Money no object

The owner of luxury line Crystal Cruises caused a stir recently by claiming his new ship had the most expensive suite at sea.

When Crystal Cruises launched Crystal Endeavor in a glittering ceremony attended by top German politicians recently, owner Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay couldn’t resist a proud boast. His ship, he said, was the most expensive per night at sea.

“The most luxurious and expensive ship ever built at $20,000 per gross ton, she sets a new high standard in luxury cruising, including the largest space ratio, at over 100 gross tons per guest, and, most importantly, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the industry at one-to-one.”

With prices of more than $7,000 per night, Mr Tan Sri Lim’s claim seems to ring true. An upcoming 10-night Crystal Endeavor voyage in Iceland costs from A$71,398, or $7,139 a night. Twelve nights in the Arctic aboard the luxury discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse comes in at $15,400. At a mere $1,283 a night, it’s a steal.

But there are plenty of other contenders when money is no object.

/ THE OWNER’S SUITE ON SILVER ORIGIN Described as “truly the apex of luxury,” the Owner’s Suite packs in a whirlpool bath that gazes over the ocean and a vast verandah where the wind can give your hair a private massage. You’ll be wrapped in plush robes and slippers, have a walk-in wardrobe, two large flat-screen TVs, and complimentary expedition gear.

Price: On a Silversea Expedition World Cruise, the owner’s suite starts from $147,100 per person for 167 nights.

/ THE REGENT SUITE At the top of Regent’s Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer lies the 412 square-metre Regent Suite.

From top: a luxe suite on a Ponant ship; butler service is included in many of the high-end suites on offer across cruise lines; the two-bedroom Owner’s Suite on Crystal Endeavor. You’ll be having sweet dreams in a $267,000 Vividus bed on Splendor, or the $200,000 Savoir bed on Explorer.

Then there are the three walk-in wardrobes, an in-suite spa with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, a private solarium and the services of a personal butler.

The lush decor includes original Pablo Picasso lithographs and a custom Steinway grand piano by Dakota Jackson.

Price: For a 14-night Miami to Miami round trip, the Regent Suite costs $103,660 per person.

/ CRYSTAL PENTHOUSE ON CRYSTAL SERENITY In Crystal Serenity’s Crystal Penthouse, you’ll have complimentary in-suite dining, a luxurious master bedroom and an ocean-view bathroom with a Jacuzzi.

Maybe the most impressive feature is the incredibly spacious verandah, which runs the entire length of the room, leaving plenty of outdoor space for armchairs, an accompanying ottoman and an outdoor table.

Price: For a 116-night Miami round trip, the Crystal Penthouse will cost you $324,588.

/ GRAND WINTERGARDEN SUITE If you splash some big cash and climb onto the Seabourn Ovation or Seabourn Encore, you could be enjoying the Grand Wintergarden Suite and its more than 120 square metres of pure perfection. A sculptural staircase guides you to the master bedroom. Here you’ll find a roll-out TV that moves away on command to gift you with ocean views.

Price: A 24-night voyage to Antarctica and Patagonia will set you back around $53,000.

/ OWNER’S SUITE ON LE COMMANDANT-CHARCOT Ponant’s Le Commandant-Charcot is not only one of the first ships of its kind to be powered by liquefied natural gas, but it’s also a luxury-lover’s dream. Its glamorous Owner’s Suite is packed out with an expansive private terrace, complete with a Jacuzzi and sunbeds. The suite’s 180-square-metre terrace offers panoramic ocean views.

Price: A 14-night stay in the Owner’s Suite on an Antarctica expedition costs $104,830.

DISCOVER ANTARCTICA

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FROM LAND TO SEA

Viking is to offer longer cruise itineraries and extended land tours to satisfy the pent-up desire among travellers wanting to spend more quality time holidaying abroad.

Based on its latest survey, Viking said that guests are looking for “longer itineraries, more opportunities to explore and discover a destination, and a more in-depth experience”.

