Cruise Adviser – July / August 2019

S P I R I T O F D I S CO V E R Y | F OO D S P E C I A L | VA S CO DA G A M A

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

J U L Y / AU G U S T 2019

Island in the sun

Jonathan Thompson visits Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private resort in the Bahamas

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July / August 2019 | Forward EDITOR’S LETTER

THIS MONTH

Private islands of hope and glory

WHAT WE LEARNT

It’s often said that on cruise holidays the ship is the destination. For the largest vessels, those that are often described as theme parks at sea, that is becoming closer to the truth than ever before. Cruise lines have long asked what new innovations – from robotic barmen to go-karts to laser tag – they can add to the onboard experience, but now they are thinking are about what they can do on Island in land. The private island is the new battleground for the the sun cruise industry, with MSC Cruises promising a “ticket to paradise” and Royal Caribbean promoting an island “unlike any you’ve ever been to” at their respective resorts in the Bahamas. We sent Jonathan Thomson to the latter’s CocoCay, part of its Perfect Day project, to check out the Thrill Waterpark, Zip Line, Splashaway Bay aqua park and Up, Up and Away helium balloon. Read his feature on p32.

In this issue, you will also find a dedicated section to another huge trend in cruise: food. Anthony Pearce rounds up his favourite restaurants (p46), Adam Coulter explores Silversea’s new SALT programme (p51) and Rebecca Barnes joins Ponant on a special food-and-wine cruise (p48).

Elsewhere, Gary Buchanan lives the high life in Monaco for our regular cruise port of call feature (28); Jane Archer shares her expertise on Alaskan cruises in our How to Sell guide (p55); and Emily Eastman joins Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ latest ship, Vasco de Gama, in Tilbury (p38).

Our July/August issue is a summer double, so cruise adviser will be back in September. Until then, good luck selling.

P18

S P I R I T O F D I S CO V E R Y | F OO D S P E C I A L | VA S CO DA G A M A

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

J U L Y / AU G U S T 2 0 19

Jonathan Thompson visits Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private resort in the Bahamas

CUBA IS A LOT HARDER TO GET TO (AGAIN) Trump’s new US travel ban has huge implications for UK cruise customers, as well as Cuban people themselves

P28

MONACO HAS A HUGE FLOATING PIER Quai Rainier III, where cruise ships dock in the principality, is said to be the largest floating pier in the world

P55

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3

ALASKA IS AN AMAZING PLACE TO VISIT Whale watching and land adventures make cruises around the 49th state an unforgettable experience

The awesome state of Alaska is the focus of this month’s How to Sell guide on page 55

Contents MIDSHIP 32

38

Making a splash Jonathan Thompson sets sail for Royal Caribbean’s brand new private island in the Bahamas. Perfect Day at CocoCay is a fun-filled paradise for all the family “This is a golden period...”

Emily Eastman looks at

Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ plans for the future 40

Food special Fifteen food-filled pages including a cruise adviser Comment (p40), an incredible hotel barge cruise in Champagne country (p42), the best restaurants

at sea (p46) a foodie friendly Ponant cruise around France (p48) and a look at Silversea’s new SALT initiative (p51) 55

How to Sell: Alaska Jane Archer looks at cruises to the 49th state Turn over for more CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

4

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July / August 2019 | Forward

FORWARD 3

Editor’s letter

8

News CroisiEurope’s trade bookings soar in 2019; Azamara adds new land-based pre and post-cruise tours; Spirit of Discovery is launched in Dover; MSC Cruises now includes gratuities in fares

11

Janet Parton Why you really shouldn’t miss the boat when it comes to river cruise

14

Spirit of Adventure keel-laying Jane Archer attends the ceremony for Saga’s second newbuild in Germany – and hears about the line’s ambitious plans

18

Cuba travel ban A look at how Trump’s new travel ban to Cuba will affect UK cruise customers – and the Cuban people themselves

20

Incentives & new hires A round-up of the latest industry appointments and trade initiatives

24

Interview: Aurora Expeditions Sam Ballard speaks to Al Bakker, a kayaking expert and part of the expedition team at Aurora

28

Ports of call: Monaco A profile of the principality on the South coast of France.

Long a playground of the rich and famous, and now a popular cruise call

A look at the glamorous principality of Monaco on page 28

AFT 59

Directory All the cruise line contact details in one place

64

Know your…

All about debarkation

65

Gamesroom While away your lunch break with the cruise

adviser crossword or sudoku, or try your hand at our quiz 67

Lookout Can you see yourself in our selection of photos from the latest industry events?

Email info@cruise-adviser.com to share your thoughts

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Complimentary Evening cocktail hours, pre-cruise hotel stays, and exciting featured shore excursions on select cruises.

NEWS

Do you have a story for us? Email info@cruise-adviser.com

CROISIEUROPE

CroisiEurope trade bookings soar in 2019 The French-owned line reports a 27 per cent rise this year alone as it adds a new ocean-going vessel to its fleet and expands on both the Nile and Ganges John Fair, the UK sales director of CroisiEurope, has revealed that trade sales in the UK are up 27 per cent so far in 2019.

The figures come on the back of a 17 per cent growth in trade bookings in 2018 and means that trade bookings are outperforming direct bookings for the first time.

“The trade are increasingly important for CroisiEurope,” Fair told cruise adviser. “We’ve managed to develop relationships with a number of key agencies, homeworking groups and consortia who have been very supportive and understand the value of what we offer for the price we charge. It’s high quality product, all-inclusive drinks and superb cuisine. We’re getting a much bigger foothold with the trade and are growing our product to back that up.”

Fair, who is just over a year into his role with CroisiEurope, said that he expected the French-owned line’s overall UK passenger numbers to grow by 10 per cent.

