IT
WAS A
BLINK-AND-YOU’LL-MISS-IT MOMENT, and I very nearly did! On a visit to Alaska some years ago, I was on deck scanning the water for the slightest sign of a whale sighting, when I turned to chat to a fellow guest. Of course, that was the second a humpback arched out of the water, cuing ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from everyone around. Luckily, I turned back just in time to catch a glimpse, even better because there was no chance to reach for a camera – all I could do was enjoy the moment. ere were no such near-misses for our Alaskan adventurer, who explores the wild beauty of America’s nal frontier (page 42). We stay close to nature with bee-keeping and rum-tasting in the Caribbean (page 36) followed by some wheely good fun in Guernsey (page 60).
If you’re more of a city slicker, read about the revamped museum scene in under-the-radar Antwerp (page 78) and northern Europe’s coolest capitals (page 66), then start plotting your next adventure.
Katie McGonagle, Acting Editor
CROATIA 28
Enjoy a slower sailing with a small-scale yacht cruise along the shores of the Adriatic Sea
53
SOLO RIVER CRUISING
72
74 INSIDER’S GUIDE
Don’t get confused by cruise apps with our tech-savvy tips
85 BEHIND THE SCENES
Dog walkers, groundskeepers and surf instructors – on a ship?
Find out more in our crew Q&A
88 REVIEWS
Our verdict on Ambassador’s Ambition, Marella Voyager and ‘discovery yacht’ Scenic Eclipse II
97 ASK THE EXPERTS
Industry insiders answer your burning questions about cruise
98 CELEBRITY TRAVELS
Falklands War veteran Simon Weston on why he loves cruise
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ILULISSAT, GREENLAND
Set on the west coast of Greenland and more than 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Ilulissat icefjord is not only one of the most awe-inspiring highlights on an Arctic adventure, but also one of the most scientifically important. The name comes from the local Kalaallisut word for ‘icebergs’, apt as it is fed by the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, which produces a tenth of Greenland’s calf ice – more than any glacier outside the Antarctic – earning it a place on Unesco’s list of protected World Heritage Sites. But unlike the White Continent, this natural beauty spot is just a few miles from a thriving town set on Disko Bay, where rainbow-bright houses cluster along the shore and whales and seals can be seen gliding through the iceberg-strewn waters. It’s also one of the highlights on Viking’s roster of Arctic expeditions for summer 2025, with three new itineraries exploring Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic on expedition ships Viking Octantis and Polaris, complete with onboard experts and a fully equipped laboratory to understand the scientific significance of the site.
Turn to page 42 to read more about glaciers and whale spotting on a scenic cruise in Alaska
CADIZ, SPAIN
Remember the famous scene in James Bond’s Die Another Day, when a bright orange bikiniclad Halle Berry emerges from the waves like a modern-day Aphrodite? What claimed to be the shores of Cuba was in fact filmed on Playa de la Caleta in Cadiz, the ancient Andalusian city and popular cruise port on the southwest coast of Spain. It’s just been voted the top ‘hidden gem’ destination for cruise travellers in a survey by travel agency cruise.co.uk, which polled 700 customers about their favourite under-the-radar spots. Within an easy walk of Cadiz cruise port, you’ll find lofty viewpoints – the Tavira Tower and Cadiz Cathedral tower offer panoramic vistas across city and sea – historic landmarks including an ancient Roman theatre and 18th-century castles that flank its golden-sand beaches, plus plenty of places to explore, from the peaceful Parque Genovés to the buzzing fish stalls of local Mercado Central. Tony Andrews, managing director of cruise.co.uk, says: “Cadiz is an ideal cruise call as it has something for every visitor, from stunning architecture to beautiful gardens to a bustling central market. It also has great food, including tapas bars and seafood restaurants, with warm welcoming weather.”
Turn to page 28 for more European cruise highlights +
ECO ESCAPE
The Dominican Republic might be known for its sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, but look beyond its coast, and you’ll find one of the most geographically diverse countries in the Caribbean, where tropical rainforests and mangrove-filled wetlands sit side by side with desert dunes and alpine-style woodlands. Los Haitises National Park ( pictured ) – which means ‘hilly land’ in the local Taino language – is a captivating combination of towering rock formations jutting out of the water and mangrove forests lining its shores, where pelicans, frigate birds, herons, Antillean piculets, the Hispaniolan woodpecker and the critically endangered Ridgway’s hawk can be spotted. It’s one of the eco hot spots that can be explored with new luxury cruise line Explora Journeys on its maiden season in the Caribbean, following the debut of first ship Explora I in July. Guests stopping off in the Dominican Republic can choose from cigar-making and culinary adventures in the port city of Samaná or exploring the petroglyph-filled caves and wildlife-rich mangroves of the national park. explorajourneys.com
