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JUNE/JULY 2013 | £3.95 Start planning your holiday

PLUS RECIPES FROM NOBU ● AFRICAN ADVENTURES ● NORWAY'S SECRET FJORDS

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EXPERIENCE THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING LUXURY OF

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There is simply no better way to experience the great waterways of the world than by gliding serenely from port to port aboard one of Uniworld’s exquisitely appointed vessels. From the Zagat-recommended staterooms and fi ne dining to the choice of included excursions and door-to-door transfers, these river cruises truly deserve to be called ‘the world’s best’ - and they will also be ALL-INCLUSIVE on every itinerary and departure date in 2014.

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2012

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CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM 5JUNE/JULY 2013 |

EDITOR’S LETTER

What do you think

are the essential

ingredients for a

perfect cruise

holiday? Is it the

ports of call, the

ship, the food and

entertainment, or a combination of

factors? As voting opens for the Cruise

International Awards 2013 (page 43),

we’re giving you the chance to have your

say about your favourite cruise lines –

and there are some incredible prizes to

be won.

Cruising from the UK is becoming

more and more popular, and on page 61

you’ll � nd our Cool Britannia guide to

some exceptional itineraries available

from British ports – from round our isles

to the Amazon and beyond.

Somewhere I’m longing to visit is

Africa, so I was enthralled by Julie

Peasgood’s adventures on a cruise to this

magni� cent region (page 52). And if

you’re a parent who has never cruised

before, our New to Cruise section is

packed with tips on cruising with your

family (page 19).

2013 is the year of new ship launches,

and on page 33 we focus on three very

different ships that are making waves.

Oh yes, there’s something for everyone.

UP FRONT

8 HOT SPOT Iceland’s awe-inspiring Seljalandsfoss waterfall is a true natural wonder FEATURES

28 HOLLYWOOD GODMOTHERS A look at four of the A-listers adding glamour to cruise launches

30 FRESH FROM THE SEA Seafood and fi sh recipes from Michelin-starred chef Nobu

33 NEW SHIPS Reviews and a preview of three of the most exciting ships to debut this year

52 OUT OF AFRICA Julie Peasgood is spellbound by a cruise to the great continent

57 CULTURE CLUB Azamara’s new offering gives you the chance to experience something different

78 INTO THE BLUE Venturing into Norway’s secret fjords

86 ONE FOR THE RIVER Brilliant wine cruises from Bordeaux to the Douro

90 GOING DUTCH A delightful cruise along the waterways of Holland

COMPETITION

43 CRUISE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS Your chance to vote for your favourites – with fantastic prizes to be won

COOL BRITANNIA SPECIAL

61 CRUISES FROM THE UK We put the spotlight on the astonishing range of no-fl y cruises from Britain

62-65 ROUND UK & EIRE From Liverpool and the stunning Scottish highlands to historical Cobh

66-67 EUROPE Diverse destinations including the quaint waterways of Bruges and Reykjavik

CONTENTSJUNE/JULY 2013

90

30

Liz Jarvis, [email protected]

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68-69 BALTIC Depart British ports for some of the most exciting destinations in the world

70-71 MEDITERRANEAN Enchanting itineraries starring the jewels of the Med, including Greece and Turkey

72-73 THE REST OF THE WORLD From the UK to New York, the Caribbean, the Amazon, Asia and Australasia

75-76 PORTS AND HOTELS Your indispensible directory of UK ports and places to stay

REGULARS

11 CRUISE NEWS The Duchess of Cambridge is named godmother to Royal Princess, plus innovations on Quantum of the Seas

14 CRUISE STYLE Our favourite colourful accessories and the best beauty buys for spring

16 CRUISE WELL The latest health and wellbeing news to see you though your travels

83 RIVER CRUISE NEWS The arrival of MS Cyrano de Bergerac, Viking’s Chelsea garden, and another new ship for Uniworld

94 ASK THE EXPERTS Your travel questions answered

97 YOUR CRUISE PHOTOS We publish the best of your holiday snaps in our cruise gallery

98 CELEBRITY TRAVELS We chat to Coast’s Neil Oliver about the places that inspire him

CONTENTS

EDITORIALEDITOR Liz JarvisASSISTANT EDITOR Natalie MilnerART EDITOR Rhian ColleyDESIGNER Alicia FernandesEDITORIAL ASSISTANT Josephine PriceCONTRIBUTING EDITORS Julie Peasgood,Deborah Stone

ONLINEDIGITAL PRODUCT MANAGER Oliver Morley-Norris

ADVERTISINGGROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER Lyndal Beeton

PUBLISHINGPUBLISHER Simon TemlettSUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER William DelmontMARKETING MANAGER Chatty DobsonCOMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Vicki GavinDEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR Steve RossMANAGING DIRECTOR Paul Dobson

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDAVALON WATERWAYS Alan MacLean, THE CAPTAIN’S CHOICE TOUR Gary Bartelings, CARNIVAL Lynn Narraway, CUNARD LINEPeter Shanks, EWATERWAYS Daniela Wagner, FRED. OLSEN Nathan Philpot, HEBRIDEAN Ken Charleson, MSC CRUISES Giulio Libutti, PRINCESS CRUISES Pieter van der Schee, ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL Jo Rzymowska, TITAN TRAVEL Richard Tarrant, VIKING RIVER CRUISES Wendy Atkin Smith, VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY Ann Brine, THE LUXURY CRUISE COMPANY Scott Anderson

SUBSCRIPTIONSCRUISE INTERNATIONAL Subscriptions Department, 800 Guillat Avenue, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8GU, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1795419841Email: [email protected]://cruise.subscribeonline.co.ukSUBSCRIPTION RATES UK £33 (6 issues) ROW £40 (6 issues)

NEWS DISTRIBUTIONUK and Rest of World: COMAG, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE. Tel: +44 (0)1895 444055 Fax: +44 (0)1858 445255CRUISE INTERNATIONAL (ISSN 1758-2326) (USPS 025-056) is published bi-monthly by The Chelsea Magazine Company, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ UK.

© The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2013. 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 fi nal 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 Wyndeham Heron Origination by All Points Media allpointsmedia.co.ukCover image © P&O Cruises

Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee PlaceLondon SW3 3TQ Tel: 020 7349 [email protected]

JUNE/JULY 2013

Sydney (p98)

Oban (p75)

Stockholm (p68)

New York (p72)

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Follow us @Cruisemag Like us facebook.com/cruiseinternationalVisit us cruise-international.com

CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM6 | JUNE/JULY 2013

14

Hawaii (p94)

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AWARDS

2013

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located in the magnificent thórsmörk valley (named after thor), seljalandsfoss, which is 40m high, is one of the most famous and spectacular waterfalls in the world. at night, the waterfall and its surroundings are floodlit, adding to the eerie beauty. in summer,the valley is covered in wild flowers, while in winter, when snow isall around, there are ice crystals in the air.>> Turn to page 66 to read about cruises to Iceland

SeljalandSfoSS, iceland

Hot spot

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9cruise-international.com april/may 2013 |

inspiration

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AWARDS

2013

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11CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM JUNE/JULY 2013 |

Cruise

Voting has opened for the Cruise International Awards 2013 – and everyone who votes has the opportunity to be entered into the prize draw. Prizes include a Caribbean holiday, luxury suitcase, designer watches, and a tablet.*Turn to page 43 for details of how to cast your vote.

May Europa 2+ Avalon ExpressionJune Royal Princess

+ Le Soléal

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VOTING OPENS FOR THE CRUISE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 2013

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We were very excited to hear that the Duchess of Cambridge is going to be the godmother for Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess when shemakes her debut inJune. We’ll be bringingyou all the news fromthe launch on cruise-international.com

ROYALAPPROVAL

newsP&O have launched their programme for 2014/15 including new � y-cruise holidays in the Med. Ventura will now offer summer sailings round Italy, from Venice to Savona, taking in Croatia, Greece and Montenegro, in addition to winter in the Caribbean. For more information, or to request a brochure, call P&O Cruises on 0843 374 0111 or visit pocruises.co.uk

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SHIPS ● EVENTS ● DESTINATIONS

WHAT’S HOT

The winner of our search for a Royal Princess Correspondentwas Kate Sutton. Watch out for her report in the next issue.

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12 CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM | JUNE/JULY 2013

The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in ParisBy Jenny Colgan(Little, Brown, £7.99)Following an accident Anna heads across the Channel to work for a chocolatier in this delightful, funny romantic novel.

Circle LineBy Steffan Meyric Hughes(Summersdale, £8.99)In 2009, sailor and Londoner Steffan became the fi rst person to sail and row around the city in a small boat. This is the story of his unique journey.

Holiday reads

Royal Caribbean has revealed the stunning new features on board Quantum of the Seas, which will start sailing in autumn 2014 – including a skydiving simulator, and the opportunity to hang 300ft above the ocean in the London Eye-inspired North Star pod. Other highlights include dodgems at sea (yes, really) and virtual balconies for inside staterooms, as well as studio staterooms for solo holidaymakers. The ship will also have staterooms with their own private corridor as well as inter-connecting doors to make cruising easier for families.

QUANTUM DESIGN LEAP

The Great GatsbyBy F.Scott Fitzgerald(Picador, £7.99)As the new movie hits cinemas, it’s the perfect opportunity to remind yourself of Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, a tragic love story set on Long Island in the Twenties.

WHAT’S HOT

011-012_CRI_JJ13_Cruise News.indd 12 29/04/2013 14:16

S IMPLY THE F INEST WAY TOSEE THE WORLD

M A C H U P I C C H U TA J M A H A L T H E G R E A T W A L L I G U A S S U FA L L S

A WORLD OF INSPIRATION

At Captain’s Choice, inspired moments – big and small – are everything. We have a proud tradition, stretching back 40 years, of innovation and fresh thinking which has set new standards in luxury travel. The tradition continues today as we lead the way with a matchless range of tours to exotic and remote destinations around the globe. On every tour, our customers come first in every way. By going the extra mile, and curating fresh wonders for them, our inspired moments in turn become yours.

THE ONLY WAY TO TRAVEL

With Captain’s Choice you travel on the finest transportation from start to finish. Superior scheduled airlines, the world’s finest trains and cruise ships, and even by privately chartered plane. When sightseeing, our vehicles are deliberately not filled to capacity to ensure ample room for comfort and personal space. We feature some of the world’s finest hotels, five star wherever possible and each one personally selected for its quality and proximity to key sights.

IT’S ALL INCLUDED

Our tours are fully inclusive, and our experienced escort team will be at you disposal throughout. We include much that others leave out; all travel, 5-star accommodation, sightseeing and guest speakers, special luggage handling and immigration arrangements, taxes, transfers, gratuities and a tour doctor for complete peace-of-mind.Our tour prices start from £3,520.To find out more, or request a brochure, please contact us today.

CALL 0845 304 1668 WWW.CAPTAINSCHOICE.CO.UK


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StyleCruise

Add a touch of gold

this summer

with a delicate

leaf pendant

Our pick

Our pick of the hottest travel buys for your next trip

1.>Dinny Hall necklace, £115Leaf pendant necklace.dinnyhall.com

2. >Taschen guidebooks, £39.99We love these chic city guides to London, Paris, Berlin and New York. taschen.com

3. >Melissa Odabash maxi dress, £358 Made for hot days.matches.com

4. >SWIMS loafers,from £105 Step out in style with these summer loafers.swims.com

5.>Sensi Studio hat, £80Effortlessly cool Pamama hat from this Ecuadorian eco brand. sensistudio.com

6. >Powder scarf, £15Brighten any outfi t with this pretty scarf.powder-uk.co.uk

7. >Susan Posnick lipsticks, £18.50 eachGorgeous shades named after global cities. susanposnick.com

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8. >Dinny Hall earrings, £75Gold earrings.dinnyhall.com

9. >Les Senteurs Gourmandes, £22.50 Vanilla base blended with fruit essences. marksandspencer.com

10. >Cath Kidston Strawberry weekend bag, £60Ideal for when you’re disembarking.cathkidston.co.uk

11. >Melissa Odabash swimsuit, £158 Stay stylish by the pool with this khaki one-piece. matches.com

12. >Moroccan Oil hair masque, £29.85Keep your locks looking luscious.moroccanoil.com

Ultra-chic and multi-functional, RedDog Design bags, loved by fashionistas including Dannii Minogue, will help keep everything in one place when you travel.

From £22.95, reddogbags.com

Use the unique code Cruise13 at the checkout to secure a 20% discount between 10

May and 10 July.

Reader Offer

SHOPPING

Go online: See more from our Cruise Style editor Josephine Price

at cruise-international.com

014-015_CRI_JJ13_Cruise Style Shopping.indd 15 29/04/2013 14:18

cruise-international.com

health & Wellbeing

Well Every issue we bring you the latest health and wellbeing news

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Local... and lightSeabourn has expanded its culinary offerings served inThe Restaurant on board all of its cruise ships, including localflavours such as Croatian style pan-roasted Sea Bass

and grilled Dover sole, and ‘Lighter Fare’ dishes for ahealthier bite to eat.

Luscious locksWinner of the Best travel range at the Hair awards 2013 this march, the macadamia natural oil luxe travel set is a perfect concoction of rejuvenating treatments to help keep your hair looking glossy while you’re on board. the travel pouch includes a healing oil treatment, deep repair masque, oil infused comb, nourishing leave-in cream, moisturizing rinse and shampoo. available from macadamiahair.com and high street salons, £45.

Island paradiseA new luxury cruise experience with Alila Purnama takes guests to their very own deserted beach on the Indonesian archipelago to experience a traditional Balinese massage. An on-board therapist performs the ancient healing therapy, which combines gentle stretching, long therapeutic strokes and skin rolling to leave you feeling truly relaxed. The traditional Phinisi boat offers ultra-modern accommodation for up to 10 guests, pampered by an experienced crew of 16. Alilahotels.com/purnama

Body, mind and spiritenjoy the morning rays of the south east asian sun with tai chi classes on board The Jahan, travel indochina’s most intimate, luxury river cruiser which has a series of voyages along mekong river. a moving form of yoga and meditation combined, tai chi animates the body and helps reduce stress, enhance immune function and develop strength, balance and posture.

treat your feetif like us you’re guilty of neglecting your feet, the new Healthy Feet programme on board the canyon ranch spa on cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is for you. sit back and relax in a zero gravity chair and choose from a range of therapeutic treatments, focusing on feet and the lower legs, and using botanical products by German company Gehwol. the 50 minute Foot rescue treatment is $100. For more info see cunard.co.uk

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SeaDream I and SeaDream II yachts with 56 suites and 95 staffHighly inclusive, always exclusive

www.seadream.com. Reservations: 0800 783 1373 or call your travel agent.

Rated by the Berlitz Guide to Cruises as the Best Boutique Cruise Line in the World, for 11 successive years.

Asian Discoveries

“It’s yachting, not cruising”

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18 luxury voyages aboard SeaDream II - October 2013 to April 2014

2013-2014

CARIBBEAN • MEDITERRANEAN • ASIA • TRANSATLANTIC

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AWARDS

2013

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19cruise-international.com June/July 2013 |

new to cruise

Cruise lines are investing in bigger and better facilities and entertainmentfor all ages. Kids love the water parks, and parents like to chill while their

little ones are looked after in free clubs. So how do you find the rightcruise for your family? Cruise International Contributing Editor and

mum-of-two Deborah Stone shares some top tips

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NEW TO CRUISE

1 Budget and taste. Do you want a big, all-singing, all-dancing cruise ship, or a smaller, yacht-club experience?

There are cruises to suit everyone – so it’s worth doing a bit of research to fi nd the one that’s right for your family.

2 Ages. Most cruise lines won’t take babies younger than six months (Disney and MSC Cruises take three-

month-olds) and toddlers usually have to be potty trained if you want to leave them alone in children’s clubs or use the pools.

3 Kids’ clubs. If you want your children to enjoy kids’ clubs, make sure the cruise line you choose has an age

group that suits them. A fi ve or six-year-old may not want to be with toddlers, and 12-year-olds might prefer young teenagers to nine and ten-year-olds. Meanwhile, older teens will enjoy their own club room more than being shoved in with younger teens – and don’t forget that if you have two or more children they might want to be together. Or not…

4 Being British. Travel is all about broadening the mind, but if your children are shy they may prefer a

British cruise line with English-speaking kids’ club sta� and children.

5 Timing. If your children are at school you’ll want to take them away in the school holidays – this will give them

the opportunity to make more friends while on board, but you’ll need to watch out for great deals.

TOP FIVE THINGS TO CONSIDER

“Take advantage of the free entertainment and try something new. Let each member

of the family choose one activity that everyone must try. It’s a great way to have

fresh and interesting experiences with your family – you may even discover a

new common interest.”

ERICA DOUGLAS, MUM OF ONE AND BLOGGER AT

LITTLEMUMMY.COM

Although lots of entertainment is free the bills soon rack up for tempting video games, gi� shops and paid-for drinks and snacks on some ships. Set a daily limit (and if you’re giving them their own key cards, you may need to put a limit on their accounts).

