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Ephesus, Turkey
PICTURE: SHUTTERSTOCK/MURATART
A sense of power and prosperity still emanates from the grand facade of the Library of Celsus, a repository of ancient learning that once held more than 12,000 scrolls, and it feels as much of a status symbol today as it would have in the ancient world. Then, the city of Ephesus was second only to Rome in its importance: capital of Asia Minor, home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world in the Temple of Artemis, and a centre of early Christianity. Now, its biscuit-coloured buildings may lie in ruins, but its star is on the rise once again as dozens of cruise lines call at the Turkish port of Kusadasi for excursions to this ancient city. Seabourn is even going so far as to host a one-off concert within its atmospheric surroundings, bringing classical tenor and Britain’s Got Talent star Jonathan Antoine to perform at the line’s Evening at Ephesus event on August 10. >> Turn to page 98 for an exclusive interview with singer Sarah Brightman, who is performing a one-night-only show on Seabourn Encore
ON OUR RADAR
Tampa Bay, Florida There’s a reason Americans flock to Florida to escape the winter chill – the Sunshine State combines laid-back living with a creative foodie scene and high-energy attractions, making it the ideal spot to spend a few days before or after a Caribbean cruise. But if your mind goes straight to glitz and glamour in South Beach, Miami, or family fun in Orlando, look again, because Florida cruise port Tampa is fast becoming a hub of outdoor adventure, art and a thriving Cuban culture. Spend your days strolling or cycling along the Tampa Riverwalk, which features uber-cool food halls such as former streetcar warehouse Armature Works. Come evening, head to Ybor City to find out how this district, home to Cuban, Italian and Spanish immigrants since the 1880s, became the world’s cigar capital, and watch tabaqueros deftly roll cigars on Seventh Avenue. With the city’s first five-star hotel opening this year, the 172-room Tampa Edition, plus a dual-branded Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites opening near the port next year, you’ll be sure of a good night’s sleep before you set sail with the likes of Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, NCL or Carnival Cruise Line. >> Turn to page 60 to read more about US cruises
PICTURE: ALAMY
Cruise News SHIPS / EVENTS / DESTINATIONS
LATIN AMERICA IS “RISING STAR” Cruise holidays in South and Central America are on the rise as the region bounces back post-pandemic. Colin Stewart, chairman of the Latin American Travel Association (Lata), said: “[Cruise] has been the rising star in terms of untapped markets, with growth over the past four or five years, pre-Covid. I don’t think there’s ever been a healthier appetite for cruising.” A Lata consumer poll, which included Cruise International readers, found 18% of those surveyed had taken a holiday in the region in the past five years, with a quarter including a cruise (lata.travel).
SCENIC ADDS EUROPE TRIPS
PICTURES: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO/SL_PHOTOGRAPHY; SHUTTERSTOCK/ALIAKSANDR ANTANOVICH
SEABOURN VENTURES FORTH Seabourn has taken delivery of its first purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Venture (above), which at the time of going to press was due to sail a maiden voyage from Tromso, Norway, on July 27. It is the first of two new expedition ships for the line and features a team of 26 scientists and naturalists on board. Seabourn president Josh Leibowitz said: “Seabourn Venture will raise the bar in ultra-luxury expedition travel, and we look forward to introducing her to the world as she sets sail to explore remote destinations from the Arctic to Antarctica.” The line has also released Sail Away Event offers including free veranda suite upgrades and reduced deposits, until August 31 (seabourn.com).
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A new Rhine cruise, a tour through Croatia and Slovenia, more historical landmarks and a truffle farm are among the additions to Scenic’s European river cruise programme in 2023. It has added an eight-day itinerary on the Rhine and Moselle, with a trip on the Winzerexpress mini train in Rudesheim and a cable car journey above vineyards (below), plus visits to Baden-Baden, Strasbourg and Freiburg. Guests on the Jewels of Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest can tag on a four-night extension to Slovenian capital Ljubljana, take a boat across Lake Bled and explore Plitvice National Park in Croatia (scenic.co.uk).
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CRUISE NEWS
EMER ALD HEADS FOR AMERICAS Central America, the Caribbean and transatlantic voyages are among the additions to Emerald Cruises’ new programme of luxury yacht cruises. The 2023-24 collection features 15 new islands and countries for Emerald Azzurra and sister vessel Emerald Sakara, which is due to launch next year. Highlights include both vessels homeporting in the Caribbean over winter. There will also be three Atlantic Ocean crossings and new ports of call in the Med, including: Sardinia, the Balearic Islands, Gibraltar and the Canary Islands (emeraldcruises.co.uk).
SILVERSEA TAKES FLIGHT Silversea has added three fly-cruise departures to Antarctica for 2024, letting guests fly over the notorious Drake Passage in business class. The Antarctica Bridge programme is the fastest route to the region, taking visitors to an air base on King George Island to join Silver Cloud. Silversea president and chief executive Roberto Martinoli said: “We provide guests the luxury of choice, with the most diverse offering in ultra-luxury Antarctica cruising. Our pioneering Antarctica Bridge option is tremendously popular with time-conscious travellers.” Two five-day cruises depart on February 2 and 7, 2024, with a six-day sailing departing on February 12, 2024. Prices start from £10,700 per person (silversea.com).
