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T H E H OT T E S T C R U I S E S BY OCEAN & RIVER

2019

s p i h s w e N

STYLE N I Y A W A SAIL

Jamie Oliver

e v i s u l c Ex “M Y H O L I D AY SECRETS”

F E AT U R I N G £4.95

C R U I S E - I N T E R N AT I O N A L . C O M

Djenne, Mali by Steve McCurry

Zhengzhou, China by Steve McCurry

7 CONTINENTS, 140+ COUNTRIES, 900+ DESTINATIONS

When it comes to your must–experience list, Silversea can take you to some of the most iconic destinations on the planet, with our portfolio of voyages spanning further than ever before. With well over 900 destinations covering both iconic destinations and places so far off the beaten track even the most sophisticated mapping service would have difficulty finding it, we are certain there’s no better way to explore this beautiful planet other than doing so in Silversea all-inclusive luxury. We believe the world is full of unseen treasures, never stopping our search for the unique, the bold, the bizarre and the beautiful. You can be secure in the knowledge that the flame of our explorer’s spirit will never go out. Because at the end of the day we believe our planet is simply amazing, with many places still to be discovered.

Dominican Republic by Steve McCurry

WHERE ON EARTH DO YOU WANT TO GO? For more information please call 0207 340 0700, visit silversea.com or contact your travel agent.

Wellness At Sea REL A X & RECHARGE

FITNESS CL ASSES, TOURS, VEGAN CUISINE & CANYON R ANCH ® SPA TREATMENTS

Immerse yourself in the most comprehensive wellness programme at sea. Invigorate your body, mind and spirit with our holistic and integrative treatments, vegan cuisine, wellness tours and complimentary fitness classes

INDULGE YOUR SENSES

Lose yourself in deep relaxation with a signature Canyon Stone Massage or become enriched at complimentary presentations on enhancing nutritional balance and spiritual wellness.

The Finest Cuisine at Sea™ includes over 250 delicious plant-based options. The tantalising collection of vegan dishes offered fleetwide composes the most expansive vegan menus at sea.

ENJOY THE FINEST CUISINE AT SEA™ ABOARD OUR INTIMATE AND LUXURIOUS SHIPS. CALL OCEANIA CRUISES AT 0345 505 1920 OR VISIT OCEANIACRUISES.COM

Our exclusive shore excursion series, Wellness Tours Inspired by Canyon Ranch, unify culture, alluring destinations and healthy living into one to create a memorable and rejuvenating travel experience.

Editor’s Letter

Get ready to have the best holiday of your life. The Cruise Planner 2019 is designed to help you choose, plan and book your ocean or river cruise, and get a brilliant deal. Whether you’ve cruised before, or you’re brand new to cruising, on the following pages you’ll find fabulous itineraries to inspire you, new ships to tempt you, plus a detailed guide to all the cruise lines and hottest destinations for the year ahead. We’ve made the Cruise Planner incredibly easy to use. Start with the destinations you’ve been longing to visit, from Antarctica to Tokyo (page 85), see which cruise lines go there and then find out more details about them (page 15); or vice versa. To make things even easier, there’s a handy Cruise Line Directory (page 112). That’s not all. Jamie Oliver shares his favourite destinations on page 114, plus we’re giving you the chance to win an incredible Norwegian fjords cruise for two with Saga Cruises, worth £3,500 (page 82). If you’d like to find out more about cruise holidays and meet some of our experts, come along to the London Cruise Show at Olympia in February – you can find out more details on page 84. And do check out cruise-international.com/cruise-finder for the latest cruise deals. The next issue of Cruise International magazine will be in the shops on 1 February, packed with all the lastest news, reviews, celebrity interviews and amazing deals. You won’t want to miss it. Happy New Year,

90 16 Subscriptions Tel: +44 (0)1858 438 749 Email: cruise@subscription.co.uk Online: www.subscription.co.uk/chelsea/help Post: Cruise International, Subscriptions Department, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Lathkill Street, Market Harborough, LE16 9EF BACK ISSUES

www.chelseamagazines.com/shop

Liz Jarvis, Editor liz.jarvis@cruise-international.com

Like us Facebook.com/cruiseinternational

The Chelsea Magazine Company, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ. Tel: 020 7349 3700. Email: info@cruise-international.com. Website: www.cruise-international.com EDITORIAL Editor Liz Jarvis Art Director Rhian Colley Contributing Editors Sara Macefield, Julie Peasgood, Becky Wiggins DIGITAL Digital Media Manager James Dobson Digital Product Manager Ben Iskander ADVERTISING Advertising Director Lyndal Beeton Sales Manager Warren Wilkinson PUBLISHING Publisher Simon Temlett Finance Director Vicki Gavin Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross Managing Director Paul Dobson NEWS DISTRIBUTION News Trade (UK and Rest of World): Seymour International Ltd., 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT CRUISE INTERNATIONAL (Print ISSN 1758-2326) (Online ISSN 2396-9237) (USPS 025-056) is published bi-monthly by The Chelsea Magazine Company

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Contents

DESTINATIONS 2019

114

86 Britain & Ireland 88 Northern Europe 90 The Mediterranean 92 Northern Lights &

Norwegian fjords

94 The Arctic 96 The Baltic 98 USA & Canada 102 Eastern Caribbean 103 Western & Southern

77 UP FRONT 8

Caribbean

104 The Antarctic

105 Panama, The Amazon

& South America

106 Persian Gulf 107 Africa

Hot Spot

108 Asia

Explore the spectacular Great Wall of China in the historic and bustling capital of Beijing

110 The Pacific

COMPETITION

CRUISE LINES 2019

82 Win a Cruise for Two

16 Luxury

To Norway with Saga Cruises

The ultimate in design and service

REGULARS

26 Premium

Fantastic entertainment and dining

33 Contemporary

Innovative designs on chic ships

46 Classic

Traditional and elegant voyages

55 Adventure & Specialist

10 Cruise Style 13 Ask the Experts 112 Cruise Line Directory 114 Celebrity Travels

With Jamie Oliver MBE

Taking you off the beaten track

62 River

A leisurely way to explore the world

FEATURE 74 New Ships for 2018

The best of the latest new-build vessels coming your way

COVER IMAGE PHOTO: © MARINA COMES INSTAGRAM: @MARINACOMES

© The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2019 All rights reserved. Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission of the publishers. The information in CRUISE INTERNATIONAL has been published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. However, where appropriate, you are strongly advised to check prices, opening times, dates etc, before making final arrangements. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information contained within this publication is hereby excluded. The opinions expressed by contributors to CRUISE INTERNATIONAL are not necessarily those of the publisher. For up to date travel advice, always check fco.gov.uk before you go.

Printed in England by William Gibbons, West Midlands. Origination by All Points Media www.allpointsmedia.co.uk

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PHOTO: ÂŠ GETTY IMAGES

Beijing, China Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China is an ancient series of stone and earthen fortifications winding for more than 13,000 miles across the north of the country. The staggering structure in Beijing was built, rebuilt and maintained between the 7th century BC and the 16th century to protect the northern borders from Xiongnu attacks during various successive dynasties, but most of the existing wall is from the Ming Dynasty. Another must-see at the heart of the Chinese capital is the Forbidden City, home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. >> Turn to page 108 to read about ocean and river cruises to Asia for the year ahead

HOT SPOT

CRUISE STYLE

GLAM UP

BROW BAR

Achieve perfect brows without the effort with Anna Saccone’s five-piece foolproof set, including pencils and powder (£49.50, benefitcosmetics.com).

R O S A FA I A’ S N A U T I C A L- I N S P I R E D B R AVA D R E S S I S P E R F E C T F O R A T R O P I C A L C R U I S E ( £ 6 3 , A N I TA . C O M ) .

Make a statement with eye-catching Aadiv Sequin Petal Chain earrings. Decorated with fluttering sequins, the tassels will add instant sass to formal night (£22, oliverbonas.com).

Cruise style Our pick of the hottest buys for your travels

RETRO VISION

Protect your eyes from the sun while looking effortlessly cool in DAYO Clubmaster classic sunglasses (£75, palaeyewear.com).

CARRY ON

SILK SHOW Dress up your occasion outfits with the colourful Elsie silk scarf, printed with placement florals on a dramatic black and red backdrop (£25, monsoon.co.uk).

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GREEN FEVER

Discover Green People’s cruelty-free advent calendar filled with organic and natural beauty must-have products – perfect sizes for travelling (£75, green people.co.uk).

Channel your inner boho chic with the Milos embroidered tote bag. Designed with shoulder straps and light in weight means it will hold all your beach essentials (£45, uk.accessorize.com).

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moments with

Titan River Cruises Exclusive charters on MS Bellejour and MS Serenade 1 My best moment was sitting quietly by my Juliet balcony, reading my book. My first ‘toe dip’ into river cruising - it will not be my last.

Set sail in 2019 With voyages on our exclusively chartered ships, MS Serenade 1 and MS Bellejour, as well as sailings with a handful of specially selected partners, you can enjoy journeys along Europe’s most iconic rivers including the Dutch Waterways, the Rhine, the Danube and more.

What’s included on a Titan river cruise • Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service†

• Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

• Spacious 15m2 or 16m2 river view cabins with en-suite bathroom

• Bottled water in your cabin, replenished daily

• Welcome buffet and farewell Gala dinner

• Excursions and visits

As with all our holidays, every river cruise begins and ends at your own front door thanks to our award-winning VIP door-todoor travel service. And once you’re on board, you’ll be accompanied by some of the best tour managers and cruise directors in the business.

0808 252 8774 | titantravel.co.uk Prices are per person, subject to availability and correct at time of print. † Mainland UK only.

• Tea and coffee at all times • Wi-Fi on board

St. Nicholas Abbey

Harrison’s Cave

Sweetfield Manor

Morgan Lewis Windmill

Hunte’s Gardens

Barbados Parliament and its museum

Beyond our shores in 2-4 hours

Your time, your way! With an array of extraordinary and exciting experiences packed into 166 square miles, Barbados is the Caribbean’s #1 destination for visitor satisfaction. Our rich combination of culture, heritage, adventure, sport, food, shopping and new hallmark attractions are waiting for you to discover! And there’s still time for the beach!

ASK THE EXPERTS

ASK THE EXPERTS Got a question about cruise holidays? Get in touch with our experts at info@cruise-international.com

We’re both big nature lovers and very keen to experience an adventure cruise. Which itineraries and destinations would you recommend? Julie Peasgood is a well-known TV presenter, travel expert and Contributing Editor for Cruise International. Adventure cruising is focused on enriching excursions in unusual destinations, with smaller, specialist ships accessing more remote ports of call. An array of spectacular itineraries awaits you as nature lovers; marvel at whales, polar bears, penguins and glaciers in Antarctica and Alaska (departing from several ports including Seattle), or seek out warmer climes and breathtaking wildlife on an African safari cruise. Spot blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises in the Galápagos Islands, or immerse yourselves in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest with rare and unique birds and mammals. Also check out Indian and Mekong river cruises for iconic sights and exhilarating experiences.

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK

The Insider

OUR REGULAR COLUMN FROM ANDY HARMER, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP AND DIRECTOR, THE CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (CLIA) UK & IRELAND

Throughout September and October, CLIA ran a global campaign called #ChooseCruise, highlighting the many different experiences that a holiday at sea, or on a river, can offer. From relaxation, enrichment and learning, to sports and fitness, family activities and entertainment, the campaign aimed to show that there really is a cruise for everyone. As cruise lines continue to build amazing new ships, offer fantastic on-board experiences and create diverse opportunities to explore destinations, there truly has never been a better time to take a cruise. The industry is now offering a vast range of holidays, so no matter what type of getaway you are looking for, there will be a perfect cruise for you.

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Cruises have become increasingly popular because they offer a unique holiday experience that you can’t get in a land-based resort. Not only can ships visit awe-inspiring destinations, cruise lines now offer incredible on-board experiences, too, such as theatre shows, bars staffed by robots, food cooked in the restaurant of a celebrity chef, special guest lecturers, and a raft of adrenaline-filled activities such as ziplining, ice skating and go-karting. Looking ahead to 2019, one of the key trends will be a demand for unusual itineraries. As more travellers seek adventure somewhere ‘off-the-beaten track’, cruises to colder climates, such as Canada, Alaska and Antarctica, are growing in popularity, along with river cruises, which have seen unprecedented growth over the past few years. Long-haul destinations will also surge in popularity as British travellers broaden their horizons, with trips to Africa, South America, the Panama Canal and the Middle East all on the rise.

When booking a cruise, choosing the right one will be dependent on what you prefer and who are you travelling with. For example, do you prefer a formal or casual dress code, flexible or fixed dining? Are you looking for a cruise that’s luxurious, educational, or just good fun? Would you prefer a boutique-sized vessel, mid-sized or a large, resort-style ship? Once you’re ready to book, you can go directly to the cruise line you’ve chosen, or via a travel agent. Using an agent offers a personal customer service that you won’t experience using an online booking engine. Your travel agent, however, has years of knowledge and experience, and will be able to guide you through the important steps of planning your holiday and advise on elements that you may never have considered, such as what cabin to stay in, booking shore excursions in advance and pre- or post-cruise stays. With such a wide variety of cruises to choose from, there will always be one that offers the perfect holiday for you.

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Exceptional EmeraldVALUE Book today and enjoy all these inclusions Return flights from a choice of up to 15 UK airports Stylish accommodation on-board our innovative Star-Ships All on-board meals in Reflections Restaurant Complimentary wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner Onshore excursions and guided tours Extra-special EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE experiences Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi Complimentary on-board bicycles†

Boutique river cruising through the heart of Europe

All port charges, taxes and transfer costs River Cruise Guarantee Cover

PLUS ALL TIPS ARE INCLUDED SAVING UP TO £235 PER COUPLE

Uncover architectural charms and iconic landmarks on an award-winning river cruise with Emerald Waterways. Take in the beauty of Germany’s mystical Black Forest, experience the majestic Rhine Gorge, stroll through the vineyards of southern France or explore the charming townships that line Portugal’s Douro River. Arrive in the heart of each destination in style on-board our chic, innovative Star-Ships where you can enjoy impressive features on-board, such as our indoor heated pool and cinema†, panoramic Sun Deck and lovingly appointed suites and staterooms. For more information on our collection of sixteen insightful European itineraries, our generous inclusions and our latest special offers, call our Cruise Experts today on 0808 271 8640 or visit emeraldwaterways.co.uk and take the first step towards your journey of a lifetime. Danube Delights

Jewels of the Rhine

8-day Nuremberg to Budapest

8-day Amsterdam to Basel

Sensations of Lyon & Provence

Secrets of the Douro 8-day Porto to Porto

8-day Lyon to Arles

Visit 7 cities, towns and villages

Visit 8 cities, towns and villages

Visit 7 cities, towns and villages

Visit 5 cities, towns and villages

Guided city tours of Regensburg, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest

EmeraldEXCURSION canal boat

EmeraldEXCURSION city tour

EmeraldACTIVE bike tour along the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein EmeraldPLUS home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family

tour through Amsterdam

of Lyon

EmeraldACTIVE guided canoeing experience in Pocinho

EmeraldACTIVE hike through the

EmeraldPLUS Provençal dinner onboard hosted by chef Fabien Morreale

EmeraldEXCURSION guided tour of Spains city of Salamanca

EmeraldPLUS a regional wine

6 EmeraldPLUS experiences

Black Forest

Discover UNESCO World Heritagelisted sites including Cologne’s Gothic Cathedral

lecture on-board

T ASSURA XI

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Terms and conditions: All of our holidays are subject to availability. Our prices are per person, based on two people sharing. Supplements apply for single travellers. We reserve the right to withdraw our offers at any time and our offers are not combinable. †The Emerald Radiance on the river Douro does not have bicycles or an indoor pool/cinema, instead there is a spa style Serenity Pool on the Sun Deck. For full terms and conditions visit emeraldwaterways.co.uk or refer to our 2019 European river cruise brochure. E&OE.