Book a larger stateroom, or even a suite, so that you have plenty of room. Thomson Cruises has family cabins on all of its ships that accommodate two adults and two children, and the newly refurbishedThomson Dream has suites with balconies which now come with iPod docking stations and fl at screen TVs – ideal for families.

All childrens’ clubs on all lines are free, but there may be charges for specifi c activities.



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choose a cruise inclusive of gratuities or on board tips and you’ll save a small fortune. some cruise lines charge each passenger a daily gratuity rate – even children. some allow passengers to cancel the automatic charges and distribute their own tips, but this has to be done on the first day of the cruise.

Before you book, check out what baby equipment is available to borrow. You can pre order nappies, baby food and milk formula on Disney cruises, for example, with freshly pureed vegetables available as well as buggies and nappy bins. Any ship with a children’s club should have cots and highchairs and most will warm bottles for you.

Family-friendly ships will all have children’s menus with treats such as pizza and chips, spaghetti bolognese and bangers and mash. only top of the range luxury lines such as oceania, regent, seabourn and silversea don’t provide special meals.

Look out for family-friendly excursions. Try to avoid long coach journeys if it’s hot – you can join a ship’s trip to a beautiful beach or hire bicycles for a family tour. Keeping in touch with kids by mobile phone is very expensive from a ship and most walkie-talkies don’t work well. But some cruise lines have special phones for this purpose.

the big trend in family cruises right now is multi-generational holidays – even on luxury lines. “our cruises are perfect for a multi-generational holiday,” says uK managing Director andy magowan. “seaDream’s prices include use of water sports toys and allrecreational facilities. every stateroom is equipped with the latest entertainment centres including iPod docking stations.”

new to cruise

River cruises are an option for families with children interested in historic cities such as Prague and Budapest. Some cruise lines have bicycles on board for guests to borrow and offer discounts for passengers under 12 sharing with a parent. 8



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● Cruise holidays are perfectly safe for families – but just like any holiday it’s important to not take silly risks. You wouldn’t leave a young child unattended in a swimming pool at a hotel, so why would you do it on a ship? There’s lots of freedom for older kids and teenagers – but they still need to understand that the same rules apply at sea as they do anywhere else.

● All cruises have a compulsory ‘muster’ drill before the ship departs, which tells you what to do in the event of an emergency, how to put on your life jacket, etc. It’s similar to an aeroplane safety demonstration – but more detailed, and because the layout of your ship will probably be unfamiliar to you, it’s really important to attend.

● Kids’ clubs have very strict signing in/out policies and parents will always be contacted in an emergency or if a child isn’t settling in or wants their mum or dad. Just like a land-based kids’ club, you have to fi ll in all medical details and information before they join. Sta� are fully trained, and there is a high sta� to child ratio, but like any childcare, make sure you’re happy.

● Stateroom balconies do vary from ship to ship, and it’s worth checking these out before making a decision. If you’re travelling with toddlers you may want to consider booking a stateroom without a balcony, but all balcony doors are lockable.

● If you’re on a big ship it can be confusing, so do take time to familiarise yourselves with the layout and look at your maps.

SAFETY ON BOARD

“If you’ve got a teenage vampire, encourage them out into the sunlight by booking an adventure

excursion on shore. No teen can resist the temptation of a jetski. And take time to check out the list of the next day’s activities that’s left in your stateroom every night – there’s all sorts

for kids to take part in – from cupcake classes to belly � op competitions.”

BECKY WIGGINS, MUM OF TWO AND BLOGGER AT

ENGLISHMUM.COM

One size does not � t all, according to Andy Harmer, director of the Association of Cruise Experts. “Just because there are children in the party, don’t assume they will be interested in attending the many varied, and great, kids’ clubs. They might be happier in a well-stocked library, relaxing by the pool with their iPad or taking part in the many sports activities that can be found on board.”

If your child likes to learn, Princess Cruises have‘edutainment’ Junior Enrichment lessons presented by the California Science Centre and cookery lessons in its Junior Chefs at Sea programme.

Some cruise lines offer babysitting at night: Cunard and P&O cruise ships have free night nurseries, and there are charges for group babysitting on the following lines: Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Disney, Holland America, NCL, Princess, Regent and Royal Caribbean (from $5 to $25).

Teenagers’ clubs should have age appropriate entertainment. Royal Caribbean has a DJ Academy, teens travelling on Disney Dream get their own (very cool) pool, and Holland America’s ms Nieuw Amsterdam and ms Eurodam have a New York loft-style club – and hottub parties.

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BY LIZ JARVIS, EDITOR,

CRUISE INTERNATIONAL


CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT | VISIT US AT OCEANIACRUISES.COM | OFFER EXPIRES 30TH JUNE 2013u Reverse itinerary — times and port order vary. Overnight stay in port. Two overnight stays in port.

*Offers expire 3Oth June 2013. All advertised fares, offers and any applicable upgrades shown are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise indicated, are subject to availability at time of booking, may not be combinable with other offers, or loyalty programme benefits, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn without prior notice or remain in effect after the expiration date. Any applicable shipboard credits are per stateroom based on double occupancy. All fares listed are in Pounds Sterling, per person, based on double occupancy and include Non-Commissionable Fares. Cruise-related government fees and taxes are included. Single rates and rates for 3rd and 4th guests are available upon request; call for details. Cruise Ship Fuel Surcharge may apply for new bookings and, if applicable, is additional revenue to Oceania Cruises. Special Fares covering multiple sailings will represent the lowest priced date. Fares are cruise only. “Free Airfare” promotion does not include ground transfers and applies to economy, round-trip flights only from London, or one way flights where cruise originates or ends in the UK. Regional connecting flights can be requested at additional cost from ABZ, BFS, BHX, EDI, GLA, LBA, MAN & NCL. Any advertised fares that include the “Free Airfare” promotion include airline fees, surcharges and all government taxes. Some airline-imposed personal charges, including but not limited to baggage, priority boarding and special seating, may apply. Oceania Cruises reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. Additional Terms and Conditions may apply. Complete Terms and Conditions may be found at OceaniaCruises.com or in the Guest Ticket Contract. Ships’ Registry: Marshall Islands. PRO40305 UK

UP TO $300 SHIPBOARD CREDIT PER STATEROOM*

FREE PRE-PAID GRATUITIES ON SELECTED DATES*

FREE AIRFARE*

CATEGORIES SPECIAL FAREPenthouse Suite . . . . . . from £2,089 per guest fly-cruise

Concierge Stateroom . . from £1,799 per guest fly-cruise

Veranda Stateroom . . . . from £1,669 per guest fly-cruise

$200 Shipboard Credit*FREE Pre-paid Gratuities offered on 25 June and 24 August 2013 sailings.

BALTIC ODYSSEYSTOCKHOLM TO COPENHAGEN | 10-DAY VOYAGE25 JUNE, 5 JULYu, 24 AUGUST, 3 SEPTEMBERu 2013 onboard MARINA

Stockholm | Helsinki | St. Petersburg | Tallinn | Gdansk (Gdynia) Berlin (Warnemünde) | Copenhagen

$300 Shipboard Credit*

CATEGORIES SPECIAL FAREPenthouse Suite . . . . .from £2,629 per guest cruise only

Concierge Stateroom .from £2,229 per guest cruise only

Veranda Stateroom . . .from £2,039 per guest cruise only

NORTHERN KNIGHTSSOUTHAMPTON TO TILBURY | 14-DAY VOYAGE

20 JUNE 2013 onboard NAUTICASouthampton | Edinburgh (Rosyth) | Invergordon | Lerwick (Shetland Islands)

Ålesund | Geiranger (Geirangerfjord) | Hellesylt | Belfast | Douglas (Isle Of Man) Dublin | Holyhead | Cork (Cobh) | Portland | Tilbury

CATEGORIES SPECIAL FAREPenthouse Suite . . . . . . from £2,679 per guest fly-cruise

Concierge Stateroom . . from £2,289 per guest fly-cruise

Veranda Stateroom . . . . from £2,119 per guest fly-cruise

$300 Shipboard Credit* FREE Pre-paid Gratuities offered on 15 July sailing.

NORDIC EXPLORERSTOCKHOLM TO SOUTHAMPTON | 14-DAY VOYAGE

15 JULY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2013 onboard MARINAStockholm | Helsinki | St. Petersburg | Tallinn | Riga | Berlin (Warnemünde)

Copenhagen | Oslo | Amsterdam | Bruges (Zeebrugge) | Southampton

CATEGORIES SPECIAL FAREPenthouse Suite . . . . . . . from £2,729 per guest fly-cruise

Concierge Stateroom . . . from £2,329 per guest fly-cruise

Veranda Stateroom . . . . . from £2,139 per guest fly-cruise

Up to $300 Shipboard Credit*

SCANDINAVIAN SERENADESOUTHAMPTON TO STOCKHOLM | 14-DAY VOYAGE

11 JUNE, 10 AUGUST 2013 onboard MARINASouthampton | Amsterdam | Oslo | Copenhagen | Berlin (Warnemünde)

Riga | Tallinn | St. Petersburg | Helsinki | Stockholm

Northern Delights

PRO40305 Cruise Intl Baltic Ad_GBP_V3.indd 2 4/25/13 9:04 AM


XXX

It’s one of the most fascinating continents in the world – and as Julie Peasgood discovered, it’s easy to explore by ship

CARIBBEAN DREAM

Mum-of-two Tara Cain took her fi rst cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas earlier this

year. Now, she says, she’s completely hooked

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On day two of our five-day Western caribbean cruise, i stood on the

ocean view balcony watching the sea go by, and realized i had been hypnotized by cruising.

i was on board the most amazing ship i had ever seen, and the night before i had

experienced the most wonderful night’s sleep.Why had i never wanted to do this before?and as we approached our first port of call,

labadee on the island of Haiti, with her lush, green hills spreading out before me and the glittering caribbean sea pulling me closer, i knew i was well and truly hooked.

my preconceptions about cruising – that it would be too crowded, that i’d be bored being in such a confined space – were completely challenged.

OnbOard

From the moment i took my first steps on to the huge 15-deck ship i was totally blown away by its size and grandeur. throughout the whole cruise, the ship remained spotless. and every member of staff we met – from the waiters and stateroom attendants to the captain himself, were friendly and helpful and had a smile on their face.

my stateroom was spacious and comfortable, and to my delight i discovered that room service was included. every morning i could eat my granola and fruit on my balcony, watching the sea go by as i sipped my cup of tea in total peace. it really was idyllic.

and it never felt as though there were thousands of people onboard. some were sipping cocktails, some were on loungers, some were using the amazing sports deck with its huge climbing wall and fabulous surf simulator, the Flowrider.

i knew the facilities would be extensive, but the onboard gym was actually superior to the one i’m a member of back home and the spa was a real treat.

my overriding impression was of quality. everything is so well looked after and looks brand new. i’ve stayed in five-star hotels that aren’t as pristine.

The fOOd

one of my biggest concerns was that there wouldn’t be enough variety, but i was pleasantly surprised. on Liberty of the Seas the Windjammer self-service buffet restaurant is perfect for families, with a large variety of good basic food on offer. it gets rather busy at times, but the selection is impressive.

and there are a host of other venues to choose from – everything from chop’s Grille to american-style diner Johnny rockets. the Windjammer and the main dining hall – which looks like something from the set of a movie it’s so grand – are both included in the price of your cruise, but you need to pay a supplement to eat at the specialty restaurants (starting at $3.95 per person).

The enTerTainmenT

i thought the entertainment would be mediocre at best – but in fact, it was so good i’d happily pay to go and see it, from the ice-skating extravaganza to Saturday Night Fever. For a first-time cruiser, the quality and

quantity of entertainment was a real eye opener. i had no idea it would be this good.

The Kids’ Clubs

the kids’ clubs were perfectly pitched to each age group, with lots of daily activities for them to choose from. i was really impressed. the adventure ocean programme has won awards – and it’s very clear why. Kids can spend their time making kites, doing science experiments, sports, face painting, competitions or just chilling out together.

older children have an impressive array of things to keep them busy – from Playstations and Wiis to arts and crafts and a disco. and difficult-to-please teenagers are catered for with their own ‘clubhouse’, and even a three-day DJ course if they want to learn a skill.

The shOre exCursiOns

after docking in beautiful labadee, we boarded a small boat heading for a private island.

there we sipped rum cocktails in hollowed-out coconuts, the waves lapping at our feet and beautiful scenery all around us.

meanwhile a procession of little buggies emerged from the ship, bringing a huge barbecue for everyone to enjoy. Jerk chicken, bbq pork, salads, burgers, fruit, cakes, puddings – it really was an excellent feast.

there were also lots of beach activities on offer, including the zip wire, snorkelling, jet skis and an entire aqua park. Plus the kids’ clubs.

in Jamaica we experienced an amazing day-long excursion: horse riding in the sea followed by a trek up Dunns river Falls. it was an unforgettable experience.

fOr families

the most important thing i’ve learned from my first cruise is that it is vital you do your research before you book and ensure you pick the class of ship which is right for you and your family.

From the sports activities to the award-winning kids’ clubs, the Dreamworks parade, to the family-friendly shows – there was something to keep all ages busy and happy. and what i really liked was that these programmes have been designed to encourage parents and kids to do things together and make the most of their time as a family on board the ship.

i never thought i’d say this, but a cruise is a great family holiday.

GETTING THERERoyal Caribbean offers a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida from £288 per person, cruise only, calling at Cozumel, Mexico. Departs 12 December 2013 and incudes meals, entertainment and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. For more information see royalcaribbean.co.uk or call 0844 493 4005.

Go online: See our top family cruises at cruise-international.com

Clockwise, from left:Labadee, Haiti; relaxing on the beach; rum punch; one of the instructors on the horse-riding excursion; local entertainment; kids’ pool area onboard

024-025_CRI_JJ13_New to Cruise_First timer.indd 25 26/04/2013 12:13

AWARDS

2013

V

OTE FOR US

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Hollywood stars are lining up to name cruise ships – here are four of the most glamorous godmothers around...

SHIP: AMAVIDAWe were quite surprised (OK, very surprised) when we discovered the Basic Instinct actress was going to be naming Ama Waterways’ latest luxury vessel – but river cruising just got very glam indeed. Sharon was chosen to be a godmother for her humanitarian efforts, and “her beauty and grace”.

Sharon Stone

SHIP: MSC PREZIOSA, AND THE REST OF THE FLEET The Oscar-winning star and Hollywood legend said at the launch of MSC Preziosa that “no one else is going to be an MSC godmother while I’m around.” She wasn’t kidding – she’s godmother to MSC’s entire � eet of cruise ships, and says that if she could go on any kind of holiday she would choose a cruise.

Sophia Loren

A-list

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SHIP: QUANTUM OF THE SEASA huge star in the US, where she’s appeared in numerous stage shows and movies as well TV programmes including Glee, Kristin says she’s very excited to be godmother to Royal Caribbean’s new ship, which is expected to start sailing in October next year. “I’ve been lucky to play many roles and I am looking forward to this one,” she added. “I think the Royal Caribbean brand is the perfect match for me, especially with their history of providing exceptional entertainment experiences to their guests.”

Kristin Chenoweth

SHIP: QUEEN ISABELThe star of Four Weddings and Groundhog Day was chosen to be a godmother for her “timeless beauty and elegance” and said she was “deeply honoured” to christen Uniworld’s river cruise ship.

Andie MacDowell

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RECIPES

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

7 oz fresh tuna fi llet (can be made with shrimp, lobster, crab,

salmon or yellowtail as well)

5 tbsp plus 1 tsp Matsuhisa Dressing

2 oz assorted salad vegetables

METHOD● Preheat a grill or broiler. Sprinkle a little sea salt and black pepper on the

tuna. Briefl y sear the tuna until its surface turns white. Plunge the fi llet into

iced water to stop it cooking any further, then shake off the excess water.● Pour the Matsuhisa Dressing into a serving dish. Arrange the salad

vegetables in the centre of the dish. Cut the tuna into fi ve to seven slices and

place them around the vegetables in the centre.

MATSUHISA DRESSING

¾ cup fi nely chopped onion

2 tbsp plus 2 tsp soy sauce

2 tbsp plus 1 tsp rice vinegar

2 tsp water

½ tsp granulated sugar

Pinch sea salt

¼ tsp powdered mustard

Pinch freshly ground black pepper

4 tsp grapeseed oil

4 tsp sesame oil

● Combine all the ingredients except the oils. When the salt is fully dissolved, it

is time to add the oils.

SASHIMI SALAD WITH MATSUHISA DRESSING SERVES 4

Celebrity chef Nobu will be o� ering intimate gourmet experiences onboard Crystal Symphony this summer. Here he shares three of his favouritefi sh and seafood recipes

Fresh from the sea

030-031_CRI_JJ13_Recipes.indd 30 26/04/2013 12:25


recipes

BLACK COD WITH MISO ServeS 4

Marinate this dish overnight. The sauce also

works well with beef and salmon.

