to stay

overnight in port. In 2015, there will be stays in Mykonos, which

as well as being exceptionally pretty, has excellent nightlife; and

Dubrovnik, which is absolutely stunning when the ancient ramparts

are lit up at night. Istanbul, Odessa, Sochi and Stockholm also

delight with more overnights…

Cruise lines are rethinking their itineraries and there’s a

growing fashion for ships not only to stay much later in port

but actually to overnight. Sue Bryant spills the beans.

New cruise itineraries

Cruisin’ Exclusive


feature, and in the southern Mediterranean, Ashdod, the port for

Jerusalem. While Ashdod itself may not be a highlight, the extended

stay means there are two whole days to explore the wonders of

Jerusalem. Celebrity is also overnighting at some major events in

2015, not least the glamorous Cannes Film Festival, the ultimate

celebrity-spotting opportunity.

Sometimes, where the ship docks makes a critical difference to

how you experience the port. St Petersburg is a case in point; big

ships tie up out of town at the industrial port, while smaller vessels

head up the Neva River right into the city centre, where they moor

against a setting of lavish baroque and neoclassical architecture.

Guests on Fred. Olsen’s Braemar will enjoy this privilege in 2015

on a new programme, In the Heart of the Baltic, aiming to bring

passengers closer to the action in every city.

Azamara Club Cruises has not only embraced the idea of a port-

intensive itinerary with late night departures, but celebrates it on

every voyage worldwide with a complimentary ‘AzAmazing Evening’,

when guests are whisked ashore to a point of local beauty – a

castle, perhaps, or a beautiful garden – for a surprise. In the port

of Kusadasi, for example, the evening is a classical concert with

drinks and canapés at the ancient site of Ephesus, the antiquities

beautifully floodlit as a backdrop to the musicians. Further afield, in

southern India, the evening ashore is a taste of Kerala, with drinks

in the gardens of a luxury hotel, surrounded by artists, potters, an

astrologer and dancers in elaborate costume.

Port-intensive cruises aren’t limited to European itineraries. This

November, Regent Seven Seas’ Seven Seas Voyager will sail two

stunning cruises taking in India and the east coast of Africa, including

overnight calls in Mumbai; Male, capital of the Maldives; Port Victoria

in the gorgeous Seychelles and Cape Town, where the Victoria and

Alfred waterfront buzzes with life in the evenings. P&O Cruises,

meanwhile, offers overnights in both Sydney and Hong Kong on its

Australia and Far East cruise in February next year, on board Arcadia.

Luxury line Silversea’s Silver Shadow will sail around South America

next January, a 62-day odyssey from Fort Lauderdale that includes

a two-night stopover in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival, the most

spectacular time of year to visit Rio, when the whole city goes

wild with dazzling parades and round-the-clock festivity. There

are further overnight stays in Punta Arenas and Callao, the port for

Lima, a super-stylish city now styling itself as food capital of South

America. Not many people can say they’ve been for a mini-break in

Lima – but that’s just one of the joys of this new style of cruising.

Sue Bryant is a freelance writer, editor and broadcaster since 1991

“Some ships not only stay much later in port but actually overnight, so passengers can enjoy a taste of the local nightlife.”


Introducing Anthem of the Seas - Sailing from Southampton in 2015

Incredible

The newest addition to the Royal Caribbean International® fleet, Anthem of the Seas is set to redefine cruising and will be sailing from Southampton from Spring 2015! Boasting an incredible range of groundbreaking features (with state-of-the-art technology, transformative venues, and the industry’s first ever Virtual Balcony staterooms), whichever Anthem of the Seas sailing you choose, you’re guaranteed the experience of a lifetime!

The North Star will elevate

you both physically and

emotionally, revealing 360˚

views of a world you’ve

truly never seen before!

Step into the jewel-shaped

capsule and gently ascend

over 300ft above sea level,

for breathtaking views of

the ocean, the ship and the

exciting destinations you visit.

THE NORTH STARSM Another first you’ll find only

on Royal Caribbean®. With this

sky-diving simulator, you’ll

experience the sheer thrill and

exhilaration of flying, as the air

machine keeps you afloat. Feel

the wind in your hair, and the

WOW of flying, all without ever

having to leave the ship.

RIP CORDSM

Not only the largest indoor

active space at sea, but also

the most groundbreaking.

For starters, it has the first

ever bumper car rink at sea!

You’ll also find a roller-skating

rink, and a full-size basketball

court—not to mention a circus

school. And the first-ever food

truck at sea is on hand to serve

up tasty snacks.

SEAPLEXSM By day, it’s a modern, open-plan

living room with magnificent

270° panoramic views. By night,

Two70° transforms. As the

lights go down and the music

comes up, you’ll be immersed

in spellbinding performance art,

mind-blowing light shows and

spectacular digital scenery. And

there’s even an ice bar, serving

up your favourite cocktails.

TWO70SM

roundbreaking Features…

France & Spain 22 April 2015 8 nights aboard Anthem of the SeasSM Fares from £1808 per person* Visiting: Southampton | Vigo (Spain) | Gijon Bilbao

(Spain) | Le Havre (Paris, France) | Southampton

Italian Mediterranean 1 September 2015 14 nights aboard Anthem of the SeasSM Fares from £2812 per person* Visiting: Southampton | Gibraltar | Cartagena

(Spain) | Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy) | Florence/Pisa

(Italy) | Marseille (France) | Cadiz (Spain) | Lisbon

(Portugal) | Vigo (Spain) | Southampton

Ask your Cruisin’ Specialist TODAY about more Anthem of the SeasSM sailings


*Terms and Conditions: Prices shown are in £ pounds sterling per person, for the cruise only and are based on 2 guest sharing a stateroom. Cruises are subject to availability, for new

reservations only All itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice. Operator terms and conditions apply.

Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas will sail its very first Europe season in summer 2015, taking over from Adventure of the Seas. Test your surfing skills on their Flowrider surf simulator, watch a film come to life in their magical 3-D Movie Theatre, sample cuisine from around the world in one of the many excellent onboard restaurants. There will also be all-new staterooms and luxurious suites, plus new virtual balconies that bring the outside into interior staterooms!

