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alll abo out cruis cruisssin in ng n g 2019
Your one -stop guide d to all the la atest news and de evelopments in cruising
y
www.travelbulletin.co.uk
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ALL ABOUT CRUISING contents ORE THAN eight out of 10 CLIA-certified travel agents are expecting to see a rise in cruise sales in the next 12 months. Here are the main trends for the industry:
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Cruise news - 4
Instagrammable travel: With onboard connectivity, cruise passengers can Instagram experiences onboard and on land. Total restoration: Cruiselines are offering total wellness with restorative spa experiences, onboard oxygen bars, healthy menu choices for a wide variety of diets, and fitness innovations. Achievement over experience: Bucket lists have become more goal-oriented and cruises are meeting these demands, such as conquering Machu Picchu or taking Le Cordon Bleu courses.
Ocean cruising - 7
Smart tech: Cruiselines have adopted wearable technology to provide a personalised travel experience on and off the ship. Conscious travel: The cruise industry is working with local communities to preserve their heritage and implementing innovations to lower the environmental footprint of cruise travel. Access: Travellers want to be among the first of their peers to see destinations such as the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica.
River cruising - 13
Gen Z at sea: Multiple destinations and unique experiences attracts this new generation of wanderlust-obsessed cruisers. Go off-peak: Cruising offers amazing off-peak experiences, such as the Northern Lights and European Christmas markets. Working nomads: With wifi, desks and work-friendly cafes, travellers can keep up with work while enjoying a cruise. Female-centred cruising: Female-centred cruises can create an empowered community at sea, allowing travellers to experience the world and visit famous feminist landmarks. Going solo: Cruising allows for solo travel minus arranging a ton of details, while visiting faraway destinations, connecting with people and having once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Andy Harmer Director, CLIA UK and Ireland
All About Cruising
Holidays for under... - 22
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University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX Tel: 020-7834 6661 Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe Written and researched by: Angela Cronin Email: angelacronin2003@yahoo.co.uk Design/Layout: Lucia Mathurin Printed by: Buxton Press - Cover Picture: Adobe Stock
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NEWS
New beginnings From new ships to new cruiselines and everything in between, here is a round-up of the latest news from the world of cruise Saga Cruises
departing from December 1, 2019 to
Virgin Voyages
HRH THE Duchess of Cornwall named Saga
May 22, 2021.
The new cruiseline has confirmed that the
Cruises’ first new-build boutique cruise ship earlier this month.
The spending money is on offer to each guest sharing a stateroom and is available
be a woman.
The Duchess named the ship the Spirit of
on voyages across the world including in
Captain Wendy Williams will be the
Discovery in a ceremony in Dover themed
Europe, the Caribbean, South America,
captain of the cruiseline’s first ship Scarlet
to a contemporary Garden Party.
Asia and Australia. Cruises range in length
Spirit of Discovery is the first of two British boutique cruise ships that Saga has commissioned from shipbuilders Meyer Werft. The keel of Spirit of Adventure was laid earlier this year and it will enter service in 2020. Both ships will host 999 guests and every cabin has a balcony. Spirit of Discovery has a steakhouse restaurant and a 1950s-inspired music club, the patron of which is Jools Holland. Jools and his band will be performing on a number of cruises throughout the 2020 season. The cruiseline is currently offering savings of up to 35% on voyages during its inaugural season with a multitude of sailings to choose from. saga.co.uk
from four to 58 days.
Lady when she takes to the helm of the new ship in spring 2020. Williams’ appointment is part of the cruiseline’s Scarlet Squad programme, an initiative dedicated to bridging the gender gap in leadership roles across the maritime industry. The cruise industry’s newest line has also launched four alternative itineraries following the US government’s tightening of travel restrictions to Cuba. The new voyages include: the five-night Riviera Maya sailings to Cozumel/Playa Del Carmen; four-night will now become Fire and Sunset Soirées including a sunset departure from Key West and a midnight departure from Bimini in the Bahamas, Holidaze and Nights and New Year’s Ahoy voyages, which fall over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Scarlet Lady will also sail seven-night sailings for the 2020 festive holiday season featuring stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Bimini and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Scarlet Lady will launch next spring and is
The deal is available from July 2 to September 2, 2019 and includes both the 3,080-guest Crown Princess and 2,200guest Island Princess, which feature sailings roundtrip next year from Southampton to destinations such as the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Canary Islands and Northern Europe. The offer will also be available are several sailings on Enchanted Princess, which will officially launch in Southampton next June. The 3,660-guest ship will sail its inaugural season in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean from November 2020 to April 2021. The cruiseline is also offering holidaymakers an all-inclusive holiday package including drinks and
Princess Cruises
up to $1500 on board spending money
Princess Cruises is giving away up to
per stateroom when booking a
$1,500 free onboard spending money per
Caribbean cruise. Princess.com
stateroom on over 1,000 voyages
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captain of the new cruiseline’s first ship will
All About Cruising
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NEWS
the Virgin Group’s first foray into the
2020 programme.
