CTN Cruise 2015

The Ultimate Destination Guide2015

PLUS The Gallerycruise line profiles

Who goeswhere

What’sincluded

2 | CRUISE TRADE NEWS | ISSUE 33 | JANUARY 2012

Port of

Port Office, North Mole, Gibraltar

Tel: +350 200 46254 | Fax: +350 200 51513

www.gibraltarport.com

The Port of Gibraltar offers:

» A prime location at the southern tip of Europe » State-of-the-art cruise facilities

» Duty-Free provisions » High quality bunkers at competitive prices » Safe anchorage

» A wide range of maritime services » Proximity to International Airport

10:10

3The Ultimate Destination Guide | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

CONTENTS | CRU ISE 2015

Published by Cruiseworthy Media10 Tadorne Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5TD, United Kingdom.Keith Ellis: Publisher/Managing [email protected]: +44 (0) 1737 812411, Mob: 07802 256275Jane Archer: Editor/[email protected] Macefield: JournalistGiles Ellis Creative: Design & ProductionTel: +44 (0) 1444 480491studio@gileselliscreative.comwww.gileselliscreative.comMaterial in this publication are thecopyright of the title publisher and may notbe reproduced without written permission ofthe publisher. Prices were correct at the timeof writing and can go up or down.Front cover illustrationOceania Cruises in Cannes.

Cruiseworthy Media.The UK’s longest establishedtrade, and consumer cruise publisher...

Top 10 reasons to take a cruise 4-5

What’s new with cruise 6-7

How to choose your cabin 8

What is ultra-luxury? 11

Taking the kids 12-13

What to do on board 14

Dining out 16

Entertainment 17

Cruising from the UK 18-19

Cruise andstay 22-24

Themed and specialevent cruising 25

Why take a world cruise 26-27

Destination guide 29-80

Who goes where 82-83

What’s included 84-85

Cruise line Gallery 86-106

Welcome to CRUISE 2015, your ultimateguide to cruise destinations.

The fabulous variety of places you can visiton a cruise, waking up with a new place toexplore every day, remains one of the topreasons to take a holiday at sea.

Add to that the fact you only have tounpack once and it’s easy to see why morethan 1.7 million British holidaymakers thesedays* choose to cruise. There are cruisesclose to home in the Mediterranean, island-

hopping holidays in the Caribbean, exoticjourneys in Asia and voyages around SouthAmerica. You can even go wildlife-spotting inthe Galapagos or get your chills on a trip toAntarctica or the Arctic.

Cruise 2015 has information about allthese places and more to help whet yourappetite. Whether you’ve cruised before or areconsidering your first holiday at sea, this is theplace to start planning.

And if you’re still a bit unsure what awaits

on your first cruise, we have that covered too.Our top-10 reasons to cruise is followed bypractical advice on everything from dining and entertainment to how to choose yourcabin and why a cruise is such a great holidayfor families.

Bon voyage!KEITH ELLIS

Publisher/Managing Editor,Cruise Trade News

* Figures provided by the Cruise Lines International Association.

4 | CTN | CRUISE 2015 | The Ultimate Destination Guide

2

5

6

7

Suite dreamsWith everything from inside cabins to luxurioussuites as big as apartments, there isaccommodation to suit every pocket on acruise ship. On a budget? Check out theinside cabins. There’s no window but with somuch happening on the ship you won’t spendmuch time in there. Ready to splash out?There are cabins with balconies and suiteswith separate living and sleeping space. Ifmoney is no object, there are suites withmultiple bedrooms and bathrooms, privategyms, even grand pianos.And so to bed, p8.

The easy way to travelCheck in, hop on board, unpack (your suitcasewill be delivered to your cabin or suite) andrelax as your floating hotel brings eachdestination to you. It really is that easy. Noneed for numerous flights or to pack andunpack as you island-hop around theCaribbean, tour the Mediterranean or enjoyhistory and culture in the Baltic.

A world of choiceVoyage around the world, cruise theMediterranean or Baltic, or sail around Asia.The choice is boundless. There’s island-hopping in the Caribbean and cruises alongthe coasts of Canada and New England. Wantsomething more exotic? You can cruise toAntarctica and the Arctic, sail through theNorthwest Passage, go on wildlife safaris inthe Galapagos and voyage around theKimberley in Australia.For more on destinations see p29-81.

Family funMore than 1.5 million youngsters aged 17 andunder go on cruises each year because there’sso much fun stuff for them to do if you pick afamily-friendly ship. They could be learning tosurf, scooting down high-speed water slides,zip-wiring or walking over tightropes. Thenthere are the kids’ and teen clubs with non-stop activities ranging from arts and crafts topool parties and discos for youngsters agedthree to 17 - all at no charge.Cruising with the kids, p12-13.

Top10 reasons

Suits you sir!Want to dress up? Or down? Whatever yourfancy, there is a cruise to suit. ConsiderCunard and P&O Cruises if you want to jointhe Downton crowd; think Norwegian CruiseLine if you want to leave the tux at home andgo casual all the way. Most cruise lines aresomewhere in between, with one or twoformal nights per seven-night cruise butmostly a dark suit and tie will suffice for the men, with smart trousers, skirts or dresses for the ladies.

8Value guaranteedYour cruise price will include breakfast, lunchand dinner in the dining room or self-service,as well as all entertainment. Some cruiselines additionally include gratuities, othersinclude drinks, gratuities and specialitydining. Cruise with Hebridean Island Cruisesand your shore excursions will be included;choose Regent Seven Seas Cruises and youcan leave your wallet at home as flights,transfers, shore excursions, drinks, specialitydining, gratuities and internet (selectedsuites only) are included.What’s included, p84-85.

5Reasons to take a cruise | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

9

10

A day at seaEver wondered how to mix a cocktail? Or spot a goodwine? Days at seaare a perfect time to discover newskills, fromballroom dancingto wine-tastingand even napkinfolding. You couldalternatively spendthe day with a goodbook or treat yourselfto a massage, facial,manicure or pedicurein the spa. Cruise withVoyages to Antiquity orSwan Hellenic, or tothe poles withHurtigruten, and seadays will be filled witherudite lectures aboutthe history, culture and wildlife of the places you’ll be visiting.Will I be bored?, p14.

It’s showtime!Song-and-dance productions in the theatreare the staple diet of cruise shipentertainment, but there are also acrobaticand aerial acts, comedians and live bands inthe bars and lounges. There are shows in thetheatres most evenings, but also gameshows and quizzes. A lot of the big shipshave evening film shows on giant poolsidemovie screens. Entertainment at sea, p17/25.

Food for thoughtWith lavish breakfasts, lunches and five-coursedinners included in the cruise price, you’ll nevergo hungry on a cruise. Help yourself in the self-service or pop down to the dining room forwaiter service. New cruise ships also havealternative restaurants (usually with a priceattached) serving everything from Italian tratorriasto Asian eateries and steakhouses. On P&OCruises’ ships, you can dine in a restaurant withmenus devised by Marco Pierre White; CrystalCruises has an Asian restaurant created by sushiking Nobu Matsuhisa..Consuming issues, p16.

to take a cruise

4Stay in shapeEveryone loves to eat on a cruise ship but a weekor more at sea is also a great way to get intoshape. Modern cruise ships have large gymsequipped with state-of-the-art equipment, fromtreadmills and cycles to cross-trainers and weighttraining. There are yoga, Pilates and stretchingclasses (mostly at an extra cost); many shipshave TRX training, which uses suspension cordsfor a full body workout, high-intensity spinningclasses and cardio boxing classes.


Highlights of 2015

Only the bestCelebrity Cruises has some suite treats forpassengers booking its top-endaccommodation after April 2015, including adedicated restaurant, VIP lounge and 24-hourbutler service. Book a Royal, Penthouse orReflection suite and you’ll even free alcoholicand soft drinks, and unlimited internet access.celebritycruises.co.uk

N-ice way to travelPolar specialist Quark Expeditions is offeringpaddleboarding in Antarctica on Endeavour, anice-strengthened vessel that’s joining its fleet inNovember 2015. Think surfing with a paddlebut without the roller-coaster waves.quarkexpeditions.com.

Welcome to the AzoresAzores, the 550-passenger ship formerly called Athena, has been

chartered by Cruise & Maritime Voyages. It enters service in CMV coloursin January 2015, starting with a 30-day voyage round-trip from Bristol

Avonmouth to the Caribbean.cruiseandmaritime.com

Dalmation delights Small is beautiful on SeaDream Yacht Club’s 2015 Mediterraneancruises, as its 112-passenger vessels visit ports the big ships can

only dream about. Options include seven-day cruises along thecoast of Croatia and island-hopping in the Greek isles. seadream.com

Escape to the future Miami will be welcomingNorwegian Cruise Line’snext new ship, NorwegianEscape, when it launches inOctober 2015. The 4,200-passenger ship will be thebiggest in the Norwegianfleet and sail seven-nightEastern Caribbean cruises that visit Tortola; St. Thomas and Nassau in the Bahamas.ncl.co.uk

7What’s New | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

Jamie goes to sea Jamie Oliver is adding a touch of celebrityto the dining on Royal CaribbeanInternational’s new ship Anthem of theSeas, which will be sailing fromSouthampton when it launches in April2015. As well as a branch of Jamie’s Italian,the ship will offer an end to main diningrooms and set seating.royalcaribbean.co.uk

What’s cooking?If food be the music of life, then hop onBritannia, the new ship P&O Cruises islaunching in March 2015. It will have a cookerykitchen fashioned by TV’s Saturday Kitchenchef James Martin, an Indian restaurant byAtul Kochhar, gala night dishes created byMarco Pierre White and sweet treats fromCake Boy Eric Lanlard.pocruises.com

Bermuda is back!

After a break of twoyears, Holland America

Line is resurrecting itsseven-night cruises toBermuda on Veendamin 2015, sailing round-

trip from Bostoninstead of New York.

The ship stays inHamilton for three

nights so there’s timeto enjoy the pink sandy

beaches and explorethe island’s British

heritage.hollandamerica.com

A date with deathIt’s the ultimate whodunit at sea – a Poison, Murder and Mysterycruise to the Canary Islands on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’Boudicca. The action starts as soon as everyone is on board onJuly 24 2015 and runs through to the grand finale at AlnwickCastle in Northumberland, home of the UK’s only poison garden.fredolsencruises.com

Around the world in 180 daysWhy race around the world in Phileas Foggstyle when you can take your time and do it instyle on a 180-day voyage with OceaniaCruises. The line has two epic round-the-worldcruises in 2015 sailing round-trip from Miamion Insignia, a recently-revamped 684-passenger ship, with another in 2016.oceaniacruises.com

Now we are four Le Lyrial is the fourth in a series of yacht-likeships launched by Ponant. The vessel, whichenters service in April 2015, will have biggersuites than its three sisters, bringing capacitydown from 264 to 244. It will spend aninaugural season cruising Italy, Croatia,Montenegro, Greece and Turkey.ponant.com

Sara Macefield offers a guidinghand through the maze of cabinsand suites.

Once you have chosen your cruise, it’s timeto choose where you’re going to sleep. Thatcan be very confusing given the numerousnames and cabin grades on offer (up to 30 insome cases) on the megaships, so it’s worthbearing in mind a simple fact:

There are just four types of cabin.• Inside – these are cheapest cabins, inside theship with no window or porthole.• Outside – these have a window or portholebut it won’t open.• Balcony – these cabins have their ownprivate verandas.• Suite – a suite correctly has separate sleepingand living areas (either different rooms or a curtain between the two) but some cruiselines use this moniker to mean a more spacious cabin.

Another area of confusion for cruisingnewcomers is the term stateroom, which issimply a word all the cruise lines now use todescribe a cabin. Don’t be fooled by the name.At the end of the day, it’s still a cabin.

Cabins come with a range of fixtures andfittings as standard. You can certainly expect aTV (and sometimes a DVD), a minibar or fridgeand a hairdryer, and most cabins have privatesafes. All have ensuite bathrooms with baths or showers (or sometimes both); the best cruise lines provide an unlimited supply ofluxury toiletries.

In short, it’s everything you would expectfrom a modern hotel room – and some-times more.

Cabin prices are determined by their grade,of course, but also their location on the ship.Rooms on the lowest decks are the cheapest;those on the higher decks are more expensive.You usually also pay a premium for a morecentral position (although the most expensivesuites are sometimes at the very front and veryback of the ship).

Which cabin you choose obviouslydepends how much you want to spend, butthere are other things to consider. If you aresusceptible to sea-sickness, pick a cabin on alower deck in the middle of the ship as there willbe less movement if you hit rough weather.

If you are sensitive to noise, avoid a roomjust below the lido deck, the gym or close to theengine room; if mobility is an issue,accommodation close to the lifts andrestaurants (usually at the back) makes sense.

There are cabins and suites near the spafor those who want to pamper themselves butnot walk too far (these often have direct accessto the spa and come with extra amenitiesincluding free and unlimited access to thethermal suite). If you are travelling with children,you may want to pick a cabin close to the kids’clubs and children’s facilities or one of the familysuits some lines offer.

Most cabins are doubles or twins, but a fewcruise ships have single cabins, notably thoseoperated by Voyages to Antiquity, SagaCruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, P&O Cruisesand Thomson Cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line’sNorwegian Epic, Breakaway and Getaway havestudio cabins for lone travellers that come withaccess to a private singles lounge. Cunardadded nine single cabins to Queen Elizabethduring a refit in May 2014 and nine will beadded to Queen Victoria in January 2015.


And so to bed

9MARIE CELESTE | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

A WORLD AWAY FROM ORDINARY CRUISING

Your Cruise Fare includes:

*

Your Voyage of Discovery starts the moment you step aboard Voyager, our elegant and comfortable ship which provides a haven of relaxation away from the stresses of the modern world.

Voyager’s

Voyager

14:51:38


Style is a question of personal i ty. I t is a question of high standards and a personal touch. With the EUROPA 2 we have def ined a new form of styl ish cruises.

Let yoursel f be enthra l led by: • A sty l ish and exclus ive atmosphere, awarded the 5-star-p lus rat ing**• More space to re lax than on any other cru ise sh ip• A maximum of 500 guests• 7 restaurants wi thout surcharges or str ict meal t imes• Al l ba lcony sui te accommodat ion with min imum 35 m2 (376 sq f t )• OCEAN SPA with more than 1,000 m2/10,765 sq f t

Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahr ten GmbH, Ballindamm 25, 20095 Hamburg, Germany www.mseuropa2.com

MS EUROPA 2 sets course for this fantastic destinations: Western Europe, 8 routes, spring 2015 Western Mediterranean, 11 routes, summer 2015 Eastern Mediterranean, 5 routes, summer/autumn 2015 Arabian Peninsula, 2 routes, autumn 2015 Africa, 5 routes, autumn/winter 2015/2016 and Asia, 5 routes, winter/spring 2015/2016

* The credit will be graded according to the length of the cruise. It will apply to all new bookings on board MS EUROPA 2 for departures starting October 1st 2014.

** According to Berlitz Cruise Guide 2014

For Sales Enquir ies:

Please contact our UK & Ireland Sales Representat ive Mike Flanagan

E-mai l : mike. f lanagan@hlkf .de Phone: +44 79 21 223176

For details and bookings please contact your preferred travel agent.

Introductory offer:

“on-board

beverage credit“*

up to € 200

per person!

FREEDOM THAT TAKES YOU PLACES.

While all cruising is regarded as a luxuriousholiday, not all cruise ships were built equal,with a select few at the top of the tree offeringthe ultimate in opulent living.

We’re talking about cruise lines withintimate small ships that hold between 50 andjust over 1,000 passengers, and have largecabins and suites (most with balconies) thatare serviced by a butler as well as roomstewards. Their ships also have lots ofpersonal space, both indoors and on the opendeck so you don’t have to rise early to putyour towel on a sun lounger.

These cruise lines (see list this page) haveopen seating restaurants that allow you to dinewhen you want and to sit with whoever youwish, increasingly they stay longer in favouriteports so there is more time ashore and mosthave abandoned formal nights in favour ofsmart casual attire (but some have formaloptional evenings now and then for those wholike to dress up). Service is quietly efficient andfriendly, and don’t be surprised when thebarmen remember your favourite tipple afterjust one visit to the lounge.

Most of the top-end cruise lines alsoinclude soft and alcoholic beverages in the

cost of the cruise (including unlimitedChampagne) so you have the luxury of neverworrying whose turn it is to buy a round. It’sa perk that also helps to make the shipsmore friendly.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the exceptionbut the company includes minibar drinks inthe price and is now including a beveragecredit for British passengers of up to €200per person to help sweeten the bar bill.

The good news is that this opulentlifestyle has become very affordable as thecruise lines have held prices while addingmore in the package including gratuitiesand, with the odd exception, specialitydining. On Regent, almost everything isincluded, even unlimited internet usage forpassengers in top-end suites, so you canwalk off at the end without a bill. You’ll finddetails of what each cruise lines includes on p84-85.

Below this layer of six-star cruise lines,there’s a division of premium small shipcompanies (see right) that are less inclusivebut also offer the luxury of good service,open-seating restaurants, quality dining anda casual environment.


A life of luxury

Six-star cruise linesCrystal Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (Europa 2)

Hebridean Island Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seabourn

SeaDream Yacht Club

Silversea

Premium brand cruise linesAzamara Club Cruises

Ponant

Cunard

Oceania Cruises

Do you dream of living the Champagne lifestyle? Then book an ultra-luxury cruise and live the dream, says Jane Archer.

How many family holidays take you to adifferent destination every day, and give you a choice of places to dine, fun-filled kids’ clubs and activities galore – and all for no extra cost?

The answer is a cruise, of course. In factholidays at sea are such a favourite withfamilies that some 1.5 million youngsters aged17 and under go on a cruise each year, some85,000 of them from the UK.

Lots of cruise lines have caught on to thisburgeoning market, offering special childprices and a host of fun activities on board.Italian line MSC Cruises even offers freesailings for the under-18s if they share a cabinwith two adults (but they have to pay porttaxes and flights).

With so many cruise companies nowdeparting from UK shores, family cruising is adoddle. You just drive to the ship and yourholiday starts as soon as you step aboard. Norestless kids hanging around airports orgetting bored on flights.

But cruising’s biggest strength is the wall-to-wall childcare that caters for all ages, fromtiny tots to world-weary teenagers, innurseries, kids’ clubs and teen hangouts, aswell as a host of onboard attractions.

We’re talking everything from climbingwalls and bowling alleys to ice-skating rinksand water slides, plus the chance to party orbreakfast with the likes of Mickey Mouse andfriends aboard Disney Cruise Line ships. Shrekand other DreamWorks characters are onseveral Royal Caribbean International vesselsand Dora the Explorer and Nickelodeoncharacters sail on selected Norwegian CruiseLine ships.

The resort-style ships have a wide choiceof family-friendly accommodation, from familycabins with sofa beds or bunks that dropdown from the ceiling to inter-connectingcabins and suites.

There are water machines on deck or inthe buffet restaurants where youngsters canhelp themselves to drinks for free (and some


Cruising Never thought of taking the children on a family cruise?It’s time to think again, says Sara Macefield.

eight years or older) can enjoy hauling up thesails and climbing the mast to the Crow’sNest, along with visits to deserted beachesand kayaking trips.

All at seaDon’t be afraid that you’ll be left twiddlingyour thumbs on sea days. Modern cruiseships are packed to the funnels with facilitiesand activities.

One of the most exciting trends hasbeen the proliferation of onboard waterparks. Disney’ two newest ships have anAquaDuck water coaster that weaves aroundthe tip deck and through the funnel;Norwegian Cruise Line has wild water slideson its newer vessels; Carnival lays claim to having introduced the first ropes course at sea.

Royal Caribbean International's largerships took deck activities to new levels withtheir climbing walls, FlowRider surfsimulators, H2O water play zones and zipwire rides. Its new Quantum-class ships willeven have dodgem cars and a skydivingsimulator.

Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises andvarious others have giant on-deck moviescreens where children can catch a film whileplaying in the pool, while some NorwegianCruise Line ships even boast bowling alleys.

If all this leaves you feeling exhausted,take heart from the news that parents aren’tforgotten either. Even child-friendly shipshave spots where couples can grab some“me” time in adult-only areas, as well assumptuous spas and à la carte restaurantswhere they can enjoy a meal for two whilethe children are having fun in the kids’ clubs.


have free ice-cream). Fizzy drinks cost extrabut most cruise lines sell soda cards, which ismore cost-effective than buying as you go.

Having decided a cruise is for you, the keyis to choose a ship best suited to yourchildren’s needs.

It’s an age thingA few lines take youngsters from six monthsupwards, though Disney Cruise Line takes totsaged from just three months. They are cateredfor in onboard nurseries, parent and baby play areas and with babysitting sessions,though these may carry a charge, especiallylate at night.

Children are generally not accepted intokids’ clubs unaccompanied until they are threeyears old, and most require them to be toilettrained; if your child is not, expect to besummoned when their nappy needs changing.

Clubs are divided into different age groups,roughly along the lines of two to five, six toeight, and nine to 12, offering an action-packed programme of activities that includespizza-making classes, ice-cream parties andsporting challenges.

Some ships also have water-themed playareas and toddler pools, outdoor play areasattached to the kids’ clubs and sections in thebuffet restaurants for young diners.

Teens aged 13 to 17 are either groupedtogether or split into two groups, with“tweens” aged between 12 and 14 and teensaged 15 to 17. They can enjoy adult-free areaswith comfy sofas, plasma-screen TVs, videogame consoles with the latest PlayStationgames, and Wii gaming areas.

Some lines leave youngsters to chill outand do their own thing, while others arrangedance classes, talent contests and parties. Onsome ships, teens can even enjoy their ownspa treatments.

All kids’ clubs are free of charge duringsea days; on port days some stay shut whileothers charge a child-minding fee. Lateevening sessions, which can run into the earlyhours, also carry a charge.

While the larger mass-market ships offerthe best facilities, upmarket lines such asCrystal Cruises and Regent Seven SeasCruises also have their own youthprogrammes.

And if your children are more gregarious, itmight be worth considering one of StarClippers’ tall ships, where youngsters (think

On port days you can do as much or aslittle as you want. Parents with very youngchildren sometimes find it easier and morerelaxing to stay on the ship and revel inhaving the decks and the pool almost tothemselves.

Some cruise lines allow parents toleave their children in the kids’ clubs whilethey go ashore, but if you want to gotogether there are family-friendlyexcursions including trips to water parks,bike rides or whale-watching trips. Somelines even offer special teen-only outingsashore for youngsters wanting to shakeoff mum and dad.

When it come to destinations, theMediterranean is always a popular familychoice due to the wealth of destinations. Ifyou don’t want to sail from the UK, it isonly a short flight to main European portssuch as Barcelona and Venice.

Further afield, the Caribbean offers atropical alternative and more relaxedpace, but bear in mind it’s a long flighttime of around nine hours.

Alaska is a less obvious choice forkids, but great fun for older childrenthanks to adventurous activities such asbear-spotting and whale-watching,climbing glaciers or snowmobiling.

Land ahoy

with kids

With a programme of back-to-backactivities and entertainment scheduled from7am until the wee small hours, you never havetime to be bored on a cruise.