Canary Islands Adventure Cruise 24 April 2015 10 nights aboard Explorer of the SeasSM

Fares from £1498 per person* Visiting: Southampton | Funchal (Madeira,

Portugal) | Tenerife (Canary Islands) | Las Palmas

(Gran Canaria) | Lanzarote (Canary Islands)

Vigo (Spain) Southampton

Spain & Mediterranean Beaches 3 June 2015 14 nights aboard Explorer of the SeasSM Fares from £1998 per person* Visiting: Southampton | Gibraltar | Malaga (Spain)

Villefranche (Nice, France) | Ajaccio (Corsica)

Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy) | Palma de Mallorca

(Spain) | Cadiz (Spain) | Southampton

Ocean Voyage to the Caribbean1 November 2014 14 nights aboard Independence of the SeasSM Fares from £2518 per person*! Visiting: Southampton | Philipsburg (St. Maarten)

Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) | San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Cococay (Bahamas) | Fort. Lauderdale (Florida)

Sailing from SouthamptonIn 2015

Explorer of the Seas

Spain & Canaries 28 September 2014 14 nights aboard Adventure of the SeasSM Fares from £1998 per person* Visiting: Southampton | Gijon (Spain) | Vigo (Spain)

Funchal (Madeira, Portugal) | Tenerife (Canary

Islands) | Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) | Lanzarote

(Canary Islands) | Lisbon (Portugal) | Southampton

Iceland & Norway 31 August 2014 12 nights aboard Adventure of the Seas Fares from £1798 per person* Visiting: Southampton | Reykjavik (Iceland)

Akureyri (Iceland) | Trondheim (Norway)

Alesund (Norway) | Olden (Norway) | Stavanger

(Norway) | Southampton

Last chance to catch Independence of the Seas & Adventure of the Seas from Southampton in 2014!

Dave’s Choice...“One of my favourite ports of call has

to be Villefrance. The beautiful town itself is picturesque, full of lovely bars and restaurants. However, this port is wonderfully placed to visit Cannes and Nice to the East and Monte Carlo to the West”.

Dave Chidley, Major Account Manager,Royal Caribbean International

Did you know? They also have an extensive programme of sightseeing tours, ‘flight-seeing’ tours, adventure tours on horseback or by 4x4, underwater adventures including scuba diving and deep sea fishing, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences like parasailing! Now THAT sound like a fun-filled holiday!

Exclusive

Cruisin’

Magazine

Prices!


Time for YouP&O Cruises’ seven ships sail all over the world! Whether you are looking for a few days at sea or a full world cruise lasting over 100 days, you can choose from visiting the Fjords or Baltics, the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Caribbean, Asia, Australia, Africa and beyond!

From family-friendly cruises to Exclusively for Adults, a P&O cruise promises to

offer a unique cruising experience for everyone…

Spain, Portugal & Gibraltar1 October 2014

12 nights aboard Azura, from Southampton Fares from £749pp* - Early Saver Fare! Visiting: Lisbon | Cadiz | Barcelona | Palma | Cartagena

Gibraltar | Pont-Aven (France) | Saint-Malo (France)

Caribbean Fly-Cruise7 November 2014

14 nights aboard Ventura, from Barbados Fares from £1649pp* – Early Saver Fare! Visiting: Grenada | St. Lucia | Dominica | St. Kitts

St. Maarten | Tortola | Curacao | Bonaire

Spain, Monaco & Italy15 August 2015

14 nights aboard Britannia, from Southampton

Fares from £1559pp*Visiting: Valencia | Barcelona | Monte Carlo

Rome | Florence/Pisa | Cartagena | Gibraltar

Belgium, Denmark & Norway Exclusively for Adults20 December 2014

7 nights aboard Arcadia, from Southampton Fares from £899pp* Visiting: Bruges | Copenhagen | Oslo | Southampton

Cruisin’ Prices

Britannia isn’t just the biggest ship ever built for the British market, she’s glamorous too! Combining the excitement of cruising with the sophistication of a five-star hotel, the wait is almost over for those of you just itching to try Britannia…

New Ship For 2015!

Flights from London or Manchester

Hayley’s Choice...“My favourite port to sail out of is Lisbon. The

scenery is beautiful along the river and sailing under the bridge is breath-taking. When the weather is nice, having a cocktail at the sailaway party, whilst listening to music and watching the view, is a perfect end to a perfect day ashore!”.

Hayley Edwards, Account Manager, P&O Cruises and Cunard


At your favourite ports of callOur pick of shore excursions...

Venice in a day…If you’ve only got

4-5 hours to explore

Venice, head straight

for the 3 Islands of

Murano, Burano &

Torcello by boat!

On Murano you

can explore on foot or take advantage of a

guided tour around its famous glassworks.

There are a multitude of artist’s studios

and factories to choose from where you

can watch glass makers at work and pick

up some souvenirs! Burano, as perhaps the

prettiest of the islands, is perfect for simply

getting out the camera and going for a walk

to photograph the scenery and colourful

houses that line its fishing village. Finally,

Torcello houses Venice’s very first cathedral,

the Cathedral of Santa Maria. You can also

climb the bell tower (or ‘Campanile’) for

fantastic island views!

60 minutes in Cadiz!If a whistle-stop visit

to a city is in order, a

hop-on, hop-off tour

could be your best

bet. The diverse city

of Cadiz is divided

by the Puerta Tierra

which separates its wide promenades and

marina, complete with watersports and

sailing; from the historic quarter of Cadiz

with its Baroque style Cathedral, museums

and theatres. You can take in many of these

sights by hopping on a bus, departing

from right outside the cruise terminal, with

highlights including Seville Square, Puerta

de Tierra, Santa Maria Beach, Victoria

Beach, the Cathedral, Shopping Centre, the

Church of el Carmen and Caleta Beach.

Yukon Jeep AdventureThe popular port

town of Skagway

is a Southeast

Alaskan paradise,

brimming with

wildlife and

beautiful scenery.

For an excursion with a difference

however, hop over the Canadian border

on a jeep adventure along the Klondike

Gold Rush route! Visiting off-the-beaten-

track destinations accessible only by

off-road vehicles including Dead Horse

Gluch, the Tormented Valley and Pitchfork

Falls, make your way to Carcross, at the

headwaters of the mighty Yukon River.

A highlight of this spellbinding trip has

to be the panoramic view from the top of

Montana Mountain, where you can spy the

Carcross desert, the smallest in the world.

Highlights of RomeFor a first-time

traveller to the

Eternal City of

Rome, with possibly

the richest, fullest

history of anywhere

on earth, deciding

where to go and what to see can often

seem quite daunting! If you want to make

the most of your day in this ‘living museum’,

opting for an organised tour of all the

‘major’ sights is probably your best bet –

after all, there are certain ‘must dos’ that

you simply can’t miss out on when in Rome.

