Cruise Planner 2015

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planner 2015 www.cruise-international.com

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-LLOYD HAPAG WITH RUISES

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YOUR

Plus TOP CRUISE DEALS EXPERT TIPS NEW SHIPS

9 771758 232012

THE IRRAWADDY AUSTRALIA THE NORTHERN LIGHTS SOUTH AMERICA SHANGHAI

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Including

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ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GUIDE

Exclusive door-to-door holiday transfers NEW 2015 brochure out now!

Award after award confirm river cruise holidays with Uniworld as the very best. Deluxe vessels, expertly designed and sumptuously decorated by the acclaimed Red Carnation Hotels team, are the best on the great rivers that they serve. Uniworld is the only river cruise operator to be recommended by the prestigious Zagat Survey for both its river-view staterooms and its fine dining. The very highest service levels are assured by the unparalleled staff to guest ratio. And a choice of included shore excursions at every major port of call, truly all-inclusive value with all premium drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi covered in your holiday price, and complimentary door-to-door transfers wherever you live in the UK (from Uniworld’s exclusive partner, Titan) complete the picture of a perfect river cruise experience.

Call free to book or request the latest brochure, quoting CI4 8UU

0800 988 5175 • titantravel.co.uk/uniworld

T’s & C’s apply. Calls free from BT landlines, mobiles may vary. † Excludes Scottish islands and Sark. ‡Only on European itineraries, excludes Russia, the Mekong and China. *Standard inclusions listed; may differ slightly by operator.

There are river cruises, and there are Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

WHY CHOOSE UNIWORLD?

Other Uniworld Cruises* Cruises

Door to door transfers wherever you live in the UK† Scheduled flights with world-renowned airlines A range of outstanding itineraries, Europe and worldwide • The finest vessels on the rivers they serve Sumptuous interiors designed by Red Carnation Hotels River-view staterooms River • The best river river-view staterooms as acclaimed by Zagat Survey Onboard fine dining • The best onboard fine dining as acclaimed by Zagat Survey Included shore excursions • A choice of included shore excursions at every major port Complimentary wine with lunch and dinner • ‡ All-inclusive value, fine wine and premium brand drinks All gratuities, onboard and ashore, included Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard Sublimely relaxing onboard spa centre • Complimentary use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks Comfortable transfers to and from from the ship • Early booking discounts • PLUS River Heritage Club discounts for past travellers

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

www.jetlinecruise.com Offering the perfect combination of cruise lines, destinations, value and experience all brought together for you to choose the perfect holiday.

JetlineCruise Cruise 0800 082 2176 Open 7 days a week 9am - 9pm

CONTENTS

CRUISE PLANNER 2015

EDITOR’S LETTER A cruise is unlike any other holiday you’ll ever experience, the chance to explore some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations and enjoy ever-changing views while only unpacking once. And 2015 sees the biggest selection of itineraries, new ships and destinations ever.

Our experts have put the Cruise Planner 2015 together to help you choose and book your ideal holiday. Whether you want to search for the Northern Lights, see the temples of Southeast Asia, go on an African safari, visit the palaces of Russia, taste the good life in the Med or kick back on a Caribbean beach, you’ll find hundreds of ideas to inspire you.

With so much choice available, the Cruise Planner 2015 aims to make it as simple as possible to find the cruise holiday that’s right for you. There are two ways to use the Planner: either start with the destination guide (from page 77) and once you’ve decided where you’d like to go, check out the cruise lines that go there (from page 13); or begin with the cruise lines and then choose your itinerary. And do have a look at our special feature on selected cruise agents (page 72).

Don’t forget, we’ll be at the Telegraph Cruise Show at ExCel in London from 9-11 January – you can find out more details on page 98. I do hope you’ll come along and say ‘hi’ – we love hearing about your cruise plans.

Happy New Year and here’s to your best holiday ever,

82

UP FRONT 8

HOT SPOT

Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya is home to stunning pink flamingoes

CRUISE LINES FOR 2015 13 15

47

YOUR CRUISE GUIDE STARTS HERE LUXURY

The ultimate in design and impeccable service on some of the most impressive ships at sea

21

PREMIUM

27

CONTEMPORARY

36 40 47

Exquisite speciality dining, exceptional entertainment and state-of-the-art facilities

Modern and chic lines showcasing fantastic innovations that wow

CLASSIC

Traditional, elegant cruises offering an informal holiday experience

ADVENTURE & SPECIALIST

These off-the-beaten-track cruises offer historical, cultural and natural wonders

RIVER

Discover the world’s best destinations on a leisurely river cruise and explore on shore

FEATURES 65

88

72

NEW SHIPS FOR 2015

We look at the best river and ocean ships for the coming year

CRUISE AGENTS FOCUS

Our selection of the best cruise specialists to organise your holiday

DESTINATION GUIDE 77 TAKE A TOUR OF THE HOTTEST CRUISE DESTINATIONS 78-79 BRITAIN & IRELAND

Fabulous cruises closest to home

80 NORTHERN EUROPE

Sail to cruise favourites including France, Scandinavia and Portugal

81 THE MEDITERRANEAN

Liz Jarvis, Editor liz.jarvis@cruise-international.com CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

For extraordinary cultural experiences

82 THE BLACK SEA, NORWEGIAN FJORDS & NORTHERN LIGHTS Cruise Planner 2015

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CRUISE PLANNER 2015

Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place London SW3 3TQ Tel: 020 7349 3700 info@cruise-international.com www.cruise-international.com EDITORIAL EDITOR Liz Jarvis SENIOR ART EDITOR Rhian Colley SUB EDITOR Ben Grafton EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Flora Hughes-Onslow CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Julie Peasgood, Deborah Stone. With thanks to Christina Gubbins ONLINE DIGITAL PRODUCT MANAGER Oliver Morley-Norris

Norway (p82) Russia (p83)

Canada (p93)

Spain (p81) Mexico (p97)

ADVERTISING GROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER Lyndal Beeton

Kenya (p8)

PUBLISHING PUBLISHER Simon Temlett MARKETING MANAGER William Delmont COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Vicki Gavin DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR Steve Ross MANAGING DIRECTOR Paul Dobson EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD CARNIVAL Lynn Narraway, EWATERWAYS Daniela Wagner, FRED. OLSEN Nathan Philpot, HEBRIDEAN Ken Charleson, CELEBRITY CRUISES, Jo Rzymowska, TITAN TRAVEL Richard Tarrant, VIKING RIVER CRUISES Wendy Atkin-Smith, THE LUXURY CRUISE COMPANY Scott Anderson

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SUBSCRIPTIONS CRUISE INTERNATIONAL Subscriptions Department, 800 Guillat Avenue, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8GU, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1795419841 Email: cruise@servicehelpline.co.uk http://cruise.subscribeonline.co.uk SUBSCRIPTION RATES UK £33 (6 issues) ROW £40 (6 issues) NEWS DISTRIBUTION News Trade (UK and Rest of World): Seymour International Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT CRUISE 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 2014/2015.

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 final 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.

Like us facebook.com/cruiseinternational Follow us pinterest.com/cruisemag

83 THE ARCTIC, ICELAND & THE BALTIC

Enter the Arctic Circle and see Russia

85 SOUTH AMERICA

From Chile and Argentina to Antarctica

86 RED SEA & PERSIAN GULF

Ancient ruins and fabulous beaches

88-89 AFRICA

Combine a cruise with a safari

90-91 ASIA From Myanmar to the Great Wall of China

81

92 PACIFIC

Cruises around Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific

93 THE USA AND CANADA

Spot bears in Alaska or visit cool Quebec

96 EASTERN CARIBBEAN

Paradise islands and turquoise waters

97 WESTERN & SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

Ancient treasures and wild nature reserves

COMPETITION

Printed in England by Wyndeham Heron Origination by All Points Media allpointsmedia.co.uk Cover image © Getty

Follow us @Cruisemag

CONTENTS

74 WIN A CRUISE FOR TWO

10

Sail the Med and Adriatic with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

REGULARS 10

CRUISE STYLE

98

ASK THE EXPERTS

Best fashion, fragrance and beauty buys

Our expert Q&A, news of the Telegraph Cruise Show in January and The Insider on what’s hot for 2015

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Cruise Planner 2015

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DISCOVER

A NEW

Discover new places. Experience new cultures.

Learn more about the world you don’t see every day. For meaningful travellers who seek enriching experiences, a cruise with Princess offers beautiful scenery and fresh perspectives. You’ll come home with new friendships, new stories to tell and new memories to share. This is our promise – that you’ll come back new.

YOU W IN N E R AWARDS

THE BEST CRUISE LINE PRINCESS CRUISES CREATING THE BESTLINE MEMORIES BEST CRUISE

We are the leaders in destination cruising, taking you to more fascinating ports of call than any other cruise line. Enjoy warm and welcoming service onboard our ships, with expert guidance in every port you visit. You’ll soon find out why only Princess has been awarded ‘Best Cruise Line Itineraries’ nine years running.

Mediterranean & Northern Europe • Alaska & Canadian Rockies • Caribbean & Panama Canal • Hawaii & Tahiti • Australia & New Zealand • Asia • South America

TO BOOK OR REQUEST A BROCHURE CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT CALL 0843 374 2261 VISIT PRINCESS.COM

Hot sp t o

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, KENYA At 1,754m above sea level, Lake Nakuru lies in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. An abundance of algae attracts thousands, sometimes millions of pink flamingoes and it’s also home to a great variety of other birds and wildlife, from warthogs and baboons to buffaloes. The lake is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park, which spans nearly 200 square kilometres, including swathes of the African savannahs, and is a sanctuary for endangered species, including black and white rhinoceros. >>Turn to page 88 to read about cruises to Africa

58 Cruise Planner 2015

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PHOTO: ©

PHOTO: © ANNA OMELCHENKO/ALAMY

INSPIRATION

CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

Cruise Planner 2015

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Style

FASHION AND BEAUTY

CRUISE

Our pick of the hottest buys for your trip

SUGAR PLUM

Keep your make-up fresh and pretty with Clinique’s pastel palette inspired by The Nutcracker (available from World Duty Free).

TRUE BLUE

A stunning lightweight cashmere scarf will add a splash of colour to your outfit (£122, amara.com).

SWAG BAG

BRIGHT EYES

Dramatic name, dramatic effect – we’re crazy about this eye cream (£50, qvcuk.com).

EXOTIC ROSE

Clinique’s divine new fragrance Beyond Rose includes notes of White Pepper, Freesia and Amber, with a heart of Rose (available from World Duty Free).

c i h c a Bell

A longer, tailored jacket worn over a metallic skirt and smart white vest is perfect for an evening in Venice - this one’s from orsay.com.

A simple handbag with space for your stateroom card and phone is ideal for dinner (£109, houseofraser.co.uk).

COMPLEXION PERFECTION

Start your holiday as you mean to go on by pampering your skin with Origins stressrelieving face mask (available from World Duty Free).

AND FOR MEN...

Some essentials for your cruise holiday...

Delicious 5ml bottles of fragrance great for packing (£35, penhaligons.com).

A pair of stylish sneakers are ideal for wearing on deck (£45, gola.co.uk).

Add a touch of class with an elegant tie (£30, lussolondon.com).

Cruise & Stay WITH VIRGIN HOLIDAYS.

TELEPHONE: 0844 417 8409 ONLINE: VIRGINHOLIDAYSCRUISES.CO.UK IN STORE: VIRGINHOLIDAYS.CO.UK/STORES

CRUISES FOR 2015 47

27

40

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15 LUXURY Exceptional service and a sophisticated onboard experience 21 PREMIUM Exquisite speciality dining and state-of-the-art facilities 27 CONTEMPORARY Modern and chic with fantastic innovations 36 CLASSIC A more traditional cruise holiday experience 40 ADVENTURE & SPECIALIST Taking you off the beaten track 47 RIVER CRUISES A leisurely way to explore the world CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

OC TOBER / NOV EM BER 2013 |

13

...your local cruise experts

BOOK YOUR LUXURY ...your local cruise experts ...your local cruise experts CRUISE WITH THE EXPERTS The Luxury Cruise Company specialises in the organisation of tailor-made travel itineraries aboard the world’s fiCompany nest liners, cruise river and private yachts.

The Luxury Cruise Company specialises in theships, The Luxury Cruise Company specialises the organisation The Luxury Cruise specialises ininvessels the of tailor-made travel

organisation of tailor-made itinerariestravel aboard the world’s organisation of tailor-made itineraries aboard the world’s itineraries aboard thetravel world’s finest liners, cruise ships, river vessels and private yachts. finest liners, cruise ships, river vessels and private yachts.

us toriver tailor make your perfect cruise holiday by adding finest liners, Allow cruise ships, vessels and private yachts. on our own chauffeurs, flights, pre-cruise stays and more...

Allow usus to tailor makeusyour perfect cruise bycruise adding to tailor make yourholiday perfect holiday byby adding Allow to Allow tailor make your perfect cruise holiday adding on our own on our own chauffeurs, flights, pre-cruise stays pre-cruise and more...stays and more... on our own chauffeurs, fl ights, Our cruise partners include: chauffeurs, flights, pre-cruise stays and more...

AMA Waterways * APT River Cruises * Azamara Club Cruises Our cruise partners include: Our cruise partners include: Celebrity Cruises Crystal Cruises * Cunard Oberoi Nile *Club AMA cruise Waterways River Cruises Azamara * APT Our partners include: AMA Waterways Cruises Azamara Club Cruises * * APT*River *Cruises Cruises Oceania Cruises Cruises *Cunard * Regent Celebrity Cruises Cruises Nile * Crystal * Oberoi Celebrity Cruises Cruises Cunard OberoiSeven Nile SeasCelebrity * *Crystal * Club AMA Waterways * APT River Cruises * *Azamara Cruises* Cruises Seabourn Seadream Yacht Club Silversea Swan Hellenic Cruises * Oceania Cruises Regent Seven Seas Cruises * * * * Cruises Oceania Cruises Regent Seven Seas Cruises * * Crystal * Cunard * *Oberoi Nile* Cruises * Oceania Cruises * Regent Seven Seas Cruises SeabournCruises Yacht Club Silversea Hellenic * Seadream * Swan Voyages to Antiquity ... and more Seabourn Yacht Club * Seadream * Silversea * Swan Hellenic Voyages to Antiquity ... and more Club Seabourn * Seadream Yacht Silversea * Star Clippers* Swan Hellenic * Uniworld River Voyages to Antiquity ... and*more

Cruises * Voyages to Antiquity . . . and more

JOIN OUR VIP LIST TODAY JOI NJOI OU NROU R JOI N OU R V you I PareLIST TODAY V I Pto ship LIST TODAY to ensure invited visits, special VIP events, exclusive offers, and more . . .

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complimentary complimentary show tickets, exclusive offers exclusive and more... www.theluxurycruisecompany.com/cruise/vip-join/ show tickets, offers and more...

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Join todayJoin 0207 664 2275 www.theluxurycruisecompany.com/MWP www.theluxurycruisecompany.com/MWP Join today info@theluxurycruisecompany.com 01273 311 879

01273 311 879 www.theluxurycruisecompany.com/MWP info@theluxurycruisecompany.com info@theluxurycruisecompany.com

01273 311 879 The LuxuryCruise Cruise Company The Luxury The Company Luxury Cruise Company info@theluxurycruisecompany.com 3rd Floor, Dorset House, 27-45 Stamford Street, London Garden Suite, 71Garden Church Road, BN3 2BB Suite, 71Hove Church Road, Hove BN3 2BB SE1 9NT The Luxury Cruise Company Garden Suite, 71 Church Road, Hove BN3 2BB

LUXURY

Luxury These lines offer the ultimate in impeccable service and stunning ships

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Cruise Planner 2015

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CRYSTAL CRUISES The two mid-size ships have a cool Californian vibe; Crystal Symphony’s recently completed £15m revamp introducing a waterfall to the lobby and the £35m Crystal Serenity workover bringing real-life greenery on board.

Cruises specialise in exotic, far-off places with new ports for 2015 in China, Japan and Indonesia. In 2015 Crystal celebrates its 25th birthday with six cruises that feature parties and events with company bosses and former captains. Experiences of Discovery themed cruises feature everything from a jazz cruise down the west coast of the US to a British golf cruise.

020 7399 7601; crystalcruises.co.uk

CUNARD The cruise line with a timeless atmosphere of white-gloved waiters and formal evenings reaches into its past in 2015 to celebrate its 175th anniversary. All three ships – Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 – will converge in Liverpool, the company’s original home as the White Star Line, on May 27 for a party to end them all. Cunard is known for its grand transatlantic crossings, but it also offers relaxing itineraries to the Mediterranean and Baltic as well as two-night jaunts to Hamburg.