Nobu-style saikyo-miso sauce

½ cup sake

¾ cup mirin

2 cups white miso paste

1¼ cups granulated sugar

fish

4 black cod fillets, about 8 oz each

l Bring sake and mirin to the boil in a medium

saucepan over a high heat. Boil for 20 seconds

to evaporate the alcohol.l Reduce to a low heat and add the miso paste,

mixing with a wooden spoon. When the miso

has dissolved completely, increase to a high

heat and add the sugar, stirring constantly

to ensure the bottom of pan doesn’t burn.

Remove from the heat once the sugar is fully

dissolved. Cool to room temperature. Set aside

½ cup of sauce for serving the next day, use

the rest as marinade.l Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Cover

with saikyo-miso sauce, place in a glass dish

or bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate overnight.l Preheat the broiler to high.l Lightly wipe off excess miso on the fillets,

but do not rinse it off. Discard the marinade.

Place the fish in a broiler pan and broil until the

surface turns brown – for about two minutes.l Reduce the heat.l Move the fish to the centre of the oven and

bake for ten to 15 minutes.l Plate up the fillets and add a few drops of

reserved sauce to each plate.

The addition of a zesty flavour highlights the subtle taste ofthe scallops

top tip

3 scallops

½ cucumber

Coriander leaves

Chilli paste

Salt flakes

2 tsp freshly squeezed yuzu juice

1 tbsp and 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

l Extract the scallops from their shells, remove the innards,

beard, etc, and take off the frilly membrane. Although it

depends upon their size, aim to cut each scallop across its

depth into 3 slices.l Slice the cucumber into very thin discs and carefully

arrange the slices in the middle of a serving plate. Surround

the cucumber with the scallop slices.l On each scallop slice place some coriander leaves and a

little dollop of chilli paste, then sprinkle it with salt flakes.l Make a yuzu lemon sauce by mixing the yuzu and lemon

juices, and pour this around carefully.

Nobu’s Notes l Depending upon their size, scallops should be cut into

slices around ⅛ inch (3mm) thick. Arrange seven slices on

the dish (see photo below).l Chilli paste will be easier to use if it is put in a piping bag or

other dispenser.

SCALLOp TIrADITO ServeS 3

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GREAT VIKING VALUE There’s so much included

Return flights from the UK

Deluxe en-suite stateroom with river-view

All meals on board ship

Shore excursions

Captain’s Dinner

Complimentary house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board

No regional flight supplements

No surcharges guaranteed once your deposit is paid

EARLY BOOKING PRICES FROM ONLY £895pp

Rhine Discovery8 days, 6 guided toursDeparts: March - December 2014

From Amsterdam to Basel, sail through four countries and explore fairytale castles, grand cathedrals and stunning scenery on this majestic river.

EARLY BOOKING PRICES FROM ONLY £1,095pp

Heart of Bordeaux8 days, 6 guided toursDeparts: March - December 2014

Sail through beautiful Bordeaux and Aquitaine, and discover chateaux, vineyards, medieval towns, ancient cities and the world’s most famous wines.

EARLY BOOKING PRICES FROM ONLY £1,195pp

Elegant Elbe10 days, 9 guided toursDeparts: March - November 2014

With a hotel stay in Berlin and Prague, sail through Germany and Czech Republic and enjoy a wealth of history, culture and picture-perfect landscapes.

CruiseInt_FP_April2013_4.indd 1 18/04/2013 17:01:41


new ships

The latest ships on the scene offer very different experiences: MSC Preziosa oozes glitz and glamour, the new Viking Longships are sleek and sophisticated and Royal Princess promises to be stunning. Here’s what you can expect on board

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34 cruise-international.com | june/july 2013

With its glittering swarovski-crystal staircases, murano glass mosaics, white carrara marble and aquamarine cobblestones, MSC

Preziosa, the fourth Fantasy class ship in the msc fleet, offers boutique hotel chic with added bling. the word preziosa means ‘precious’ in italian and there are glittering touches all over the ship (and you may want to wear shades in the casino). staterooms are luxurious, featuring soft furnishings in marine blue and cream, chocolate and raspberry, or burnt orange and gold. But despite the glitz, it’s also a ship designed to be as relaxing as possible, with no shortage of lounges, sun decks and those all-important pools. For families, the ship boasts a fantastic aqua park, plus the longest single rider body waterslide on the waves, Vertigo, and an outdoor cinema, plus very cool kids’ clubs. Food is given great prominence with the first two eataly restaurants at sea – the minimalist eataly and the exclusive 24-seat ristorante italia. there are also two elegant main dining rooms, l’arabesque and the Golden lobster, and two extensive self-serve buffets. and continuing the ‘precious’ theme, the award-winning aurea spa offers treatments with marine oils, a Black Volcano facial and a thermal area designed for pampering.

The latest addition to MSC Cruises’fleet boasts state-of-the-art facilitiesfor the whole family

msc Preziosanew ships

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Clockwise, from left: The Galaxy lounge; a stateroom; the impressive atrium; the Aurea spa; the 4D cinema; the Aqua Park; the Green Sax Jazz Bar

The word preziosa means ‘precious’ in Italian and there are glittering touches all over the ship

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xxx Longships

The longships evoke a feeling of calm and eleganceWith their sleek, scandinavian design, Viking

cruises’ newest longships evoke a feeling of calm and elegance. the ships’ names are

inspired by Viking Gods (Viking Atla,Viking Baldur, Viking Bragi, Viking Forseti, Viking Jarl, Viking Magni, Viking Skadi, Viking Rinda, Viking Tor and Viking Var), and all make fantastic use of light, featuring glass, backlit marble panels rising above a terazzo floor and a grand wooden staircase to create a beautiful, modern space. French balcony staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, while suites have their own veranda. the aquavit terrace is a lovely place to enjoy breakfast (which can be cooked to order – we recommend the pancakes) or lunch al fresco. the large sun deck has plenty of space to relax – or, should you fancy it, play a game of giant chess. the ships have quiet, environmentally-friendly hybrid engines, solar panels and there’s even an organic herb garden on the large sun deck.

Viking River Cruises’ newest longships epitomise the best of Scandinavian design

Viking



Longships

Clockwise, from left:The dining room; lounge; floor-to-ceiling windows give optimum views of the river banks; a Veranda stateroom; the stunning light-filled atrium; the bar

new ships

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xxxpromotion

princessThe debut of Royal Princess in June promises to be one of the most talked about ship launches this year. Not only is the Duchess of Cambridge going to be the ship’s godmother, but Royal Princess features some incredible, innovative features. Here we take a closer look at what will be on board

Royal


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xxx

Largest coLLection of super tuscan wines at sea

More than 20 choices of these headline-making wines from Tuscany will be available in Sabatini’s, the Italian speciality restaurant. The wines range from recognisable super Tuscans such as Masseto, Solaia or Tignanello to some lesser known vintages such as Castello del Terricio or Il Bruciato Bolgheri. Wines will be featured by the bottle and in a new Sabatini’s super Tuscan wine tasting event, where passengers can enjoy the rare opportunity to sample the wines accompanied by delicious small plates from the Tuscan inspired Italian restaurant.

When Royal Princess debuts in June, the 3,600-passenger ship will attract attention for its

many striking features, including a soaring atrium and the dramatic over-the-water SeaWalk. Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; the dramatic over-the-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; the new Princess Live! television studio, broadcasting events including interactive culinary shows and live concerts; a pastry shop; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. Here are a few innovations onboard Royal Princess that you may not have heard about yet - all designed to add something extra special to your cruise...

40 CruISe-InTernATIonAL.CoM | June/JuLy 2013


promotion

Whisky flights at Wheelhouse Bar

inspired by the growing popularity of whisky, the line’s signature Wheelhouse Bar, which offers live piano entertainment and drinks in a club-like ambiance, will feature a menu of three different whisky flights – each including three whiskies. passengers can choose from single malts, three “Glens” and other iconic whisky options, each featuring tasting notes.

new cabanas in the Sanctuary offer an array of exclusive treatments in an adults-only setting, with incredible ocean views. this exclusive experience will provide the ultimate in pampering with all-day spa treatments, plus gourmet food and beverage offerings.

royal indulgence package

the top-deck SeaView Bar will feature midday and sunset flair bartending shows where talented bartenders will entertain passengers with their bottle-tossing and mixing skills. meanwhile the new Bellini’s bar offers a prime location for watching the action in the piazza below, serving a variety of Bellini-inspired drinks, including the new signature royal Bellini.

cocktail magic

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royal Bellini50ml ciroc vodka25ml galliano100ml white peach puree150ml French champagne

Clockwise, from left: Royal Princess at sea; the dining experience at Chef’s Table Lumiere: retreat to The Sanctuary; the Wheelhouse Bar, where you can enjoy whisky flights; Bellini’s bar; Sabatini’s wine tasting event offers the largest collection of super Tuscan wines at sea; the incredible SeaWalk

41cruiSe-international.com June/July 2013 |

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Whether you prefer vanilla, chocolate, dulce de leche, or butter pecan, the charming new gelateria onboard Royal Princess will serve up the largest variety of creamy Italian-inspired gelato and ice cream creations at sea. Gelato will feature a menu of eight delicious flavours prepared by the ship’s pastry chef, plus more than 20 toppings and sauces, and specialty items such as designer sundaes, homemade waffle cones, creamy fruit smoothies, frosty shakes and sweet crepes.

promotIon

Largest geLato menu at sea

tea lovers will revel in Royal Princess’s unique tea tower located in the ship’s central piazza, featuring a tea sommelier and a choice of 250 blends. Here passengers can enjoy pre-blended tea varieties or create their own custom flavours. the ship’s tea sommelier, an expert on tea blends, will host tea-tasting events and a new royal afternoon tea experience, inspired by some of the most famous tea spots in London.

tea tower with sommeLier and 250 bLends of tea

Go online: the 2013 maiden season of Royal Princess will include cruises on the line’s signature

grand mediterranean itinerary throughout the summer, followed by eastern Caribbean cruises

beginning in the autumn. You can find out more about Royal Princess and watch videos at

princess.com/royalprincess

42 cruIse-InternatIonaL.com | june/juLy 2013

Royal Princess will serve up the largest selection of Italian-inspired gelato and ice cream creations at sea

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cruise international awards 2013

AWARDS

2013

Awards 2013

The

Vote at cruise-international.com/awards

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043-050_CRI_JJ13_cruise awards_part 1.indd 43 01/05/2013 10:04


CRUISE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 2013

CategoriesThe


Over 20,000 of you voted for last year’s Cruise International Awards, and this year’s are going to be bigger and better. But we need your help – we want to know which cruise lines you think deserve special recognition this year. Overleaf you’ll fi nd the categories you can vote for. Cast your vote online and you’ll have the chance to be entered into a fabulous prize draw, where you could win prizes including a holiday for two to the beautiful Caribbean island of St Kitts, a luxury suitcase, designer watches or a tablet*.




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cruise international awards 2013


AWARDS

2013

CategoriesThe

l Best cruise linel Best river cruise linel Best luxury cruise linel Best specialist cruise linel Best affordaBle cruise linel Best for familiesl Best innovationl Best for entertainmentl Best onBoard restaurantl Best destination (europe)l Best destination (rest of World)l Best for WellBeingl Best for activitiesl Best cruise Blogger l Best cruise agent

In addition, there will be two special categories,Best New Ship and Lifetime Achievement, votedfor by our panel of judges.

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EXPERIENCE THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING LUXURY OF

THE WORLD’S BEST RIVER CRUISESDouro • Rhine • Moselle • Danube • Rhône • Seine • Garonne • Gironde • Dutch Waterways • Venice & Po • Volga • Mekong • Nile • Yangtze

THANK YOU!Titan and Uniworld were honoured to receive three

prestigious accolades at last year’s Cruise International Awards, and we thank you so much for your votes.

Voting for the 2013 awards is open now and we would be very grateful for support once again. Simply visit

the Cruise International website to vote.

WBRC CI Vote for us April 13.indd 1 01/05/2013 12:03



Vote at cruise-international.com/awards*

AWARDS

2013PrizesThe

The lucky winner of our grand prize and their guest will jet off with British Airways to the stunning island of St. Kitts, where you’ll enjoy a stay at the luxurious St. Kitts Marriott Resort, before transferring to the beautiful island of Nevis for a further four nights.

With its white and black sand beaches, colourful culture, historical sights, exceptional restaurants and friendly hospitable people, St. Kitts has all the elements required for a relaxing getaway. Named after explorer Christopher Columbus it’s small – but perfectly formed.

St. Kitts, a popular port of call on many cruises, has a history of colonial in� uence and there are some beautiful artefacts and architecture to discover. The most famous and most visited site is without a doubt Brimstone

Hill Fortress. Dating back to 1690, it’s the only man-made UNESCO listed World Heritage Site in the eastern Caribbean.

Most of the island’s pleasures are outdoors. Horse riding and hiking are a great way to see the countryside, there’s an 18-hole golf course and diving is a big draw. The waters around St. Kitts and Nevis play host to some amazing reefs, shipwrecks and a wealth of colourful � sh and coral.

Unspoiled by mass tourism, yet welcoming and accommodating to all visitors, St. Kitts offers guests a truly authentic Caribbean experience.

Following your stay on St. Kitts you’ll discover the enchanting island of Nevis, with its incredible wildlife and beaches.

A Caribbean island holiday for twoHill Fortress. Dating back to 1690, it’s the

great way to see the countryside, there’s an 18-hole golf course and diving is a big draw. The waters around St. Kitts and Nevis play host to some amazing reefs, shipwrecks and a

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Grand Prize

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Combine small-ship cruising with the very best of cultural travel

DEPARTS JULY 6, 2013

ROME TO ISTANBUL13 days from just £1,995†

Fly to Rome and transfer to the ship in Civitavecchia. Then cruise to:Sorrento (Pompeii) ~ Palermo (Monreale& Segesta) ~ Taormina ~ Nauplia(Mycenae) ~ Syracuse ~ AthensDelos ~ Mykonos ~ Izmir (Ephesus)Lemnos ~ Istanbul ( fly home)

Cruise on the Aegean Odyssey and explore thefascinating history and civilisations of theMediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas. Carrying around 350 passengers, you’ll enjoy the personal service and the intimate yet spacious surroundings on board.

EXCEPTIONAL VALUE:THESE SPECIAL FARES INCLUDE:• RETURN SCHEDULED FLIGHTS (AND FREE REGIONAL CONNECTIONS)

• EXPERT GUEST SPEAKER PROGRAMME

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• OPEN SEATING DINING PLUS WINE WITH DINNER ON BOARD

• GRATUITIES ON BOARD

• OVERSEAS TRANSFERS

SAVE UP TO £4,540 PER CABIN*

† Prices are per person based on two sharing best cabin grade availablewithin the categories selected at time of booking. *Savings shown areper cabin, based on double occupancy. This offer is on a first-come-first-served basis – so immediate booking is recommended to ensure the

best cabins. All offers are subject to availability. # Single price offeris subject to availability, and available only on certain cabin

grades. Please enquire for more details.

ABTA No.Y2206Call 0845 450 1385 or visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com

ALL THIS PLUS HUGE SAVINGSON THE BEST CABINS AVAILABLE

Call now to reserve the best-available cabin

DEPARTS JUNE 24, 2013

ATHENS TO ROME13 days from just £1,995†

Fly to Athens for overnight on board andsightseeing the next day. Then cruise to:Nauplia (Mycenae) ~ Syracuse Trapani (Segesta) ~ Palermo (Monreale)Sorrento (Pompeii & Herculaneum)Bonifacio ~ Livorno (Florence)Rome ( fly home)

SPECIAL FLY-CRUISE

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INSIDE CABINS (CAT: M/L/K) £1,995 £1,610

PREMIUM OUTSIDE CABINS (CAT: I/H/G) £2,350 £2,610

DELUXE BALCONY CABINS (CAT: D/C) £2,695 £4,410

BEST CABIN AVAILABLE FARESBEST AVAILABLE CABIN FLY-CRUISE FARE† SAVE*

INSIDE CABINS (CAT: M/L/K) £1,995 £1,740

PREMIUM OUTSIDE CABINS (CAT: I/H/G) £2,350 £2,720

DELUXE BALCONY CABINS (CAT: D/C) £2,695 £4,540

BEST CABIN AVAILABLE FARES

Why not extend your trip with a 2-night stay in Rome?

Prices from £328pp (twin) or £460pp (single)

Add 2-night hotel stay in Rome and/or 2 nights in Istanbul?

Rome: Prices from £328pp (twin) or £460pp (single)Istanbul: Prices from £338pp (twin) or £608pp (single)

AWARDS

2013

V

OTE FOR US

We hope you will vote for us again in 2013

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A year’s subscription toCruise International

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AWARDS

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Prestigio Tablet worth £249.99This MultiPad 10.1 Ultimate 3G is a dual-core model with a

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PROMOTION

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WONDERFUL WILDLIFENature lovers will be spoiled for choice in Alaska. You can see grizzly bears, polar bears, grey wolves, bald eagles, blue and humpback whales, orcas, lynx, moose, and hundreds of other rare and endangered species in their natural habitats.