BR E

Call FREE on 0808 271 8640 | Visit emeraldwaterways.co.uk CE INCRE

Emerald Waterways Best Value For Money, River Cruise

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Cruises for 2019

16 Luxury Exceptional service and a sophisticated onboard experience 26 Premium Exquisite speciality dining as well as state-of-the-art facilities 33 Contemporary Modern and chic with fantastic innovations 46 Classic A more traditional cruise holiday, offering elegance and first-class service 55 Adventure & Specialist Taking you off the beaten track 62 River

cruises A leisurely way to explore the world, with a chance to get close to the heart of the action

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LUXURY these lines offer the ultimate in impeccable service and stunning ships

VIKING OCEAN CRUISES Scandinavian style that continues to expand. Viking Jupiter is the sixth near-identical ship for 930 passengers. The fleet, interchangeable in their upmarket simplicity, take on ever more grandiose itineraries. New for 2019 is Along Europeâ€™s Western Coast, an unusual voyage from Barcelona to Copenhagen, while the grandest voyage yet is the 245-day Ultimate World Cruise, a round trip from Greenwich on the Thames ticking off 53 countries. Starting in May is a coming together of ocean cruise and Vikingâ€™s expansive river cruises. Grand European & Viking Fjords gets you from Budapest to Bergen, a 15-day Rhine and Danube voyage to Amsterdam then an eight-day sea cruise. 020 8780 8700; vikingcruises.co.uk

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HAPAG-LLOYD CRUISES Europa 2, small and with the feel of a superyacht, is sailing to Japan for the first time in 2019, with itineraries including Hong Kong and Singapore. In October new 230-passenger expedition ship Hanseatic Inspiration arrives with novel features such as retractable glass balconies that give the feel of hovering over the sea. Maiden voyages is Hamburg-Lisbon but cruises will go everywhere from the Antarctic to the Great Lakes. 0800 0513 829; hl-cruises.com

HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES One ship, the charming Hebridean Princess, carries 50 guests on luxurious all-inclusive highland flings. More rooms this winter get a makeover, continuing with the subtle Scottish feel of the public rooms using plaid and Harris Tweed. There is a first visit to the Isle of Carna in Loch Sunart and a return to Orkney and Shetland. The Footloose walking programme continues with a string of interests including whisky, food and drink, gardens, nature and wildlife, world and highland heritage, classical music, art, history and architecture. 01756 704704; hebridean.co.uk ď€¸

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SEADREAM YACHT CLUB Twin yachts Sea Dream I and Sea Dream II carry only 112 passengers â€“ and nearly as many crew. There are new Cuba cruises from Havana and Cienfuegos in the early part of the year, with seven possible ports around the island. Then a transatlantic crossing themed with the Scandinavian hygge comfort-in-fun philosophy, so lots of chocolate and wine although, curiously, also a live Cluedo mystery. Both ships have fascinating itineraries in the Med and Aegean, stopping at lots of small ports, before heading back to the Caribbean. 0800 783 1373; seadream.com

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES Both Seven Seas Navigator and Seven Seas Explorer (rated one of the worldâ€™s most luxurious ships) will be in Southampton this summer, for various cruises such as the 37-night Celtic Inspiration taking in Iceland, the Faroes, even an Ireland circumnavigation or the more modest 12-night Regal Isles trip, plus other northern sailings. Or go big with the 77-night Grand Voyage from Southampton to New York. Seven Seas Voyager will return to the Med for the summer. Selected Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator sailings in Asia and the South Pacific come with a free three-night, preor post-cruise land programme. And all cruises, the height of luxury, are all-inclusive, with excursions and a pre-cruise hotel night. 0238 068 2153; rssc.com

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OCEANIA CRUISES Oceania Cruisesâ€™ quietly elegant country-club style (with highly rated food) is undergoing a $100 million revamp. Insignia emerged with a new look at Christmas to be followed by Sirena in May, Regatta in September and Nautica in June 2020. The makeover is by a chic Miami residential design agency. The 2019 Europe and the Americas programme features 40 new Mediterranean voyages, 18 new Baltic, Scandinavia and northern Europe itineraries, plus five new Alaska sailings and six new Canada and New England voyages. The 2019/2020 Tropics and Exotics collection features 56 new itineraries (out of a total of 76), including three country-immersive voyages focusing on Japan. There are Southampton departures too, including the Celtic Kingdoms UK circumnavigation. As well as plenty of Med cruises. ď€¸ 0345 505 1920; oceaniacruises.com

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SILVERSEA Six small ships in a world of exotic destinations – both hot and very cold, targeting interesting ports and islands that bigger ships can only lust after. Silver Muse, new in 2017, has a debut summer in Alaska after spring in Australia and New Zealand. Silversea visits lots of favourite sunspots too – the Caribbean and many more as well as plenty of the Far East, including Hong Kong and Singapore. Not everywhere is far away – Silver Wind does round trips from Tower Bridge in the heart of London to the fjords, along with Scotland and Ireland, even a 35-day odyssey to New York, while there are other cruises from Greenwich. And it’s all-inclusive, with plenty of dining choices (eight on Silver Muse). 0207 340 0700; silversea.com

RITZ-CARLTON YACHT COLLECTION Enjoy all the elegance of plush hotels at sea. The first cruise isn’t until February 2020, but anticipation grows for the first of three 298-passenger ships with the air of a superyacht. And if you don’t want to get off then stay on board – itineraries are designed so that successive cruises don’t repeat ports, allowing you to enjoy an almost endless array of destinations. Every room has a terrace, drinks are included and there are complimentary watersports from the marina. Early destinations will include the Med, northern Europe, Caribbean, South America, Canada and eastern US with lots of charming islands and other bijou ports. Monaco, of course, is one, but the as yet un-named ship will also visit Edinburgh for the Military Tattoo. 0356 2778 0076; ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com 

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2019-2020 OCEAN CRUISES Iconic Western Mediterranean 8 days, 5 guided tours Barcelona – Rome

From £2,140pp West Indies Explorer

11 days, 9 guided tours San Juan roundtrip

From £2,640pp Viking Homelands

15 days, 11 guided tours Stockholm – Bergen

From £4,440pp Into the Midnight Sun

15 days, 10 guided tours Bergen – London

From £4,990pp Alaska & the Inside Passage 11 days, 7 guided tours Vancouver – Seward

From £4,540pp

Did you know?

Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes

Viking’s 2019-2020 ocean cruises are now on sale from £2,140pp Across the world, from the sun-kissed islands of the Caribbean and wonderful wildlife of Alaska to the ancient cities of the Med and spectacular beauty of Scandinavia, there’s a Viking ocean cruise for you. From the comfort of a stunning, small ship that is home to just 930 guests, take in the view from your veranda stateroom. Relax in spacious, contemporary surroundings. Indulge in fabulous food in a choice of restaurants. Explore the culture and history of the places you visit on expertly led tours. And discover a unique and exciting new view of the world.

13 days, 9 guided tours Bergen – Reykjavík

From £4,490pp Empires of the Mediterranean 10 days, 8 guided tours Venice – Athens

From £3,290pp Australia & New Zealand 15 days, 9 guided tours Sydney – Auckland

From £6,590pp Bangkok, Bali & Beyond 13 days, 7 guided tours Bangkok – Bali

From £4,490pp

GREAT VIKING VALUE – SO MUCH INCLUDED P Return flights from the UK

P On board gratuities

P Stateroom with a private veranda

P Free 24-hour room service

P Free Wi-Fi on board P Free use of spa facilities

P Free tea, coffee and snacks any time on board

P An included excursion in almost every port

P Evening entertainment on board

P All meals on board in a choice of dining venues, including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

P All port charges, government taxes and overseas transfers

To find out more or to request our brochure, call now on 020 8780 8700 or visit vikingcruises.co.uk Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to availability and change. From prices are per person and based on two people sharing the lowest grade stateroom available, departing on selected dates in 2019-2020. Prices valid until 31 December 2018. Single supplements 100%. Please note that duration of cruises shown is the cruise only. Total duration including flights of certain itineraries may be longer. Gratuities included on board ship only. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.

South America & the Chilean Fjords

18 days, 8 guided tours Buenos Aires – Santiago

From £6,490pp

ORDER YOUR FREE OCEAN BROCHURE NOW

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SEABOURN Style and luxury abound on five mid-sized ships, the latest of which, Seabourn Ovation, arrived in spring. In 2019 Seabourn embarks on its first cruises to Cuba, circling the island and visiting various ports. The world-spanning collection of immersive, allinclusive cruises continue, from the Med to the Antarctic with guest speakers and a range of extra, chargeable experiences, Ventures, in some destinations. And two ice-class expedition ships (with submarines) are coming, the first in 2021. 0843 373 2000; seabourn.com ï€¸

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Spectacular Northern Europe Join the stunning Seabourn Ovation as she spends her second summer season in Northern Europe, tracing scenic coastlines to stunning cities such as Petersburg and Copenhagen and beyond, to the dramatic granite walls of Norway’s North Cape and the Arctic Realm where there’s little or no darkness. Or head towards Iceland, Greenland and the Northern Isles on the intimate Seabourn Quest for incredible “Ventures” by Seabourn.

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B A LT I C & S T P E T E R S B U R G S E A B O U R N O VAT I O N Copenhagen to Stockholm | 7 Day

SIGNATURE SAVINGS EVENT Limited time. Limitless possibilities.

Book select cruises by 19 Feb 2019 and you may enjoy Complimentary 300 minute Internet Package pp* Up to US$500 Onboard Spend per suite* Up to £400 Air Credit pp* Up to 15% savings on Combination Cruises*

Book any Penthouse or Premium Suite and receive up to US$1,000 Onboard Spend and an Unlimited Internet Package per Suite*

The Seabourn Difference Intimate ships with a private club atmosphere • Intuitive, personalised service provided by staff passionate about exceeding guests expectations • All ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times • Welcome Champagne and complimentary insuite bar stocked with your preferences • Tipping is neither required, nor expected World-class dining, further enhanced through a culinary partnership with Chef Thomas Keller • All dining venues are complimentary, dine where, when and with whom you wish

22, 29 JUN; 20, 27 JUL; 17, 24 AUG 2019 Copenhagen, Tallinn (Estonia), St Petersburg (Russia, 2 nights), Helsinki (Finland), Stockholm Itinerary in reverse ICELAND & NORTH CAPE QUEST SEABOURN QUEST Reykjavik to Copenhagen | 15 Days | 1 JUN 2019 Reykjavik, Vigur, Isafjordur, Akureyri, Siglufjordur, Tromso (Norway), Storstappen Island, Honningsvag (North Cape), Hammerfest, Harstad, Bronnoysund, Stavanger, Arendal, Aalborg (Denmark), Copenhagen. MAJESTIC FJORDS & NORTH CAPE S E A B O U R N O VAT I O N Roundtrip Copenhagen | 14 Days | 6 JUL 2019 Copenhagen, Alesund, Svolvaer, cruising Trollfjord, Tromso, Storstoppen Island, Honningsvag, North Cape, Olden, Nordfjord, Sognefjord, Stavanger, Farsund, Skagen, Copenhagen ROUTE OF THE VIKINGS SEABOURN QUEST Dover to Reykjavik | 21 Days | 16 JUL 2019 Dover, Newlyn (Penzance), Skomer Island (Wales), Milford Haven, Douglas (Isle of Man), Greenock (Glasgow), Oban, Am Baile (St Kilda), Summer Isles, Ullapool, Copinsay Island, Kirkwall (Orkneys), Isle of Noss (Shetlands), Lerwick, Torshavn (Faroes), Vopnafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri, Siglufjordur, Tasiilaq (Greenland), Skoldungen Fjord (Greenland), Grundarfjordur (Iceland), Reykjavik GEMS OF NORTHERN EUROPE S E A B O U R N O VAT I O N Copenhagen to Dublin | 14-Days | 31 AUG 2019 Copenhagen, Fredercia, Oslofjord, Oslo (overnight), Fredrikstad, Helsingor, Warnemunde (Berllin), Travemunde, Kiel Canal, Rotterdam, Brussels, Dunmore East (Ireland), Dublin

Please ask for our ‘Signature Savings’ cruise and fly/cruise prices Contact your Seabourn travel professional or Seabourn reservations on 0344 338 8615 w w w. s e a b o u r n . c o m Terms & Conditions Apply

Travel DEEPER Silversea’s global cruises give you the best of the world, allowing you to experience every thrilling and humbling aspect of discovery – and what it truly means to you

f you’re looking for a luxury cruise line that challenges all of your expectations, award-winning Silversea offers superlative service, imaginative itineraries and deluxe, intimate ships. The cruise line celebrated 10 years of luxury expedition cruising in 2018, and is renowned for its pioneering itineraries and expert expedition teams, winning Best Expedition Cruise Line at the British Cruise Awards 2018. Its ships offer guests a comfortable and convivial onboard lifestyle, so you can feel really at home as you explore some of the world’s most remote regions. You’ll enjoy ocean-view suites, gourmet cuisine, the personalised service of a butler, and a generous selection of all-inclusive onboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet, as well as unlimited free wifi.

NORTHEAST PASSAGE

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Silversea is crossing the Northeast Passage for the first time in 2019. Few cruise ships have transited 24

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the passage, which follows the extreme coastlines of Asia and Europe and has long enjoyed a fabled reputation among seafarers. The intimate, all-suite Silver Explorer will become the most luxurious cruise ship to sail the route, as it passes 5,019 nautical miles of dramatic seascapes and untamed wilderness on a 25-day voyage. On 10 August 2019, the ice-class expedition ship will sail from Nome, Alaska, to Tromsø,

Norway, on a once-in-a-lifetime explorative journey through this challenging region. In addition, Silversea is building a new expedition vessel, Silver Origin, that will serve the Galápagos Islands itinerary currently sailed by Silver Galapagos. The new ship is expected for delivery in March 2020.

FAR EAST

Silversea Expeditions continues to take guests closer to the authentic beauty of the Far East with a number of remarkable itineraries to this mesmerising region.

LAND OF THE RISING SUN

As graceful as a tea ceremony and as modern as a bullet train, Japan and South Korea are treasure troves of soaring castles, ancient temples and cutting-edge architecture that beckon to be explored. Silver Explorer answers the call with this nine-day cruise from Kobe to Busan, departing 12 May 2019. Destinations include Japan’s Okayama, Takamatsu, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Hagi, Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, and Sokcho in South Korea. Fares start from £5,580pp with an early booking bonus. CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

F E AT U R E D C R U I S E L I N E

well as possible up-close encounters with these intelligent and threatened animals. Fares start from £9,450pp with an early booking bonus.

EXQUISITE NEW ITINERARIES

PHOTO: © ISTOCK

INDONESIA: LAND AND SEA

If you’re looking for a culturally rich itinerary, the sleek Silver Discoverer, sailing on 24 June 2019, from Darwin to Bali, will spend 15 days exploring a string of Indonesian pearls set within sparkling blue waters: Yamdena Island, Matakus Island, Leti Island, Pulau Maopara, Pulau Tellang, Anano Island, Sulawesi, Borneo and Java. Guests will have a chance to snorkel in Coral Triangle, marvel at the underwater wonders of Anano Island, and discover the unique scenery and customs of the Torajan people. Another highlight is a visit to Tanjung Puting National Park and Camp Leakey – home to scientists and students – where you will learn of Dr Biruté Galdikas’ groundbreaking work with orangutans, as CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

In 2020 and 2021, Silversea will be launching a range of new itineraries taking guests to 572 destinations in 84 countries and promises to unlock an innumerable range of deep travel experiences in all seven continents. A highlight of the new itinerary collection, Silversea’s new ship Silver Moon will make its inaugural voyage on 6 August 2020: the ship will depart Trieste, Italy, for Civitavecchia on an 11-day cruise. The sister ship of Silversea’s flagship, Silver Muse, Silver Moon will benefit from a number of onboard enhancements. From the ships in each region to the choice of itineraries, guests will be offered more options. As well as five ships and 54 voyages in the Med – including a 37-day, 28-port Grand Voyage – guests will be able to choose from four ships and 29 voyages in Northern Europe; three ships and 21 voyages in Alaska and the Russian Far East; and two ships and 10 voyages in the Arctic, among many other appealing regions. Plus, guests will enjoy more overnights, enabling them to unlock more deep travel experiences in amazing destinations. Every voyage over seven nights in Europe and Canada and New England will benefit from an overnight in selected ports.