There are two types of day on a cruise –those when the ship is docked or at anchorand most people are enjoying sights ashore,and sea days, when you can relax and watchthe ocean go by or run yourself ragged tryingto do every thing they offer.

Activities start early, with morning exerciseclasses – yoga or Pilates maybe, or TRXtraining, which is the latest keep-fit craze.Once you’ve worked off the calories and thenrefuelled with a spot of breakfast, the daystarts in earnest.

Activities vary but often there’ll be line-dancing, ballroom dancing, bridge classes andlectures in the spa about how to detox, stayslim or the wonders of acupuncture. You canalso be pampered in the spa, with massages,facials, body scrubs, manicures and pedicuresamong a long list of options.

Several lines have wine-tasting sessions,often at an extra cost, and cookingdemonstrations. On Oceania Cruises’ Marinaand Riviera, P&O Cruises’ new ship Britanniaand Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2, you canlearn to cook in purpose-built ‘kitchens’ for anextra fee.

All the cruise lines have port talks, withdestination experts who highlight what to seeand where to shop at the various ports you’llbe visiting. There are also classical concerts,

quizzes and Photoshop, iPad and othercomputer classes. Crystal Cruises haslanguage classes on many of its departures,especially in Italy, so you can learn a fewuseful phrases to use when you go ashore.

On cultural cruise lines such as Voyagesto Antiquity or Swan Hellenic, sea days aredevoted to scholarly lectures about thehistory, culture or archaeology of the placesyou are visiting. You’ll learn all about theEgyptian pharaohs on cruises through theSuez Canal, about the fighting in Gallipoliduring the First World War on a voyagethrough the Dardanelles into the Black Sea. Ifyou are cruising to the North or South Poleswith the likes of Hurtigruten, Compagnie duPonant or Lindblad, expect lectures aboutwhales, penguins, polar bears and birds youare likely to encounter.

Come evening, the entertainmentcontinues – everything from productionshows, cabaret acts, aerial acrobats andclassical singers to live bands, karaoke andnightclubs. Needless to say, the greatestchoice is on the big resort-style ships as theyhave multiple theatres, show lounges andbars. The fun goes on until everyone hasgone to bed, which can be anything from10.30pm on ships that appeal to olderpeople to the wee small hours on Carnival’sparty ships.

Whenever you turn in, just rememberyou’ll likely need to be up bright and earlynext day because it starts all over again.


Even the itchiest of feet will be keptbusy on a cruise, says Jane Archer.


MAIN IMAGE VISTARAMA�� 1. SEAPLEX��2. NORTH STAR��3. JAMIE OLIVER

ENTERTAINMENTTWO70°� A state-of-the-art, transformative venue that comes alive when the sun goes down.

VISTARAMA�A world first! This amazing digital show transforms the seascape into unbelievable views.

ROBOSHOW�Six massive Roboscreens® soar, twist and spin on robotic arms, dancing collaboratively with live performers.

FOOD & DRINKJAMIE’S ITALIANHandmade, seasonal dishes, all driven by Jamie Oliver’s love of Italian cooking.

SILKThe spices of the Far East bring new flavours with a Pan-Asian menu.

AMERICAN ICON GRILLClassic American comfort food with a modern twist.

ACTIVITIESSEAPLEX� The largest indoor active space at sea, including dodgems and Circus School.

NORTH STAR� Soar 300ft above sea level in this jewel-like capsule for unparalleled, 360° views.

RIPCORD BY iFLY®Another first at sea. Experience the exhilaration of skydiving on the ship!

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING

CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT TO BOOK

Sailing exclusively from Southampton for the duration of summer 2015, Anthem of the SeasSM takes cruising to a whole new level. With unprecedented features including up-to-the-minute technology, transformative venues, the introduction of some fantastic new entertainment and of course, Dynamic Dining, the fleet’s latest, greatest cruise ship is sure to WOW you in every possible way. Here’s just a snapshot of the amazing features onboard our groundbreaking new ship…

GET THE EXPERT’S OPINION

We’ve invited Jason Bradbury, TV’s gadget expert, to have a sneak peek at the latest exciting technology that we’ve introduced on our new Quantum Class ships. Watch the video and find out more about all the exciting new features on royalcaribbean.co.uk

ROYALCARIBBEAN.CO.UK

16:22

Jane Archer tucks in to everycruisers favourite subject – food!

Go on any cruise ship and you can beeating morning, noon and night. It all startswith breakfast – one for early-risers followedby a full spread of bacon, eggs, sausages,fruit, pastries and more, and then a cut-downversion for those having a lie-in.

If you are really hungry you can partake inthem all, but leave some space becausebefore breakfast has even been cleared away,out comes lunch. That runs into afternoon teaand before you know it, the restaurants areopen for dinner. It goes without saying thatyou can pile on the pounds during a holidayat sea!

All cruise ships have self-service buffetsand waiter-service dining rooms (two or threeon the bigger ships) that are mostly open forbreakfast, lunch and dinner, and food servedin these venues is included in the cost of thecruise. All ships also have poolside grillsserving burgers, hotdogs and fries, andlikewise these are included in the price.

But modern cruise ships also havespeciality restaurants (the newest ships bighave six or more) and Chef’s Tableexperiences that are more intimate, offer amore personal service and serve food that iscooked to order. Reservations are needed andmostly they cost extra – expect to payanything from £5 to £60 per person.

Steakhouses, Italian eateries andrestaurants specialising in Mediterraneancuisine are the most popular alternative diningoptions, but there are also French bistros,Sushi bars, Indian and Asian outlets and more.

Celebrity Silhouette and Reflection, twoships operated by Celebrity Cruises, haveposh grills on the top decks where you canmake pizzas and cook your own meat (but thechef will do it if you prefer to chat with yourfriends). Several Royal Caribbean ships haveIzumi, an Asian restaurant where you cookyour meat on hot volcanic rocks brought to thetable. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic,Breakaway and Getaway have Moderno, aBrazilian steakhouse where hunks of meat on big skewers are sliced table-side. Red and green stop and go cards indicate

when you have had enough or want more.A few cruise lines link their speciality

restaurants to celebrated chefs. MarcoPierre White is behind the menus in theWhite Room on P&O Cruises’ Ventura andhe has restaurants on six of the company’sother ships. He will also be creating themenus for gala night in the dining room onP&O’s new ship Britannia. Michelin-starredAtul Kochhar has Indian and Asianrestaurants on Azura, Ventura, Arcadia and Aurora, and he will also have an outleton Britannia.

Crystal Cruises’ two ships have aJapanese-style restaurant and sushi barcreated by Nobu Matsuhisa and an Italianeatery linked to Piero Selvaggio, whileCunard’s Queen Mary 2 has a restaurantcreated by acclaimed US chef ToddEnglish. Jamie Oliver has a Jamie’s Italianon Royal Caribbean International’sQuantum of the Seas, which launches inNovember 2014. The Naked Chef will alsohave an outlet on Anthem of the Seas,which will sail from Southampton startingin April.


Several cruise ships continue to operate atwo-sitting dining system where you areallocated a table and time to eat (early or lateseating) in the evening, invariably sharing withother people chosen at random, but this israpidly changing.

Increasingly, cruise lines are also offeringopen-seating, where you can turn up to dinewhen you want and request a private table, ormake a reservation if you don’t want to riskhaving to wait for space.

Cruise lines including Crystal, Carnival,Princess and Holland America Line offer a mixof the two systems to cater for allpreferences. On Royal Caribbean andCelebrity Cruises, you have to have fixeddining unless you pre-pay tour gratuities,when you can choose open seating.

Norwegian Cruise Line dropped fixeddining many years ago and instead offers avariety of restaurant styles where you can

dine when you like (often you’ll need tomake a reservation and pay a supplement).

On Quantum and Anthem of the Seas,two new ships launching in November2014 and April 2015 respectively, RoyalCaribbean is scrapping the main diningroom and replacing it with five smallerrestaurants, each complimentary andserving different menus, so you can decidewhen, where and with whom to dine eachevening. The choice includes and Americangrill, Asian eatery and The Grande, whichhas a formal dress code each evening.

Some maitre d’s juggling with openseating have ‘sharing tables’ where you joinother passengers for the evening. Theseare a nice way to meet people, especially ifyou are travelling alone, and if you don’t geton, well you are only together for the oneevening because next day you’ll be sittingwith another random set of folk.

Consuming issues

To share or not to share

Prepare to be dazzled as the lightscome down on the new-lookShowtime!

One of the most derogatory put-downs foraspiring entertainers is to be branded as beingfit to perform on cruise ships. That’s acomment made by people who know nothingabout the revolution in entertainment that has taken place on the high seas over the pastfew years.

The tired old variety-type shows that gavecruise entertainment such a bad name havevirtually disappeared, to be replaced byproductions and performances that, in somecases, have come straight from London’sWest End or Broadway. And that’s not tomention the performances by internationalsinging stars, illusionists and comedians andlectures by eminent speakers and celebrities.

Some cruise companies have also teamedup with leading brands to bring well-knowncharacters and game shows onboard.

Norwegian Cruise Line passengers will findDora the Explorer and SpongeBobSquarePants on selected cruises thanks toNorwegian’s tie-up with Nickelodeon. RoyalCaribbean International’s partnership withDreamWorks means characters such as Shrekand Kung Fu Panda make regularappearances on its ships. And of course youcan hop on any Disney ship and meet up withMickey and his pals.

Many of the newest vessels have state-of-the-art facilities that have helped to push theboundaries of cruise ship entertainment withmore unique productions and interactiveexperiences.

When Royal Caribbean unveiled Oasis ofthe Sea and Allure of the Seas, together theworld’s largest ships, it took shows to a newlevel with its AquaTheatre which stagedthrilling displays of high dives and aquabatics,and premiered West End hits Hairspray and Chicago.

Its new ship Quantum of the Seas,launching in November 2014, has a clutch of

signature entertainment venues includingTwo70˚ - a relaxing daytime hangout thatchanges at night into a high-techentertainment venue staging multi-dimensional shows.

The ship also has a skydiving simulatorand SeaPlex, a large venue that offerseverything from dodgem cars and roller-skating to basketball and disco nights.

Quantum will be staging the smash hitmusical Mamma Mia in the theatre, while theQueen musical We Will Rock You will be onsister ship Anthem of the Seas, which sailsfrom Southampton starting April 2015.Norwegian Cruise Line is staging formerBroadway and West End musical LegallyBlonde on its newest ship NorwegianGetaway, which also has a dinner show in TheIllusionarium, featuring top magicians andsupernatural special effects.

Musical attractions are a popular theme.Holland America Line has expanded its BBKing Blues Club, based on the Memphis club and featuring top Blues musicians, whileCarnival Cruise Lines has Carnival Live, a concert series featuring well-known names which in 2014 included REOSpeedwagon, Jennifer Hudson, Foreigner and Lady Antebellum.

Thomson Cruises adds an extra beat to itstransatlantic voyages with Big Band cruises,plus soul and Motown sailings, while Cunardhas a 2015 line-up of famous and eminentspeakers ranging from former South Africanpresident F W De Clerk to actor Robert Powell.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has linkedwith experienced show producer Jean AnnRyan to introduce a new series of productionsbased around dance, circus skills, Broadwayand Hollywood movies that are beingintroduced across its fleet.


A night to remember


Style:British

Cruise & Maritime VoyagesFred OlsenP&O CruisesSaga CruisesSwan Hellenic

Voyages of Discovery

AmericanCelebrity CruisesCrystal Cruises

Holland America Line Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean International

Anglo-AmericanCunard (British atmosphere,

dollar currency)

Cultural cruise linesHebridean Island Cruises

Swan HellenicVoyages of Discovery

Luxury/ultra-luxuryCelebrity CruisesCrystal Cruises

CunardHolland America Line

Oceania CruisesRegent Seven Seas Cruises

CoolBritannia


Why fly when you can takea cruise from the UK?

Forget flying. These days it’s cool to cruisefrom the UK. So cool, in fact, that almost asmany people sailed from a British port last yearas took a flycruise. And the numbers arecontinuing to grow at such a pace that expertsreckon the split will be 50:50 in a couple ofyears. That’s quite something considering just one-third of cruising Brits sailed from theUK in 2004.

Why the change? Well for one thing it iseasy. You don’t have to worry about flightdelays or cancellations, and there are noluggage restrictions. You just drive to thedeparture port, hand your bags over to thecrew (who will deliver it to your cabin), check in and embark your ship. The holiday startsright away.

Two hours after arriving at the port, you’llhave found your cabin and be out exploringthe ship and enjoying lunch or afternoon tea.

A decade ago, if you wanted to sail fromthe UK, your choice was easy if a littleunexciting - a very traditional, very British

cruise with P&O Cruises or Fred Olsen, orCunard’s formal Anglo-American style. Fastforward 10 years and almost 20 cruise lineshave ships sailing from the UK, all of themoffering a different cruising experience (see chart).

There are the formal British voyages still,but also more casual American cruise lines,and companies offering cultural voyages, withguest lecturers replacing the ubiquitousevening song, dance and comedy.

There are large family-friendly floatingresorts, adults-only ships, or vessels withgrown-up appeal, and luxurious craft thatinclude drinks and gratuities in the price.

The choice of places to go is even greater.

You can cruise from the UK to theMediterranean, Aegean, Norwegian fjords,Baltic and Canary Islands. There are itinerariesthat take you around Britain, around Ireland, toIceland, Spitsbergen and Russia’s White Sea.And if time is on your side, there are longvoyages to the Caribbean, the Amazon andaround the world (see p26-27).

Most no-fly cruises depart fromSouthampton, but Dover is a popular port andPortsmouth is growing. Recognising noteveryone lives in the south, Cruise & Maritimeand Fred Olsen have departures from regionalports including Tilbury, Liverpool, Newcastle,Greenwich, Leith and Rosyth (for Edinburgh),Harwich, Hull, Bristol Avonmouth and Belfast.

No-fly cruisesfrom the UK 2015:Celebrity Cruises

Cruise & Maritime Voyages

Crystal Cruises

Cunard

Fred Olsen

Hebridean Island Cruises

Holland America Line

Oceania Cruises

P&O Cruises

Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

Saga Cruises

Swan Hellenic


Best for:Families:

Celebrity CruisesCunard

Holland America LineP&O Cruises

Princess CruisesRoyal Caribbean International

Couples 30-plus:Celebrity CruisesCrystal CruisesOceania CruisesPrincess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean International

Adults-only:Cruise & Maritime Voyages

P&O CruisesSaga Cruises

Couples 55-plus:Cruise & Maritime Voyages

Crystal CruisesCunard

Fred OlsenHebridean Island CruisesHolland America Line

P&O CruisesPrincess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas CruisesSaga CruisesSwan Hellenic


Liverpool is rich in maritime heritage and was the birthplace of the first passenger cruise lineand now, once again Liverpool’s world famous waterfront is the gateway to the city and isextending a hand of friendship to the world.

Liverpool Cruise Terminal is in the heart of the city, in the shadow of the UNESCO World heritageWaterfront. Since opening in 2007, the port has renewed its links with the great ocean liners ofthe world; back to their spiritual home.

Liverpool is a world class city, bursting with energy and passion to be explored and enjoyed; weoffer unsurpassed visitor attractions within a 10 minute walk of the cruise terminal such as AlbertDock, Museum of Liverpool, Tate & Maritime Museum, along with some of the UK's most stunningarchitecture and not one, but two majestically different cathedrals.

We’ve always known how to make people feel welcome in Liverpool and we know a thing or two about great voyages; in recent years, the city has experienced a remarkable cultural and economic renaissance and our hospitality has ensured the city is a firm favourite with all of our visitors.

Liverpool is a thriving, stylish, cosmopolitan and vibrant cruise destination with a gloriousmaritime history and cultural heritage not to mention the legacy of The Beatles. Put all thesethings together and Liverpool’s appeal to the international passenger is unbeatable.


Welcomingthe world

Celebrity Infinity fireworks at Pier Head

Port of Liverpool building and the Three Graces

Anglican Catherdral

Merseyside Maritime Museum


May 2015 will see Cunard return to its spiritual home in Liverpool, to celebrate its 175th anniversary.Cunard’s three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – will meet on thefamous Liverpool waterfront in a spectacular one-off event that will draw tens of thousands ofpeople to the banks of the Mersey. Queen Mary 2 will then return to the cruise terminal on 4th Julyto recreate the voyage of the first Cunard ship, Britannia, from Liverpool to New York.

Queen Mary 2 at Pier Head

Beatles Story Museum

St Georges Hall

1. St Georges Hall - outstanding neo-classicalarchitecture2. Liverpool ONE – premium retail destinationin the heart of the city3. Birth place of The Beatles – the world’smost successful boy band!4. Liverpool has more museums and galleriesthan any other UK City Region outsideLondon.5. Liverpool was awarded the prestigiousUNESCO World Heritage Status since 2004. 6. Liverpool staged one of the most successfulEuropean Capital of Cultures in 2008.7. Of the millions of people who visitLiverpool each year, more than two million areinfluenced to do so by The Beatles.8. The clock faces on the Royal Liver Buildingare the biggest in the country, even biggerthan Big Ben.9. Princes Park and Birkenhead Park were usedas the models for New York’s Central Park.

10. Liverpool has two cathedrals, located ateither end of the appropriately named HopeStreet.11. Liverpool Cathedral is the largest in the UKand the fifth largest in the world.12. Liverpool is home to Europe’s oldestChinese community, and has an impressiveChinese Arch at its heart.13. The magnificent Albert Dock is the UK’slargest group of Grade I listed buildings.14. Liverpool is home to the John Smith’sGrand National, the most famoussteeplechase in the world.15. The city region has a strong golf pedigree,with more than 15 clubs – two of which, RoyalLiverpool and Royal Birkdale – regularly hostthe Open Championship16. Liverpool has two Premier League footballclubs – Liverpool and Everton – who betweenthem have won 27 league championships,making the city England’s most successful.

ACCOLADES 2013/14Travelers’ Choice Award 2013 & 2014

TripAdvisor

3rd best destination to visit in 2014 Rough Guide

Best UK Port of Call 2013Cruise Critic

Top Destination for 2014Froomer’s

Best UK Destination for Groups 2014Group Travel Organiser

Destination Liverpool – Top things to see and interesting facts:

From a few nights in popular cities such asBarcelona, New York or Hong Kong at thestart or end of a cruise, to a week in theCaribbean combined with a voyage around theWest Indies, there are endless options for acruise-and-stay holiday.

You can add a week at the theme parks ofFlorida or a beach break to a Caribbeancruise, or tour India’s Golden Triangle beforejoining a cruise from Mumbai. One of the mostpopular options is to package a ride throughthe Canadian Rockies on the spectacularRocky Mountaineer to a cruise in Alaska. And

if time is on your side, you could chose a one-way cruise to the 49th state and stay a fewnights in Alaska itself.

The extra days spent ashore will open up anew range of sights and experiences for you.And if you’ve never cruised, and are still notsure whether to take that first holiday at sea,it’s a perfect way to hedge your bets. You getto try a cruise without spending your entireholiday aboard a ship.

The easiest cruise-and-stay destinationsare those that are close to popularembarkation and disembarkation ports and

have a good range of hotels, varied localattractions and comprehensive air links.

Florida is a popular option thanks to itsmyriad attractions – the theme parks andbeaches – as are other US ports offeringplenty of cruises to the Caribbean, includingMiami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral.

In Europe, Barcelona leads the field as it isa major cruise departure port, has excellent airlinks with the UK and the city itself is a livelyspot with history, culture, beaches, bars andrestaurants.

However, there are plenty of other cruise-and-stay hot spots around the Mediterraneanto consider. Venice, Athens and Istanbul are allpopular departure ports, and all offer plenty tokeep you enthralled during ››


On land

and sea

Cruise-and-stay holidays are an easy way to extend your holiday and seemore of the world before heading home, says Sara Macefield.

a few days ashore. Rome is another topchoice, with fabulous sights and shopping,and numerous cruises starting and ending inthe port of Civitavecchia, just two hoursoutside the city.

In the Far East, cities such as Hong Kong,Singapore and Bangkok are exciting andexotic, and full of attractions – and majorcruise hubs to boot.

Several cruise lines feature hotels on theirwebsites and in brochures, making it easy toslot on a few nights to cruise bookings.Upmarket Regent Seven Seas Cruises hastaken this a step further by including one-nighthotel stays before each of its cruises, while onselected departures it also offers three-nightland stays. Voyages to Antiquity usuallyincludes a couple of days at the cities eitherend of its Mediterranean or Asian itineraries onthe grounds that seeing the sights in, say,Athens or Singapore, is all part of the culturalcruise experience it offers.

However, Thomson Cruises is the leaderwhen it comes to cruise-and-stay packages asit pulls in the buying power of its parentcompany, the tour company Tui, to offer ahuge range of hotels in and around cruisedeparture ports in Barbados and Jamaica, inthe Caribbean, Palma de Mallorca in Spain’sBalearic Islands, Marmaris in Turkey, the GreekIsland of Corfu and Tenerife and Gran Canariain the Canary Islands. New for 2015, it alsohas cruises from Dubrovnik so you can add afew nights in Croatia to one of the four newitineraries on offer. The company’s cruise-and-stay holidays are then packaged with Tui flightsand transfers to provide a complete and veryeasy holiday.

Several cruise lines also work withspecialist cruise travel agencies or touroperators to offer packages or tailor-makethem to your specific requirements. Other stilloffer cruise tours, for instance linking a three or

four day-tour in Australia to a cruise or two orthree nights visiting Machu Picchu to a voyagearound South America.

Princess Cruises has several cruisetours, asdoes Titan Travel, which combines a tour ofChina, visiting Beijing, Xian, to see the terracottawarriors, and Shanghai with a river cruise alongthe Yangtze. Specialist cruise agency AdoreCruises has numerous departure dates for Elvis-themed holidays in 2015 that involve athree-night stay in Memphis and a rail trip toNew Orleans for another three-night stayfollowed by a Caribbean cruise.

Specialist cruise travel agent Reader Offersregularly creates exclusive packages combiningone night travelling from London to Venice onthe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with avoyage from the Italian city or an Alaska itinerarywith a one-week coach-and-rail tour through theCanadian Rockies.


Combining train journeys with river and ocean voyages hasopened up a new world of imaginative adventures to a diverserange of destinations stretching from the Arctic Circle to theAmericas and Australia.

Exciting combinations include riding the Trans-Andean railwaythrough Ecuador before joining a cruise around the GalapagosIslands or sailing across the Atlantic to New York and jumping on atrain across America to the West Coast city of San Francisco.

But you don’t have to travel great distances to enjoy trips thathark back to a golden age of travel.

You can journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to

Venice to join a cruise or twin a ride on the Bergen Line across a4,000-feet-high mountainous plateau between Oslo and Bergenknown as the Roof of Norway and with a voyage around theNorwegian fjords. Another thought is to twin a picturesque railjourney through the Scottish Highlands with a cruise to theWestern Isles.

Of course, rail-and-sail packages are also perfect for anyonewho doesn’t like to fly as Eurostar Channel Tunnel services fromLondon to Paris or Brussels link up with high-speed rail servicesto the South of France or Barcelona for Mediterranean cruises.

For more ideas about rail-and-sail packages, contact travelcompanies including Titan, Reader Offers, Great Rail Journeysand Journey Latin America.

Rail and sail

Wish you were here!..

