New Ships

Family fun, far-flung adventures and five-star luxury await with our reviews of the latest ocean, expedition and river ships taking to the water

DISNEY WISH

Disney Cruise Line’s fifth fun-packed ship has been designed with multigenerational families in mind, finds Joanna Booth

Clockwise from above: Mickey Mouse; family dining in elegant restaurant 1923; having fun at the pool area on deck; Disney Wish; oceanview stateroom with Disney branding; Disney Seas the Adventure show; the adult-only Senses Spa; the Grand Hall Only some of the places you’ll travel to on Disney Wish are detailed on the cruise itinerary. Though you will be sailing in the Bahamas, you’ll be transported to Arendelle Castle with the cast of Frozen, to the Marvel multiverse with superheroes including Spiderman, Captain Marvel and Black Panther, and even to a galaxy far, far away in immersive Star Wars-themed venues.

Disney Wish is the most fully realised ship from Disney Cruise Line yet, with every aspect inspired by one of the iconic stories the brand has brought to the big screen – from the thrilling, Mickey-themed AquaMouse water coaster that tumbles and turns around the top deck right down to the Untangled Salon, inspired by Rapunzel.

Children will understandably be in heaven. Characters from their favourite shows roam the decks and are happy to chat and pose for pictures, while the kids’ club is truly out of this world, with a Marvel Super Hero Academy, a Disney princess-inspired craft area as well as the low-lit, atmospheric Star Wars: Cargo Bay, which feels a lot like walking onto a film set.

It’s not all about the kids, however. Adult fans can sip cocktails in the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, an immersive bar with a digital ‘window’ into deep-space galaxies. The whole family can come together for fun, themed dining – you’ll meet the cast of Frozen in one restaurant, and Marvel superheroes in another – and for West End-quality theatrical shows, deck parties, fireworks at sea and family challenges, including the Disney Uncharted Adventure scavenger hunt, exclusive to DisneyWish.

More traditional cruise guests haven’t been forgotten, with an adult-only area that has much gentler Disney branding, including a quiet pool, sun deck and cafe, a sophisticated bar and two classy speciality restaurants. The spa, with its indoor/outdoor rainforest-styled relaxation area, is a haven too.

Staterooms are spacious and there are double the number of concierge options compared with previous ships, including the Wish Tower Suite, a two-storey penthouse that takes over one of the ship’s funnels. There’s plenty of merchandise to purchase, but the themed EVERY ASPECT OF THE SHIP IS restaurants and kids’ clubs are included in the price, delivering

INSPIRED BY ICONIC DISNEY excellent value for money. Disney Wish will sail three STORIES FROM THE BIG SCREEN and four-night voyages to the Bahamas year-round from Port Canaveral, making the cruise a perfect add-on to a longer Florida holiday. All of the cruises call at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. GETTING THERE A three-night cruise on Disney Wish departing from Port Canaveral, Florida on February 3, 2023, costs from £1,486 per person including flights from Gatwick to Orlando, transfers, taxes and a night pre-departure at the Hyatt MCO. disneyholidays.co.uk

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SH VEGA

The second ship from recently revived cruise brand Swan Hellenic is turning assumptions about expedition cruising on their head, finds Rebecca Barnes

In stark contrast to sailing the Mediterranean or Caribbean waters, expedition cruising has traditionally been no frills, no glamour and definitely devoid of creature comforts, making up for it with the excitement of exploring some of the most remote parts of the world.

However, a newly relaunched expedition cruise line is helping to change this perception with its five-star looks and state-of-the-art technology.

Swan Hellenic was founded in the 1950s when British travel agency Swan’s Tours, operated by a father and son, organised a discovery cruise that sailed to Greece’s historical sites, with 128 university society members and three guest lecturers on board to provide added enrichment.

The line never repeated the same itineraries twice, and took guests to places that, at the time, were undiscovered by even the most adventurous travellers. Fast-forward 70 years and the rebirth of the brand, under new ownership, is taking it in a more premium direction while continuing to honour its

THE BRAND IS HEADING IN A British roots.

MORE PREMIUM DIRECTION Allowing guests the chance to “see what others don’t”, WHILE HONOURING ITS ROOTS new-build ship SH Vega sails to the world’s most isolated

destinations and lesser-known ports of cultural, geographical or wildlife interest.

With a Polar Class 6 icestrengthened hull and extra-large stabilisers for smoother sailing, the 152-guest ship is a sea-going sustainability superstar. Features include an advanced wastewater treatment system and dynamic positioning technology that allows the ship to remain in place without having to drop anchor into fragile seabeds.

In Base Camp, guests are briefed and get changed in preparation for expeditions or Zodiac tours. Meanwhile, the science laboratory is for picking the brains of guest scientists, joining a workshop on cloud observations or analysing water samples.