WISH-LIST ADVENTURES

For discerning adventurers, the biggest thrills are typically encountered off the beaten track. Silversea Expeditions offers journeys in unexpected destinations, where you’ll take routes less travelled and blaze your own trail. When it comes to your must-experience list, Silversea Expeditions can take you to some of the most iconic destinations on the planet. And if you’re going for the wildlife, there’s no better place on Earth than the Galápagos Islands. Once there, you will encounter remote isles teeming with rare species such as giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. What’s more, its all-new Explorer’s Collection delivers an assortment of highadventure voyages in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society. On these specialised cruises you’ll be entertained on shore with themed activities, stimulating lectures by renowned historians, and gourmet cuisine reminiscent of celebratory meals consumed on early explorations. The daring spirit of adventure will stay with you long after you have arrived home. Book your Silversea voyage today, and discover a world of adventure

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PREMIUM these lines offer exquisite speciality dining, exceptional entertainment and state-of-the-art facilities

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE Cool styling that reflects the dĂŠcor of cruise ships from decades past yet with the luxuries of today. The companyâ€™s 17th ship, Nieuw Statendam, arrived in December, sister ship to Koningsdam, and with Oprah Winfrey as a godmother. The company is also offering adventure cruises, with its EXC In-Depth Voyages on Maasdam, bringing along Zodiac inflatables, experts (both world-renowned and local) and featuring specialist attractions both on board and off in fascinating corners of the globe. Launched for a season in autumn the trips, from 12 to 239 days, have been extended throughout 2019. The BBC Planet Earth experience, mixing wildlife foortage and live classical music, continues on a number of ships. 0843 374 2300; hollandamerica.co.uk

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CELEBRITY CRUISES Celebrity Edge arrived in December, a ship that involves serious style, with accommodation by designer Kelly Hoppen MBE, and an exclusive new sanctuary, The Retreat, for Suite Class guests. In 2019 the Celebrity Revolution, a £400 million revitalisation to bring that same style across the fleet, starts with Celebrity Millennium and continues until 2023. Celebrity Silhouette will be sailing from Southampton again in summer 2019, its second consecutive season, with destinations including Northern Europe and the Med. British departures are booming with Celebrity Apex, sister to Celebrity Edge, arriving in Southampton, where it will be based, in April 2020 – with Celebrity Silhouette returning for a third summer that will be the first time Celebrity has operated two ships from the UK. Celebrity also launches its latest Galápagos ship, Celebrity Flora (so hi-tech she doesn’t even need an anchor to stay still above the stunning coral) on 26 May. 0844 493 2043; celebritycruises.co.uk

DISNEY CRUISE LINE The Disney magic continues in Europe. Disney Magic, one of four Disney ships, sails a handful of round-trip itineraries from Dover next summer taking in fjords and such, and another visiting England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. That’s along with Med cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia. This summer there’s also the optional Adventures by Disney add-on, with three nights in Rome, Copenhagen and Barcelona and the option of a special package during the cruise with knowledgeable Adventure Guides leading shore trips. There’s also plenty of choice in the Caribbean and Alaska, Disney’s casual elegance combining with theme-park frolics for youngsters. 0800 028 3179; disneycruise. disney.go.com 

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AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES The upmarket company has just expanded to three mid-size ships with Azamara Pursuit, vastly increasing its roster of small ports and exotic destinations. In 2019 the Stay Longer and Experience More portfolio expands (268 late-night stays and 155 overnights), plus many immersive shore excursions. Azamara visits Alaska for the first time, with 11 voyages, with new preand post-cruise stays including riverboat cruising. Thereâ€™s a first visit to Canada (Vancouver), plus nine country-intensive voyages taking in the likes of New Zealand, Mexico and Japan â€“ the 15-Night Circle Japan Intensive Voyage from Tokyo features 11 ports, mostly rarely visited by cruise ships, including Akita with its timber samurai mansions. 0844 493 4016; azamaraclubcruises.com

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PRINCESS CRUISEs This year will see Princess’s longest-ever season of UK sailings with more than one million cruise nights on Pacific Princess and Sapphire Princess voyages from Southampton and Dover taking in a wealth of Mediterranean destinations, plenty of fjords and northern waters and new options including a round-trip to Canada and New England and an 18-night Greenland and Iceland adventure. New ship Sky Princess (3,660 guests) arrives in late October for a month of Med cruises before heading to the Caribbean for the winter. Princess’s 50th year in Alaska is celebrated with its biggest number of cruises to the area. There are the first Princess sailings to Antarctica in seven decades – and the destinations for the year reaches 380, topping its previous record of 360. 0843 374 2261; princess.com 

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Cutting EDGE

Celebrity Edge, the newest ship from award-winning c uise line eleb it uises edeﬁnes t e a t of lu u at sea e e’s a close loo at at ou can e ect on boa d

rom dining in a floating restaurant cantilevered over the sea, to sumptuous suite design created by Kelly Hoppen MBE, everything about Celebrity Edge is revolutionary. This is a ship that is effortlessly cool and contemporary, with state-of-the-art innovations and superb attention to detail, maximising guest comfort as you sail to some of the world’s most incredible destinations.

EXQUISITE STATEROOMS

Accommodation on board Celebrity Edge offers guests the perfect balance between the excitement of travel and the comfort of a luxurious personal space. The new Edge Stateroom with Infinite Balcony turns rooms into a seamless space with the simple touch of a button, giving guests open-air access to the sea, bringing the outside in and the inside out. Guests can take complete control of their stateroom and personalise everything from lighting, shades, temperature and service – even choosing a setting to tuck you in or gently wake you.

PHOTO: © ISTOCK

THE MAGIC CARPET

With open-air panoramic and outward-facing views over the ocean, the Magic Carpet is a game-changer for modern luxury cruising. An incredible engineering feat, it is the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform, reaching heights of 16 storeys above sea level. The Magic Carpet can be repositioned alongside several decks. However, when it is CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

positioned at the very top it becomes an extraordinary, exhilarating experience known as Dinner on the Edge.

THE GARDEN OF EDEN

Spanning three decks at the aft of the ship and featuring the largest window-tothe-world at sea, Eden is a unique venue where ultra-modern design is fused into every element, including cuisine served by ‘Edenists’, performing artists who deliver experiential and sensory dishes to your table. Another highlight is the Library of Plants, which towers 18ft above Eden Bar, offering its bounty of fresh ingredients and garnishes for artisanal cocktails.

EDGE CLASS CUISINE

With an incredible palate-pleasing collection of menus inspired by the destinations they visit, and visionary recipes created by their Michelin-starred chef, Cornelius Gallagher, Celebrity will bring the flavours of the world to you. Boasting a total of 29 distinctive restaurants, cafés, bars, and lounges to choose from, you’re sure to find a new favourite dish or cocktail every night of your holiday.

INSPIRED BY NATURE

The Spa on Celebrity Edge was inspired by nature, and features beauty and fitness experiences never before offered at sea for guests to renew, restore and reinvigorate. Celebrity Cruises has curated a selection of crystal treatments, in a collaboration

designed to transform guests’ emotional state through the power of holistic healing, and all guests are given a crystal thumb stone to take away with them after their journey.

INCREDIBLE ENTERTAINMENT

With its transformational design, entertainment on board Celebrity Edge is just as game-changing as the ship itself. Guests will experience the brand’s most technologically advanced main theatre, the largest cast of world-class performers on any premium cruise ship, and more entertainment venues than ever before.

EUROPEAN SAILINGS

Be among the first to sail on Celebrity Edge for the inaugural Europe season – sail direct from Southampton on Edge’s first Europe cruise or set sail from Rome or Barcelona and explore the Mediterranean in Summer 2019. Celebrity Edge offers the ultimate in contemporary luxury and will change the way you think about cruising for ever. For more information or to book, call one of our personal cruise planners on 0800 441 4054, talk to your travel agent or visit celebritycruises.co.uk

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2019

CRUISE COLLECTION Mediterranean

Baltic

Iceland

Mediterranean

Ventura (N914) 2 Jun 2019 - 14 Nights

Azura (A915) 8 Jun 2019 - 14 Nights

Ventura (N916) 23 Jun 2019 - 14 Nights

Azura (A917) 29 Jun 2019 - 14 Nights

Southampton, Cadiz, Barcelona, Marseilles, Monte Carlo, Ajaccio, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Southampton

Southampton, Warnemunde, Helsinki, St Petersburg (overnight in port), Tallinn, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Southampton

Southampton, Torshavn, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Reykjavik (overnight in port), Greenock, Belfast, Southampton

Southampton, Cadiz, Barcelona, Livorno, Civitavecchia (Rome), Cartagena, Gibraltar, Southampton

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Inside Select Price from

1,668

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Per Person

per cabin to spend on board

With

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1,541

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With

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1,592

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France & Spain

North Cape

Mediterranean

Ventura (N919) 21 Jul 2019 - 7 Nights

Oriana (X913) 22 Jul 2019 - 18 Nights

Britannia (B923) 17 Aug 2019 - 14 Nights

Arcadia (J913) 19 Aug 2019 - 14 Nights

Southampton, Cherbourg, La Coruna, Santander, St Peter Port, Southampton

Southampton, Torshavn, Lofoten Islands (Leknes), Honningsvaag, Longyearbyen, Tromso, Alesund, Belfast, Southampton

Southampton, Cadiz, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Livorno, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Southampton

Southampton, Cadiz, Valencia, Civitavecchia (Rome), Santa Margherita, Marseilles, Gibraltar, Southampton

With

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721

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per cabin to spend on board

With

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2,245

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0800 028 2177

110

per cabin to spend on board

With

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1,592

†

Per Person

per cabin to spend on board

With

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1,536

THE CRUISE CENTRE 6 Lindrick Way, Barlborough, Chesterfield, S43 4XE

THE CRUISE HOLIDAY SHOP U78 High Street, Meadowhall, Sheffield, S9 1EP

VISIT US Mon-Sat 10am-4pm

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QUOTE: BCC REF 8049. ISSUED 26.11.18. The process of production/distribution takes several days and could therefore limit the availability of prices and accommodation as advertised, or they could not be available at all. Please see our website www.bolsovercruiseclub.com for the most up to date offers and availability. This offer applies to new bookings only and may be withdrawn by P&O Cruises without notice. It is not combinable with any other promotion and is subject to the booking conditions of P&O Cruises. A copy of Bolsover Cruise Club’s Terms of Business is available on request or by visiting our website. This advert contains an outline description of the cruises featured, which are solely organised by P&O Cruises (ATOL 6 94). It should be read in conjunction with P&O Cruises current brochure which contains full information about the cruise itineraries, accommodation details, booking conditions that apply, passport and health requirements, what’s included in the fare and other general information. Prices shown are per person, based on twin occupancy in the lowest available grade within the category type, and already includes current fuel surcharges and Cruise Club Members Cashback at the time of going to print. †Select Price cabins may be allocated on a guarantee basis and the cabin number/deck will be allocated at the operator’s discretion prior to departure. Select Price benefits are applicable to sailings of 7 nights with a choice of one the following benefits; Free on board spending money - applies to passengers occupying the first two standard beds in a cabin. Free car parking - is limited to one space at the port/airport per booking. Car parking must be booked at least 10 days prior to departure. Free coach travel - is applicable to transfers to/ from Southampton. To guarantee coach places, you must book no less than 30 days prior to cruise departure. Further terms and conditions apply, please call for details. Travel insurance is additional. E&OE

†

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FREE Bi-Monthly Cruise Magazine worth £29.70 per year when you join the Cruise Club

CONTEMPORARY Cool and modern ships with fantastic innovations, these cruise lines offer something for everyone

P&O CRUISES Still flying the red, white and blue livery and still offering more departures from Southampton than any other cruise line – from the Canaries and the Caribbean to the fjords. From April to September there are weekly seven-night Norwegian Fjords on Britannia, Ventura and Azura, plus fortnightly 14-night Western Mediterranean cruises on Britannia, Ventura and Azura from May to October. There are 181 new cruises from this October to March 2020 including a season of Arabian Gulf itineraries, a longer Caribbean fly-cruise season and a new 12-night Northern Lights cruise. Cruises from as short as two nights (including Christmas markets) plus themed cruises – with the pros from Strictly Come Dancing, and Food Heroes with chefs such as Marco Pierre White. And from May, it drops its daily (discretionary) service charge. And 5,200-guest Iona arrives in May 2020 for trips to the fjords. 0843 374 0111; pocruises.com 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE Norwegian Spirit will, from May, be based in Southampton for summer trips to the fjords and Arctic Circle as well as cruises around the British Isles. Norwegian Pearl heads for Amsterdam, bringing Norwegianâ€™s summer European total to six ships. Norwegian Pearl embarks on a variety of Mediterranean sailings from Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona and Venice. Norwegian Joy undergoes an extensive $50 million refurbishment before joining Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Jewel in the booming Alaska market, sailing from Seattle. Norwegian, offering lively cruises on fun-packed ships (go-kart tracks and such), unveils its latest ship, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Encore, in Miami in November. 0845 201 8900; ncl.co.uk

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ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL Explorer of the Seas and Independence of the Seas will both sail from Southampton, from May to the end of October. There are three- and four-night tasters to Ireland and across the Channel, adventures to spots such as St Petersburg and the fjords and lots of fun in the sun of the Med and out to the Canaries. Spectrum of the Seas, the first ship in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Ultra Class, launches in May with a Barcelona to Dubai cruise before heading off for itineraries in Asia. Also coming in 2019 is the first of the Perfect Day Island Collection, private destinations around the world. Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas features novelties such as the tallest waterslide in North America and the highest view in The Bahamas, from a helium balloon at 450ft.  0844 493 4005; royalcaribbean.co.uk CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

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MARELLA CRUISES Formerly Thomson Cruises, but now the company is creating a very individual name for both value and style. Marella Explorer arrived in 2018, a world of seaside colours, the first Champneys spa at sea and very good food. Marella Explorer 2 arrives in April with more of the same (but adults only against the family friendly aspect of her sister). And to increase the value, Marella from May goes all-inclusive on all its ships. Marella Explorer 2 will be offering new itineraries around Greece, Adriatic and Spain, while Marella Explorer is offering new cruises to northern waters from Southampton and Newcastle. Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 will sail the Med. Cruises come as a package holiday through parent company TUI, with flights from a number of regional airports. 0203 451 2682; tui.co.uk ď€¸

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CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE The 26th in Carnival’s collection of floating holiday resorts arrives in December 2019. Carnival Panorama will be the company’s first ship to be based on the US west coast in 20 years, sailing out of Long Beach on a seven-day itinerary along the Mexican Riviera. It will feature a high-ropes course, SkyRide above-deck cycle ride, waterpark, IMAX cinema and sports centre – the same attractions as Carnival Horizon, launched in 2018. Carnival Triumph will emerge from a mega revamp as Carnival Sunrise for a summer of New York departures, with an increase of 37 voyages to Cuba from Tampa and Miami, the first sailings from San Diego in seven years (with Carnival Miracle getting as far as Hawaii) and a 24-day Pacific crossing on Carnival Splendor from Long Beach to Singapore, visiting Vietnam and Malaysia – the longest single voyage in Carnival history. Two more ships are scheduled for 2020 and 2022. 0845 351 0556; carnival.co.uk

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VIRGIN VOYAGES A new cruise line, sailing out of Miami, with all the Virgin cheerfulness and a style that is almost futuristic Art Deco. Scarlet Lady is the first ship, debuting early 2020, with the flying mermaid insignia echoing that of the Virgin Atlantic airline. Ports of call include Havana in Cuba, there’s a tattoo parlour on board, and expect an arty elegance and chirpy camaraderie. Passengers are ‘sailors’, and other facilities include Athletic Club sports/social hangout, the VIP deck and The Manor nightclub. virginvoyages.com – or ahoy@virginvoyages.com to register an interest 

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New HORIZONS From the Norwegian fjords to the beaches of the Caribbean, Marella Cruises offers a world of adventure just waiting to be explored

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F E AT U R E D C R U I S E L I N E

ith a fleet of six stunning ships, Marella Cruises sails to more than 200 destinations across the globe, and they are introducing spectacular new ports of call every year. In fact, 2019 will see the launch of 11 exciting new itineraries in addition to six new ports of call. Marella won Best Value for Money cruise line at the British Cruise Awards 2018, so you know that its all-inclusive cruises offer quality and incredible experiences to remember.

DREAM DESTINATIONS

New ports of call for Marella Cruises next summer include Visby, in Sweden, the charming UNESCO-protected medieval town with its beautiful botanical gardens; Nordfjord, in Norway, which is nestled between the largest mainland glaciers in Europe with spectacular mountains and valleys, and the quaint town of Sarandë, Albania, with its green olive groves, hilly landscapes and marshmallow white beaches. Or for tropical winter sun, you could be exploring Gatun Lake in Panama, Port Royal in Jamaica, or the nature haven of Samaná in the Dominican Republic.

PHOTO: © ISTOCK

HASSLE FREE

Marella includes tips and service charges in the price, so you don’t have to worry about carrying round extra cash. Plus, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 are all-inclusive as standard. This isn’t limited to just drinks – it includes dining in at least four restaurants and some facilities, too. And from summer 2019, Marella Dream and Marella Celebration are also joining the all-inclusive crew, too. CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

Marella is part of TUI – the world’s biggest travel group. This means the company can sort every step of your cruise, including flights, transfers, excursions and hotels. Plus, it is the only cruise company to offer flights from 22 regional UK airports. Almost all cruises set sail at night, meaning fewer days are spent at sea, and you have more time on shore.