cruise world. It will sail year round from
These include four seven-night cruises
Miami to the Caribbean in 2020, hosting
departing from Venice on December 5, 12,
2,770 customers.
19 and 26, calling in at Corfu and Patras in
virginvoyages.com
Greece, followed by Kotor in Montenegro and Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia, with
Royal Caribbean International
fares from £789.
Happy Hour Prohibition the musical within a New Orleans speakeasy serving craft cocktails, for parents to enjoy. Prices lead in at £659 per person for a seven-day eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami. ncl.com
The US cruise giant has rolled out a new
There will also be two positioning cruises
travel agent guide that is focused entirely
– the first on November 30 with a five-night
on the UK and Irish markets to further
cruise starting in Athens and ending in
Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours
support all travel agent partners in selling
Venice, calling at Katakolon and Corfu,
The cruiseline has announced two new
Royal Caribbean holidays. The guide
Kotor and Dubrovnik. Fares for this cruise
itineraries to its programme of voyages for
includes information on: My Club Royal;
begin at £499 per guest.
its newest ship, Scenic Eclipse, which launches in August.
cruise and stay packages; Crown and
There will also be a seven-night cruise
Anchor member benefits; ship facts; Club
starting with an overnight in Venice on on
These include the 13-day Taste of the
Rewards; family accommodation; and
January 2, 2021, ending with an overnight
Caribbean and the 11-day Colombia and
Perfect Day at CocoCay, with a map of
stay in Athens with calls in Dubrovnik,
Panama exploration.
the island.
Croatia, Kotor, Montenegro, Corfu and
Stops on the Taste of Caribbean include
Katakolon, Greece. Fares start at £659
Long Island, Great Inagua Island, Guanaja
per guest. celestyalcruises.uk
Island in Honduras and Half Moon Caye.
The cruiseline is marking the 10th anniversary of the Oasis of the Seas this year with a $165 million makeover, which will include: the Ultimate Abyss,
on October 8 and disembarks in Miami.
Splashaway Bay, the line’s first barbecue
Norwegian Cruise Line
and a Music Hall.
NCL is gearing up for the launch of
The amplified Oasis will set sail on
The sailing departs from Nassau, Bahamas, Fares lead in at $7,995 per person. The Colombia and Panama voyage
Norwegian Encore later this year – the
visits Key West, Belize City, Roatan Island,
November 24 on seven-night Eastern and
last in the brand’s Breakaway Plus class
Costa Rica’s Puerto Limón, the San Blas
Western Caribbean itineraries from Royal
of ships.
Islands and Isla de Providencia. Prices
Caribbean’s new, Terminal A in Miami.
Norwegian Encore will feature the
Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean has
largest go-kart track and open-air laser
Launching on August 15, Scenic Eclipse
introduced overnight stays in Tokyo, Japan
tag at sea, themed in the style of the lost
is the line's new Discovery Yacht featuring
in summer 2020 to its itineraries for
city of Atlantis, as well as a virtual
114 all-verandah suites; 10 dining
Spectrum of the Seas. royalcaribbean.co.uk
reality maze called Galaxy Pavilion and
choices, a spa with a gym and separate
an Aqua Park that has water slides that
yoga and Pilates studio; two six-guest
extend 11 feet off the side of the ship.
helicopters and one six-guest submarine,
start at $8,095.