SPECTACULAR SCENERYAlaska has a longer coastline than all the other US states combined, and more than 17 of the 20 highest peaks in Alaska are found there. It also boasts half the world’s glaciers – it’s estimated that there are more than 100,000 glaciers in the state.

AMAZING ADVENTURESIf you’re looking for a taste of adventure, Alaska has it all from the mild to the wild. Raft a world-class river, kayak, hike or bike a mountain trail. Take a � shing trip or join a sightseeing cruise.

ALL-YEAR ROUND DESTINATIONAlaska is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun – it receives more sunlight in spring and summer than any other state and many other parts of the world.Winter is not as cold as you might think, and Alaska’s

most popular and iconic winter experiences include dog mushing, viewing the magni� cent Northern Lights, snowboarding, skiing and a wealth of cultural events – plus delicious Alaskan seafood to try.

NEW ROUTES FROM THE UKIcelandair (icelandair.com) is launching a new route from Reykjavik to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, from 15 May 2013. It’s also increasing its services from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Glasgow airports to the Icelandic capital, offering easy connections, and a faster and more economical way for Brits to travel to Alaska, shaving � ve hours off other routes. The � ights are perfect for those interested in small ship cruising or adventure cruising from Anchorage.

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african explorer

It’s one of the most fascinating continents in the world – and as Julie Peasgood discovered, it’s easy to explore by ship

Outafricaof

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One of the top items on my bucket list has always been to visit Africa – only I had never

imagined doing so on a ship. I had pictured myself going on a big game safari, or driving along South Africa’s Garden Route, or maybe � ying to Cape Town to relish its many delights. But as multi-tasking is my mantra, the fact that I can easily do all of these – and more – in just one trip, has considerable appeal.

Most excursions on cruises are more of an introduction to a destination rather than an in-depth view, but they are great for whetting the appetite – and Fred. Olsen’s Black Watch offered a variety of well-planned tours, so sometimes it’s even possible to pack in a couple of trips in a day. Tour Manager Sandra Harvey is blessed with an encyclopaedic knowledge of this vast continent, and was very happy to advise us about what was on offer.

Our � rst African port of call was Banjul, in The Gambia. I was a little wary because of the recent tension, but our visit was trouble-free, except for the bold monkey that snatched my husband’s Panama in the Bijilo Forest Park (it didn’t even suit him).

It was when we reached Namibia that we all felt we were properly in Africa. Dating back 80 million years, the lunar-like Namib desert is the oldest in the world, and it’s also home to the highest sand dunes in existence. In Walvis Bay, Namibia’s chief port, intrepid travellers can drive a quad bike to the top of Dune 7 and then sandboard down. But simply witnessing this wind-sculpted sand mountain is heart-stopping enough. It’s dif� cult to comprehend when you � rst see it. The Atlantic waves crash onto the shore like anywhere else. It’s just that in Namibia the sand and the dunes keep going back for hundreds of miles. Sand, sand and more sand. Dune after dune.

Walvis Bay is also an ornithologist’s dream, with an abundance of � amingos, pelicans and Jackass Penguins. A tour on the natural lagoon is a wonderful way to see them, and we were astonished when a seal jumped into our boat. We fed and stroked him before he plopped back into the water to party with the dolphins cavorting around us, while we enjoyed bubbly and Walvis Bay oysters.

The West African town of Lüderitz was our next port of call, and you can’t help but notice the architecture here. Namibia was a German colony, and in the old town there are wooden houses and bars that wouldn’t look out of place

in a Bavarian village. There’s a strange familiarity that’s very welcome given the Martian terrain of the desert.

The top attraction here is a trip to the eerie ghost town of Kolmanskop. Once famed for its diamonds, the deserted buildings are gradually being reclaimed by the desert sands and make for some haunting images.

But my camera got most use in Cape Town. With two and a half days in this stunning, sophisticated city, we were spoilt for choice as to what to do � rst.

A trip to the top of Table Mountain, or the penal colony of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity? Whale watching or sampling Stellenbosch on the award-winning Wine Route? We were delighted when we discovered we could enjoy both whales and wine on the same tour, to the quaint coastal town of Hermanus, which boasts a 13-mile beach into the bargain.

Wherever you are in Cape Town, Table Mountain watches over you like a guardian angel. Even when the

Wherever you are in Cape Town, Table Mountain watches over you

XXXXXXXXX

in a Bavarian village. There’s a strange familiarity that’s very welcome given the

The top attraction here is a trip to the eerie ghost town of Kolmanskop.

deserted buildings are gradually being reclaimed by the desert sands and make

But my camera got most use in Cape Town. With two and a half days in this stunning, sophisticated city, we were spoilt for choice as to what to do � rst.

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bike to the top of Dune 7 and then in a Bavarian village. There’s a strange

Town, Table Mountain watches over youTown, Table Mountain watches over youTown, Table Mountain

in a Bavarian village. There’s a strange

Clockwise from above:The deserted town of Kolmanskop; house in Lüderitz; fl amingos in Walvis Bay; a azebra crossing; an elephant enjoying a snack

Clockwise from above:



AFRICAN EXPLORER

clouds are draping themselves over the the lip like a badly laid table cloth. On these days the locals actually call it Table Cloth Mountain.

I was also eager to sample Cape Town’s renowned waterfront market, and so I made a beeline for the craft and curio markets at Victoria Wharf. They didn’t disappoint, offering traditional, South African hand-made treasures and hardly any souvenir-type tat. But the market is only the beginning. When you get under the skin of Cape Town you begin to realise what a truly amazing city it is. From the colonial magni� cence of The Lord Nelson Hotel to the relaxed resort of Camps Bay, located a few miles out of town, where the wealthy and beautiful people hang out, it offers a winning combination of re� nement and rugged charm.

Sitting at the tip of Africa looking out to sea, it slowly dawns on you that the next stop is Antarctica, and those rolling waves of the Southern Ocean

that pound its shores is why Cape Town has been a safe haven on the edge of the world for as long as man has sailed the seas. Perhaps that’s why the city itself is so cultured, so welcoming to any passing traveller. A stylish, cosmopolitan city that you can’t help but love. No wonder there’s been talk of building an alternative Hollywood in Cape Town.

Our next stop was Mossel Bay on the famed Garden Route, so-called because of its lush vegetation, rather than a garden in the National Trust sense. When we disembarked we heard a grumpy passenger comment, “The only good thing about Mossel Bay is the road out of it.” I disagree.

OK, so the town itself isn’t the most impressive, but the local beach is glorious, and we really enjoyed the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex. What initially looked a bit tired and uninspiring actually turned out to be a fascinating insight into the colonization of the pioneering Portuguese. At the centre of the Complex is the world’s oldest post of� ce – Mossel Bay’s Post Of� ce Tree – a huge, white milkwood that’s been providing welcome shade for over 500 years (and you can still post a letter there). But we didn’t stay in the shade long; the museum gardens led straight onto Santos beach, a vast expanse of empty white sand.

Having done our own thing in Mossel Bay, we decided to join another

of the ship’s excursions in Port Elizabeth – a trip to the Addo Elephant National Park, which contains over 300 elephants, not to mention the unique � ightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.

There were several opportunities to visit game reserves during the cruise, including overland trips, with accommodation provided, over a duration of several days. We chose an afternoon game drive as our � rst safari, and we boarded the Jeeps after scouring the onsite shop (I’m never one to miss a retail opportunity). I invested in a � endishly good leather � y swat, but was devastated to learn they’d sold out of a sign saying ‘Priority Must Be Given To Dung Beetles.’ I’d have loved one for the loo at home.

The safari was awe inspiring, and we were lucky enough to spot zebras, warthogs, antelopes, giant tortoises and even a lion sheltering from the sun. At � rst, it was just a slight rustling in the undergrowth. Instinctively, you turn

to look, just as you would at home expecting to see the cat. Which is exactly what you do see – the biggest cat you’ve ever seen in your life.

We’ve all seen lions at the zoo but in the wild, in their natural surroundings, they take your breath away. This is their territory you’re in now, not your own. With their sheer majesty, their supreme con� dence, almost arrogance, you begin to wonder whether you're watching them or they're watching you.

We were all unashamedly excited – and on top of this, we even got up close and personal with an elephant having afternoon tea.

Our last African destination was Durban, the busiest port in South Africa. Like Port Elizabeth, this isn’t perhaps the best city to wander around independently, so we kept to the main tourist route (most big cities have a boardwalk area which is safe to walk along). The highlight was a four-hour visit to Phezulu, for a taste of Zulu culture. We saw a spirited display of traditional tribal dancing, complete with Zulu dress and a background of powerful drumming that would have enchanted even Craig Revel Horwood.

Both my husband and I were enchanted by the whole experience. The colours, smells, and sounds of Africa will stay with us for a long time, and this cruise has de� nitely whetted our appetites for more.

CAPE VERDE AND AFRICA CRUISEJulie visited Africa as part of a longer cruise, but a 14-night cruise with Fred. Olsen departing on 6 December 2013 from Tenerife, calling at Cape Verde, The Gambia and Senegal, starts from £1,339pp, based on two sharing, including fl ights. For more info call 0845 485 6602 or visit fredolsencruises.com

We’ve all seen lions at the zoo, but in the wild they take your breath away

of the ship’s excursions in Port Elizabeth

Park, which contains over 300 elephants, not to mention the unique � ightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.

Above from top:A lion in the undergrowth; Camps Bay beach; South African souvenirs; Julie and a familiar face

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ve all seen lions at the zoo, but in the wild they take your breath away

ve all seen lions at the zoo, but in the wild they take your breath away

ve all seen lions at the zoo, but in the


We were delighted to win Best Affordable Cruise Line 2012 and Cruise Line of the Year 2011.

We’d love to win again and would really appreciate your vote for the 2013 awards.

Past guests tell us our smaller ships are ideal for creating a warm, sociable atmosphere

on board. We sail into the heart of destinations around the globe, from a choice of

local departure ports around the UK and it’s great to know these benefits have left

a lasting impression on our guests. In 2013 we’ll continue to provide great value

holidays you’ll remember for years to come.

To vote for Fred. Olsen in the awards, simply visit cruise-international.com

Fred. Olsen’s new 2014/15 itineraries are on sale now,for a brochure call 0800 0355 102

AWARDS

2013

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OTE FOR USVOTE FOR FRED.

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cultural cruise

ulture lubC

Azamara’s new cruise concept lets you stay a little bit longer – and discover more, says Liz Jarvis

Above:Ballet at the Mikhailovsky Theatre, St Petersburg

057-059_CRI_JJ13_Azamara.indd 57 25/04/2013 14:08


cultural cruise

It’s early evening in the pretty seaside town of sète, France, and we’re watching a traditional display of water jousting performed by two teams of men – including the captain of our ship, the

Azamara Quest. their goal is to knock each other into the water with a lance, which, to the delight of the crowd, happens fairly regularly.

the winners declared, we make our way to specially erected marquees where there are a range of local delicacies ready and waiting to tempt us, ranging from fresh oysters to moreish smoked haddock crostini and freshly baked champignon pies, all served with local wines and champagnes.

Being given the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the place you’re visiting is something azamara club cruises have been doing for a while, with their ‘destination immersion’ concept. the advantage of their two luxury ships – Quest and Journey – is that they’re small enough to get into hard to reach ports and places, which adds to the authentic experience. and they frequently dock overnight or for longer, giving you time to explore without feeling as though you have to hurry back or miss the ship.

Which is why we were watching water jousting in France just before dusk. azamara’s latest experience, the catchily-titled azamazing evening, gives guests the chance to really enjoy the advantages of those longer stays in port. there is one of these complimentary cultural events on every voyage, designed to reflect local customs and traditions. so for example, in seville, you can experience a spectacular midnight fireworks show, or in st tropez, you can go to a polo match. in Belfast, you can have a private viewing of the titanic Belfast museum, while in st Petersburg, you can attend a ballet at the mikhailovsky theatre. and in the italian village of ravello, you can enjoy a classical concert followed by sparkling wines and delicious sweets, with stunning views of the sea.

of course, you do have to spend some time on board to get to these places, but that’s certainly not a hardship. With only 694 guests, azamara offers a luxurious, country club style cruise – laidback, with lots of friendly staff (gratuities are included).

staterooms are comfortable and the pool area is particularly lovely, with blankets ready for colder days on deck so that you can sit and enjoy the scenery, whatever the weather. the food in the aqualina restaurant is good, and there’s also a champagne and caviar bar, as well as a chef’s table featuring three wine menus – italian, French and californian. some spirits and beers are included as part of your package, as are red and white boutique wines at lunch and dinner. and the entertainment is excellent – we enjoyed a performance by alex mac, ‘the english michael Bublé’, enormously.

as our ship left sète for marseille, we were treated to a firework display from the beach, and served hot chocolate spiced with rum. this kind of cruise is definitely an experience to savour.

GETTING THEREAzamara Club Cruises offers a seven-night Footsteps of Napoleon and Amalfi Coast fly/cruise from £2,338pp (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom), departing on 7 September 2013. Price includes return flights from London Heathrow, one-night pre-cruise accommodation in Rome, transfers and a seven-night cruise from Rome calling at Elba, Olbia, Amalfi, Capri and Sorrento; meals, room service and destination-influenced entertainment and enrichment programmes; gratuities; and all cruise taxes/fees.

For more information call Azamara Club Cruises on 0844 493 4016 or visit azamaraclubcruises.co.uk

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Clockwise from top left:Water jousting; stairway on board; Ravello, Amalfi coast; Azamara Quest; local delicacies; in St Tropez you can see water polo; midnight firework display in Seville; Titanic Belfast museum

cultural cruise


The 2014 Hebridean PrincessCruise Directory is NOW available

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Limited availability remaining for 2013

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cruising from the uk

One of the hottest travel trends right now is cruising from the uk. of the 1.7 million of us who took a cruise last year, 962,000 chose to cruise from British Ports – and that figure will hit the million mark this year. not only is a

no-fly cruise hassle-free, but with so many departure ports to choose from, transfers are relatively straightforward. so whether you fancy a cruise round the British isles, a european city break or something more exotic (round the world, anyone?), here’s our selection of some of the most exciting cruise holidays on offer.

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62 cruise-international.com | June/July 2013



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T here is an abundance of unexpected treasures on our doorstep. in a relatively small space the British isles manages to contain a fusion

of weather-beaten castles, historic country estates, sweeping landscapes, dramatic coastlines and jaw-dropping vistas. And approaching these gems from the sea creates a whole new impression – a real-life picture postcard. cruises that circle around the entire uk take you on an all-embracing voyage, dipping in and out of the rich heritage and dramatic coastlines of the British isles.

Voyages of Discovery have joined forces with the national trust to offer the National Treasures of the British Isles 13-night cruise with highlights including shore excursions to the holy island of Lindisfarne, Durham cathedral and a visit to tresco in the isles of scilly (from Portsmouth, 4 may 2014, from £1,472pp, voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk).

meanwhile, cruise & maritime Voyages’ nine-night British Isles Discovery voyage will take you to honfleur and guernsey, before continuing with an island visit to st mary’s in the isles of scilly, then on to Dublin, and finally gracing scotland’s tobermory, stornoway and invergordon (from newcastle, 22 August 2013, from £779pp, cruiseandmaritime.com).

cunard have a selection of annual around Britain cruises, including the 10-night Around the British Isles voyage calling at edinburgh, invergordon, kirkwall, Liverpool, Dublin Bay and st Peter Port in guernsey (from southampton, 31 July 2013, from £1,269pp, cunard.co.uk). meanwhile celebrity cruises offer 11-night voyages around Britain (from harwich, 5 August 2013 from £1,919pp, celebritycruises.co.uk).

