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EDITOR’S LETTER
EDITORIAL Editor
is published bi-monthly by The Chelsea Magazine Company Welcome 38 50 98 3SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 | I’ANSONRICHARDIMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO/INGAL;GETTYPICTURES:
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up to be a great end to the year for those of us who love cruise travel. After a long, hot summer that saw most cruise lines return to full strength with their entire fleets back in the water, we’re now looking forward to the first full season for winter-sun sailings in the Caribbean and expedition cruises in Antarctica. We take a look at both of these cruising mainstays in our guide to the most exciting ports to explore in the Caribbean (page 38) and our review of a voyage to the remote Antarctic island of South Georgia, where penguins far outnumber people (page 50). Yet you don’t have to fly long-haul to enjoy a cruise holiday. There’s still time to see the majesty of the Norwegian fjords (page 30), whether on an autumnal adventure along the coast or a voyage this winter to see the Northern Lights. Plus we look at some of Europe’s most underrated destinations, with a river cruise along the Main (page 68), a small-ship sailing in Napoleon’s wake to the Mediterranean isles of Corsica and Elba (page 78) and a preview of a food and wine-focused sailing in Bordeaux featuring top TV chef James Martin (page 98). If you have a destination you’re keen to read more about or simply want to have your say in shaping the future of Cruise International, we would love to hear from you. Take part in our survey (cruise-international.com/reader-survey) and you could not only help steer the course of the UK’s bestselling cruise magazine, but also be in with a chance of winning £150 to spend on your favourite wellness boost.
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Add more excitement to Antarctic cruises with this penguin paradise 62 Stornoway in a Day Make the most of your time in the Outer Hebrides’ largest town 66 Art Cruises See smouldering volcanoes and lush scenery on these paradise islands 68 Main River Explore this tributary of the Rhine on a budget-friendly river voyage 76 City Guide Forget the crowds and the critics, Venice remains a must-see city 78 Corsica & Elba Delve deeper into the history of Napoleon on a small-ship sailing 86 Afternoon Tea White-gloved waiters or West End vibes in these afternoon teas at sea
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Take the stress out of travel with our top tips for a relaxing escape 60 Competition Win your choice of any seven-night cruise for two with Virgin Voyages 92 Recipes
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FEATURES 22 New Ships
and
A Disney debut, a second ship for Swan Hellenic and AmaLucia latest 30 Scandinavia Get active in the Norwegian fjords with hiking, biking and kayaking 38 Caribbean Put these colourful ports of call on your Caribbean wish list this winter 50 South Georgia
REGULARS 6 Hot Spot Boston is in its prime with more cruise lines visiting for Fall foliage 8 On Our Radar Seafaring city Gdansk in Poland is worth a stop on Baltic Sea sailings 11 Cruise News New ships, 2024 collections and Take That, the musical, at sea 17 Style All your must-pack essentials for a cruise holiday this autumn 19 Health & Wellbeing
The Great British Bake Off winner EXPEDITIONS/TYSON MAYR ON rights of information in CRUISE INTERNATIONAL published in good faith 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 final arrangements. All liability for loss, contained is hereby excluded. The opinions expressed by contributors to CRUISE INTERNATIONAL are not necessarily those of the For up to date check fco.gov.uk before you go. England Gibbons, West Midlands. by Points
Nadiya shares her everyday bakes 96 Ask the Experts Get the latest advice on Christmas markets, Northern Lights and more 98 Celebrity Travels TV chef James Martin tees up his food and wine cruise in Bordeaux AURORA
within this publication
HOT SPOT
Boston, US Famous for its riverside parks, seafood and beautiful architecture, Boston has a fabulously diverse appeal, and is at its most colourful come Fall. You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy a tour of the Red Sox’s Fenway Park, America’s oldest Major League baseball stadium, and several Boston restaurants come with a side order of history, too. If you want delicious comfort food, head to Union Oyster House, which opened in 1826. Don’t miss the chance to chuck tea bales into the harbour at the brilliant Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, which has one of only two surviving tea chests retrieved from Boston’s waters.
WORDS: TAMARA HINSON
The city’s prettiest neighbourhood is Beacon Hill, which borders Boston Common and its neighbouring Boston Public Garden (pictured), a park filled with ridiculously inquisitive squirrels. Afterwards, toast your thirst at nearby Cheers Boston – the pub that inspired the sitcom – where you can pose alongside character cut-outs and check out memorabilia. Be warned – the theme song, played on repeat, is annoyingly catchy, and you’ll be singing about the bar where everyone knows your name for weeks to come.
>>
Turn to page 38 for your guide to the best Caribbean ports of call
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ON OUR RADAR
Gdansk, Poland
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One of Poland’s oldest cities, Gdansk is rich with seafaring history – the medieval buildings lining the stretch of the Motlawa river that streaks through its centre are a welcome reminder of its heritage – and a popular port of call on Baltic itineraries. Keep an eye out for the medieval crane; this riverside wooden structure, built in the 1300s and wedged between the ancient twin towers of a city gate, was once used to load cargo onto passing ships.
Gdansk has a lot of fantastic museums, including the Museum of Amber, where you can marvel at thousands of chunks of honey-hued resin, many of which have prehistoric insects trapped inside, and the Museum of the Second World War, which provides a brutally honest insight into life in Poland during the conflict. The city is also a brilliant base for forays along the Baltic coastline.
Nearby Sopot, with its pastel-hued villas, chic seafood restaurants and historic pier (built in 1827, it’s Europe’s longest wooden pier), is just a 12-minute train journey away.