On-board entertainment includes
a theatre, indoor and outdoor plunge
The cruiseline has added new Adriatic
award-winning musical Kinky Boots,
pools and butler service for all guests.
voyages for the first time to its autumn
music show The Choir of Man, and
Scenic.co.uk
Celestyal Cruises
All About Cruising
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OCEAN
Viking Cruises’ Baltic Jewels and the Midnight Sun 2020 voyage will take in the Norwegian Fjords during its 29-day cruise that will visit 19 ports in 10 countries
Adventurous times Cruiselines are digging deep for 2020 to deliver the most amazing, memorable experiences for cruisers keen to head north to explore the Baltics or go west to discover their Pacific passion
ROM CRUISING the Baltic Sea and soaking up the history and the magical beauty of the Baltic States to sailing the Pacific Ocean and experiencing all of the clear blue seas and sunshine that it has to offer, cruiselines are really pulling it out of the bag when it comes to delivering bucket-list experiences at a variety of prices. Here is a snapshot of what some of the cruiselines have in store for cruisers keen to scratch their adventurous itch.
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The Pacific time Cruise and Maritime Voyages CMV’s latest ship, the 1,220-passenger Vasco da Gama joined the CMV fleet earlier this year following the completion of its maiden voyage from Singapore.
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For 2020, the ship will be embarking on a 52-night Southbound Voyage to Australia, departing from London Tilbury on October 9 with ports of call including Lisbon, Casablanca for Marrakech, Cape Verde, Barbados, Grenada, Cartagena for Colombia and Colon for the Panama Canal before crossing the Equator and heading to the islands of French Polynesia in the Pacific ocean, including Nuku Hiva, Papeete, Huahine (Maroe Bay), Bora Bora and Rarotonga. Vasco da Gama then heads to Tauranga and Auckland in New Zealand before its final port of call of Sydney on November 30. How much? Prices lead in at £3,899 per person for an inner twin cabin based on two people sharing. cruiseandmaritime.com All About Cruising
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Oceania Cruises The cruiseline that prides itself on its passion for providing guests with some of the best culinary delights at sea has served up an 18-day Supreme South Pacific voyage. The cruise sets sail from the New Zealand capital of Auckland on March 5, 2021 and make its way to the Bay of Islands rich in biodiversity and steeped in national history. It then heads to the South Pacific islands of Fiji, Pago Pago, Bora Bora, French Polynesia and Pepeete. Highlights of this cruise include a rainforest walk in Suva, Fiji, a Samoan cultural experience that gives guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in local village life, a glass-bottom boat ride in Bora Bora and a dolphin-watching excursion in Moorea, French Polynesia. Cruisers will also be able to tuck into Oceania’s extensive plant-based menu of 200 healthy meal selections. How much? Prices lead in at £6,069 based on two people sharing an inside state room. To book: oceaniacruises.com Viking Cruises The river cruise specialist turned ocean cruiseline will be cruising the Pacific next year with two voyages. The 23-day North Pacific Passage cruise departs from Tokyo on Viking Orion on May 15 and crosses the Tsugaru Strait and heads for Sapporo for an overnight stay before setting sail to Russia and exploring Korsakov and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and its ring of volcanoes. The voyage cruises the Bering Sea before crossing the
All About Cruising
International Date Line and heading to Dutch Harbour in Alaska then cruising the Gulf of Alaska before stopping in at Kodiak (Alaska’s Emerald Isle), Seward, Valdez, Yakutat Bay, Sitka and Ketchikan, finally sailing along the Inside Passage of snow-capped mountains and emerald islands to arrive in Vancouver. Excursions on this cruise include exploring the history and culture of Hokkaido, seeing the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Kamchatka, cruising Kodiak’s scenic waterfront and barrier islands on a classic yacht, a whale and wildlife cruise around the waters of Chichagof Island and a zipline above the rain forest canopy in Ketchikan, Alaska Viking Cruises also offers a 22-day Panama Canal and the Pacific Holiday voyage on board Viking Sun that departs from Miami on December 14. Guests will be treated to a cruise along the legendary Panama Canal, the chance to explore the Colombian city of Cartagena before cruising to Panama to transit the famed “path between the seas”. The voyage then goes on to explore Nicaragua and Guatemala before spending some time in the Mexican resort of Cabo San Lucas. The final part of the cruise gives cruisers the opportunity to discover the charm and culture of California’s seaside cities, San Diego and Los Angeles. How much? Prices for Viking Cruises’ 23-day North Pacific Passage itinerary lead in at £7,290, while the 22-day Panama Canal and the Pacific Holiday voyage starts at £6,790. Both prices are per person and based on two people sharing. To book: vikingcruises.co.uk