But of course you don’t have to circumnavigate the British isles to get a taste of its beauty; some cruises provide an ideal snapshot. for example the Queen’s favourite, hebridean island cruises, will take you to the breathtaking scottish highlands, from deserted, sandy beaches to towering peninsulas – with champagne on tap. the nine-night Orkney to the Outer Hebrides voyage sails from the east to the west highlands (from invergorden, 27 July 2013, from £7,240pp, hebridean.co.uk). or take in scotland's historic past on a five-night Highlights of the Argyll Cruise to explore lochs, ruined castles, great houses and Britain’s smallest cathedral, (from greenock, 11

round the

uk & eire

Left, clockwise from top: The lush Green Bay in the Isles of Scilly; Ha'penny Bridge, Dublin; Puffins grace Skomer Island, off the Pembrokeshire coast; view towards Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands

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June/JuLy 2013 | 63



november 2013, from £2,000pp). and for the perfect combination of scottish and northern irish charm see their Gaelic Trilogy eight-night cruise (from oban, 5 august 2013, from £4,650pp).

noble caledonia’s nine-night Islands on the Edge Cruise starts by exploring stromness, and calls at the remote scottish outpost of canna, known as the Garden of Hebrides (from aberdeen to Falmouth, 6 July 2013 from £2295pp, noble-caledonia.co.uk). For the flower lovers among us there’s the Britain & Ireland in Bloom 11-night cruise, visiting some of the finest gardens in england, ireland, scotland and Wales, (from Poole, to oban, 25 april 2014, from £4,295) and the Sailing to the Isles 10-night voyage combining lush gardens and country estates (from Dundee – with a night in edinburgh beforehand – to oban, 22 July 2014, from £5,695pp).

you can explore coastal waters, estuaries and seabird life on noble caledonia’s 10-night Bird Quest cruise on the 84-passenger Ocean Nova, with their Zodiac landing craft enabling access to the most remote places. Ports of call include the Highlands, Portrush, Holy island, lundy and the isles of scilly (from Plymouth, to oban, 2 may 2014, from £2,995).

magna carta offers Heart of the Highlands cruises on Lord of the Glens, with a seven-night cruise calling at the world-famous loch ness (from inverness, to oban, 10 september 2013, from £1,561pp, lordoftheglens.co.uk), and a longer 10-night voyage, which makes a complete transit of the caledonian canal (from Kyle of lochalsh, 26 august 2014, from £2,000pp). or, for a bit of added variety, regent seven seas cruises’ 10-night Celtic Charms voyage calls at edinburgh, invergordon, Kirkwall, Portree, Belfast, Dublin, milford Haven and st Peter Port in Guernsey, (from southampton, 2 september 2013, from £5,659pp, rssc.com).

there are a number of cruises around the uK which can offer even more breadth, for example, both crystal cruises’ Castles and Kilts seven-night voyage (from Dover, 19 august 2013, from £2,934pp, crystalcruises.co.uk) and carnival’s 12-day cruise, (from Dover, 13 september 2013, from £833pp, carnival.co.uk) venture out to stavanger in norway, before setting off around the British isles; with carnival visiting edinburgh, invergordon, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin and le Havre for Paris, and crystal focusing on newcastle, edinburgh, Douglas (isle of man) and Dublin.

silversea adds France to their 10-night round Britain itinerary, calling at saint-malo and Honfleur, plus Geurnsey, as well as including the channel islands and skomer island (from Portsmouth, to Greenock, 16 may 2014, silversea.com).

if you're looking for a short getaway Fred. olsen offer a two-night Liverpool Highlights round-trip from Belfast to liverpool on Boudicca (from Belfast, 15 october 2013, from £199pp, fredolsencruises.com) and their Dublin & Cork four-night cruise calling at cobh and Dublin (from liverpool, 26 august 2013, from £299pp).

if you have adventure in mind, then look no further than Hebridean’s seven-night mystery cruise, the Hebridean Surprise, along the west coast of scotland, with each port of call a ‘captain’s choice’ a treasure trove of hidden destinations await you (from oban, 8 october 2013, from £2,890pp). 8



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Left: At perum volorpore si dest autessequo essus, net, utem arupturio doluptatem nis aliaeratium fuga. Xerum audi dunt quos ant exerae. Nem fugitet, ut eari as reptame proribus a plibus eaquatq uatem. Et

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Left: St Martins Beach, the Isles of ScillyBelow, from top: Beara Peninsula, Cork; visit Bodnant Garden on the Britain & Ireland in Bloom cruise celebrating the gardens of Britain; cruising through the Hebrides


67June/July 2013 |



F rom the quaint waterways of Bruges to the volcanic landscapes of iceland, cities and winding countryside alike enchant and inspire. for those

with a passion for fine wine, fred. olsen has this covered in their Wine Regions of Bordeaux and Rioja cruise, sailing aboard Braemar (from Dover, 4 october 2013, from £1,375pp), with tastings and lectures hosted by tV wine expert Jilly goolden. meanwhile celebrity cruises offer a 12-night Immersive Wine Cruise visiting Paris, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Vigo and Porto, (from harwich, 12 october 2013, from £782pp).

When a short getaway is in order then look no further than a dash across the english channel. mini-cruises are a breath of fresh air and the south coast of england is the gateway to gems such as Bruges, Paris and hamburg. cunard have two Winter Getaway four-night cruises this year (from southampton, 26 november and 11 December 2013, from £459pp). meanwhile, royal caribbean has four-night mini-cruises this autumn; from the port of Zeebrugge you can explore the sights of Brussels, and Paris can be explored from le havre (from southampton, 26 october 2013, from £339pp, royalcaribbean.co.uk). later in the year, fred. olsen’s four-night mini-cruise goes to rouen and Zeebrugge (from Dover, 6 December 2013, from £399pp). or get away for new year with P&o cruises’ four-night Cruise Break, for chocolate heaven in Bruges and the leafy canals of amsterdam (from southampton, 29 December 2013, from £839pp, pocruises.co.uk). if you want to see more of northern europe, msc cruises’ Northern Europe 10-night cruise includes amsterdam and st Peter Port, but takes you as far as lisbon (from southampton, 14 september 2013, from £659pp, msccruises.co.uk).

for something a bit different, fred. olsen have a seven-night D-Day anniversary cruise with tours round

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war memorials, D-Day museums and allied landing areas (from harwich, 1 June 2014, from £649pp).

swap culture for nature with a voyage to the crystal clear waters of iceland, one of the richest marine habitats in the world, with rejuvinating geothermal pools and breathtaking waterfalls.

thomson cruises visits akureyri, isafjord and reykjavik, via norway and the shetland islands, on its 13-night Fire & Ice voyage (from newcastle, 20 July 2013, from £1,100pp, thomson.co.uk/cruises). cruise & maritime’s 10-night Iceland and Northern Lights voyage includes the faroe islands, eskifjördur, isafjördur and reykjavik (from Bristol avon, 3 June 2014, from £3969pp).

Why not travel further afield, via the mediterranean, with fred. olsen’s 28-night Undiscovered Adriatic cruise, including kotor (montenegro), Dubrovnik and hvar (croatia), koper (slovenia), (from Bristol avon, 17 may 2014, from £2,299pp). or absorb yourself in the land of the pyramids in their 30-night Red Sea cruise, with four egyptian ports of call (from southampton, 18 november 2013, from £2,499pp).

the canary islands are easily reached from the uk, take fred. olsen’s 12-night cruise to Madeira & Canaries calling at leixoes, funchal (madiera), santa cruz, arrecife (lanzarote) and lisbon (from Belfast, 3 october 2013, from £949pp) or Princess cruises’ 12-night Canary Islands cruise (from southampton, 14 october 2013, from £799pp, princess.com).

for some winter sun look to shearings’ 14-night Christmas & New Year cruise round the canaries with christmas Day at sea and new year’s eve in madeira and Portugal (from london tilbury, 22 December 2013, from £1,189pp, shearings.com), or cunard’s 10-night Iberian & Moroccan Highlights, (from southampton, 11 December 2013, from £819pp).

Far left, clockwise from top:Parisian café; the walled, city of Dubrovnik; Portugese architecture in Estoril near Lisbon; Puerto Mogan in Gran CanariaLeft: A mesmerising sky hangs over Reykjavik

The south coast of England is the gateway to gemssuch as Bruges, Paris and Hamburg

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F rom copenhagen, the birthplace of Hans christian andersen’s stories, to the tsarist palaces and domes of sparkling mosaics in st Petersburg,

this is the region of fairy tales, folklore and of course, scandic detectives.

scandinavian and Baltic cruises depart from all over the uK. cruises vary from tours along the norwegian coastline and fjords, to voyages that span scandinavian cities and reach st Petersburg. royal caribbean’s 12-night Scandinavia and Russia Cruise begins copenhagen, home to the famous little mermaid statue inspired by a 1909 ballet adaptation of Hans christian andersen’s fairy tale of the same name, (from Harwich, 7 august 2013, from £1,169pp). estonia’s capital, the medieval city of tallinn, is a popular Baltic port of call, included in cunard's four-night tour of the region on Queen Elizabeth (from southampton, 17 august 2013, from £1,299pp) and Fred. olsen's 12-night Scandinavia and Russia Cruise (from rosyth, 8 september 2013, from £999pp). some cruises add Germany into the mix, with carnival visiting Berlin, for Warnmunde, on their 12-day Scandinavia & Russia cruise (from Dover, 8 august 2013, from £873pp) while A Scandinavian Spring from swan Hellenic includes the Kiel canal in Germany (from Portsmouth, 28 april 2014, from £1,825pp, swanhellenic.com).

For overnight stays in russia’s great imperial city st Petersburg, built on a series of islands across the delta of the neva river, look to P&o's 14-night Baltic Highlights voyage (from southampton, 21 august 2013, from £1,529pp) and seaDream yacht club’s

scandinavia and Baltic

Clockwise from top left:Stockholm's waterways; Hans Christian Andersen inspired Little Mermaid statue; St Petersburg's winding canals

14-night Baltic cruise (from Dover, 16 august 2014, from £6,399pp, seadream.com).

norway’s awe-inspiring glaciers, steep mountainsides and fjords continue to captivate us. norway is easily accessible from the north of england and scotland, including two North Cape & Land of the Midnight Sun cruises: Voyages of Discovery's 13-night cruise which includes Hammerfest – the world's northernmost town – and a visit to the svartisen Glacier (from Hull, to newcastle, 23 July 2013, from £899pp); and cruise & maritime's 10-night cruise (from edinburgh leith, 2 august 2014, from £889pp).

P&o sail from the south of the uK on Norwegian Fjords, (from southampton, 2 august 2013, from £859pp), as do shearings, with a 14-night Land of the Northern Lights on Marco Polo (from london tilbury, 6 october 2013, from £1,169pp).

the norwegian city of Bergen has charming narrow streets complete with brightly-painted wooden houses, and is a port of call on many norwegian cruises – including celebrity's 10-night trip through norway also calling at oslo, stavanger Flam, alesund, Geiranger and olden on board Celebrity Infinity (from Harwich, 16 aug 2013, from £1,419pp) and cunard’s seven-night Norwegian Wonders Cruise (from southampton, 10 august 2013, from £889pp).

For that wow factor, the 14-night Norway and Iceland cruise from Fred. olsen visits the awe-inspiring seljalandsfoss Waterfall from reykjavick before heading to norway, (from rosyth, 18 august 2013, from £1,399pp).p

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Scandinavian and Baltic cruises depart from all over the UK. Voyages vary from tours along the Norwegian coastline and fjords, to cruises that span Scandinavian cities and reach St Petersburg




mediterranean

L ast year the mediterranean kept its top spot as our favourite cruise destination. Just as mediterranean cruises subdivide into several

seas, including the adriatic, ionian and aegean, the experiences offered by destinations to this region traverse a range of cultures. for example, P&o cruises’ 17-night central mediterranean voyage takes you as far as the beautiful greek island of corfu, continues through the azure adriatic sea to arrive at the walled city of Dubrovnik, and the next day you can find yourself seduced by Venice’s waterways (from southampton, 1 october 2013, £1499pp).

eastern mediterranean cruises combine a collection of must-see destinations in one package, enveloping you in a myriad of cultural treats. celebrity cruises have a 14-night Mediterranean Cruise calling at malaga, nice, rome, florence, genoa, gibraltar and lisbon (from southampton, 22 september 2013, from £1,500pp), while cunard offers a 12-night Mediterranean Adventures voyage through Portugal and spain (from southampton, 24 october 2013, from £1,119pp) and a 14-night mediterranean Celebration Cruise over christmas (from southampton, 23 December 2013, from £1,779pp). other mediterranean cruises from the uk offer some hidden gems. malta’s colourful history makes it a poignant port of call, with imprints remaining of its turbulent past. it’s included on P&o’s 18-night Western Mediterranean cruise (from southampton, 20 December 2013, from £2,279pp), but if you have more time, their 24-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise is worth investigating. as well as malta, it heads out to turkey, the ukraine, the greek island of lesbos, athens and Vigo, (from southampton, 7 september 2013, from £1,939pp).

fred. olsen’s 28-night Turkish and Greek Odyssey touches africa with a visit to the maze-like 13th century medina and souks in tunis, and includes an overnight stay in istanbul to appreciate the contrasting aspects of the city, divided by the galata Bridge (from Dover, 19 october 2013, from £2,899pp). if mediterranean cities are the pull, then royal caribbean have a 14-night Western Mediterranean voyage including cannes, Barcelona and Valencia (from southampton, 13 october 2013, from £849pp). Plus, Princess have a 17-night Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise with highlights including seville, Venice and Dubrovnik (from southampton, 9 september 2013, from £1,199pp).

italy-lovers will adore royal caribbean’s 14-night Italian Mediterranean cruise (from southampton, 4 august 2013, from £1,396pp). alternatively Princess cruises’ 14-night Mediterranean Medley voyage visits florence/Pisa, rome, naples (for capri and Pompeii) as well as stunning monaco (from southampton, 27 July 2013, from £1,119pp).

Above right, clockwise from top: Barcelona, home to Gaudi's masterpieces; The Bardo Museum in Tunis; Topkapi Palace in Istanbul dominates the skyline; Venice Far right: Dghajsa in Vittoriosa Marina, Malta p

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Mediterranean cruises combine a collection of must-see destinations in one package, enveloping you in a myriad of cultural treats



The world's largest cruise ship will be in Southampton for the first time next year, when you can join it to sail across the Atlantic



cruising from the ukP

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Y ou can reach some of the world’s most stunning locations on a cruise ship from the uk, from new york to the caribbean and beyond. the

world’s largest cruise ship, royal caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, will be in southampton for the first time next year, when you can join it to sail across the atlantic on a 12-night cruise (from southampton, 15 october 2014, with return flights back to london heathrow from £793pp).

crystal's Voyage of the Vikings 14-night cruise sails to Boston (from Dover, 2 september 2013, from £3,935pp), but if you fancy a little detour before crossing the pond, carnival travels to new york via reykjavik, the hot springs in Qaqortoq (greenland) and st John’s (canada), (from Dover, return flights from new york, 25 september 2013, from £942pp). cunard have a selection of round-trip transatlantic crossings to new york on the Queen Mary 2, including a 14-night voyage (from southampton, 12 november 2013, from £1,579pp). While their Caribbean Celebration voyage takes you to new york before exploring the caribbean, (from southampton, 15 December 2013, from £3,029pp).

yes, the caribbean can be reached from uk ports. see P&o's 24-night Caribbean & Azores cruise visiting Ponta Delgado, antigua, st kitts, Dominica, grenada, Barbados and horta (from southampton, 25 march 2014, from £1,849pp).

meanwhile, cruise & maritime takes you from the thames, across the atlantic and down the amazon

rest of the world

Left: The idyllic Ile aux Cerfs Beach in MauritiusClockwise from top left: you can travel from a UK port to the Big Apple; explore The Amazon River; Sydney is not out of reach form UK ports and is included in a selection of world cruises 8

river at santarem on their 42-night Amazon, West Indies & the Azores voyage (from london tilbury, 5 January 2014, from £2,699pp). fred. olsen also have a couple of tempting options: a 35-night Amazon Adventure & the Caribbean cruise (from southampton, 22 march 2014, from £2,999pp) and a 32-night West Indies Cruise with destinations including Barbados, st lucia and the Dominican republic, (from southampton, 11 november 2013, from £2,399pp).

for an eclectic mix of destinations see Princess’ 38-day tour to singapore through europe, reaching as far as kuala lumpur, (from Dover, return flights from singapore, 7 september 2013, from £5,199pp).

and if an australian summer tempts you, embark on fred. olsen’s 61-night cruise to sydney, via madiera, south america, easter island, tahiti, the cook islands and new Zealand, (from southampton, 14 January 2014, from £5,649pp w/o return flights).

the ultimate cruise from the uk, perhaps, has to be a round the world voyage. P&o offer a 109-night World Circumnavigation Cruise (from southampton, 4 January 2014, from £9,129pp) while fred. olsen has a 104-night World Cruise – Myanmar, Japan & Hawaii Cruise (from southampton, 5 January 2014, from £6,999pp). cunard offers luxury round-trips from southampton, calling at 78 destinations on six continents, from mauritius to sydney, hong kong to Dubai – this is definitely the trip of a lifetime (from southampton, Queen Mary 2, 10 January 2014, from £12,229pp). Worth saving up for.


We have carefully selected the most elegant vessels in incredible

small ship cruise holidays.

modern day standards. Ranging in size from 3 to 150 cabins, the charms of small ship cruising are countless; whether you want to relax with a glass of whisky as you glide through the Lochs of Scotland, or experience the thrill of a close encounter with the incredible wildlife of the Antarctic, eWaterways has a cruise to suit every individual.