A full day’s group excursion will enable

you to see most of the highlights including

Vatican City (thankfully most pre-booked

tours offer a ‘skip the queue’ entrance

ticket); Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon,

Piazza Navona, the Colosseum and

St Peters Square! Be warned, there

will be a fair bit of walking involved

in a tour such as this, so make sure

you have comfortable shoes with you!

The Palaces of St. PetersburgA visit to St.

Petersburg isn’t

complete without

touring its famous

palaces and parks.

There are lots of

them but thankfully

many cruise-lines are overnighting here

these days, giving ample time to take in the

sights over two days. At the splendid Palace

of Catherine, the former summer residences

of the 18th Century Russian tsars have a

reputation worldwide as being exquisite

monuments to Russian Art. Take a tour of

the White Vestibule, Grand Hall, Amber

Room and the Crimson Pilaster Room

and you will understand why. The Great

Palace of Peterhof, is home to the jaw-

dropping Cascade fountain spreading down

toward the palace grounds. Then, in the

enormous complex of the State Hermitage

along Palace Embankment, there are five

buildings open to the public; the Winter

Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage,

New Hermitage and Hermitage Theatre.


Look forward to 2015 with these cruises sailing from a port near you

Sailing from Dover - Cruisin’ PricesTipples & Tapas7 April 2015 7 nights aboard Boudicca Fares from £599 per person* Visiting: L’Orient (France) | La Pallice (France)

Getxo (Bilbao, Spain) | Aviles (Spain)

Film Stars & Fast Cars16 May 2015 15 nights aboard Boudicca Fares from £1499 per person* Visiting: Cadiz (Spain) | Almeria (Spain)

Cannes (France) | Nice (France) | Barcelona

(Spain) | Malaga (Spain)

German Waterways2 June 2015 10 nights aboard Braemar Fares from £1099 per person* Visiting: Flensburg (Germany) | Travemunde

(Germany) | Kiel Canal Transit | Hamburg

(Germany) | River Elbe | Bremen (Germany)

Fred.’s Favourite Fjords11 July 2015 7 nights aboard Braemar Fares from £799 per person* Visiting: Lysefjord, Preikestolen & Kjerag

(Cruising) | Karmsundet (Cruising) | Akrafjord

& Langfoss Waterfall (Cruising) | Skjolden

(Norway) | Nærøyfjord (Cruising) | Olden

(Norway) | Nordfjord (Cruising) | Hornelen

(Cruising) | Bergen (Norway)

Angela’s Choice...“My favourite destination is Canada!

There is so much to see and do as it’s such

a vast and diverse country. I’m looking

forward to sampling our new Rugged &

Rural Canada cruise - perfectly planned to

showcase all Canada has to offer!”

Angela Flynn, Regional Sales Manager, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Sailing from ten ports all around the UK to destinations far and wide, Fred. Olsen enables you to start your holiday with ease. Here are our pick of the bunch for 2015, departing closer to home from Dover, Liverpool, Southampton or Harwich...


Sailing from Liverpool - Cruisin’ PricesCities & Landscapes of Canada22 May 2015 Free door-to-door transfers† 28 nights aboard Black Watch Fares from £2999 per person* Visiting: Ponta Delgada (Azores) | Sydney (Nova Scotia)

Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) | Gaspé (Canada)

Trois Rivieres (Canada) | Montreal (Canada) | Quebec

(Canada) | Saguenay (Canada) | Havre St. Pierre (Canada)

Corner Brook (Canada) | St. Johns (Newfoundland)

Rugged & Rural Canada14 August 2015 16 nights aboard Black Watch Fares outside from £2149pp* Visiting: Killybegs (Ireland) | St. Johns (Newfoundland)

St Pierre et Miquelon Sydney (Nova Scotia) | Corner Brook

(Canada) | Red Bay (Canada) | Belfast (Northern Ireland

Sailing from Southampton - Cruisin’ PricesVoyage to the American Deep South14 September 2015 35 nights aboard Balmoral Fares from £3499 per person* Visiting: Sydney (Nova Scotia) | Boston (USA) | Salem

(USA) | Oak Bluffs (USA) | New York (USA) | Charleston

(USA) | Savannah (USA) | Jacksonville (USA) | Port

Canaveral (USA) | Miami (USA) | Nassau (Bahamas)

St George’s Island (Bermuda) | Ponta Delgada (Azores)

Scenic Railway & Phenomenal Fjords3 May 2015 8 nights aboard Balmoral Fares from £799 per person* Visiting: Stavanger (Norway) | Bergen (Norway)

Flam (Norway) | Nærøyfjord (Scenic Cruising) | Olden

(Norway) | Nordfjord (Scenic Cruising) | Maurangerfjord &

Furebergfossen (Scenic Cruising) | Hardangerfjord (Scenic Cruising) | Malaga (Spain)

Sailing from Harwich - Cruisin’ PricesEaster City Getaway4 April 2015 7 nights aboard Braemar Fares from £699 per person* Visiting: Hamburg (Germany) | River Elbe Amsterdam

(Netherlands) | Antwerp (Belgium) | Western Scheldt River

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing an inside cabin. Prices are correct at time of going to print but may change at any time. Full operator terms and conditions apply, please ask for more details. †Door-to-door offer: This expires 30 June 2014 and is only applicable to the cruise(s) listed, for departures within 250 miles of guest’s home. Any additional mileage must be paid to the taxi company at the time of booking. Guests may be required to share a taxi for all or part of the journey. Guests may elect to use the door-to-door service the day before departure but will then be responsible for finding their own way to the port/airport, at their own expense, on the day of departure. Once their complimentary transport arrangement has been confirmed by the transport provider; if they subsequently fail to take this arrangement and not cancel with the transport provider, then they will be liable for the cost, their on board account will automatically be charged and their return journey cancelled. Not combinable with any other offer.



It is the unique combination of sailing tradition and pampered relaxation that is the essence of Star Clippers. For within the setting of a magnificently evocative tall ship is a world for those who seek an authentic sailing adventure without sacrificing creature comforts. Star Clippers’ UK Account Manager Danielle Dudley, was lucky enough to experience this for herself earlier this year, and shares with us some highlights from her Leeward Islands adventure...