What do the Cannes Film Festival, CalgaryStampede and Hamburg’s Tall Ships Paradehave in common? They are all special eventsyou can visit on a cruise and a great way toinject extra excitement into regular voyages.

A few cruise companies traditionally timevoyages to coincide with the likes of the RioCarnival and Monaco Grand Prix, but theirpopularity has encouraged others to tap intoother major events.

Coming up this year, for instance, there arecruises linked to the 100th anniversary of theGallipoli landings during the First World War.Music fans can sail to the Copenhagen JazzFestival, while party-goers can spend NewYear’s Eve enjoying festivities in Hong Kong,Sydney and Rio de Janeiro or cruise withCelebrity and enjoy fireworks at the annualsummer Redentore Festival in Venice.

There are sailings to watch naturalphenomena such as solar eclipses, meteorshowers, or the Northern Lights, as well asvoyages that take in Scotland’s RoyalEdinburgh Military Tattoo or live operaperformances in Verona’s Romanamphitheatre.

While several cruise lines offer one-offspecial event sailings, a number of them,including Azamara Club Cruises, CelebrityCruises and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, have aprogramme of voyages tied to specific events.Azamara has also launched “AzAmazingEvenings” – exclusive one-off events held oneach voyage that are free to attend and rangefrom flamenco performances to opera recitals.

If a one-off event is not enough, why not

try a themed cruise? Long-time favouritesinclude photography and golf, but these dayscruise-goers can become amateur crimesleuths on murder mystery sailings, sing theirhearts out on musical voyages inprofessionally-run singing workshops, or get allshook up on Elvis-themed breaks.

Rock fans can take their pick from sailingsthat feature bands such as Kiss and New Kidson the Block or floating music festivals thatinclude the US institution Coachella. There aregay cruises and naturist sailings for thosewilling to bare all, while those wanting to touchbase with their inner selves can join yoga andmeditation voyages.

Themed food-and-drink cruises havesoared in popularity with several cruise linesoffering the chance to join the ship’s chef ontrips to local markets, practise your skills incookery classes or watch a celebrity chef atwork in special demonstrations.

Holland America Line and Oceania areamong lines with ships equipped with chef-ledclasses in Masterchef-style kitchens. P&O’sBritannia, launching March 2015, will also havea cookery club where you can improve yourkitchen skills.

P&O has also taken dance to a new level,offering Strictly Come Dancing cruises wherestars from the show demonstrate their nimble-footed skills and help to judge an onboardversion of the programme. Holland America,meanwhile, has linked up with the US version,Dancing with the Stars, and offers free dancelessons on all its ships, dance contests andcelebrity appearances.


Cooking up a treatWhether you’re into rock or racing, there’s a themed orspecial-interest cruise with your name on it.

This January six ships will set sail fromSouthampton, taking passengers on thevoyage of a lifetime around the world,spending up to four months away from theBritish winter, ticking off exotic destinationssuch as South America, the South Pacific,Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

As these ships – operated by Cunard,P&O Cruises and Fred Olsen – leave the UK,others are setting sail from the US, likewiseheading off on epic voyages that take you overthe Equator, across datelines and to almostevery continent in the world.

Ever been tempted? Read on to learn howto be a successful circumnavigator.

Days at seaUnlike that most famous of circumnavigators,Phileas Fogg, you don’t have to rush aroundthe world in 80 days. Most world cruises aremore than 100 days, during which time therewill be plenty of days ashore but also a lot ofsea days.

That might seem fairly obvious but it’snot always clear from the itineraries just howmany days at sea are included so spendsome time working it out. Often you’ll be sixor eight days without seeing land gettingfrom one continent to another.

During sea days, expect lectures spatalks and other activities, but it’s also a greatchance to relax with a good book or in thespa, or spend a few hours in the gym,exercising off all those meals, snacks,pastries and late-night bites. It’s easy enoughto put on weight on a two-week cruise; eveneasier during four months at sea.

Long voyagesIf time and money prevent you from doing aworld cruise, don’t despair. All cruise linesdivide their world cruises into sectors, whichcan also be added together to create acruise that suits you – maybe two weeksaway, or a month or two. Several companieshave long voyages, for instance around Asia

or South America instead of sailing toAustralia and back. As these focus on aparticular region, they tend to be moreport-intensive.

First-timersYou don’t have to be an experiencedcruiser to book a long voyage, but mostpeople will have done a few cruises ascommitting yourself to almost four monthsat sea without getting your sea legs is a bigleap of faith. To help take the guessworkout of it, book yourself two or three shortcruises with a couple of different lines soyou can find your favourite cruise style.There’s everything from the very BritishP&O Cruises to the American linesSilversea and Crystal.

Departure portAn important consideration when choosinga world cruise is whether to sail from theUK or from the US. Choose the former andyou can take as much luggage as youwant, but you’ll spend several days at seabefore reaching the sunny weather. It mightalso be quite bumpy crossing on the Bay ofBiscay and Atlantic in January. Fly to Floridaor Los Angeles and you’ll hopefully set sailunder sunny skies, but you will have tocomply with the airlines’ luggagerestrictions or pay to take more bags.

PackingAfter choosing a cruise, packing is themost difficult task. You’ll need enoughclothes to last four months, garments forwarm, cold and wet weather, and poshclobber for formal evenings. Accessoriesare a wonderful way of recycling clothesthat have been worn a couple of times andremember also that all ships have a laundry– a paid-for service or a DIY version. Also,why not replenish your wardrobe as yousail the world? Asia especially has somegreat designer bargains.


Fed up with British winters? You need to go on a world cruise.

And so to bedIf you are cruising the world, it’s worthsplashing out on the biggest and best cabinyou can afford as it will be your home forseveral months. It doesn’t have to be a suite,although that would be the ideal, but considerbooking a balcony so at least you havesomewhere to go for a spot of “me” time.

The usual rules apply when picking yourcabin’s location. Lower rooms in the middle ofthe ship are the most stable, those forwardtake the brunt of the movement if there is aheavy swell, cabins at the back can be rockyin high seas but have great views over theship’s wake (and sometimes get biggerbalconies).

Book earlyA world cruise might be a once-in-a-lifetimeholiday but plenty of people go year after yearand are waiting to snap up their favourite shipand cabin as soon as itineraries areannounced, so be ready to book early tosecure the accommodation that suits.By summer 2014, January 2015’s worldcruises were almost completely sold out andmost of 2016’s itineraries were on sale. Crystal Cruises had even released 94-nightand 99-night long voyages around SouthAmerica and the Pacific departing in January2017 (it is skipping the world cruise that year)to meet demand.

How much? World cruises don’t have to cost the earth butconversely, you can spend a small fortunesecuring the best suite on a six-star line. At thetime of going to press, Fred Olsen was offeringa 115-night world cruise round-trip fromSouthampton from £9,999 per person, whichworks out at around £87 a day for full-boardaccommodation and entertainment – and thechance to see the world. If it sounds a lot,work out how much you’d be spending onfood, heating and electricity if you stayed athome during the cold winter months.


The era of jet travel may have madetransatlantic voyages between the UKand the Americas virtually redundant,but there are still plenty of cruise shipsplying this route, including scheduledcrossings on Cunard’s ocean linerQueen Mary 2 and repositioning cruiseson ships sailing across the Pond tospend summer in Europe.

Queen Mary 2’s schedule of seven-night crossings between Southamptonand New York operates between Apriland December. You can travel one way,but back-to-back crossings are alsopossible, where you sail to New York,spend a few hours shopping andsightseeing in the Big Apple, then hopback on board for a return journey tothe UK.

On board you can expect to betransported back to the so-called“Golden Age” of travel with formal dresscode, gala banquets, afternoon teaserved by white-gloved waiters andCunard’s Insights lecture programmefeaturing guest speakers for the world ofcelebrity, the arts and science.

While QM2’s crossings are seen asthe ultimate way to travel across theAtlantic, they are not the only option. UScruise companies send their ships to theMediterranean and Baltic in spring, eachoffering a transatlantic sailing to gethere (and back in the autumn).

There are cruises from US portssuch as Miami, Fort Lauderdale orBoston, from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil,and from Caribbean ports includingBarbados and Puerto Rico, and theyend in a multitude of ports, includingLisbon, Civitavecchia (for Rome),

Venice, Barcelona, Southampton andDover. And of course come autumn, thejourney is the other way around.

You can choose between companieswith large modern ships, such as RoyalCaribbean International or NorwegianCruise Line, and luxury lines includingCrystal Cruises and Regent Seven SeasCruises. You can also cross the Pond onone of the clipper-style yachts belongingto tall-ship specialist Star Clippers or the upscale mega-yachts of SeaDreamYacht Club.

Most itineraries include a few portsalong the way, Madeira maybe, or theAzores, to add some shore-side interest tothe week or so at sea.

Crossing continents


For 2014 and beyond, our promise to you is that after one of our cruises, you will come back new.

We o�er you the chance to discover new places, experience new cultures, try new foods from the places you are visiting and learn more about the world you don’t see every day. You’ll return from your Princess Cruises holiday with new friendships, fresh perspectives and the best souvenirs of all – new stories to tell and new memories to share.

Princess Cruises takes you to more amazing destinations than any other cruise line…

2015-16 brochures available now

NEWCOME

BACK

BEST CRUISE LINE ITINERARIES 9 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

RECOMMEND MAGAZINE

Mediterranean • Northern Europe • Alaska • Canada & New England Far East • Australia & New Zealand • Tahiti • Caribbean • Hawaii Panama Canal • South America • Mexico • World Cruise

TO BOOK OR REQUEST A BROCHURE

contact your travel agent

A BROCHURETTO BOOK OR REQUES

A BROCHURE

Destinationguide


Mediterranean 30-38, Baltic 40-42 Round Britain 40-45, Northern Europe 47-48

Caribbean 52-56, Asia 58-62 South America & Antarctica 64-68, Alaska 69-72

New England/Canada 74-77 Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific 78-79

Mediterranean

Who goes to there...

Azamara Club CruisesCelebrity CruisesCosta Cruises Crystal CruisesCunardDisney Cruise LineFred Olsen Cruise LinesHapag-Lloyd CruisesHolland America LineLouis CruisesMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPaul Gauguin CruisesPonant Princess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSaga CruisesSeabournSeaDream Yacht ClubSilverseaStar ClippersSwan HellenicThomson CruisesVariety CruisesVoyages of DiscoveryVoyages to AntiquityWindstar

ITALYGREECE

TURKEY

MEDITERRANEAN SEATunis

NORTH AFRICA

EUROPE

RUSSIA

BLACK SEA

SPAIN

PORT

UGAL

FRANCE

UK

Cannes

Corfu

Venice

Barcelona

Malta

IstanbulLisbon

Gibraltar


Whether you want beaches, cities, history or culture, the Mediterranean delivers. You can have an island-hopping cruisearound the Greek Isles, tick off Rome, Venice,Florence, Athens, Istanbul and Barcelona on acity-break by sea, dip into Roman remains atPompeii and Ephesus, and discover history and culture on a voyagearound Sicily, Italy or Northern Africa.

Factor in the good weather and hugechoice of ships, from floating resorts to sailingboats and luxury yachts, and it’s easy to seewhy the Brits flock to the Mediterranean for acruise every summer.

The main departure ports tend to beVenice, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Piraeus (forAthens), Monte Carlo, Venice and Barcelona asthere are plenty of flights to these places fromthe UK, both with conventional and low-costairlines.

There are countess itineraries and ports in the Mediterranean, but generally cruises are seven or 10 nights and sail in either the WesternMediterranean, visiting places such as Ibiza,Naples and Marseilles, or EasternMediterranean, for Athens, Istanbul and Venice.

Some itineraries span both sides of the seaand a few venture into the Black Sea, where theUkrainian ports of Odessa, Sevastopol andYalta are favourites. At the time of writing(August 2014), cruise lines were offeringalternative itineraries in the Black Sea due topolitical unrest in Ukraine.

BarcelonaIn Catalonia, on the east coast of Spain,Barcelona has the busiest port in Europe sodon’t be surprised to see at least five or shipstied up when you visit. Most have to dock a10-minute shuttle bus ride from town (somecruise lines will charge for the bus), but smallones can moor by the World Trade Centre – anenviable position as it’s at the bottom of LaRambla, the city’s main street. La Rambla is anattraction in itself for the cafés, portrait

painters, living statues and pet shops that linethe route from the monument to ChristopherColumbus outside the port to the Plaça deCatalunya. Other top attractions include theGothic Quarter and Gaudi’s unfinishedcathedral, La Sagrada Familia. It’s easy toexplore alone, seeing the city by hop-on, hop-off bus, on a guided walking tour, even bybike. Cruise lines have Gaudi-themedexcursions and trips to the Nou Camp football stadium.

CivitavecchiaNever heard of it? That’s becauseCivitavecchia is a small town that is also theclosest port to Rome but still about two hoursby coach or car from the city, depending ontraffic. You can also take the train – journeytime is about 75 minutes and it costs €10return – and you can get off at either theVatican or central station. All cruise lines haveexcursions into the city, either guided or an ‘onyour own’ tour, where they provide thetransport and you have a day to explore alone.There’s so much to see that a few hours isn’tenough but put on your walking shoes andtick off the Vatican, Coliseum, Spanish Steps,Pantheon, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain.Remember to throw a coin into the water toguarantee your return visit.

CorfuThe second-largest of the Greek IonianIslands, Corfu is a top stop on cruises aroundthe eastern Mediterranean. Ships dock about20 minutes’ walk from the main town, calledKerkira in Greek, which is a delightful maze ofcobbled streets, alleys and souvenir shopsselling handbags, olive oil, bangles, braceletsand tee-shirts galore. Look out also for the fishspas – you put your feet into a water tank andtiny fish nibble away at the dead skin. If thebeach or an island tour appeal, it’s best to takethe ship’s excursions as most are only in portfor a few hours.

31Mediterranean | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

GibraltarEssentially a very large rock at the southernend of the Iberian peninsula, at the entrance tothe Mediterranean, Gibraltar became a Britishterritory in 1713 and remains so despite thebest efforts of Spain. Cruise ships call herebecause folk like to see this little piece ofBritain in the sun - there’s a Marks & Spencerand other favourite high street shops in themain street – and they are especially fond ofthe duty-free alcohol and cigarettes. If you arecruising back to the UK, it’s a good chance tostock up. Away from the shopping, visit insidethe Rock, used as a arsenal during theSecond World War, or take a trip to see theBarbary Apes.

IstanbulWhere east meets west, Istanbul is a city ofminarets and domes that straddles theBosphorus, guarding the entrance to the BlackSea. Cruise ships dock at Karaköy YolcuSalona, a 20-minute walk from the GalataBridge that leads into the heart of the city. Theopulent Topkapi Palace is a favourite attractionbut be prepared for long queues. There’splenty more to see including the Blue Mosque,Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sophia, once achurch, then a mosque, now a museum. Youcan even visit the old cisterns (used as alocation for the 1963 James Bond movie FromRussia with Love) or treat yourself to anauthentic Turkish bath.


DubrovnikOne of the busiest ports in the Adriatic,Dubrovnik is at the southern end ofCroatia, close to the border withMontenegro. Small ships anchor justoutside the old port and tenderpassengers ashore. Larger vessels usethe main port, about 10 minutes by taxior shuttle bus from the city. The city is amaze of narrow alleys and steep steps,many of them housing restaurants andcafés, and surrounded by a huge wallthat you can walk around (about £10per person) for fantastic views over theroof tops and out to sea.

KuşadasiKuşadasi has beaches and a large bazaarselling fake designer watches and handbags,but the main reason cruise ships visit thisTurkish town is the ancient city of Ephesus. It’sabout 20 minutes drive from the port and wasan Greek city before the Romans moved in.You’ll see the ruins of temples, houses, baths,the theatre and the magnificent library, built in117AD. Try to go early so there is no oneblocking your first glimpse of the façade andtake a guide to explain the history and whatthe buildings were.

LivornoThis is another port you may not have heard ofas the town has little to attract tourists, but it ispopular as it the cruise gateway for Florenceand Pisa, and the less well-known Lucre,which has plenty of Italian charm but none ofthe crowds. Livorno port is huge so you’ll needtransport to the town or station. Some lineshave free shuttle buses, others charge for theservice (look out for the taxis as they are oftencheaper, especially if there are several of you).Trains to and from Florence are infrequent soplan ahead if you want to go there alone. Shipexcursions are less hassle but moreexpensive. Highlights in Florence include theDuomo (climb up the bell tower for great viewsover the city), the Ponte Vecchio and Piazzadella Signoria, where there’s a copy ofMichelangelo’s David. Art lovers should bookahead and get tickets to skip the queues forthe Uffizi Gallery or Galleria dell’Accademia.Done the city? Take an excursion to thepicturesque Cinque Terre villages.

MonacoCruise lines call it Monte Carlo, but this tinyPrincipality in the South of France is properlynamed Monaco. It’s famous for the Grand Prixevery May, the high-rollers who grace itscasino and its Royal Family, into whichAmerican actress Grace Kelly married in 1956.She died in a car crash in 1982. There is onlyone pier for cruise ships can dock, so manyhave to anchor just outside the port andtender passengers ashore. From the port, a lifttakes you through the car park to the old townand Royal Palace, or you can stroll around theharbour to the casino in Monte Carlo, on theeastern side of the Principality. For a bird’s-eyeview of the coast line, there are helicopter ridesover the Riviera.


Black Sea SevastopolThe main attraction is a tour toBalaklava, to see the battlefield site ofthe ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigadeduring the Crimean War (France, Britainand Turkey against Russia in 1853-56).Tours also visit a once-secret nuclearsubmarine base in Balaklava and thePanorama Museum in Sevastopol,housing a 360-degree painting of ascene from the Crimean War.

OdessaThe city was founded by Catherine theGreat and is an unexpected treasurewith wide tree-lined boulevards andelegant buildings in Classic,Renaissance and Asian style – a resultof its cosmopolitan history. Ships dockin the city, by the Potemkin Steps,made famous in the Eisenstein filmBattleship Potemkin about the 1905sailors’ mutiny. Outside the city, thereare tours into the catacombs whereresistance fighters lived during theSecond World War.

YaltaYalta’s name will be foreversynonymous with the conferenceattended by Churchill, Stalin andRoosevelt in February 1945, towardsthe end of the Second World War. It washeld in the Livadia Palace, the summerhome built by Nicholas II, the last Tsarof Russia, although he only stayed therefour times. Tours also visit a palace 30minutes outside Yalta built by MichaelVorontsov, who was once the richestman in Russia.

* At the time of writing (August 2014),cruise lines were offering alternative itin-eraries in the Black Sea due to politicalunrest in Ukraine.

MykonosA hippy hangout in the ’60s, Mykonos is now atop port for cruise ships sailing through the GreekIslands. The island is in the Cyclades and coversan area of just 33 square miles. Ships either dockoutside the main town and shuttle passengers in(it’s a five-minute drive to the coach park andanother five-minute walk into the main square) orstay at anchor and tender folk directly into town.The island is always windy so that can be quiteuncomfortable. Mykonos Town is full of narrowstreets, white-washed houses, boutiques andtavernas. If that doesn’t appeal, there are nicebeaches (but don’t be surprised to encounternude sun-bathing and loud party music) or youcan take a boat trip to nearby Delos, thebirthplace of Apollo and Artemis, according toGreek mythology.

NaplesNaples is in southern Italy, on the beautiful Amalficoast. It’s a lively city, and very passenger friendlyas ships dock in the centre of town, just fiveminutes’ walk from the city. Unfortunately, themain attractions are outside or town. Pompeii,the Roman city destroyed when Mount Vesuviuserupted in 79AD, is best known but most peopleagree Herculaneum, which was destroyed in thesame eruption, is better. Whichever you choose,a guided tour helps make sense of the ruins. You can also take ferries to Capri, a favourite with the rich and famous, or Sorrento, a beautifultown famous for the lemons that makeLimoncello. The ferry terminals for both trips areright by the port.


Gran CanariaFavoured for its boisterous beach resorts but drive inland forold villages, pine forests and ancient painted caves.

Lanzarote Excursions go to fire mountain where geysers spurt andbracken bursts into flames without a match.

FuerteventuraA rather barren island famous for its beaches and el vientofuerte – a constant wind that makes this a top place forwind-surfing.

La PalmaVisit the crater left when Teneguia volcano erupted in 1971.

Canary IslandsThe Canary Islands are part of Spain (the archipelago is anautonomous community) yet closer to Africa than Europe, whichmeans they have year-round sunshine and are a popular spot forsummer holidays and a dose of winter sun.

Cruise ships visit in winter, spring and autumn, sailing mostlyfrom the UK (but Thomson Cruises has a ship based in Tenerifeover winter and Norwegian Cruise Line has cruises from Barcelona)and hopping from one island to the other before returning home,often with a stop in Madeira en route.

TenerifeTake a tour to Mount Teide, at 12,195ft the highest mountain inSpain, or head to Siam water park for fun with flumes.

PiraeusIf your ship is visiting Athens, you’ll dock inPiraeus as the city itself is land-locked.Cruise ships use the east end of the port,about 25 minutes on foot from the station(there is a bus if you don’t want theexercise), from where there is a regular andcheap train service - €1.40 (£1.26) eachway – to Athens, some 12km away. Theannouncements are in English so it is veryeasy to use. For the Acropolis, get off eitherat Monastiriki, Thision or Akropoli Stations.All three are also good for visiting theAcropolis Museum and Plaka, which ispacked with souvenir shops andrestaurants.

SantoriniOne of the most picturesque Greek Islandon account of its white-washed houses withblue windows and doors. Ships anchor inthe caldera that was created when avolcano erupted here in 1650BC, and tenderpassengers to the dock, where a cable cargoes to Fira, the main town, at the top of thecliff. You can also ride a donkey or walk up,but the former is not pleasant and the latteris hard work. If you want exercise, cable carup and walk down. Top attractions include a hike up to the volcano crater, the evenprettier town of Oia or an excursion to the ancient city of Akrotiri. Exploring Fira and lunch ashore also makes for a lovelyday out.

VeniceWho has not dreamed of being serenadedby a gondolier as the sun goes down overVenice? If that does appeal, start savingbecause it’s an expensive way to see thiscity built on water. A better – and cheaper -way to see the city is to get a good map andexplore alone, seeing St Mark’s Basilica, theRialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace, hopping onone of the water buses for a rest and havinglunch where the locals go. There are alsotours to Murano and Burano Islands,respectively known for glass and lace. Newlaws effective from 2015 ban cruise shipsover 96,000 tons from the Guidecca Canaland at the time of writing no alternative routeinto the port had been agreed. If you are ona big ship, it is not clear where it will dock –or indeed if they will skip the city altogether.Smaller vessels can still sail into the city(although fewer ships over 40,000 tons willbe allowed) and will dock either at the port (anearby transit takes you to the start of canalsystem and there are also water taxis to StMark’s Square) or San Basilio, between StMark’s and the port.

* Who goes where, p82-83



It’s not hard to fathom what makes a Viking ocean cruise so different. And so special.

Just take our ships. Each one as stunning as the destinations they visit. Small enough to access places where other cruise ships cannot

go. Big enough to boast the first glass-walled infinity pool at sea and all-veranda staterooms at every level of accommodation.