WORDS: TAMARA HINSON highlights from Scandinavia
>> Turn to page 30 for
The German cruise line is offering bilingual cruises on Hanseatic Inspiration with four sailings in the Great Lakes, visiting Mackinac Island, Lake Ontario, Toronto and Quebec. They will be followed by cruises taking in the Panama Canal, Chilean fjords, Antarctica and the Amazon, repositioning to the Arctic in May 2024 for circumnavigations of Spitsbergen.
ECLIPSE LOOKS TO THE EAST
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The ship has the highest ice class rating for polar vessels, plus shore power and retractable glass balconies on the pool deck (hl-cruises.com).
11CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 | SHIPS / EVENTS / DESTINATIONS
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The Great Lakes and St Lawrence River are among new destinations featured by expedition line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises in its 2023-24 season.
HAPAG-LLOYD'S LAKES
Scenic is heading to Japan next year with discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse on an extended programme that includes three new sailings and a chance to experience a Shinto ceremony. Among the new ports of call are Hachinohe, Shimizu (above), Muroran and Sakaiminato in Japan, plus Alaskan archipelago the Aleutian Islands. Guests can attend a Shinto ceremony, featuring prayers and dancing to cleanse the spirit, and a sake Kagami biraki ceremony at a Tokyo shrine that is said to confer good luck on all those who join the proceedings. There is also a chance to try sushi and sake on board, visit an Asian food market and go kayaking and hiking in the volcanic landscapes of the Pacific Ring of Fire (scenic.co.uk).
NORTHERNGUARANTEELIGHTS
Cruise News
Havila Voyages, the new Norwegian-owned cruise line, has unveiled a Northern Lights Promise offering a free cruise to guests who do not see the aurora borealis during the peak viewing season. Passengers on its 12-day round-trip from Bergen to Kirkenes who don’t see the lights will be eligible for a six or seven-night cruise the following winter, on voyages departing between October 1 and March 31. Those booking the journey will also receive onboard credit worth around £420 per cabin, to redeem on drinks or excursions (havilavoyages.com).
Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said: “Egypt has always drawn curious explorers for its rich history and antiquities. Viking Osiris allows us to welcome even more to this incredible destination.”
Deputy managing director Tony Andrews said: “Perhaps it’s no surprise to see those three locations making up our most popular booking hotspots, with so much choice on their doorstep.”
UK’SREVEALEDHOTSPOTSCRUISE
REGENT’S 2024-25 RANGE
Cruises has added new ports of call, longer Alaska sailings and a Canada and New England maiden season for Seven Seas Grandeur in its new 2024-25 Voyage Collection.
Dorset town Christchurch came second, followed by Southampton – home to the UK’s busiest cruise port – then Barnsley and Chorley in Lancashire.
The company will add a third Nile ship, Viking Aton, next year, followed by Viking Hathor and Sobek in 2024 and 2025 (vikingcruises.co.uk).
Ultra-luxury line Regent Seven Seas
The range features 160 cruises, 21 more than the 2023-24 season. They visit every region of the world, including 18 new ports of call and 130 overnight stays. Journeys range from seven nights to an epic 150-night world cruise setting sail in 2025 (rssc.com).
A study has revealed the cruise-booking hotspots in the UK, with south coast locations taking the top three places. According to an analysis of 2022 bookings by cruise.co.uk, the residents of Fareham (below) in Hampshire booked more cruise holidays per head this year than any other town or city.
CRUISE NEWS 12 CRUISE-INTERNATIONAL.COM| SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
Viking has unveiled new ship Viking Osiris and announced that a further three Nile vessels will follow by 2025. George Herbert (above), the eighth earl of Carnarvon – who resides at Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton Abbey – became the company’s first godfather at a ceremony in Luxor, Egypt. His great-grandfather joined the excavation that led to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, 100 years ago this November.
VIKING’S NEW NILE SHIP
MSC STAYS AT SOUTHAMPTON
MSC Cruises will homeport a ship in the UK year-round for the first time as demand grows for no-fly cruises. MSC Virtuosa (above) will remain in Southampton throughout this winter and next summer, with a new Northern Pearls itinerary visiting Hamburg, Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Rotterdam and Le Havre. UK managing director Antonio Paradiso said: “The continued deployment of one of our newest and most innovative ships out of the UK is further proof of the continued importance of the UK market, which began with our first full ex-UK season back in 2018. Since then, we have gone from strength to strength and we are committed to offering the best possible experience for our guests from the UK and Ireland.” (msccruises.co.uk)
TAKE THAT AT SEA
P&O Cruises has added Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical to the entertainment line-up on Barbados-based ship Arvia, which is set to launch in December. The stage show is an adaptation of West End musical The Band, featuring Take That songs with a story by writer TimTheFirth.band (above) said in a statement: “Almost 10 years ago, we had the idea of writing a musical with our songs. It was a big wish of ours to make a show with Take That’s music, but without us – not the story of our lives. “Our wishes came true and five years ago we debuted The Band to the world. Now we couldn’t be prouder to bring the story to P&O Cruises under its new name – Greatest Days.”
River line Viva Cruises has introduced seven new Christmas markets sailings taking in some of Europe’s most festive spots, with prices from £550 per person – including mulled wine on board. The cruises operate on four ships including the line’s first new-build, Viva One (right), which launched in April and will be sailing four-night itineraries: Moselle Advent Magic and the Rhine Christmas Cruise. Those sailing on the Rhone in France on board Viva Voyage will start and end in Lyon, where the city’s Festival of Lights takes place from December 8-11 (viva-cruises.com).
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VIVA ADDS CHRISTMAS MARKETS
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The line has already announced a series of performances by Gary Barlow on Iona, taking place this autumn (pocruises.com).