0843 374 2224; cunard.co.uk

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LUXURY HAPAG-LLOYD CRUISES Serene, hip Europa 2, one year old in May, celebrates with new itineraries, including a debut visit to Africa, a number of new ports, plus cruises to Scandinavia, Western Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, India, Vietnam and Hong Kong. The all-inclusive cruises feature a number of free events such as tastings and concerts ashore. There are also expedition cruises to destinations such as the Antarctic and Amazon on Hanseatic and MS Columbus 2.

0800 542 0858; hl-cruises.com

THE SHIP IS LOVED BY THE QUEEN AND IT’S EASY TO SEE WHY WITH ITS RELAXED ELEGANCE

HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES One classic ship, Hebridean Princess, carries 50 guests in sumptuous Scottish country house style among the lochs, highlands and islands. Service is all-inclusive – even down to the excursions – with knowledgeable local guides, and use of bicycles. The ship is loved by the Queen and it is easy to see why with its relaxed elegance and rich regional cuisine amid the cherrywood splendour of the Columba restaurant.

01756 704 700; hebridean.co.uk

OCEANIA CRUISES An American luxury line with a preppy East Coast ambience on three ships for 684 guests and two for 1,250. The smart but welcoming atmosphere extends to speciality restaurants with no extra charge (notably the Polo Grill where you can order a Porterhouse steak). This is a cruise line for foodies, claiming the best cuisine at sea, overseen by Frenchman Jacques Pépin, now a US TV star. Pépin will lead a summer Mediterranean gourmet cruise, while culinary sailings are extended to the Caribbean. Oceania is adventurous with its voyages, with 27 new itineraries next winter and ports of call from Korea to Namibia.

0845 505 1920; oceaniacruises.com 8 CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

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LUXURY SEADREAM YACHT CLUB

SEABOURN Five ships carrying up to 458 in a sophisticated but easygoing world of Americanstyle excellence. Service is all-inclusive with a choice of speciality restaurants, wine tastings and complimentary on-deck massages – and an early evening cocktail party.

Accommodation is all-suite, mostly with verandas. There are drop-down watersports marinas and sleek furnishings evocative of a private yacht.

0843 373 2000; seabourn.com

Two ships, each for 112 passengers offer a private yachting experience, teak decks and a hedonistic air. The Champagne and caviar splash party on a Caribbean beach says it all. There’s a fold-down watersports marina and spa.

Winter island-hopping in the Caribbean switches to summer destinations from Capri to Kotor.

0800 783 1373; seadream.com

SILVERSEA Five elegant cruise ships and three expedition ships that all share a taste for style, from Relais & Châteaux standard meals to allinclusive drinks. The main fleet (200 to 400 passengers) offers facilities befitting much bigger ships, with extravagant shows, spa and all-suite accommodation with butler service. There is a dedicated Galapagos ship while the others travel from the Amazon to the poles.

0844 251 0837; silversea.com

REGENT SEVEN SEAS All-inclusive delights on a sleek trio of mid-size ships that sail the world, down to unlimited shore excursions. An exclusive hotel feel includes all-suite accommodation, butler service, free mini-bar topped up daily, Canyon Ranch spa and daily programmes and lectures.

There are up to four restaurants, including the Prime 7 steakhouse – with no charge at any of them.

02380 682 280; rssc.com

VIKING OCEAN CRUISES Award-winning river cruise line Viking unveils its first ocean vessel, the mid-size (900 passengers) Viking Star in 2015, to be swiftly followed by Viking Sea and Viking Sky in 2016. The ship has the same sleek contemporary style as Viking’s award-winning river Longships – cool and Scandinavian, blonde wood and glass – with an open-air infinity pool; other highlights include the spa, which draws on the holistic philosophy of Nordic culture, and includes a snow grotto where snowflakes fall gently from the ceiling. Service and the onboard experience promise to be exceptional: wine with dinner, no charge for speciality restaurants, complimentary excursions, free 24-hour speciality coffee and room service and wifi. There will be cruises around the world, including the Med, but the iconic trip will be the Viking Homelands itinerary.

8 020 8780 7900; vikingcruises.co.uk

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PHOTOS: © ISTOCK

PROMOTION

WORLD CLASS

As one of the UK’s leading cruise specialist agents, Jetline Cruise offers tailor-made holidays to the US, the Caribbean, the Far East and more

F

ounded in 2001, Jetline Cruise is now firmly established as one of the UK’s leading cruise specialist agents, carrying thousands of passengers to destinations all over the world. It prides itself on an efficient, courteous and helpful service to its customers and is committed to achieving and maintaining the highest level of quality at affordable prices.

Jetline Cruise has done all of the hard work for you already. Its team of product designers has created a huge range of exciting, diverse and innovative packages for you to choose from, offering an extensive range of cruise-and-stay itineraries, which include; The Mediterranean, Australia, North and South America, The Far East and the Caribbean.

In some destinations you can combine your cruise with a pre-packaged land tour; CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

these are particularly popular in Alaska, South America and the Far East. Or combine the two most relaxing forms of travel on a Cruise and Rail Holiday and experience the best of both worlds as you explore diverse ports of call at sea, coupled with unique, scenic train journeys over land, travelling in effortless comfort; often without the need to fly.

Jetline Cruise has an extensive range of Cruise and Rail holidays on offer all year round. Continents include Asia, Europe and North America. In North America; choose from the ever-popular Amtrak routes across the USA combined with a range of different cruise itineraries which include; Alaska, Transatlantic sailings and the Caribbean.

In Canada, choose the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer for a trip through the heart of the Canadian Rockies combined with an Alaskan

cruise, or Via Rail, for a trans-Canadian rail journey from the East to West coast. And in the Far East, enjoy a trip on the world-famous bullet train followed by a cruise to exotic ports of call across the Orient.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? The Jetline Cruise team of experts will tailor-make your trip to suit your interests and budget, creating your dream holiday.

Go online: For more information call 0800 082 2176 or visit jetlinecruise.com Cruise Planner 2015

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INFINITY CRUISES

Luxury South American & Antarctica Cruises

South America is an exotic cruising destination in a way that other regions simply can’t touch, blending touches of the fjords of Norway and Alaska, the cosmopolitan cities of Europe and the vast stretches of rugged terrain in Australia, not to mention a fantastic wine-growing culture.

As a leading specialist in tours to South America for over 10 years, Infinity Tours and Infinity Cruises provide the unrivalled expertise in tailor making your dream cruise holiday.We have teamed up with Celebrity Cruises to bring you this exclusive selection of 2015 and 2016 luxury sailings on board the highly praised midsized Celebrity Infinity.

South America – Cape Horn 16 nights from £1,999pp Jan-Mar 2015 & Jan-Mar 2016

Highlights include: 2 nights stay Buenos Aires, sailing to Montevideo, Cape Horn, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Strait of Magellan, Chilean Fjords and Valparaiso

Antarctica and South America 16 nights from £2,599pp

30 Jan, 13 Feb 2015 & 12 Feb 2016 Highlights include: 2 nights stay Buenos Aires, sailing to Ushuaia, Cape Horn,Antarctica, Elephant Island, Falkland Islands, Puerto Madryn, Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires

Rio Carnival Cruise: Argentina, Brazil & Uruguay 16 nights from £2,599pp 30 January 2016

Highlights include: 2 nights stay Buenos Aires, sailing to Sao Paolo, Buzios, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (2 nights stay on board for the Carnival)

What is included: 14 night Full board cruise . Return flights from the UK (Regional flights available) . 4* hotel stay with breakfast. All transfers.

Options available: Add a 3 day Iguazu Falls tour from £399pp. Add city tours from £29pp. Add extra nights stay from £49pp

For further information on these and other great cruises call 0203 725 8804 or visit www.infinitycruises.co.uk 6792

ACCREDITED AGENT

CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION

PREMIUM LUXURY

Premium

These lines offer exquisite speciality dining, exceptional entertainment and state-of-the-art facilities

AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES Azamara pioneered the ‘destination immersion’ concept emulated by so many cruise lines, meaning longer stays, more overnights and evening excursions and VIP experiences. Two intimate, polished ships for 700 guests, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, offer a sophisticated ambience combined with a wealth of cultural experiences both on board and off. Complimentary AzAmazing Evenings reveal the colour and depth of a destination. Cruises visit places – some off the usual routes – in Europe, Asia, South America, West Indies, as well as Central and North America. In 2015 Azamara will sail to Australia for the first time. The service is all-inclusive, with butlers for suite guests, and shuttles into city centres.

0844 493 4016; azamaraclubcruises.com

CELEBRITY CRUISES Where boutique cruising touches the mainstream, with style on a bigger scale.

The 10 ships (plus an expedition ship) are a world of elegant décor combined with modern touches such as real lawns, iPad menus in Qsine, XBox at sea and Canyon Ranch spas. Cruises cover the world, with plenty in the Med as well as ships based in the Caribbean. In 2015 Celebrity launches Signature Event Sailings, cruises timed to events such as Rio’s carnival or the Cannes Film Festival, with special excursions and vantage points.

0844 493 2043; celebritycruises.co.uk

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PREMIUM LUXURY

DISNEY CRUISE LINE Four ships that, like Disney’s resort hotels, manage to be sophisticated and stylish as well as fun for all the family. There’s a refined but playful hint of the golden age of cruising with Art Deco flourishes outside and in; first-class entertainment, and a wealth of dining options, including themed restaurants as well as places for adults only. Nightlife is Broadwaystyle shows while on deck there are waterparks and you’re always likely to bump into Mickey or one of his chums. Destinations are largely North America and the Caribbean, but there are some European sailings, including from Dover.

0800 028 3179; disneycruise. disney.go.com

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE Historic company now offering cool modernity on its 15 ships (with another to come in early 2016). The company specialises in the Caribbean and the Americas but also has a number of summer trips in Europe. MS Ryndam will sail out of Harwich from May to September 2015 on a range of new and classic itineraries, including a first Western Europe round trip and a circumnavigation of Iceland. On sailings in the Med there will be longer stays and overnights in Venice, Barcelona and Istanbul. New ports include rarely-visited spots such as Durres in Albania, Constanta in Romania and Sochi in Russia.

0843 374 2300; hollandamerica.co.uk8 CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

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PREMIUM

THINGS GET EVEN BETTER IN THE MSC YACHT CLUB, A SHIP-INSIDE-ASHIP COMPLEX OF PRIVATE DECKS

MSC CRUISES Cruising Italian style on big but sexy ships. Many of the sailings are in the Mediterranean, from Italian ports, but there are sailings from Dubai and grand voyages. From autumn 2015 MSC will be offering two-week cruises in the Caribbean, longer than most fly-cruises there, which makes the trip worthwhile.

On board it’s a world of Murano glass and divine food – and things get even better in the MSC Yacht Club, a shipinside-a-ship complex of private decks, restaurants and pool, with the added bonus of butler service.

020 3426 3010; msccruises.co.uk

PRINCESS CRUISES Regal Princess, the company’s second new ship in less than two years, started sailing in late 2014, the all-but-identical twin sister of glamorous Royal Princess, launched by the Duchess of Cambridge in 2013, with the same piazza-style atrium with restaurants and bars, SeaWalk glass-bottomed hanging walkway, colourful dancing fountains at night and excellent onboard cuisine.

It brings the total of bright, modern ships to 16 (plus two smaller ships) with cruises around the world, including the Baltic and Japan – and Royal Princess sailing from Southampton.

8 0843 374 4444; princess.com 24

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204 PORTS. 70 COUNTRIES. 5 CONTINENTS. CREATE YOUR OWN MASTERPIECE.

Marseille France

Florence Italy

Mumbai India

DEEPEN YOUR APPRECIATION OF LOCAL LIFE & CULTURE Azamara Club Cruises sails the world carrying you to Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia,

For information on our extensive

South America, the West Indies, and (from 2016) Australia & New Zealand. Once there,

range of voyages or to book:

we’ll help you truly immerse yourself in local culture and nightlife with our Longer stays, More overnights, Night touring and unique range of Land Discoveries® shore excursions.

call 0844 493 2049

Sailing on boutique, 344 stateroom, club-like ships, you’ll explore places far beyond

visit AzamaraClubCruises.co.uk

the reach of big cruise lines - often docking in prime spots close to town. What’s more, nearly everything you need is already included in the price of your voyage.

contact your travel agent

Imagine a full day wandering among the Renaissance treasures of Florence. In Marseille, simply stroll off your ship into the colourful Old Port for an evening meal.

Or discover at leisure the exotic sights, sounds and scents of Mumbai - the glamour capital of India. Whichever destination you decide on, join us on a holiday that sails the road less travelled.

longer STAYS. more OVERNIGHTS. night TOURING.

Azamara Club Cruises® is a proud member of the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. family of cruise lines.

RCCL ©2014 Azamara Club Cruises. Ships’ registry: Malta.

SM ABTA NO.Y1650

NORWEGIANS HAVE MORE CHOICE. NORWEGIANS CRUISE LIKE NO OTHER PEOPLE ON EARTH. WITH MORE CHOICE OF WHAT TO SEE AND DO, NORWEGIANS DO IT THEIR WAY. WE CALL IT FREESTYLE CRUISING®. YOU MIGHT JUST CALL IT YOUR BEST HOLIDAY EVER.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HIGHLIGHTS: • Brand new Norwegian Getaway sailing the Caribbean year round • The incredible Norwegian Epic sailing in Europe year round from May 2015 • Up to 29 dining choices • Up to 22 bars and lounges • World-class entertainment • Accommodation to suit all tastes • Luxurious spas & oceanview gyms • Youth & teen programmes • Exclusive family entertainment with NickelodeonTM*

THOUSANDS OF CHOICES, ALL OF

THEM RIGHT.

MEDITERRANEAN • BALTIC • CARIBBEAN & BAHAMAS • HAWAI’I • ALASKA • PANAMA CANAL

EXPLORE: www.ncl.co.uk CALL: 0845 201 8900

NCL_UK

*NickelodeonTM entertainment features on selected ships only. ©2014 NCL Corporation LTD Ship’s Registry: Bahamas and United States of America. 5743.01.14

Norwegian Cruise Line UK N

CONTEMPORARY

CONTEMPORARY Modern and chic with fantastic innovations, these lines offer something for everyone

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CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES A collection of fun palaces sailing in the sun, mostly from Florida and other Gulf ports and heading into the Caribbean. There are state-of-the-art children’s clubs and attractions such as waterslides and high ropes courses, although there’s plenty for adults too, with cool bars, clubs and laid-back island-style entertainment. Carnival is one of the largest cruise lines, with 23 ships. Cruises start at four days, so it’s possible to combine with a land-based regular holiday.

0843 374 2272; carnival.co.uk

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE Norwegian Escape, the company’s largest ship (for 4,200 passengers) launches in October 2015 and will sail year round from the company’s home, Miami. It’s their 14th cool, clean modern ship (Norwegian Getaway launched early 2014) and continues the new concept of the Waterfront, an on-deck boardwalk of bars and restaurants, along with the Haven, a ship-within-a-ship luxury enclave. From May Norwegian Epic will sail all year around Europe, from Barcelona.

0845 201 8900; ncl.co.uk

P&O CRUISES The new flagship Britannia sails from spring with a stirring red, white and blue livery on varied European itineraries including a round-Britain cruise. There’s a lively British style throughout the fleet, with new Food Heroes cruises (with either James Martin, Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar, Eric Lanlard or Olly Smith), four Strictly Come Dancing sailings with stars from the show and three classical Music Festivals At Sea cruises. Most sailings, including lots of mini breaks, are from Southampton but there is also a fly-Med season.

0843 374 0111; pocruises.com 28

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CONTEMPORARY

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL There are two exciting new ships, Anthem of the Seas, which launches in April, with a summer of European sailings from Southampton, and Quantum of the Seas, launched in October 2014 but which this spring starts sailing from Baoshan, near Shanghai, for itineraries around China, Japan and South Korea. The sister ships have an intoxicating mix of fun, including a skydiving simulator, dodgems, the SeaPlex, the largest sports and entertainment complex at sea, and even a sky-diving simulator. Ovation of the Seas arrives in 2016. There are more than 20 other ships and, apart from being great in the Caribbean (with two private islands), there are plenty of sailings from the UK and Europe on the fleet’s floating resort-style vessels.

0844 493 4005; royalcaribbean.co.uk 8 CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

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CONTEMPORARY

THREE SHIPS WITH A SMART, MODERN LOOK SAILING THE MED, BALTIC AND CARIBBEAN

PHOTO: © THOMSON CRUISES

THOMSON CRUISES Three ships with a smart, modern look sailing mostly the Mediterranean, Baltic and Caribbean and offering everything from family-friendly getaways to adult-only sailings.