Stylish and comfortable our ships may be, but one of the best things about a Viking ocean cruise is that you spend less time at sea

and more time on shore. From exploring the Viking homelands of Scandinavia and the Baltic, to discovering more about

Mediterranean culture and the ancient wonders of Greece and Turkey, our cruises offer the ultimate destination experience.

Enjoy a free included excursion in almost every destination (so being off the ship doesn’t have to cost you more). Add to that your return

flights from London (or selected regional airports), all meals on board (with complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner) and some great talks, performances and demonstrations,

and you will discover just what great value we offer, too.

To see what else sets us apart and to request your Viking ocean brochure, contact your travel agent.

OCEANS APART FROM OTHER CRUISES

Baltic


Azamara Club CruisesCelebrity CruisesCosta Cruises Cruise & Maritime VoyagesCrystal CruisesCunardFred Olsen Cruise LinesHolland America LineMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPonant Princess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSaga CruisesSeabournSilverseaSwan HellenicVoyages of DiscoveryWindstar

NORWAY SWEDEN

DENMARK

GERMANYPOLAND

LITHUANIALATVIA

ESTONIA

RUSSIAFINLAND

NORTHSEA BALTIC

SEA

FRANCE

UK

Helsinki

Riga

Oulu

StockholmOslo

Gdansk

Tallinn St Petersburg

Copenhagen


The Baltic Sea is enclosed on three sidesand surrounded by 11 countries – there’sNorway and Denmark guarding the entrance,as well as Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia,Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany.

With visits to St Petersburg, Berlin andmedieval Tallinn among highlights, a cruisehere is rich in history and culture, but don’tget the idea this is just a holiday for boffins.You’ll also likely spend time in Denmark,home to Tivoli Gardens fun park; visitStockholm, where you can go on a high-speed rigid inflatable boat ride down thearchipelago; and call at Helsinki, where youcan cycle around the town.

Cruises are anything from seven nights totwo weeks, the longer ones visiting morecountries. Almost all spend two or three daysin St Petersburg because there is so much tosee in the city.

Baltic cruises mostly depart fromCopenhagen or Stockholm, but a few leavefrom Amsterdam – all places with plenty offlights from the UK – and you can also cruisethere from a British port. If that appeals, youwill need two weeks.

Big ships have to go in through theKattegat past Denmark but smaller vesselscan use the Kiel Canal, a 61-mile-longwaterway built by Kaiser Willhelm between1887 and 1895.

CopenhagenCopenhagen, on the east coast of Denmark,is the busiest port in the Baltic. Ships dock atFree Port, from where there are trains andbuses into the centre, or the Langelinie Pier,which is a good 15-minute walk from thecentre of town. It’s a pleasant stroll (there is abus if you prefer not to walk) that will takeyou past the Little Mermaid statue, whichreally is very small. Highlights more worthy ofyour time include a canal boat ride, TivoliGardens fun fair (best visited after dark), aCarlsberg Brewery tour and Strøget, the mainshopping street. Head to Nyhavn’s bars andrestaurants at lunchtime.

GdyniaThis is the port for Gdansk, a delightful cityrebuilt to its former 17th-century glory afterbeing destroyed during the Second WorldWar. The port is about 14 miles from the cityand you can take excursions or taxis intoGdansk, but it’s more fun – and cheaper - totake a taxi to the railway station and get thetrain. The journey takes about 45 minutes.Gdansk is a city for strolling, enjoying thelaid-back vibe, living statues and stalls full oflocally-made crafts. Excursion boats go from the old city quay to Westerplatte, where the Second World War began onSeptember 1 1939.

HelsinkiThe capital of Finland, Helsinki is a quirkycity, very grand in places, where you cancycle, walk or take a variety of excursions.Ships dock at West Terminal, from where it’sa 10-minute shuttle bus ride into the city (ifyour ship charges for this, look out for thebus that stops at the dock as it is muchcheaper) or South Terminal, from where it’s a10-minute walk to the city. Helsinki highlightsinclude the Church in the Rock, theUspensky Cathedral, built in 1868 whenFinland was part of the Russian Empire, and the harbour market, where you’ll findquality handicrafts and boat trips through the archipelago.

OsloOslo, the capital of Norway, lies at the end of afjord and is as far north as Anchorage inAlaska. Ships tie up in the harbour, from whereit is a 10-minute walk into town. Nearby AkerBrygge has lively cafes and restaurants. Topattractions are the Kon-Tiki Museum, housingthe balsa wood raft on which Thor Heyerdahlsailed from Peru to Polynesia, and the FramMuseum, built around the polar explorationship used by Roald Amundsen. The museumsare next to each other and easily reached byboat from the harbour. Other highlights are theGustav Vigeland sculptures in Frogner andHolmenkollen ski jump. A simulator lets youfeel what it’s like to launch yourself off the top.

41Baltic | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

StockholmThe capital of Sweden, Stockholm was builton 14 islands connected by 57 bridges and isone of the most beautiful cities in the Baltic.Most ships sail up to the city through anarchipelago of 24,000 islands, docking in oneof seven berths, but some anchor atNynashamn in the Baltic Sea, in which case it’sa one-hour train journey into the city. Keyattractions include the Vasa Museum, builtaround a 17th-century warship that sunk inStockholm harbour on its maiden voyage, andan under-the-bridges boat ride. Forsomething more thrilling, take a 45mph RIB(rigid inflatable boat) through the archipelago(waterproofs are provided). Or get your chills inthe ice bar at the Nordic Hotel. Warm capesand gloves are provided.

TallinnThe capital of Estonia, Tallinn is a sprawlingcity but visitors only go to see the medievalwalled city less than 15 minutes’ walk from theport (cruise lines lay on shuttle buses for thosewho need a ride). It’s very small and buzzingwith people exploring the alleys, cobbledstreets or imbibing the local brew in the TownHall Square. Highlights include AlexanderNevski Cathedral and Toomkirk, the oldestchurch in Estonia. Head to Müürivahe Street,along the town wall, for colourful knitwear.

WarnemündeThis is a lively seaside resort and the gatewayfor cruise passengers wanting to visit Berlin.The transfer takes about three hours each wayby train or coach so staying in Warnemünde orvisiting nearby Rostock might appeal more.Most ships moor right in Warnemünde so youcan walk into town; trains to Rostock go fromthe nearby station. You can also cruise toRostock along the Warnow River. In Berlin, seethe Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie,Holocaust memorial and Kurfurstendamm.Warnemünde has beach and bars. In Rostock,don’t miss the 13th-century Marienkirche and its astrological clock, built in 1472 and still working today, the old town wall andNeuer Markt.



St PetersburgSt Petersburg, the city built on marshlandby Peter the Great in 1703, is the jewel inthe Baltic’s crown. Small ships dock closeto the city centre, but most have to usethe Marine Façade cruise port, which is alittle way out of the city.

To go ashore independently, you mustget a Russia visa before leaving the UK.On arrival at the port, take a taxi or shuttlebus 158 to Primorskaya metro station,from where it is two stops to Gostiny Dvorfor Nevsky Prospekt. It takes 20 minutesfrom the port to the station by bus andcosts about 25 roubles (50p) one way. Aone-way ride on the metro also costsaround 25 roubles. The easier option is totake your ship’s organised tours as youdon’t need a visa and all transportation isprovided, but that can get very expensive.

Highlights include the Hermitage,housing the largest art collection in theworld; Peterhof, Peter’s summer palace, ahydrofoil ride across the Gulf of Finlandfrom the city; the Catherine Palace atTsarskoe Selo, about 40 minutes from StPetersburg; the Church of the SpilledBlood, built where Tsar Alexander II wasassassinated in 1881; the Peter and PaulFortress, where Nicholas II, the last tsar,and his family are buried; and theYusupov Palace, where Rasputin wasmurdered. As they stay overnight, mostcruise lines offer an evening at the operaor ballet.


Discover the magic and awe that is Hebridean Princess

Hebridean PrincessAll-inclusive

MV Hebridean Princess

��

��

Round Britain


Azamara Club CruisesCelebrity CruisesCruise & Maritime VoyagesCrystal CruisesCunardFred Olsen Cruise LinesHebridean Island CruisesHolland America LineLindblad ExpeditionsMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesSaga CruisesSwan HellenicVoyages of Discovery

NORTHSEA

EUROPENORTH

ATLANTICSEA FRANCE

UKDublin

Guernsey

BelfastGlasgow

Tobermory

LondonLiverpool

Edinburgh

Orkney Islands

Southampton


Forget the Med and Norwegian fjords;cruising around the UK is the must-do holidayfor Brits looking for a holiday close to home.

These cruises are an easy way to tick offsome of the best places in Great Britain - citiessuch as Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh,pretty towns like St Peter Port in Guernsey orFalmouth in Cornwall, Scottish islands such asthe Orkneys or Tobermory.

They are also a cost-effective way ofseeing the British Isles, without the hassle oftraffic jams on motorways or the expense ofhotels. As on all cruises, the fare covers youraccommodation and meals in the main diningrooms and self-service restaurants.

And as you can use sterling for most ofthe holiday (you will need euros if you visit theRepublic of Ireland), there are no foreignexchange commission charges either.

More than 11 cruise lines have round-Britain cruises in 2015, mostly sailing from aBritish port but Celebrity Cruises has threevoyages departing from Amsterdam,Norwegian has one from Copenhagen andMSC has three from Hamburg. Instead ofcircumnavigating the UK, some sail toScotland and back along the west coast ofBritain. Hebridean Island Cruises has a 52-night voyage from Oban to London and backthat is split into eight and nine-night sectorsand also takes in the Channel Islands andFrance. Crystal Cruises sails from Dover toGreenock and returns to Dover via the westcoast of Ireland.

Round-Britain cruises operate mainly inspring and summer, when the days are gettinglonger and the weather should be at its best,but it’s so unpredictable that it’s impossible torecommend a good time to go.

Here are some of the key attractions in the most-visited ports:

Belfast: The Titanic Belfast museum,dedicated to that ill-fated ship which was builtin the city, has nine galleries that tell the storyfrom construction and launch to the sinkingand the discovery of the wreck in 1985. TheGiant’s Causeway is incredible and well worththe two-hour drive from the city.

Dublin: You could take a cultural tour ticking offsights including the cathedral, Dublin Castleand the National Museum, but come on. This isIreland. The must-see sights are the GuinnessStorehouse and Old Jameson Distillery.

Edinburgh: If your ship docks in Leith (theother cruise port is Rosyth), cross the dockand hop on the Royal Yacht Britannia for a tour of the ship. Other top attractions include Edinburgh Castle and the ScotchWhisky Experience.

Greenock: This is the port for Glasgow, about45 minutes away by coach or train. City sightsinclude Cathedral Square, the medievalProvand’s Lordship, the oldest house inGlasgow, or visit one of the whisky distilleriesjust outside town. Tours also visit LochLomond (there are seaplane rides over thewater) or the imposing Inveraray Castle.

Liverpool: A firm favourite with round-Britaincruisers, the city will be taking a starring role inCunard’s 175th anniversary celebrations in2015. Fans of the Fab Four should make abee-line for the Beatles Story; otherwise putthe Merseyside Maritime Museum, TateModern and Liverpool Cathedral on yourmust-do list.

St Peter Port: This is the capital of Guernsey,one of the Channel Islands, and a charmingtown with cobbled streets and a very prettyharbour. Stay in town to see Castle Cornetand Hauteville House, where Victor Hugospent 14 years in exile. Outside town, thereare island tours, museums that provide aninsights into life during the German occupationbetween 1940 and 1945, cliff walks and boatrides to the neighbouring small islands ofHerm and Sark.

Tobermory: A pretty harbour town wherewalking is one of the best activities if theweather is good and time allows. Otherwisethere are whale and dolphin-watching boattrips, or stay in town for shopping and an al-fresco lunch enjoying the views.


45Round Britain | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |


Message from Wendy Lahmich –Director of Sales, UK & Ireland

Europe is the perfect cruise destination, and sailing direct from theUK with Holland America Line simply can’t be beaten forPREMIUM VALUE and CONVENIENCE.

Prices start from just £699pp for a 7-night cruise sailingconveniently from Harwich, with free parking available* on ocean-view and above staterooms – making Holland America Line a veryaAordable, quality cruise choice for clients who wish to sail ex-UK.

Sailings from Harwich, Copenhagen and Rotterdam are perfect forguests based in the north and Scotland via a short Cight.

Contact your Travel Advisor for more details www.hollandamerica.co.uk

CRUISING FROM THE UK

Premium Europe – sailing from the UK

• Choice of 7-21-night cruises onboard ms Ryndam – a premium mid-sizeship, carrying just 1,260 guests

• Range of itineraries from Harwich: Western Europe, Fjords, Midnight Sunand Northern Isles/Iceland, plus cruises from Rotterdam and Copenhagen

• A cruise is by far the best value way to see Norway’s highlights – and avoidthe high cost of living in Scandinavia!

• Convenience: Drive to Harwich, park conveniently and be onboardenjoying shipboard life by as early as 11.30am! AND take unlimitedluggage!

• Harwich is a short drive from Stansted Airport – a convenient airport hubto Cy into for these cruises.

• Elegant, modern, mid-sizecruise ships

• Entire decks of spaciousstaterooms, many with privatebalconies

• Special touches – attentiveservice, complimentary horsd’oeuvres before dinner; fruitbaskets and bathrobes instaterooms, plus twice daily iceservice and round the clockroom service

• Choice of dining – from Bxed or Cexible dining options in the mainrestaurant to our speciality steakhouse and casual Italian eatery!

• State of the art health, Btness and spa amenities at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon

• Longer days in port – and overnights in iconic cities!• Cruises can be combined to form leisurely Collector Voyages – with

no repeat ports, and special Collector savings! • Enrichment opportunities including our Culinary Arts @eatre

and Digital workshops sponsored by MicrosoD Windows.

Fares are listed in GBP Sterling and are per person cruise only, double occupancy andinclude non discountable amounts and taxes. New bookings only. Lead in fares correctat time of printing however oAers are capacity controlled and may be modiBed orwithdrawn or sailing/departure dates substituted without prior notice. Subject toavailability. Certain restrictions apply. It is the responsibility of guests to ensure theyhave a full passport valid at least six months beyond the date of travel. Please refer tothe current Holland America Line Worldwide Cruise Holidays brochure for full UKterms and conditions. Visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk for updated itineraries. Ships’registry: @e Netherlands.

Holland America Line - Points of Distinction

12-nightWestern Europe Explorer

Roundtrip Harwich

Ms Ryndam 4 May 2015

NO FLYING CRUISE FROM PP

Interior Stateroom £1,149Ocean View Stateroom FREE UPGRADE £1,149Vista Suite £2,099Neptune Suite £3,099

7-nightViking Sagas

Roundtrip Harwich

Ms Ryndam 16 May*; 13 Jun; 25 Jul 2015


Interior Stateroom £699Ocean View Stateroom FREE UPGRADE £699Vista Suite £3,399Neptune Suite £1,799

*Lead in fare based on 16 May(alternative dates/itineraries available)

*Lead in fare based on 23 May*Lead in fare based on 20 Jun

14-nightNorthern Isles

Roundtrip Harwich

Ms Ryndam 20 Jun*, 1 Aug 2015


Interior Stateroom £1,499Ocean View Stateroom FREE UPGRADE £1,499Vista Suite £3,399Neptune Suite SOLD

14-nightVoyage of the Midnight Sun

Roundtrip Harwich

Ms Ryndam 23* May; 4 Jul; 15 Aug 2015


Interior Stateroom £1,599Ocean View Stateroom FREE UPGRADE £1,599Vista Suite £3,199Neptune Suite £4,599

NEW

NorthernEurope


Azamara Club CruisesCelebrity CruisesCosta Cruises Cruise & Maritime VoyagesCrystal CruisesCunard Disney Cruise LineFred Olsen Cruise LinesHapag-Lloyd CruisesHolland America LineHurtigrutenLindblad ExpeditionsMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPonant Princess CruisesQuark ExpeditionsRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSaga CruisesSeabournSilverseaVoyages of DiscoveryWindstar

NORTH SEA

NORWEGIAN SEA

ARCTIC OCEAN

GREENLAND

ICELAND

SVALBARD

NORWAY

UK

Oslo

Spitsbergen

47Northern Europe | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

Northern Europe is a catch-all title for threecountries – Norway, Iceland and Greenland,and also Spitsbergen, which is owned byNorway –where the main attraction is scenery,culture and wildlife rather than sightseeing and history.

Norway, which gets the most cruisepassengers by far, is a long, thin countrybisected by the Arctic Circle, where deep fjordsand outdoor activities such as walking, fishingand whale-watching are the big attraction.

Traditionally it’s been a summer cruisedestination but increasingly ships are takingpassengers there in winter to see the NorthernLights. At sea, away from the light pollution intowns and cities, is the best place to see thesolar activity, although there are never anyguarantees you will.

Iceland is just below the Arctic Circle andusually a one-stop destination –ships call atReykjavik, the capital, where a popular outing isto the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon - but ahandful of lines circumnavigate the island.

Greenland is the largest island in the worldand sits almost entirely above the Arctic Circle.About 80% of the land is covered by an icesheet – the second-largest in the world (theAntarctica ice sheet is the biggest).

Spitsbergen, the largest island in theSvalbard archipelago, is within the Arctic Circleand the nearest most cruise ships can get tothe North Pole.

Traditional cruise ships visit these islands,but for a couple of days only. To do and seemore, choose an expedition ship with an ice-strengthened hull as they can circumnavigateSpitsbergen or cruise through the gianticebergs that litter Greenland’s coast north ofthe Arctic Circle.

Cruises to the Norwegian fjords departfrom the UK, Amsterdam and Copenhagenand are anything from seven nights to twoweeks or more. There are about 41 cruiseports along Norway’s coastline, whichstretches 1,300 nautical miles, but Bergen,Stavanger, Olden, Tromsø and Ålesund are themost popular.

Hurtigruten offers 12-night cruises alongthe Norwegian coast on working ships thatvisit 34 ports during the journey.

There are also cruises from the UK to theArctic Circle but these tend to be two weeksor more, with several days at sea. Expeditioncruise lines usually fly passengers intoSpitsbergen and Greenland for one-weekvoyages.

ÅlesundThe town, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord, was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuiltin Art Nouveau style, which has earned it thetitle most beautiful town in Norway. Cruiseships dock by the town so it’s easy to get offand walk ashore alone. Alternatively, there areguided walks of the Art Nouveau district and insearch of the Yoogon Trolls on the buildings’façades. Go to the top of Mount Aksia for viewover the town and surrounding fjords.

BergenThe city is a favourite stop for most cruises toNorway for walks at the top of Mount Fløyen(it’s reached by a funicular ride), the aquariumand, if time allows, longer tours into the fjordregion. Ships dock about 10 minutes’ walkfrom the centre of the town so it’s easy toexplore alone.


GeirangerfjordThe fjord is on UNESCO’s list of NaturalWorld Heritage Sites. Ships can eithertender passengers ashore from ananchorage at Geiranger or dock at Hellesylt.Excursions are geared around the scenery,with trips to some of the fjord’s bestviewpoints. One of the favourites goes alongEagle Road (11 hairpin bends) to EagleBend for views of the fjord, mountains andSeven Sisters waterfall.

KirkenesThe end of the line for the Norwegian coastbecause next stop east of the town isRussia. Excursions go to Pasvikdalen, hometo the largest population of brown bears inNorway, and there are also quad bike ridesto the border. In winter there are snowmobilesafaris and husky-dog sledge rides.

North CapeThe North Cape is the northern-most point onthe European mainland. Ships dock atHonningsvåg, from where it is a 30-minutedrive to the cape. Once there, you’ll find atourist centre and a 307-metre high cliff thatplunges almost straight down into the sea.

OldenOlden is a tiny town with a population of just800 people at the end of the Nordfjord thatwould be unremarkable except that it’s just ashort drive from the dock to the BriksdalGlacier, one arm of the Jostedal Glacier, whichis the largest glacier on the Europeanmainland. It’s a steep hike to the glacier; at thetop you can take a boat rides on the small lakeand get close to the ice. There are also fastRIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) rides on theNordfjord and fishing excursions.

StavangerCruise ships dock close to the small town,where the main attraction is a boat ride intothe Lysefjord to see the famous Pulpit Rock. It rises 604 metres above sea level, has a 600 square metre top and sheer drops onthree sides.

TromsøTromsø lies above the Arctic Circle and isanother top stop for cruise ships, which dockclose to the city centre. The Arctic Cathedral isa big attraction – cruise ships that stayovernight often offer midnight concerts there.Polaria, which is part Arctic aquarium and partexhibition hall dedicated to the Arctic, and thePolar Museum, dedicated to Polar exploration,are other popular attractions.

TrondheimThis was Norway’s first capital, founded in 997by the Viking king Olav Tryggvason. Cruiseships dock near town, where the mainattractions are the Nodaros Cathedral , builtover the grave of King Olav, and Archbishop’sPalace. Harbour tours visit Monk’s Island, once an execution site and now a popularrecreation area.


49Northern Europe | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

SpitsbergenSpitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, is part ofNorway. From Longyearbyen, the capital, it’s 1,338km to the North Poleand 2,313km to Oslo. Visiting cruise lines call at Longyearbyen – smallships can dock but others have to tender passengers – and Ny-Ålesundand Magdalena Bay if weather conditions allow. They are all smallplaces, interesting for their remoteness and harsh living rather than anysights. The real attraction is the wildlife - polar bears mainly, but alsowalruses, seals and whales. If weather conditions allow, expedition-style cruise ships will circumnavigate the island. They carry teams ofnaturalists and geologists to take passengers for walks ashore once thearea has been carefully checked for prowling polar bears.

CaribbeanWho goes to there...

Azamara Club CruisesCarnival Cruise LinesCelebrity CruisesCosta Cruises Cruise & Maritime VoyagesCrystal CruisesCunardDisney Cruise LineFred Olsen Cruise LinesHapag-Lloyd CruisesHolland America LineMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPaul Gauguin CruisesPonantPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSaga CruisesSeabournSeaDream Yacht ClubSilverseaStar ClippersThomson CruisesVariety CruisesWindstar

CARIBBEAN SEANICARAGUA

HONDURASEL SALVADOR

MEXICO

COSTA RICA

PANAMAVENEZUELA

FLORIDA

CUBA

USA

Grenada

Montserrat

Haiti

Cayman Islands

Dominican Republic

British Virgin IslandsPuerto Rico

Jamaica AntiguaMartinique

St LuciaBarbados

Trinidad

Havana



§

age groups, and exciting excursions too.

- Carnival is proud to unveil Camp Ocean - an exciting, new marine-themed children’s programme, currently available on Carnival Freedom. Camp Ocean, which will replace the existing Camp Carnival programme, will welcome youngsters

IF YOU NEVER DID, YOU SHOULD.THESE THINGS ARE FUNAND FUN IS GOOD.

FAMILY FUN!

~ DR. SEUSS

TM

is currently available on Carnival Freedom only.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CARNIVAL, OR TO BOOK, PLEASE VISIT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT

11:47

The Caribbean has everything fromlarge developed islands with duty-freeshopping, glitzy hotels and buzzingtourist attractions to tiny outposts whosevery charm lies in their rustic simplicityand beautiful natural surroundings.