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OCEAN
CMV’s latest addition to its fleet, Vasco da Gama, will be visiting the islands of French Polynesia in the Pacific ocean on its 52-night Southbound Voyage to Australia in autumn 2020
Royal Caribbean International Fancy a cruise around the South Pacific on a ship that has all the bells and whistles when it comes to stylish entertainment and exquisite dining? Then check out Royal Caribbean’s seven-night South Pacific voyage on Radiance of the Seas. Departing from Brisbane on March 24, Radiance spends a day at sea before arriving at the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia for some swimming and snorkelling in amazing clear blue seas with the chance to spot as sea
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turtles, manta rays or dolphins. Visits to the island paradises of Mystery Island, Vanuatu and Vila, Vanuatu with the chance to enjoy more swimming, snorkelling and a bit of paddleboarding before the final day at sea and a return to Brisbane. How much? Prices lead in at £659 per person based on two people sharing a Interior stateroom (excluding flights). To book: royalcaribbean.co.uk
All About Cruising
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The Baltic experience Cruise and Maritime Voyages CMV knows a thing or two about cruising around the Baltic states. The cruiseline has no less than 26 voyages around the Baltic states in 2020. The 14-night Baltic Treasures and St Petersburg voyage visits Copenhagen, Rostock, Tallinn, St Petersburg for an overnight stay, Helsinki, Stockholm and Aalborg with departure ports including Newcastle, Aberdeen, Rotterdam, Hull and London Tilbury. The 12-night Hidden Baltic Treasures and Kiel Canal sailing crosses the Kiel Canal to Wismar, Rønne in Denmark, Karlskrona and Visby in Sweden, Baltisk in Russia, Gdansk in Poland and Mukran in Germany. Note Aalborg spelling Departure ports for this cruise include London Tilbury, Portsmouth and Poole. The 11-night Hidden Baltic Treasures visits Brunsbüttel
before crossing the Kiel Canal to call in at Holtenay, Wismar, Rønne, Visby, Riga, Klaipėda and Gdansk. Departure ports include London Tilbury, Dundee, Bristol, Ringaskiddy, Hull, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Rotterdam. CMV also offers an eight-night South Norway Discovery and Oslo cruise with departures from Newcastle and Aberdeen. The autumn voyage visits Oslo and Kristiansand before cruising the Boknafjord to visit Stavanger and Bergen. How much? Prices for the Baltic Cities and St Petersburg lead in at £1,289, the Baltic Treasures and St Petersburg starts from £1,139, the Hidden Baltic Treasures and Kiel Canal costs from £929, the Hidden Baltic Treasures leads in at £1,109, while the South Norway Discovery and Oslo cruise starts at £629. All prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin inner room. cruiseandmaritime.com
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OCEAN
Oceania Cruises has introduced a plant-based menu to its dining experiences, which features 200 healthy meal selections including cashew mushrooms kelp noodle salad and Som Tam green papaya kelp noodle salad
Viking Cruises Viking’s two Baltic focuses for 2020 include the 15-day Viking Homelands voyage and the 29-day Baltic Jewels and the Midnight Sun sailing. There are 19 departures for the Viking Homelands cruise from either Stockholm or Bergen throughout the 2020 season with the first departure from Bergen on April 13 and the last from Stockholm on September 19. The voyage takes in the cosmopolitan cities of Stockholm, Helsinki, Berlin and Copenhagen, the enchanting St Petersburg for an overnight stay, scenic Bergen, the charming historic city centres of Tallinn and Gdansk and, of course, the majestic Norwegian fjords in the legendary homelands of the Vikings. Shore excursions include: visits to the 17th-century Swedish warship Vasa and the chance to see Stockholm’s cityscape from water; experiencing a reindeer herd up during a visit to Nuukiso National Park; exploring the Russian Museum; travelling the scenic Estonian coastline to an estate to enjoy a concert in the grounds of a manor house; and discovering the culinary treasures of Gdansk in a Polish cooking class The Baltic Jewels and the Midnight Sun sailing visits 19 ports in 10 countries over 29 days with four voyages over the summer of 2020 from
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Stockholm to London and London to Stockholm. The first departure is on May 25 and the last one is on June 27. During the months when the sun never sets, the voyage overnights in Stockholm before setting sail for the elegant city of Helsinki and then on to Russia’s second largest city, St Petersburg for an overnight stay. Then it is on to explore Tallinn’s Old Town before cruising the Baltic Sea to discover the cities of Gdansk, Berlin, Copenhagen and Alborg, founded by the Vikings in the 10th century. The Norwegian town of Stavanger is the next port of call followed by the breathtaking Eidfjord and three days in the colourful coastal city of Bergen.