MSC GOES BIG ON KIDS MSC Cruises has unveiled details of its largest-ever kids’ area on new ship MSC World Europa (left), which is due to launch in December. The family facilities include a 766sq m kids’ space divided into seven areas for age groups from babies to 17 years old. New features include a Lego room; Z Active sports area with football, basketball, pickleball and hoverboards; Drone Academy relay race; and game shows inspired by K-pop and parents’ and kids’ music tastes (msccruises.co.uk). 12
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EXPLOR A I ADVANCES Luxury cruise line Explora Journeys took a step towards the launch of its debut vessel when it was floated out of its Italian shipyard. Explora I is due to launch in May 2023, the first of four ships being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone. Explora I’s maiden voyage will be an 11-night Med cruise from Barcelona to Athens. The first year will see it visit 132 ports in 40 countries, including two destinations – Kastellorizo in Greece and Saint Pierre in Martinique – that have never received cruise ship visitors before. It will then move to Alaska for summer 2024. The ship has 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences plus 10 restaurants, 10 bars and lounges and four pools (explorajourneys.com).
ALL GREEK FOR CELEBRITY Guests sailing in Greece this summer can book shore excursions with the captain’s personal seal of approval thanks to a new programme of Captain-Curated experiences from Celebrity Cruises. Available on any Celebrity ship sailing the Greek isles in summer 2022, they include visiting a family-owned olive mill in Olympia, enjoying lunch like a local at the Bairaktaris Tavern in Athens and taking a foodie tour through the backstreets of Mykonos (above). The line has a strong Greek heritage having been founded in 1988 by the Chandris family, and 70% of its marine officers are from Greece (celebritycruises.com).
PICTURES: MSC; POMPEI LUCA; IVAN SARFATTI; SHUTTERSTOCK/GEORGIOS TSICHLIS; FIIPPO VINARDI
HOLLAND AMERICA RETRACES ITS ROOTS Holland America Line is marking its 150th anniversary with a second commemorative transatlantic crossing on new ship Rotterdam (right) in April 2023. The 16-night cruise will reverse the route that was taken on the company’s first-ever voyage, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 3, for an overnight call in New York City. It will then cross the Atlantic, stopping at Plymouth and Dover, before arriving in the Dutch city of Rotterdam on the company’s 150th birthday, April 18, for a night of celebration. The line is also operating an anniversary crossing that will depart from Rotterdam on October 15, 2022, exactly 150 years since the departure of its first-ever vessel (hollandamerica.com). CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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GARY BARLOW ON IONA The Take That singer has announced a series of charity performances in the Headliners Theatre on P&O Cruises’ newest ship, Iona. Barlow said: “One thing I love is making memories, and I think music does that extremely well. I look forward to joining guests on board Iona later this year to create some truly special holiday memories.” He is set to appear on a Spain and Portugal cruise departing Southampton on October 29, 2022; and a Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands cruise departing November 12, 2022. Raffle tickets to attend will be £10 each, with proceeds going to Child Bereavement UK and the Teenage Cancer Trust (pocruises.com).
A-ROSA EMBRACES ECO TECH German river cruise line A-Rosa has launched its first hybrid-powered, family-friendly ship, A-Rosa Sena (below), on a maiden voyage from Cologne. The ship uses new ‘E-Motion’ technology to allow noise-free and emission-free sailing in populated areas, the first time the system has been rolled out on a river cruise vessel. Lucia Rowe, UK & Ireland managing director, said: “This is what we’ve all been waiting for – our next-generation ship’s sustainability credentials demonstrate to the sector what can be done.” (arosa-cruises.com)
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AMBASSADOR REVEALS AMBITION A round-the-world cruise, Christmas in the Caribbean and new UK departure ports are among the highlights of Ambassador Cruise Line’s 2023-24 programme. Ambience will sail a 120-night Grand Round the World Cruise visiting six continents, 24 countries, 34 ports of call and transiting the Panama Canal. Second ship Ambition (above)
will offer 49 cruises, including a maiden voyage to Scandinavia and a Christmas and New Year cruise to the Caribbean. The British company is due to launch Ambition on March 4, 2023. It will also add no-fly sailings from Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol and Falmouth, on top of current homeport London Tilbury (ambassadorcruiseline.com).
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CRUISE NEWS
CRYSTAL CRUISES SHIPS ACQUIRED Abercrombie & Kent’s parent company has bought ocean cruise ships Crystal Serenity (below) and Crystal Symphony. The ships were sold at auction in the Bahamas for a reported $128 million, and are due to restart sailing in 2023 after being refurbished. They will continue to operate under the Crystal Cruises brand, which has also been acquired by the A&K Travel Group. It comes after Crystal Cruises’ parent company, Genting Hong Kong, collapsed in January. Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, co-chairman of A&K Travel Group and former owner of Silversea Cruises, said: “I am thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have, a special place in my heart.”
RIVIERA TRAVEL ADDS CITY STAYS Riviera Travel has introduced city break add-ons to its European river cruises following demand for longer durations. Three-day extensions are available in 10 cities – namely Amsterdam, Basel, Cologne (above), Frankfurt, Lyon, Marseille, Munich, Paris, Porto and Vienna – and can be added to any 2023 Europe river cruise. Katja Hildebrandt, head of river and ocean cruise at Riviera Travel, said: “From relaxing with a cafe au lait and croissant in a Paris eatery to experiencing the architectural grandeur of Cologne, our city stays allow guests to explore even more, safe in the knowledge that we will take care of all accommodation and travel arrangements.” Stays include B&B accommodation in a central city hotel, transfers from the ship to the hotel and airport, and access to activities via tour provider Holibob (rivieratravel.co.uk).
PICTURE: SHUTTERSTOCK/S.BORISOV
VIKING CIRCLES SATURN FOR 2023 DEBUT Viking is shooting for the stars with the float-out of its newest ocean ship, Viking Saturn (right), due to set sail in April 2023. The 930-passenger vessel – which is identical to the rest of the ocean fleet – took to the water for the first time in June at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, marking the final stage in construction. Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said: “It is always a proud day when a Viking ship meets water for the first time. We look forward to welcoming guests on Viking Saturn when she’s delivered next spring.” Sister ship Viking Neptune is also scheduled to launch later this year (vikingcruises.co.uk). CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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