You’ll find cruise ships of all sizeshere, from the world’s largest vessels tothe smallest luxury yachts, each oneoffering a vastly-contrasting experience. Some are here year-round, but mostonly spend winter in the islands,providing cruisers with a sunny holidaywhen the weather at home gets grey and cold.

Most cruises depart from Floridaports such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale,but a few start from within the islands,notably Barbados or Puerto Rico. Newthis winter, Thomson Cruises is basing aship in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Sailings range from short three-daytrips to the Bahamas to two weeks ormore, but the most common itinerariestend to be seven days, sailing either tothe Eastern Caribbean (Puerto Rico, StThomas, Barbados and Martinique), orthe Western Caribbean (Cozumel, theCayman Islands and Jamaica).

Some also visit the SouthernCaribbean, with calls at islands includingGuadeloupe, Grenada and Tobago, whileother sailings include a trip through thePanama Canal to the Pacific Ocean.

AntiguaShips moor in the centre of the capital, StJohn’s, so it is easy to wander ashore tobrowse the shops in the modern HeritageQuay area or the more rustic Redcliffe Quay,where authentic Georgian buildings housecafés and boutiques. If you want to explorefurther, taxi drivers, who are also qualified tourguides, will take you to Nelson’s Dockyard, theworld’s only working Georgian dockyard andthe island’s most famous tourist site withrestaurants and shops housed in the restoredbuildings. Antigua is famous for its beaches;one of the best-known, Dickenson Bay, is a20-minute drive from the port.

BahamasNassau is the capital of the Bahamas and theislands’ main cruise port, though some shipscall at Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. InNassau, you’ll step ashore at Prince GeorgeWharf and walk through the Festival Placewelcome centre with its local stalls andoccasional live bands. Outside are lines of“surreys” offering horse and carriage ridesaround the capital, while just a few steps morebring you into Bay Street and its duty-freeshops and Straw Market for local handicrafts.A few streets away is the entertaining Piratesof Nassau museum, while the ArdastraGardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre is a short taxi ride. If you fancy swimming with dolphins, book an excursion to BlueLagoon Island.


British Virgin IslandsSmaller cruise ships call at the less developedislands such as Jost Van Dyke, Norman Islandor Virgin Gorda; the big ones dock at the mainisland of Tortola, a short walk from the capitalRoad Town. On disembarking you will be metby a cluster of local taxi drivers enthusiasticallyoffering island tours. One of the most populartrips is to the beach at pretty Cane GardenBay, though it can get very crowded if morethan one ship is in and everyone else has thesame idea. The best plan is to get on a smallerboat and explore some other islands. Virgin Gorda is a good choice as it is home to The Baths, a collection of huge rocks housing natural swimming pools and romantichidden grottoes.

DominicaThe so-called “Nature Isle”, Dominica is one ofthe Caribbean’s most unspoilt andundeveloped outposts able to cater for largercruise ships. Most dock in the capital, Roseau,though some smaller vessels call at the townof Portsmouth in the north. Wherever youcome ashore there is no escaping the earthyfeel of this cruise stop, where there hikingtours through the lush rainforest to waterfallsor the island’s famous boiling lake. TheRainforest tram affords a birds-eye view acrossthe mountain peaks and there are tours toCarib Territory, inhabited by one of theCaribbean’s few remaining tribes, or whale-watching tours.

53Caribbean | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

BarbadosBarbados is packed with attractions, fromHarrison’s Cave, a subterranean complex oflimestone tunnels and pools, to restoredplantation houses such as Sunbury Plantationor St Nicholas Abbey. An island tour takesvisitors to the top of Cherry Tree Hill, renownedfor its fabulous views, and down on to therugged east coast where Atlantic rollers sweepin. Cruise ships dock a 20-minute walk outsidethe capital, Bridgetown. It’s worth noting thatlocal companies are not allowed to hawk forbusiness at the terminal; they can only pick up,so if you want an independent tour, arrange itin advance.

CozumelThis island off the Mexican coast is a realtourist trap, but the rich surrounding watersalso make it a prime location for scuba-diving excursions and boat trips. There arealso full-day excursions to the mainland, tovisit the important Mayan archaeologicalsites Chichen Itza or Tulum on the YucatanPeninsula. The main town on Cozumel is SanMiguel, which is accessible from the island’sthree cruise piers. However, the distancevaries depending where your ship is moored.The closest pier is by the city, the furthestone about five miles away.

Grand CaymanShips anchor off the capital, George Town,and tender passengers ashore - the city is ashort walk from the dock and has a goodselection of tourist shops (though if there areseveral ships in, it can all get rather busy!). Thetop attraction in Grand Cayman is StingrayCity, a shallow sandbar where tame rayscongregate and wait to be fed squid bytourists who arrive in small boats. It’s also apopular beach stop thanks to its beautifulwaters and talcum powder beaches (SevenMile Beach is the most famous), and you cansnorkel or dive amid the colourful marine life.Helicopter rides give a bird’s eye view of theisland and surrounding reefs.

Puerto RicoCruise ships moor in the heart of the colonialquarter of Old San Juan, so it’s easy to headashore and delve into the historic Spanishroots of Puerto Rico’s capital. The maze ofnarrow streets, perfect for wandering, are filledwith boutiques, outlets selling local crafts, andatmospheric Latino bars and cafes. Beprepared through - San Juan is a popular portand when a few ships are docked, the streetsbecome full of cruise passengers! When youtire of shopping, nearby historic sites includethe forts of El Morro and San Cristobel. The ElYunque rainforest is an hour’s drive away.

St KittsShips moor at Port Zante cruise port, close tothe island’s capital, Basseterre, so it is easy towander ashore and explore alone, or pick up atour from one of the waiting taxi drivers. Theirprices drop the further away you walk from theport. The top excursion is the narrow-gauge StKitts Scenic Railway, which bumps and rattlesits way along a scenic circuit through theformer sugar plantations that gave the islandits wealth. History buffs should visit BrimstoneHill Fortress, built more than 300 years agowhen the island was under British rule andnow a Unesco World Heritage Site.Alternatively, take the short boat ride todiscover St Kitts’ sleepy and pretty sisterisland Nevis.


JamaicaClimbing Dunn’s River Falls nearOcho Rios has to be the topattraction in Jamaica, but there arelots of alternatives if that doesn’tappeal. You can take a chairlift to thetop of Mystic Mountain and ridedown on a bobsleigh or glidethrough the tree tops on a canopytour. If you want a taste of theisland’s history, visit the restored –and reputedly haunted – plantationhouse Rose Hall, or take a gentleriver-rafting trip. The island (the third-biggest in the Caribbean) has threemain ports along its north coast – atOcho Rios, Montego Bay andFalmouth, which tends to cater forthe larger American ships. If you’redocked in Ocho Rios or Falmouth,you’ll be in town; in Montego Bay theport is about three miles fromdowntown. Port Antonio in the eastattracts calls from smaller vessels.


/CelebrityTravelAgentsWinner Best Premium Cruise Company

Winner of 10 Cruise Critic awards

A holiday no like otherFrom the cool charm of Scandinavia to the warm glow of the Mediterranean, and beyond, we show the world like no one else can. Travel to a choice of over 260 destinations, across seven continents, amid style, sophistication and incomparable comfort.

Step on board to discover an experience that combines sumptuous accommodation and intuitive service with culinary treats like sushi lollipops and lobster flambée. Relax on half an acre of real grass lawn, delight in live pop-up entertainment or enjoy blissful serenity at our world-famous Canyon Ranch SpaClub®.

With Celebrity Cruises®, you will discover a holiday like no other, and the world in a whole new light.

Visit your travel agent to find out more and book your next holiday.

St LuciaMost ships visiting this lush jungle-coveredisle moor at the capital Castries in the northof the island, but smaller vessels also call atSoufrière or Marigot Bay in the south, andRodney Bay or Pigeon Island in the north.Top attractions on the island include theworld’s only drive-in volcano and Tet Paulbotanic garden, where there are fabulousviews of the island’s iconic twin pitons.Pigeon Island, connected to the mainland bya man-made causeway, is a popular spot forswimming and snuba diving (a crossbetween scuba and snorkelling). The islandwas once a pirate hangout and ex-militarybase (the British built the 18th-century FortRodney at the top of the island to keep aneye on the French fleet in Martinique). Headto Rodney Bay for a lively resort and funsegway tours.

St Maarten/St MartinMost cruise ships dock in Phillipsbu rg in StMaarten (Dutch), but some smaller ones callat St Martin (French). From the moderncruise dock in Phillipsburg it’s an easy walkinto town, where you can laze on a whitesand beach surrounded by bars and cafes orexplore the capital’s various souvenir shops,boutiques and casinos. There are snorkellingtrips and motorbike tours. A popularexcursion goes to the island’s French capital,Marigot, where, in the blink of an eye, theambience changes from Dutch to Gallic withFrench-inspired shops and cafes.

St ThomasSt Thomas is one of the Caribbean’s busiestcruise ports and a favourite for its duty-freeshopping. The capital, Charlotte Amalie, is a10-minute taxi ride from the Havensight cruiseport and a 30-minute walk from the dock atCrown Bay (there are plenty of taxis if youprefer to ride). The marine park Coral World isone of the island’s best-known attractions

while the St Thomas Skyride cable car offersthe best views. However, as there are oftenseveral cruise ships moored at once, one ofthe best excursions is to take a smaller boatand head off on a snorkelling trip. Go in themorning to escape the worst of the crowds.



Private islands in the sunA number of cruise lines have acquired private islands or outpostswhere their ships spend a day during Caribbean sailings. These aretypically tropical island escapes with all the luxury trimmings – whitesand beaches, water play areas, bars, restaurants and even outdoormassage areas – where you can chillaxe on a sun-bed, go snorkellingin the crystal clear waters or try your hand at the numerous watersports on offer.

Here’s a snapshot of who owns what:

Labadee – a peninsula on Haiti, leased by Royal CaribbeanCruises and used by both Royal Caribbean Internationaland Celebrity Cruises.

CocoCay – an island in the Bahamas, leased by RoyalCaribbean Cruises and used by both Royal Caribbean andCelebrity Cruises.

Castaway Cay – a Bahamian island owned by DisneyCruise Line.

Great Stirrup Cay – a Bahamian island owned byNorwegian Cruise Line.

Half Moon Cay – a Bahamian island owned by HollandAmerica Line, though its sister company Carnival CruiseLines sometimes calls there too.

Princess Cays – at the tip of the island of Eleuthera in theBahamas and used by Princess Cruises.

Harvest Caye – an island in the south of Belize newly-acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line and due to open asbeach resort in autumn 2015.


Voyages to Antiquity brings to life the history, art and cultures of the ancient world

10093

ABTA No.Y2206

For further details or to reserve a cabin, please contact your preferred travel agent

The benefits of small-ship cruisingClassically elegant and carrying around 350 passengers, our ship the MV AegeanOdyssey can access the more intimateports and less frequented destinations, as well as some of the world’s most iconic sites. She offers outstanding levelsof comfort and service, open-seating dining, and a cruise experience that is second to none.

Classical Aegean – Exotic AsiaThis winter, Aegean Odyssey sets sail acrossthe Indian Ocean, heading for exoticBurma and Asia’s great cities and naturalwonders. In Summer 2015, she sails to theclassical civilisations of the Mediterraneanand Aegean Seas. Containing sites asrenowned as the Acropolis in Athens and the Taj Mahal in India, the scope andcontent of each itinerary is unsurpassed.

What’s included makes the differenceOur cruises offer exceptional value for moneyby including the things that matter most. Expert guest speakers enlighten you onboard, while excursions with local guides enthrall you ashore. Exciting land tours and overnight stays enhance each journey,and the excellent cuisine and included wine with dinner all add up to represent outstanding value.

Small-ship cruising at its best

AsiaWho goes to there...

Azamara Club CruisesCelebrity Cruises Costa Cruises Crystal CruisesCunard Fred Olsen Cruise LinesHolland America LineLindblad ExpeditionsOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPonantPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSeabournSilverseaSwan HellenicVoyages to AntiquityWindstar

TAIWANCHINA

SOUTHCHINA

SEA

CAMBODIAVIETNAM

PHILIPPINESMYANMAR

THAILAND

SINGAPORE BORNEO

MALAYSIA

Bangkok

Hong Kong

Ho Chi Minh City

Kuala Lumpur

Shanghai


Cruises in and around Asia are increasinglypopular as travellers discover an appetite forexotic cruises in the Far East and Orient thattick off several countries on one holiday.

The choice of itineraries in this region isimmense, from two-week voyages betweenHong Kong and Singapore that call at multipleports in Vietnam to island-hopping adventuresaround the Indonesian islands.

There are cruises along the coasts ofThailand and Malaysia, and around China andSouth Korea. Myanmar (Burma), until recentlyon the tourist black list, is now firmly on thecruising map and itineraries that focus heavilyon Japan look set to be a hit in 2015.

Most ships are in the region in winter,between November and March, and are eitherbased there just for the season or passingthrough during Asian sectors of their worldcruises. However, a handful of cruise lines arebasing vessels in the region year-round, inChina and Japan especially, to develop the

local markets as well as provide new itinerariesfor regular cruisers.

An excellent network of flights from the UKlinking into hub cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing and Shanghaihas helped to make cruising in Asia an easy option.

Note that British passport holders need avisa to travel to China, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Tianjin, ChinaThis is the port for Beijing, but it is up to threehours from the city, depending on traffic. Thetop attraction in the capital is the hugecomplex of palaces known as the ForbiddenCity, and next-door Tiananmen Square, sceneof the student protests in 1989. Outside thecity, excursions go to the Great Wall. TheBadaling section is closest to the city but verytouristy so try to pick a tour to theHuangyaguan section, which is the closer tothe port and much quieter.

Bangkok,ThailandThe top attraction in the Thai capital is theextravagant Grand Palace and the city’soldest and largest Buddhist Temple, WatPo. Take a boat trip along the Chao PhrayaRiver or jump into one of the ubiquitoustuk-tuks for a novel city tour. The city isalso a prime place for shopping for silks,handicrafts and fake designer goods.Beyond the city limits, visit the DamnoenSaduak floating market, a 90-minute drivefrom Bangkok. Small ships arriving atBangkok dock at Klong Toey, close to thecity centre. Larger ships have to use thecommercial port at Laem Chebang, a 2.5-hour drive away.

59Asia | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

Hanoi, VietnamThere are three ports for Hanoi, the capital ofVietnam. Halong Bay is a 3.5-hour drive awayand famous for the beautiful limestone islandsin the bay. Haiphong is used by a few lines, buthas no tourist facilities or attractions and thedrive to Hanoi is up to three hours. Cai Lan isclosest to the capital, with journeys of around2.5 hours. Hanoi highlights include themausoleum containing the embalmed body offormer ruler and Communist revolutionary HoChi Minh, the Ho Chi Minh Museum andTemple of Literature, dedicated to Chinesephilosopher Confucius. The city’s Gallic colonialroots are evident at the grandiose PresidentialPalace, built for a former French governor.

Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamFor those interested in Vietnam’s torridhistory, the War Remnants Museum makes afascinating stop, while the city’s colonial pastis perfectly illustrated by the Central PostOffice and French-inspired Notre DameCathedral. The best place for fake designerwear, lacquer boxes and other trinkets is thehuge covered Ben Thanh Market. Head outof the city to creep through the Cu ChiTunnels used by the Viet Cong during thewar and to the Mekong Delta to see floatingmarkets. Small ships dock on the SaigonRiver, 10 minutes from the centre. Larger ships dock at Phu My, a 2.5-hourdrive away.

Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaThe capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur isprobably best known for the Petronas TwinTowers (the viewing bridge offers views of thecity, or try Kuala Lumpur Tower which hassimilar vistas, plus shops and a revolvingrestaurant). Ships dock at Port Klang, a cargoand cruise port 90 minutes away by road. Inthe city, visit the National Museum and thecolonial Royal Selangor Club. The limestoneBatu Caves, a few miles outside the city, areone of the most noted Hindu shrines outsideIndia and inhabited by mischievous monkeysthat lurk around the 272 steps leading up tothe temple cave.

Shanghai, ChinaShips dock either at Shanghai Port InternationalCruise Terminal, close to downtown, theWusongkou International Cruise Terminal atBoashan or the Waigaoqiao Port Cruise Terminal,both a 30-minute drive from the city centre. Thecity is a pulsating neon-filled metropolis offers anintoxicating mix of ancient and modern. Take inthe views from the restaurants and shops in thePearl TV Tower or the 88-storey Jin Mao Tower.Other attractions include the Jade BuddhaTemple and the Shanghai Museum. Yu Gardenshas five acres of pagodas, pavilions and ponds,while The Bund’s 19th-century mansions are athrowback to colonial times when it was the city’sfinancial centre.

SingaporeShopping is a favourite pastime in the Lion Cityand primarily centred around the malls andmarkets in Orchard Road and the up-and-coming Marina Bay area on the waterfront. Oneof the newest attractions is the futuristic Gardensby the Bay botanical park with its “Skypark”straddled across three tower blocks. Take a rivercruise through the old colonial areas of ClarkeQuay and Boat Quay, now full of trendyrestaurants and bars, visit the Jurong Bird Parkand Singapore Zoo and be sure to try aSingapore Sling cocktail at the Long Bar at theRaffles Hotel. The city has two cruise ports, thenewer Marina Bay Cruise Terminal, a few minutesfrom Marina Bay, and Singapore Cruise Centre, a15-minute taxi ride away.


Hong Kong, ChinaShips either dock at Ocean Terminal in Victoria Harbour, in the centre of the cityand close to the Star Ferry terminal, or a new terminal on the site of the formerrunway of Kai Tak Airport. Top attractions in the city include the Victoria Peak, aharbour cruise or ride on the Star Ferry and shopping - Temple Street NightMarket and Stanley Market are favourite places. Make time also to try the localcuisine. There are tours to Lantau island, to see a monastery that contains theworld’s largest outdoor Buddha, and Macau, famous for its casinos.

Seoul, South KoreaThe South Korean capital is served by the portof Incheon, just over an hour’s drive away.Some stay in the port to see where USGeneral MacArthur landed in 1950 after NorthKorean invaded the South, others head toSeoul, which has busy streets rubbingshoulders with traditional temples andpeaceful gardens, but the top attraction is atour to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separatingNorth and South Korea, to visit one of severaltunnels dug to launch a surprise attack onSeoul, and the Dora Observatory, for viewsacross the border.

Tokyo, JapanDespite its modern façade, there are manyattractions that symbolise the Japanesecapital’s dynastic past, notably the impressiveImperial Palace and Meiji Shrine in the centreof Tokyo, and the Sensoji Temple built tohonour the god Kannon. A more modern drawis the Tokyo Tower, taller than the Eiffel Tower,from where there are fabulous views acrossthe city to Mount Fuji. Most cruise ships dock in Yokohama, from where you can takethe train to Tokyo, 40km away. A shuttlebus operates from the terminal to

Yokohama Station.

Yangon, MyanmarShips dock either at Thilawa Port, an hourfrom Yangon, or Nanthida Jetty in the city.Sightseeing centres around the shimmeringShwedagon Pagoda, a sacred Buddhist shrinewhere devoted pilgrims come to pray amid thegold-domed stupas. There are colonialbuildings and colourful markets where you can browse for Burmese handicrafts, and alsoday trips by air to Mandalay or Bagan, and bycar to Bago.




DISCOVER THE WORLD WITH COUNTRY HOUSE-STYLE CRUISING

For 60 years Swan Hellenic has been perfecting the art of small-ship discovery cruising, leading the way to some of the world’s most intriguing destinations

in the company of renowned Guest Speakers.

Travel in country house style in the company of just 350 like-minded passengers aboard our flagship Minerva. Visit cities of music, culture and art, sites of ancient civilisations, remote villages, iconic coastlines and inspirational landscapes and, during leisurely days at sea, absorb in-depth talks and browse our extensive library.

Swan Hellenic is cruising for those with a mind to travel and to understand more, and also for those who appreciate the highest levels of service and comfort. All meals, a tailor-made shore excursion programme worth up to £650 per person and gratuities on board and ashore are included, along with port taxes, flights and transfers and much more. This means you can rest assured that you will receive excellent value for money, no matter which cruise you choose. For those with a mind to travel

12:52:32

South America& Antarctica


Azamara Club CruisesCarnival Cruise LinesCelebrity CruisesCosta Cruises Crystal CruisesDisney Cruise LineFred Olsen Cruise LinesHapag-Lloyd CruisesHolland America LineLindblad ExpeditionsMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPonantPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSaga CruisesSeabournSilverseaStar ClippersVariety CruisesWindstar

COLUMBIA

PERU BRAZIL

ARGENTINA

CARIBBEAN SEA

AMAZAN RIVER

ANTARCTICA

SOUTH ATLANTIC

OCEAN

THE DRAKE PASSAGE

SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

VENEZUELA

CHIL

E

PANAMA

Lima

Galapagos Islands

Santiago

Rio de Janeiro

Montevideo

Buenos Aires

Falkland Islands


South America is a vast continentseparated from the north by the PanamaCanal, a man-made waterway acknowledgedas one of the world’s greatest engineeringmarvels.

Cruise ships visit in the austral summer(our winter) when the weather is at its best andthe ice has receded in Antarctica, allowingcruise ships and exploration-style vessels tosail in the polar region.

Two-week cruises between Buenos Aires,the capital of Argentina, and Valparaiso, theport for the Chilean capital of Santiago, arepopular as ships must round Cape Horn - asea route dreaded by sailors in the days of sailas it could take months for them to navigate.

There are also cruises along the westcoast that call at Cusco in Peru and Guayaquilin Ecuador, and east coast itineraries that visitMontevideo in Uruguay, Rio de Janeiro inBrazil, as well as voyages up the AmazonRiver as far as Manaus.

Increasingly popular are two-monthvoyages that circumnavigate the SouthAmerica because they are a great way to seeso much of the continent. These usuallyinclude a voyage up the Amazon and a daygetting through the Panama Canal.

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaBuenos Aires is known as the Paris of SouthAmerica for its big boulevards, but thelanguage is Spanish and around half theinhabitants are of Italian descent. It’s anexciting city, with lively bars, the beststeakhouses in the world and tango in thestreet in La Boca. The cruise terminal is on theRio de la Plata, about half a mile from the citycentre (some ships dock at an outlying port, inwhich case there’ll be a shuttle into thecentre). Top sights include the pink palace inPlaza de Mayo from where Eva Peronaddressed the nation, the Recoleta Cemeterywhere she is buried and the colourful district ofLa Boca. An evening dinner and tango show isa must if you’re in the city overnight.

Rio de Janeiro, BrazilAs host of this year’s World Cup and the2016 Olympics, Rio might be in bigdemand generally right now, but it has longbeen a favourite on South American cruiseitineraries, with some lines making surethey are in town for Carnival. Ships dock atPier Maua, walking distance fromdowntown Rio and about 20 minutes bytaxi from Copacabana Beach, surely themost famous stretch of sand in the world.Along with the city’s Ipanema Beach, it isworth a visit, but don’t miss also a trip tothe top of Sugarloaf Mountain for viewsacross the city. A cog railway goes upCorcovada; the Christ the Redeemerstatue is at the top.

