Cruise & Travel June/July 2023 - Sample Issue

CRUISE & TRAVEL

NEW ZEALAND VOYAGING DOWN UNDER

+ Antarctica French river routes

Win! worth £4,000 CANARY ISLANDS CRUISE WITH PRINCESS

Sail the biodiverse coast of

All new ships Baltic ports

WELCOME TO THE SUMMER ISSUE OF CRUISE & TRAVEL

We hope that you’ll get a chance to get out and enjoy the rivers or oceans this summer, and this issue is packed full of advice, inspiration and information about cruise holidays and wonderful destinations to help you decide where to head. Inside we’re celebrating all things European, with a guide to the lesser-known Baltic cruise ports (page 56), and take your pick of the French waterways (page 36).

Further a eld, nd your calm with a wellness cruise in Antarctica (page 64), explore wildlife-rich Costa Rica (page 28), see the beauty of slow travel in New Zealand (page 46) and nd out interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s top travel tips (page 98).

Be sure to follow us on social media and go to our website cruiseandtravel.co.uk for bonus features, interviews and expert advice to help inspire your next cruise getaway.

Kelly Ranson, Acting Editor

BOOK BY 10 JULY 2023 Complimentary Suite

14-night Exotic Caribbean Isles

Round-trip Barbados

SEABOURN OVATION

3 Dec 2023; 7, 21 Jan; 4, 18 Feb; 3 Mar 2024; 4*, 18 Jan; 15 Feb; 1 Mar 2025

From £6,699*pp | Inclusive Economy Air

Visits: Carambola Beach^ (St Kitts & Nevis); Philipsburg (St. Maarten); Sopers Hole (Frenchmans Cay); Carambola Beach^; Roseau (Dominica); Terre-de-Haut (Iles des Saintes); Fort-de-France (Martinique).

• Two Category Suite Upgrade

• Up to US$500 per suite onboard spend

• Seabourn’s Caviar in the Surf Beach Party

*Lead fare based on 4 Jan 2025

7-night Windward Island Jewels

Round-trip Barbados

SEABOURN OVATION | 17 Mar 2024

From £4,499pp | Inclusive Economy Air

Visits: Castries (St. Lucia); St. John’s (Antigua); Carambola Beach^ (St. Kitts & Nevis); Fort-De-France (Martinique); Charlotteville (Trinidad & Tobago).

• Two Category Suite Upgrade

• Up to US$500 per suite onboard spend

• Seabourn’s Caviar in the Surf Beach Party

With the compliments of Seabourn CAVIAR IN THE SURF^ MARINA DAY WITH WATERSPORTS^

Seabourn’s Caribbean offers something for every luxury traveller. Spend a day with our chefs in local markets or take Seabourn’s advice on which beach has the most vibrant underwater life. Our Captains know the best places to anchor and deploy the marina, treating you to an unforgettable afternoon of watersports, or a beach barbecue with lobsters on the grill and caviar served in the waist-deep surf. Enjoy the comforts of the 300-suite Seabourn Ovation, as you sail from Barbados to a collection of beautiful Caribbean islands. Each luxuriously appointed suite offers a spacious private veranda, plus a marble bathroom equipped with a shower, bathtub and Seabourn’s exclusive Molton Brown toiletries. Dine in a choice of restaurants, including

The Grill by Thomas Keller and the alfresco Earth and Ocean. Enjoy the six or more open bars and lounges alongside ample deck space, sparkling pools and the pampering delights of the Spa at Seabourn. An allinclusive lifestyle also makes Seabourn a very social place to be, from champagne on deck to cocktails in The Club, which include exclusive fine craft cocktails created by master mixologist Brian Van Flandern. From the luxury of all-suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits throughout the ship, and a tipping not required or expected policy, this is the definition of travelling well. Book select voyages and enjoy complimentary suite upgrades and up to US$2,000 onboard credit per suite.

Relax on a white sand beach, complete with a gourmet barbecue, as crew members wade waist-deep through turquoise waters to serve chilled caviar and ice-cold champagne… Ovation’s Captain may also deploy the ship’s retractable marina for a Marina Day ® ^ with complimentary watersports for a day of play like no other, including water skiing, pedal boats, snorkels and windsurfing.

^Subject to weather conditions

Hidden gems await among the islands of the Caribbean Sea, secluded spots that are off the beaten track and offer a glimpse back in time, into unspoiled paradise.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLES

VERANDA SUITE

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 & TRAVEL are not necessarily those of the publisher. For up-to-date travel advice, always check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before you go.

IT’S YOUR HEART THAT TAKES YOU PLACES

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

The Austrian capital has long been a popular stop on Danube River cruises, and it’s not hard to see why passengers love to spend a day or two admiring an elegant city that’s jam-packed with rich cultural sights and experiences. Home to famed composers, imperial palaces, grand opera buildings and opulent coffee houses, Vienna’s alluring tourist attractions are endless. This year is particularly poignant for the city as it celebrates the 150th anniversary of the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair, which showcased its technology, arts and crafts. Vienna grew with construction and transportation links, and transformed itself into the cosmopolitan destination it is today. Throughout 2023, there will be numerous exhibitions across the city’s museums, as well as special anniversaries and new openings to celebrate the past, present, and future. The start of this year also saw the impressive Austrian Parliament building reopen on Vienna’s Ringstrasse after a five-year makeover. If you’re heading here with a long must-do list, you certainly won’t be disappointed, but be sure to stop for a moment and take in its grand beauty over a coffee and an apple strudel.