Geiranger, the gateway to some of coastal Norway’s most beautiful scenery follows, then the Lofoten Islands, the stunning Tromso, Honningsvag, which is one of Europe’s northernmost points, before sailing across the Norwegian Sea to the Shetland Islands, on to Edinburgh and then down to Greenwich London. Excursions available during this lengthy cruise include: a panoramic tour of Berlin, lunch at the Reichstag and a private concert in the cathedral; a small boat cruise on the extensive harbour and the Christianshavn and Frederiksholm Canals; and a husky trek through Artic Hills. How much? Prices lead in at £4,790 for the Viking Homelands voyage, while prices for Baltic Jewels and the Midnight Sun sailing lead in at £10,990. The prices are per person and based on double occupancy. vikingcruises.co.uk Royal Caribbean International The US cruise giant has availability on its 14-night Scandinavia and Russia sailing on board Explorer of the Seas which departs from Southampton on August 4 and visits Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg for an overnight stay, Helsinki, Stockholm, Skagen and Stavanger before returning to Southampton. How much? Prices start at £2,199 per person based on two people sharing a Balcony stateroom.
All About Cruising
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Riviera Travel's eight-day Douro, Porto and Salamanca cruise is proving to be a popular voyage for 2019
Heading upstream From cruising pass the patterned landscape of the terraced vineyards of the Douro Village to exploring the cities, grand artistic treasures and spectacular architecture of Russia, voyages in Portugal and Russia are big for 2020 HE WORLD of river cruises is going through continual expansion with more and more ships coming online every year, giving cruiselines the opportunity to offer more variety when it comes to destinations and departure dates. Viking River Cruises is leading the pack with plans to add seven new river vessels to its fleet this year, including six Viking Longships and an additional ship specifically designed for Portugal’s Douro River. Riviera Travel is having a busy 2019 with the launch of two five-star ships, William Wordsworth and George Eliot. Next year will see Rivera’s fleet of luxury
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vessels expand to 13 with the arrival of Geoffrey Chaucer. A-ROSA has put in an order for a new ship for delivery in spring 2021, which will sail primarily on the Northern Rhine, departing from Cologne and calling at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges and Antwerp. The design and build of the new ship will put families and multigenerational experiences at the heart of its design with a family area that will feature large family cabins, a children’s pool and a dedicated kids’ club area. Emerald Waterways’ newest ship Emerald Harmony will set sail in August this year with three
brand-new itineraries along the Mekong including the 15-day Majestic Mekong River Cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap with departures from August 2019 to May 2021. Emerald Harmony carries 84 guests in 42 cabins and has been designed to sail into the centre of Ho Chi Minh City Meanwhile, Century Cruises is launching the biggest ship to sail on the Yangtze River this year. The Century Glory, which will accommodate 650 passengers over seven decks, embarks on its maiden voyage from Shanghai on September 9 on an inaugural 11-day cruise to China’s secret metropolis, Chongqing. And while the growth of river cruise experiences shows no sign of abating, we catch up with the latest offerings for 2020 from the cruiselines in Portugal and Russia.