To speak to our cruise expertsfreephone 0808 168 1458 or visit us online at www.ewaterways.co.uk

PASSENGERSHIPPINGASSOCIATION

This year, join other discerning travellers aboard the luxurious

Enjoy spectacular scenery and breathtaking landscapes on the rivers of Europe. Prices start from just £515 per person for a 5 day cruise and solo travellers pay no additional charge on any cruise in 2011.

made before the end of June 2011. Simply quote ‘SUNDAY TIMES TRAVEL MAGAZINE’

PASSENGER SHIPPINGASSOCIATIONABTA No. L7142

Discover the exclusive world of river cruising with eWaterways on board the Royal Crown

Cruise International readers can enjoy a 10% DIsCount on any Royal Crown cruise when booking directly with eWaterways before the 30th June 2013. simply quote ‘CI RC10’.

to speak to our cruise experts call freephone 0808 168 1458or visit us online at www.ewaterways.co.uk

Join the elegant Royal Crown this year as she journeys along the Rhine, Danube and Dutch and Belgian waterways and enjoy a unique, intimate and stylish river cruise that will take you to the heart of Europe.Capturing the essence of a bygone era, the ambience on board the Royal Crown will delight and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Offering just 48 cabins, fine dining and a focus on relaxation, your unhurried holiday will transport you effortlessly through the stunning vistas of the rivers of Europe in style and sophistication.

The splendours of the Royal Crown can be discovered from just £399 per person sharing a cabin on a short 3 night ‘taster cruise’ that journeys along the Rhine. For those that want to enjoy a longer cruise, eWaterways offers a range of different itineraries throughout 2013, including the 7 night ‘Grand Rhine Journey’ from Amsterdam to Basel (and vice versa), the 14 night ‘Flavours of Europe’ cruise from (Budapest to Amsterdam, which travels on both the Danube and Rhine) and the fascinating 7 night ‘Flavours of Germany’ form Regensburg to Amsterdam.

eWaterways is a member of ACE (the Association of Cruise Experts), PSA (Passenger Shipping Association) and is fully bonded by ABTA and ATOL.

Cruises from

only £399 per person

E WATERWAYS.indd 1 01/05/2013 12:35


CRUISING FROM THE UK

DirectoryBooking a cruise from the UK? Here’s our handy mini guide to British ports and hotels

Clockwise from above:Map of UK departure ports; Belfast; Edinburgh Castle; the iconic white cliffs of Dover

ABERDEENAberdeen offers just a few no-� y cruises but you can head to the Scottish Islands, Ireland and as far south as the Scilly Isles from here.cruisescotland.comStay at: Hilton Treetops Hotel (hilton.com); Aberdeen Douglas Hotel (aberdeendouglas.com)

BELFASTCruises from Northern Ireland’s capital range from a trip to Liverpool across the Irish Sea to much further a� eld, such as Scandinavia and the Atlantic Islands. belfast-harbour.co.ukStay at: Park Inn by Radisson (parkinn.co.uk/hotel-belfast); Ten Square Hotel (tensquare.co.uk); Malmaison Belfast (malmaison.com)

BRISTOL AVONMOUTHWithin easy reach of the South West, South Wales and the Midlands, cruises span Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the Caribbean and the West Indies. cruisesfrombristol.co.uk Stay at: The Bristol Marriot Royal Hotel (marriott.co.uk); The Bristol Hotel (doylecollection.com); Arnos Manor Hotel (forestdalehotels.com)

DOVERThe second busiest UK cruise port, with destinations far and wide, from the Norwegian Fjords to the Mediterranean – and you can even take a transatlantic crossing from here. doverport.co.ukStay at: Ramada Dover (ramadadover.co.uk)

DUNDEELocated in between Aberdeen and Edinburgh, north of the Firth of Tay, Dundee is easily accessible from St Andrews or Perth. You can do a round-trip from here exploring the Scottish Islands including the Isle of Lewis, Isle of Skye and Gigha Island. angusanddundee.co.ukStay at: Apex Quay Hotel & Spa (apexhotels.co.uk)

EDINBURGH (LEITH)Whether you are departing for Baltic, Norwegian, Icelandic or UK destinations, Edinburgh Leith is a handy port, situated next to the popular attraction The Royal Yacht Britannia. You can spend an evening

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Directoryin scotland’s vibrant city before travelling just 10 minutes to the port. cruiseedinburgh.comStay at: Radisson Blue Hotel, Edinburgh (radissonblu.co.uk); Malmaison, Edinburgh(malmaison.com); The George Hotel (principal-hayley.com)

Edinburgh (rosyth)travel beneath the world’s longest multi-span cantilever bridge, the forth Bridge, when departing from rosyth port – edinburgh’s second cruise port north of the city. it’s a gateway to norway, russia, spain and france. cruiseedinburgh.com

grEEnock (glasgow)in the firth of clyde, this is a perfectly positioned 35-minute drive from glasgow – the heart of scotland’s rail and road network. cruises range from short voyages to liverpool via Dublin, to scandinavian capitals. cruisescotland.comStay at: Port and Harbour Hotel (portharbourhotel.co.uk); The Spinnaker Hotel (spinnakerhotel.co.uk)

harwicheasily accessible from the east of england with harwich international station outside the terminal and trains taking 80 minutes from liverpool street. harwich.co.ukStay at: The Pier Hotel & Restaurant (milsomhotels.com)

hullyou can reach norway and scandinavia easily from here, as well as taking mini-cruises to the netherlands on P&o ferries.Stay at: The Mecure Hull Royal Hotel (hotels-hull.co.uk); Cave Castle Hotel and Country Club (cavecastlehotel.com)

invErgordonthis small village in the beautiful highlands is home to a port that can dock several large liners simultaneously. enjoy a spot of golf, sailing or walking before you set sail for the scottish islands. cruisescotland.com Stay at: The Kincraig Castle Hotel (kincraig-castle-hotel.co.uk)

invErnEssa destination in itself, so leave plenty of time to explore the old town and inverness castle

the day before you set sail and take a detour via loch ness en route. there is easy access from the a9 and cruises travel round the highlands. cruisescotland.com Stay at: Glenmoriston Townhouse House Hotel (glenmoristontownhouse.com)

livErpoolthe home of the Beatles offers cruises to the atlantic islands, northern europe, the mediterranean and even the norwegian fjords – with space for the largest cruise liners. cruise-liverpool.comStay at: Crown Plaza (cpliverpool.com)

london tilburyit’s 22 miles downriver from tower Bridge and has easy access to northern europe, scandinavia and south america. londoncruiseterminal.comStay at: Orsett Hall (orsetthall.co.uk); Hilton Dartford Bridge (hilton.com)

nEwcastlEnewcastle – or Port of tyne – is a metro hop from the city centre and growing in importance. it’s perfectly placed for cruises to scandinavia. cruise-newcastle.co.ukStay at: Hotel du Vin (hotelduvin.com)

obanthe seafood capital of scotland, oban has panoramic views of mountains, lochs and surrounding islands. accessible from the a816 from the south and the a85 from the north, oban is remote, but well worth the visit. cruisescotland.com Stay at: Oban Bay Hotel & Spa (crerarhotels.com)

plymouththe city of Plymouth has been occupied since the stone age, when people settled on the banks of the Plym estuary. it was the development of shipbuilding in the 13th century that led to Plymouth’s status as a world-renowned port. Stay at: Boringdon Hall (boringdonhall.co.uk); Langdon Court (langdoncourt.com)

poolElook to Poole for cruises around the British isles and channel islands. rail links run to Poole from all major cities including london Waterloo, edinburgh, york, Birmingham, manchester and southampton.Stay at: Hotel du Vin (hotelduvin.com); The Sandbanks (sandbankshotel.co.uk)

portsmouththis is a popular port for cruising from the uk including voyages to the mediterranean, northern europe and around the British isles. portsmouth-port.co.ukStay at: Park House (parkhousehotel.com); The Hilton Portsmouth (hilton.com)

southamptonDubbed the cruise capital of the uk, southampton has four cruise terminals with a host of cruise lines taking you to all sorts of destinations: from warm mediterranean climes, Baltic cities and northern europe, to as far afield as america and australia. discoversouthampton.co.ukStay at: Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel (dolphin-southampton.com); Lainston House (lainstonhouse.com)

Above, left to right:A must-see before you embark on your cruise from Liverpool, The Beatles Story; Lord Nelson’s warship HMS Victory in Portsmouth; sail beneath the Tower of London when departing from the capital p

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In less than two hours from the UK you can be in Oslo, heading for Bergen, gateway to the glorious Norwegian Fjords aboard a Hurtigruten ship – as iconic and historic as the astonishing geographic landscape you are about to enter, says Anna Gizowska

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norwegian FJords

From the moment the MS Richard With cruises into the navy crystal waters of the Hjørundfjord – a 22-mile long fjord that slices through the

sunnmøre alps – the ship is so perfectly at home in its magnificent alpine surroundings that it bobs about like a child’s paper yacht on a boating lake. Park yourself on one of the ship’s seven decks and let the coastline float by – real life doesn’t get prettier than this.

Between the mountains, glaciers and the fjords is a hidden norway aching to be discovered: fishing villages, farm settlements and barely accessible inlets tucked away along its west coast.

so after a delightful morning cruise in the Hjørundfjord it’s time for our first stop. a small boat ferries passengers to land for lunch at the historic Hotel union Øye – a luxury hotel for aristocrats and royalty since 1891 and a celebrity favourite today. try pancakes and ‘geitost’ – a caramelized goat’s cheese like a slab of peanut butter, and just as sweet.

with its fleet of 11 iconic ships, Hurtigruten has made it possible to visit every nook and cranny of this coastline, from Bergen to Kirkenes, in the pampered confines of its working ships. For most settlements Hurtigruten is the only lifeline, with a 120-year history

as a postal, delivery and transport service. they even have a prison cell on board – but it’s only for those who don’t pay their bar bill.

and the joy of a cruise like this, is that you can design your own itinerary – you can choose whether you hop on and off, do a five-day cruise or go all the way to the last port.

the MS Richard With, named after the cruise line’s founder, makes room for 634-passengers, but with a

restaurant, bar, cafés, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and viewing decks, the voyage never feels crowded once cruisers disperse around the ship. and don’t be alarmed if you hear the ship’s horn in the early hours – it just means it has docked in one of the 35-ports it serves, 365-days-a-year, in all weather. it adds to the experience when you are tucked up in your comfy cabin watching the liquorice coloured sea, waiting for sunrise.

expect to be pampered like a five-star guest and fed like a Viking (bring elasticated clothing). glorious, bountiful norwegian feasts; there’s so much fresh

Between the mountains, glaciers and fjords, a hidden Norway is aching to be discovered:fishing villages, farms and inlets tucked away on its west coast

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Left: From Otåla, Hjørundfjorden

076-078_CRI_JJ13_Norwegian Cruise.indd 79 25/04/2013 16:41


GETTING THEREA seven-day voyage from Bergen to Kirknes with Hurtigruten starts at £936pp, based on two people sharing, and includes full-board. Flights are extra and can be booked via Hurtigruten. For more information visit hurtigruten.co.uk

and plentiful produce, that it’s difficult to not feel like a marauder as you devour the buffet. salmon, potato salads, meats – hot, cold, roasted; relishes, garnishes, baked breads, pastries; butters, creams, sauces, pastas, smoked delights, every type of fish from salt cod to herring, vegetables, fruit and dessert options. it’s heaven on a never-ending plate.

But you can walk it off around the beautiful art nouveau city of Ålesund, the main shipping town in the sunnamøre alps region and the prettiest city in norway. once largely built of wood, the city was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1904. some of the wooden houses still remain and can be seen along the waterfront. to this day its architecture remains protected by the european art nouveau network, which the city is a part of. and if you don’t fancy walking – grab a bicycle. they’re everywhere, neatly lined up around town like modern art installations.

and then another walking tour, this time in trondheim, the third oldest city in norway, founded in aD 997 by Viking King olav tryggvason – st olav, the patron saint of norway. the 11th century nidaros cathedral was built on his grave and is scandinavia’s largest medieval building. the city tour guides speak such excellent english that it’s impossible to tell they are norwegian. they say english shows and films are never dubbed, which helps them perfect the accent.

By the next morning, between nesna and ornes, the ship crosses the arctic circle, the must-have tick on everyone’s wish list, symbolized by a globe on a small, floating islet. each passenger gets a certificate, but not before neptune (a man in a wig), and the captain

Above, left to right:Fresh seafood; Ålesund; glass window at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim; on board MS Richard WithBelow: The Northern Lights over Tromsø

By the next morning, between Nesna and Ornes, the ship crosses the Arctic Circle, the must-have tick on everyone’s wish list, symbolized by a globe on a small, floating islet

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propel ice cubes down passengers’ backs in an arctic crossing ceremony held up on deck before landing for the next adventure.

if you are travelling between autumn and early april, don’t be surprised if you see the famous northern lights once you have crossed the arctic circle and arrived in tromsø.

the ship also docks in Bodø for a bone-shaking riB boat thrash across the strongest tidal waves in the world, in saltstraumen, known for its ferocious whirlpools that can span 35-feet and are too dangerous for boats to cross. Dressed in yellow safety gear and goggles, it’s a two-hour thrill ride.

this isn’t just a cruise – it’s an indulgence. But as with all good things, let’s just keep it to ourselves.

076-078_CRI_JJ13_Norwegian Cruise.indd 80 25/04/2013 16:42

Close encounters with crab eater sealsThe natural harbour of Port Lockroy MS Fram is designed for Antarctic watersOur Polarcirkel boats take you closer

Why HURTIGRUTEN is the best way to explore Antarctica

In Antarctica we all follow IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF AMUNDSEN

Terms and conditions: 25% Early Booking Discount must be booked before 30 June 2013 for travel between 1 November 2014 and 15 March 2015. Offer is subject to availability and Hurtigruten’s normal booking conditions. For more details, please visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk.

The unexplored frontier, snow-clad beauty and unforgiving nature of Antarctica has lured, captivated and challenged polar explorers since time immemorial. With Hurtigruten, you can follow the footsteps of brave pioneers such as Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen on an Explorer Voyage of your own to the highest, driest, coldest and cleanest continent on Earth. Departing Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina, your voyage of a lifetime on board the MS Fram will be accompanied by seasoned experts as you discover remote outposts of civilisation, another world of inquisitive wildlife, and bays and channels dotted with pristine glaciers and icebergs.

AN

TARCTICA TOUR OPERATO

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This program is operated by Hurtigruten ASA who is a Full Member in good standing of the International Association of Antarctica

Tour Operators (www.iaato.org)

IAATO ◆

INTE

RNATIONAL ASSOCIATION

◆

EARLY BOOKING OFFER

* Travelling between 1 November 2014 and 15 March 2015. Book before 30 June 2013!

Save up to

25% on all ANTARCTICA VOYAGES!*

88888 / 88888

V7545

Included: All drinks and distinctive dining in our six onboard venues

We offer up to six onboard dining venues; Italian in Portobellos, a six-course tasting menu at Table La Rive**, or casual dining in the River Café. Better yet, all drinks are complimentary†; so a wide selection of wines with lunch and dinner or perhaps a nightcap from your mini-bar - enjoy, there’s nothing more to pay.

Included: Spectacular experiences in stunning locations

You’re embarking on a true voyage of discovery; once-in-a-lifetime experiences that offer a unique and personal perspective you simply don’t get on any other river cruise. And they’re all included. Private concerts, performances and dinners set in breathtaking surroundings including gothic palaces and medieval castles.

Included: Everything... yes, everything

All flights from up to 16 UK airports, transfers in Europe, all tipping, WiFi and port taxes are included in the price you pay. With other companies, these ‘little’ extra costs can add up to several hundred pounds. At Scenic Tours, we offer luxurious ships, spectacular experiences, the most impeccable service, and it’s all included in the price.

LUXURY EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISING DANUBE • MOSELLE • RHINE FRANCE RHÔNE • SEINE RUSSIA VOLGA PLUS LUXURY WORLDWIDE TOURING HOLIDAYS

0800 023 5636www.scenictours.co.uk

For your FREE brochure and DVD

Included: Award-winning cruises, with unrivalled local knowledge

We have one aim in mind; to bring you a river cruise you’ll never forget. Our awards cabinet is crammed with accolades, including Telegraph Travel and British Travel Awards. It’s why thousands of guests travel with us time and time again - listen to their stories at www.scenictours.co.uk

PERPERSON

WASFROM £3,245Jewels of Europe

15-day luxury river cruise Amsterdam to Budapest

PERPERSON

NOWFROM £2,495

PERPERSON

WASFROM £2,645Gems of the Danube

8-day luxury river cruiseNuremberg to Budapest PER

PERSONNOWFROM £1,895

PERPERSON

WASFROM £2,445Highlights of the Rhine

8-day luxury river cruise Amsterdam to Basel

PERPERSON

NOWFROM £1,695

Terms and Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a Cat. E stateroom and are subject to availability. Supplements apply for upgraded accommodation. The £1,500 per couple saving expires on 31 July 2013, unless already sold out. Services, ships and inclusions are different on Rhône and Russian River Cruises. For full itineraries and booking conditions, please see our 2014 Luxury European River Cruise brochure or visit www.scenictours.co.uk. * Services vary depending on cabin category. ** Table La Rive is included for Royal, Junior and Danube Deck Suite guests. † All drinks included except for a very small number of rare, fi ne and vintage wines, champagnes and spirits.

2014NOW ON SALE

Save £1,500 per couple on any 2014 all-inclusive luxury river cruiseWhen we say all-inclusive luxury, we mean it. Scenic Tours is the only river cruise operator to include everything in the price of your holiday; all meals in six onboard venues, all onboard drinks including your complimentary mini-bar, and every spectacular experience both on and off the ship.