Experience The Star Clippers

“On our approach to

Phillipsburg harbour,

the big cruise ships

were visib le for

miles, but elegantly

standing tall were

the four majestic

masts of Star Clipper.

With her hundreds of ropes rigged to the

masts and a unique aura radiating class, this

was a real ship in every sense, a ship that

makes jaws drop and causes people to stop

and stare…

There was no need for any ‘entertainment’

that first evening, for tonight’s show was

the sail-away itself - everyone gathered by

the bridge, champagne in hand, eagerly

awaiting our departure from St Maarten.

As the classical, haunting, dramatic sounds

of Vangelis filled the air, crew and willing

passengers alike began to pull the ropes

while the rest of us watched in delight at the

billowing sails as they slowly began to rise

above us. We gracefully edged out of the

harbour with nothing but the open sea in

front of us.

During this trip we had the pleasure of

meeting Star Clippers’ flagship, Royal

Clipper. With the sun glistening off the sea

and shimmering in the sails, the two sailing

ships came together and sailed in elegant

harmony – a moment I will never forget.

Our evenings were filled with dancing

under the stars, as laughter filled the air

with friends old & new sharing stories over a

glass of champagne.

One of the many fantastic things about a

Star Clipper cruise is the ‘off the beaten track’

tiny islands that we visit, which big ships

simply can’t access. Like Illes des Saintes, a

beautiful, quaint, colourful village lining the

most picturesque harbour scattered with

yachts and fishing boats; a real gem. We also

visit a completely deserted, tiny yet stunning

beach, totally exclusive to Star Clippers. It’s

days like these you appreciate being on a

smaller ship so much… its like being on your

own private island!”

Treasure Islands Cruise & Stay26th November 2014 10 nights aboard Star Clipper From £1899* per person including flights and St Maarten stay!Visiting: St. Maarten | Anguilla | British Virgin Islands

St. Kitts | St. Barts | St. Maarten *Price includes 3 nights pre cruise stay at Grand Case Beach Hotel,

St Maarten (room only), economy return flights from UK, 7 nights sailing

experience aboard Star Clipper, non UK transfers and port charges.

Christmas in Cuba!21st December 20147 nights aboard Star FlyerFrom £1220* per person (Cruise Only)Visiting: Cienfuegos | Cayo Blanco Casilda | Cayman Brac

Grand Cayman | Cayo Largo | Sail by Archipelago De Los

Canarreos | Cienfuegos

Choose your Christmas gift from Star Clippers - €600 on board credit* OR No single supplement OR Third person travels free† *Per cabin – based on two adults sharing. †Port charges are applicable

Cruisin’ Prices Cruisin’ Favourite

Riviera Style The Unique

Riviera Travel has been operating tours for almost 30 years and truly focuses on the customer experience, both in terms of quality, accommodation and sightseeing excursions. All their river cruises are carefully tailored towards their customers, resulting in a comfortable, relaxed and sociable onboard experience.

Eight day Rhine Cruises available from only £1,099ppSelected departures up to October 2014 and May to October 2015

Why not try one of Riviera’s

stunningly beautiful and fascinating

river cruises along the Rhine,

visiting some wonderful sights

such as Cologne, the Rhine Gorge,

Koblenz, Rudesheim, Heidelberg,

Strasbourg, Basel and Speyer.

A Journey on the Mekong - Fifteen days from only £3,099ppVery limited availability on

departures up to November 2014

2015 dates and prices available soon!

Why not try exploring the fascinating waterborne worlds along the banks of the mighty river Mekong, from floating villages, stilt houses, colourful floating markets and the thousands of local boats of all shapes and sizes plying its mud-coloured waters.


Cruisin’ Price Cruisin’ Price

Cruisin’ Favourite Cruisin’ Favourite

Up and coming

Ask your Cruisin’ specialist about other up and coming river cruise destinations.

The popularity of river cruising

continues at a relentless pace, with

Burma remaining the ‘hot’ destination

for many operators including AmaWaterways,

Viking and Avalon. But outside of Asia, there

are plenty of other rivers rising to the top of

people’s must-cruise list!

The American Queen Steamboat Company

has put the stunning scenery of the Pacific

Northwest on the map. Here, the Columbia

and Snake rivers wind their way through

rolling hills, mountains and deep gorges, past

wild bison and elk, grazing along the water’s

edge. The Colombia river takes you past many

points of interest including the Sacajawea

National Park, spectacular Cascade Mountains

and the historic cities of Portland and Astoria.

The Snake, is the largest tributary of the

Columbia River and was created through

volcanic activity from a hotspot lying directly

underneath Yellowstone National Park.

Back over in Europe is the river Tisza,

flowing across the Great Hungarian Plain into

the famous Danube. Only recently opened

to international navigation, following the

integration of Hungary into the European

Union, the Tisza rises in the Carpathian

Mountains, flowing Northwest through

Ukraine and onto Hungary, meeting the

Danube near Novi Sad. River cruises along

the Tisza generally form part of a dual-

river cruise along both rivers, with plenty

of opportunities for excursions into the

neighbouring wine regions!

Finally, Germany’s historic Pomerania

region plays host to another off-the-beaten-

track river route; the river Oder. Flowing

through Western Poland, Germany and the

Szcencin Lagoon, bordered by the islands of

Usebom and Rugen, the Oder finally empties

into the Black Sea.

River cruise destinations


Now working as a Tour Manager & Cruise Director for Riviera Travel, Cruisin’ Magazine asked her to share some of her valuable insights with us…

Hi Michele, firstly, tell us which tour(s) you lead for Riviera?

I currently lead the Vietnam & Cambodia tour, including the Mekong

River Cruise. This summer, I am also leading river cruises on the

Rhine, Moselle & Danube, which is very exciting.

What is it that you enjoy most about guiding these tours? I love the

varied & interesting itineraries, the good standard of accommodation

and most of all, the enthusiastic clients I meet on the tours who love

travelling with us!

What do you enjoy least? Hmm, it has to be the early morning

starts!

Tell us about your highlight of the tour and why? I love the temple

day at Angkor (Cambodia). There is so much history here as the

Khmer Empire lasted 500 years! I also love the peacefulness of

the Mekong river & going ashore to experience everyday life. One

excursion that stands out in particular is our visit to a school in

Cambodia & a local market in the Mekong Delta.

How do you prepare for a tour & do you need to do much research beforehand? It’s really important to be organised & to plan things in

advance. And yes, I love the ‘research’ part of the job. We do have

local guides too of course, but I personally also like to know as much

about the destination as I can - I am learning all the time!