TRAVEL YOUR WAY

With Marella, it’s entirely up to you how you cruise – whether you want to combine a cruise with a land-based holiday, or add on another cruise, or spend a little longer in a destination before or after your cruise, the choice is yours. When a week at sea just doesn’t cut it, why not stay on board longer? Once your itinerary is over, you’ll remain on the ship for the next one, opening up a whole new range of ports. Look out for the

Combine Cruises logo to see which ones can be paired up. If you prefer to arrange your own flights and transfers, book a cabin-only cruise. And don’t worry, other than the journey, everything else is included in the price. Plus, with sailings that range from three to 25 nights, you can cruise for as little or as long as you like – with Marella Cruises, the choice is yours. For more details on cruising with Marella Cruises, call 0203 451 2682, contact your local travel agent or go to tui.co.uk/cruise

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MSC CRUISES The family-friendly company with an Italian flair christens its latest ship, MSC Bellissima, in Southampton in March – the inaugural sailing is to the Med. She will spend the summer in the Western Mediterranean before heading to the Gulf for winter with calls in spots such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. MSC Preziosa will also be sailing from Southampton to northern Europe in late spring. Other new itineraries include grand voyages – 14 nights from Brazil to Spain on MSC Seaview (which arrived in June), and a 20-night voyage from Dubai to Venice on MSC Lirica, taking in Israel, Montenegro and the Suez Canal. MSC’s largest ship (also one of the world’s largest), MSC Grandiosa, for 6,300 guests, arrives in the Med in late 2019. 0203 426 3010; msccruises.co.uk 

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Feel FREE

it ove ea s of e e tise and an ama in eet of award-winning ships, Norwegian Cruise Line sails to more than 300 ports in 123 countries

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F E AT U R E D C R U I S E L I N E

here do you want to travel to next year? Europe? Asia? Alaska? How about Cuba? Norwegian Cruise Line sails to the world’s most unforgettable destinations on its incredible, award-winning fleet of contemporary ships. You could be sipping cocktails in the Bahamas, exploring ancient temples in Japan, traversing the Panama Canal, seeing the cadillacs and colonial architecture in colourful Havana... with Norwegian, the world is your oyster. Norwegian Cruise Line gives you the flexibility to design your ideal cruise. Sailing in a relaxed, resort-style atmosphere, this is free-style cruising for everyone: couples, families, friends, solo travellers – everyone is guaranteed a good time on board Norwegian.

PREMIUM ALL INCLUSIVE

Once on board, the feeling continues thanks to Premium All Inclusive cruising with so much more included in the fare. Like premium branded drinks, gratuities and 60 minutes FREE wifi.

COSMOPOLITAN FREESTYLE DINING

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There are no set dining times here, Norwegian offers the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Dining, which means no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating – from a variety of casual cafes and grills to mouth-watering Asian Fusion dining already included in your fare, to speciality restaurants with unique culinary experiences, the ships offer a variety of tastes to every palate in up to 27 dining options.

OUTSTANDING ACCOMMODATION

All staterooms on Norwegian Cruise Line ships are superbly appointed, with stylish accommodation and spacious bathrooms. CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

quiet zones in addition to the adults-only areas on the outer decks. There’s an abundance of activities for young families, too. For babies aged six months to two years, there are interactive and sensory activities with parents. Children aged three to 12 can make friends in the Splash Academy, while the Entourage zone is suitable for teenagers up to 17 years of age.

SIX SHIPS IN EUROPE IN 2019

And if you want to make your cruise experience even more special, in the exclusive Haven, a ship-within-a-ship, you’ll benefit from 24-hour butler and concierge service, as well a range of other luxurious amenities. Norwegian was also the first cruise line to offer Studio staterooms for solo travellers.

FIRST-CLASS EXPERIENCES

As well as astonishing aqua parks, mini golf and attractions ranging from go-karting to a ropes course, Norwegian offers first-class entertainment on all its ships. Acrobats fly through the air, dancers sway their hips and musicians rock the stage. From famous musicals to fascinating artistry and family shows, there’s something for everyone. With a running track and, depending on the ship, basketball, volleyball or tennis courts as well as a climbing wall, there are always lots of activities to choose from, plus fitness centres and classes ranging from indoor cycling and step aerobics to zumba, yoga and pilates. Or you could simply kick back on a sundeck; the choice is yours. Wellness treatments, an indulgent massage, or a dip in the Thalasso Pool await guests in award-winning Mandara Spa®, as well as

Norwegian Cruise Line is building on its success by bringing an unprecedented six ships to Europe in summer 2019. That means more choice of exciting itineraries, more fabulous ports to discover and a ship to suit everyone. Highlights include Norwegian Getaway cruising the Baltic Sea from Copenhagen and Norwegian Pearl sailing from Amsterdam to Northern Europe. You can cruise round trip from Southampton on board Norwegian Spirit and see more of the Med than ever. With the unparalleled freedom and choices of Premium All Inclusive cruising there’s no better way to experience the history, culture, landmarks and flavours of Europe next year.

NEW SHIP ON THE WAY

For its inaugural season, Norwegian Encore will cruise out of Miami every Sunday, sailing seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean, beginning 17 November 2019 through to 12 April 2020. There’s never been a better time to cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. For information or to book, contact your preferred travel agent, call 0333 336 0794 or visit ncl.co.uk.

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CLASSIC traditional, elegant cruises that offer an informal holiday experience

CUNARD Pure style on three ships – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – all revamped in the past couple of years. Queen Elizabeth launches an Alaska season with cruises from Vancouver then embarks on a 21-night trip via San Fran, LA and the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale. There are special events, too. The Literature Festival at Sea (transatlantic on QM2), a link-up with Cheltenham Literature Festival, features the likes of award-winning crime writer Mark Billingham and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin author Louis de Bernières. There’s also the designer-studded Transatlantic Fashion Week while Queen Victoria’s Voyage du Vin visits the wine regions of Spain, France and Italy with special excursions. 0800 028 2177; cunard.co.uk 

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SAGA CRUISES Saga Cruises enters a new era with the company’s first brand new ship, Spirit of Discovery, which arrives in July for cruises from Dover. Saga finally puts to bed any suggestion that it is for the elder generation – the ship features The Club by Jools Holland, with the star guesting on some cruises. Discovery will be all-inclusive for cruises from January 2020 – and its sister ship arriving that same year will be all-inclusive, too. Saga’s other ships also offer adventure: there’s the new 30-night Emerging Canada cruise into the St Lawrence River from Dover on Saga Sapphire. Sapphire says its farewell in the 2019/2020 season, ending with the Grand Finale cruise calling at exotic spots such as Alexandria, Jerusalem and Istanbul. The new Coasts and Coves of Dalmatia cruise features sleek 36-passenger MV Maritimo, exclusively chartered by Saga, with a bathing platform, sun deck and hot tub, sailing around Croatia. 0800 068 5053; travel.saga.co.uk

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FRED. OLSEN CRUISE LINES A traditional cruise experience yet one that is keeping up with the times: RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) are being taken on board its four-strong fleet of intimate ships, Braemar, Boudicca, Balmoral and Black Watch, for everything from whale watching to scooting behind a Norwegian waterfall. There will be more fjords cruising, even taking in Greenland’s fjords and the Musandam fjords in Oman. Braemar will embrace ‘closer cruising’ – getting you into the heart of places that larger ships can’t, such as Marseille in France and Norway’s Lyesfjord, shielded by a 50m-tall bridge across its entrance. There are 13 maiden calls, from Galway in Ireland to Alotau, Papua New Guinea, plus Best Time to Go itineraries such as Mediterranean with Lavender in Provence and Spain & Portugal with the Seville Fair. 0800 035 5197; fredolsencruises.com 

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CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES The leader in cruises from the UK, on a growing fleet of timeless, not-too-big ships. The latest, Vasco de Gama, carrying 1,220 guests, features contemporary décor but a relaxed lifestyle – its maiden voyage is a springtime 45-night adventure from Singapore to Tilbury on the Thames via India, Jordan and such. In June, Marco Polo heads to Rouen to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day – sailing amid a flotilla past the Normandy beaches. CMV is also known for its entertainment, whether stars of Carry On comedy, cricket or music – soul group The Three Degrees feature on a fjords cruise in September on flagship Columbus. And CMV continues with its second-person-goes-free promotion. 0845 430 0274; cruiseandmaritime.com  50

BOLSOVER CRUISE CLUB’S NORTHERN EUROPE DISCOVERY 2019 Baltic Explorer

British Isles

Netherlands, Belgium & France

Iceland & British Isles

Queen Victoria (V913) 19 May 2019 - 16 nights

Queen Victoria (V914) 4 Jun 2019 - 12 nights

Queen Victoria (V916) 23 Jun 2019 - 7 nights

Queen Victoria (V919) 28 Jul 2019 - 14 nights

Southampton, Skagen, Copenhagen, Gdynia, Visby, St Petersburg (overnight in port), Klaipeda, Oslo, Kristiansand, Southampton

Southampton, Greenock (Glasgow), Oban, Kirkwall, Dublin, Liverpool, Cobh (Cork), St Peter Port (Guernsey), Southampton

Southampton, St Peter Port (Guernsey), Rotterdam (Amsterdam), Zeebrugge (Bruges), Cherbourg, Southampton

Southampton, Lerwick, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Reykjavik (overnight in port), Greenock (Glasgow), Dublin, Southampton

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180

Inside Cunard Fare from

1,773

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140

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1,484

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788

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100

per stateroom to spend on board

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1,566

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160*

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The Fjords

Around the British Isles

Baltic Highlights

Norwegian Explorer

Queen Mary 2 (M923) 4 Aug 2019 - 7 nights

Queen Victoria (V920) 11 Aug 2019 - 12 nights

Queen Elizabeth (Q923) 11 Aug 2019 - 14 nights

Queen Elizabeth (Q924) 25 Aug 2019 - 12 nights

Southampton, Bergen, Alesund, Flaam, Stavanger, Southampton

Southampton, Newcastle, Newhaven (Edinburgh), Invergordon (Inverness), Greenock (Glasgow), Belfast, Liverpool, St Peter Port (Guernsey), Southampton

Southampton, Skagen, Copenhagen, St Petersburg (overnight in port), Helsinki, Stockholm, Warnemunde, Southampton

Southampton, Stavanger, Olden, Leknes (Lofoten Islands), Tromso, Trondheim, Andalsnes, Bergen, Southampton

With

Inside Cunard Fare from

1,057

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100

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Inside Cunard Fare from

1,300

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Per Person

0800 028 2177

140

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Inside Cunard Fare from

1,510

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160

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1,380

THE CRUISE CENTRE 6 Lindrick Way, Barlborough, Chesterfield, S43 4XE

THE CRUISE HOLIDAY SHOP U78 High Street, Meadowhall, Sheffield, S9 1EP

VISIT US Mon-Sat 10am-4pm

VISIT US Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm

QUOTE: BCC REF 8048. ISSUED 26.11.18. The process of production/distribution takes several days and could therefore limit the availability of prices and accommodation as advertised, or they could not be available at all. Please see our website www.bolsovercruiseclub.com for the most up to date offers and availability. This offer applies to new bookings only and may be withdrawn by Cunard Line without notice. It is not combinable with any other promotion and is subject to the booking conditions of Cunard Line. A copy of Bolsover Cruise Club’s Terms of Business is available on request or by visiting our website. This advert contains an outline description of the cruises featured, which are solely organised by Cunard Line. It should be read in conjunction with Cunard Lines current brochure which contains full information about the cruise itineraries, accommodation details, booking conditions that apply, passport and health requirements, what’s included in the fare and other general information. Prices shown are per person, based on twin occupancy in the lowest available grade within the category type, and already includes current fuel surcharges and Cruise Club Members Cashback at the time of going to print. †Cunard Fare stateroom may be allocated on a guarantee basis and the staterooms number/deck will be allocated at the operator’s discretion prior to departure. Cunard Fare benefits are applicable to sailings of 7 nights or more with a choice of one the following benefits; Free on board spending money - applies to passengers occupying the first two standard beds in a cabin. Free car parking - is limited to one space at the port/airport per booking. Car parking must be booked at least 10 days prior to departure. Free coach travel - is applicable to transfers to/ from Southampton. To guarantee coach places, you must book no less than 30 days prior to cruise departure. Further terms and conditions apply, please call for details. Travel insurance is additional. E&OE

†

Per Person

140 *

per stateroom to spend on board

FREE Bi-Monthly Cruise Magazine worth £29.70 per year when you join the Cruise Club

BOUTIQUE chic 2019 will see a new era of cruising at Saga Cruises. A fresh, innovative approach and a spectacular new ship make it the perfect time to step on board

Clockwise: The sumptuous honey-toned atrium in Spirit of Discovery; the desolate beauty of Iceland, new flagship Spirit of Discovery sets sail 52

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F E AT U R E D C R U I S E L I N E

ou may be familiar with the concept of boutique hotels. Next year, Saga Cruises is taking it to a new level by applying it to cruising. That’s what you can look forward to when you step on board Saga Sapphire and the cruise line’s new flagship, Spirit of Discovery, which launches in Summer 2019.

MAGICAL OPPORTUNITIES

Whenever you sail with Saga, there are opportunities to try something different. During winter, for example, the company’s stargazing cruises around the Canary Islands are as popular as its traditional voyages in the sun. From Canada’s mountains in springtime to the autumnal fruits and flavours of Iberia, each season is packed with delights.

A NEW WAY TO EXPLORE

In April, Saga will launch an innovative way to discover your destinations. Explore Ashore is a concierge service led by a team of on-board experts. Whether you would like to join a small-group excursion, plan your own tour or just book a taxi and go freestyle, they can make it happen.

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK

UNPRECEDENTED VALUE

In 2019, Saga will also be offering its best-ever value. Saga Sapphire will be fully all-inclusive, so you can enjoy unlimited drinks at no extra charge. It’s the perfect complement to Saga’s other inclusions such as a return-chauffeur service to the port up to CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

250 miles each way, optional travel insurance, speciality dining, on-board gratuities, free wifi and 24-hour room service. It’s premium value for money unrivalled by any other cruise line.

OTHER TREATS TOO…

Delectable cuisine is an important aspect of all Saga’s cruises. Select from mouthwatering menus in a choice of restaurants, complete with included wine at both lunch and dinner. This even includes the speciality restaurants on board Saga Sapphire and Spirit of Discovery, which are all included in the price, with no extra dining supplements or surcharges. Even gratuities are all included.

SAGA’S NEW FLAGSHIP

Spirit of Discovery will bring new standards of boutique luxury to this enterprising cruise line. Sleek and sophisticated, it will have a gloriously open feel and will be luxurious throughout, from its sumptuous spa to its all-balcony cabins. One highlight will be The Playhouse, a state-of-the-art tiered theatre seating over 440 guests. Another will be The Club by Jools, a steakhouse restaurant created in partnership with music legend Jools Holland; who will perform on selected cruises in 2019.

own distinct character, the ship will introduce a second wave of luxury cruising to Saga’s distinctive new portfolio.

FALL IN LOVE… OR YOUR MONEY BACK

With so much to tempt you, there’s never been a better time to step on board a Saga ship. Even if you’re still unsure, its moneyback guarantee is hard to resist. So if you don’t love your first ocean cruise with the company, Saga promises to give your money back. Visit saga.co.uk/loveit for details. For more on Saga’s full range of cruises sailing in 2019, call free on 0800 068 5053 quoting MG394, or visit saga.co.uk/cruiseint

AND ANOTHER TO COME…

Spirit of Adventure, sister ship to Spirit of Discovery, will take to the oceans a year later in Summer 2020. Sharing the same high levels of boutique luxury but with its Cruise Planner 2 01 9

Discover the idyllic coastlines of the west coast of Scotland and the Hebrides with Scotlandâ€™s leading small ship cruising company. Travel through magnificent scenery rich in wildlife, relax and enjoy the best in Scottish hospitality with gourmet food and the atmosphere of a floating house party. Our four mini-cruise ships are designed to access the most secluded and picturesque anchorages, with charming and spacious accommodation for the perfect island-hopping adventure. We offer a choice of 12 different cruise itineraries, over 3-nights, 6-nights or 10 nights, as well as private charter.