Turn to page 88 for river cruise ship reviews +

MADAGASCAR

Step ashore on the world’s fourth-largest island and discover a treasure trove of biodiversity. From curious wide-eyed lemurs to emerald chameleons, Madagascar is a wildlife photographer’s paradise, but until recently has been a difficult destination for cruise ships to visit. A new generation of small sonar-equipped expedition ships pioneered by Ponant allows zodiac landings on rarely-visited tropical islands. Spot tropical birds nesting in undergrowth on Nosy Ve and swim with green turtles along Nosy Tanikely’s pristine coral reefs. On the mainland, ancient baobab forests and natural wonders such as La Cirque Rouge, an amphitheatre of rainbow-coloured sandstone, are easily reached by 4WD. In Toliara, a lively port town, hop onto a bicycle rickshaw and explore bustling markets filled with local produce and balsa wood handicrafts. On the coast, the seafaring Vezo people follow the proud traditions of their ancestors in brightly-painted outrigger canoes.

Turn to page 88 for expedition cruise ship reviews +

• Return scheduled ights from London and selected regional airports at no extra cost

• Stateroom with a private veranda

• An included excursion in almost every port

• All onboard meals, including regional specialities

• Alternative restaurant dining at no extra cost

• Wine, beer & soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner

• Free tea, coffee and snacks any time on board

• Free 24-hour room service

• Free Wi-Fi on board*

• Access to top-rated spa & tness centre

• All port charges, government taxes and overseas transfers

• Onboard gratuities

e Viking Sky, Geiranger ord, Norway

ON BEAR PATROL

It’s not your typical job onboard a cruise ship, but the newly-launched Scenic Eclipse II has its very own ‘bear guard’ for excursions in the Arctic. Plymouth-born Jack Williams is part of the luxury ship’s discovery team and his job is to oversee guest safety in the High Arctic, watching out for polar bears. He’s also tasked with scouting for drop sites and looking out for potential food sources that might attract bears. e former British Marine explained: “Planning and preparation is the biggest part of the role. On excursion days I’m up early on the bridge looking out for anything that might lure a bear – things like a whale carcass that has been washed up, or seals. Polar bears have an acute sense of smell that reaches up to 40 miles. We don’t want to o oad guests into areas of potential danger.” Sister ship Scenic Eclipse meanwhile, is showcased in a new documentary series, Maritime Masters: Expedition Antarctica, produced by Warner Bros. Discovery. e series o ers an access-allareas look at life onboard the Discovery Yacht for both passengers and crew. scenic.co.uk

STARS LINE UP FOR CANARY ISLANDS CRUISE

Russell Watson, Tim Peake, Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag have been announced as the stars onboard a 12-night Canary Islands cruise. Departing on April 15, 2024, the line-up for this almost-fortnight of star-studded sailing has been organised by tailor-made cruise specialist, Imagine Cruising and will take place on Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess.

World-renowned tenor Russell Watson will be performing some of his greatest hits in the ship’s theatre, while ballroom stars, Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag, will be dancing the night away and speaking to guests onboard.

Passengers will also have the opportunity to listen to astronaut, pilot, soldier and STEM education ambassador, Tim Peake, who was the rst Brit to conduct a spacewalk at the International Space station.

Russell Watson said: “I can’t wait to perform on Sky Princess as part of this amazing line-up.” e cruise will sail from Southampton with calls in Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Madeira. imaginecruising.co.uk

LUXURY RAIL & SAIL

Join the soon-to-launch luxury sleeper train, Le Grand Tour France, as part of an exclusive cruise and rail package with Fred.\Holidays Rail Journeys. The train accommodates just 36 passengers and features immersive shows and gourmet dining created by France’s only three Michelin-starred chef. Fred.\Holidays Rail Journeys is offering an eight-night package combining a seven-night river cruise on Amadeus Diamond along the Seine with an overnight journey on Le Grand Tour. During the train journey, there will be excursions to prestigious wine house, Les Hospices de Beaune, and Reims as well as wine tastings in Burgundy and Champagne. Departs October 25, 2023 with prices from £3,899 per person. fredholidays.co.uk

EXPLORA’S FIRST GODMOTHER

Explora Journeys has announced that Dr Sylvia Earle will become the godmother of its first luxury ship, EXPLORA I.

The world-renowned oceanographer, explorer, and conservationist will name the new luxury ship at a ceremony to be held in Civitavecchia, near Rome, on July 8, 2023.

Dr Earle is a pioneer of deep-sea exploration and has dedicated her life to ocean conservation. She has been a vocal advocate for protecting the world’s oceans and marine life and is also the founder and chairman of Mission Blue, an organisation set up to protect the oceans. When it comes to cruising, Dr Earle also has one of AE Expeditions’ ships named after her – the purpose-built expedition ship, Sylvia Earle was launched in 2022 and has sailed its first Antarctic season. explorajourneys.com