Included: Personal butler service on Europe’s most luxurious ships

Relax in your spacious suite with a full-size balcony complete with sun lounge. All our guests now enjoy the service of their own personal butler*. No other river cruise offers this. Your butler will take care of your every wish, offering a full valet service and serving evening cocktails on your private balcony.

OFFER ENDS 31 JULY 2013 - UNLESS SOLD OUT

AWARDS

2013

VOTE FOR US

CruiseInt FP ERC 10.05.13.indd 2 30/04/2013 15:42


River Cruise news

The MS Cyrano de Bergerac joins the CroisiEurope fl eet this month, boasting a large restaurant, spacious lounge bar, Pianorama Bar and sun deck. The ship, which will join the Gironde Estuary and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, is equipped with the latest cutting edge technology. See croisieurope.travel/

Viking River Cruises is sponsoring a garden at the 100th RHS Chelsea Flower Show later this month. The Sound of Silence garden, designed by Fernando Gonzalez, has been inspired by Zen Japanese gardens and will include rocks made from acrylic stone and a bonsai tree. (To see our review of Viking’s new Longships, turn to page 36).

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SHIPS ● EVENTS ● DESTINATIONS

WHAT’S HOT

The reopening of the Rijksmuseum is the perfect excuse (as if you needed another one) to visit Amsterdam and see works by artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer. eWaterways has just slashed the price of its seven-night cruise along the Dutch and Belgian Waterways by 50%, with prices starting from just £649pp (cruise only). Starting and � nishing in Amsterdam, this unique journey along the canals and rivers of the Netherlands will introduce you to the home of landscape painting, where the scenery is dotted with windmills and towns of gabled houses. You’ll also visit Antwerp, with its historic buildings, and Arnhem, steeped in World War II history. For more info or to book call 0808 168 1458 or visit ewaterways.co.uk

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083-085_CRI_JJ13_River Cruise News_v2.indd 83 29/04/2013 14:22

2014 Luxury River Cruises. Book now & save.

8 day luxury river cruise Now from only £1,975PP*

Departs 6 April 2014

Highlights of the DanubeFollow the Danube as it takes you on an enchanting journey through Hungary, Austria and Germany from Budapest to Regensburg. • Admire the glittering lights of Budapest on a

twilight cruise• Discover the charming Slovakian capital, Bratislava• Discover Vienna, and visit the City Palace for a

private music recital• Experience the spirit of ‘Oktoberfest’ in Vilshofen

sampling Bavarian cuisine and beer

SAVE £440 PER COUPLE*

UP TO

There is no finer way to discover the treasures that line the world’s great rivers than on a luxury river cruise with APT. With an 85 year history providing inspiring tours around the world, you can trust APT to deliver a truly unforgettable holiday. You’ll travel in luxury, enjoying exceptional dining, fine wines and stylish surroundings aboard some of the most beautiful river ships afloat. On shore you’ll enjoy carefully-crafted excursions led by expert local guides, who will bring the history, heritage and culture of each destination to life.

EXCEPTIONAL VALUE – WITH ALL THIS INCLUDED

Enriching sightseeingWhether it’s discovering iconic treasures, enjoying cultural performances or sampling regional delights – your broad range of guided tours and sightseeing excursions are all included.

Luxurious accommodationEnjoy a fantastic onboard experience, with impeccable service, stylish surroundings, world-class amenities, and a choice of elegant and spacious balcony suites.

All onboard drinksEnjoy unlimited complimentary drinks throughout your cruise. Whether it’s an espresso with breakfast, beer at lunch, wine with dinner, or anything in between – it’s all included†.

Delectable onboard dining All delicious meals onboard are included. Enjoy fine dining from menus created by our master chefs that reflect regional flavours and use the finest fresh local ingredients.

All the fine details All tipping, taxes, port charges, luggage porterage and overseas transfers are included – saving you as much as £1,077 per couple over a 15 day cruise.

Return travel from the UK Fly aboard quality scheduled airlines from selected UK airports at no extra cost. Or if you prefer, we offer no-fly rail options on a selection of European cruises‡.

* Conditions apply. Applies to new 2014 bookings made by 31 May 2013. Subject to availability, can be withdrawn at any time and are not combinable with any other offer unless specified. Prices are per person, twin share based on travel in E cabin on 6 Dec 2014 (Mag Europe), 6 Apr 2014 (Danube) & 23 Sep 2014 (Douro). Single supplements apply, enquire for details. Prices correct at time of print. Savings are based on two adults travelling together twin share; single travellers will save half this amount. Saving of £660 on Douro based on 23 Sep departure. See website for full T&Cs. #Home-to-airport transfers are available within 75 mile driven radius of selected UK airports and must be redeemed at the time of booking. No cash alternative available. †Excludes French Champagne and selected premium spirits/wines. ‡Rail supplement applies.

SAVE£2,000*

IT P

AYS TO BOOK EARLY

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PER COUPLE

UP TO


Departs 3 June, 1 July, 23 September 2014

Douro DelightsExplore the Golden River of the Conquistadors and see Portugal’s hidden gems from Porto to Barca d’Alva.• Explore historic Porto on a guided tour• Visit the 14th century Alpendurada Monastery and

sample local Port wine• Discover Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a fortifi ed

16th century hill-top village• Tour the Palicio de Mateus and learn the story of

Mateus Rose wine

SAVE £640 PER COUPLE*

UP TO


Departures from March to December 2014

Magnificent Europe

SAVE £2,000 PER COUPLE*

UP TO

Take in the spectacular scenery of fi ve countries from Holland to Hungary on this magnifi cent cruise along the Rhine, Main and Danube. • Explore the great cities of Amsterdam, Cologne,

Vienna and Budapest• Enjoy a private concert at the newly renovated

City Palace in Vienna• Discover historic Wertheim Castle• Enjoy a private recital over a glass of champagne

at the Hungarian State Opera House

GUIDED TOURS & RIVER CRUISES

To book call 0845 602 1137 visit www.aptouring.co.uk or see your travel agent

Book with confidence:

Home-to-airport transfers by private carTo ensure a smooth holiday from start to finish, you’ll enjoy the convenience of complimentary home-to-airport transfers by chauffeur driven private car.#

NEW FOR 2014


new ship, new journeys for uniworld

what’s hot

Hot on the heels of the acclaimed SS Antoinette and Queen Isabel, uniworld will introduce a brand new, state-of-the-art ship, SS Catherine, in 2014.

SS Catherine will be one of the company’s largest ships at 443ft long and uses the additional space to create innovative public areas and extra spacious

complimentary internet and wifi to bottled water replenished in room daily.

the 2014 Preview brochure features special early-booking offers on nine key itineraries, including a saving of £500pp on the Imperial Waterways of Russia cruise holiday. Previous travellers on any titan holiday are entitled to a further £50pp discount if they book by 30 June 2013, and previous travellers with uniworld can take advantage of double river Heritage club discounts, ranging from £200pp to £350pp if they book by 31 may 2013.

For more details about uniworld cruises, or to book, call titan on 0800 988 5867 or visit titantravel.co.uk

staterooms and suites for all guests. all suites and staterooms on the top deck feature full open-air private balconies, which can be converted to enclosed balconies, while staterooms on the middle deck will feature French balconies. the new ship will be sailing the Burgundy & Provence itinerary in 2014, replacing the River Royale, which will be sailing the new Bordeaux, Vineyards & Chateaux itinerary. this journey sails the picturesque Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde rivers of France, taking in the historic and cultural sites that are dotted along their banks and putting a focus on the gastronomy and wine of the region.

meanwhile, SS Antoinette will be joined by River Queen on the Castles Along the Rhine itinerary.

as we reported last issue, uniworld will become the only all inclusive deluxe boutique river cruise line in 2014, including unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on board (except the most premium fine wines and spirits), all on board and shore excursion gratuities and a host of other extras, from

083-085_CRI_JJ13_River Cruise News_v2.indd 85 29/04/2013 14:22


RIVER CRUISES

RiverVineyards pour down the valley sides as cruise ships pass through some of Europe’s top wine regions, with itineraries that allow you to toast the fi nest names and vintages. Nick Dalton raises a glass to the best

DELIGHTS OF BORDEAUX Bordeaux is the holy grail of wine regions, home to Saint-Émilion and the surrounding sun-drenched slopes that produce more great wines than Oz Clarke has had hot dinners. The Gironde, splitting into the Dordogne and the Garonne, slips through the chalky hills like a knife through foie gras with cruises offering all manner of winery tours and tasting options, as well as the balmy warmth that you can only � nd in southwestern France. Viking’s new-for-2014 Heart of Bordeaux cruise starts from the ancient city of the same name and includes several tours as well as on board education. There’s a day trip through the Medoc and Margaux wine regions, stopping to sample several wines, a tour of Saint-Émilion, and an excursion to Sauternes to see how the famed dessert wines are made and then, of course, sample them. At an extra cost you can visit Cognac, brandy’s historic home. Viking Forseti, launched in March, is one of the new longships featuring the Aquavit Terrace at the front, perfect for sipping a glass of rich red as the shimmering scenery passes by and the sun goes down. The Culture Curriculum programme features sampling of local wines, in classes led by a guest master sommelier, and lessons on how to pair wine with food.

The 8-day Heart of Bordeaux cruise from Viking River Cruises departs regularly from 22 March 2014, and costs from £1,095pp including � ights, transfers, excursions and wine with meals. Call 0808 252 3711 or visit vikingrivercruises.co.uk

One for the

Left: Château Margaux produces one of the most prestigious Bordeaux winesAbove: The banks of the Garonne

086-089_CRI_JJ13_Wine River Cruises.indd 86 24/04/2013 16:59


river cruises

A port every dAyPortugal’s river Douro is one of the big new cruise destinations, a delightfully languid journey from the coast right across the country, through a steep valley with vines growing on stone terraces. the cruise starts at Porto, and features port from start to finish. soon after departing there’s a call at cais de Gaia, a picturesque riverside community, where most of the world’s port is stored and aged in ancient cellars – one of which you visit. in Portugal’s heartland is Pinhão, hub of the port-making area, with a visit to a producer to learn about the 400-year-old history of port and the process involved – and tastings. there are dinners at the family-owned winery Quinta da avessada and at the vintage House Hotel, a converted 18th-century wine quinta overlooking the river, as well as tours of Porto, Guimarães (Portugal’s early capital), the Baroque mateus Palace (pictured on the mateus rosé bottle) and the medieval spanish city of salamanca. the ship is boutique line uniworld’s Queen Isabel, new for 2013 – and the complimentary wine with dinner includes port.

the 8-day, a Week on the river Douro cruise from titan, in partnership with uniworld, departs regularly until november and costs from £1,899pp, including flights, excursions, transfers and home pick-up/ drop-off service, see titantravel.co.uk or call 0800 988 5863.

FlAvour oF the month november is vino month at amaWaterways with a total of 15 in celebration of Wine cruises across central europe. all of the cruises have guest experts – some of them including winemakers from california – for lectures and tastings. a pair of cruises on the seine feature Preston mohr, an american wine expert living in Paris (9 november) and Jean-marc and Kristi espinasse (8 november) of Domaine rouge-Bleu, a boutique winery in the rhône. the cruises, from Paris to rouen and back, start with a wine toast and feature five on-board tastings (one of them champagne), several lectures, a visit to a winery and the Paris Wine museum, with its 9th century vaulted cellars, and a taste of normandy tour (where you can try local cider and calvados). Gourmet food on board AmaLegro includes a chaîne des rôtisseurs dinner with wine pairing and a captain’s gala dinner. and if you were in the mood for some exercise, the ship even has complimentary bicycles.

amaWaterways’ 10-day Paris and the sparkling seine cruise departs on 1 november and 8 november 2013, and costs from £1,778pp, including excursions and wine with meals but not flights or transfers. visit amawaterways.co.uk or call 0808 223 5009.

Left: a Parisian wine merchant; a cider bar sign on a half-timbered house in Beauvron-en-Auge

Left: Douro River, Portugal

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Стало:

VISA Free Shore Excursions and Guided City Tours in St Petersburg, Russia and other Baltic ports

Стало:

TJ Travel has a great reputation and impeccable service with group tours and VIP clients. We offer a selection of shore excursions in different Baltic ports – St.Petersburg , Tallinn , Helsinki, Stockholm and Berlin. Check our website (www.st-petersburg-tours.ru) for more information about our tour and shore excursion offerings. We have special package shore excursions offers this season!

TJ Travel, 9ya liniya, 34a, 509 Saint Petersburg , 199004 Russia

St. Petersburg Mobile: +7(921)953-23-78St. Petersburg Office: +7(812)325-65-31USA Mobile: +1(262)719-19-43Email: [email protected]

Recommended by Trip Advisor & Cruise Critic

Register number is MBT 009410 in the Federal Agency of tourism of Russian Federation We are a founding member of Cruise Industry Association in St Petersburg

Register number is MBT 009410 in the Federal Agency of tourism of Russian FederationWe are a founding member of Cruise Industry Association in St Petersburg

VISA Free Shore Excursions and GuidedCity Tours in St Petersburg, Russia and

other Baltic portsRecommended by Trip Advisor & Cruise Critic

TJ Travel, 9ya liniya, 34a, 509 Saint Petersburg , 199004 RussiaSt. Petersburg Mobile: +7(921)953-23-78St. Petersburg Offi ce: +7(812)325-65-31

USA Mobile: +1(262)719-19-43Email: [email protected]

TJ Travel has a great reputation and impeccable service with group tours and VIP clients. We offer a selection of shore

excursions in different Baltic ports – St. Petersburg , Tallinn , Helsinki, Stockholm and Berlin. Check our website

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spirit of chartwellon Portugal’s Douro River

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088_CRI_0613.indd 85 25/04/2013 13:37


river cruises

cruising with napoleon travel through the rhône wine region in pomp and splendour on board a tiny ship (only 12 passengers) going by the name of Napoleon. the weekly cruise runs alternately between arles and tain l’Hermitage, after meeting in Paris for a tGv train ride south. a highlight is a châteauneuf-du-Pape tasting, although a visit to a truffle farm comes close in epicurean hedonism. the cruise starts with a champagne reception, there’s olive oil tasting in an 18th century centre in st rémy, lunch at a quaint Provençal restaurant and a visit to a winery near tain l’Hermitage. Napoleon, somewhere between luxury hotel and country inn, has fine French food accompanied by regional wines. in avignon, the ship moors by the city gate and there’s the chance to visit roman ruins in arles and orange – but the itinerary is so flexible that other calls are likely.

the 7-day Provence rhône cruise from eWaterways departs weekly from april to early october, and costs from £3,650pp, all-inclusive, including the train from Paris, transfers and excursions. visit ewaterways.co.uk or call 0808 168 1458.

avalon the wine regions in the heart of europe have a character all their own, with steep and castle-topped hills and timbered towns lining the route. avalon has a number of cruises in different regions with a wine focus; this one follows the moselle wine route from luxembourg deep into Germany. the best sight of the riesling grape is when passing reichsburg castle, perched on a vine-covered hill. at rüdesheim there is a tasting at Breuer’s rüdesheimer schoss, a hotel and wine restaurant with its own vineyard, a tour of the wine museum and tasting at Bernkastel, an ancient market town surrounded by Germany’s largest expanse of vineyards. Avalon Luminary, launched in 2010, is smaller than many river ships, carrying only 138 guests. it makes it a more intimate setting for the wine lectures and tastings as well as a food and wine pairing dinner, with choices made by the master of Wine. the cruise is seven nights, with two nights in a Paris hotel (with a tasting at a winery) before taking a high-speed tGv to remich in luxembourg for the ship.

the 10-day Paris, moselle & the rhine cruise with avalon departs on 25 october 2013, and costs from £2,229pp, including flights, transfers, excursions, wine with dinner and home pick-up/drop-off service. visit avaloncruises.co.uk or call 0800 115 2757.

Clockwise, from left: Parisian wine merchants; The Pont d’Avignon over the Rhône and the Palais des Papes Below: Reichsburg Cochem in the Mosel Valley

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DUTCH WATERWAYS

I wake up and look out of the French windows to see the sun glancing off the sea. It’s going to be a wonderful day… Hang on a minute, when I went

to bed I was on a river cruise, sailing through the Netherlands past tall townhouses, � at � elds and distant windmills. But now there’s nothing but water outside and, although it’s very calm, it’s de� nitely sea. And I can see seagulls.

Racing up to the Sky Deck, I discover that on the other side of our luxury river ship there is land. We’re sailing through the IJsselmeer, which was once the in-land sea known as Zuiderzee but has been the largest freshwater lake in Western Europe since a major dam cut it off from the North Sea in the 1930s.

The breeze on the open deck still smells as fresh as the ocean though, and as we dock at Volendam there’s no mistaking the jaunty seaside feel of the pretty little yachting town, with a row of traditional Dutch-gabled buildings along the promenade and a few old � shing boats moored near a three-mast ship.