To find out more visit our website at www.themajesticline.co.uk or call 01369 707951 or email info@themajesticline.co.uk to request a brochure

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ADVENTURE & SPECIALIST these lines will take you off the beaten track to discover historical, cultural and natural wonders

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPEDITIONS The upmarket expedition company has joined forces with French luxury cruise line Ponant for an array of sailings. Starting in autumn, the itineraries combine adventure, conservation and education. Names such as Secret Islands of the Seychelles and Aldabra Atoll, and Ancient Cultures of Northern Australia and Papua conjure up – and there are specialist tour leaders, photographic guides, and the Zodiac inflatables are barely dry before they’re needed again. 0800 440 2549; nationalgeographicexpeditions.co.uk

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STAR CLIPPERS Three tall ships (with a fourth on the horizon) that offer a combination of adventure and fun. New for 2019 is Borneo (a pair of cruises from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore) as well as a Greek cruise that features in the film locations of Mamma Mia! There are also more Panama Canal sailings, with new ports of call, plus the annual cruise to Monaco for the Grand Prix – where you can watch the excitement from the comfort of the deck. 0808 231 4798; starclippers.co.uk

PONANT The boutique French operator is becoming a major player and giving its gallic charms a wider worldview. After introducing two of the planet’s most sophisticated exploration ships, Ponant Explorers Le Lapérouse and Le Champlain, in 2018, sisters Le Bougainville and Le Dumont-d’Urville arrive in 2019, the first is likely to be in March, the other in autumn. A further two appear in 2020 with hybrid electric ice-breaker Le Commandant Charcot in 2021. That’s on top of five current superyachts. The ships explore the globe, from the tropics to the poles, with the Explorers rich in enjoyment – gourmet food, the underwater Blue Eye lounge with windows onto the sea world, a foldaway dock for swimming and Zodiac boat trips. Cruises in 2019 include the Cook Collection, following the trail of Captain Cook and other explorers. 0800 980 4027; en.ponant.com

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Silversea is known for its luxurious small ship cruises around the globe, both sun and ice, yet it takes things further with four boutique expedition vessels. They, too, traverse the planet, from the polar extremes to rainforests to hidden islands, offering an exclusive experience. Silver Cloud, carrying only 254 guests, boasts the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant in Antarctica. Then there’s Silver Explorer, with capacity for just 144 passengers; Silver Discoverer, plying the far reaches of the Pacific, carries 116 – and Silver Galapagos merely 100, offering included Zodiac tours, snorkelling, kayaking and nature hikes in one of earth’s most unspoilt places. In 2019 Silver Explorer takes on a 25-day Northeast Passage adventure from Alaska to Norway; it’s Silversea’s first time on the icy route, celebrating Silversea Expeditions’ 10th anniversary. This is expedition cruising, but with the benefit of a choice of restaurants, pools, whirpools and bars.  0207 340 0700; silversea.com

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SCENIC Scenic Eclipse, the “world’s first discovery yacht”, arrives in January as river cruise company Scenic dips its toe in different waters. Scenic Eclipse, for 228 guests, ensures there’s no roughing it as you find yourself clipping the ice at either pole. There’s six-star luxury, with eight restaurants, a balcony for every room and an all-inclusive service that includes excursions on Zodiac inflatables, snorkelling to snowshoeing. Pay a bit extra and you can take a flight in the helicopter (there will be two in Antarctica) or discover the ocean on board the seven-seat submarine. First cruise is the 16-day Ultimate Antarctica, a round-trip from Buenos Aires. Scenic Eclipse II is due to arrive in 2020. 0800 566 8777; scenic.co.uk

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VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY Aegean Odyssey, a genteel ship for 350 guests, continues its wanderings to stunning destinations with a nod to the historical context, with guest speakers and expert guides (excursions are included, plus wine with dinner). There’s a maiden voyage to the Baltic with three nights in St Petersburg (and a chance to see a performance of Swan Lake). VTA visits six new countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Poland and Germany) with 17 new ports including Stockholm, Helsinki and Tromsø, on Norway’s North Cape, part of a new Land of the Midnight Sun cruise. After several seasons away there’s a return to the Black Sea – but plenty of the Med, too. 01865 410101; voyagestoantiquity.com

CELESTYAL CRUISES The colourful Greek company with a UK office and two ships – Celestyal Crystal and Celestyal Olympia – is moving towards a year-round Med operation. Having cut out winter sailings in Cuba, it offers March to December 2019 cruise, most from the Athens port of Piraeus. Mainstay is the seven-night Idyllic Aegean, visiting islands and Greek and Turkish mainland, with two days each in Santorini and Mykonos. New is the seven-day 3 Continents calling at Alexandria and Port Said in Egypt and Ashdod in Israel, as well as Turkey, Cyprus and the Greek island of Rhodes. The new Eclectic Aegean ventures as far as Istanbul, calling at Çanakkale in Turkey, for trips to Troy and Gallipoli. Celestyal, very familyfriendly, is all-inclusive and features not only drinks but also excursions. +30 216 400 9637; celestyalcruises.com 

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G ADVENTURES Global exploring in small groups, with a Marine section covering small-ship travel from the Galápagos to the polar regions, and sailing trips in Thailand, the Maldives and Europe. G Expedition, for 134 guests, heads for the Arctic, five neat vessels, four of them for 16 passengers, take in the Galápagos, the Amatista Amazon Riverboat Adventure explores the Peruvian Amazon – and there are more. It’s immersive, with excursions on local transport, meeting people and partying, too. 0344 272 2010; gadventures.co.uk

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Visit the Falkland Islands

Imagine a place that is so far off the beaten track you have miles of stunning landscape, beaches and magnificent bird life all to yourself. Imagine a silence that is only broken by the call of the birds, and your own footsteps as you explore these beautiful islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. This is the Falkland Islands, one of the last great wilderness destinations where your trip becomes an adventure. Four wheel drives are our mode of transport, and our little planes will take you to islands abundant with penguins, albatrosses and petrels that are there for you alone to discover and enjoy. At the end of each day you can look forward to traditional cosy Falkland Islands hospitality in the hotels, lodges and guesthouses scattered around the islands.

Escape on a holiday like no other.

@FITB Tourism @FITB Tourism ilovethefalklands info@falklandislands.com +500 22215 falklandislands.com

RIVER a leisurely way to discover the world, with plenty of opportunity to disembark and explore

VIKING Another year, another bundle of new ships. In 2019, Viking is adding six Longships to the Rhine, Danube and Main and one designed for the narrow, shallow Douro. That will bring Viking’s river fleet to 69, mostly Longships along with half dozen on the Douro and Elbe, plus others in Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, China and Vietnam. There’s style, excellent food (including wine with dinner) and excursions. A few years ago Viking leapt into the ocean-cruise market – and is now blending the two. The Grand European & Viking Fjords holiday, debuting in May, sails from Budapest to Bergen, combining the 15-day Grand European Tour cruise on the Rhine and Danube to Amsterdam with the eight-day Viking Shores & Fjords ocean voyage. 0208 780 8700; vikingrivercruises.co.uk

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AQUA EXPEDITIONS Ultra-swish river journeys courtesy of a cool ItalianAmerican entrepreneur. There’s 16-suite Aria Amazon on the Peruvian section of the Amazon and 40-guest Aqua Mekong sailing in Vietnam and Cambodia. Think high-end traditional styling, all-inclusive service, gourmet foot – and private speedboat excursions. Aqua Expeditions (00 65 6270 4002; aquaexpeditions. com) has a seven-night cruise on either Amazon or Mekong from $9,450 (about £7,270), cruise only.

BELMOND Top-end experiences from the company that has a stable of posh hotels and operates the Venice Simplon-OrientExpress. Belmond Road to Mandalay, with 43 cabins, sails Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) in full colonial fashion… think rattan chairs, lots of polished wood and a decktop pool. Meanwhile in France, seven barges – some with heated pools, others are adorned with antiques and murals, even a grand piano – offer boutique experiences on the canals of Provence and Burgundy. 0845 077 2222; belmond.com

UNIWORLD All the extravagance of a French chateau in a boutique environment – Uniworld’s ships across Europe exist in a world of their own, with all-inclusive service. In April, River Royale, sailing the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde, emerges as Bon Voyage, part of the ‘Super Ship’ fleet, with Parisian bistro at the bow, wine-tasting room and poolside restaurant with French cookery lessons. In Europe, there are several new itineraries and the tulip time cruise makes a comeback. The ‘Exotics’ cruise programme has changes, too, with a new ship, Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer, for China, said to have the largest cabins on the Yangtze. In India, the Golden Triangle & Sacred Ganges will feature a complimentary wellness programme centred around yoga with an organic menu, plus an optional pre-cruise community stay. In Vietnam, there’s an optional extension to Mekong cruises taking in a Halong Bay cruise. 0808 168 9231; uniworld.com/uk 

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EUROPE in bloom Discover the beauty of the Netherlands and Belgium in springtime on a river cruise with award-winning Titan Travel

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F E AT U R E D C R U I S E L I N E

he Netherlands in springtime is truly glorious. Tulips are in full bloom, canals are speckled with blossom, and city squares buzz with al fresco diners enjoying the sunshine. The biggest attraction at this time of year is undoubtedly the famous Keukenhof Gardens, with over seven million flowers, including 800 varieties of tulip, bursting into colour every spring. Winner of the Best Tour Operator award at the British Cruise Awards, Titan Travel offers four wonderfully immersive itineraries to this beautiful part of the world.

ENCHANTING ITINERARIES

PHOTO: © ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES

Take in the delights of the Netherlands as MS Bellejour transports you along the country’s peaceful waterways on the Dutch Waterways and Tulips cruise. The Keukenhof Gardens are a particular highlight, and home to one of the world’s largest array of flowers, including millions of tulips. You’ll also explore a village of windmills and historic towns enriched by the once-powerful Dutch East India Company. The journey concludes in Amsterdam, with a cruise along the beautiful and charming 17th-century narrow waterways and canals. This five-night trip provides the perfect introduction to this beautiful flower-filled nation (departs 1 April 2019. Prices start from £1,149). For a more in-depth exploration of the glorious Netherlands in springtime, the immersive Dutch Tulips and Windmills cruise on board MS Serenade 1 includes the vibrant port city of Rotterdam. The 17th century saw the Netherlands flourish in tremendous wealth and glorious colour. It saw the building of the Kinderdijk Windmills, which helped to keep the country above water, and it saw tulips become a national phenomenon, leading to the creation of some of the world’s greatest art, inspired by the Golden Age. This week-long cruise celebrates Dutch icons at the incredible Keukenhof Gardens and Kinderdijk, tours beautiful historic towns and allows for quiet afternoons to linger over

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masterpieces in some of finest art museums in the world (departs 3 April 2019. Prices start from just £999). As well as Dutch classics like Amsterdam and Kinderdijk, you could discover a trio of Belgian gems: Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp on the Dutch Waterways with Bruges cruise. The beautiful waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium make the Low Countries ideal for river cruising. This seven-night cruise on board MS Serenade 1 allows you to experience the true highlights of these two countries, with time spent exploring Amsterdam, Antwerp and the charming Belgian city of Bruges. An excursion to Kinderdijk, famous for its many windmills, and a visit to the colourful Keukenhof Gardens completes this captivating and memorable voyage (departs 10 April 2019. Prices start from £1,399). All of Holland’s jewels, from lively Amsterdam and Utrecht, to historic Veere and Dordrecht, are showcased on the wonderfully immersive Dutch Springtime with Keukenhof Gardens seven-night cruise on MS Bellejour. This delightful voyage, visits vibrant cities, medieval towns, and picturesque villages. Discover the stately windmills of Kinderdijk and spend time in historic Dordrecht. A visit to the ‘garden of Europe’, Keukenhof, is a certain highlight, as 2019 marks the 70th

anniversary of the birth of Keukenhof as a spring park. Visitors will be treated to floral celebrations throughout the gardens (departs 11 April 2019. Prices start from £999).

SOLO ADVENTURES

Titan Travel was highly commended in the Best for Solo Travellers category at the British Cruise Awards 2018. Everything is taken care of, from the itinerary details to airport transfers, making your holiday completely stress-free. Of course, having a great group of like-minded people to share the trip’s memorable moments with makes them even more special. Solo tours are reserved exclusively for solo travellers, with a drinks reception on the first night so everyone has the opportunity to get to know each other. If you’d rather travel on one of Titan’s other holidays, then there are plenty which carry low or no single supplements. So whether you are exploring the rivers of Europe solo or in a group, Titan is the perfect travel companion, and all of their river cruise itineraries include Titan's award-winning VIP door-to-door travel service, making them memorable from start to finish. For more information, call 0808 250 6284 or visit titantravel.co.uk.

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FRED.\ RIVER CRUISES The growing waterway arm of Fred. Olsen Travel, which takes cruises from companies around the world, both major names and boutique options, packaging them in a bespoke fashion. There are plenty of options on the mainstream rivers – Rhine, Danube, etc – but everywhere from the Ganges to Russia’s Volga are featured, often with pre- and post-cruise add-ons to make the most of a destination. Fred. works closely with many cruise lines yet to make a big name for themselves such as Amadeus on the rivers of Europe, US river and coastal specialist American Cruise Lines and another American company, Victory, whose two all-inclusive 200-passenger ships take in rivers and waterways – Canada’s Great Lakes and the St Lawrence region – but can also take to sea, visiting Cuba and Mexico. There are also holidays on Fred. Olsen’s own 156-passenger Brabant, with very British service on the Danube, Main, Rhine and Moselle. 0808 115 5933/fredrivercruises.co.uk

AMA WATERWAYS Never mind the luxury (and it is luxury), feel the width. Ama’s new AmaMagma, launching on the Danube in May, is almost twice the width of a regular river ship, yet still only carries 196 guests. That means accommodation (almost all suites) will be much bigger, while common areas expand too. The ship brings Ama’s European roster to 20, plus one on the Mekong and Zambezi Queen on the Chobe in Africa. On AmaMagma there’s a new Renewal of Vows package, including ceremony, Champers, massages, rose petals on the bedspread – and a sunset jaunt on the little boat kept in the fold-down watersports area. 0800 320 2336; amawaterways.co.uk

AVALON WATERWAYS Avalon’s sizeable luxury fleet will all be Suite-Ships when Avalon Envision arrives on the Danube in March. Just like its sister ships, your room becomes a huge open-air space once wall-to-ceiling windows are folded back. There are new cruises on the Ganges, a 15-day adventure that includes a land tour, and the Active Discovery programme, which was introduced on the Rhine and Danube in 2018, expands to the Rhône with hiking or biking in Camargue Regional Nature Park, canoeing through Gorges de l’Ardèche and more. 0800 668 1843; avaloncruises.co.uk 

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DISCOVER Ancient history, style and sophistication on the Nile

Gliding down the world’s longest waterway there is an ancient past still alive in majestic monuments and relics, threaded along the river banks of the Nile. This captivating backdrop is mirrored in Sanctuary Retreats’ four ultra-luxurious river cruise boats, each elegantly designed to ensure a distinct sense of being in storied Egypt. Your river cruise adventure awaits.