Has anything not quite gone according to plan on tour? Over the

years I have dealt with many different situations and I have learnt to

always expect the unexpected!

What happened? I’ll tell you another time!

What is your favourite country in the whole world and why? It is

impossible to chose just one favourite; the world is a big place! I have

many favourites including Nepal for the scenery & people; India, for

the sheer madness where you are forced to use all five senses to

the full; Sicily, as it reminds me of Turkey 20 years ago, plus it has

everything including history, islands, volcanoes & excellent food &

wine. And now, I can add Cambodia to my list of favourites, thanks

to the temples of Angkor, the people & the food!

Give us your top tip for going on a river cruise tour? Take

binoculars! You don’t want to miss anything along the way especially

the impressive buildings, local life & birdlife.

What would be your TOP ‘travel tip’! Be Patient – this is very

important when undertaking this type of travel, particularly in this

part of the world. AND learn some of the local language.

Michele Cook has been a tour

guide for over 20 years and has

successfully led over 150 tours in over

70 countries! As well as this, she has

also trained new tour leaders, both

western and local and has researched

new tours in Ghana, Brazil, Assam in

India, Iran, Yunnan Province in China,

Mali, Tunisia & Sicily!

tour guide... Interview with a

Cruisin’ Exclusive


What 5 things do you always take with you on tour? Laptop,

camera, mobile, travel novels & earplugs!

How do you stay so enthusiastic after taking groups to the same places time & time again? I always try & do something different on

every tour & make an effort to learn something new.

How do you keep your groups entertained during a long journey? I have my ways… for example, I am constantly pointing out things of

interest along the way, buying local produce for my guests to sample

& holding quizzes!

Tell us something you learned about Vietnam & Cambodia that you didn’t know before you became a tour guide there? There is

so much sadness in both these countries due to the Vietnam War

1965-1975 & Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime 1975-79. Although the

majority of the population in both countries were born after these

events, they have been affected in some way usually by losing family

members often in horrific circumstances. However they have put the

past behind them & are enjoying the freedom of becoming modern

countries, which shows amazing resilience.

What advice would you give to someone currently planning a Mekong river cruise? Well, river cruises on the Mekong only began in

2008 and facilities along the river are often quite basic. For example,

there is often no proper landing stage in ports of call- steps have

been cut into the river bank instead. With that in mind, clients should

be reasonably fit & agile & bring sensible footwear! A sense of

adventure is also an advantage as this is not Europe! Clients who fit

this criteria will not be disappointed. The best piece of advice from

me however would be to go SOON - before the Mekong becomes

over-developed!

“Over the years I have dealt with many different situations and I have learnt to always expect the unexpected!”



And for you this means the freedom to

escape the everyday and experience things

and places you’ve only ever dreamed of. It’s

refreshing, invigorating and gives you the

freedom and flexibility to create your best

holiday ever!

From her summer home in Barcelona,

Norwegian Epic brings her distinctly

contemporary, cutting-edge style to

some of the Western Mediterranean’s

most fascinating and historic ports. Great

accommodation options, 23 delicious

dining choices, endless activities and

spectacular entertainment, she’s the perfect

ship for everyone.

Step on board across the pond and

Norwegian Breakaway, Pearl, Escape or

Getaway will show you the very best of

Bermuda, the Southern Caribbean or the

sunshine and fun times on a cruise to

Florida, the Bahamas and our own private

island, Great Stirrup Cay!

With Norwegian Cruise Line you can see

more, experience more and get more out

of your holiday aboard Pride of America -

the only ship to offer inter-island cruises to

all four main islands of Hawaii. Sailing year

round and giving you some 85 hours in

contrasting ports, you can create your own

personal Hawaiian experience!

*Prices are based on two people sharing an Inside Stateroom, cruise

only, unless otherwise stated. All offers are subject to change &

availability and may be withdrawn/substituted at any time. On board

spend offer is per stateroom & is not combinable with any other offer

- applicable to bookings made between 20.6.2014 - 31.12.2014. Full

operator’s terms and conditions apply - please ask for more details.

NorwegianCruise like a

Marks’s Choice...“Hawaii is increasingly popular

particularly as Pride of America is the only ship where you can start and finish in Hawaii and get to see more of this amazing destination – My top tip? Invest in a good camera before your holiday because the scenery is breath-taking”.

Mark Godden, Business Development Manager Norwegian Cruise Line

Only Norwegian Cruise Line brings you the endless possibilities of Freestyle Cruising®...

7 nights Western Mediterranean…aboard Norwegian Epic!Departing: 10 May, 26 July, 6 Sept 2015Cruise only from: £569 per person

7 nights Bahamas & Florida from New York…aboard Norwegian Breakaway! 19 Oct, 21 Dec 2014, 8 Mar 2015 Cruise only from £419 per person

11 nights Southern Caribbean…aboard Norwegian Pearl! Departing: 20 Nov 2014, 26 March 2015Cruise only from £509 per person

7 nights Hawaii from Honolulu …aboard Pride of America! Departing: 8 Nov, 22 Nov 2014, 14 Feb 2015Cruise only from £819 per person*

7 nights Eastern Caribbean from Miami…aboard Norwegian Getaway! Departing: 24 Jan, 14 Feb 2015 Cruise only from £409 per person


Cruisin’ Prices

Cruisin’ exclusive!

$100 onboard

spend if you book

before Dec 31st!


Vikki’s Choice...“My favourite city has to be Stockholm. Spread across 14 islands on the south west coast of Sweden, there is almost no end of things to do and see while visiting. Pay a

visit to the very popular Djurgarden, which draws over 10 million visitors each year. This island in central Stockholm is home to historical buildings and monuments, museums, galleries”.

Discover the world’s most extraordinary places...