65South America & Antarctica | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

Stanley, Falkland IslandsFew people had never heard of the islands until the Argentineansinvaded in 1982. Now it is a highlight for British cruisers sailingaround the bottom of South America (although in the past couple ofyears the Argentinean Government has tried to stop ships goingthere by banning them from Argentinean ports if they have been toPort Stanley).

Ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers into Stanley, whichis much like Britain a few decades ago, complete with red phoneboxes, pubs and corner shops. The island itself is like the moors,wild and windswept but with penguins instead of ponies and signsthat warn of minefields.

There are excursions to see Gentoo and King penguins at BluffCove and a Rockhopper penguin colony at Berkeley Sound, toursof the 1982 battlefields and visits to working farms.


“We at Seabourn believe that delight is an

important art form. We are masters of effortless

delight, handcrafting personal experiences

for each and every one of our guests through

unobtrusive, yet intuitive service.

Service is beyond what is expected. Dedication

beyond what is required. Delight beyond

destination.

In 2015 Seabourn features some incredible

cruise experiences onboard our three state-of-the-art six star ships;

together with an all-inclusive lifestyle that is truly delightful.

Come, enjoy the art of delight”

Lynn Narraway - Managing Director UK & Ireland

All fares are per person sharing a double occupancy suite, cruise only basis. Please ask for fly/cruise fares. Fares are for new bookings only and are subject to change.. For full terms and conditions refer to the Seabourn Cruise Collection Catalogue 2015-16.

Contact your travel advisor for more information

www.seabourn.co.uk

sample itineraries & faresMYANMAR & MALAYSIA

SEABOURN SOJOURN

14 NIGHTS

6 December 2015

Singapore, Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Georgetown ( Penang), Myanmar

(Rangoon, Burma, two nights), Phuket (Thailand), Langkawi Island

(Malaysia), Pulau Pangkor (Malaysia), Malacca (Malaysia), Singapore

From £4,702pp

Complimentary Marina day in Langkawi Island

Two overnights in Thilawa

GREEK ISLES & EPHESUS

SEABOURN ODYSSEY

7 NIGHTS

23 May*; 27 June; 1 August; 5 September 2015

Piraeus (Athens), Santorini (Greece), Rhodes (Greece), Patmos (Greece);

Kusadasi (Ephesus, Turkey), Mykonos (Greece), Lemnos (Greece),

Istanbul (Turkey)

From £2,499pp

Complimentary classical concert at Ephesus

Complimentary Marina day

BALTIC & ST PETERSBURG

(or reverse~)

SEABOURN QUEST

7 NIGHTS

30 May, 6 June~, 27 June, 4 July~, 25 July, 1 August~ 2015

Copenhagen (Denmark), Tallinn (Estonia), St Petersburg (Russia, two nights), Helsinki

(Finland), Stockholm (Sweden)

From £3,209pp

Two nights in St Petersburg

ANTARCTICA & PATAGONIA

SEABOURN QUEST

21 NIGHTS

29 November 2015; 13 January 2016

Buenos Aires (Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay), Port Stanley (Falklands),

Antarctica Experience (5 days), Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile), Castro, (Isla Chiloe, Chile), Puerto Montt (Chile), Valparaiso (Chile)

From £10,489pp

5 complimentary zodiac landings in Antarctica

Complimentary Seabourn Parka

“Caviar in the Ice” experience and more

More Antarctica sailings available

� Intimate ships with just 229 suites

� Unique itineraries to must see cities and hidden gems where larger ships can’t go

� All dining venues complimentary, offering gourmet experiences that rival the finest restaurants.

� Intuitive, gracious service provided by a staff passionate about pleasing our guests

� Complimentary welcome champagne and in-suite bar stocked with guest preferences

� Spacious, all-suite accommodations with sweeping sea views – many with balconies

� Open bar throughout the ship, and fine wines poured and lunch and dinner

� Tipping is neither required nor expected, service simply to delight

the art of delight

Issued August 2014

Montevideo, UruguayExit the port, cross the Ramba Franklin DRoosevelt and you’re in the 18th-centurySpanish old town (Ciudad Vieja). The gatewayis all that remains of the wall that onceprotected it; Plaza Independencia marks thepoint where old meets newer downtown. Thecity is small, with interesting restaurants andshops, but there are tours to the upscalebeach resort of Punta Del Este or a workingestancia (ranch), where you can be a cowboy(gauchos) for a day.

Valparaiso, ChileCruise ship dock at Muelle Prat, which iswalking distance from the town, but althoughit’s a picturesque place (and UNESCOHeritage Site) there is little reason to lingerwhen Santiago, the capital of Chile, is just 90minutes down the road. In Santiago, Plaza deArmas is the historical centre, laid out in 1541and boasting Spanish colonial buildings andthe grand Metropolitan Cathedral (built in 1745after four others were burnt down or destroyedby earthquakes). A funicular railway goes tothe top of San Cristobal Hill for a view of thecity and the Andes, and there’s wine tasting atConcha y Toro.

Callao, PeruThis is the port for Lima, which is about sevenmiles distant. There are taxis to the capital(travel time is 30-45 minutes depending ontraffic; be sure to agree a price before settingoff) but your ship is likely to have a shuttle aswell. Top sights in Lima include Plaza Mayorand the surrounding cathedral, archbishop’s

palace and city hall, the nearby SanFranciscan Monastery and Church, and theGold Museum, which contains pricelessartefacts from pre-Columbian Peru. Somelines might have overnight land tours to Cuscoand Machu Picchu that rejoin the ship at adifferent port.

UshuaiaThe city calls itself the town at the end of theworld for good reason. Head south and nextstop is Antarctica, 1,000km across the DrakePassage. Ships dock in the centre of town,which has a Maritime Museum in what was the prison (the town started as a penal colony)and a display dedicated to Antarctica, but isworth skipping for tours to Tierra del FuegoNational Park or catamaran cruises throughthe Beagle Channel.

ManausThis is the end of the line for most cruise shipsailing up the Amazon. Ships tie up to afloating dock next to the city, which has a verygrand opera house built from the proceeds ofrubber, but the best trips are away from thecity. A Meeting the Waters tour visits the spotwhere the muddy waters of the Rio Solimõesmeet the black water of the Rio Negro but donot mix because of differences in watertemperature and flow rates, and there arepiranha fishing expeditions and jungle hikes. If you’re in town overnight, join a late-nightexpedition in search of caiman (an Ama-zonian alligator).


67South America & Antarctica | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

GalapagosA cruise is the best way to experience theGalapagos, an archipelago of some 21 islandsalmost 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador that’sfamed for its wildlife and the role the animalsplayed in helping Charles Darwin formulate histheories on evolution.

The islands are reached by air from Quito viaGuayaquil. Flying time is 90 minutes fromGuayaquil. Planes land on Baltra Island andyou will be transferred to your ship by tender.

Cruise ships sailing in the Galapagos NationalPark are allowed a maximum 100 passengers(many hold only hold a few dozen) and visit acouple of islands a day so you can go ashoreon walks with park naturalists and get close tothe animals, which have no fear of humans.

Landings are made by inflatable zodiacs ordinghies, often stepping into water or ontorocks so you need a degree of mobility. Youalso need a sense of adventure as the islandsare undeveloped, with uneven dusty paths.Each island has distinct wildlife and geology.Highlights include:

• Blue-footed Boobie birds• Marine and land iguanas• Sea lions• Giant tortoises• Frigate birds• Darwin’s finches


AntarcticaAntarctica is the most remote place on earth; a frozen world more than 50 times the size of the UK that spends half the year in total darkness. It’s also the coldestand windiest place on earth, some 1,000km from Ushuaia across the notoriousDrake Passage.

You can either take a 10-day cruise from Ushuaia to the White Continent, spend afew days sailing around the Antarctic Peninsula and then return to Ushuaia (it takestwo-three days to cross the Drake), or a longer voyage that also visits South Georgiaand the Falkland Islands.

Cruise lines with big ships have sightseeing voyages but if you want to set foot onthe continent choose a expedition vessel that carries no more than 500 passengers.Bear in mind only 100 people are allowed ashore at a time and ships carrying up to200 passengers have access to more landing sites.

Landings are made by inflatable Zodiacs so a degree of mobility is a must. Be awarethat landings, like itineraries, vary depending on the weather and ice conditions.

Rather than cityscapes and ancient monuments, Antarctica is all about nature and wildlife, seeing penguins, whales and icebergs that are as big as houses.Highlights include:

• Sailing inside the caldera on Deception Island.• Scenic cruising through Lemaire Channel.• Sailing through Iceberg Alley.• Spotting whales while cruising through the Gerlache Strait.• The glaciated mountains and ice-cliffs around Paradise Bay.• Elephant Island, where 21 of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s crew lived for fourmonths in 1916, sheltered under an upturned boat and living on seal blubber, whiletheir leader went for help.

AlaskaWho goes to there...

Carnival Cruise LinesCelebrity CruisesDisney Cruise LineHolland America LineLindblad ExpeditionsNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSilversea

ALASKAUSA

CANADA

BEAUFORT SEA

CHUKCHI SEA

GULF OF ALASKAINSIDE PASSAGE

Anchorage

Vancouver

Ketchikan

Juneau

Seattle

69Alaska | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

A laska is that huge place to the north-westof Canada, not actually joined to the USAalthough it is the 49th state of the union. It wasbought from Russia in 1867 and admitted intothe union in 1959.

This is a land where everything is bigexcept the population – some 640,000 peoplein a state that’s twice the size of Texas andone-fifth the size of the Lower 48’, as thelocals refer to the rest of the US.

Cruising here is one big adventure. Youmight be zip-wiring through the tree canopiesone day and whale-watching the next, gettinga bird’s eye view of the scenery on a flight-seeing excursion or walking on glaciers. Youcan watch lumberjack shows and grab a drinkat saucy saloons that recall the lively days ofthe Gold Rush.

Whether you buy through the ship or

organise your own trips, days out areexpensive, but it would be criminal to come all this way and not do some of the activitieson offer.

Cruises operate between May andSeptember, and are generally seven or 10nights, sailing either round-trip from Vancouver,Seattle or San Francisco or one-way, fromVancouver to Whittier or Seward or vice-versa.Choose the one-way cruise and you can add afew nights in Alaska to the start or end of thevoyage. Several cruise lines also package theirAlaska cruises with a pre-cruise journeythrough the Canadian Rockies on the RockyMountaineer train.

Most cruises call at Ketchikan, Juneau andSkagway, and programme scenic cruisingclose to the glaciers. A few also visit Sitka,Prince Rupert and Victoria in British Columbia.

KetchikanThis is a city of salmon, lumberjacks and totempoles, where it rains so much the precipitationis a tourist attraction called liquid sunshine.Ships dock on the edge of town so it’s easy togo ashore alone, but an excursion will be moreexciting. Options include kayaking in search ofbald eagles or a float plane ride along MistyFjords. There are walking tours in a rainforestwildlife sanctuary to see bears, seals, deer andeagles, fishing trips, zip-wiring, jeep and canoesafaris, even a lumberjack show.


71MARIE CELESTE | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |71 | CRUISE TRADE NEWS | ISSUE 33 | JANUARY 2012

MAYAN MYSTIQUEMiami to Miami | 10-Day Voyage

14 January & 5 March 2015 onboard RIVIERA Miami | George Town | Cozumel | Belize City

Santo Tomas | Roatan | Costa Maya | Key West | Miami

Penthouse Suite from £2,639 per guestVeranda Stateroom from £2,229 per guest

Ocean View Stateroom from £2,009 per guest

ASIAN INTERLUDEHong Kong to Beijing | 17-Day Voyage

21 February 2015 onboard NAUTICA Hong Kong | Taipei (Keelung) | Okinawa (Naha)

Kyoto (Kobe) | Hiroshima | Shanghai Seoul (Incheon) | Dalian | Beijing



MAYANS & ISLANDSMiami to Miami | 14-Day Voyage

28 March 2015 onboard REGATTA Miami | Key West | Costa Maya | Santo TomasRoatan | Puerto Limon | Colón | Cartagena

Ocho Rios | George Town | Miami



SOUTH PACIFIC PEARLSPapeete to Sydney | 18-Day Voyage

24 January 2015 onboard MARINA Papeete (Tahiti) | Moorea | Bora Bora | Pago Pago

Apia | Lautoka | Suva | Nouméa | Brisbane | Sydney



MYTHICAL ASIATokyo to Bangkok | 20-Day Voyage

26 March 2015 onboard NAUTICA Tokyo | Kyoto (Kobe) | Kagoshima

Taipei (Keelung) | Hong Kong Hanoi (Ha Long Bay) | Hue/Da Nang (Chan May)

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) | Bangkok



ALASKAN GRANDEURSan Francisco to Vancouver

10-Day Voyage9 May 2015 onboard REGATTA

San Francisco | Astoria | Cruising the Outside PassageSitka | Cruising Hubbard Glacier | Juneau | Ketchikan

Cruising the Inside Passage | Victoria | Vancouver



8POINTS OF DISTINCTION

FREE AIRFARE on every voyage*

Mid-size, elegant ships catering to just 684 or 1,250 guests

Finest cuisine at sea, served in a variety of distinctive open-seating restaurants, at no additional charge

Gourmet culinary programme crafted by world-renowned Master Chef Jacques Pépin

Spectacular port-intensive itineraries featuring overnight visits and extended evening port stays

Country club casual ambiance; tuxedos and gowns are never required

“Bon Appétit Culinary Center”– the only hands-on cooking school at sea+

Acclaimed Canyon Ranch SpaClub®

Extraordinarily high staff-to-guest ratio ensures exemplary personalized service

Youngest fl eet in premium-class cruising with 85% of accommodations featuring private verandas

BEST VALUE INUPSCALE CRUISING+ Available onboard Marina and Riviera.* Free Airfare is subject to availability.

Please refer to Oceania Cruises’ full booking conditions.

FREE ECONOMY ROUNTRIP AIRFAREREDUCED AIR UPGRADES

REDUCED REGIONAL AIR ADD-ONSFree Airfare *

plus Free Gratuities on every voyage

Dates refer to the cruise departure dates. Times and port order vary. Overnight stay in port. Two overnight stays in port. Pre-cruise overnight hotel stay required (not included).

*Offer expires 31st December 2014 and applies to new bookings on designated sailings only. All advertised fares, offers and any applicable upgrades shown are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise indicated, are subject to availability at time of booking, may not be combinable with other offers, or loyalty programme bene� ts, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn without prior notice or remain in effect after the expiration date. Free Gratuities does not apply to service charges relating to private dining, spa treatments or alcoholic beverages. All fares listed are in Pounds Sterling, per person, based on double occupancy and include Non-Commissionable Fares. Cruise-related government fees and taxes are included. “Free Airfare” promotion does not include ground transfers and applies to economy, one way or round-trip � ights only from London as applicable. Reduced Business Class supplements are quoted per person, are subject to availability, are subject to increase without notice and are accurate at the time of publication. Oceania Cruises reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. Additional Terms and Conditions may apply. Complete Terms and Conditions may be found at www.OceaniaCruises.com or in the Guest Ticket Contract. PRO40571 UK

CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT | VISIT OCEANIACRUISES.COM

FREE ECONOMY ROUNTRIP AIRFAREREDUCED AIR UPGRADES

REDUCED REGIONAL AIR ADD-ONSF

JuneauJuneau is the only US state capital that cannotbe reached by road. Cruise ships dock closeto downtown, just a five minutes from the RedDog Saloon, an unashamedly touristy hotspot, but great fun, with swinging doors,sawdust floors and a honky-tonk pianist. It isreally the only place worth seeing in the city;use the rest of your time in port for anexcursion. Options range from helicopter ridesto the Mendenhall Glacier to whale-watchingand a safari in search of brown bears. There’szip-wiring, white-water rafting, sea-plane ridesover the Juneau icefield, dog-sledding andhiking through the Tongass National Forest.

SkagwaySkagway owes its existence to theprospectors who passed through during theKlondike Gold Rush of 1896-99. You can walkpart of the Chilkoot Trail they followed on anexcursion (you’ll do a couple of miles; thewhole thing is 33 miles and so punishing,especially in winter, that many prospectorsdied on the way). Cruise ships dock in townbut the only reason to hang around is thesaucy Red Onion Saloon, where you can take

a tour of the former brothel upstairs. Excursionoptions include horse-riding, dog-sledding,zip-wiring and rock-climbing. You can take acoach ride to the Yukon along the KlondikeHighway, peaking at 3,290 feet above sealevel, or ride the narrow-gauge railroad built in 1898, during the gold rush, along the White Pass.

SitkaFounded by Russian fur traders as NewArchangel in 1799, and once the capital ofAlaska, Sitka is an eclectic mix of Russian,Tingit and American cultures. Small ships candock but larger vessels anchor in the soundand tender passengers ashore. There aretours around town that visit St Michael’sRussian Orthodox Cathedral and the RussianBishop’s House, or trips to a native folkloreshows. You can also visit a Raptor Centre,which cares for injured bald eagles and otherbirds, join a cruise in search of sea otters or gohiking in the rainforest. There are high-speedboat rides in Sitka Sound or more sedate seakayaking trips.


GlaciersThere are around 100,000 glaciers in Alaska. Here are the four most visited bycruise lines.

Margerie GlacierThere are 16 tidewater glaciers (meaning they extend down to the sea) inGlacier Bay National Park, so-called because was a mass of ice in some 270years ago, but Margerie Glacier is the highlight. It’s about one mile long and21 miles deep.

Sawyer GlaciersThe twin Sawyer Glaciers (North and South) are at the head of the Tracy Armfjord, which itself is a highlight. It’s 30 miles long, 1,200 feet at its deepestpoint and twists and turns its way past the surrounded by high mountains andwaterfalls. The glacier is half a mile wide and the water about 600 feet deep.

College Fjord GlaciersThe 20-mile fjord has the highest density of tidewater glaciers in Alaska. It wasdiscovered in 1899 by an expedition funded by the Ivy League colleges so allthe glaciers were named in their honour – the ones on the north after thewomen’s colleges, the ones on the south after the men’s. Harvard Glacier, atthe head, is 1.5 miles wide and about 225 feet high.

Hubbard GlacierThis is the largest tidewater glacier in Alaska, extending some 76 miles fromits source in the Yukon. The cliff face, where it meets the sea, is more than sixmiles wide and 300 to 400 feet high above the water, with another 300 feetbelow the sea.


73MARIE CELESTE | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |ABTA No.V8548

VOTED THE WORLD’S BEST

BEGIN A NEW STORY.

VOTED WORLD’S BEST FOR AN UNSURPASSED 20TH YEAR BY THEREADERS OF CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER & 19 CONSECUTIVE

YEARS BY THE READERS OF TRAVEL + LEISURE

There’s a world of reasons why Crystal continues to be the World’s Best… and every one of them is part of our all-inclusive experience

� Fine Wines, champagne and premiumspirits

� Gratuities for Penthouse butler service� Gratuties for housekeeping� Bottled water, soft drinks and speciality

coffees� Dining by Reservation™� Nobu Matsuhisa’s Asia restaurant� Prego Italian restaurant� Daily afternoon teatime� Up to eight evening dining options� 24-hour room service

� Early embarkation with champagnelunch

� Award-winning entertainment � State-of-the-art fitness centre� Open bar service throughout the ship� Gratuities for all dining and bar staff� Pilates, yoga and spinning classes� Golf clinics with PGA instructors � Ambassador Host & Hostess

programme on every voyage� Full-size paddle tennis courts� Spacious 360o teak Promenade Deck

� Experiences of Discovery® theme cruises� 100% indelibly soft cotton linens� NEW Magic Castle® at Sea� NEW Rocket Man! production� NEW Diva! production � NEW iLuminate production� NEW Interactive Ocean Views™� NEW Local Insights� NEW USC School of Cinematic Arts

Digital Filmmaking Programme

….and so much more

INCLUDED IN YOUR CRYSTAL CRUISE

Only Crystal Cruises has been voted World’s Best

more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.

33

20 years 19 years

TO BOOK YOUR CRUISE, PLEASE CONTACT

YOUR PREFERRED TRAVEL AGENT

www.crystalcruise.co.uk

HUDSONBAY

NORTH ATLANTICOCEAN

NOVA SCOTIA

NEW FOUNDLAND& LABRADOR

CANADA

QUEBEC

UNITEDSTATES OFAMERICA

MontrealQuebec

St John

New York

PortlandBoston

Halifax

Canada/New England


Carnival Cruise LinesCelebrity CruisesCrystal CruisesCunard Fred Olsen Cruise LinesHolland America LineNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPonantPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSaga CruisesSeabournSilversea


Cruises along the US East Coast operatebetween New York and either Montréal orQuébec, taking in Newport, Boston, Portlandand Bar Harbor in the US, and Halifax and StJohn in Canada along the way.

Itineraries range from seven to 11 nights,and mostly operate from late August toOctober for the fall foliage (Holland Americahas itineraries from May onwards, whichhave the benefit of missing the cruise shipcrowds) but the history and culture in whatwere the former American coloniescombined with the excitement of the bigcities are also good reasons to come.

BostonShips dock in Black Falcon Cruise Terminal,which is a pleasant 20-minute walk along theharbour from the city (but ships will haveshuttles or you can take buses SL2 or SL3).Once in the city, make a beeline for the OldState House Museum, where the USProclamation of Independence was read outin 1776, to find out all about the Boston TeaParty and the American revolution. Themuseum is one stop on the Freedom Trail, asis Faneuil Hall, where the doctrine ‘notaxation without representation’ was born.The meeting room is on the first floor;downstairs is packed with restaurants, barsand street performers. Cheers Bar is a bigattraction (even though the one that drawsthe crowds isn’t the real one); likewise theNew England Aquarium.

Newport, Rhode IslandCruise ship dock outside the harbour andtender passengers ashore. Once on dry land,the harbour front has restaurants, bars andshops and it’s pleasant to stroll the leafy streetsadmiring the colonial-style mansion houses (afew are open to the public; see www.newportmansions.org for details) or along the Cliff Walk.A tour of the Touro Synagogue, the oldest stillstanding in the US, tells how Jews fleeingpersecution in Europe and South America foundacceptance in Newport in the 1600s.

Portland, MainePortland is famed for its lobster (the crustaceanis the headline act in restaurants and featureson souvenirs and jewellery items) but there areother attractions – a narrow gauge diesel (andsometimes steam) train along Casco Bay, anarrated trolley tour around town, trips to thecoastal village of Kennebunkport. Ships dock onthe edge of the Old Port, an easy walk into townfor the restaurants and shops.

Bar Harbor, MaineBar Harbor is a quaint tourist town wherelobster is king and you can take boat tours outto see pots being raised. Ships anchor inFrenchman Bay and tender passengers into thecentre of the village, from where there are busesand a trolley tour to Acadia National Park, themain attraction. There are also kayaking toursaround the harbour and trips to the localbrewery houses.

75New England / Canada | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

New YorkIf you are sailing from or back toNew York, you should add a fewdays in the city to see highlightssuch as Times Square, Central Parkand the view from the top of theEmpire State Building or Top of theRock. You can travel around townon the subway or an open-top bus,or for something a bit different, try aCiti Bike (think Boris Bikes in the BigApple). Ships either sail fromManhattan, which is handy forTimes Square and Central Park, orBrooklyn, which is at the bottom ofthe island. Neither has good publictransport so you will need taxitransfers to the ports.