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PANDAW The Asian specialist, exploring Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar on luxury small traditional ships, continues to grow. RV Sabaidee Pandaw arrived in 2018 for the Mekong, running across Laos, touching Thailand and Myanmar. There are two new India itineraries; The Upper Ganges River, a 14-night voyage from Kolkata to Varanasi, from October, travels on tiny (14 cabin) RV Katha Pandaw, revitalised for its role in the shallow waters. The other is The Brahmaputra, the first time Pandaw has had its own ship here (30-cabin RV Indochina Pandaw), with the chance to see tigers, rhinos and elephants. From 2020, motor yacht Andaman Explorer will offer two cruises that take in both the Andaman and Mergui archipelagos. 020 8326 5620; pandaw.com

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AMERICAN QUEEN American Queen Steamboat Company’s flagship is the American Queen, the world’s biggest and most opulent paddlewheeler, but the company is deftly finding and giving new life to other vessels. In late 2019, 245-guest American Countess will emerge, reborn from former casino ship Kanesville Queen. It will join American Queen and American Duchess on classic Mississippi cruises, extravagant adventures often with themes – Mark Twain, Civil War, music and, of course, bourbon. Destinations include Memphis, New Orleans and St Louis, plus (on the Ohio and Cumberland rivers) Nashville and Louisville. And American Duchess continues with spellbinding cruises through the gorges and forests of the Columbia, dividing Washington State and Oregon. 0800 988 5823; titantravel.co.uk/cruiseinternational 68 Cruise Planner 2 01 9

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SCENIC The big news is Scenic Eclipse, the world’s most luxurious and exciting exploration ship. It arrives in January with an adventure to Antarctica and continues to excite around the globe with its helicopters and submarine. But Scenic is best known for its fleet of enticing Space-Ships on the rivers of Europe. For 2019, there are new French adventures with wine chateau visits on trips on the Saône and the Garonne, and the Highlights of Normandy & the Seine cruise celebrating the 50th anniversary of D-Day. There are also splendid cruises in Asia; for 2019 there’s an extended programme of cruises on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia and on the Irrawaddy in Myanmar, both on small boutique boats. 0800 566 8777; scenic.co.uk

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sanctuary retreats An impressive fleet of luxurious boutique ships sailing on some of the world s most intriguing rivers, including the Yangtze, Irrawaddy and the Nile, where there are four ships in operation and guests can choose from between three- to seven- night itineraries. Jewels in the fleet include Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, widely regarded as one of the best ships sailing on the iconic river, with just 32 cabins and 5-star luxury style; and the Yangzi Explorer, which offers exceptional service and all balcony-suites and cabins for cruising the Yangtze in exceptional comfort. sanctuaryretreats.com 

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moments

BEST TOUR OPERATOR

SOLO TRAVELLERS

BEST PRODUCT OR SERVICE

My best moment was sitting quietly, by my French balcony, reading my book. My first 'toe oe dip' into river cruising - it will not be my last.

Set sail in 2019

Dutch Waterways and Tulips 6 days from £899

| departing April 2019

Sailing on MS Bellejour

Take in the delights of the Netherlands - explore a village of windmills, visit historical towns enriched by the Dutch East India Company, and stroll through Keukenhof Gardens.

With voyages on our exclusively chartered ships, MS Serenade 1 and MS Bellejour, as well as sailings with a handful of specially selected partners, you can enjoy journeys along Europe’s most iconic stretches of water including the Dutch Waterways, the Rhine, the Danube and more. As with all our holidays, every river cruise begins and endss at your own front door thanks to our award-winning VIP door-to-door travel service. And once you’re on board, you’ll be accompanied by some of the best tour managers rs and cruise directors in the business. • Award-winning escorted holidays

• Flexible flights

• VIP door-to-door travel service

• Guaranteed departures es

• Exceptional value

• Solo travel holidays

0808 252 8774 | titantravel.co.uk/rivers Mainland UK only. Excludes Scottish islands and Sark, where vehicle access is restricted. Prices are per person, correct at time of print and subject to availability.

†

Dutch Tulips and Windmills

Castles of the Rhine and Moselle

8 days from £999

11 days from £1,499

| departing April - May 2019

| departing June - October 2019

Sailing on MS Serenade 1

The 17th century saw the Netherlands flourish. It saw the building of the Kinderdijk Windmills. It saw tulips become a national phenomenon. And it saw the creation of some of the world’s greatest art.

Experience the serene beauty of Germany’s rivers, passing through the Lorelei Passage in the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, with terraced vineyards, picturesque towns and countless castles dotting the hillsides.

A Danube Waltz

Fairytale Castles and the Glacier Express

8 days from £1,399

14 days from £2,699

| departing May - October 2019

| departing June - August 2019

Sailing on MS Bellejour

Sailing on MS Serenade 1

Travel through beautiful riverscapes including Austria’s stunning Wachau Valley, and visit some of the most treasured towns and cities of the Danube. Our cruise culminates in beautiful Vienna, a city of impressive palaces.

This cruise takes you to medieval cities to fuel your imagination, concluding with hotel stays in Montreux and Chur for Chillon and Aigle castles - travelling between the two cities by Glacier Express.

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EMERALD WATERWAYS For a name launched only five years ago, Emerald increasingly shines with seven sleek Star-Ships on the rivers of Europe with all-inclusive service. Emerald also cruises on the Mekong and the Irrawaddy in Asia – and in August it unveils Emerald Harmony, its first petite Star-Ship (84 guests), very contemporary and designed to sail into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. From April, Emerald also focuses on ocean cruises with superyacht-style Adriatic Princess (for 36 passengers) sailing among the islands of the Croatian coast. Also new are a cruise in Russia, a nd a cruise on the Nile in Egypt, with the option of an add-on in Jordan. There are new itineraries in Europe, too. 0808 102 1205; emeraldwaterways.co.uk

TITAN Titan is making a name for itself with its own river cruises alongside its other offerings. MS Bellejour, for 180 guests, arrives in April to supplement MS Serenade 1, which in 2017 was Titan’s first exclusively chartered vessel. After Dutch bulbfield cruises, it will be travelling on the Rhine and Danube. Cruises – as with Titan’s other cruises and escorted tours – come with the bonus of airport transfers with its VIP door-to-door travel service. Serenade 1 will offer new itineraries on the Rhine, including the right-day In the Footsteps of Turner cruise, celebrating the painter’s fascination with the Middle Rhine, with talks by an art historian. 0800 988 5823; titantravel.co.uk/ cruiseinternational

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Waking to the widest opening windows – and SM the industry’s only Open-Air Balcony – is just the beginning of the Avalon difference. Beyond the wide-open views is an even wider range of ways to seize the day. Perhaps you’d like to join a walking tour through town to an ancient castle. Maybe you’d like to learn a few local phrases along the way. Or perhaps pedalling your way through the local sites is more your speed. Avalon Choice® offers a choice of daily included excursions – Classic, Discovery, and Active. Choose from a variety of inclusions to match your mood, pace, and interests each day, all while experiencing the sights, sounds and flavours of the destination, your way.

THE RHINE

THE RHÔNE

THE DANUBE

For dramatic beauty, fairy-tale castles and medieval towns, nothing beats the Rhine. Discover for yourself why the sandstone Heidelberg Castle inspired Victor Hugo, JMW Turner and Mark Twain; get the best views of Cologne’s landmarks from the water; or just soak up the tranquil landscapes around the Rhine Gorge as you pass through.

From the emerald vineyards of Burgundy to the sunflowers of Provence, river cruises on the Rhône River feed the senses and broaden the mind like no other European river journey. Browse the famous food markets of Lyon, cycle through the stunning Camargue area and soak up some glitz on the Côte d’Azur.

Benedictine abbeys, gorgeous gorges and UNESCO-listed valleys: the Danube has them all. You’ll find you have plenty of time on our Danube cruises to explore its pretty villages and medieval towns – balanced perfectly with time on board to reflect and let everyday cares drift away with the current. Now this is what river cruising is all about.

CALL 0330 808 7451, VISIT AVALONCRUISES.CO.UK OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT ABTA No.V3031

We are a member of ABTA and our flight-inclusive holidays are protected by the ATOL scheme. Correct at time of print (23 November 2018).

NEW SHIPS

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NEW SHIPS

new ships 2019

From fun-packed floating resorts to boutique Hideaways, there’s a whole fleet of exciting Arrivals on our oceans and rivers

MSC BELLISSIMA – M A R C H MSC GRANDIOSA – O C TO B E R

Bellissima is sister ship to MSC Meraviglia (launched June 2017), carrying 4,500 guests. Another family-friendly Italian-influenced delight with a sports complex, huge children’s club with Lego team-up and more. As well as Cirque du Soleil shows, 20 bars, 10 restaurants and Vegaslike decor to wow the grown-ups, there’s MSC’s trademark ship-within-a-ship, the glam MSC Yacht Club, if you want to avoid the crowds. MSC Grandiosa, one of the world’s biggest cruise ships, will carry 6,300 passengers. Other

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highlights include the Galleria, a surreal indoor promenade, a veritable cobbled street of shops, restaurants and bars over 100yd long with sky projected on the ceiling. The vessel also boast an indoor amusement park featuring F1 simulators and a sports court, plus an expansive on-deck waterpark and plenty of hi-tech entertainment areas, including a home for Cirque du Soleil shows. An eight-night maiden sailing of MSC Bellissima from Southampton to the Mediterranean departing 3 March 2019, from £949pp, including return flight from Barcelona (0203 426 3010;  msccruises.co.uk). Cruise Planner 2 01 9

SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS – M AY

All the fun of the fair you would expect from Royal Caribbean on the fourth of its Quantum class giants (4,200 passengers). Dodgems, sky-diving simulator, the North Star crane-like pod that swings you up and over the edge – it’s a true family resort. And if you can’t run to an outside cabin, the inside ones are hi-tech attractions in themselves: virtual balconies, floor-to-ceiling screens with live camera feeds of the view. The ship launches in the Med but quickly heads for Asia. A 14-night Spice Route from Dubai to Singapore departing 4 May, from £1,613pp, cruise only (0844 493 4005; royalcaribbean.co.uk).

AVALON ENVISION – AU G U S T The latest of Avalon’s Suite-Ships, roomy all-suite vessels. There are two floors of Panorama Suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows that transform the room into a balcony – and beds face the views. It’s a ship on which to relax, whether in the Club Lounge, the Observation Lounge or on the Sky Deck, but also a ship on which to work out. There’s the gym and Adventure Centre, providing complimentary bikes and active gear. A 10-day Legendary Danube cruise, from Prague to Budapest, departing 4 August 2019, from £2,566pp, including flights (0330 058 8243; avaloncruises.co.uk).

CARNIVAL PANORAMA – D E C E M B E R

Non-stop fun on Carnival’s 26th ship, a sea-and-sun theme park with all the attractions (including a high-ropes course, SkyRide above-deck cycle ride, waterpark, IMAX cinema and sports centre) featured on its sister ship, Carnival Horizon. There will also be the Havana area with Cuban-themed bar and pool, as well as Family Harbor, accessible only by room key, with family-friendly staterooms and Family Harbor Lounge. A seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing 14 December 2019, from £630pp, cruise only (0845 351 0556; carnival.co.uk).

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NEW SHIPS

SKY PRINCESS – O C TO B E R The latest ship from Princess Cruises, for 3,600 guests. Go for the two Sky Suites, with panoramic views from the middle of the top deck and the largest balconies ever offered by Princess – a prime spot from which to watch the Movies Under the Stars screen. Sky Princess has the Wakeview pool, which looks out over the horizon, and a range of new pools. Princess Cruises has a sevennight Mediterranean cruise, from Barcelona to Rome, departing 27 October 2019, from £1,409pp, cruise only (0344 338 8663; princess.com).

SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY – J U LY The company’s first specially built ship confirms Saga as a boutique gem of British cruising. It boasts a variety of restaurants, indoor pool, spa and such. There’s even The Club by Jools Holland, a live music venue and steak restaurant – the pianist himself will appear on varied sailings. Cruises from Dover, to the Med, northern waters and around the UK. A British First 13-night maiden voyage around the UK departing from Dover on 10 July 2019, from £5,034pp, while on 3 August the 14-night Gourmet Spain cruise, also from Dover, features Jools Holland. Prices include travel to and from port (0800 068 5053; travel.saga.co.uk).

AMADEUS STAR – M AY The latest river ship from Amadeus River Cruises, carrying 164 passengers. Following in the style of its other ships on Europe’s rivers, mostly on the Danube and Rhine, there are panoramic windows across the cabins, specially designed for Amadeus, that lower to create a balcony feel. There’s also an indoor pool with a sliding roof; in the evenings the pool is covered and the area used for talks, functions and films. Fred.\ River Cruises has a seven-night Classical Danube cruise from Budapest to Passau departing 17 May, from £1,799pp, including flights (0808 115 5933; fredrivercruises.co.uk).  CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

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MARELLA EXPLORER 2 – APRIL The biggest ship yet (1,800 passengers) from fast-expanding Marella – hot on the heels of last summer’s Marella Explorer. Like its sister, it’s not a new ship but a classy vessel reimagined in Marella’s pastel ice-cream shades and colourful (yet not over-thetop) seaside chic. It is child-free and the adults-only Veranda area on Explorer 2 doubles in size to become a low-key retreat. There’s a cool Champneys spa, decent theatre in the Broadway Show Lounge, 360-degree views from Indigo dance club and lounge, and very good food, including extra-price restaurants such as Surf & Turf. A summer of Med cruises from Palma and Naples. Holidays are all-inclusive. A seven-night Treasures of the Mediterranean cruise from Palma, Majorca, departing 2 April 2019, from £1,613pp, including flights (0203 451 2682; tui.co.uk).

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NEW SHIPS

VIKING JUPITER – O C TO B E R The sixth in the fleet of cool, luxury vessels in Viking’s ever-growing fleet of ocean ships (another seven ships on Europe’s rivers debut in 2019 too). No changes here as the previous ships are regular sellouts – Jupiter is all but identical, carrying 930 guests in a style that reflects the company’s understated elegance and Scandinavian heritage. A 13-day Mediterranean Odyssey cruise from Barcelona to Venice departing 20 October, from £4,540pp, including flights (020 8780 8700; vikingcruises.co.uk).

EMERALD HARMONY – AU G U S T A new look at the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Almost every vessel is based on traditional design, but Emerald Harmony breaks the mould. Based on the cool, modern design of its Star-Ships in Europe, Emerald Waterways has come up with a miniature version – and one that, unlike most other cruises, can negotiate the waterways all the way to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Catering to 84 guests, there is an open-air pool and bar, the contemporary Reflections restaurant and sumptuous suites with balconies. A 19-day Treasures & Temples of Vietnam & Cambodia holiday departing 30 August 2019, combining a seven-night cruise with two-night Halong Bay cruise, three nights in Siem Reap and two nights each in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, from £4,745pp, including flights (0808 102 1205; emeraldwaterways.co.uk).  CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM

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NEW SHIPS

SCENIC ECLIPSE – APRIL The first ocean vessel from the luxury river operator, ‘the world’s first discovery yacht’. Boasting 6-star luxury, its 228 guests (restricted to 200 in Antarctica) in 144 suites, all with balconies, have an almost 1:1 staff-guest ratio. Every suite is a haven with separate sleeping and lounge areas, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The ship might have the feel of a private yacht but it has all the facilities of something more: the Spa Sanctuary, an array of dining experiences and bars, cool lounges, outdoor terraces and pool areas. Scenic Eclipse is also at the forefront of ice-class vessels, able to explore Antarctica and the Chilean fjords. It carries a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft in its aft marina, two helicopters and a seven-person submarine. A 15-day Great Civilisations Mediterranean Discovery cruise from Barcelona to Athens, departing 13 April, from £8,645pp, including flights (0800 566 8777; scenic.co.uk).

NORWEGIAN ENCORE – DECEMBER The fourth ship in the BreakawayPlus Class, the same size as 2018’s Bliss, for 4,000 passengers. There’s the Observation Lounge, including a bar, live music and views over two decks, and the two-floor Horizon Lounge for guests in the exclusive Haven. Other details are still being finalised – but Bliss has a top-deck go-kart track, water park and laser tag so expect the works. Encore will be based in Miami for Caribbean cruises. A seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami departing 8 December 2019, from £1,889, all-inclusive, including flights (0845 201 8900; ncl.co.uk).

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Win A Norwegian adventure with Saga Cruises You and a guest could be sailing the fjords on luxurious new ship Spirit of Discovery

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COMPETITION

TERMS AND CONDITIONS The prize offered is the 7-night Fjord Adventurer cruise sailing for two guests on board Spirit of Discovery, departing 5 September 2019. To enter the competition, you must be a UK resident, 50 years old or over at the time of entry and hold a valid passport at the time of travel with six months remaining. The competition is not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of Saga plc or any subsidiary of Saga plc. The winner must be available from 5 September 2019 to 12 September 2019 to sail on board Spirit of Discovery round trip from the port of Dover. The prize does not include travel insurance, the winner and their guest must have valid travel insurance for the cruise. The prize does not include travel to or from the port, the chauffeur service or car parking at the port, shore excursions and drinks on board will be at an additional cost. By entering the competition, the winner agrees to participate in such promotional activity and material as Saga plc and The Chelsea Magazine Company may require. The prize is non-transferable, and no part of the prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize. The competition closes at 11.59pm on 30 January 2019. Full terms and conditions at chelseamagazines.com/terms-and-conditions.

before boarding a traditional sailing ship for a boat ride along the coast. This wonderful holiday includes talks from an adventurer and the chance to look for whales, dolphins and seabirds with experts from ORCA, the European whale and dolphin conservation charity. Spirit of Discovery features an exciting music venue, The Club by

Jools Holland, along with a choice of world-class speciality restaurants. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool, a luxurious Spa with another pool, an impressive theatre and a delightful secret Terrace. Everything has been designed to ensure you’re free to unwind as you cruise to some of the world’s most memorable destinations.

