Well, after a couple of hours on board, I was hooked. This recently refurbished ship offered a wealth of attractions not least 16 restaurants (about half complimentary, the others falling into the specialty dining category), 15 bars and nightclubs and a 700-seat (approx) theatre known for its top quality shows such as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, and most recently the Australian hit musical, Velvet.
Cruise liner a jewel,
IN D E E D !
The popularity of holiday cruising has gone global in recent years but some folk still wonder if it’s for them. So, for those wanting a taste of shipboard life before getting their feet wet, HELEN PERRY provides a glimpse of two different cruise liners. In part one, this month, she shares her view of the Norwegian Jewel when it docked in Auckland recently. Cruising, as many know, has become a must-have luxury holiday where new destinations, partying, relaxation, good food and entertainment are all laid on without any of the usual hassles associated with moving from one place to another. So, what makes modern day cruising so popular? After many years of the jet-set preferring to fly from one destination to another, a new age of luxury cruising dawned. Now it is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry. Cruises around the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Alaska, Norway,
12 | south | march 2020
South March 2020.indd 12
the Hawaiian Islands, Asia, and of course the Pacific are often filled within a couple of weeks of release dates. Then there are those massive 100-day cruises which take passengers from one side of the world to the other – ardent supporters return year after year. Importantly, more and more ships are visiting New Zealand with 'around the coastline cruises' filled not only with visiting tourists but locals too. Last year more than 125 luxury cruise liners docked in Auckland. More than a few circumvented New Zealand and traversed Australian waters.
Seasoned ‘seafarers’ will claim no other mode of travel is more suited to adventure of the less strenuous kind, or more richly endowed with romance, excitement and fascination – to them cruising is the very essence of a perfect, stressfree holiday Now, I too have succumbed to the temptation of a luxury holiday in a foodies’ paradise, where the list of benefits are as long as my arm. Booked on my first cruise later this year – Rome return, taking in the Greek Islands – I am excited but, because I am very much a landlubber, I’m a little
apprehensive, too. Therefore, the chance to look over the Norwegian Jewel, and dine on board, was most welcome – a taste of things to come, perhaps. Well, after a couple of hours on board, I was hooked. This recently refurbished ship offered a wealth of attractions not least 16 restaurants (about half complimentary, the others falling into the specialty dining category), 15 bars and nightclubs and a 700-seat (approx) theatre known for its top quality shows such as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, and most recently the Australian hit musical, Velvet. www.southmagazine.co.nz
26/02/2020 4:00:52 PM