Thomson Dream will be based in Jamaica through winter and spring for a new selection of itineraries that play heavily on visits to Cuba.

0871 230 2800; thomson.co.uk 

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Magnificent MED

Flying from 20 UK airports, Thomson Cruises make exploring the Eastern Mediterranean not only unforgettable but also blissfully easy

The stunning white villas of Santorini, Greece

PROMOTION

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PROMOTION

REASONS TO CHOOSE A THOMSON CRUISES HOLIDAY: HERE’S A TASTER… THE RANGE OF DESTINATIONS From Santorini to Costa Rica, Thomson passengers have the chance to visit over 120 destinations every year. And a quick glance at where they visit is probably enough to tempt you on board. Keep an eye out for our new ports of call, such as Holguin in Cuba, King’s Wharf in Bermuda, and Trujillo in Honduras.

CRUISE-AND-STAY Offering the best of both worlds, Thomson’s cruise-and-stay option lets you pair time on board with a spell at a hotel in any order you wish. Choose from 130 properties across 10 destinations, ranging from the luxurious Sensatori resorts to more budget-friendly 3T Favourites (for a three, four or sevennight stay).

ALL TIPS AND SERVICE CHARGES INCLUDED On board Thomson ships, tips and service charges aren’t an added extra, and are included in the initial price. That means you’re not expected to tip any of the crew, which could save you a couple of hundred pounds per week.

JET OFF FROM YOUR DOORSTEP

T

he crystal waters and divine beaches of the Eastern Mediterranean are the perfect setting for dreamy summer holidays, and the best way to explore the region is by cruise ship.

Thomson Cruises offers an extensive range of Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, and a fantastic cruise-and-stay programme so guests can also stay in a resort and experience more of the area’s vibrant culture. So if you fancy extending your holiday by a week at the beginning or end of your cruise, Thomson has a wide range of properties to choose from, including its brand new Sensatori resort in Fethiye, Turkey.

The company’s summer 2015 itineraries promise to be deeply sophisticated and relaxing affairs. And with some exciting new developments for the year ahead, there will be plenty of new destinations and cruises to choose from.

Thomson Celebration will make Dubrovnik its new home port, with its adults-only sailing around the Adriatic region, calling at 10 new Croatian and Italian destinations. These new CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

ports of call include Corinth for Athens, Itea for Delphi, Bari in Puglia, Italy (the region that produces some of the country’s most delicious food), and several Croatian hotspots.

Thomson Spirit will be based out of Marmaris, Turkey, and will visit six new ports, including Chios and Patmos Town, Greece, and the islands of Ag Nik (Crete), Santorini and Mykonos.

The seven-night Ancient Wonders itinerary on Thomson Spirit takes guests from Istanbul, Turkey and includes calls at Piraeus (for Athens) and Kusadasi (for Ephesus), offering the chance to see several of the world’s most revered ancient sites. Cruise departs 11 May 2015, from £769pp with return flights from Bournemouth and is based on two sharing.

Thomson Majesty will sail from Corfu, calling at six new ports including Albania and firm favourites Venice and Kotor, Montenegro.

With these three spectacular ships in the region all summer, Thomson provides the perfect vantage point for experiencing the delights of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Adriatic.

Thomson is the only cruise company to offer flights from 20 regional UK airports, and nearly all of them come courtesy of Thomson’s airline, Thomson Airways.

Plus Thomson makes it really easy at the other end, too, by taking care of all your transfers.

ALL-INCLUSIVE DRINKS Full Board is standard on all Thomson cruises. If you’ve got a budget, you can opt for an All-Inclusive drinks package, which is remarkably good value. You can book All-inclusive for £10pp per night*.

Go online: To find out more about Thomson Cruises visit Thomson.co.uk or call 0871 230 2800.

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*AVAILABLE ON ALL THOMSON SPIRIT AND THOMSON DREAM FROM 1 MAY-31 OCTOBER 2015. PRICE IS PER PERSON, PER NIGHT AND MUST BE SELECTED AT TIME OF BOOKING. ALL INCLUSIVE ONLY APPLIES ON SHIP. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. MAY BE WITHDRAWN WITHOUT NOTICE AT ANY TIME.

Clockwise, from left: The waters of Venice, Italy; Athens, Greece; Sensatori Hotel, Fethiye, Turkey

Classic Traditional, elegant cruises that offer an informal holiday experience

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CLASSIC LUXURY SAGA Cruising with an increasingly modern touch. Saga Sapphire, for 720 passengers, has had a clean, contemporary makeover with its Pole To Pole restaurant, divided into colourful world zones, having an intimate feel. Saga Pearl II is smaller but also up to date. Most cruises are from Southampton or Dover with many British, Med and Baltic itineraries but there are also grand cruises and other sailings to exotic destinations around the world.

0800 096 0079; travel.saga.co.uk

CRUISE AND MARITIME VOYAGES The expanding company will offer more cruises than ever in 2015 and introduces a new mid-size ship: Azores replaces Discovery as the partner for flagship Marco Polo, sailing from London Tilbury and seven other UK ports.

Stylish Astor makes some appearances in Britain but is largely devoted to exotic fly-cruises in Australia and the Far East. Marco Polo celebrates its 50th anniversary with a 26-night epic voyage to Canada and Greenland, also mirroring the ship’s early journeys, and is moving into star-name theme voyages following the success of 2014’s sailings with rock acts and stars of vintage British sitcoms on board.

0845 430 0274; cruiseandmaritime.com

FRED. OLSEN CRUISE LINE Timeless cruising on stylish mid-sized ships that have the air of a charming Scottish country hotel. There are sailings from 10 British ports for cruises around Britain and journeys to the Med and Baltic. There are also many offerings farther afield, both with fly-cruises and grand voyages.

New cruises include Boudicca’s 16-night Mystery, Poison & Murder themed cruise from Rosyth and You Choose Your Cruise on Braemar, where guests vote for the next port of call, from two choices each time. Almost 20 new ports include Savannah, Georgia, and Devil’s Island, New Guinea.

0800 0355 197; fredolsencruises.com 8 CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

TIMELESS CRUISING ON MID-SIZED SHIPS WITH THE STYLE OF A COUNTRY HOTEL

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Dream

DESTINATIONS

Celebrate the joys of small-ship cruising on board Saga’s welcoming ships

I

f the perfect cruise combines unforgettable destinations with a fantastic time on board, Saga certainly knows how to get it right.

Their friendly ships have lots of personality and continue to celebrate the joys of small-ship cruising. Not only can you look forward to enjoying an incredibly warm welcome and superb service, you can sail into the small harbours of Dalmatia and the heart of cities such as Venice, where you can explore St Mark’s Basilica.

Elegant Saga Sapphire carries no more than 720 guests while yacht-like Saga Pearl II holds just 449. These small ships can reach ports that the larger ships can’t sail to. And with two staff members to every three passengers, don’t be surprised if the crew get to know you by name and the barman remembers your favourite drink. It’s this attention to detail that recently earned Saga the title of Best Specialist and Small Ship Cruise Line in the British Travel Awards. In addition, Saga is one of only three Which? recommended cruise providers.

Saga was also named Best Value for Money Cruise Line at the Cruise Awards 2014. That’s because they include so much in the price, such as a chauffeur to and from the port (up to 250 miles each way), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, and all gratuities. There are also savings available of up to 35 per cent on a range of cruises when you book early, and thanks to Saga’s price promise, if the price of the cruise is reduced later on, they will pass the value of the saving back to you.* Saga’s small ships still include a choice of restaurants serving fine cuisine, and stylish, reasonably-priced bars. You’ll also enjoy a wealth of leisure activities with indoor and outdoor pools, plus a gym.

Entertainment ranges from daily lectures and classes to live music and theatre. During 2015, Saga can sail you to destinations as diverse as Norway, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean.

58

FANTASTIC CRUISES IN 2015

Discover beautiful Florence on the Wonders of the Mediterranean cruise. Throw three coins in Rome’s Trevi Fountain and sample the fortified wines of Oporto, the ‘Granite City’. Also, admire breathtaking views from the Rock of Gibraltar and marvel at Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona. The cruise has a Strictly Come Dancing theme and some of the celebrities from the show will be joining guests on board. This 18-night cruise sails from Dover on 1 July 2015.

Timeless cities and a fascinating maritime history make the St Petersburg and the Baltic a classic destination too, and this tempting 18-night getaway combines overnight stays in Stockholm and St Petersburg with visits to historic Gdansk, graceful Helsinki and fairytale Tallinn. Sailing from Dover on 23 August 2015, you’ll also enjoy a special Big Band theme with lots of live music on board.

And visit the charming city of Almeria on the Spanish Adventure itinerary. Stroll the palm-shaded promenade of Alicante and explore the historical treasures of Valencia. This cruise has a Spanish food festival theme on board with cheese and wine sampling and Spanish entertainment. You’ll also discover Lisbon and Majorca on this 15-night cruise which departs from Southampton on 24 October 2015.

With such a variety of intimate sailings in 2015, Saga is the perfect choice for relaxed, care-free cruising.

Go online: For more info on these cruises or to request Saga’s 2015/16 brochure, call 0800 056 9947 quoting code CRUA4 or visit saga.co.uk/cruises.

SAGA’S SMALL SHIPS INCLUDE A CHOICE OF RESTAURANTS SERVING FINE CUISINE, BARS, AND INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS

*TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.

PROMOTION

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ADVENTURE & SPECIALIST These lines will take you off the beaten track to discover historical, cultural and natural wonders

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ADVENTURE & SPECIALIST HURTIGRUTEN A fleet of passenger/freight ships that have been sailing up and down the Norwegian coast for more than a century. They do it almost daily, sailing between Bergen in the south and Kirkenes, round the northern tip near the Russian border. Voyages are six nights one way, with 32 calls, more than 20 of them north of the Arctic Circle, but most people go for the round trip. Through to spring there are chances to catch the Northern Lights – with a promise that if you don’t, you’ll get a free six-night voyage later.

020 3411 3264; hurtigruten.co.uk

VOYAGES ARE SIX NIGHTS ONE WAY, WITH MORE THAN 20 CALLS NORTH OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

RMS ST HELENA RMS stands for Royal Mail Ship and this is one of the last in operation, making deliveries from Cape Town to the remote, volcanic British Overseas Territory of St Helena and Ascension Island in the South Atlantic.

St Helena is a passenger ship, too, with swimming pool and deck games in a traditional British atmosphere. Regular sailings mean you can combine a cruise with land tours and a few nights exploring St Helena. New packages include a 19-day stargazing Cruise & Stay voyage in May, and a celebration of the bicentennial of Napoleon’s exile to St Helena in October.

020 7575 6480; rms-st-helena.com 8

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SWAN HELLENIC Minerva, carrying 350 passengers, tours the world in search of ancient civilisations, remote sights and breathtaking experiences. Cruises in 2015 vary from the 30-day Grand Colonial Empires, from Singapore to Muscat in the early part of the year to a pleasant jaunt around Britain in summer, amid a wealth of options to the Med. Extensive, expert-led shore excursions are included and there are regular onboard lectures.

0844 273 4330; swanhellenic. com

VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY Cruises around the world to a wealth of historic spots, combining an appreciation of history with a relaxing holiday on 540-passenger Voyager. The stylish ship offers a pool, fine dining, live entertainment and a selection of lively speakers such as TV pundit Jon Snow. There are fly cruises and some sailings from Portsmouth. Excursions are an extra charge.

0844 334 8595; voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk

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ADVENTURE & SPECIALIST

NEW FOR 2015 ARE SAILINGS TAKING IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ISLANDS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN

VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY Small ship cruising that takes you to the heart of ancient civilisations and grandiose settings.

The single ship, 350-passenger Aegean Odyssey berths in the heart of Bangkok and a host of other spots, ready for the expert-led inclusive tours. There are lots of Med and Greek itineraries, mostly fly-cruises, and in 2015 there are new sailings taking in South Africa and islands of the Indian Ocean as well as the natural wonders and great historical sites of Southeast Asia, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. On board there is always a programme of lectures, plus wine with dinner.

0845 437 9737; voyagestoantiquity.com 8 CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

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Cultural

CRUISING Embark on an extraordinary adventure with Voyages to Antiquity’s phenomenal itineraries

F

or those travellers who want to discover a little more on their holidays, specialist cruise line Voyages to Antiquity, winners of the coveted Best for Adventure accolade at the Cruise International Awards 2014, offer the perfect balance of history, culture and relaxation.

Acclaimed expert guest speakers will help you get to know the places you’re visiting in more depth, with an entertaining and informative programme of talks. Plus, itineraries include exclusive events, such as a private evening visit to the glorious St Mark’s Basilica, lunch in the old Medina at the Palais Menebhi in Morocco and an authentic flamenco performance on board in Seville.

An incredible choice of destinations offers you the chance to take in all the magnificent historical and natural wonders of the ancient world. These range from Morocco and Spain, including river cruising up the Guadalquivir River, to the surreally beautiful Burmese landscape. New for 2015/16 is an unforgettable cruise to South Africa.

This extensive and unrivalled range of itineraries also includes all the best of the Aegean, from the ‘must-sees’ to those off the beaten track, such as Pylos, a treasure trove of castles; and Ithaca and Hydra, 44 Cruise Planner 2015

tranquil islands which you otherwise access only by ferry or private yacht. The unique itineraries allow you to spend more time on shore, meaning you can maximize your enjoyment with included hotel stays, overnight stays and evening sailings.

The added bonus of small-ship cruising is that it’s ideal for navigating the smaller ports, sandy nooks and islands. Moor in the heart of the world’s great cities, sail closer to the coast for sublime views, access places larger cruise ships can’t, and make the most of the opportunity to get to know like-minded passengers.

And it’s all included: flights, domestic connections, excursions, wine with dinner and gratuities on board.

If you like your cruises with a big helping of history, stunning views and an itinerary that reads like a bucket list, a Voyages to Antiquity cruise can supply it all.

Go online: Visit the website at voyagestoantiquity.com or call 0845 437 9737 for more information.

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PROMOTION

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W IN N E R AWARDS

MSC CRUISES BEST FOR WELLBEING

RIVER

River

A leisurely way to discover the world, with plenty of opportunity to disembark and explore

APT RIVER CRUISES All-inclusive cruises on the luxurious AmaWaterways ships with Signature Experiences’ upmarket and exclusive sightseeing tours. Cruises, with home pick-ups, include Europe’s classic rivers as well as Russia and Vietnam. The 2015-16 brochure features Myanmar with the Travelmarvel by APT Majestic Burma 17-day cruise on the Irrawaddy, on boutique, 36-room Princess Panhwar.

0800 012 6005; aptouring.co.uk 

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RIVER AMERICAN CRUISE LINES Small ship cruising that takes in the US East Coast, Pacific Northwest, Mississippi, Florida and Alaska, including the Intracoastal Waterway.

Seven ships vary from 100-guest modern vessels with country club atmosphere to classic paddlewheelers, none for more than 150 passengers. Gourmet and authentic food is freshly sourced from local suppliers and there are themed musical and historical cruises. +1 800 460 4518; americancruiselines.com

AMA WATERWAYS AmaSerena and AmaVista arrive on the Danube, Main and Rhine with heated swimming pools with swim-up bars.

AmaDara joins AmaLotus for voyages along the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia. AmaPura sets sail in November 2014 for a new programme on the Ayeyarwady in Myanmar (Burma). Wine theme cruises return, with 19 departures in 2015, along with a new beer itinerary. AmaWaterways’ cruises are all-inclusive with excursions, a fleet of free bicycles and onboard cultural entertainment in the package.

0808 223 5009; amawaterways.co.uk 8

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2015 RIVER CRUISING

Fully-inclusive from door to door

UNFORGETTABLE

From delectable dining to tipping for land and cruise staff, an APT Luxury river cruise really does include everything you need for the perfect holiday. And with included home-to-airport transfers by private car#, your adventure begins the moment you leave your front door.

ENRICHING SIGHTSEEING

LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Get close to iconic wonders, and experience customs and cultures on a wide choice of guided tours and sightseeing excursions.

DELECTABLE DINING

ONBOARD DRINKS

Cruise in luxury aboard the finest river ships.

On land you’ll stay in fivestar hotels, handpicked for their central or unique locations.

Wine, beer and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner onboard – and on selected cruises, you’ll enjoy unlimited complimentary beverages†.

EVERYTHING TAKEN CARE OF

A host of unique culinary experiences await – from fine dining onboard your cruise to tantalising meals at local restaurants.

DOOR-TO-DOOR TRAVEL

All tipping, taxes, port charges, luggage porterage and overseas transfers are included.

Enjoy a smooth journey from start to finish with included private hometo-airport transfers# and return flights aboard quality airlines.