Portugal Riviera Travel The river cruise specialist has had a busy 2019 so far with the launch of two fivestar ships, William Wordsworth and George Eliot. Next year will see Rivera’s
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fleet of luxury vessels expand to 13 with the arrival of Geoffrey Chaucer. When it comes to sailing along the River Douro, Darren Mussell, agency sales assistant manager, says the cruiseline’s eight-day Douro, Porto and Salamanca cruise has proved extremely popular. The voyage gives cruisers the opportunity to explore the Douro Valley from the comfort of one of Rivera Travel’s luxury ships, taking in the views of the port wine territory, where lush hillsides have given way to a patterned landscape of terraced vineyards. The round-trip cruise departs from Porto and heads inland to discover the delights of the region, including:
Castelo Rodrigo, a 12th-century walled village; the historic Salamanca, which was founded by the Romans; the 18th-century Baroque Mateus Palace Gardens; and Lamego, an elegant town infused with Baroque style and the spectacular ancient Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies church that sits on top of a hill that overlooks the town. There is a number of excursions that feature in the price of the fully escorted cruise including: a guided tour of Porto with a visit to its famous port wine cellars; a full-day excursion to the Spanish city of Salamanca with guided tour and flamenco show; a tour of the medieval village of Castelo
Rodrigo; and a guided tour of Mateus Palace and gardens. On selected departure dates, there is the option to add on a four-day break in Lisbon, which includes three nights at a five-star hotel, a guided tour of Lisbon; a visit to the historic town of Sintra and its Royal Palace; a trip to the astounding Monastery of Jeronimos; and a visit to Tour Coimbra University, one of Europe’s oldest seats of learning. How much? Prices for the eight-night Douro, Porto and Salamanca cruise lead in at £1,299 per person based on two people sharing with the fourday Lisbon Extension from £449 per person. This price is available on
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The brand new A-ROSA Alva offers a seven-night itinerary from Porto to Barca d’Alva and back, with an excursion to the Spanish city of Salamanca.
selected departures up to November 2019 and March to November 2020. To book: rivieratravel.co.uk Viking River Cruises Viking has a 10-day Portugal’s River of Gold voyages from Lisbon that visits two countries and includes eight guided tours. The cruise kicks off with an overnight stay in Lisbon, giving guests the chance to explore the historic, yet cosmopolitan Portuguese capital before setting sail for Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. An overnight stay in Porto gives cruisers the opportunity to discover the city’s history, admire its graceful bridges, baroque cathedrals and romantic 16th- through 19th-century buildings nestled together on narrow cobblestone streets. And of course a visit to Porto isn’t complete with the chance to sample some of the local wines that the city is most famous for. From Porto, it’s on to Regua for a visit to the beautiful baroque Mateus Palace, the building depicted on the
Mateus Rosé wine labels. The voyage along the Douro continues to the Barca d’Alva region with a tour to the medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo before crossing the border into Spain for a trip to the ancient city of Salamanca. A trip to Pinhão folllws for a scenic drive up to the little village of Favaios, lunch at Quinta da Avessada, a rustic centuries-old winery in the heart of the Douro Wine District to sample some local varieties of port, before rejoining the ship and sailing to Régua and on to Porto. How much? The 10-day Portugal’s River of Gold trip leads in at £2,095 per person based on two people sharing. To book: vikingrivercruises.co.uk A-ROSA The river cruiseline launched a new ship on the Douro earlier this year. The A-ROSA Alva, which has 63 cabins for 126 guests, a SPA-ROSA with sauna and treatment rooms, a gym and a pool and sundeck, offers
a seven-night itinerary from Porto to Barca d’Alva and back, with an excursion to the Spanish city of Salamanca, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alto Douro, the rolling hills of the vineyard region, the historical Castellos and a Portuguese Quinta. Talking about the new launch, Lucia Rowe, managing director of A-ROSA River Cruises UK and Ireland, says: “We are delighted that for 2020 AROSA Alva and the Douro will be on sale in UK via Newmarket Holidays and Shearings Holidays. Our UK partners have asked for Portugal as a destination and the Douro as a sailing region for many years and we are so pleased that we can now fulfil this demand and expand into this popular region.” How much? Newmarket Holidays offers an eight-night Douro Explorer voyage leading in at £1,549 per person based on two people sharing on a November 4 departure. The 11night Lisbon and the Douro Explorer tour costs from £2,179 per person. To book: newmarketholidays.co.uk