PIPERS, PARADES AND THE BEST PARKING

ON THE EAST COAST.Located in the heart of Atlantic Canada, Halifax is only a day’s sail from New York

or Boston and close to France’s St. Pierre and Miquelon. The city offers a full service port, capable of turnaround calls and able to handle the world’s largest vessels - with shore power planning underway. Let your ship enjoy world-class

port facilities while your guests enjoy a true East Coast experience.

CRUISEHALIFAX.CA

77New England / Canada | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

St John, New BrunswickThis town is so sleepy that three cars at a roadjunction constitutes a traffic jam, but it has oneclaim to fame – twice-daily the sea level in theBay of Fundy, at the mouth of the St JohnRiver, rises and falls an incredible 28 feet. Atlow tide, water from the river rushes through anarrow gorge into the bay, creating wild rapids(a jet boat ride on them is great fun); as thesea in the bay rises, the water is pushedupstream and the river runs in reverse. Theyare called the Reversing Rapids. The rapidsare a drive from the terminal; the town itself,with shops and restaurants, is by the dock.

Halifax, Nova ScotiaShips docking at the cruise terminal aregreeted by a piper in honour of the city’sScottish roots (but you might end up in thecontainer terminal on a busy day, in whichcase a shuttle into the city is provided). Theterminal is close to the Maritime Museum,which has an exhibition about the Titanic(three ships from the city were sent to aid thestricken ship; they brought back 1,520 bodies)and the Halifax Explosion of 1917, when amunitions ship blew up, flattening parts of thecity and killing 2,000 people. You can learn thestory on a Harbor Duck Tour. Peggy’s Cove, afishing village 30 minutes’ drive from the city, isa favourite excursion.

Québec City, CanadaWith its pavement cafés, baguettes,bicycles and a certain je ne c’est quoi, thisis a little piece of North America that willalways be Gallic. Ships dock at La VieuxPort, a busy place with tempting restaurantsand cafés; from there walk or take thefunicular to Haute Ville, or Upper Town,dominated by the stunning ChateauFrontenac, for more restaurants and to seethe citadel and Plains of Abraham, wherethe British beat the French for control ofNorth America in 1759. For a day out, the Montmorency Falls, 30 metres higherthan Niagara, and rural Ile d’Orleans are favourites.

Montréal, CanadaMontréal is a safe, friendly city with Parisian-style boulevards and a charming old townthat’s an easy walk from the port and hashistoric buildings (the city dates back to thefirst settlers in 1642), museums, pavementcafés and street entertainers. Highlightsinclude the Place d’Armes, Place Jacques-Cartier and Notre-Dame Basilica, tours of theOlympic Stadium, the Parc du Mont-Royaland the underground shopping malls. Ifyou’re there at night, Viator (www.viator.com)has a ghost tour that delves into Montréal’sgruesome history of villains and witchcraft.


Australia,New Zealand &the South Pacific



Celebrity CruisesCruise & Maritime VoyagesCrystal CruisesCunardHolland America LineLindblad ExpeditionsOceania CruisesP&O CruisesPaul Gauguin CruisesPonantPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalSeabournSilverseaWindstar

AUSTRALIA

CORAL SEA

PAPAUNEW

GUINEA

GREATBARRIER

REEF

INDONESIA

TIMOR SEA

TASMANIA

Brisbane

Sydney

Darwin

Melbourne

Adelaide

Perth

Cairns

Cruising in Australasia and the SouthPacific means everything from voyages thatnip in and out of Australian ports to itinerariesthat take in New Zealand and cruises aroundexotic South Pacific islands such as Tahiti,Bora Bora and Fiji.

Cruises in this vast land can be anythingfrom a nine-night cruise around the Kimberleyin Northern Australia, to a couple of weekstaking in the highlights of Australia and NewZealand. There are also voyages of a month ormore sailing around the continent of Australia.

A few cruise lines are based in Australiayear-round, but others either position ships inthe region for the Antipodean summer (theUK’s winter), with Sydney a favourite port.

Others visit as part of a world cruise, whenport calls might include Fremantle (for Perth),Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, where mostships will stay at least one night so passengershave time to sample the nightlife.

Auckland, New ZealandThis modern city, the former capital of NewZealand, sits between the Pacific Ocean andTasman Sea, which makes it ideally located forcruises to the Bay of Islands. Ships dock atPrinces Wharf, in the main waterfront area,which has cafés and shops. The city’s mainattraction is the Sky Tower, rising to more than1,000 feet; you can admire the fabulous viewsor, if you’re feeling daring, leap off on a bungeejump to plummet more than 600 feet! Outsidethe city limits, take a trip into the wine-growingregion or a full-day trip to the thermal wondersof Rotorua with its collection of geysers andgeothermal springs.

Brisbane, AustraliaCruise ships mostly call here on their way to orfrom Asia or the South Pacific, docking either atthe city’s cruise terminal at Portside Wharf or thefreight terminal. From both locations, it is a taxiride or shuttle bus into the city. Alternatively, fromthe wharf, hop on one of the fast ferries that plythe Brisbane River. It flows past one ofBrisbane’s main attractions – the South BankParklands, built for the World Expo in 1988. Forsome animal magic, visit the Lone Pine KoalaSanctuary to see these cuddly creatures closeup or visit the zoo established by naturalist SteveIrwin. For some beach time, head to Surfer’sParadise, a 90-minute drive away.

Yorkey’s Knob, AustraliaThe quaintly-named Yorkey’s Knob is thegateway to Cairns, which itself is thegateway to one of Australia’s most famousattractions - the Great Barrier Reef. Thecruise terminal is about a 20-minute walkfrom the city’s tourist sights; there are taxis ifyou prefer a ride. While day trips to theGreat Barrier Reef are arguably the topdraw, you can also take the two-hour driveto Daintree National Park or jump on theKuranda Scenic Railway that trundlesthrough the rainforest to the village ofKuranda, where the Skyrail gondola sweepsyou over the treetops.

79Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific | CRUISE 2015 | CTN |

Bora Bora, French PolynesiaThe South Pacific offers a remote idyllic escapeand this ultimate island retreat, with lush tropicalpeaks and surrounded by bright turquoise waters,boasts a classic desert island feel, albeit anupmarket one. Cruise ships generally anchor inPofai Bay near the island’s main settlement Vaitape,and take passengers ashore by tender. One of themost popular excursions is an island tour in a truckor a bumpy 4x4 adventure. Alternatively, the clear,calm waters of the lagoon lend themselves toglass-bottom boat rides, snorkelling trips and evenhelmet dives. Don’t miss refreshments at theisland’s celebrity watering hole, Bloody Mary’s.

Fremantle, AustraliaSitting at the mouth of the Swan River is theattractive, easy-going town of Fremantle, thegateway to Perth, some 12 miles further upthe river. If you’re in town for just a day, you’llhave to choose between exploring Fremantleor Perth as it isn’t really possible to do both.Fremantle is more convenient and there arefree shuttle buses into the town, whereattractions include the Western AustralianMaritime Museum. If you want to visit Perth,you can take a city tour and finish with a boatride back to Fremantle, or head to one of thecity’s beaches to relax. Attractions outside thecity include the Yanchep National Park andmysterious limestone pillars in the PinnaclesDesert in Nambung National Park.

Melbourne, AustraliaAtmospheric and cosmopolitan, Melbourneis a captivating hub that is easy to getaround, helped by a quirky and efficient tramsystem that links the port with the city. Thetram stop is just a few minutes walk from thecruise pier and it takes 20 minutes to get intotown, or you can take a taxi. If you want tostay close to the city, take a cruise along theYarra River or visit the Federation Squareentertainment complex and open-air QueenVictoria Market. Further afield, you can ridethe Puffing Billy steam train; relive theregion’s gold rush era at the outdoorinteractive museum at Sovereign Hill; or godeep into the countryside of the Yarra Valleyto sample the local wineries.

Papeete, TahitiMany cruises through the South Pacific startand end here; ships dock on the waterfront inthe city, which is a busy place with a veryFrench feel. The city’s covered market is acolourful draw while the Museum of Tahiti andthe Gauguin museum, which recounts the artistPaul Gauguin’s life and works, are worth visiting.But those in search of the island’s Polynesianculture and natural beauty should leave Papeeteto explore Tahiti’s rugged east coast and thelagoons in the west. There are also 4x4 jeepsafaris and hikes in the rainforest.

Wellington, New ZealandNew Zealand’s capital is perfect for exploring onfoot and is within reach of both cruisemoorings – Aotea Quay, where larger shipsdock, is a 20-minute walk away while QueensWharf is in the centre of the city. Buses andtaxis are plentiful. For the best views take thecable car from Lambton Quay to Kelburn andfor the best insight into the country’s history visitthe impressive national museum, Te Papa. Thecapital’s botanic garden and nautical museumare popular draws; for Hobbit fans, a Lord ofthe Rings tour takes you to key locations usedin the film. Explore the surrounding landscapeon a trip into the adjacent wine country and visita nearby fur seal colony.


Sydney, AustraliaSailing into the world’s largest and most iconic harbour, under itsfamous bridge and past the distinctive Sydney Opera House, is anunforgettable experience and an attraction in itself. Harbour cruisesshowcase the city’s different neighbourhoods, while the harbourbridge climb is an exhilarating way to get the best views. Take in aconcert at the Sydney Opera House, stride out along the sands ofBondi Beach or Manley, the epitome of Aussie outdoor life, or join a

walking tour of The Rocks, the city’s historic heart, filled withshops and restaurants. Beyond the city limits, take a trip to thescenic Blue Mountains and get a taste of the Outback at atraditional sheep station. Ships dock either at Circular Quay,the hub of the capital’s transport links on land and water, orBarangaroo in Darling Harbour, which is a t20-minute walkfrom the business district. Some ships also moor in theharbour, and bring passengers into Darling Harbour by tender.Taxis are available from there.



Our new Ocean & River Cruises Collection 2015 combines our extensive ocean cruise programme with ourexciting new CMV Signature River Cruises.

We have introduced early booking savings of up to 30% PLUS BuyOne Get One Half Price*, where the first adult pays thesaver fare and the second adult, sharing twin accom-modation, travels for Half Price! Bookings must be

Offer subject to availability and may be reduced or withdrawn without notice at any time.*Excludes Azores, 12 night Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights cruise R502(14th March 2015). Offered for sale in the UK by South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd trading as Cruise & Maritime Voyages. ABTA V9945 ATOL 4619. 1652

Ocean & River Cruises 2015

INTRODUCINGAzoresNew to thefleet!Save up to 30% PLUS Buy One Get One Half Price!*

• British Cruise Experience. Traditional cruising holidaysfrom London Tilbury, Bristol Avonmouth, EdinburghLeith & Rosyth, Hull and Newcastle Tyne.

• Introducing Azores - New to the fleet, for 2015, the impressive and more intimate 550 passenger Azores replaces Discovery. A truly classic ocean liner; beautifully restored.

• Celebrating 50 Golden Years! In 2015, we will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Marco Polo. The highlight will be a special Commemorative Voyage to Canada & Greenland.

• New! CMV Signature River Cruises - For 2015 we are offering 18 international, premium cruising holidays on the beautiful Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Saône rivers.

• Voyages to Australia & South Africa - Save up to 40% PLUS Buy One Get One Half Price on our winter 2014/15 voyages to/from Australia or South Africa on board Astor. PLUS, savings of up to £1000 pp in the form of a travel credit towards one way air travel.

New Brochure Out Now!

Visit your preferred bookingagent for further details and

to pick up a brochure


WHO SAILS WHERE

Cruise Lines... Websites

Azamara Club Cruises www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk • • • • • • • • •

Carnival Cruise Lines www.carnival.co.uk • • • •

Celebrity Cruises www.celebritycruises.co.uk • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Costa Cruises www.costacruises.co.uk • • • • • • • • • •

Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmartitime.com • • • • • •

Crystal Cruises www.crystalcruises.co.uk • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cunard www.cunard.co.uk • • • • • • • • • • •

Disney Cruise Line www.disneycruiseline.com •

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines www.fredolsencruises.com • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises www.hlcruises.com •

Hebridean Island Cruises www.hebridean.co.uk

Holland America Line www.hollandamerica.co.uk • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hurtigruten www.hurtigruten.co.uk •

Lindblad Expeditions www.expeditions.com • • • • •

Louis Cruises www.louiscruises.com

MSC Cruises www.msccruises.co.uk • • • • • • • • •

Norwegian Cruise Line www.ncl.co.uk • • • • • • • • •

Oceania Cruises www.oceaniacruises.com • • • • • • • • • • • • •

P&O Cruises www.pocruises.com • • • • • • • • • • • •

Paul Gauguin Cruises www.pgcruises.com •

Ponant www.ponant.com • • • • • • • •

Princess Cruises www.princess.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Quark Expeditions www.quarkexpeditions.com •

Regent Seven Seas Cruises www.rssc.com • • • • • • • • • • • •

Royal Caribbean International www.royalcaribbean.co.uk • • • • • • • • • • •

Saga Cruises www.sagacruises.co.uk • • • • • • • • •

Seabourn www.seabourn.com • • • • • • • • • •

SeaDream Yacht Club www.seadream.co.uk

Silversea www.silversea.com • • • • • • • • • • • •

Star Clippers www.starclippers.co.uk

Swan Hellenic www.swanhellenic.com • • •

Thomson Cruises www.thomson.co.uk/cruises

Variety Cruises www.varietycruises.com

Voyages of Discovery www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk •

Voyages to Antiquity www.voyagestoantiquity.com •

Windstar Cruises www.windstarcruises.com • • • • • • •

Alaska Antarctica Asia Australasia BalticCanada/

New England


• • • • • •

• •

• • • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

• • • •

• • • • • • • •

• • • • • • •

• • • • •

• • • • • • • • •

• • • • • •

• •

• • • • • • • • • •

•

• • •

•

• • • • • • •

• • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

• •

• • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

•

• • • • • • •

• • • • • •

• • • • • • •

• • • • •

• •

• • • • • •

• • •

• • •

• • •

• • • • •

• • • • • • •

•

• • • •

Canary Islands Caribbean

Indian Ocean Mediterranean No-fly

NorthernEurope Africa

Round Britain

Central/SouthAmerica

WorldVoyages

The Ult imate Destination Guide | CRU ISE 2015

Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Costa Rica

Costa Rica


WHO INCLUDE’s WHAT

Cruise Lines... Websites

Azamara Club Cruises www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk FO T • • •

Carnival Cruise Lines www.carnival.co.uk FO T • •

Celebrity Cruises www.celebritycruises.co.uk FO T • •

Costa Cruises www.costacruises.co.uk • •

Cruise & Maritime Voyages www.cruiseandmartitime.com • • N

Crystal Cruises www.crystalcruises.co.uk • • • • •

Cunard www.cunard.co.uk FO T • •

Disney Cruise Line www.disneycruiseline.com FO T • • •

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines www.fredolsencruises.com FO T • •

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises www.hlcruises.com FO T • • • •

Hebridean Island Cruises www.hebridean.co.uk • • • N

Holland America Line www.hollandamerica.co.uk FO T • •

Hurtigruten www.hurtigruten.co.uk FO T • • N

Lindblad Expeditions www.expeditions.com • • • N

Louis Cruises www.louiscruises.com • •

MSC Cruises www.msccruises.co.uk FO T • • •

Norwegian Cruise Line www.ncl.co.uk FO T • •

Oceania Cruises www.oceaniacruises.com • • • • • •

P&O Cruises www.pocruises.com FO T • •

Paul Gauguin Cruises www.pgcruises.com • • • • • • • •

Ponant www.ponant.com • • • •

Princess Cruises www.princess.com FO T • •

Quark Expeditions www.quarkexpeditions.com • • N

Regent Seven Seas Cruises www.rssc.com • • • • • • • • • • •

Royal Caribbean International www.royalcaribbean.co.uk FO T • •

Saga Cruises www.sagacruises.co.uk N/A • • • • •

Seabourn www.seabourn.com • • • • • • • •

SeaDream Yacht Club www.seadream.co.uk • • N

Silversea www.silversea.com • • • • • • •

Star Clippers www.starclippers.co.uk • • N

Swan Hellenic www.swanhellenic.com • • • • N

Thomson Cruises www.thomson.co.uk/cruises • • • • •

Variety Cruises www.varietycruises.com • • N

Voyages of Discovery www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk • • • • • •

Voyages to Antiquity www.voyagestoantiquity.com • • • • N

Windstar Cruises www.windstarcruises.com • • •

Selected itineraries Selected itineraries

Group charterflights only

UK port transfers

Flights Transfers Accommodation Main meals

FO = Choose between flycruise or cruise-only pricesT = Transfers included when buying flycruise package


The Ult imate Destination Guide | CRU ISE 2015

• • • • • • •

N/A

• • • • • •

•

• • • •

N/A • • • • • •

N/A

N/A • • •

•

• • •

• • • • • •

• • • • •

N/A • • •

• • • • • • •

• •

• • • • • •

N/A • • • • •

• • • • •

N/A

N/A • •

•

N/A

• •

N/A • • • • •

•

Suite passengers only

First visit only

Selected departures

From March 2015

From mine bar only On excursions

One AzAmazingEvent per cruise

In mini bar of balconycabins only Balcony cabins only

Soft and alcoholic drinksincluded with selectedpackages

Speciality dining Alcoholic drinks Soft drinks Bottled water Wine with meals Gratuities Shore excursions


Family cruises 87-92 Big ship luxury cruises 93-94 Small ship luxury/boutique cruises 95-102

Cultural cruises 102-103 Classic British cruises 105-106

Book with your preferred travel agent

GALLERYYour guide to the cruise lines

The fleetConquest ClassCarnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Valor110,000 tons, 2984 passengers

Dream ClassCarnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic130,000 tons, 3690 passengers

Fantasy ClassCarnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration,Carnival Paradise, Carnival Sensation70,367 tons, 2056 passengers

Spirit ClassCarnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit88,500 tons, 2124 passengers

Splendor ClassCarnival Splendor113,300 tons, 3002 passengers

Sunshine ClassCarnival Sunshine102,853 tons, 3002 passengers

Triumph ClassCarnival TriumphCarnival VictoryI101,509 tons, 2754 passengers

Vista ClassComing soon…

Cruise styleWhether you want a holiday for just you andyour partner, or for your whole family, youwon’t find more to do or see than on aCarnival cruise. With some of the largest cruiseships in the world, we carry a bigger cargo offun. A Carnival cruise can be whatever youwant it to be: a romantic city escape, arelaxing beach break, an adventure/sportsholiday or a mixture of all of those. We canpromise you more fun for your money. We’veall sorts of activities to keep everyone happy,plus kids’ clubs for different age groups, andexciting excursions too.

Key features (Funship 2.0 features on selected ships)• WaterWorks aqua park with water slides andother family attractions.• SportSquare open-air recreation complexwith a ropes course, mini-golf and outdoorfitness area.• The RedFrog Pub for tasty island-inspiredsnacks and drinks, including its own privatelabel beer.• Family-style Cucina del Capitano Italianrestaurant that brings the heritage of Carnival’scaptains to the table.• Guy’s! Burger Joint• Blue Iguana Cantina • HASBRO the Game Show

Find out more: www.carnival.co.uk

Family | GALLERY


The fleetDisney Magic, Disney Wonder85,000, 1750 passengers.Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy128,000 tons, 2,500 passengers.

Cruise styleWith their grand classic liner look and funMickey ears on the funnels, the Disney shipsare guaranteed to make an entrance atwhichever port they are visiting. Inside, theyhave variously gone for an Art Deco or ArtNoveau look but with clever touches of Disneywoven into the design. Naturally the ships areall about Disney, with character meet-and-greet sessions onboard, Disney-themedshows in the theatre, Disney films on the TVand in the cinema. There are extensive areasfor kids and teens, but also for parents, withan adult-only pool, bars and lounges and evena nightclub on the two big ships.

Key features• Rotational Dining- Experience 3 differentrestaurants- and your waiters stay with you.• Adult-only speciality restaurants.• Our Children’s clubs have the longestoperating hours at sea (up to midnight).• Extensive kids and teens areas, plusbabysitting for the tiny tots.• Stylish adult-only bars and nightclubs.• Character meet-and-greet sessions.• 20% larger staterooms than many otherCruise Lines. Space for up to four/five peopleand separate bathroom and toilet areas.• The AquaDuck – the first water coaster at sea.• Unlimited ice cream/soft drinks (from the icecream and soft drinks stations on deck).• AquaDunk among new features to be addedto Disney Magic during an autumn refit.

Find out more:www.disneycruise.disney.go.com

GALLERY | Family


The fleetLirica classMSC Opera59,000 tons, 1,756 passengers.(rising to 65,000 tons and 2,142 passengersafter lengthening in 2015).MSC Lirica59,000, 1,590 passengers.(rising to 65,000 tons, 1,976 passengers afterlengthening in 2015).MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia59,000 tons, 1,566 passengers.(rising to 65,000 tons, 1,952 passengers afterlengthening in 2014 and 2015 respectively).

Musica classMSC Magnifica92,300 tons, 2,518 passengers.MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica92,500 tons, 2,550 passengers.

Fantasia classMSC Preziosa, MSC Divina138,000 tons, 3,502 passengers.MSC Spendida, MSC Fantasia138,000 tons, 3,274 passengers.

Cruise styleMSC Cruises offers great food, fun activitiesfor all the family and the quality and comfort ofa five-star hotel, all at a great price. MSC shipsalso have more balcony cabins than any othercruise lines - something we are particularlyproud of. So whether it’s shopping, fitness,Broadway-style entertainment or fine diningthat you are looking for, we offer an array ofonboard facilities that will more than fit the bill.Eleven million guests have already enjoyed anMSC Cruise so why don’t you?

Key features• MSC Cruise is the only company offering freecruises year-round on all itineraries for childrenunder 18.• Some 65% of our cabins are balconies – thehighest percentage share in the mainstreamcruise market.• Choose between four on-board experiences– Bella, Fantastic, Aurea and MSC Yacht Club– depending on your needs and budget.• The Aurea Spa is the only authentic Balinesespa product at sea. Choose from 20 differenttypes of massage and exclusive beautytreatments in partnership with top inter-national brands.• The MSC Yacht Club offers the ultimate inluxury with suite accommodation, 24-hourbutler service, access to exclusive areasincluding the Top Sail Lounge, The One sundeck, a dedicated restaurant, plus an all-inclusive drinks menu in Yacht Club venues.

Find out more: www.msccruises.co.uk

Family | GALLERY


The fleetNorwegian Escape (launching October 2015)163,000 tons, 4,200 passengersNorwegian Breakaway, NorwegianGetaway144,000 tons, 4,000 passengers. Norwegian Epic155,873 tons, 4,100 passengers. Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl93,530 tons, 2,382 passengers.Norwegian Jade93,558tons, 2,388 passengers.Norwegian Jewel93,502 tons, 2,374 passengers.Pride of America80,439 tons, 2,138 passengers.Norwegian Dawn92,250 tons, 2,338 passengers. Norwegian Star91,740 tons, 2,346 passengers. Norwegian Sun78,309 tons, 1,936 passengers. Norwegian Spirit75,338 tons, 2,000 passengers.Norwegian Sky77104 tons, 2,002 passengers.