EUROPE

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA

CHINA

INDIA

MISSISSIPPI

A comprehensive range of luxury cruises along the spectacular Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, the Rhône in France, and the Douro in Portugal.

Centred around a captivating cruise along the Mekong, you'll explore bustling cities, vibrant floating markets and remote villages accessible only by water.

Combining a luxurious Yangtze River cruise with guided touring, you’ll explore the ancient cities and culture of one of the world’s most fascinating civilisations.

Delight in the treasures of the Golden Triangle then explore the Lower Ganges River for an authentic glimpse into the real India on a luxurious river cruise.

Discover the charm of America's Deep South, from swinging New Orleans to Memphis; then explore Nashville, the capital of country music.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO BOOK CALL

0800 012 6005

Visit www.aptouring.co.uk/cruising2015 or see your travel agent

GUIDED TOURS & RIVER CRUISES

Reservations Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 5.30 pm, Saturday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm ABTA No.V9080

#Complimentary home-to-airport transfers are included on Luxury river cruises. Available within a 75 driven mile radius of selected UK departure airports and must be requested at the time of booking. No cash alternative available. †Unlimited complimentary beverages available on board all Royal Collection cruises in Europe, and on board Luxury river cruises in Vietnam & Cambodia. Excludes French Champagne, premium spirits and selected premium wines. UK0348

RIVER A-ROSA Four contemporary ships, with their breezy red lips insignia across the front, sailing on the Rhine, Danube and Rhône/Saône and offering an upmarket but lively atmosphere. Rooms are spacious, many with French balconies and the décor throughout is contemporary.

Cuisine is healthy with a Mediterranean edge. Cruises are all-inclusive, including excursions.

020 8133 2862; arosacruise.com

AMERICAN QUEEN STEAMBOAT COMPANY American Queen is an exquisite modern paddlewheeler with grand Victorian designs, sailing the Mississippi from the Gulf of Mexico way up north. The classic cruise is between New Orleans and Memphis but there are diversions up the Cumberland and new cruises between Memphis and Nashville. Smaller sister ship American Empress sails the spectacular Columbia Gorge, between Oregon and Washington State. Both are luxury vessels with gourmet food, themed itineraries and entertainment.

01223 568904; lightbluetravel.co.uk

AVALON WATERWAYS Luxury cruising on the rivers of Europe and the world, on a steadily growing fleet. In 2015 Tapestry II and Tranquility II, the latest contemporary Suite Ships, set sail on Europe’s classic rivers, featuring wall-to-wall windows that slide back to turn the whole room into a balcony. Two small, colourful vessels with traditional design also join the fleet: Avalon Myanmar sails on the Irrawaddy in Myanmar (Burma) and Avalon Sim Reap heads out on the Mekong.

0808 115 2927; avaloncruises.co.uk 8

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PROMOTION

FIT FOR A Maharajah Luxury river cruise line Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has a fantastic new itinerary showcasing the treasures of India

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aking guests on unforgettable journeys along some of the world’s most spectacular waterways, boutique river cruise line Uniworld is the last word in luxury river cruising. The winners of the Best Luxury River Cruise Line award at the Cruise International Awards 2014, Uniworld has managed to consistently impress with its elegant boutique-style ships.

Offering their signature ‘six-star’ experience on a vast range of itineraries, the company boasts the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and a truly personal service. Tailor-made programmes, from additional walking tours to excursions, are available at each destination, providing a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture.

Indulgent in every sense, the ships’ interiors are decked out with fine art and exquisite antiques, and restaurants with extensive and innovative menus. The impressive gastronomical selection is complemented by expert sommeliers who advise on the perfect tipple for every situation, while onboard beverages are unlimited.

And to make your holiday as seamless and relaxing as possible, Uniworld works in partnership with awardwinning escorted tour operator Titan Travel, and every cruise includes Titan’s acclaimed VIP Home Departure Service – a complimentary door-to-door chauffeur service that won the Best Product or Service accolade at the annual Cruise International Awards 2014.

While Uniworld continues to launch new itineraries across the globe, its new India itinerary is particularly thrilling. Exploring one of the world’s most enthralling cultures, exquisite landscapes and monuments, the cruise, coming in 2016, will be the trip of a lifetime.

Beginning and ending in Kolkata on the Lower Ganges, the cruise will follow India’s holiest river.

Devout Hindus make daily visits to the Ganges to drink, bathe, wash away their sins, scatter the ashes of loved ones, and make offerings of flowers and incense to the goddess Mother Ganga, who, legend has it, came down from heaven to bathe in its waters.

Travelling by river is the perfect way to really explore India. Guests can expect to see sadhus (holy men) and yogis deep in meditation, women in vibrant-coloured saris washing clothes along the riverbank, and scenic rice fields, as well as some of the most beautiful temples in the world.

Of course a visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s must-sees, is included, as are stays in Kolkata – a fascinating window to India’s colonial past – and India’s intoxicating capital, Delhi.

Other highlights include the regal and romantic Pink City of Jaipur, the gateway to the breathtakingly beautiful state of Rajasthan, famous for its imposing forts, bazaars, pastel-coloured palaces with lovely courtyards, fountains, and gardens.

Go online: For more information, visit titantravel.co.uk/Uniworld or call 0800 988 5175 for more information.

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CROISIEUROPE This French company with 43 ships manages to come up with a new river for 2015 with the first cruises with overnight accommodation on the Loire, the longest river in France. Loire Princess, carrying 98 passengers, has been specially built for the shallow waters. The company operates 30 luxury ships and barges with all-inclusive cruises on Europe’s traditional rivers along with the Guardiana, on the Spanish/Portuguese border.

020 8328 1281; croisieurope.travel

CRUISE AND MARITIME VOYAGES Having moved into rivers in 2014, the ocean cruise company CMV in 2015 adds more itineraries taking in the Moselle, Rhône and Saône, joining the Rhine and Danube. The company has three ships, Bellejour, Belvedere and Bellefleur, offering fly-cruises with the option of rail travel for Lyon sailings.

0845 430 0274; cruiseandmaritime.com

GÖTA KANAL The Swedish company’s fleet of ships include Juno, a steamship launched in 1874, and the world’s oldest registered ship with overnight accommodation.

Slightly newer are Wilhelm Tham built in 1912 and the listed Diana.

All sail the 120-mile, 58-lock Göta Canal through countryside from Gothenburg to Stockholm. +46 031 80 63 15; götacanal.se

EMERALD WATERWAYS Having only dipped its toe in the water in 2014 with two stylish purpose-built ships, this new cruise line adds two more ‘Star Ships’ for 2015. Emerald offers classic itineraries largely on the Danube and Rhine, plus the Moselle, Main and Dutch waterways, but does them in a light, bright, modern manner, and with good value prices. The ships are relaxed and contemporary – the indoor pool with views is impressive, and it turns into a cinema by night.

0808 102 1205; emeraldwaterways.co.uk 54 Cruise Planner 2015

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RIVER MEKONG WATERWAYS Part of small, upmarket French river cruise company Rivages du Monde, using classic ship Mekong Prestige II for eight-day sailings between a spot 50 miles from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The 64-passenger ship is traditional with modern furnishings and a top-deck whirlpool. +331 4949 1550; en.rivagesdumonde.fr

ITINERARIES TAKE IN THE EVOCATIVE CITY OF MANDALAY, ALONG WITH BAGAN, WITH MORE THAN 3,000 PAGODAS AND TEMPLES PAUKAN Cruises in Myanmar (Burma) on colonial-style ships, all polished teak and ceiling fans. The flagship is the luxury steamer RV Paukan, built in 1947, while there are two modern ships with the same ambiance.

The ships are run by the Ayravata Cruise Company and specialise in the Irrawaddy River.

Itineraries take in the evocative city of Mandalay, along with Bagan, with more than 3,000 pagodas and temples, the city of Prome, and the royal capitals Amarapura and Ava. Other cruises sail along the Chindwin River. +95 1 380877; ayravatacruises.com 8

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GRAND DESIGNS

Innovative design and aesthetics make the Emerald Waterways fleet a frontrunner for 2015

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hough a relatively new river cruise line, Emerald Waterways is already established as one of Europe’s best. Having launched its successful fully inclusive, carefully crafted itineraries visiting the many cultural and natural treasures along the Danube, Rhine, and Saône rivers, it is now expanding its fleet with more innovative ships.

Its first series of Star-Ships has wowed its guests with sleek and stylish interiors, and cutting-edge features, all within remarkably spacious ships, the first of which, Emerald Sky, was christened by British style icon Twiggy. The recent debut of this beautiful ship – at the same time as the launch of its sister vessel Emerald Star – will be followed by two more identical ships, Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn, joining the fleet in early 2015, and a fifth in 2016.

UNRIVALLED DESIGN

Emerald prides itself on its modern aesthetic and boutique décor, including features such as a heated pool, which transforms into a cinema in the evening.

This luxury design won the company the Best New River Ships Award in the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards.

FULLY INCLUSIVE CRUISES

Emerald’s cruises are fully inclusive, meaning all meals, drinks with lunch and dinner, hot drinks throughout the day, daily shore excursions, tips, and even return flights are incorporated into the initial price tag.

PREMIER SERVICE

Offering excellent service and a crew that manages to maintain the perfect balance between friendliness and professionalism, Emerald’s staff members are experts 56 Cruise Planner 2015

at building strong relationships with guests to ensure the best experiences for everyone on board.

BALCONY SUITES

The range of cabins available is superb.

The Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite – a completely new design to replace the industry standard French Balcony – features a revolutionary indoor balcony.

With a peaceful decked area and an ingenious system where, at the touch of a button, the upper half of the floorto-ceiling window drops all the way down. In fact, all of the balcony and one-bedroom owner’s suites on board Emerald ships contain this revolutionary design which, as well as providing a welcome burst of fresh air, gives full panoramic views of the stunning scenery.

AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON THE FLOOR-TO-CEILING WINDOWS DROP DOWN GIVING STUNNING VIEWS

SPECIAL TOUCHES

With the launch of EmeraldPLUS, guests can enjoy unique experiences such as afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family. Emerald cruises give cruisers a real taste of local culture with a number of personalised travel programmes at each destination of every itinerary.

NEW FOR 2015

In addition to the two new ships to be launched in 2015, the coming year will also see savings of at least £1,000 per couple off all holidays in The January Sale. And for forward-planners, 2016 holidays will be out mid-Feb. So for sleek design and premier service, Emerald is first choice.

Go online: Visit the Emerald Waterways website at emeraldwaterways. co.uk for more information.

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PHOTO: ©

PROMOTION

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RIVER SCENIC TOURS Luxury cruising on a fleet of SpaceShips with a huge lounge that takes up the front of the ship, and rooms with glass walls that slide down to create room-sized balconies. In 2015 Scenic Opal and Scenic Jade come into service, taking the fleet to 12. The all-inclusive cruises offer free excursions including FreeChoice (solo with GPS devices) and Scenic Enrich, exceptional experiences including private concerts and home visits. New for 2015 are a sailing on France’s Garonne, discovering the Bordeaux region, and a number of itineraries on the Rhine and Danube, including Eastern Enlightenment from Belgrade to Bucharest.

0800 566 8777; scenictours.co.uk

UNIWORLD Chic hotel style on a selection of all-inclusive ships in the Boutique River Cruise Collection. SS Catherine, which started sailing on the Saone and Rhone in 2014, and sister ship SS Antoinette are top of the line in luxury with a French chateau extravagance, courtesy of designers from sister company, five-star Red Carnation hotels. New ship SS Maria Theresa launches in the spring. Uniworld’s 18 ships sail in Europe as well as Russia, China and Vietnam offering gourmet food and out-of-the-ordinary included excursions. Uniworld, in partnership with Titan, also provides a VIP home departure service.

0800 988 5175; titantravel.co.uk/uniworld 8

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The Beauty of the Rhine with colourful Keukenhof

10 days from £2699 £2349 Save up to £350pp - limited availability

Basel to Amsterdam | 10 days

The beauty and romantic spirit of the castle-laden and vineyard-rich Rhine, affords breathtaking landscapes rising from the river’s edge as you sail. Step ashore to follow in the centuries-old footsteps; visit medieval fairytale castles, half-timbered houses and endless vineyards; before enjoying two nights in The Hague, just a short drive from Keukenhof Gardens. Exclusive to Titan, this luxury cruise and tour combination is fully escorted by a Titan tour manager and also includes a Titan onboard cocktail party.

Day 1

London - Basel.

Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® collects you from home, for your journey to London and your flight to Basel. Transfer to embark the S.S. Antoinette or River Empress.

Day 2

NETHERLANDS Amsterdam The Hague

Breisach (Kaysersberg and Riquewihr or Colmar).

BELGIUM

Linger in Colmar’s enchanting historic centre, or continue to the charming wine villages of Kaysersberg and Riquewihr to walk along narrow lanes of half-timbered medieval houses with the conical roofs of a fairytale illustration.

Day 3

Speyer Germersheim

Kehl (Strasbourg).

Kehl (Strasbourg) Kaysersberg Riquewihr Breisach Colmar FRANCE Basel SWITZERLAND

Germersheim (Speyer).

Today, choose a guided walking tour through medieval Speyer to reveal a grand heritage, or tour the cellars of Doktorenhof Vinegar Estate to discover a unique aperitif wine vinegars.

Day 5

Rüdesheim - cruising the Rhine River - Boppard.

GERMANY Koblenz Rüdesheim

Rhine

Boppard

Cruise the medieval canals of Strasbourg, past ancient covered bridges and their watchtowers. Or take a walking tour through Old Town.

Day 4

Cologne

Heritage Site. In the evening, enjoy a captain’s farewell reception and gala dinner.

Please note: On Sundays and Catholic holidays, guided tours inside the cathedral are not allowed, but individual visits are still welcomed.

Explore Rüdesheim and its famous Drosselgasse at your leisure before a wine tasting in the shadow of Castle Vollrads. Then, cruise the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, ending with a guided stroll around Boppard.

Day 8

Day 6

For today we have included entrance and transfers to beautiful Keukenhof Gardens, for you to explore the world’s largest spring flower park at your own leisure.

Cruising the Rhine River - Koblenz.

Choose a walking tour of ancient Koblenz or take a thrilling ride on an aerial tram across the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for dazzling views.

Day 7

Cologne.

Take a guided stroll through the Old Town Cologne to Cologne Cathedral, a masterpiece and UNESCO World

Amsterdam - The Hague.

Disembark the ship in Amsterdam this morning and transfer to The Hague, where we stay for two nights at the very grand Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel.

Day 9

Day 10

Keukenhof Gardens.

Amsterdam - London.

We transfer to Amsterdam Airport for your flight to London.

On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.

UNPARALLELED VALUE ALL THIS INCLUDED • 2 nights in hotel and 7 nights cruise on SS Antoinette or River Empress • 22 meals • Unlimited drinks on board ship** • Titan onboard cocktail party • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions and Gala Dinners • All gratuities on board and ashore (during cruise) • Complimentary Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions (during cruise) Included excursions and visits: 8 Plus all these benefits: • Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® • Check-in service by Titan staff with porterage • Services of an experienced Titan tour manager • Scheduled British Airways direct flights • Hotel porterage (one bag per person) • All airport taxes, security charges and applicable fuel surcharges • UK Air Passenger Duty (APD)

2015 DATES & PRICES Category 5 4 3 2 1

5 April

6 May*

£2,699 £2,879 £3,249 £3,499

£2,349 £2,529 £3,899 £3,149

£3,049 £3,269 £3,419

£2,799 £3,019 £3,169

£3,779

£3,429

£3,669

£3,419

Single supplement: Cat 2 & 1: £1250 *6 May sailing is on River Empress Flight upgrade prices on request Tour Code: JKR

Call FREE on 0800 988 5175 to book your cruise quoting CI4 8EU or visit www.titantravel.co.uk/uniworld Opening times: Mon & Tue 8.30am – 7pm, Wed – Fri 8.30am – 6pm, Sat 9am – 5pm T’s & C’s apply. Calls free from BT landlines, mobiles may vary. **Unlimited beverages do not include premium wine and premium spirits.

At Titan, we ensure that early bookers never miss out. The ‘struck through’ fares in the price panels either represent a saving against our full selling price and are therefore our best available early booking discounts, or a saving against a previously published selling price. Availability at all offer prices is limited, and once sold, discounts will reduce or be withdrawn completely.

THE LAP

of luxury

PHOTO: ©

Luxurious new ‘Space-Ships’, an Enrich programme and thrilling new itineraries make Scenic Cruises a top choice for 2015

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PROMOTION

S

PHOTO: ©

tepping on board one of Scenic’s modern, spacious, and luxurious ships is both thrilling and impressive. From its humble beginnings as a small holiday tour operator, it has gone on to global success, with 2015 seeing the launch in Europe of two new ships, Jasper and Opal.