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CroisiEurope The river cruiseline inaugurated its new ship Amália Rodrigues in Porto at the start of this season and the vessel has become the sixth ship to join CroisiEurope’s fleet on the Douro. The three-deck ship accommodates 132 passengers in 66 double-occupancy cabins, including four suites and a cabin for guests with reduced mobility. There is a spacious lounge, panoramic restaurant, a shop, a large sun deck with sun loungers, a swimming pool and a crew of 25. From April to October, Amália Rodrigues offers cruises on the Douro, from the Atlantic ocean to the Spanish border. It sails six- and eight-day itineraries through the Douro Valley, passing breath-taking landscapes en route from Porto to Regua, Pinhao, Teron Vega, Barca d’Alva, Salamanca and Ferradosa. How much? Prices lead in at £936 per person based on the six-day cruise round trip from Porto departing on 26 March 2020. To book: croisieurope.co.uk
Titan Travel The cruise specialist gives guests the opportunity to cruise like a royal along the beautiful Douro Valley on board the Spirit of Chartwell, the ship that carried the Queen during the Diamond Jubilee. The ship sails between coastal Porto and the Spanish border, with visits to picturesque towns, monasteries and palaces, passing through the terraced vineyards of this stunning part of the world with stops at Régua, Barca d’Alva and Salamanca. During the cruise, guests get the chance to enjoy wine tastings, folk shows, cooking demonstrations and informative talks. On selected autumn departures, they celebrate the famed grape harvest together. How much? Prices lead in at £2,599 per person. The tour includes seven nights on board the Spirit of Chartwell, all meals on board, complimentary local wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and six excursions. The price includes Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service, and return international flights from Gatwick. To book: titantravel.co.uk.
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Russia Viking River Cruises The river cruise specialist has an epic 13-day Waterways of the Tsars cruise which really gives cruisers the opportunity to get to grips with the history, heritage and culture of this amazing country. The voyage begins in Moscow with a three-night stay in the Russian capital with the opportunity to explore the iconic sights of the famed Bolshoi Theatre, Red Square for a view of the brightly coloured St Basil’s Cathedral and the famous GUM Department Store. Three days in Moscow allows time to explore the city’s many buildings, parks and monuments, take a tour of the Tretyakov Gallery, the world’s foremost museum of Russian fine art, visit the Cosmonaut Museum with displays that trace the history of space exploration or take a Jewish Moscow tour, illustrating the history and spirit of the Jewish people who settled in the city. On day five, it is time to set sail along the Volga River to the provincial village of Uglich, one of the Golden Ring cities that preserve the memory of Russia’s historical events. Passengers can visit the former Kremlin of Uglich and the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, built on the site where Ivan the Terrible’s son Dmitry was mysteriously killed. All About Cruising
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Amália Rodrigues, the newest ship from CroisiEurope, which will be offering cruises through the Douro from April to October
There is also the chance to enjoy tea with a local family. Yaroslavl, another Golden Ring city, is the next port of call. Cruisers will have the oppotunity to explore this ancient town rich in monuments along with a visit to the covered food market and the Church of St Elijah the Prophet. Day seven starts with a visit to the Russian village of Kuzino, a typical Russian village to see the renowned Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded by Saint Cyril in 1397 followed by an afternoon sailing along the Volga to start day eight visiting the island village of Kizhi at Lake Onega, Europe’s second largest lake. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the most spectacular collection of wooden houses, windmills and churches representing ancient Russian architecture, highlighted by the famous three-
tiered Preobranzhenskaya (Transfiguration) Church, a fairy-tale-like structure built in 1714 without a single nail. The following day includes a sail along the scenic Svir River for a stop in Mandrogy for a visit to the Vodka before continuing along the Svir, then cross Lake Ladoga, Europe’s largest lake, on the way to the Neva River. The final port of call is the majestic city of St Petersburg – the Venice of the North – for a three-night stay to enjoy all of the amazing experiences this city has to offer including a trip to the Winter Palace, a tour of the legendary Hermitage Museum, Catherine Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt, the central hub of St Petersburg. How much? Prices lead in at £2,795 per person based on two sharing. To book: vikingrivercruises.co.uk