Baltic Adventure27th July 201412 nights aboard EurodamFares from £699 per guest*Visiting: Stockholm overnight (Sweden) | St. Petersburg

overnight (Russia) | Helsinki (Finland) | Tallinn (Estonia)

Warnemunde (Berlin, Germany) | Kiel (Hamburg,

Germany) | Gothenburg (Sweden) | Copenhagen

overnight (Denmark)

Mediterranean Romance15th October 201412 nights aboard Nieuw AmsterdamFares from £899 per guest*Visiting: Venice | Dubrovnik | Kotor | Corfu | Naples

Civitavecchia (Rome) | Livorno (Florence/Pisa) | Monte

Carlo | Marseille | Barcelona (overnight)

Greek & Turkish Empires4th October 2014 7 nights aboard RyndamFares from £499 per guest*Visiting: Istanbul | Thessaloniki | Kusadasi (Ephesus)

Bodrum | Heraklion | Santorini | Piraeus (Athens)

Eastern & Western Caribbean Holiday14th December 2014 7 nights aboard EurodamFares from £349 per guest*Visiting: Fort Lauderdale | Grand Turk | San Juan

St. Thomas | Half Moon Cay | Fort Lauderdale

African Explorer28th September 2014 28 nights aboard RotterdamFares from £1,899 per guest*Visiting: Southampton | Lisbon | Gibraltar | Malaga

Valletta | Piraeus (Athens) | Ashdod (Jerusalem) | Haifa

Port Said | Enter Suez Canal | Sharm el Sheikh

Aqaba (for Petra) | Safaga | Salalah | Muscat | Abu

Dhabi | Dubai

Business Development Manager, Holland America / Seabourn

For more than 140 years, Holland America Line has been a recognised leader in cruising, taking its guests to exotic destinations around the world. Its compelling worldwide itineraries; coupled with the most spacious and comfortable mid-size ships at sea consistently place Holland America Line among the highest-rated premium cruise lines…

Difference… Cruisin’ Prices

Cruisin’ Prices

The Seabourn

Delight in one of Seabourn’s unique itineraries to must-see cities and hidden gems where larger ships cannot go…

South Africa Voyage19th November 201431 nights aboard Seabourn SojournFares from £5,999 per guest*Visiting: Barcelona (Spain) | Gibraltar | Tangier

(Morocco) | Casablanca (Morocco) | Arrecife

(Lanzarote) | Las Palmas (Spain) | Santa Cruz (La

Palma) | Mindelo (Cape Verde) | Praia, Ilha de Santiago

(Cape Verde) | Dakar (Senegal) | Banjul (Gambia)

Bom Bom Island (Sao Tome & Principe) | Luanda

(Angola) | Walvis Bay overnight (Namibia) | Luderitz

(Namibia) | Cape Town overnight (South Africa)

Ultimate Antarctica & Patagonia

*Lead in fares are in £ per person, cruise only and based on double occupancy.

Subject to availability and correct at time of print.and change. Operator’s terms and conditions apply.

29th November 2014* 13th January 201521 nights aboard Seabourn QuestFares from £10,499 per guest with free upgrade to Veranda*Visiting: Buenos Aires (Argentina) | Montevideo (Uruguay)

Stanley (Falkland Islands) | x6 day Antarctic Experience | Ushuaia

(Argentina) | Beagle Channel | Punta Arenas (Chile) | Strait of

Magellan | Canal Sarmiento | El Brujo Glacier | Chilean Fjords

Gulf of Corcovado | Castro Isla Chiloe (Chile) | Puerto Montt

(Chile) | Reloncavi Sound | Valparaiso (Santiago)

*Lead in fares are in £ per person, cruise only and based on double

occupancy. Subject to availability and correct at time of print.and

change. Operator’s terms and conditions apply.

NorwegianCruise like a


What could be more enjoyable

than feasting on delectable

cuisine such as delicate

soufflés or artisan breads; King’s Cut bone-

in prime rib or exotic braised beef Malay

curry; followed by banana cake with toffee

and hazelnut sauce served with coconut ice

cream for desert… than enjoying it in opulent

surroundings aboard a luxury cruise ship!?

Over the last few years cruise-ship cuisine

has really come of age, with spectacular

dining rooms, ultra creative menus,

speciality restaurants and even creations

from some of the world’s top chefs.

Luxury cruise operator Oceania Cruises for

example, boasts the legendary Master Chef,

Jacques Pepin, as its Executive Culinary

Director. Jacques has served as personal

chef to numerous heads of state and

currently serves on the faculties of some

of the world’s most prestigious culinary

institutions.

P&O Cruises plays host to the UK’s very own

Marco Pierre White who, by the grand old

age of 33 had already been awarded three

Michelin Stars! His White Room on board

Ventura, Café Jardin on board Oceana, Café

Bordeaux on board Aurora and the Ocean

Grill on board Adonia, all boast simple yet

beautiful dishes, staying true to Marco’s classic

Italian fare at its very best.

The style of cruise ship dining has also

been transformed over the years, with many

cruise lines specialising in open dining with

no set meal times, formal dress codes or pre-

allocated seating arrangements.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s famous ‘freestyle

dining’ concept is the perfect example – where

guests can choose from “more dining options

than days in the week”; can dress up or dress

down; sit with friends old or new and enjoy

their meals at whichever time they choose!

Cruise ship menus, particularly on luxury and

river cruises, have been designed to artfully

reflect the regional cultures and traditions

of the area they sail through, enhancing the

cruising experience, adding authenticity and

ensuring tremendous variety. Many itineraries

also offer the opportunity to get ‘hands

on’ with local cuisine by hosting cooking

demonstrations and classes on food & wine

themed cruises (for more on themed cruise

holidays, see page 11).

So thankfully, the days of all-you-can-eat

buffets and scrambling for the best seats

in the main dining room are long over, and

food fans no longer need think that they

are ‘missing out’ on getting up close and

personal with a nation’s cuisine by taking

a cruise as opposed to a ‘normal’ holiday.

Plus, an increase in port-intensive itineraries

(see pages 18-19 for more on this) now

allows cruise passengers to totally immerse

themselves in the heart of a destination, just

as much as those staying within the port

towns themselves are able to!

the ocean waves…Fine dining amongst


Tailor-made fly-cruise packages

As experts in tailor-making cruise holidays to suit your every need, we have put together some fantastic fly/cruise packages for 2014/15. If you don’t spot anything you fancy on this page, don’t despair, we can arrange an almost limitless combination of cruise packages just for you – including a pre or post-cruise stay at a hotel, flights to and from your destination, sight-seeing tours and more – just ask your Cruisin’ specialist!