No matter where you are on the boutique ship, floor-to-ceiling windows treat you to clear views, while the understated ‘Scandi-luxe’ interior never distracts from the ever-evolving landscapes outside.

There’s no theatre or Broadwaystyle entertainment on board – the show takes place outside. We loved the forward-facing Swan’s Nest observation deck and stargazing deck for those crystal-clear nights.

Staterooms and suites are spacious and elegant with a high-spec yet welcoming feel. The majority have good-sized balconies, and all categories feature holographic flameeffect fireplaces that give a cosy vibe, no matter where you are sailing.

Three dining venues offer both international and local cuisine inspired by regional ingredients: The Swan Restaurant is the main venue, while the Club Lounge serves 24-hour tapasinspired dining and fresh pastries.

And in honour of the great British tradition, ‘High Seas High Tea’ is served daily. For those seeking something a little stronger, the Observation Lounge is the place to enjoy a cocktail while listening to low-key music and swapping stories of the day with fellow sailors.

After a day ashore, guests can unwind in the spa, which uses La Mer and Lajatica products. The panoramic sauna with its incredible view is also a popular spot to relax. There’s even a gym for those with more energy to spare, plus a heated outdoor pool, hot tub and poolside seating so you can drink in the scenery wherever you are in the world. 8

GETTING THERE

An 11-night Antarctic Peninsula cruise on SH Vega, departing on December 4, 2022, costs from £9,250 per person and includes return regional flights, transfers, one shore excursion or activity per port of call and one night precruise accommodation. Visit swanhellenic.com Clockwise from far left: Penguins in Antarctica; an excursion on a Zodiac; the ship visits remote locations; activities include kayaking; SH Vega

AMALUCIA

Wellness hosts, wine tasting and waiters at every meal – Jane Archer tests out the little luxuries on AmaWaterways’ newest river cruise ship

I’ve arrived for breakfast and, quick as you like, without me asking, a plate of fruit and my usual pot of Earl Grey tea is served to the table. Before Covid was ever an issue, the bosses at river cruise line AmaWaterways had moved away from the buffet to a more refined waiter-service start to the day.

And here it is, in action, on the new Rhine-based river ship, AmaLucia. Some nibbles and a drink to get you started and then a choice of dishes from the menu – eggs any way you like, waffles, minute steak, avocado toast and more – or create your own breakfast bowl with yogurts, fruits, nuts and bread from an action station.

What a treat. Finding things in a buffet can be hard work; here it’s all done for you – at lunch as well as breakfast. It takes longer to get through the meal, especially if everyone arrives at once, but you can always get a light breakfast or lunch in a new bistro restaurant at the front of the lounge.

It’s a lovely area, offering 270-degree views as you sail, but fills up quick.

The Chef’s Table is different again, serving a seven-course taster menu that could rival some of London’s top restaurants (the coconut laksa soup got my top marks), but with the added bonus of having fabulous views over the wake of the ship. Holding just 156 passengers,

AmaLucia is nicely intimate with a happy feel, not least due to gaily coloured furnishings in the lounge that blend nicely with shades of cream and GETTING THERE grey. This is the main hangout; quiet A seven-night Tulip Time by day but buzzing with conversation cruise round-trip from during a sip-and-sail hour before Amsterdam departing dinner and live music with the resident March 19, 2023, on AmaLucia pianist and a visiting band after. and calling into Hoorn, In a nod to the environment, plastic Middelburg and Rotterdam in bottles of water and toiletries have been the Netherlands, and Ghent and outlawed on AmaLucia, while in a nod Antwerp in Belgium, costs from to passengers’ wellbeing, fitness classes £1,946 per person based on two are offered by a resident wellness host. sharing a category E cabin with

I was up stretching and doing tummy a fixed window. Price includes crunches, yoga and Pilates with Tiago flights and transfers, all dining at 7am each morning, but if you’re not and excursions, drinks with an early bird there are plenty of hiking lunch and dinner, fitness and biking tours alongside sightseeing classes and Wi-Fi. and wine-tasting excursions. Or head Visit amawaterways.co.uk to the sun deck, where you can relax and enjoy the views from comfy sofas at the front of the ship or put in a few lengths in a heated pool. The colour scheme carries THE CHEF’S TABLE SERVES through to the cabins and suites, most of which boast a A SEVEN-COURSE TASTER split-balcony design that’s half MENU TO RIVAL LONDON’S outside and half inside, so there’s somewhere to sit and

TOP RESTAURANTS enjoy the views whatever the weather – and a shower that has a cheeky window into the room. Don’t worry, it can be obscured to protect your modesty! Clockwise from far left, top: The Chef’s Table; christening ceremony in Rudesheim, Germany; suite bathroom; the lounge is the main hangout; furnishings are brightly coloured; views from the sun deck; AmaLucia