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Uniworld The river cruiseline has a 12-day Imperial Waterways of Russia cruise packed to the rafters with opportunities to experience the passion and grandeur of Russian history, art and culture, the imperial cities, grand artistic treasures and spectacular architecture of Russia. The cruise sails from Moscow to St Petersburg along the Volga, Svir and Neva Rivers, visiting some of Russia’s most iconic metropolitan landmarks including the Kremlin, Red Square, Hermitage Museum as well as giving cruisers a taste of village life Russian style as the ship sails through the Russian countryside visiting rural villages and historic towns. Ports of call will include Yaroslavl, a UNESCO-protected city centre, the rural Goritsy village, the location for a village day for a taste of life, a cruise through the secondlargest lake in Europe, Lake Onega before spending the last three nights exploring St Petersburg. How much? Prices lead in at £4,799 per person, including flights. To book: uniworld.com
Century Glory will be the biggest ship to sail on the Yangtze River when it launches this year
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Holidays for under... From cruises to the Amazon to voyages down the Mekong, here is a round-up of some of the best deals on the market for 2019 and 2020 Under £1,000 Fred. Olsen River Cruises has a seven-night Cruising the Rhine, Main & Moselle’ fly-cruise, departing from Düsseldorf that departs on August 15, 2019 with cruise-only prices from £699 per person. The voyage explores the fascinating history, the spectacular scenery of the Rhine, Main and Moselle valleys, the world-famous vineyards, impressive castles and palaces, and pretty towns of this region on Brabant. Ports of call include: Düsseldorf, Cologne, Cochem, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Würzburg, Germany Bamberg and Nuremberg, Germany. To book: fredolsencruises.com/river-cruises/ Under £2,000 Fred. Olsen River Cruises offers a nine-night Eastern European Danube Discovery fly-cruise, departing from Budapest on August 29, 2019 with prices from £1,799 per person, including return flights from London, Manchester and Scotland airports, and transfers. This voyage gives cruises the opportunity to discover spectacular areas of scenic beauty and a collection of incredible destinations as Brabant guides them through four fascinating countries – Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania – via the breathtaking Danube River. Guests will take in some of the stunning Eastern European in these countries, marvel at the iconic Iron Gates gorge and glorious landscapes of the Lower Danube; and have a chance to uncover the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. To book: fredolsencruises.com/river-cruises/ CroisiEurope has a £200 per person saving on a seven-night cruise through the heart of Holland and the romantic Rhine Valley. The cruise is round trip from Amsterdam and visits Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, Nijmegen, Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Boppard and Düsseldorf with a departure on August 18. Cruise-only prices start at £1,139 per person to include all meals and drinks onboard and port fees. Under £5,000 Cruise and Maritime Voyages has a 42-night Amazon, West Indies and Azores round-trip sailing from London Tilbury that departs on January 8, 2020, and heads to Porto, Madeira and Cape Verde before crossing the Atlantic and sailing down to the Amazon forest of Brazil for an eight-day adventure before heading off to French Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago,
Scenic Tours and Cruises' 11-day Gems of the Danube with Prague cruise leads in at £2,840 per person
Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and the Azores To book: cruiseandmaritime.com Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has an 11-day Gems of the Danube with Prague cruise that leads in at £2,840 per person. This price is available on April 1, 2020 departure. The experience starts with a three-night hotel stay in Prague to experience the wonder of this incredible city, then travels to Nuremberg to embark on the luxury river cruise with visits to Vienna, Nuremberg, Melk and Passau finishing with an overnight stay in Budapest. Scenic is offering savings of up to £1,000 per couple plus free private door to door transfers on its 15- Day Imperial Russia river cruise from Stalingrad (Volgograd) to Moscow. The cruise visits Moscow, Uglich, Kostroma and Kazan. Prices lead in at £4,045 per person based on a departure date of October 11, 2020 To book: scenic.co.uk Emerald Waterways is offering a saving of up to £1,000 per couple plus free unlimited drinks on balcony suites and above on its eight-day Secrets of the Douro (as seen on Cruising with Jane McDonald) Prices lead in at £2,245 per person based on April 4, 2020 departure. Other dates are available from April to November 2020 Under £10,000 Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has a 15-day Treasures of the Mekong voyage that sails from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City starting with three nights in SIem Reap before heading off on a cruise down the Mekong to Wat Hanchey, Angkor Ban, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau and Sa Dec, finishing off with two nights in Ho Chi Minh City. Prices lead in at £5,295 per person based on July 31, 2020 departures. Other dates are available from July 2020 to May 2021. To book: scenic.co.uk
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