…aboard Celebrity Silhouette Departing: 8 August 2014 2 nights in a 4* Venice hotel, plus 7 nights aboard Celebrity Silhouette, departing 10 August

Visiting: Kotor | Santorini | Athens (Piraeus) Katakolon | Venice

Fly/Cruise from: £1426 per person

Greek Isles Cruise & Venice Stay

Disney Cruise & Stay Holiday

…aboard Norwegian Epic Departing: 26 September 2014 2 nights in 4* Barcelona hotel, plus 7 nights aboard Norwegian Epic, departing 28 September

Western Med Cruise & Stay Universal Cruise & Stay

Call your cruise specialist NOWto book your fly cruise package or

let us tailor your chosencruise and stay to your

requirements


Visiting: Barcelona | Naples | Civitavecchia (Rome) Livorno | Cannes | Palma | Barcelona

…aboard Celebrity Silhouette Departing: 9 November 2014

7 nights at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, plus 7 nights aboard Freedom of the Seas, departing 16 November


Visiting: Port Canaveral (Florida) | Cococay (Bahamas) Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) | Philipsburg (St. Maarten)

Includes sightseeing tour of Barcelona, Sept 27!

Includes Disney Park entrance tickets & quick counter meals!

Includes Universal park entrance tickets and car hire!

…aboard Disney Magic Departing: 25 January 2015

7 nights at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Hotel (Walt Disney World Resort), plus 7 nights aboard Disney Magic, departing 1 February


Visiting: Port Canaveral (Florida) | Key West (Florida)| Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) | Cozumel | Castaway Cay (Bahamas)


*All offers have been packaged with flights & transfers as required and standard hotel accommodation as stated. Prices are per person and based

on 2 people sharing the lead in category cabin. Subject to availability and change. Upgrades and alternative options are available – please ask for

details. Your booking is ABTA and ATOL bonded for your financial protection and peace of mind.


Amazing Activities… From Natural Phenomena to

Fantastic Arctic voyage to areas seldom seen by tourists…

Hurtigruten have sailed in polar waters since 1893 and we know them like the back of our hands; in fact many of our crew were born and live on the coastlines we sail along! Winter is perhaps the most special time to explore the wild and untamed Norwegian scenery. The landscape is covered in white pure snow, and we provide you with the best chance of experiencing the Northern Lights.

Arctic Explorer 24 February | 3 & 17 March 2015 from London Gatwick 10 March 2015 from Manchester

8 days, with flights Fares from £1579 per guest* Visiting: Bodø | Tromsø | The North Cape† | Kirkenes

Hammerfest | Vesterålen | Svolvær | Bodø

Early booking discount 2015!Book early and benefit from up to 25% off 2015 Classic Itineraries. Hurtigruten’s Classic Voyage is a spectacular journey! Enjoy the changing landscape of over 2,400km of coastline of majestic scenery, welcoming towns and friendly, like-minded travellers!

Book by 30 September 2014 and enjoy fares from only £819pp**Price is based on two people sharing an inside cabin on a voyage south from Kirkenes to Bergen in January 2015. Price includes discount. Normal Hurtigruten T&C apply.

Arctic Highlights Selected dates in November and December 2014Selected dates in January to March 2015

5 or 6 days, with flights Fares from £999 per guest* Visiting: Tromsø | Honningsvåg | Kirkenes

Hammerfest | Tromsø

Cruisin’ Mag Exclusive! £100 on board credit per cabin (£50 for singles)

Cruisin’ Mag Exclusive! £100 on board credit per cabin (£50 for singles)

*Price includes 3 nights on board the ship at half board,

one or two nights in a centrally located Tromsø hotel at

B&B, overseas transfers and flights. Only available for

new bookings. Normal Hurtigruten T&C apply.

*Price includes 5 nights on board the ship, two nights in

a Svolvær hotel, full board, visit to Lofotr Viking museum,

overseas transfers and flights. Only available for new bookings.

Normal Hurtigruten T&C apply. †Optional excursion.

Cruisin’ Prices Cruisin’ Prices


Sarah’s Choice...“My favourite city is Barcelona. I love the bustle

of Las Ramblas and all the architecture the city has to offer. It’s also worth while taking time to walk away from the crowds and experiencing the tapas bars and cafes off the beaten track and experience Barcelona as the locals do!”.

Sarah Brooks, Senior Regional Sales Manager, RSSC

Summer cruise experiences ever…

Barcelona to Monte Carlo6 September 2014 7 nights aboard Seven Seas Mariner Fares from £2399 per guest* Visting: Barcelona (Spain) | Port-Vendres (France)

Provence (Marseille, France) | Antibes (France)

Florence/Pisa (Livorno, Italy) | Rome (Civitavecchia,

Italy) | Portofino (Italy) | Monte Carlo (Monaco)

Monte Carlo to Venice13 September 2014 10 nights aboard Seven Seas Mariner Fares from £4199 per guest* Visting: Monte Carlo (Monaco) | Florence/Pisa

(Livorno, Italy) | Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy) | Sorrento/

Capri (Italy) | Taormina (Sicily) | Corfu (Greece)

Durres (Tirana, Albania) | Split (Croatia)

Amsterdam to Monte Carlo30 September 2014 14 nights aboard Seven Seas Voyager Fares from £6479 per guest* Visting: Amsterdam (Netherlands) | Saint-Malo

(France) | Lorient (France) | Bordeaux (France) Bilbao

(France) | La Coruna (Spain) | Oporto (Portugal)

Lisbon (Portugal) | Valencia (Spain) | Barcelona

(Spain) | Provence (France) | Monte Carlo (Monaco)

Rome to Lisbon3 October 2014 10 nights aboard Seven Seas Mariner Fares from £3199 per guest* Visting: Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy) | Florence/Pisa

(Livorno, Italy) | Monte Carlo (Monaco) | Barcelona

(Spain) | Valencia (Spain) | Cartagena (Spain)

Malaga (Spain) | Gibraltar (UK) | Seville (Cadiz, Spain)

Lisbon (Portugal)

Cruisin’ Prices

It’s All Included...• FREE Flights & Ground Transfers

• FREE Business Class Air (in Penthouse Suites and Higher on Europe Voyages)

• FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions

• FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits

• FREE Open Bars and Lounges

• FREE Fine dining including speciaility restaurants

• FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities

• FREE 24-hour Room Service

• Butler Service in Penthouse Suites and Higher

• Onboard Activities Including Expert Guest Lectures and more...

*Advertised fare includes air-related government taxes,

surcharges and fees. Fares are per person, based on double

occupancy, fares and category availability are subject to

change without notice.