WIN A TRIP WITH SAGA Competition entry form How to enter: For your chance to win a cruise on board Spirit of Discovery with

Saga Cruises, answer the question below and return this form to the address below by 30 January 2019. In which year was composer Edvard Grieg born? A 1812

B 1843

C 1907

Name: Address:

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Send your coupon to: Saga Cruises competition, Cruise International, The Chelsea Magazine Company, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ, UK By entering the competition, you agree and acknowledge that The Chelsea Magazine Company and Saga Cruises are permitted to receive your registration data. Please tick if you subscribe to CRUISE INTERNATIONAL magazine Please tick if you do NOT wish to be sent information about products and services from The Chelsea Magazine Company or CroisiEurope by phone, post or email Terms & Conditions apply (see box above).

Or enter online at: cruise-international.com/win-a-Saga-cruise

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magine exploring the magnificent Norwegian fjords, experiencing the majesty of this spectacular region from the comfort of a beautiful boutique ship. We’ve teamed up with Saga Cruises to offer one lucky reader and their guest the opportunity to win a holiday to remember. Sailing on the new Spirit of Discovery, departing round trip from Dover on 5 September 2019, you’ll be staying in a balcony stateroom, and all meals on board are included, as well as a choice of wine at lunch and dinner, entertainment and activities and a welcome cocktail party and Captain’s Dinner. The Norwegian fjords are renowned for their exceptional natural beauty and enchanting villages. Wander along Bergen’s charming cobbled streets and iconic waterfront lined with its brightly painted gabled buildings. Catch the funicular up Mount Fløyen for sweeping views of the fjords and mountains, join a hiking tour to experience Norway’s natural wonders, or visit the picturesque lakeside home of famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Cruise through the world’s most dramatic fjord, Geirangerfjord, and admire the astonishing scenery including shimmering waterfalls and soaring mountains. Marvel at Stavenger’s clapboard houses and gas-lit streets

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Destinations

FROM asia to south america, an ocean or river cruise is the best way to see and experience all the world has to offer. deborah stone reveals the hottest destinations for the year ahead

The amazing, iconic basalt stones of Giantâ€™s Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland â€“ a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Destinations

Britain & Ireland

Not only are round-Britain cruises loved by Americans, Australians and New Zealanders, they’re also hugely popular with us Brits. You can circumnavigate our islands, including Ireland with its spectacular Game of Thrones locations, and the captivating Hebrides, before heading north to Norway and Iceland, or Guernsey Island, and south to France and Spain. Arriving by sea gives a completely different outlook on a town or city, even if you’re already familiar with it, and the ease of covering so many miles in comfort means it’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends and family you haven’t seen for years – as well as the chance to see all those places you’ve always meant to visit. Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, with its gleaming Titanic visitor experience and historic ships in the former Harland & Wolff shipyard, is a case in point, although from Belfast you can also see the natural wonder of the Giant’s Causeway – once seen, never forgotten. The number of British and Irish ports with cruise terminals, or with plans to improve facilities, is increasing every year and that’s all down to the attraction of Britain’s varied countryside and the cultural richness of our towns and cities. In Scotland alone, Edinburgh’s port of Rosyth is making significant investments to improve facilities, while the same is true on the other side of the country, where Greenock, the gateway to Glasgow, is also to be updated. Sailing from Greenock along the River Clyde after a day in Glasgow is as magical as any Norwegian fjord, especially with the sun setting in the west.

In Wales, the number of ships visiting Cardiff is rising and with it the opportunity to join a cruise in the Wales rather than in England. Swansea, close to the gorgeous Gower Peninsula and another rising cruise star, has some excellent museums in its Maritime Quarter, including the Dylan Thomas Centre in the former Guildhall. In July 2019, Regent’s Seven Seas Navigator will be calling at Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, where Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood is said to have been set. The ship will also go on to Galway in Ireland – springboard for trips to Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands. With the British cruise market second only to America, it’s boom time in England. Southampton and Dover are Britain’s two main cruise ports but Liverpool, with a new Strawberry Field Beatles’ attraction opening in 2019, is gaining ground. That’s also true of Newcastle, which is just a coach trip away from Hadrian’s Wall. New port facilities are being created all the time. There are hopes for a £50 million cruise terminal in Hull, where there will be access to historic York and the Yorkshire Moors. In addition, a new terminal is planned for Plymouth, where the Devon city’s waterfront is buzzing with cafés and shops – and there is wonderful countryside and coast all around. While Barrow-in-Furness is another unexpected addition to Britain’s cruise facilities and a convenient stopping-off place for the Lake District National Park. Next year is the 70th anniversary of Britain’s National Parks and events will be taking place  throughout 2019 to celebrate.

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Hebridean Island Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Saga Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Titan, Viking

Destinations

Left to right: Pastel-coloured palaces in Slovakia; the golden-winged griffins of Russia’s Bank Bridge in St Petersburg

Northern Europe

Short trips over to northern European ports are good taster cruises if you’re not sure whether you like the idea of cruises, or if you want to try a particular cruise line before you buy a much longer and more expensive cruise. And there’s more variety than you might imagine: Honfleur and Le Havre across the Channel in Northern France, near the mouth of the River Seine, are only a few miles apart but couldn’t be more different – Honfleur is a pretty little town set around a picturesque harbour, but Le Havre was almost completely rebuilt after the Second World War in a modernist style that divides opinion as predictably as Marmite. Cruise lines with smaller ocean ships are also increasing their river itineraries, pushing up the River Seine at Honfleur as far as the medieval cathedral city of Rouen in France. Belgium’s River Scheldt is now getting the same treatment with Fred. Olsen

Cruise Lines and Cruise & Maritime Voyages both sailing to Antwerp, another medieval city with plenty to see, including the home and work of master painter Peter Paul Rubens. And the rise and rise of Hamburg in Germany as a top cruise destination continues, with more ocean ships sailing up the River Elbe to one of Europe’s most exciting cities. Ocean cruises in Northern Europe also go to Belgium’s Zeebrugge, within easy reach of the chocolate box city of Bruges, and the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam, which is reached through the North Sea Canal via IJmuiden. But while ocean cruises grab the headlines, it’s river cruises that really get you to the heart and soul of Northern Europe. The continent offers probably the best cultural river cruises in the world: the Rhine will take you from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to Germany and cities such as Cologne with its magnificent Gothic cathedral.

You will sail past vineyards and villages to small German wine towns such as Rüdesheim and down into Strasbourg – the half-timbered town once in Germany but now in France – and on to Switzerland to the medieval town of Basel. The Danube is even more popular, with its string of capital cities: Hungary’s Budapest, Slovakia’s Bratislava and Austria’s Vienna are typical of a seven-day cruise. Take the longer cruise all the way to the Black Sea and you will have the chance to see Serbia’s capital, Belgrade. And after the unexpected success of 2018’s football World Cup, there is also increased interest in exploring Russia by cruise ship. Russian waterways cruises are well established but now more cruise lines are beginning to pitch in, with Emerald Waterways launching a new 12-day Imperial Charms of Russia cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow for 2019. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Emerald Waterways, G Adventures, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Scenic, Saga Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Titan, Uniworld, Viking

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The Mediterranean Eastern Mediterranean fly-cruises have some of Europe’s most innovative cruise packages in 2019, with Celestyal Cruises offering seven spectacular destinations in a one week cruise: Alexandria and Port Said on the north coast of Egypt, Ashdod in Israel, Limassol in Cyprus, plus Kuşadasi and Çanakkale in Turkey. Its Three Continents round trip from Piraeus in Greece starts in December 2019 and offers the opportunity to see Egypt’s pyramids and temples, Israel’s Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and ancient-Greek ruins in Cyprus and Turkey. The Greek cruise specialist’s seven-day Eclectic Aegean cruise is one of the few going to Turkey’s majestic city of Istanbul, where the ship spends two days. The company combines this journey with several Greek islands in another

Piraeus round-trip starting from October 2019, including an overnight in Mykonos – known for its molten orange sunsets and hot nightspots. Meanwhile, Marella Cruises is homeporting its new adults-only Marella Explorer 2 in Naples. The ship joined the Marella fleet in spring after a massive refurbishment and will call at the Italian ports of Civitavecchia (for Rome) and Venice, as well as the walled city of Dubrovnik in Croatia. Its alternative itinerary heads to Livorno (for Pisa or Florence), then Athens and Split in Croatia – where the UNESCO-listed 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace is the size of a small town. In the Western Mediterranean, new destinations for Marella include Castellón de la Plana on the east coast of Spain, near Valencia, a Moorish

town with a 14th-century Knights Templar castle that was seen in Game of Thrones as the city of Meereen. Marella Dream will also be calling at the little-known Italian ports of Piombino in Tuscany, within excursion distance of medieval Siena, and Santa Margherita near Genoa, just 20-minutes’ drive from the pastelpainted houses of Riviera former fishing village Portofino. This trend towards smaller ports can be seen in Oceania Cruises’ collection of “boutique ports” such as Crotone, in southern Italy, which has ancient Greek ruins and two castles. This is one of the stops on two roundItaly cruises in summer 2019, calling at other interesting small ports including Ancona for Umbria, Taormina on Sicily, Positano on the Amalfi coast and Portoferraio on the island of Elba. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Saga Cruises, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Titan, Viking

Destinations

A glorious sunset over whitewashed houses on the waterfront of Little Venice in Mykonos, Greece

Northern Lights & Norwegian fjords it has made a study of them, with Alta in the Arctic Circle considered a likely place to see them. While the town itself is functional rather than beautiful (most of it was flattened during the Second World War), its 2013-built Northern Lights Cathedral is stunning inside and out. The spiral shape of the cathedral was inspired by the lights themselves, while its titanium cladding reflects not just the lights but also snow and summer’s midnight sun. Most Norwegian fjords cruises, especially those that are round trips from Britain, will head for more southerly towns and rarely go further north than Olden, at the head of Nordfjord. But there are still soaring

snow-tipped mountains and deep dark waters, for instance, during scenic cruising in the queen of the fjords, Hardangerfjord, where waterfalls tumble down from unseen sources. At its head is pretty Eidfjord, surrounded by meadows and orchards, with good walks including the hike up to a Viking burial ground at Hæreid, which is an hour away with lovely views of the fjord. Saga’s new ship, Spirit of Discovery, launching in July, will visit southern Norway, calling at some of the most popular ports such as UNESCO-listed Bergen, Norway’s ancient capital, and Alesund, the art nouveau town known as the adventure capital of the fjords. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, G Adventures, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Saga Cruises, Silversea, Titan, Viking

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Everybody should see the aurora borealis at least once in their life. These magical, mystical, dancing curtains of lights – usually white but green or even pink if the force is with them – will lift even the most jaded traveller. And the good news is that cruise lines – especially those aimed at the British market such as P&O Cruises – are putting on more itineraries each year to catch them. The best time to see the Northern Lights is from late December to early March, when the night skies are at their darkest – although cruise lines will avoid the depths of winter because of storms. Of course Norway isn’t the only place you’ll see the aurora borealis, but

Destinations

Left to right: Sheer cliffs rise on each side of Geiranger Fjord; Northern Lights dance across the sky over Lofoten Islands, Norway

Believed to be Europeâ€™s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss is situated in VatnajĂśkull National Park

Destinations

The Arctic The quickest route to the Arctic from Britain is to head to northern Norway, and if you keep going you’ll reach its Svalbard archipelago, between Norway and the North Pole, where circumnavigation of Svalbard island gives the opportunity to see polar bears, walrus, seabirds and one of the world’s northernmost towns – Longyearbyen. Most cruises that get as far north as Svalbard are expedition cruises and often these will continue to mostly unpopulated eastern Greenland and also to Iceland. Iceland’s main island is actually just south of the Arctic Circle, but it’s near enough, and although it has no polar bears it is home to the arctic fox, which is the country’s only native mammal. Whale-watching trips are easy to book from Reykjavik and there are also wonderful seabirds – with puffins prolific during high summer. But most people go to Iceland to see the geothermal and volcanic attractions such as the Blue Lagoon geothermal pools outside Reykjavik, Gullfoss – the Golden Waterfall – and Geysir’s sulphur springs, mud pools and volcanic lava fields. Among Azamara Club Cruises’ new Iceland experiences is the opportunity to take an elevator into the magma chamber of the dormant

volcano Thrihnukagigur. It also offers an overnight excursion to Goðafoss waterfall followed by a visit to volcanic crators, Dimmuborgir lava labyrinth and the Námaskarð thermal field as well as geothermal Mývatn Nature Baths, a glacial canyon and Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Most cruise lines, though, have trips to Iceland, so you’re not restricted to expensive expedition cruises. However, the very best Arctic cruises are likely to be on board the new wave of luxury expedition ships, with destinations to practically unheard of destinations, such as the Russian Arctic and White Sea, where the UNESCO-listed Solovetsky archipelago is home to migrating birds in the summer and the remains of the Gulag Archipelago, a prison built on the orders of Stalin. Another new Arctic expedition cruise destination is through the fabled Northwest Passage, now more accessible because of climate change. This itinerary plots a delicate route between the islands off the northern coast of Canada, from the North Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and down to Alaska. Eye-wateringly expensive, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises also does a Northeast Passage cruise through the Russian Arctic in 2019 from Asia to Europe. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, G Adventures, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, National Geographic Expeditions, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Saga Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Viking

Destinations

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Destinations Left to right: The famous Grand Cascade water feature, in front of Peterhof Palace in St Petersburg; carousel horses add colour in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens amusement park

The Baltic

Without doubt this is the most rewarding cruise route for anyone interested in the culture and history of northern Europe. Classic itineraries include a string of magnificent capitals: Denmark’s Copenhagen, Sweden’s Stockholm, Finland’s Helsinki, Estonia’s Tallinn and sometimes Norway’s Oslo, as well as the promise of two days in St Petersburg – Russia’s most beautiful city. There’s also the added attraction of the long White Nights of early summer in this land of the midnight sun. All have wonderful architecture and superb museums: Stockholm’s Vasa Museum, built around a salvaged 17th-century wooden warship is world-class and St Petersburg’s Hermitage is beyond description and full of extraordinary treasures. And there’s always Stockholm’s ABBA: The Museum for a little light relief.

These Scandinavian-influenced countries also have a laid-back charm, particularly around the cafés and bars of Copenhagen’s picturesque Nyhavn harbour and Helsinki’s harbour market, where you’ll find piles of fresh berries for sale in summer. Tallinn is like a time capsule, with its medieval walled city still intact after being ignored during its Soviet period, while the Brutalist architecture of the surrounding suburbs is equally fascinating to the Western eye. Traditionally, the Baltic has been a summer destination – the harbours sometimes freeze in winter – but with our growing appetite for Christmas markets, ocean cruise lines are now offering winter routes just touching the Baltic to take in Copenhagen’s seasonal fare. P&O Cruises has one planned for December 2019. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Saga Cruises, Silversea, Titan, Viking

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USA & Canada of Hawaii, with some ships even setting off from San Francisco to Alaska. The best way to see Alaska’s towns, most scattered along its west coast, is to arrive by sea. It has awe-inspiring glaciers and snow-covered mountains as well as whale watching, brown bear spotting, eagle sightings and expedition-style excursions such as Princess Cruises’ husky sledding or seaplane scenic flights. Viking offers kayak expeditions to the get close to Valdez Glacier and Regent Seven Seas Cruises has off-the-beaten track itineraries that take guests to the heart of Tlingit Indian territory around Hoonah. Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, will spend summer 2019 in Alaska after a successful inaugural season there, sailing from Seattle, renowned for its museums, coffee and wine. NCL’s seven-day trips call at the major tourist destinations of Ketchikan, best-known for its Native American culture; Skagway, with its Klondike 

If you have a cruise wish list, then Alaska is probably fairly near the top. It remains the must-visit destination, with ships leaving from Seattle in Washington and Vancouver in Canada for America’s largest state – still breathtakingly, overwhelmingly wild, with amazing scenery, wildlife including bears and whales, and the promise of real adventure. But Canada’s east coast is continuing to open up to cruise ships – and not just for autumn ‘leaf peeping’ – with cruises also leaving from east-coast American ports, such as Boston and New York, to head north. New Orleans is a one of America’s departure points for the Caribbean, with New York another, and it also has steamboat river cruises up the Mississippi to places like Memphis and St Louis. But Miami will always be king of the cruise hubs, though, thanks to Florida’s proximity to the Caribbean, while San Francisco and Los Angeles offer west-coast cruises down to Mexico or over to the islands

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Destinations Enjoy marine wildlife with whale watching in the waters surrounding coastal Alaska

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Destinations The iconic Space Needle in Seattle, glimpsed through a colourful installation at the Chihuly Garden and Glass

Gold Rush heritage and narrowgauge railway over the White Pass and Yukon Route; while the state capital Juneau at the bottom of Mount Roberts is within easy excursion distance of 13-mile-long Mendenhall Glacier. Azamara Club Cruises is also sailing to Alaska for the first time in 2019 – and to western Canada for the first time, too. Its itineraries will include Vancouver and

Nanaimo, one of Vancouver’s islands, with an overnight stop in British Columbia’s capital, Victoria. Meanwhile, Canada’s east coast is gaining more attention, thanks to ocean ships sailing up the coast then down the St Lawrence River towards the magnificent historic French-Canadian city of Quebec, with calls at sea ports such as Halifax in Nova Scotia, and lively St John’s in Newfoundland. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, National Geographic Expeditions, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Saga Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Titan, Viking

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SEATTLE Your Gateway to Alaska!

seattle-washingtonstate.co.uk

Western & Southern Caribbean SeaDream II calls at the Cuban island of Isla de Juventud, where pirate gold is believed to be buried, the resort island of Cayo Largo, the diving resort of Maria La Gorda and old colonial town of Trinidad. Oceania Cruises is also back in Cuba visiting the three main ports in summer and autumn 2019. Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay private resort in the Bahamas has been enjoying a refurb this year to become the first in its Perfect Day Island Collection. Work won’t be finished until spring 2019, but the resort will have an exceptional waterslide, the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and the best views in the Bahamas from a helium balloon 450ft in the air. The ultimate beach destination will also have loads of children’s attractions, while for grown-ups there’s Chill Island with cabanas and roaming bartenders.