Passenger comfort, luxury amenities, spaciousness, and modern design, as well as 12 incredible ‘Space-Ships’ for Europe, have led to Scenic being widely acknowledged as one of the finest fleets on Europe’s waterways.

Aptly named for their sense of space and rare level of luxury, these magnificent vessels were designed to provide the ultimate cruising experience. Guests can enjoy features such as full-size, outdoor balconies with exclusive sun lounge system that transforms your balcony into an all-weather conservatory style space, multiple dining choices and even the chance to enjoy private butler service – available for all, regardless of your stateroom category.

Using their 25 years of industry knowledge, Scenic Tours has continued to innovate and place emphasis on the strength of its product. Combined with a strong understanding of the market, the brand still goes from strength to strength and maintains a exquisite attention to detail, despite its global reach.

This unique approach ensures a personal experience: guests per ship are limited, which gives you a real sense of peace, as does the convenience of the cruise being all-inclusive. Return flights,

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accommodation, all outings during the trip, gratuities, wifi, and unlimited complimentary drinks are all part of what to expect on an all-included cruise. From tea and coffee to wines and cocktails, anything is available at any time of the day and guests’ personal mini bars are replenished daily.

The various Freechoice excursions offered, differing from many other cruise company’s extra tours at additional prices, form part of a personalised programme where guests can choose from a selection of activities with no hidden extras.

Also included, the Enrich programme of once-in-a-lifetime experiences goes beyond seeing standard tourist attractions to enable guests to discover the rich local culture and history. And since Scenic’s portfolio is both captivating and comprehensive, visiting all corners of the globe, the scope for seeing extraordinary cultural delights and historical marvels is vast.

Staying true to their ethos of attentiveness and unrivalled choice, and with a rare level of care and tailored itineraries, Scenic Tours makes sure that your holiday is in safe hands.

Go online: Visit the website scenictours.co.uk for more information.

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RIVER VIKING RIVER CRUISES The river cruise company that just keeps on growing – in 2015 it launches 10 new Longships, adding to 16 ships introduced in 2014. The Longships are Scandinavian design at its best: sleek and pale, with the Aquavit terrace at the front, a glass wall folding back to turn the bar area into a huge al fresco delight. There are cruises on all Europe’s main rivers along with Russia, Burma, China and Vietnam. Cruises include first-rate excursions and wine with dinner.

020 8780 7900; vikingrivercruises.co.uk

ZAMBEZI QUEEN A boutique, 14-suite floating safari lodge that sails along a 15-mile stretch of Chobe River, between Namibia and Botswana, alongside Chobe National Park with its elephants and big game.

Small boats take guests to see animals, birds and villages.

Life on board is luxuriously colonial with top deck pool, local tastes and décor courtesy of a South African fashion designer.

01483 425 465; Zambeziqueen.com

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Imagine a fabulous choice of river cruises

Imagine setting sail with Viking from £995pp Romantic Danube

Rhine Discovery

Elegant Elbe

This incredible 8-day journey treats you to medieval towns, grand cities, ancient abbeys and soaring river gorges along the celebrated Danube.

Sail in comfort and style through Hungary, Austria and Germany on an award-winning Viking Longship.

Sail the legendary Rhine on a Viking Longship and visit 4 countries in 8 days. From pretty Amsterdam and Cologne to lovely Heidelberg, multicultural Strasbourg and the enchanting Black Forest, this journey transports you to another world.

Grand palaces, timeless landscapes, ancient cities and picture-perfect countryside – there is a wealth of wonders to explore on this 10-day journey along the serene River Elbe.

You’ll also enjoy a hotel stay in both historic Berlin and Prague.

Grand European Tour

Portraits of Southern France

Portugal’s River of Gold

See the highlights of Europe as you sail on a Viking Longship along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.

Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna and Budapest are just some of the places you’ll discover on this 15-day journey that is both relaxing and rewarding.

Sail the idyllic Saône and Rhône rivers on this 8-day journey of exceptional beauty. Explore Vienne and Arles.

Indulge in celebrated foods in Lyon.

Visit historic Avignon. From your award-winning Viking Longship enjoy a new view of an ancient land.

From the charming city of Porto, sail the Douro through a land of historic churches, monasteries, castles, verdant vineyards and outstanding beauty.

This memorable 10-day journey includes a 2-night hotel stay in beautiful Lisbon.

Call 020 8780 7900 or visit www.vikingcruises.co.uk Price correct at time of going to print. Single supplements apply. From price is per person and based on two sharing the lowest grade stateroom available on selected Rhine Discovery departures in December 2015. For more information please visit www.vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.

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NEW SHIPS

NEW SHIPS for 2015 There are some incredible ocean and river cruise ships launching in the year ahead. Nick Dalton has the lowdown

Avalon Myanmar, Siem Reap, Tapestry II & Tranquility II Launch: January, March and September 2015 Two small ships, carrying only 36 passengers, set sail in Asia, able to get to places that many other ships cannot: Avalon Siem Reap from January cruises on the Mekong, and Avalon Myanmar on the Irrawaddy in Myanmar (Burma) from September. Tapestry II and Tranquility II, Avalon’s latest contemporary Suite Ships, set sail on Europe’s classic rivers, featuring wall-to-wall windows that slide back to turn the whole room into your very own balcony.

A 15-day Golden Myanmar & the Irrawaddy holiday including 10-night cruise and three-night Yangon city stay starts at £5,369pp, including flights, home pick-up, excursions and wine with dinner (0808 115 2927; avaloncruises.co.uk).

Britannia Launches: March 2015 The biggest ship yet built for the British market, Britannia flies the flag with a jaunty red, white and blue hull decoration. The new flagship for P&O carries 3,600 passengers and will sail on European itineraries from Southampton.

The ship centres on the huge Starburst atrium with its glass and mirror chandelier and features boutique hotel-like rooms. The Cookery Club, with 12 cooking areas and a chef’s demonstration station, offering cookery lessons, often with star names such as James Martin and Marco Pierre White.

Britannia’s maiden voyage is sold out but its second sailing, a 14-night Portugal Spain & Morocco cruise on 28 March starts at £1,249pp (0843 374 0111; pocruises.com).

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THIS CHANGES

everything

Cruise International Editor Liz Jarvis experienced Royal Caribbean’s new Smart Ship Quantum of the Seas on a two day inaugural cruise from Southampton. Here she gives her verdict.

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he first thing you see when you approach Quantum of the Seas is the 30ft-high magenta polar bear created by artist Lawrence Argent, and it sets the tone for the rest of the ship. Quantum of the Seas feels very different from other Royal Caribbean vessels. The architecture is mind-blowing and the décor elegant and contemporary.

From the inviting open space of the atrium to the SeaPlex, everything has been designed to give a genuine ‘wow’ factor. There are intriguing modern art displays all over the ship, including a fabulous butterfly wall installation, and the ambience is definitely cool. Royal Caribbean is hoping Quantum of the Seas will appeal to younger cruisers and families and despite its size (it’s the third largest cruise ship in the world, with capacity for 4,905 passengers) it is the kind of ship that makes you feel instantly at home, but also as though you’re on board something very special.

It’s also Royal Caribbean’s first ‘Smart Ship’; you can organise your entire cruise online, changing dining options, booking activities and so on, and instead of an hour-long check-in process you should be through in seven minutes.

Guests are given a Wow wristband to wear which links to your onboard account as well as your cruise planner.

All meal orders are taken by iPad, the idea being your food will arrive more quickly and hotter because the waiting staff have already sent your order to the kitchen before they leave your table.

Staterooms are spacious and furnished in cream, navy, brown and turquoise, with glamorous touches including a large mirror. Bathrooms are a good size, as is the TV, which has the usual range of satellite options and on demand movies.

There are USB ports so you can charge your mobile devices/laptops even without adaptors, a definite plus. One thing to 66 Cruise Planner 2015

bear in mind is that some staterooms have restricted views; if you’re planning to spend most of your time out of your stateroom this shouldn’t be a problem, but it might impact on your options for dining (or anything else) al fresco on your balcony.

One of the most innovative areas of the ship, the SeaPlex, billed as the largest indoor active space at sea, is where you’ll find the much-heralded bumper cars. Outside you’ll find the FlowRider and climbing wall, but the most exciting facility of all has to be the Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator. Skydiving in a giant tube at sea is a huge adrenalinrush, and not something you’ll find on any other cruise ship. Expect this to get booked up quickly when you’re on board and make it No. 1 on your list of things to do. If you prefer something a little more chilled out, then the Solarium is perfect for relaxing.

The North Star, which is like a pod from the London Eye, is another feat of design. There is something incredibly thrilling about viewing the ship – and the ocean – 300 feet above sea level. The best time to take a flight is at sunset, so you’re guaranteed spectacular views.

ENTERTAINMENT AND FOOD

We saw two shows: Mamma Mia, which is faithful to the West End original; and the spectacular but a little plotless StarWater at the very chic Two70° venue. For after dark entertainment there’s the Music Hall, where you can see live bands or dance the night away at the disco. It’s not a massive space but it’s good fun.

The Bionic Bar offers the chance to have your cocktail mixed by two electronic robots. Genius.

But it’s onboard dining where Quantum really comes into its own, because it’s the first Royal Caribbean

ship to embrace the ‘dynamic dining’ concept. There are 18 onboard restaurants and while there are a couple of main dining rooms you certainly don’t have to stick to them, because options like the elegant American Icon Grill, which serves American classics, and Chinese restaurant Silk are also complimentary. There are also Royal Caribbean classics such as Sorrento’s pizza, Johnny Rockets and the W buffet.

Of the speciality restaurants, there are Royal Caribbean favourites such as Chop’s Grill, and new ones including Jamie’s Italian. Japanese restaurant Izumi is excellent. But the pièce de résistance has to be Wonderland, which offers one of the most unusual dining experiences you’re ever likely to have. Cornelius Gallagher, Director of Culinary Operations at Royal Caribbean, has created a very special restaurant where you can choose from creations such as liquid lobster and buffalo pork shank. Well worth the $45 cover charge.

Quantum of the Seas is without doubt one of the most spectacular ocean cruise ships to launch during the past two years, and the combination of innovative, stunning design, technology and state-of-the-art facilities makes it an absolute winner. When sister ship Anthem of the Seas starts sailing from Southampton in spring 2015 it’s bound to prove similarly successful.

In my opinion this really does change everything; a new bar in cruise ship design has been set, and it will be very interesting to see how other cruise lines respond to the challenge during the next two years. Watch this space.

Go online: To book visit royalcaribbean.co.uk, or cruise-international.com for more on Quantum of the Seas.

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QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

Clockwise, from left: Quantum at sea; the Solarium; stateroom; the North Star

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NEW SHIPS Norwegian Escape Launches: October 2015

Scenic Opal and Scenic Jasper Launch: April 2015

Norwegian Escape, the company’s largest ship (for 4,200 passengers) will sail year-round from the company’s home, Miami. It is the 14th cool, clean modern ship (Norwegian Getaway launched early 2014) and continues the new concept of the Waterfront, an on-deck boardwalk of bars and extracost restaurants, along with the Haven, a ship-within-a-ship luxury enclave.

From May Norwegian Epic will sail year-round in Europe, from Barcelona.

A nine-night Eastern Caribbean flycruise on 18 December 2015 starts at £2,216pp (0845 201 8900; ncl.co.uk).

The latest state-of-the-art contemporary and luxurious ‘SpaceShips’, bringing Scenic’s fleet of contemporary, luxurious vessels to 12.

Scenic Opal will operate on the Rhine and its tributaries and Scenic Jasper will sail on classic itineraries on the Main, Main-Danube Canal and the Danube. To add to the usual features are a huge lounge with bar, light lunches and al fresco seating, a stylish restaurant, rooms with slide-down glass balconies and modern gym. Both ships, for 169 guests, have a new feature in vitality pools on the upper deck.

An eight-day Gems of the Danube cruise on Scenic Jasper on 4 May starts at £2,995pp, all-inclusive, including flights (0800 566 8777; scenictours.co.uk).

Anthem of the Seas Launches: March 2015

Viking Star Launches: April 2014

Sister ship of 4,180-passenger hi-tech Quantum of the Seas, which launched in October 2014. But while Quantum will be based in China, Anthem will sail through the summer from Southampton before heading for the Caribbean. Attractions include the West End musical We Will Rock You, dodgems, sky-diving simulator, NorthStar (a giant pod on a crane-like arm that swings over the sea) the huge Two70° entertainment venue and inside cabins with live sea views from an electronic picture window.

A three-night Royal Experience, Paris & Bruges cruise on 30 April starts at £449pp (0844 493 4005; royalcaribbean.co.uk).

This is the start of a new wave of luxury ocean travel. Viking Star is the first seagoing ship from luxury river operator Viking, which has revolutionised river cruising over the past several years, launching its exquisite Longships a handful at a time. Viking Star is the work of the Scandinavian designers behind the Longships and offers the same cool Nordic feel. There’s the Explorers’ Lounge with its two-storey picture windows, indoor pool with retractable roof (which turns into a cinema by night), open air infinity pool, restaurants including the World Café with live cooking stations, and The Spa with snow grotto and other Scandinavian delights.

Viking Sea and Viking Sky are already lined up for 2016.

A 10-day Empires of the Mediterranean cruise on 8 November starts at £3,749pp, all-inclusive and includes flights (0208 780 7900, vikingcruises.co.uk).

68 Cruise Planner 2015

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NEW SHIPS 12 Viking river ships Launch: March 2015 Viking launches 12 new river ships – 10 of its cutting edge Longships on Europe’s main rivers and two smaller vessels especially designed for Germany’s winding Elbe. These add to 14 introduced in 2014, bringing the total number of ships on Europe’s rivers to more than 60. The Longships are Scandinavian design at its best, sleek and chic, with the Aquavit terrace at the front, a glass wall folding back to turn the bar area into a huge al fresco delight. There are cruises on all Europe’s main rivers along with Russia, China and Vietnam. Cruises include first-rate excursions and wine with dinner.

An eight-day Rhine Discovery cruise starts at £2,195pp, including flights, excursions and wine with dinner (0208 780 7900; vikingcruises.co.uk).

Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn Launch: April & June 2015 Two sister ships to Emerald Star and Emerald Sky which set sail in spring 2014, launching Europe’s newest river cruise company, Emerald Waterways. These glamorous ships are identical in the same clean, modern innovative way as their predecessors – a heated indoor pool with bar and retractable roof (converting into a cinema for evenings), the Terrace at the

Loire Princess, Camargue, Gil Eanes Launch: April 2015 Loire Princess, carrying 98 passengers, has been specially built with innovative paddle wheel technology for the shallow waters of the Loire, the first ship on the river with overnight cabins. Camargue, a discreet, two-deck ship, joins CroisiEurope’s two other vessels on the Rhône, sailing from

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Cruise Planner 2015

Lyon. The 54 cabins have either a floor-toceiling window or a picture window.

Gil Eanes will sail on the Douro in Portugal, joining the company’s three other ships there. Of the 66 cabins, 48 will have French balconies.

A six-day The Loire, A Royal Legacy cruise on 21 April starts at £1,001pp, all-inclusive, but not including flights or excursions (020 8328 1281; croisieurope.travel).

bow for al fresco dining and a pop-up bar on the sun deck, plus rooms with dropdown glass walls turning the whole area into an open-air delight.

An eight-day Jewels of the Rhine cruise, Scenic Dawn’s maiden voyage on 11 June starts at £2,395pp, all-inclusive, including flights (0808 102 1205; emeraldwaterways.co.uk).

AmaVista, AmaSerena and AmaDara Launch: April 2015 AmaSerena and sister ship AmaVista both take 164 passengers and feature Ama’s twin balcony staterooms, heated swimming pools with swim-up bars.

They arrive on the Danube, Main and Rhine while innovative AmaDara joins AmaLotus for voyages on the Mekong.

A 16-day Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong trip, including two nights in Hanoi, three in Ho Chi Minh City and one in Ha Long Bay, starts at £2,726pp, all-inclusive, including flights (0808 223 5009; amawaterways.co.uk).

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There’s

more

to a cruise

holiday than

you thought...

9 - 11 january excel LONDON 2015 Explore a new world of travel • Discover amazing destinations with Telegraph Travel experts

SAVE £3

• Meet both ocean and river cruise lines • Celebrity chefs and wine experts • Free entry to the London Boat Show** (next door) • Find the cruise that suits you

£12 TICKET OFFER* - QUOTE CIT

Book at telegraph.co.uk/cruiselondon

*Applies to adult advance tickets for a limited time only. Booking fee applies. ** Valid Saturday and Sunday.