Cruise styleNorwegian Cruise Line’s brand of FreestyleCruising is all about giving guests as muchchoice and freedom on board as possible.This extends to dining, accommodation,entertainment and relaxation. The fleet of 14ships, including Norwegian Escape, which isset to launch in October 2015, travel todestinations including Europe, the Caribbean,Alaska, South America, Canada and NewEngland, and Hawaii. In 2015, four NorwegianCruise Line ships will sail in Europe.

Key features• Freestyle dining, with a choice of up to 29on-board restaurants without set sitting times.• Choices of cuisine including Teppanyaki,French, American Steakhouse and Italian.• Exclusive villa-style accommodation.• Incredible entertainment options includingBroadway shows Rock of Ages and Legally Blonde.

Find out more: www.ncl.co.uk

GALLERY | Family


The fleetRoyal Princess, Regal Princess 141,000 tons, 3,560 passengers.Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess,Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess113,000 tons 3,080 passengers. Grand Princess, Golden Princess, Star Princess109,000 tons, 2,590 passengers.Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess116,000 tons, 2,670 passengers. Island Princess, Coral Princess92,000 tons, 1,970 passengers.Sea Princess, Sun Princess, Dawn Princess77,000 tons, 1,990 passengers. Ocean Princess, Pacific Princess30,200 tons, 680 passengers.New ship,as yet unnamed, to join fleet in 2017.143,000 tons, 3,560 passengers

Cruise styleDiscover new places. Experience new cultures.Learn more about the world you don’t see veryday. A cruise with Princess offers beautifulscenery, brand new experiences and freshperspectives. You’ll come home with newfriendships, new stories to tell and newmemories to share. With Princess you canexplore so many places, like the chic cities andhistoric sights of the Mediterranean, thebreathtaking wilderness of Alaska, and exoticdestinations around the globe. Princess offersover 350 ports of call on more than 100itineraries. This is our promise – that you’llcome back new

Key features• The Consummate Host: Warm, welcomingservice from Princess’s friendly and gracious crew.• Affordable balconies: Every Princess ship offers a large selection of affordablebalcony staterooms.• Movies under the Stars: Princess’ poolsidecinema screen with films, sports, concerts and games• The Sanctuary: A signature outdoor havenjust for adults. • Flexible dining options: Choose between theflexibility of dining at a time to suit you,whether with new friends or at a romantic tablefor two, or the camaraderie of eating at thesame table at the same time each evening.• Freshest cuisine: Freshly-prepared mealsmade from scratch every day, often fromlocally-sourced products.

Find out more: www.princess.com

Family | GALLERY


The fleetQuantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas 167,800 tons, 4,152 passengersAllure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas225,282 tons, 6,318-6,360 passengers.Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas,Independence of the Seas154,407 tons, 4,375 passengers.Adventure of the Seas, Mariner of theSeas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyagerof the Seas, Explorer of the Seas142,000 tons, 3,835 passengers.Brilliance of the Seas, Radiance of theSeas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas90,090 tons, 2,139-2,502 passengers.Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Rhapsodyof the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Vision of the Seas63,130-81,500 tons, 2,074-2,730 passengers.Majesty of the Seas74,077-73,397 tons, 2,767 passengers.

Cruise styleRoyal Caribbean International has three shipssailing from the UK in 2015. This includes thenew Anthem of the Seas sailing for itsinaugural season from Southampton. Explorerof the Seas will also be based inSouthampton, with Brilliance of the Seassailing from Harwich for the summer season.Suited to families, couples aged in their 30s to50s, Royal Caribbean offers affordable, value-for-money holidays full of fun and relaxation.This year we welcome our newest Quantumclass of ships: Quantum of the Seas (launchingNovember 2014) and Anthem of the Seas(spring 2015).

Royal Caribbean International’s fleetincludes the world’s largest and mostinnovative cruise ships, with 40% more spacethan any other ship afloat and featuringactivities such as rock-climbing, surfing, zip-wiring and ice-skating. With an ongoing $300million revitalised programme, there is noweven more to look forward to.

Key features• Quantum-class ships take technology to anew level with a host of cruise industry firstsincluding radio-frequency identificationluggage tracking, the fastest internet at seaand robots working behind the bar. • Quantum-class ships feature newtransformative venues including:

• SeaPlex – a large indoor active space• RipCord by iFly – the first skydiving

experience at sea• North Star – an engineering marvel that

takes passengers to new heights in a jewel-shaped glass capsule that lifts more than 300 feet into the air

• Quantum and Anthem of the Seas introducethe next era of dining at sea I the form ofDynamic Dining - a completely new approachto shipboard dining where passengers havetotal control over when and where they eat.• A new partnership with the award-winningJamie Oliver will also deliver the chef’s firstrestaurant at sea.

Find out more: www.royalcaribbean.co.uk

GALLERY | Family


The fleetCelebrity Reflection126,000 tons, 3,046 passengers.Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox,Celebrity Eclipse122,000 tons, 2,850 passengers.Celebrity Silhouette122,400 tons, 2,886 passengers.Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Summit,Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity90,940 tons, 2,158 passengers (Infinity = 2,170 passengers).Celebrity Century71,545 tons, 1,814 passengers.Celebrity Xpedition2,842 tons, 96 passengers.

Cruise styleCelebrity Cruises is designed for discerningcruisers, offering modern, sophisticatedenvironments, impeccable service, enrichingand inspiring on-board programmes, andworld-class cuisine.

Key features• Half-acre real grass lawn (Solstice Class).• Celebrity iLounge Apple authorised reseller(all ships excluding Celebrity Xpedition).• A range of speciality restaurant optionsincluding Qsine – with iPad menus – TheLawn Club Grill, Murano and Tuscan Grille.• Canyon Ranch SpaClub at Sea, paired withAquaClass accommodation and specialityrestaurant, Blu, offering clean cuisine.• Suite Class, offering all suite guestsexclusive new benefits including a suites-onlyrestaurant, VIP lounge and more.

Find out more: www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Big ship luxury | GALLERY


GALLERY | Big ship luxury

The fleetNieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam86,000 tons, 2,104/6 passengers.Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam82,000 tons, 1,916 passengers.Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Volendam, Zaandam, Statendam, Maasdam, Veendam, Ryndam56,000-63,000 tons, 1,260-1,432 passengers. Prinsendam38,000 tons, 835 passengers.

Cruise styleHolland America ships are mid-size, andclassic in design, with a European ambienceand Dutch or British officers and Indonesianand Filipino staff who are renowned for theirwarm, intuitive service. HAL is one of the fewPremium cruise lines, offering a combination ofquality and value for money that appeals todiscerning travellers. It has been awarded BestOverall Value by the World Ocean & CruiseLiner Society for 21 consecutive years.

Key features• Enrichment programmes include theCulinary Arts Centre cookerydemonstrations and complimentary Digitalworkshops at sea.• Public areas adorned with precious artand antiques.• Traditional wraparound teak decks for strolling.• Worldwide itineraries visit Asia, SouthAmerica, Australasia and Alaska. There areno-fly cruises and Grand Voyages.• Full days ashore and many overnights inkey cities like Venice, Istanbul, Hong Kongand Bangkok.

Find out more: www.hollandamerica.co.uk


The fleetLe Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal, 10,944 tons, 264 passengers.Le Lyrial (launching April 2015)10,944, 244 passengers.Le Ponant1,443 tons, 64 passengers.

Cruise styleEstablished in 1988, Ponant is the only Frenchcruise line. The fleet is comprised of fourFrench-flagged ships, each with their ownpersonality, symbolizing the art of travelling bysea as conceived by Ponant. In April 2015, afifth ship, Le Lyrial, will be launched.

In the interest of raising awareness anddiscovering more about our world, Ponantregularly welcomes world-renowned expertsaboard. We offer legendary destinations andsecret harbours only accessible to small ships;refined dining where haute cuisine is served inan intimate environment; and unforgettablemoments of relaxation, discovery and emotionaboard elegant cruise yachts. This ambiance isPonant’s hallmark and promise to all thosewho love cruising.

Key features• A special ambiance reigns on board, thatprivileged feeling of being on your own yacht.• A highly professional and discreet service.• In partnership with SOTHYS, the onboardspa invites guests to enjoy moments of totalrelaxation in the hands of experts.• Nature puts on a spectacular show, Ponantis committed to respecting it and giving guestsa front row seat.• Legendary landscapes and breath-takingsettings in six continents: Africa, Antarctica,Asia, Europe, North and South America and Oceania.

Find out more: www.ponant.com

Small ship luxury/boutique | GALLERY


The fleetCrystal Symphony51,044 tons, 922 passengersCrystal Serenity68,870 tons, 1,070 passengers Cruise style

The ‘Crystal Difference’ starts with thecompany’s most important mission: to be thebest in the luxury service business, not justthe luxury cruise industry. Both ships offer theultimate in luxury with a stimulating andindulgent environment, spacious andcontemporary staterooms, a huge choice ofrestaurants, plenty of sports and fitnessopportunities, an award-winning spa, theline’s renowned Creative Learning Institute,Broadway-style entertainment and anexciting programme of shore excursions.Crystal Cruises’ all-inclusive fares include freefine wines and premium spirits in allrestaurants, open bar service in all loungesand pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, barand dining staff.

Key features• All-inclusive pricing – passengers enjoy agenerous and impressive selection ofcomplimentary fine wines and premium spiritsthroughout the ship, as well as open barservice in all lounges and pre-paid gratuitiesfor housekeeping, butler, bar and dining staff.• Open Dining by Reservation allowspassengers to choose a time to dine.• Specialty restaurants with menus designedby celebrity restaurateurs Nobu Matsuhisa andPiero Selvaggio.• The world’s only floating spa designedaccording to Feng Shui principles.• Creative Learning Institute offers a variety ofclasses from foreign languages and digital filmmaking to computer skills and wellness.• Dedicated facilities for families.

Find out more: www.crystalcruises.co.uk

GALLERY | Small ship luxury/boutique


The fleetEuropa 242,830 tons, 500 passengers.Europa28,890 tons, 400 passengers.Hanseatic8,378 tons, 175 passengers.Bremen6,752 tons, 155 passengers.

Cruise stylethe Berlitz Cruise Guide 2014 - along with itssister ship Europa - the highest distinction offive-stars-plus. Europa 2 is a modern andcasual luxury ship, which does away with cruisetraditions such as the captain's dinner. The 500-passenger Europa 2 offers the greatest spaceper person on a cruise ship anywhere in theworld and exclusively features suites withverandas and a minimum area of 28 squaremetres. Seven restaurants and six bars arededicated to serving up culinary diversity and alarge spa and fitness area accommodates the'well-being' trend on cruises. The seven-daycombinable cruises appeal to the needs ofworking people and families alike who havelimited vacation time. The five-star Hanseaticand four-star plus Bremen were built to provideintensive exploration in the most elegant ofsurroundings.

Key features Europa 2• Veranda Suites with balconies including 16 Grand Ocean Suites• Seven family suites with separate rooms for parents and children connected by a doorand shared balcony.• Miele cooking school.• Two-storey-theatre for production and light shows.

Hanseatic• The only Berlitz Cruise Guide-rated five-starexpedition ship.• The shallow draught ensures first-handnature experiences.• Highest ice class for passenger ships (E4)and is suited for close-up expeditions intopolar regions.• The 14 on-board zodiacs allow for landingson untouched shores.

Find out more: www.hl-cruises.com



The fleetHebridean Princess2,112 tons, 50 passengers.

Cruise styleA luxury small ship experience, HebrideanPrincess offers a unique ‘country house’cruising experience. Complete with inglenookfireplace and peaceful corners, HebrideanPrincess sails to the Highlands and Islands ofScotland, the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland andNorway. As a small ship, she can accessislands, lochs and bays beyond the reach oflarger vessels and, with a crew-to-guest ratioof almost one-to-one, guests receive theultimate personalised luxury experience. Newfor 2014, Hebridean Princess will be returningto the south coast for the first time since 2011.

Key features• Refined service and comfort of a floatingcountry house hotel.• Personalised service with a maximum of 50 passengers.• The perfect size to access the remotestislands, lochs and bays.• Ultra all-inclusive experience.• Congenial atmosphere.

Find out more: www.hebridean.co.uk




99| 2014 | CRUISE PREVIEW |

The fleetNautica, Regatta and Insignia30,277 tons, 684 passengers.Marina and Riviera66,084 tons, 1,250 passengers. Cruise style

Oceania Cruises epitomises luxury cruising,combining exciting and exotic worldwideitineraries, the finest cuisine at sea, exceptional personalised service and acasually elegant onboard lifestyle to providetruly exceptional value. Port-intensiveitineraries featuring overnight visits andextended evening port stays.

Key features• Free airfare fly-cruise programme.• Finest cuisine at sea, served in a variety ofdistinctive open-seating restaurants, all at noadditional charge.• Complimentary soft drinks, bottled waterand speciality teas & coffees• Country club-casual ambiance; tuxedos andgowns are never required.• Butler service in all suites.• Extraordinarily high staff-to-guest ratioensures exemplary personalised service.• Youngest fleet in premium-class cruising,with 85% of accommodations featuring private balconies.• Best value in upscale cruising.

Find out more: www.oceaniacruises.com

The fleetSeabourn Legend, Seabourn Spirit10,000 tons, 208 passengers. (leaving Spring 2015)Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn,Seabourn Quest32,000 tons, 458 passengers.

Cruise styleSeabourn provides the perfect blend ofglamorous elegance, impeccable service andexquisite cuisine. Intuitive, personalised serviceis a way of life, provided by carefully selectedcrew who are passionate and dedicated todelivering a perfect experience, from greetingpassengers by name and remembering theirfavourite cocktail, to thoughtful, personalgestures – such as a Massage Moment orserving a refreshing sorbet on deck. From theluxury of all-suite accommodations tocomplimentary fine wines and spiritsthroughout and a policy of no tipping requiredor expected, Seabourn exemplifies the art oftravelling well.

Key features• Small, friendly ships with affluent and like-minded passengers.• Signature shore experiences such as anevening at Ephesus in Turkey and “caviar in the surf”.• Drop-down marina on all ships withkayaking, sailing, banana boats and otherequipment available on calm days at anchor.• Alcoholic and soft drinks, gratuities andspeciality dining included in the price.

Find out more: www.seabourn.co.uk





The fleetVariety Voyager72 passengers.Harmony V, Galileo, Panorama, Panorama II50 passengers.Harmony G, Pegasus 44 passengers.

Cruise styleA relaxed, informal but sophisticated voyagefor discerning travellers who want a boutiqueexperience on chic vessels that can get intothe smaller, more picturesque and traditionalislands and harbours that the big liners simplycannot reach. These cruises are designed forthose looking for an informal yet exclusivecruise experience.

Key features• A fleet of well-appointed mega yachts thatrarely hold more than 60 passengers.• As close as it gets to a fully-catered cruiseon a millionaire’s private yacht.• Excellent service, great food, exciting 'small-is-beautiful' itineraries.• Regular stops to swim off the ships’ rearswimming platforms in secluded coves. • Destinations include: The Greek Isles, Italy & Malta, Seychelles, Cape Verde Isles,Rivers of West Africa, Costa Rica & thePanama Canal, Cuba.

Find out more: www.seafarercruises.co.ukwww.varietycruises.co.uk

The fleetViking Star (debuting 2015),Viking Sea (debuting 2016),Viking Sky (debuting 2016) All 47,800 tons, 930 passengers.

Cruise styleViking Ocean Cruises takes guests to the heartof each destination. The carefully-crafteditineraries unlock hidden gems in the cities enroute and provide maximum time in port,including regular late evenings and overnightstays. Guests are immersed in the culture ofeach destination, from menus tailored to localcuisine and entertainment to speakers whoshowcase the vibrancy of the destinations.These specially-designed, state-of-the-artsmall ocean ships are stylish and reflect theScandinavian roots of Viking Ocean Cruises.Guests are offered unparalleled value withaccess to complimentary amenities such asall-inclusive wi-fi and beer and wine with lunch and dinner.

Key features• Every stateroom has a private verandaensuring all guests have stunning views.• Two state-of-the-art swimming pools: aglass-backed infinity pool cantilevered off thestern and a main pool with a retractable roof.• A Scandinavian-designed spa offering theultimate in relaxation, equipped with a ‘snowgrotto’ where snowflakes gently descend fromthe ceiling through chilled air.• More al-fresco dining than any other oceanship, with multiple choices for outdoor seatingwhere guests can enjoy the global anddestination-inspired menus.• Entertainment from musicians playingregional and classical music as well asenriching lectures delivered by experts andscholars on each destination.• Onboard cookery school where passengerscan learn to make local specialties.

Find out more:www.vikingcruises.co.uk/oceans



The fleetMinerva12,449 tons, 350 passengers.

Cruise styleEach Swan Hellenic cruise itinerary is a carefully-planned travel experience, teasing out thefascinating stories that lie behind each destination.You will travel in comfort and country-house styleaboard the small ship, Minerva, with just 350 like-minded passengers, and Swan Hellenic’srenowned guest speakers, who will share theirbreadth of knowledge with fascinating talksfocusing on your itinerary’s destinations.Join Minerva in 2015/16 as she sails from theshores of the Red and Arabian Seas and headsoff on a voyage to the southern tip of India andthe mesmerising Far East. Closer to home, shenavigates the Black, Aegean and MediterraneanSeas, before making her way into Caribbeanwaters and to South America’s diversedestinations.

Key features• Renowned guest speaker programme.• Home-from-home experience.• A choice of shore excursions in every majorport included in the cruise fare.• Sophisticated dining and eveningentertainment.• The perfect size to visit ports around theworld often inaccessible to larger cruise ships.• Inclusive tailor-made excursions programme.• All meals on board, gratuities, flights andoverseas transfers included in the cruise fare.

Find out more: www.swanhellenic.com

Cultural | GALLERY


The fleetMV Aegean Odyssey.11,500 tons, 380 passengers

CRUISE STYLEWe have created a cruise experience which isdesigned for travellers who want tounderstand more about the history, culture andnatural wonders of the ancient world. Oursmall ship, Aegean Odyssey, is perfectly suitedto our destination-rich itineraries while ourlecture programme connects you with theplaces you'll visit before you even go ashore.The size of our ship allows us to visit harboursother vessels cannot reach, meaning we canoffer a broader range of destinations. We berthin the heart of Southeast Asia’s great citiesincluding Bangkok, Yangon (Rangoon) and HoChi Minh City, sail up the Guadalquivir Riverinto the centre of Seville and are ideally sized to access the smaller Mediterraneanports and islands.

KEY FEATURES • Inclusive fare structure offers great value for money.• Small-ship enables easier access intosmaller ports and a more intimate experience.• Open-seating dining in both restaurants.• Outstanding itineraries combine with expertlocal guides to really explore the destination.• Highly-regarded programme of onboardlectures/talks.• Wonderful onboard staff help to create awelcoming onboard atmosphere.

Find out more: www.voyagestoantiquity.com

GALLERY | Cultural


The fleetMarco Polo (adults only) 22,080 tons, 800 passengers.Azores16,144 tons, 500 passengers.Astor21,000 tons, 600 passengers

Cruise styleCruise & Maritime Voyages recognises thatmany British cruisers still prefer the moretraditional cruising experience aboard smallerclassic-style ships. Marco Polo, Azores andAstor fit into this exclusive category and offer amore leisurely and friendly ‘home-from-home’style of cruising, and can also access a widerchoice of interesting and remote ports of call.

Offering a programme of scenic cruisingholidays from a choice of six UK ports, CMVvisits the Land of the Northern Lights,Norwegian fjords, British Isles, Iceland, Balticcities and Russia, Madeira and the Canaries,Canada and Greenland, the Amazon and WestIndies, as well as offering voyages to Australiaand South Africa aboard stylish Astor

Key features• Ex-UK, no-fly cruise specialists.• A traditional-style British cruising experience.• Smaller ships that can access to more ports of call.• A friendly and attentive standard of service.• Sterling used on-board, so no need to worryabout changing money.• A choice of six UK departure ports – LondonTilbury, Edinburgh Leith and Rosyth,Bristol Avonmouth, Hull and Newcastle.• Voyage service to Australia and South Africa.• Premium European river cruises.

Find out more: www.cruiseandmaritime.comwww.cruiseandmaritime.tv

Classic Brit ish | GALLERY


The fleetVoyager15,271 tons, 540 passengers.

Cruise styleEnjoy the adventure of a lifetime as you set sail ona Voyages of Discovery cruise aboard small shipVoyager. She is small enough to access ports thatlarger vessels cannot, meaning you will discoverthe heart of each destination you visit. Included inthe price of your cruise are engaging talks fromexpert guest speakers whose passion andknowledge for their subjects will bring each port tolife before you even step ashore. Also included inyour fare are all meals, accommodation andentertainment aboard Voyager, all onboardgratuities as well as flights and overseas transfers,where applicable. In 2015 Voyager navigates thewarm waters of the Indian Ocean and aroundSouth Africa. She has Norway’s natural wondersin her sights before heading home to the BritishIsles then on to discover the treasures around theMediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas.

Key features• Accompanied by experts to bring eachdestination to life.• Carefully selected shore excursionprogramme.• Off-the-beaten track destinations.• Warm and welcoming ship with a convivialatmosphere.• Excellent value for money.

Find out more: www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk

GALLERY | Classic Brit ish



Visit us online at www.cruiseexperts.org

Booking a cruise through a CLIA agent is the best place to start your search for the perfect cruise holiday...

The variety of cruises is almost endless so whether you are new to cruise or a seasoned traveller, it’s essential you make the right decisions when considering your holiday. There are choices to be made around destination, the facilities on board, the journey to and from the ship whilst ensuring you receive excellent value.

CLIA UK & Ireland is an organisation dedicated to providing expert cruise information and training to travel agents throughout the country. The association provides training and support to help travel agent members match customers with the right cruise, right ship and right itinerary.

All CLIA member travel agents are the Official Travel Agents of the Cruise Industry - booking a cruise through a CLIA agent is the best place to start your search for the perfect cruise holiday, and your search starts at www.cruiseexperts.org

isit us online aV

Booking a cruise thr

t isit us online a ww

Booking a cruise thr

xperts.cruisee.ww.w

ough a Booking a cruise thr

gorxperts.

Boo king a cruis ough a se thr a

108 | CRUISE TRADE NEWS | ISSUE 33 | JANUARY 2012*NickelodeonTM entertainment features on selected ships only. ©2014 NCL Corporation LTD Ship’s Registry: Bahamas and United States of America.

MEDITERRANEAN • BALTIC • CARIBBEAN & BAHAMAS • HAWAI’I • ALASKA • PANAMA CANAL

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT

NORWEGIANS HAVE MORE CHOICE.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HIGHLIGHTS:

MEDITERRANEAN

AONTTAC

• TIC BALLTIC • MEDITERRANEAN

VEL AOCAL TRAOUR LCT Y

BAHAMAS & CARIBBEAN

GENTVEL A

ASKA AL• ’I AIWHA• BAHAMAS

CANALANAMA P• ASKA

elodeon*Nick TM entertainment featur

©2014 NCLes on selected ships only. entertainment featur

egistry: Bahamas and United States of s RTD Ship’ion Latorpor C ©2014 NCL

America.egistry: Bahamas and United States of

CTN Cruise 2015

Documents

Transcript of CTN Cruise 2015