Viking is now offering a 20-day Israel, Egypt and Jordan holiday including a 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids cruise, four nights in Jerusalem and four nights in Jordan. The holiday will give travellers the unbelievable experience of cruising the mighty Nile, taking in Egypt’s ancient monuments and pyramids and Aswan’s spice markets. In Jerusalem, they will learn about Israel’s ancient history and vibrant culture, while in Jordan they will explore the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Viking is also offering a 32-day holiday from Barcelona in Spain to Cappadocia in Turkey, including a 29-day Mediterranean cruise and three nights in Cappadocia, one of Turkey’s most popular natural wonders and prime tourist attraction. Holidaymakers will be taken to the coastal gems of the Mediterranean, visiting vibrant cities, sun-kissed beaches, charming fishing ports from Spain and major cities like Istanbul.

PACIFIC DAWN SEES A NEW DAY

P&O’s Pacific Dawn has resurfaced as the 1,400-passenger Ambience under a new cruise line Ambassador, led by the UK leadership team from the former Cruise & Maritime Voyages line (CMV), which went into administration last year. The venture is headed by chief executive Christian Verhounig, formerly of CMV.

Ambience will debut next year, offering short cruises from Tilbury to Hamburg from April 6. After her short maiden season, the 30-year-old vessel will cruise to the Arctic, the Baltics, Greenland and Iceland with a variety of itineraries. In summer, she will offer voyages to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the Caribbean, Cuba and Scandinavia.

Prices for a seven-night European cruise will start from $1,500 per person. Ambassador Cruise Line is backed by the London-based private equity firm Njord Partners. CMV cruise line went into administration in December last year, selling its UK-assets to CVI Group, a company owned by Mr Verhounig. The assets included customer-based databases, computer systems and intellectual property. Before CMV stopped trading, it operated five ships, including sailings in Australia.

SUZI FANS BOOKING 2022

Music specialist Choose Your Cruise has scratched its 2021 Royal Caribbean charter season and is focusing on 2022 instead.

Choose Your Cruise’s Caitlin Manov told Cruise Passenger stars like Suzi Quatro were disappointed, but were standing by the operation as a highlight of their concert seasons. Tens of thousands of Australian music fans have attended the concerts over more than a decade. But the pandemic has meant the cruises were cancelled in 2020, and it’s happened this year as well.

“Fans have been lovely and very understanding,” said Ms Manov. Bookings would be transferred to the new dates in 2022, on board Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas from November 9 to 16. The seven-night charter of Ovation of the Seas will host both the Cruisin’ Country and Rock the Boat events with a line-up of performers such as Suzi Quatro, Lee Kernaghan and John Williamson.

DINE MY WAY LAUNCHES

Princess Cruises has unveiled a new way for guests to pre-plan and tailor their dining experiences. The new Dine My Way experience gives guests the option to make reservations at onboard dining rooms and specialty restaurants at times they prefer and with whom they wish to dine.

Dine My Way also helps to optimise capacities in onboard dining rooms and restaurants and manage wait times, giving guests significantly more flexibility, the company said. “Instead of restricting dining choices during the pandemic, we’ve been able to expand the options for our guests and, thanks to the unique, innovative capabilities of the OceanMedallion, eliminate the need to stand in line,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. In addition, Princess’s OceanNow on-demand menu has been expanded to include entrees and beverage options from restaurants throughout the ship.

Celebrities back cruise

Celebrity chef Luke Mangan has called on the government for a clear pathway to restart cruising in Australian waters. “It’s going to take at least three months or so to get ships up and ready and to get them ready for people to cruise again.

“I know for a fact the cruise companies will only operate these ships and cruises when things are safe and done properly on board.”

And this means getting passengers and crew vaccinated before they can board the ships. Mr Mangan was part of a team, led by Carnival Australia, who recently went to Canberra to lobby government officials for clarity on restarting Australian cruising.