T he BEST Cruise International editor Liz Jarvis presents our selection of the best cruise travel agents to help you organise your dream holiday in 2015

BOLSOVER CRUISE CLUB

Bolsover Cruise Club firmly believes that booking a holiday should never be a chore and ensures that the whole booking process stays trues to its hassle-free ethos.

Their renowned one-to-one service emphasises the distinction between their meticulous service, and impersonal call centres. From the first call to the days after your holiday, dedicated cruise professionals will assist you in every step; from booking using their streamlined process; to using their vast knowledge and personal cruising experience to answer all your queries. And their solid reputation speaks for itself: the majority of their bookings come from repeat customers and personal recommendations.

Go online: For more information or to book visit bolsovercruiseclub.com or call 01246 819 819.

CRUISE.CO.UK

A family-run business since it was established in 1984, Cruise.co.uk has grown to such an extent that its website now attracts millions of visitors and it was also voted ‘World’s Leading Cruise Travel Agent’ from 2009 to 2013 in the World Travel Awards. Particularly strong on booking tips and information for potential cruisers, the friendly Cruise.co.uk consultants offer a wealth of impressive deals. One of the world’s most popular online cruise communities, its dedicated team ensures you find the perfect tailor-made holiday. Just as valuable for avid fans as those new to cruises, they will guide you through their multitude of fantastic deals with unbiased expert advice and customer service.

Go online: For more information or to book visit cruise.co.uk or call 0800 408 6228.

CRUISE1ST

One of the UK’s leading cruise deal experts, Cruise1st.co.uk specialises in Mediterranean, Caribbean and worldwide cruises and works with the biggest names in the industry including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises.

The company also offers specialist cruises, including several down the world’s most divine rivers. With access to the best rates on the market, the company’s priority is to deliver the best cruise deals and Cruise1st can create add-on tours with worldwide experiences ranging from a Big Five safari in South Africa and a visit to the Terracotta Army in China to a tour of the vineyards of Australia’s Blue Mountains.

Go online: For more information or to book visit Cruise1st.co.uk or call 0800 953 4705.

IGLU CRUISE

Iglu Cruise is the UK’s largest independent cruise agent, dedicated to finding the best cruise to suit you with the best value for money. They’re known for their outstanding customer service, with a sales team boasting extensive cruising knowledge and expertise, and a dedicated team to create great cruises. From flights to shore excursions and insurance, they can help with every step of the journey. Iglu Cruise works with over 25 cruise lines to offer the widest variety of sailings to choose from, and as it is 100 per cent financially secure as a protected member of ABTA and ATOL, you are in safe hands.

Go online: For more information or to book visit iglucruise.com or call 0208 544 6620.

CRUISE

Travel agents

INFINITY CRUISES

As an independent cruise travel agency, Infinity Cruises prides itself on its honest and impartial advice, with the needs and wants of the customer always at the forefront. From a London base, Infinity’s well-travelled team excels at organising trips tailored to your needs and unique cruise packages, and has over a decade’s experience providing customers with wonderful and memorable cruise holidays at fantastic prices. As real cruise enthusiasts, Infinity champions the elegance and luxury of cruising, and always aims to offer fresh new products, such as the option of combining the tours with stays in the Americas, Australasia and the Far East.

Go online: For more information or to book visit visit infinitycruises.co.uk or call 020 3725 8804.

THE LUXURY CRUISE COMPANY

PHOTO: ©

The Luxury Cruise Company specialises in organising personalised cruise itineraries on the world’s finest vessels. They have excellent relationships with all the top luxury lines, meaning that it can offer a number of exciting packages and great value prices.

As well as being a Top 5 agent for Silversea and the top-selling agent for Silver Explorer, it’s also a Crystal Cruises Platinum Agent and works closely with leading lines. The company sets the standard in knowledge, experience and customer service – its consultants have over 190 years experience. Customers can also combine a cruise with any number of pre- and post-cruise options to create their perfect holiday.

Go online: Visit theluxurycruisecompany.com or call 020 7664 2275 for more info or to book.

JETLINE CRUISE

Jetline Cruise offers an industryleading range of bespoke cruise-and-stay holidays. Their highly dedicated team of cruise professionals has a long history and years of experience in producing innovative and creative holidays to see the world at amazing value for money.

Jetline Cruise continues to inspire with their range of holidays. Their monthly Cruise Ahoy magazine gives members the ability to review their offers at leisure with the full facts, descriptions, dates and prices while setting a colourful scene of what to expect. Full information is available on their website or pop in to see them at their London cruise centre in High Barnet opposite the Northern Line Tube station.

Go online: For more information or to book visit jetlinecruise.com or call 0800 082 2176.

VIRGIN HOLIDAYS CRUISES

Virgin Holidays Cruises offers a choice of cruise lines with hundreds of different itineraries which can all be combined with a stay on land pre- or post-cruise, offering complete flexibility and can be personally tailored for that dream cruise holiday. Customers will be surrounded by the Virgin Holidays experience, from when they enter a retail store, use the exclusive Virgin Holidays v-room or enjoy exclusive extras such as priority boarding, complimentary speciality dinners, Champagne receptions and free onboard spends.

Specialising in sailings from Florida, the Caribbean and the USA, Virgin Holidays Cruises offers fabulous packages with great extras at amazing prices.

Go online: Visit virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0844 417 8409 for more info or to book.

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COMPETITION

A LUXURY CRUISE

One lucky winner and their guest will be sailing the glittering Mediterranean and Adriatic on board Europa 2 with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

C

ruise International has teamed up with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to offer one lucky reader and a guest the opportunity to enjoy a seven-night Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise during summer 2015 – sailing from Valletta, Malta, to Venice, Italy on board the 5-stars plus Europa 2.

Ports of call include Corfu, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Trogir, Croatia; and Ravenna, Italy.

Europa 2, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ latest addition to its fleet of luxury and expedition ships, was launched in May of 2013. Of appeal to international guests – couples, families and solo travellers alike – Europa 2 has been built combining the very best of contemporary, modern design concepts, while providing every amenity expected of a truly luxurious cruise experience.

No detail has been spared in the creation of an informal interpretation of luxury cruising, where choice and individuality of lifestyle are paramount.

For the first time in the cruise industry, two ships, Europa 2 and sister ship Europa, both received the highest distinction of a 5-stars-plus ranking from the Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2014 guide, retained in the new 2015 edition. With up to 500 guests, Europa 2 features exclusively suites with verandas and a minimum area of 35 m2 (376 sq ft). Seven restaurants and six bars are dedicated to serving up culinary choice and a large spa and fitness area accommodates the wellbeing trend on cruises. The flexible route concept, many with shorter routes of seven nights, appeals to professionals and families in particular.

Europa 2 provides the greatest space per passenger of any cruise ship anywhere in the world. The ship’s Deck 5 is home to an exceptionally spacious Ocean Spa with a total surface area of 620 sq m featuring four saunas and eight treatment rooms plus an outdoor area measuring 170 sq m. The ship’s passengers will find more space to

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRIZE

• seven nights’ full board accommodation for two, sharing a Veranda/Ocean suite on board Europa 2 • the cruise includes: welcome Champagne on arrival, all meals, mini-bar in the suite, coffee and tea, entertainment, gratuities and an onboard beverage credit of €200 per person • the sailing date (subject to availability at the time of booking), 29 August 2015.

TERMS & CONDITIONS: 1. Entries close at 11.50pm on 30 January 2015. 2. Prize must be taken on departure date shown above and is subject to availability at time of booking. 3. Competition is open to legal residents of the UK aged 21 years and over.

4. Competition is not open to employees of Cruise International, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, their associated companies, subsidiaries, or agents and such employees’ immediate family and household members. 5. One entry only is allowed per person. Winner will be told shortly after draw takes place. 6. Prize must be taken as stated and no cash alternative will be offered. 7. Prize is not transferrable, non-changeable, non-extendable and non-refundable. No cash alternative. Other terms and conditions may apply. 8.

Winner and partner are responsible for having correct travel documentation (including travel insurance) and own transportation from home to embarkation port (and on return journey). 9. Prize does not include shore excursions, drinks, other than in the suite mini bar or optional personal onboard expenses, eg. spa treatments or photographic services. 10. Usual Cruise International competition rules apply: chelseamagazines.com/ terms. 11. Entry constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.

WIN A CRUISE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN & ADRIATIC

HIGHLIGHTS • UNESCO World Natural Heritage site: the Bay of Kotor, Europe’s most southern fjord • breathtaking scenery including the Krka waterfalls in Croatia • an overnight stay on board in Venice

Competition entry form

Telephone:

How to enter: For your chance to win a fantastic trip

Email:

On board Europa 2, where is the Ocean Spa located?

Send your coupon to: Europa 2 Competition, Cruise International, The Chelsea Magazine Company, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ, UK

for two to the Mediterranean and Adriatic, simply answer the following question, then complete and send this form to the address below. All entries must be received by 11.59pm on 30 January 2015.

A: Deck 4 B: Deck 5 C: Deck 6

✁

Name: PHOTO: ©

relax and feel comfortable than on any other cruise ship of this class.

The restaurant concept on board Europa 2 is synonymous with diversity and flexibility – flexible mealtimes, no assigned seating, and plenty of tables for two. Of the seven restaurants to choose from, there are three speciality restaurants offering Italian, French and Asian cuisine, as well as a Sushi Bar. There is also an onboard culinary school, equipped by Miele.

In 2015 Europa 2 sails to South America and the Caribbean; and from the Mediterranean on to the Arabian Peninsula, Africa and Asia.

To find out more about Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Europa 2, visit: hl-cruises.com, call UK freephone: 0800 542 0858 or your favourite cruise specialist.

Address:

By entering the competition, you agree and acknowledge that The Chelsea Magazine Company and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises are permitted to receive your registration data.

Please tick if you subscribe to CRUISE INTERNATIONAL magazine Please tick if you do NOT wish to be sent information about products and services from The Chelsea Magazine Company or Hapag-Lloyd Cruises by phone, post or email Terms & Conditions apply (see box above).

Or enter online at: cruise-international.com/ Europa2-competition

Cruise Planner 2015

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SAVE TO 30 OFF YOUR NEXT CRUISE UP

with Fred.’s mult i-buy o ffer* T he more you book, the more you save

Book now with Fred. Olsen and you can save with our Cruise Sale offers. Enjoy 10% off one Fred. Olsen cruise with our compliments*. Book more than one cruise at the same time and you can save even more – up to 30% off. You’ll receive the biggest discount off the highest priced cruise so you can be confident you’ll get the best deal.

Plus, if you haven’t cruised with Fred. before, try us and if you don’t enjoy it, we’ll give you your money back** If it’s your first time on a Fred. Olsen cruise and within a couple of days of sailing you find it’s not for you, let us know and we will arrange for a flight back to the UK from the next port and give you your money back. So what’s stopping you? That’s our Enjoyment Promise.

In over 10,000 independent guest reviews, 95% rated us Excellent or Good

For details see a travel agent, call 0800 0355 221 or search for ‘Fred. Olsen’ online *Cruise Sale Terms & Conditions: The Cruise Sale discount is only available on Freedom Fares confirmed between 1st December 2014 and 2nd March 2015 inclusive, only on 2015/2016 cruises of fi ve nights or more, for departures up to April 2016. Offer excludes Suites and applies to the cruise only fare. Book one cruise and receive a 10% discount. Book two different cruises in the same transaction and save 10% off the lowest priced cruise and 20% off the highest priced cruise. Book three different cruises in the same transaction and receive a 30% discount off the highest priced cruise, 20% off the middle priced cruise and 10% off the lowest priced cruise. Discount cannot be applied retrospectively or combined with any other promotional offer including, but not limited to, Anchor Fares. If any of the booked cruises are subsequently cancelled, we reserve the right to reduce the discount on the other booked cruises. To clarify; all cruises need to be made in the same transaction with the same lead passenger name, for the terms and conditions to apply. **The Enjoyment Promise is only applicable to guests who have not cruised on a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines (“FOCL”) ship before. It excludes Party Nights and cruises for 4 or less nights. The promise only applies to bookings made for departures more than 12 weeks ahead. The Enjoyment Promise only applies to Passengers who have contracted with FOCL and excludes cruises on vessels operated by FOCL but booked through 3rd Party operators. Should you wish to invoke the Enjoyment Promise, you will need to inform Guest Relations within 48 hours of embarkation at the latest. FOCL will arrange and pay for a flight and/or transport back to the UK. FOCL will refund the cruise cost only but will not refund other costs. E&OE.

DESTINATIONS

2015

WORDS: DEBORAH STONE

From chasing the Northern Lights in Norway and wildlife-spotting in Africa to exploring ancient ruins in Asia and sailing along the Mississippi River, an ocean or river cruise is the perfect way to see the world...

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OC TOBER / NOV EM BER 2013 |

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Cruise Planner 2015

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DESTINATION GUIDE BRITAIN & IRELAND

BRITAIN & IRELAND

The popularity of round-Britain and Ireland cruises is staggering. Not only do they sell out quickly but they’re packed with Brits, rather than the Americans and Australians you’d imagine would be tracing their roots back in the old country.

In 2015 the cruise line everybody will be talking about is Cunard, as it celebrates its 175th anniversary with its ‘Three Queens’ event in Liverpool.

It will also mark the most tragic event in its history: the sinking of the ‘floating palace’ Lusitania by a German torpedo 100 years ago during the First World War. The Lusitania Remembered cruise, on Queen Victoria, leaves Southampton on 3 May for Guernsey and France, with a memorial service in Cobh before the cruise finishes in Dublin.

Later in the month, expect the whole of Liverpool to turn out when the Three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth – meet on the River Mersey on 25 May to salute the city where Cunard was born.

Events from Sunday 24 May to 26 May will welcome Queen Mary 2 on its round-trip from Southampton over to Ireland, Queen Victoria on its short hop from Southampton and back calling at St Peter Port in Guernsey, and Queen Elizabeth on its way back from the Baltic.

Just as exciting will be the arrival of P&O Cruises’ new ship Britannia, which also sails up the Mersey to Liverpool in July, as it parades around the British Isles.

Several other cruise lines regularly call at Liverpool, welcomed by the UNESCOlisted Three Graces – the distinct Art Deco buildings along the waterfront. This is a short walk from the city’s Dockland museums, including The Tate and The

Beatles Story, the shops and the city’s famous cathedrals.

Liverpool is now a turnaround cruise terminal and other regional departure points are gaining ground. Fred. Olsen has cruises from 10 British ports: Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Bristol Avonmouth, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh) and Greenock (for Glasgow), as well as Belfast, Liverpool and Southampton.

Themed cruises are all the rage and in July Fred. Olsen has a Poison, Murder & Mystery Cruise. Actors will play out the story on board Boudicca during the 16-day cruise from Rosyth, which calls at Newcastle for a trip to the Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle, and Tenerife to visit Fred. Olsen Senior’s Poison Garden at his home in Güímar. Balmoral also has a nine-night Superbikes & Scenic Hikes cruise in May calling at Douglas, Isle of Man, for the TT Rally.

Overnight stays are increasingly popular and Celebrity Cruises has a new 12-night British Open Cruise around Britain that includes a stay in Edinburgh, so golf fans can visit The Open Championships at St Andrews.

Crystal Cruises has a two-night postcruise land programme that involves dressing up in period costume and spending the day at Highclere Castle, the real-life setting for ITV’s Downton Abbey.

Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem Of The Seas will be based in Southampton for the summer, offering cruises to France, Spain, the Mediterranean and Canaries, before transferring over to Cape Liberty’s New York’s New Jersey cruise terminal.

P&O ships will also make maiden port calls in Scotland at Fort William, close to Ben Nevis, and Tobermory, where you can visit the distillery.

IN JULY P&O CRUISES’ NEW SHIP BRITANNIA WILL BE SAILING UP THE MERSEY

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE

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Cruise Planner 2015

PHOTO: © GETTY

PHOTO: ©

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SAGA, Seabourn Cruises, Silversea, Star Clipper, Thomson Cruises, Uniworld, Voyages to Antiquity, Voyages of Discovery.

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DESTINATION GUIDE

NORTHERN EUROPE Clockwise, from right: Cliffs at Étretat, Normandy; Kastellorizo Bay, Greece; Seville, Spain

NORTHERN EUROPE

Classic Northern Europe sea cruise destinations apart from Britain and Ireland include France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany and Russia.

Short taster cruises from Britain across the Channel or North Sea go to Le Havre, for excursions to Paris, or Zeebrugge, for trips to Bruges; particularly good in early December when you can shop at Christmas markets.

Europe’s rivers are also on ocean cruise ship itineraries, and the Elbe is big enough for Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and its regular trips to Hamburg, Germany’s most important port.

Increasingly ships sail into the Scheldt estuary to Antwerp, in Belgium, while Fred.