At 9am the 170 or so passengers on board Avalon Imagery have the place to ourselves and, like every other Dutch town we see on the trip, the narrow streets are spotless and the neat brick-built buildings are brightened by pots of pretty � owers.

Our included excursion today takes us to nearby Edam, a tiny historic town that looks far too small to be the home of one of the world’s most famous cheeses.

We certainly can’t drive through its narrow streets, so the coach drops us near a path that follows a canal and we peek into the exquisitely neat gardens of the grand homes once owned by wealthy merchants during the Netherlands’ Golden Age, back in the 17th century.

This neighbourhood, Damplein, is so old that many of the historic houses are leaning over and an ancient brick-built bridge straddles the 16th century dam at the end of the canal.

The shops here sell organic groceries and desirable knick-knacks that are only possible to resist because of the prices. Like most of euro-land everything is more expensive here than in Britain and not for the � rst time I’m glad to be on a holiday that includes all my meals (with complimentary wine at dinner), daily sightseeing trips and – the clincher – regular access to proper tea.

We have some free time to explore the museum in the grand old town hall, or Stadhuis, built in 1737. There is also a tourist information centre here, but there’s no such thing as a free tourist map in the Netherlands where even the municipal museums have an entrance fee.

So I’m pleased to regroup with the others for our included guided tour of the small Edam cheese museum.

Edam cheese is made all over the country but it’s named after the town because it was sold in Edam’s Kaasmarkt after being weighed at the Kaaswaag, from the late 1700s.

We return to Volendam where the streets are now full of happy day-trippers busy buying souvenir clogs and enjoying the sunshine, and I’m ready for lunch back on the ship.

Although I try to stick to salads for lunch on Avalon Imagery it is hard to resist the carvery in the hot buffet section. However, I’m glad I still have an appetite when it comes to

the evening meal: four courses including dishes such as Atlantic perch with chilli-scented tagliatelle, wok-fried chicken with honey-ginger-garlic sauce and crêpe with sautéed chanterelles.

An open-seating policy means I can sit with different people at every meal, and afternoon tea is served in the main lounge, where the armchairs and sofas are arranged in sociable groups. Also, there are often regional treats such a freshly-made suikerbrood – or sugar bread.

Free tea and coffee is always available, as is complimentary WiFi access, and when I just want to

We peek into the exquisitely neat

gardens of the grand homes once owned

by the wealthy merchants during

the Netherlands’ Golden Age, back in

the 17th century

Deborah Stone discovers the enchanting waterways of Holland

utchDGoingutchGoingutchDGoingD

Right, clockwise from top:Edam cheese; the IJsseldelta; Suikerbrood; Cadzand in Zeeland; traditional Dutchwindmill; beach in Cadzand; Keukenhof, Lisse is renowned for its fl oral displays P

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DUTCH WATERWAYS



Dutch waterways

riesling wine ever made. the cruise takes you through the outstanding rhine Gorge on the way to strasbourg in France, known for its massive cathedral, before arriving at the swiss city of Basel for the flight home from Zurich. these are all very Germanic towns, which makes the netherlands’ section of the rhine all the more fascinating.

From my window seat on the flight home i can see that the netherlands is mostly under water – whether inland seas, lakes, rivers or canals – and it occurs to me that this is a country that was made for river cruising. especially if you like a chunk of Gouda with mustard seeds to nibble with your pre-dinner wine.

Avalon Waterways offers a 13-day Rhine & Moselle cruise on board Avalon Affinity departing regularly until September 2013 from £2,909pp (departs 6 July). The Amsterdam to Zurich trip calls at Volendam and Kinderdijk in the Netherlands, Cologne, Koblenz, Cochem and Mainz in Germany, Strasbourg in France and Basel in Switzerland. Call 0800 668 1801 or visit avaloncruises.co.uk

get away from everybody i can lounge on my hotel-standard bed and watch the world through the full-length windows of my pleasantly spacious cabin.

it’s such a friendly ship, though, that i’ve taken to sitting with a group of american friends for a glass of wine on the sky Deck in the last of the sunshine before getting ready for dinner. we all bring snacks such as Dutch Gouda cheese with mustard seeds (my favourite), and pretzels or crisps to share.

my eight-day tulip time cruise dips into Belgium with excursions to the glorious medieval towns of antwerp and Ghent, but the highlight is a day at the Keukenhof Gardens with its rivers of tulips and swathes of narcissi, Daffodils and hyacinths.

the gardens close in late may, though, which signals the opportunity for river cruise operators to take advantage of the netherlands’ watery superhighway, the rhine, to explore Germany, luxemburg, switzerland and France.

avalon waterways’ 13-day rhine & moselle cruise leaving from amsterdam, for instance, visits Volendam and edam but then heads off down to cologne, Germany’s unesco-listed cathedral town, and then to smaller medieval river towns in some of europe’s best wine territory. this includes the half-timbered village of Bernkastel where the nearby vineyards produce Bernkasteler Doctor – which is considered the greatest

Above: Volendam’s characteristic rows of gabled buildings

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• Call reservations FREE on 0808 115 2927 • Visit us at www.avaloncruises.co.uk*Saving based per couple on new bookings made by 30th June 2013. See our website for more details. †This service is available if you live within 75 miles of your chosen departure airport or Eurostar station, if you live further than 75 miles away you can still take advantage of this offer by paying the excess mileage at £1.70 per mile. All offers are subject to availability for new bookings only and can be withdrawn at any time. For further details please see your brochure or our website. All details are correct to time of supply (April 2013).

Luxury River CruisesDanube • Main • Rhine • Seine • Moselle • Rhône • Mississippi • Yangtze • Galápagos

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Fully packaged holiday with scheduled flights or Eurostar, transfers and port charges so everything is taken care of for you.

Gratuities for your Cruise Director and crew so there are no hidden costs or expenses.

Sightseeing with expert local guides to must see stunning locations and individual audio systems for all guided shore excursions.

Service of a professional Cruise Director to help and support you plus on board lectures, local entertainers, activities and evening piano music.

Full board dining with free flowing regional wines and beer with dinner, plus complimentary soft drinks with lunch and all day beverage station with premium Lavazza coffee.

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Got a question about cruise holidays? Get in touch with our experts at [email protected]

Ask the Experts

Andy Harmer is Director of the Association of Cruise

Experts and CLIA UKand Ireland

Liz Jarvis is a well-known travel expert and the Editor

of Cruise International

Deborah Stone is an award-winning cruise writer and

Contributing Editorfor Cruise International

Julie Peasgood is a TV presenter, travel expert

and Contributing Editor for Cruise International

A. Getting married on a cruise ship is very easy and I think must be one of the most stress free and affordable ways of tying the knot. It’s also the ideal way to combine a wedding and honeymoon and offers a very memorable location to say “I do”. A number of cruise lines offer weddings at sea, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean. On some cruise ships it is the Captain who conducts the ceremony. Couples wishing to marry at sea have a great choice of wedding destinations – from the Mediterranean and Scandinavia to Canada, the Caribbean and the Far East. Cruise lines offer a wedding coordinator who arranges everything from the pampering in the spa, the hairdressers, make-up and manicure to the � owers, reception and wedding cake. The ships have dedicated wedding venues and are able to accommodate small and larger size wedding parties. Weddings generally take place on itineraries lasting a minimum of seven days. What a fantastic way to enjoy the cruise holiday experience and to celebrate a partnership. Andy Harmer

My partner and I areplanning our wedding.

How easy is it to get married on a cruise?

This issue’s experts

Q

095_CRI_JJ13_Ask the expertsv2.indd 94 30/04/2013 17:03


ASK THE EXPERTSP

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I love the idea of a veryluxurious cruise, but my

husband and I really like to bevery relaxed on holiday – he doesn’t want to dress up in black tie and I don’t want to wear long evening gowns. Which luxury cruises would you recommend?

A. On an increasing number of cruises, the trend is to dispense with black tie in the evenings and to adopt a much more relaxed, smart/casual dress code – so you’re in luck. Probably the most luxurious, mainstream cruise line with a � rm ‘no formal nights’ policy is Oceania Cruises (oceaniacruises.com). ‘Country club casual’ is the order of the day, and night, meaning sports jackets, polo shirts, sweaters and chinos for men (no ties required) and skirts, dresses or trousers for women. You needn’t pack your evening gown on Regent Seven Seas cruises (rssc.com) either, as formal nights are optional here, and the overall look is mainly ‘elegant casual’.

River cruises also tend to be bling-free zones. For Welcome Dinners on Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (uniworld.com), for example, ladies can wear a cocktail dress if they wish to and it’s a collared shirt for men, but no black tie is required. Leaving more room in your suitcase for souvenirs.Julie Peasgood

A. I envy you going to Hawaii, because it really is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and a very popular cruise destination. But unfortunately, the Jones Act, which is designed to protect American citizens and commerce – and also affects Alaskan and Canadian cruises – restricts the carriage of goods or passengers between the United States to US-built and � agged ships. For that reason, most cruise lines must include at least one non-US port in every

A. You have my every sympathy, because there’s nothing worse than looking forward to your holiday at sea only to end up seeing the ship’s doctor for an injection. The good news is there are some things you can do to try to prevent it.

For a start, where possible, choose an outside stateroom located in the middle section of the ship, and on a deck that’s not too high. It’s also best to take medication with

you that you know you can tolerate – it may be worth visiting your GP before you go. If you do start to feel sick, lie down or go out on deck, and eat dry toast or crackers. It’s important not to get dehydrated, too, so take little sips of water frequently. You can also try sucking on citrus sweets or ginger pastilles – and I’ve heard that some people recommend green apples. Deborah Stone

We are trying to book a seven-night cruise around theHawaiian Islands, but most of the cruises we can fi nd

are for longer. Can you tell us why?

I really enjoy cruises, but I su� er from terrible seasickness. Do you have any tips to help with this?Q

Q

Q

+ +

Take

cruise, which can lengthen the cruise. Before you book your US cruise, it’s always worth checking with your travel agent that your plans won’t breach the Jones Act in any possible way, because if it does, you could be denied the right to board your ship. Liz Jarvis

095_CRI_JJ13_Ask the expertsv2.indd 95 01/05/2013 09:45


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The launch this year of Coachella’s first festival at sea on The launch this year of Coachella’s first festival at sea on The launch this year of Coachella’s first festival at sea on The launch this year of Coachella’s first festival at sea on The launch this year of Coachella’s first festival at sea on The launch this year of Coachella’s first festival at sea on

board Celebrity Silhouette, headlined by Pulp and Hot board Celebrity Silhouette, headlined by Pulp and Hot board Celebrity Silhouette, headlined by Pulp and Hot board Celebrity Silhouette, headlined by Pulp and Hot board Celebrity Silhouette, headlined by Pulp and Hot board Celebrity Silhouette, headlined by Pulp and Hot

Chip, marks a new age of cruising. From chocolate tours Chip, marks a new age of cruising. From chocolate tours Chip, marks a new age of cruising. From chocolate tours Chip, marks a new age of cruising. From chocolate tours Chip, marks a new age of cruising. From chocolate tours Chip, marks a new age of cruising. From chocolate tours

to personal shopping experiences, to personal shopping experiences, to personal shopping experiences, to personal shopping experiences, to personal shopping experiences, to personal shopping experiences, if you’re after a if you’re after a if you’re after a unique holiday there are some incredible options unique holiday there are some incredible options unique holiday there are some incredible options unique holiday there are some incredible options unique holiday there are some incredible options unique holiday there are some incredible options

available, discoversavailable, discoversavailable, discovers Annabelle BladonAnnabelle BladonAnnabelle Bladon

CruısesCruısesCruısesCruısesCruısesCruısesCoolCoolCoolCruısesCoolCruısesCruısesCruısesCoolCruısesCoolCruısesCoolCruısesCruısesCruısesCoolCruıses From the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, From the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, From the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, birthplace of the tango, to the laid-back beaches of birthplace of the tango, to the laid-back beaches of birthplace of the tango, to the laid-back beaches of Rio de Janeiro, fi ery Latin rhythms lie at the heart Rio de Janeiro, fi ery Latin rhythms lie at the heart Rio de Janeiro, fi ery Latin rhythms lie at the heart of this Azamara cruise, which culminates in three of this Azamara cruise, which culminates in three of this Azamara cruise, which culminates in three days at the largest carnival in the world. On your days at the largest carnival in the world. On your days at the largest carnival in the world. On your way you will pass through Punta del Este, summer way you will pass through Punta del Este, summer way you will pass through Punta del Este, summer playground of Latin America’s rich and famous, playground of Latin America’s rich and famous, playground of Latin America’s rich and famous, and the lush green island of Ilhabela, once a and the lush green island of Ilhabela, once a and the lush green island of Ilhabela, once a hideout of smugglers and pirates. With an hideout of smugglers and pirates. With an hideout of smugglers and pirates. With an emphasis on overnight and late stays, you will have emphasis on overnight and late stays, you will have emphasis on overnight and late stays, you will have plenty of time to explore, but as the ship enters plenty of time to explore, but as the ship enters plenty of time to explore, but as the ship enters

Rio’s spectacular harbour, make sure you savour Rio’s spectacular harbour, make sure you savour Rio’s spectacular harbour, make sure you savour the peace and quiet with a Caipirinha; you’re about the peace and quiet with a Caipirinha; you’re about the peace and quiet with a Caipirinha; you’re about to hit the frenzy of the street parties and the to hit the frenzy of the street parties and the to hit the frenzy of the street parties and the world-famous Sambadrome.world-famous Sambadrome.world-famous Sambadrome.AzamaraAzamaraAzamara (azamaraclubcruises.com) (azamaraclubcruises.com) (azamaraclubcruises.com) Twelve nights on Twelve nights on Twelve nights on Azamara QuestAzamara QuestAzamara Quest, 31 January 2013, , 31 January 2013, , 31 January 2013, from £2,309 (approx.) based on double occupancy, from £2,309 (approx.) based on double occupancy, from £2,309 (approx.) based on double occupancy, cruise only, calling at Buenos Aires, Argentina; cruise only, calling at Buenos Aires, Argentina; cruise only, calling at Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; Punta del Este, Uruguay; Montevideo, Uruguay; Punta del Este, Uruguay; Montevideo, Uruguay; Punta del Este, Uruguay; Ilhabela, Brazil; Parati, Brazil; Buzios, Brazil; and Rio Ilhabela, Brazil; Parati, Brazil; Buzios, Brazil; and Rio Ilhabela, Brazil; Parati, Brazil; Buzios, Brazil; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.de Janeiro, Brazil.de Janeiro, Brazil.

Samba your way to the Rio CarnivalSamba your way to the Rio CarnivalSamba your way to the Rio Carnival

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The presenter of BBC2’s Coast reveals the destinations close

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NeilOliver

“When the sun shines on Orkney it is unlike anywhere else on earth”

Celebrity travels

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i love spending time on boats – something i inherited from my dad. the two of used to go to the west coast of scotland, like oban and the isle of skye. We’d fish

for crabs off hard walls and sometimes take out a little fishing boat. there’s also a real indefinablemagic about the orkney islands. the unusual

landscape will surprise you and every 10 minutesis a different climate experience. When the sun

shines on orkney it’s unlike anywhere else on earth.

i have just come back from filming Coast Australia and i was able to take my family out there for six weeks. We explored Perth, melbourne and sydney, but the stand out experience was in Darwin – famous for its salt water crocodiles. the kids have grown up watching Jurassic Park and when they saw a 20-year-old crocodile it was a dinosaur as far as they were concerned. the climate was nearly 100% humidity. We will always remember Darwin as being a total assault on the senses.

If you’re in Sydney, go to Wolfies restaurant in Circular Quay – the classic

spot in the heart of the city where you can see both the Opera House and

Sydney Harbour Bridge. We sat right down on the waterfront and the seafood was fantastic – particularly the Barramundi.

When filming Coast I spent five days sailing along theNorwegian coastline. The Lofoten Islands in the north are a mystical, otherworldly place – you feel like you are in a forgotten land. On numerous occasions I have travelled to the Arctic Circle but I am yet to witness the Northern Lights. I hope to see them some day.

I used to think cruises were all about big ocean liners. So when I was asked to give a talk on Viking River Cruises this year, it opened my eyes to another way of exploring the world – along its rivers. When I was young we spent time on a little boat on the Norfolk Broads, and it reminded me of that. The great thing about cruising a river is the ever-changing tableau of towns drifting by.

in 2011 a small group of us sailed in a 50 foot yacht from Port stanley in the Falkland islands to south orkney, north of antarctica, for The Last Explorers (BBc scotland). We were following in the footsteps of scottish explorer William speirs Bruce – Britain’s premier polar explorer at the turn of the 20th century. We sailed for a month, at times tackling force eight winds and watching for icebergs at night. it will be hard to top the extremity of that experience.

Elie, a little village in Scotland, is woven into the fabric of our family history. Out of all of the places I’ve visited in my life, I’d choose to be there. It’s like a sanctuary. We walk along the sand dunes, go rock pooling, fly kites; it’s idyllic.

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