Other Western Caribbean islands include Jamaica, which is much bigger than you might expect and one of the first places to offer zip wires over forests. Grand Cayman is known for its green sea turtles and stingrays, while Mexico’s Costa Maya has 4th- and 5th-century Mayan ruined temples and Belize, in Central America, has tropical wildlife that includes keel-boated macaws, jaguars and howler monkeys. In the Southern Caribbean, you can enjoy coffee and calypso music in Trinidad and Tobaga; then there’s excellent diving in Aruba and Bonaire, which share their Dutch colonial heritage with Curaçao. Meanwhile, mountainous Dominica remains relatively untouristy, with hot springs and natural rock pools part of its attra ction, and Grenada has historic forts, rainforest and beautiful beaches.

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Titan, Viking

Left to right: Old American cars add charm to the streets of Trinidad, Cuba; a typically tropical and lush beach in St Lucia 102 Cruise Planner 2 01 9

Cuba continues to be the big cruise story for the Caribbean, with more lines not only calling at the capital, Havana, but also to other Cuban ports. Regent Seven Seas is introducing its most comprehensive Cuban itineraries ever in 2019, with overnight stays in Havana as well as 18thcentury Spanish colonial Cienfuegos and historic Santiago de Cuba, the capital from 1522 until 1589. Non-American-owned cruise companies have been visiting these ports on winter-season cruises since 2016 or earlier, but overnight stays in every port is a new development offering more opportunities to spend evenings listening to authentic salsa music or sampling the food and drink that make up the real Cuba. SeaDream Yacht Club also has new Cuba cruises for 2019, and in February,

Destinations

Eastern Caribbean Cruise lines have different definitions of where the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean islands lie, but for British purposes the main Eastern Caribbean islands are Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent, St Kitts and British Virgin Islands. You could follow the curve of these islands down to Grenada and beyond, but those nearer Central America’s Venezuela are usually classified as the Southern Caribbean, while others close to America’s Florida coastline are regarded as Western Caribbean islands. When Princess Cruises launches Sky Princess in December 2019, the ship will be dipping in and out of the Eastern and Western Caribbean, underlining the importance of the Caribbean for winter cruises, especially for British travellers. However, Americans go to the Caribbean year-round and that’s something we’re beginning to catch on to – with Barbados our all-time favourite fly-cruise departure point. As well as the obvious attraction of year-round sunshine and powder-fine sandy beaches, we are drawn to the islands’ mix of historic homes and buildings – many on former plantations as well as in towns – plus a growing appetite for soft adventure excursions, such as kayaking, rainforest walks, zip wiring over lush tree canopies, horse riding and whale or dolphin spotting. St Lucia even has a drive-in volcano where you can tour the bubbling sulfur springs in the crater. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Titan, Viking

The Antarctic Left to right : Crabeater seals floating on an ice floe in Antarctica; stunning views from Machu Picchu’s ancient Inca city, set high in the Andes Mountains of Peru

Quite possibly the ultimate dream destination, the Antarctic captures travellers’ imaginations with its permanently white landscape of glaciers and wind-swept snow fields. We will never lose our fascination for the penguins, whales and sea birds that survive these freezing temperatures, but while it’s on many people’s wish lists it’s also among the most expensive destinations. This is because of its extreme isolation and environmental regulations that limit the number of tourists who can visit at any one time and restrict access to ships that use the latest clean fuel.

When these restrictions were introduced in 2011, some cruise lines pulled out of Antarctica, but the growth in demand for luxury expedition cruises means that those still sailing in the region, for example Silversea, are able to offer unique experiences. Those with deep pockets will be able to take helicopter excursions from their ship over the Antarctic Peninsula on the new Scenic Eclipse. National Geographic has a new programme that includes Antarctica and, like other cruise lines, the itinerary visits the Falkland Islands, where a British way of life carries on regardless.

Also on the itinerary is the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia, where Ernest Shackleton arrived in an open lifeboat to fetch a ship to rescue his team on Elephant Island in 1916. Mainstream cruise lines such as Princess Cruises and Holland America Line also sail down to Antarctica, stopping at the Falklands and Ushuaia in Argentina, but offering only scenic cruising of Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula with no landings. HAL’s 835-guest Prinsendam will spend part of its final season with the company sailing around South America and the Antarctic.

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

G Adventures, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, National Geographic, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea, Titan

Destinations

Panama, the Amazon & South America

The 2016-built Agua Clara locks on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal have enabled larger ships to sail through this shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Among these is the 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess, which sails its maiden Panama Canal season in 2019. Such is the demand for Panama Canal trips that Princess Cruises has three ships sailing its Ocean to Ocean voyage between Fort Lauderdale, Miami, through the canal and on to Los Angeles. Along the way are ports such as Colombia’s Cartegena, a Spanish colonial city, and Fuerte Amador in Panama, where many ships stop for trips to historic Panama City or ride on the Panama Canal Railway, built in 1855. Cruises also call at Mexico, for instance, Puerto Vallarta, before sailing up to Los Angeles. Other itineraries include the canal as part of trips to South America. Opportunities to circumnavigate the

region are becoming more available, too. Silversea offers a 63-day voyage on Silver Shadow, which includes an inaugural overnight visit to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, where the Historical Park has boardwalk trails and street scenes from the 19th century. Oceania Cruises also goes to Ecuador and has a new Wellness Tour Collection, with offerings including yoga at the eco-friendly beach resort of Las Tanusas, where there are also healthy cooking classes available. And Ecuador is the starting point for some Galápagos Islands cruises, which are now becoming so popular that Celebrity Cruises has a new ship specially built for the conservation area that Darwin once explored. Celebrity Flora arrives in the land of blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises in spring. Chile’s glorious fjords are among the highlights of any South American cruise, as are the overnight stays in

Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Argentina’s Buenos Aires, but a relatively new South American destination is Callao in Peru. From here, you can visit the capital Lima and some companies – such as Silversea and Princess Cruises – offer land tours over several days to Machu Picchu. Princess also has land tours to stunning Iguazú Falls, which you can view from Brazil or Argentina. The Amazon, meanwhile, is one of the world’s most extraordinary rivers, and although many Amazon cruises will start in the Caribbean, you can make the voyage as a returntrip from the UK. P&O Cruises has a Southampton-return for its Amazon, Caribbean & Central America Adventure that will visit the main river ports of Manaus, the region’s capital with Portuguese colonial buildings, the island city of Parintins in the middle of the Amazon and Santarém, which features boat trips to Maica Lake, where you can fish for piranhas. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Disney, Fred. Olsen, G Adventures, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Saga Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Titan, Viking

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Persian Gulf Bahrain’s capital, Manama, is a typical Middle Eastern blend of modern glass skyscrapers and historic buildings, but without the drama of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with its worldclass museums and entertainment, including the Formula One event. Longer cruises will take you to the west coast of India, for instance, Marella’s Journey to Arabia cruise in April includes Mumbai, Mormugao in Goa, Mangalore and Cochin in Kerala. Other cruise lines, however, may take you as far east as Singapore, or as far west as the Mediterranean, through the Suez Canal and possibly via Aqaba, in Jordan, for excursions to Clive of India’s Wadi Rum desert or the rock-carved ancient city of Petra.

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Saga Cruises, Silversea

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The Gulf separates the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain from Iran and is part of the Arabian Sea and, ultimately, the Indian Ocean – all impossibly exotic destinations in Western imaginations fed by folk stories from The Arabian Nights. It’s certainly a fairy-tale winter sun destination for the British market, but the two United Arab Emirates states of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are anything but folksie. A typical seven-day return-trip from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, will take you to the beautiful island of Bahrain, the thoroughly modern Dubai and Qatar’s Doha, where the World Athletics Championships are set to take place in 2019.

Destinations

Africa Egypt is having a renaissance among cruise lines. Although it’s accessible from the Mediterranean via Alexandria, a coach tour away from Cairo, the River Nile is back in favour. In 2018 Viking launched Viking Ra for cruises up and down the Nile to see the temples at Esna, Edfu, Qena and Kom Ombo, as well as the sphinxes that line the old road between Luxor’s two temples, plus the town of Aswan, where there are excursions to the legendary Abu Simbel. Apart from Qena, these riverside towns make up the standard itinerary for most cruise lines on the Nile – although the Nile is far from a standard cruise destination. Unlike Egypt, Tunisia has not yet been readmitted to the mainstream cruise world, but North Africa’s Morocco is a fixture for selected

western Mediterranean cruises – its souks and narrow alleyways a more colourful and exotic version of those left behind by the Moors in southern Spain and Portugal’s Algarve coast. However, Casablanca is one of the few Moroccan ports usually included. Demand for cruises is also growing in South Africa, which is poised to be a rising star in the 2020s. For now, a call at Cape Town often comes as part of a world cruise, or perhaps a cruise that heads east into the Indian Ocean. And there’s much to see: wildlife reserves that offer safaris, vineyard tours and wine tasting, the extraordinary Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain that looks over Cape Town and penguins on Boulders Beach. MSC Cruises is one of the few cruise lines that runs short cruises

from South Africa, for instance, from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and Durban. Port Elizabeth has many traces of its colonial past, and from Durban you can take excursions to Zulu tribal lands. Silversea sails to less touristy destinations in West Africa on its intriguing ex-Cape Town itinerary, including Namibia, which is extraordinarily beautiful with its sand dunes and unspoilt beaches, as well as Angola and Ghana. But Saga has an interesting 2019 cruise as part of its Saga Pearl II Farewell Season. The ship will sail to Portsmouth and back all the way to Maputo in Mozambique, calling at five South African ports but also several in West Africa, where there’s a complex culture influenced by British, French, Portuguese and Dutch colonialism, as well as still-strong indigenous traditions. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Saga Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Titan, Uniworld, Viking

Left to right: The mosaics of an Iranian Mosque in Dubai; African penguins waddle on Boulders Beach, Cape Town

Designated a World Heritage Site, Kyoto’s Daigo-ji Temple is enshrouded by rich autumnal colours of the leafy garden

Destinations

Asia Japan is the place to be in 2019 when it takes centre stage as the host of the Rugby World Cup, followed by the Summer Olympics in 2020. Cruise lines have been focusing on Japan for the past five years, meaning that you can visit more ports than ever before, including Nagasaki, while signing up for some fabulous experiences. It’s also the opportunity for a stay-and-cruise like no other. Exquisite gardens, active volcanoes, intricate tea ceremonies and spotting wildlife, such as whales, dolphins and sea turtles, are all offered by Silversea on its cruise from Kobe – one of Japan’s most important fly-cruise departure points. But a highlight of any Japanese cruise includes the ancient imperial capital of Kyoto with its 14th-century Golden Temple and a few days in Tokyo for food, shopping and hi-tech gadgetry. South Korea is having a moment in the sun too, and several cruise lines run cruises between Kobe and Busan, a large modern port but with temples to visit and good beaches close by. Previously, China dominated the Asian cruise scene, thanks to demand

for Western-style holidays from the country’s growing middle class. This has increased the choice of Chinese itineraries for all and made it easier to visit historic cities such as Beijing, with its imperial palaces. The Great Wall of China is less than 50 miles away. Cruise ships call at Tianjin for the three-hour drive to Beijing and there’s also a modern cruise terminal near Shanghai. But a Yangtze River cruise will allow you to see far more of China, with most offering hotel stays in Shanghai and Beijing as well as several days on the river to see the limestone outcrops of the Three Gorges and take a trip to Xian to see the Terracotta Warriors. Hong Kong is another major hub for China and Asia cruises, but we’re still excited by Southeast Asia as demand for Mekong River trips through Vietnam and Cambodia continues to grow. Most start at Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, and take in sights such as the Cu Chi Tunnels of the Vietnam War. In Cambodia, the capital Phnom Penh with its palaces and jewel-encrusted pagodas is a highlight, while Angkor

Wat – the massive complex of temples abandoned to the jungle centuries ago – is a real wish-list destination. The islands of Indonesia, such as Java and Borneo, are increasingly on our radar, too, with Singapore a busy hub for Malaysia and Thailand cruises – often combined with Vietnam and calls to the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay and trips to the capital Hanoi. And then there’s India, mostly on the itinerary for world cruises, which often call at Mumbai – one of three British colonial presidency towns when it was called Bombay. Mangalore and its temples and beaches is usually on the itinerary, and laid-back Goa, a former Portuguese colony with an endless sandy coast is a regular stop. If you want to get to the heart of India, a river cruise is your best bet. Round-trips from Kolkata (Calcutta) down the Brahmaputra River run from November to April and usually follow a hotel stay in the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, before boarding the boat to drift through countryside – often including Kaziranga National Park and the backwaters of Kerala. 

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Marella Cruises, National Geographic Expeditions, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Uniworld, Viking

The Pacific Australia and New Zealand are big news for the cruise industry as its markets continue to grow, which is great for all of us because it means more cruise lines are basing ships there. Some, such as P&O Cruises and Princess, have had a strong presence in the Pacific for years. Princess will have five ships sailing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle and Adelaide in 2019/2020 – the most ever. The extra capacity is partly to meet UK demand. The number of Brits booking Australia and New Zealand cruises with Princess has nearly doubled this year (2018). But now more cruise lines are taking notice. Ponant’s new luxury expedition ship, Le Laperouse, with the industry’s first underwater viewing windows to watch marine life, will be based in Australia and the South Pacific, for instance. And Holland America Line has new food and wine EXC Tours in the region. There are visits to wineries in New Zealand and Tasmania and bookings at ‘tough-toget-a-table’ restaurants in Australia, such as the highly rated Bennelong, next to Sydney Opera House.

Sydney is always going to be a must-see port of call and so is the Great Barrier Reef. Most excursions for this amazing natural wonder are from Cairns, in Queensland, on the Coral Sea. Smaller ships, though, will also call at the protected Whitsunday Islands, for instance, Hamilton Island, where helicopter and seaplane rides over the reef can be arranged. Auckland is New Zealand’s main departure point, but the most cruise lines continue to concentrate on the country’s South Island and its fjord country, full of rugged mountains, rainforest and beautiful expanses of sea – such as Milford Sound. Among the ports of call are Christchurch and Dunedin, both with strong British precedents, but like all of New Zealand with an increasingly international outlook. Meanwhile, the South Pacific islands of Papeete, Moorea, Fakarava, Huahine, Raiatea and others – including Bora Bora with visits to pearl farms – offer beautiful landscapes and pristine eco-systems for those who want to hike, scuba dive, snorkel or just relax in the sun.

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PHOTO: © ALAMY

CRUISE LINES THAT SAIL HERE INCLUDE

Azamara Club Cruises, Cunard, Coral Expeditions, Holland America Line, National Geographic Expeditions, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, Viking

Destinations

Left to right: A sea turtle swimming over coral in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; views from Cahill Expressway to Sydney Harbour Bridge

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