Olsen Cruise Lines, Cruise & Maritime Voyages and the brand new Viking Ocean Cruises sail up the Seine to Rouen.

Both sea and river ships are opening up new opportunities to explore Spain and CMV’s Marco Polo will sail from the Atlantic near Cádiz in Spain up the Guadalquivir River to Seville for an overnight stay and the opportunity to see the Feria de Abril fiesta, with parading horses, with feasting and flamenco dancing at night.

Voyages to Antiquity sails to Seville too, with an included two-night hotel stay and excursions to the Royal Palace and cathedral, plus a trip to the old Moorish capital of Córdoba to see the astonishing Great Mosque.

This 14-day Villefranche to Seville cruise also shows you some of France’s historic inland cities, such as Avignon, with its Papal palace, and Nîmes, with its Roman amphitheatre.

Portugal has also seen huge interest in cruises along the River Douro, and Titan has a new 2015 itinerary starting in Portugal’s capital Lisbon and finishing in Madrid, with its Jewels of Spain, Portugal and the Douro cruise, on board Uniworld’s Queen Isabel.

Uniworld’s new Ultimate France cruise also takes you to wine country, to Bordeaux, Rouen and the Normandy Beaches via the Seine, plus Lyon and Avignon on the Rhône.

This includes transfers to all three rivers and cruising on its luxury ships: River Baroness, River Royale and SS Catherine.

Small ocean-going ships such as Fred.

Olsen’s Braemar can easily navigate these waterways, giving guests the experience of jumping off the ship at inland cities such as Nantes and Bordeaux – both with overnight stays – to taste the famous wines of the area.

Braemar is also one of few cruise ships small 80 Cruise Planner 2015

SEA AND RIVER SHIPS ARE OPENING UP SPAIN AS A DESTINATION enough to get into Bremen, a new port of call, on its German Waterways cruise in June.

New river operator Emerald Waterways has had a successful first year cruising the Danube and Rhine so is building two more ships for 2016. In the meantime it has chartered A-Rosa Stella for a new French itinerary in 2015.

For cruise fans who like to sail from Europe, Avalon River Cruises offers high speed rail transfers using TGV trains in France and Germany’s InterCity Express trains. It has two new themed cruises in 2015, both on the Danube. Patricia Schultz, who wrote 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, will be on board for the Author’s Cruise and singers from Canada’s Calgary Opera will entertain during the Opera Cruise.

The First World War centenary will be important for cruise lines until 2018, and Avalon is doubling capacity for its eight-day Paris To Normandy Landing Beaches cruise adding new ship Avalon Tapestry II in 2015.

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE Avalon River Cruise, Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Emerald Waterways, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SAGA, SeaDream, Seabourn Cruises, Silversea, Star Clipper, Thomson Cruises, Uniworld, Voyages to Antiquity, Voyages of Discovery, Windstar.

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DESTINATION GUIDE

THE THE MEDITERRANEAN MEDITERRANEAN

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK/GETTY/ERLEND ROBAYE

THE MEDITERRANEAN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES OFTEN START Western Mediterranean cruises take you to ports between Gibraltar and Italy, such as Barcelona, Livorno for Pisa and Florence, Civitavecchia for Rome, and Naples, as well as islands including Sicily and Corsica.

Eastern Mediterranean cruises often start from Venice and sail down to Bari and over to Croatia and Montenegro or as far south as Turkey and Greece.

New for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is You Choose Your Cruise, in October, when passengers on board Braemar can vote for which Spanish port they want to visit. For instance there is Gaudi’s Barcelona versus the more traditional Palamos on the Costa Brava; cultural Valencia or Mallorca’s cathedral city of Palma; and Malaga for Granada and the Alhambra or tax-free shopping in Gibraltar.

Croatian options increase year on year, with trendy beach resort Hvar – the St Tropez of the Adriatic – now challenging Dubrovnik as the country’s most popular port. Fred. Olsen’s Black Watch calls there on its Venice and the Adriatic Coast cruise in April and Thomson Cruises will call at five Croatian ports when it starts sailing from Dubrovnik in May. Adults-only Thomson Celebration will make this beautiful walled city its home port, with four new itineraries and 10 new ports, including Šibenik, Korcula, Rovinj, Split, and CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

FROM VENICE AND SAIL AS FAR SOUTH AS GREECE

Hvar in Croatia, plus Trieste, Bari, and Brindisi in Italy, and Corinth and Itea in Greece.

Thomson Spirit also has a new home port from the summer, when it will depart from Marmaris in Turkey for Eastern Mediterranean cruises with its Undiscovered Aegean itinerary, going to some of Greece’s lesser-known ports such as Kavala, Chios Town and Patmos Town.

Meanwhile Thomson Majesty will call at six new Mediterranean ports, including Albania’s Durrës, with miles of sandy beach, Rijeka in Croatia and Chania in Crete.

Valletta in Malta is known for its Baroque architecture, but new to the itinerary is the delightful neighbouring island of Gozo.

P&O Cruises passengers go there on the 18-night Mediterranean round-trip from Southampton in July. P&O will also stop at gorgeous Bonifacio, Corsica, for the first time on the 20-night Mediterranean round-trip to Southampton in May. Themed cruises on Star Flyer include a fournight cruise from Cannes in May to see the Monaco Grand Prix, and a September cruise from Cannes to Corsica and St Tropez to see the classic yacht regatta Voiles de St Tropez.

For something different, MSC Cruises has free January sales excursions to Serravalle Discount Village outside Genoa and La Roca Village, north of Barcelona on its special January sales cruise on MSC Splendida around the Western Mediterranean departing from Genoa and Barcelona.

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SAGA, Seabourn Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Thomson Cruises, Voyages to Antiquity, Voyages of Discovery.

Cruise Planner 2015

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THE BLACK SEA

A less crowded alternative to the Mediterranean, Black Sea cruises always sell well thanks to their guaranteed summer sunshine and the cultural heritage of Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Romania and Bulgaria that border what is essentially an inland sea.

Entrance to the Black Sea is from the Mediterranean and Sea of Marmara through the narrow Dardanelles Strait then funneling through the Bosphorus, which divides Europe from Asia and runs through the middle of Istanbul. The main ports include Odessa, Yalta and Sevastopol, all in Ukraine, and Royal Caribbean International is sailing to the Black Sea for the first time in summer 2015. There will be an overnight stop in Sochi, where the Russian winter Olympics took place, as well as Odessa, founded by Catherine the Great.

P&O Cruises makes its maiden call at Sevastopol in 2015, on its 30-night Black Sea return trip from Southampton. There are excursions to the Crimean battlefield of Balaklava from Sevastopol, while Yalta is famous for its links with Russian writer Chekhov and the pretty Swallows Nest castle that appears to hang perilously over the port.

Celebrity Cruises has three Black Sea cruises in September and October calling at Burgas, Bulgaria, for the first year ever thanks to the new cruise terminal opening in 2015. It’s a quiet town with good shops and an uncrowded beach, although not as quaint as Nessebar, which has Ancient Greek ruins as well as medieval buildings and wooden houses typical of Black Sea architecture.

Clockwise, from above: The view over picturesque Bergen, Norway; colourful selection of dry paints in Istanbul, Turkey; Norway’s splendid Northern Lights

NORWEGIAN FJORDS & NORTHERN LIGHTS

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PHOTO: ©

The Norwegian fjords closely follow the Mediterranean as Britain’s favourite cruise destination, and we love the opportunity to go in winter to see the Northern Lights.

NASA scientists say this winter will be the last for more than a decade when the Northern Lights will be at their peak.

Departures from Newcastle reduce the time it takes to reach Norway, as passengers on Fred.

Olsen’s The Greatest Fjords of Norway trip will discover in September.

Many cruise lines go to Hardangerfjord, but Boudicca also cruises through Nærøyfjord, the most narrow fjord in the world, just 250m wide at some points with mountains towering above up to 1,700m tall. Fred. Olsen’s Land of the Vikings cruise, which departs from Rosyth near Edinburgh, has a full day in Oslo and visits Brevik, new

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DESTINATION GUIDE SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC

HURTIGRUTEN IS CONFIDENT OF DELIVERING A NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPERIENCE TO GUESTS for the cruise line, one of the best-preserved towns from Norway’s sail ship era.

The new Viking Ocean Cruises will also run several Norwegian itineraries, including the 15-day Into The Midnight Sun, which calls at less well-known ports such as Brønnøysund, backed by mountains and surrounded by thousands of tiny islands, and Bodo, just north of the Arctic Circle.

Hurtigruten operates mostly around the Arctic Circle. It is so confident of delivering a Northern Lights experience on one of its regular 12-day Classic Round Norway Voyages over the winter, that it has a Northern Lights Promise offering a free six or seven-day voyage if the lights don’t appear during cruises before the end of March.

European flights in 2010. Since then it has become a regular cruise destination.

The capital, Reykjavik is only about 30 minutes’ drive from the superb Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, although excursions also include whale watching, puffin spotting, searching for the Northern Lights and discovering Iceland’s Viking history.

Holland America Line has two new 14-night Northern Isles cruises from Harwich that circumnavigate Iceland, in June and August, calling at Reykjavik as well as Djúpivogur, where passengers can take a boat trip to Papey Island to see puffins or visit Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe.

There are more bird colonies at Heimaey and at Isafjördur you can hire bicycles or kayaks.

THE ARCTIC

THE BALTIC

PHOTO: ©

ICELAND

Iceland exploded into the public imagination when its Eyjafjallajökull Volcano grounded CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

Cruises around the Baltic sea call at Scandinavian capitals such as Denmark’s friendly Copenhagen, Sweden’s island city of Stockholm, Finland’s charming Helsinki and the imperial city of St Petersburg in Russia.

One of the most exciting Baltic cruises of 2015 is likely to be with Viking Ocean Cruises.

Among Viking Star’s maiden voyages will be a 15-day Viking Homelands cruise, which also includes Norwegian beauty spot Flam, Stavanger and its excellent museums, and Denmark’s Aalborg, where the old industrial waterfront has been transformed into the city’s cultural quarter. Nearby is the dramatic Viking burial ground at Lindholm Høje.

Princess Cruises’s new ship Regal Princess will be in the Baltic in May, calling at Nynäshamn, an hour from Stockholm, where you can visit Nynäs Havsbad, Sweden’s most exclusive spa, or walk along the Strandvägen next to the sea.

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, RCI, SAGA, Seabourn Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Star Clipper, Thomson Cruises, Uniworld, Voyages of Discovery, Voyages to Antiquity, Windstar.

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PHOTOS: © PETER ADAMS/CORBIS/CHRISTIAN HEEB/AWL IMAGES

Sir Ranulph Fiennes will join passengers on Saga Pearl II when they cross the Arctic Circle in March. Saga Cruises’s Northern Lights cruise includes popular Arctic winter sports activities, such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and visiting Sami settlements.

New excursions include the Vossbanen steam railway in Bergen and at Andalsnes, passengers can choose between going on a musk ox safari or twilight moose safari.

Crystal Cruises is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a White Sea Exploration from Reykjavik to Dover in 2015. The 18-night cruise in July starts with an overnight in Iceland’s capital then sails to its northern port of Akureyri before cruising the White Sea off northern Russia and visiting the UNESCO-listed Solovetsky Islands. There will be special receptions, and this cruise will have chairman Nobuyoshi Kuzuya on board to host anniversary events.

The solar eclipse expected in March has increased demand for Cruise & Maritime Voyage’s 36-night Greenland and Canada cruise, with the ship ideally situated off the Faroe Islands when it take place.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be setting off on its last Arctic Adventure to take in Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen and the Norwegian fjords in August. This 27-day epic crosses the Arctic Circle as Boudicca travels north up the Norwegian coast to Bear Island then over to more polar bear country on Svalbard and on to Akureyri in northern Iceland before crossing to Greenland for several days and returning to Newcastle.

THE ORIGINAL COASTAL VOYAGE SINCE 1893

NORWAY

EXPLORE NORWAY AND ITS NATURAL WONDERS

Experience the difference of the original Norwegian coastal voyage, one of the world’s truly great journeys.

To find out more or to book a voyage, call us on 0203 582 6924 or visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk

© altofoto.no

Our ships sail between the cities of Bergen and Kirkenes 365 days a year, stopping at 34 ports along the way and providing endlessly beautiful views, delicious locally-sourced cuisine, the Midnight Sun in summertime and the wondrous Northern Lights in winter.

© Ørjan Bertelsen

For over 120 years Hurtigruten has taken its guests closer to Norway’s beautiful coast and spectacular natural phenomena than anyone else.

© Jan Lillehamre

NORTHERN LIGHT © Jan R. Olsen

BOOK YOUR 2016 VOYAGE BY JULY & GET UP TO £200 PP TO SPEND ON BOARD.

DESTINATION GUIDE SOUTH AMERICA

Penguins under an ice arch in Antarctica

SOUTH AMERICA

SAIL FROM BUENOS AIRES TO ANTARCTICA

The Panama Canal celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014 and work is ongoing to widen the canal by the middle of 2015. Many ships made their first trip through the canal in the centenary year and more are expected in 2015, although it will be 2016 before it’s operating to full capacity.

Celebrity Cruises has a series of sailings featuring the Panama Canal from November, sailing from Florida or California to Valparaíso in Chile, with the option to explore the mysterious ruins of Peru’s Machu Picchu.

Celebrity Infinity has a 14-night December sailing from Buenos Aires in Argentina to the Chilean fjords as well as a 14-night Antarctica round-trip from Buenos Aires to Elephant Island in Antarctica, that also stops at the Falkland Islands.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has a South American cruise on Norwegian Sun, cruising the Chilean fjords, Strait of Magellan and around Cape Horn, calling at the Falkland Islands, Chile and Argentina on 14-night voyages, Valparaíso to Buenos Aires, from September.

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE

PHOTO: © GETTY

Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SAGA, Seabourn Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Thomson Cruises, Voyages of Discovery.

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DESTINATION GUIDE

RED SEA & PERSIAN GULF A mosque and old buildings on Dubai Creek

RED SEA AND PERSIAN GULF

There are only a few cruise destinations in the Red Sea: Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, where many cruises start and finish; Safaga, which is within excursion distance of Egypt’s Luxor and the Valley of the Kings; and Aqaba, Jordan’s only port, close to the awe-inspiring lost city of Petra as well as Wadi Rum, the desert landscape of Lawrence of Arabia.

Given the trend for overnight stays to allow more in-depth exploration, Swan Hellenic’s Jewels of Arabia & The Red Sea is spot on, but it also includes a day in the small East African republic Djibouti at the entrance to the Red Sea, where French colonial culture meets Arabic influences.

Longer Red Sea cruises often start in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, with ships sailing through the Arabian Sea and into the Red Sea. Ultra-luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises has added Khasab, in Oman, to its itinerary in its 23-night Dubai to Barcelona cruise on board Seven Seas Voyager.

This relatively unknown town’s blue-green sea and craggy cliffs are its greatest attraction, with trips on traditional dhow boats to see humpback dolphins in the bay.

RED SEA CRUISES OFTEN START IN DUBAI, WITH SHIPS SAILING ACROSS THE ARABIAN SEA

Azamara Club Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Seabourn Cruises, Silversea, Thomson Cruises, Voyages of Discovery, 86 Cruise Planner 2015

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PHOTO: © CORBIS

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE

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AFRICA

The Canary Islands off the north western coast of Africa remain a popular winter warmer destination for British cruise companies, from Cunard and P&O Cruises through to Saga and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Fred. Olsen practically specialises in Canary cruises, but like other British-market lines it also offers long world cruise-style voyages that can be split into different legs.

It is now selling its Around Africa & the Indian Ocean cruise, even though it doesn’t depart until January 2016, and the 76-night epic calls at the Cape Verde islands before cruising down the west coast of Africa.

Some of the new stops on the itinerary, which takes in South Africa’s Cape Town and Kenya’s Mombasa, include Luanda, Angola’s capital, where passengers can visit the nearby small town of Mussulo with its sandy beaches and coconut palms, plus Maputo, Mozambique’s capital with its Portuguese colonial heritage.

Northern Africa is also popular, particularly Morocco. Voyages To Antiquity’s Malaga to Cape Town cruise in November includes three days in Morocco. The ports include Tangier, where you can visit the caves of Hercules; Marrakesh, with sightseeing in fascinating Casablanca and the country’s capital Rabat; and Agadir, with a drive through the Atlas mountains.

Voyages to Antiquity include excursions in their cruises, and this 31-day adventure also includes the undeveloped islands of São Tomé and Principe, plus Namibia, with its colonial heritage, and two full days in Cape Town.

Similarly, Voyages Of Discovery goes to Morocco in October, with maiden calls at Rabat, where passengers can explore the old Kasbah and souks.