Enjoy the most inclusive


Cruisin' Wordsearch

R B Y G N I K O O B I A R I C T R RN N O R W A Y H A A B R N E S R D TI B I W E T E A I A R A S O T M D TB E E T S E T N Y A D I L O H A E DI R F T H B A N A V U A E T G N W RI O I N A E B B I R A C N T I O H II L L T C E A T C I R P O S L C M NI P D O A E I I V V A E I N F V S NR X L D G N T A E E R U T N E V D AI E I L E R N N E R C C A I G I I OD C W R A I A I N C I E N A D N L NV N A V D C S T A R C L I P P E R SN R E N A H N C U U U E T I R V M NY L A P E M O E R I L B S U M M E RI C K B S E I N E S T R E T R A H CS A I L I N G S C I U I D S R T O ET H G C I T E S I N R T E P S O E PN E E A A A R A C G E Y A S H I P I

CRUISE CELEBRITY TRAVEL BOWRIVERCRUISING CUISINE CHARTER FLIGHTSCARIBBEAN MEDITERRANEAN SHIP WATERPORTS DESTINATION SAILING STARCLIPPERSITINERARY EXPLORE NORWAY ADVENTUREHOLIDAY SCANDINAVIA BALTICS CULTUREREGIONS BOOKING SPEND GRATUITIESWILDLIFE ENRICHMENT OCEANIA BRITANNIASUMMER

Word SearchCruisin’

Ratatouille Recipe

CRUISE

CELEBRITY

TRAVEL

BOW

RIVERCRUISING

CUISINE

CHARTER

FLIGHTS

CARIBBEAN

MEDITERRANEAN

SHIP

WATER

PORTS

DESTINATION

SAILING

STARCLIPPERS

ITINERARY

EXPLORE

NORWAY

ADVENTURE

HOLIDAY

SCANDINAVIA

BALTICS

CULTURE

REGIONS

BOOKING

SPEND

GRATUITIES

WILDLIFE

ENRICHMENT

OCEANIA

BRITANNIA

SUMMER

Who doesn’t like a good old fashioned word-search! Here are your words, how long will it take you to find them..?

You may already know that Oceania Cruises’ ‘Bon Appétit

Culinary Centre’, on board Marina and Riviera, hosts classes for

guests who want to learn all about the signature dishes of the

regions they sail through. If you’re thinking of booking yourself

on an Oceania cruise, why not get a head-start with our

recipe for Ratatouille, one of culinary director Jacques Pépin’s

favourite dishes…

Ingredients

2 onions

4 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic

2 aubergines

2 courgettes

2 red or yellow peppers (seeded and quartered)

4 plum tomatoes

2-3 sprigs of thyme

Handful of basil leaves

Method

Slice and pan fry the onions in olive oil until they are soft. Add 4 (thinly sliced) garlic cloves to the pan and cook until soft. Transfer to deep roasting tin or baking dish. Thickly slice the aubergines and courgettes (thick slices) and pan fry each piece separately, adding more oil as necessary until the they turn a golden colour – it may take longer to cook these separately yet doing so really does help to lock in the flavour! Do the same with the peppers.

Remove each piece of veg when ready, and place into your tin/dish, followed by the plum tomatoes (thickly sliced). Season with salt, black pepper and thyme. Bake for around 40 minutes at 180C (gas mark 4) until soft and tender.

Almost ready, simply tear your basil leaves, stir in gently and serve!


Cruisin’ fashion...Our picks for this summer’s must haves…

Splash Out... Wide Mood Indigo Bowie Bracelet by Astley Clarke Biography £295www.astleyclarke.com/uk Various colours available

Splash Out... Accai Coral Dress by Theremedi £295www.notonthehighstreet.com

Reel It In…Ladies Jenny Trilby Panama Hat£60www.panamahats.co.uk

Splash Out…Handcrafted Marine Blue

Leather Overnight Bag by Freeload Leather Accessories

£235www.notonthehighstreet.com

Reel It In… Floral Sarong

£8www.bonmarche.co.uk

Reel It In…Piccolo Bagby Tombag £85www.notonthehighstreet.com

Reel It In…Thundercloud Nappa

Leather Bolsena Bracelet by Astley Clarke Bolsena

£75www.astleyclarke.com/uk

Splash Out... Snap Brim Trilby Panama

£70Handwoven in Equador


Holiday Extras

ParkingBook your airport parking quickly and

easily through your Cruisin’ specialists for

the best price.

HotelsChoose from a wide selection of airport

hotels including Gatwick, Heathrow,

Manchester and Stansted. Remember that

by staying overnight at an airport hotel not

only are you extending your holiday but

you are on site at the airport ready for your

check in the following morning.

LoungesAirport Lounges are so affordable and

are often a surprisingly good deal! Just

think how much you spend every time

you get through security at the Airport,

on food, drink, papers, magazines and

other sundries. You could have access

to all these things for one easy lounge

payment that can be booked and paid for

in advance.

InsurancePrepare for your holidays and book your

single trip travel insurance with your

Cruisin’ specialists.

Hotel and CoachLet someone else do the driving and rest

the night before your flight. Comfortable

return coach travel to the airport combined

with an overnight stay at an airport hotel

can cost less than you think.

RailSave £££’s by booking return rail travel to

the airport in advance. It is a great way to

get to the airport and is available to 8 main

UK airports.

Top West End shows plus hotel & breakfastWe understand what it takes to deliver

an unforgettable theatre break. All our

products are inspected, reviewed, slept in,

watched and eaten on a regular basis to

ensure an unforgettable theatre break.

Play and StayUK Theme Park Breaks and Hotel Stays.

Airport Car HireCar hire both to and from the airport.

Call or email your Cruisin’ Specialist TODAY to arrange your HOLIDAY EXTRAS!You will be amazed at just how much you can SAVE!

Your cruise holiday specialist can organise so much more than your cruise. There are a number of ways that you can save yourself time and money by asking your specialist to book your holiday extras before you travel - making your arrangements as convenient and enjoyable as they possibly can be!

Call free on: 0808 271 3549or visit our website: www.fredcruises.co.uk

All prices are per person based on two adults sharing, unless otherwise stated. Offers are correct at time of going to print (09/06/14) and can be changed/withdrawn at any time. Any offers are subject to the operators’ terms and conditions and can be changed/withdrawn at any time. The cruise operators’ current campaign terms and conditions apply and are available upon request. Visas are not included. All

bookings are ABTA and ATOL bonded for your financial protection and peace of mind.

ABTA No.Y0128

0944

For your peace of mind

Cruisin' Magazine | Fred.\ Cruises

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