The same cruise, Atlantic Showcase, is also going to Algeria where the UNESCOlisted Roman ruins at Tipasa – once home to Phoenicians, Romans, early Christians and Byzantines – is fascinating.

Porto Santo, a golden beach-fringed island in the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa, is also on the cruise – another Discovery first.

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A lioness looks out across the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

PHOTO: ©

Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred.

Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SAGA, Seabourn Cruises, Silversea, Voyages of Discovery.

PHOTO: © GETTY

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE

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DESTINATION GUIDE

PHOTO: ©

AFRICA

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MYANMAR, FORMERLY BURMA, WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE A BUZZ FOR VISITORS IN 2015

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PHOTO: ©

Left-right: Buddhist monks in Cambodia; the impressive Great Wall of China CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM

DESTINATION GUIDE ASIA

PHOTOS: © KEREN SU/CORBIS/ISTOCK

ASIA

China’s emerging cruise industry has made Asia the hot spot for 2015, with several companies increasing the number of ships in the region, and the Chinese government actively encouraging development.

Cruise facilities in Shanghai, Tianjin, Xiamen and Sanya have improved considerably, with Shanghai China’s most important cruise terminal, Tianjin the homeport hub for northern China, and Xiamen and Sanya the port for Southeast Asia and Taiwan cruises.

Royal Caribbean International’s new ship Quantum of the Seas will call Shanghai home from May. The world’s first ‘smart ship’ with fast internet connection and no set dining times or formal nights will sail around China, Japan and South Korea.

Crystal Cruises is making maiden calls in China’s Sanya, on the island of Hainan, as well as Japan’s Aomori with natural hot springs and snowcapped mountain vistas.

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Some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean International, have round-trips from China and likely destinations include Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and even Vladivostock, in eastern Siberia.

Vladivostock is the end of the line for the Trans-Siberia railway in Russia, near its borders with China and North Korea and features in Celebrity Cruises two 14-night Japan round-trips which also visit Shimizu, for excursions to Japan’s Mount Fuji.

Myanmar, formerly Burma, will continue to create a buzz in 2015, with more Malaysian destinations opening up. River cruising is the best way to see this country, where the tourism industry is relatively new.

Australian-based APT has a new boutique river ship, RV Princess Panhwar, for its 2015-2016 programme which has a 15day Majestic Burma Irrawaddy cruise from Yangon (formerly Rangoon) to Mandalay.

Highlights include the 2,500-year-old golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and

the temples of Bagan, a huge site that rivals Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. AmaWaterways is offering cruises down the Irrawaddy River for the first time in 2015 and is launching a new 56-passenger AmaPura ship for these cruises.

It will have two itineraries including a stops at Thayetmyo and Myanaung, with well-preserved British colonial buildings dating back to the 1800s.

The upmarket cruise line Silversea has four voyages with extended stopovers in Myanmar on Silver Wind and Silver Shadow, featuring two nights in Thilawa Port near Yangon to see the pagoda of Kyaik Khauk, before observing the resident monks at Kyakhatwine Monastery and learning how to cook Burmese cuisine.

Silver Shadow’s November sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong has inaugural calls in Bintulu, in Malaysia, and will spend several days sailing between the Philippines’s idyllic islands, with four new stops: Bohol Island, Boracay Island, Busuanga Island and Thousand Islands.

Avalon River Cruises is launching two new ships in 2015 for Asia. Avalon Myanmar will sail on the Irawaddy, while Avalon Siem Reap will sail through Vietnam and Cambodia on the River Mekong.

The locally-built ships take just 36 people and call at the old teak U Bein Bridge made from wood that once held up the royal palace in the former capital of Amarapura, in Burma, and Cái Bè in Vietnam, the site of a local floating market.

Fred. Olsen is offering single cabins on its new Enjoy the Best of the Far East cruises and its Enjoyment Promise will give refunds and flights home for new cruisers who decide after two days that the cruise is not for them.

Its 15-night Cities & Landscapes of the Orient cruise in March on Balmoral leaves from Japan with time in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagasaki before heading to South Korea then China and Hong Kong.

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Noble Caledonia, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Voyages of Discovery.

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DESTINATION GUIDE

PACIFIC

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE TRAVELS DOWN TO SOUTH AMERICA FOR AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN LIMA AND THE CHANCE TO SEE MACHU PICCHU

Sydney has always been at the heart of cruises around Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Pacific Ocean islands. Cruises to exotic, white sand islands such as Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti often start or finish in Sydney.

But other Australian ports are gaining ground, in particular Fremantle, 30 minutes from Perth, and Melbourne, the food and drink capital of Victoria, which are homeports for two Princess Cruises ships.

Brisbane, near Queensland’s endless white sand beaches, is home to Royal Caribbean International’s Legend of the Seas.

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Visit Melbourne to enjoy its café society and vibrant art scene, or tour the nearby vineyards; Brisbane for the 26 miles of the Gold Coast including Surfers Paradise – one of the best beaches in the world – and snorkel in the Indian Ocean at Fremantle near Perth.

Over the other side of the Pacific, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun has a new four-night Pacific Coastal cruise from Vancouver, Canada, in September plus longer cruises south from San Diego in California down to the Mexican Riviera and further still down to South America for an overnight stay in Lima, Peru, and the chance to visit Machu Picchu.

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Noble Caledonia, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Voyages of Discovery,

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PHOTO: © ISTOCK

PACIFIC

DESTINATION GUIDE THE USA & CANADA

Americans have a preference for taking cruises to the Caribbean and Bermuda, over to Hawaii, up the east coast from Boston to Canada and up to Alaska, and very little changes in the way of new ports or destinations.

So hats off to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for its Voyage to the American Deep South in September. This 32-day return cruise from Southampton calls at some fascinating places. These include Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia and the former British colonial capital; Salem, famous for being the site of the 1692 witch trials and once a trading post for clipper ships sailing between Britain and the Far East; and Charleston,

founded in 1670 and named after King Charles II. Holland America Line is back in Bermuda for golf and beach cruises from May to June, with a Bermuda and Canada Combination Cruise in May, June and July that features an overnight stay in Quebec City.

As a pioneer of Alaskan cruises, HAL is also reintroducing 14-night Alaska Explorer cruises, taking passengers to remote outposts such as Kodiak, Alaska’s largest island and home to brown bears; Sitka, the former Russian capital of Alaska; and Homer, an artistic community and former gold mining town.

Log cabin stays and glass-domed railcar add-ons are also possible on some HAL Alaska cruises.

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Noble Caledonia, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Voyages of Discovery,

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Top-bottom: A brown bear by the river in Kodiak, Alaska; Old Quebec across from Saint Lawrence River

PHOTOS: © ISTOCK/ALAN COPSON/AWL IMAGES

THE USA AND CANADA

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S CRUISES IN JUNE AND JULY OFFER AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN CHARMING OLD QUEBEC Cruise Planner 2015

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Seattle

PROMOTION

C I TDYE GUI

Known as the Emerald City because of its parks and forests, Seattle makes a wonderful pre- or post-Alaska cruise stay

W

ith its waterfront overlooking the islands of stunning Puget Sound and a dramatic backdrop of the Cascade Mountains, Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, offers a range of unique experiences.

WHAT TO DO: Many of Seattle’s visitor attractions are close to the waterfront and you can get a bird’s-eye view of the city, mountains and Puget Sound from the observation deck at the top of the 605-feet high Space Needle (spaceneedle.com). Other mustsees include Chihuly Garden and Glass (chihulygardenandglass.com), showcasing the extraordinary designs and sculptures of acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly, and Seattle Art Museum and Olympic Sculpture Park (seattleartmuseum.org).

Seattle is famed for its music scene (it’s the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix, and it’s where Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Ray Charles became established artists) so it’s well worth visiting the Experience Music Project (empmuseum. org), which traces American popular music from rock ‘n’ roll to the present day and includes the world’s largest collection of Hendrix memorabilia.

There are also lots of attractions within driving distance. Three national parks – Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic – are just two hours away. Twilight fans can join a tour to Forks, the setting for the vampire novels, on the edge of the Olympic National Park.

You can explore Puget Sound by pleasure cruiser or by the network of ferries that offer frequent services to the Olympic Peninsula

and Bainbridge Island. Alternatively, take a seaplane to the pretty fishing villages of the San Juan Islands, where you can spot Orca whales from mid-April to early October.

WHERE TO SHOP: At Fremont Market there are retro and vintage stores; historic Pioneer Square has an eclectic mix of shops selling everything from rugs to rare books; and even if you’re not planning on buying any fish a visit to historic Pike Place market (pikeplacemarket. org) is a must, not least for the waterfront park, where you can sit and take in the stunning view of Elliott Bay. You’ll also find colourful stalls selling vintage clothing and antiques here. Downtown Seattle is where you’ll find big names including Nordstrom.

WHERE TO EAT: Salmon is Seattle’s signature fish, and the city is also known for Olympia oysters and Dungeness crab. You’ll find lots of seafood restaurants on the waterfront; other favourites include hot dogs with cream cheese, and Top Pot doughnuts, as bought

by President Obama, no less; plus Seattle is the place to try the famed Northwest wines, award-winning chocolate (chocolate-covered cherries are particularly good) and of course the city’s celebrated coffee.

MAY

23

WHEN TO GO:

Seattle is a year round destination, but mid-June through to September – cruise season – is when it’s most likely to be dry and warm; its also the season when many of the area’s natural attractions are at their most breathtaking.

Clockwise from top left: Tlingit totem pole, Pioneer Square; Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle; Pike Place Market; Reflection Lake; Seattle’s first farmer’s market; The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Astoria Theatre; Orca whales; Hammering Man, Seattle Art Museum; Chihuly Garden; downtown Seattle

PHOTO: ©

GETTING THERE Delta Airlines (delta.com) and British Airways (britishairways.com) fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Seattle. Alternatively fly to Seattle with Icelandair via Reykjavik or KLM via Amsterdam. Find out more info on the city at visitseattle.org and on cruise holidays out of Seattle at portseattle.org.

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DESTINATION GUIDE

EASTERN CARIBBEAN

Saint John, US Virgin Islands

EASTERN CARIBBEAN

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PHOTO: ©

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship for 2015, Norwegian Escape, will sail from Miami to some of the Eastern Caribbean’s most popular destinations, the US Virgin Islands and Nassau in the Bahamas, when it launches in November.

Meanwhile MSC Cruises has tweaked its southern/eastern Caribbean itinerary for winter 2015/2016 by switching the departure port from Guadeloupe, which is difficult to get to, to Barbados, which has direct British Airways flights.

The 14-night round-trip to Barbados includes lesser-visited ports such as Margarita Island in Venezuela, Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe and Roseau in Dominica as well as the more familiar Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and British Virgin Islands.

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DESTINATION GUIDE

WESTERN & SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

Castillo fortress at sunset in the ancient Mayan city of Tulum, Mexico

COZUMEL IN MEXICO, BELIZE, JAMAICA, GRAND CAYMAN AND HONDURAS ALL MAKE UP SOME OF THE FABULOUS WESTERN CARIBBEAN DESTINATIONS

PHOTOS: © GETTY/STEVE DUNWELL

WESTERN & SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

The British favourites of Barbados, St Kitts, Grenada, St Lucia and Antigua are all Southern Caribbean islands while Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, Belize, Jamaica and Grand Cayman and Honduras make up the Western Caribbean.

Honduras is increasingly making a name for itself with its new Banana Coast cruise terminal at Trujillo, on the north coast, to add to Roatán, the largest of the white sand Bay Islands off the mainland.

Trujillo is where the rainforest meets the sea, according to its branding, and offers a 10-acre stretch of sandy beach and coral reefs as well as rare birds in the nature reserves.

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Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Silversea, P&O Cruises and Holland America Line are all calling at Banana Coast in 2015.

Fred. Olsen offers a selection of 14- and 16-night sunshine breaks via Barbados, or you can sail from Greenock, near Glasgow, for its first Scottish no-fly Caribbean cruise, in November on Black Watch.

Meanwhile Disney Cruise Line is going to Tortola, capital of the British Virgin Islands, and the French island of Martinique for the first time in 2016 – but if you want to enjoy these white sand paradises with Mickey Mouse and Goofy, you’ll have to book this year because Disney cruises sell out fast.

Thomson also offers a rare opportunity to sail to Cuba with five seven-night Cuban Fusion cruises from Jamaica in early 2015.

The overnight stop in Havana gives plenty of time to enjoy the city’s retro glamour.

CRUISE LINES THAT GO THERE Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SAGA, Seabourn Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Star Clipper Thomson Cruises, Voyages of Discovery, Windstar.

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Experts

ASK THE

Got a question about cruise holidays? Get in touch with our experts at info@cruise-international.com

Q

How do I choose the cruise line that’s right for me?

A. Well of course the Cruise Planner is an excellent place to start. And as you can see, the wealth of choice available is remarkable. But it’s important to define what type of holiday you’re looking for so you can match your personality to the cruise that’s best for you. Do you want to completely relax or are you after something quite active? Have you a penchant for partying? Or maybe a more romantic break will suit you better? Some cruise lines are ideal for couples, such as Princess, P&O and Celebrity, while solo travellers may benefit more from sailing with Crystal, Norwegian

Cruise Line or Fred. Olsen. Families will find plenty to do on board Disney, Carnival or Royal Caribbean ships, whereas a more mature couple may prefer Voyages of Discovery, Saga or Cunard. Oceania and Regent Seven Seas cater really well for foodies – or if fabulous entertainment is high on your list then try Thomson, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.

For adventures and extraordinary itineraries on shore look at Voyages to Antiquity, Hurtigruten, Azamara Club Cruises or Silversea. MSC offers good value, and if river cruising appeals then Viking River Cruises, Ama Waterways and Uniworld are great options.

Julie Peasgood

TELEGRAPH CRUISE SHOW The Telegraph Cruise Show returns to London’s ExCel from 9-11 January. Whether you’re a seasoned cruise traveller or a cruise virgin, it’s the perfect opportunity to come and meet representatives from leading cruise lines and find out more about cruises for 2015.

Highlights at this year’s show

98 Cruise Planner 2015

include free cooking demos and wine tasting sessions with P&O’s Food Heroes, a Q&A with Simon Reeve and much more.

Go to cruiseshow.telegraph. co.uk for more information.

THE INSIDER Our regular column from Andy Harmer, Director of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland

This year looks set to be yet another very exciting year in the cruise calendar with new ships on the horizon and many new inspiring itineraries taking in stunning locations around the world.

It’s great news for us Brits that two of the seven ocean ships will be launched and sail from the UK – P&O Cruises’ Britannia and Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas. There’s also a new luxury ship from Ponant amongst others and the year will finish with the launch of Norwegian Escape.

Over the past few years the number of people choosing to begin their cruise holiday from a UK port has grown significantly so that it’s almost on a par with those who prefer to fly-cruise. Perhaps with the entry of Britannia and Anthem of the Seas, 2015 may be the year we see the scales level or tip in favour of ex-UK cruising as many people are switched on by the appeal of sailing from a local port, and we are fortunate of course that there are so many wonderful destinations within easy sailing distance of UK ports.

The growing appeal of river cruise holidays shows no sign of slowing in 2015 with more than 25 ships being launched over the coming 12 months. Europe will remain the number one destination but the Ayeyarwady in Myanmar looks set to continue to be the jewel in the Asian crown, while on the other side of the world, the Mississippi and its famous paddle steamers is the word on everyone’s lips.

Luxury cruise adventures look set to appeal with expedition-style cruises taking passengers off the beaten track for hands-on experiences across a range of exciting destinations including Asia and South America.

And we are also seeing a trend for ships to offer more overnight stays to allow a real sense of immersion in towns and cities.

Small ship and expedition cruising continues with its appeal thanks, in part, to the great programmes we’ve been seeing recently on TV. Whereas our parents would only have admired these wonderful places on the screen, today we are all adventurers and a cruise provides the ideal way to see some of the planet’s most amazing sights.

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CARIBBEAN FUN! Cruise from one sun drenched isle to another in the glistening turquoise seas of the Caribbean. From Idyllic days of swimming, snorkeling and white sandy beaches to romantic nights under starry skies – the stunning ports of the Caribbean have it all.

Not only will you get the chance to experience some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, but Carnival will help you switch on Fun as you sail between them with the array of restaurants, entertainment and activities onboard.

On a Carnival cruise, your destination is many destinations, which means plenty of chances to explore new places, try new things… and just generally have the best holiday ever. We’ve hand-selected experiences in the Caribbean that’ll get you exploring under the sea, flying high in the air, sightseeing among ancient ruins or relaxing on a beach. Enjoy the fun, convenience, reliability — and did we mention fun? — That only a Carnival shore excursion can offer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL RESERVATIONS ON: 0845 351 0556 OR GO ONLINE: WWW.CARNIVAL.CO.UK

TM

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