The company recently announced that it was to take ownership of Silversea’s Silver Discoverer in July, with the first sailings due to depart this October. The ship, which can accommodate 120-guests, will be renamed La Belle des Océans. It is CroisiEurope’s second ocean-going vessel following the introduction of the coastal cruise ship La Belle de L’Adriatique.

La Belle des Océans will sail nine South East Asia itineraries from October through to January, taking guests between Phuket and Singapore. After New Year, the ship will sail a number of repositional cruises as it makes its way west,

ending up in Canada in June, where it will sail around the St Lawrence.

CroisiEurope is also adding a second ship – the Zimbabwean Dream – and lodge to its Africa tours as well as adding ships on to the Nile and Ganges.

The company also has a ship on the Nile, the Jaz Royale, for cruises between February and May and September to December. Cruise-only prices start from about £1,600.

The extra capacity will take CroisiEurope’s fleet up to 60 ships.

“We have rivers that no one else has – from the Guadalquivir to the Loire – and adding the new ocean ship is going to be a whole new ball-game for us. It’s really exciting,” says Fair.

“It’s the logical thing to do for a forward thinking company.”

CroisiEurope’s South East Asia itineraries are on sale now.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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July / August 2019 | Forward AZAMARA

Azamara adds pre- and postcruise landbased touring Clients keen to take their wanderlust further than the shore will welcome the newly renamed Azamara’s all-new programme of land-based touring, writes James Litston.

Designed to “venture beyond the sea”, the 1,700-strong menu of tours will allow passengers greater insight and immersion into the destinations that they visit on an Azamara voyage.

The packages can be bolted onto any Azamara cruise and represent the largest ever collection of pre and post-cruise tours in the industry.

“These are not shore excursions,” says Larry Pimentel, the company’s president and CEO. “These are indepth experiences that go far beyond the confines of conventional cruising.”

Curated in collaboration with destination partners such as Belmond and Cox & Kings, the vast range of bucket-list experiences combines the best of land and sea in over 40 countries and takes the form of exclusive, small-group tours or more affordable, larger-group variants.

“People take a cruise because they want to see the land,” says Pimentel, “so these experiences offer new possibilities for all our guests.”

Such experiences – all of which are beyond the reach of more mainstream cruise guests – might include heading to Brazil’s landlocked Pantanal region in search of wild jaguars, or discovering the Bolivian salt flats and Chile’s Atacama Desert.

“Stay Local” city-break options will allow guests to feel immersed in everyday life in such world-class destinations as Amersterdam, Cape Town, Hong Kong or Rio de Janeiro.

Clients will also have the opportunity to leave their ship mid-cruise, stay onshore for a few nights and then re-join the ship at another port.

This level of destination immersion is all part of Azamara’s core mission that, according to Pimentel, has always been “to connect people to people, and cultures to cultures.”

Available to be booked with every voyage from October 2019, the landbased programme is expected to grow as the brand continues to emphasise its “Explore Further” identity.

“The move is both a gamechanger and also a name-changer,” continues Pimentel, referencing the company’s decision to drop the “Club Cruises” element from its name and develop a revitalised logo that reflects its commitment to land-based experiences. Better still, it offers an attractive prospect to agents in this sector, with all land-based bookings garnering commission at 10 per cent. The land programme will also be supported by an agent toolkit and online training modules to help those in the business of selling travel to upgrade their knowledge and maximise sales.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

New itineraries announced as Sun returns to Alaska Norwegian Cruise Line has announced new itineraries for 2020 are on sale now.

These include Norwegian Spirit calling at four brand new ports in Japan (Beppu, Kumamoto, Niigata and Nagoya), following its planned multi-million revitalisation in January 2020, in time for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Norwegian Sun (pictured) is returning to Alaska in May 2020 offering the most extensive itineraries in the area with 12-day voyages from Seattle into the Alaskan scenery.

Norwegian Jade will be offering port-intensive cruises in the Greek Isles, Italy and Mediterranean. This will see an NCL ship homeport in Athens for the first time.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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July / August 2019 | Forward SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

Saga ushers in new era as ship launches

Spirit of Discovery sets new “high standards” says the over-50s line Saga has launched its first new-build ship at a ceremony in Dover. Spirit of Dicovery, which carries 999 guests, will homeport in the Kent town.

Saga Travel CEO Robin Shaw said: “We have unashamedly focused on the fact we are a British cruise line.

We have designed the new ships with a focus on British contemporary design classics, with the vision of creating Britain’s first boutique hotel at sea. But these ‘hotels’ are able to take Saga guests to interesting and exciting destinations around the world. Both ships will have a bold and adventurous style that’s a testament to the best of British innovation and flair.”

Shaw added: “With our classic, contemporary British design, we have absolutely hit the mark with boutique cruising. The design is not what you get with a cookie-cutter approach; it is meant to be individual. While we are ecstatic with the design of Spirit of Discovery, we have already taken the decision to give our next ship, Spirit

QUARK EXPEDITIONS

LGBT

Operator in recordbreaking polar voyage

Virgin Voyages agrees Atlantis charter deal on its first ship, Scarlet Lady

Expedition line Quark Expeditions has sailed to the North Pole for the 60th time – which it claims is more than any other operator.

Its icebreaker 50 Years of Victory reached the North Pole on June 19, thereby breaking the record. Quark says it has completed every sailing it has attempted to the North Pole since it embarked on its maiden voyage in 1991.

The company operates two to three voyages per year to the region, usually in June when passengers have the best opportunity to see polar bears.

Last month it announced that its new polar expedition ship will be named Ultramarine. It is due to set sail in 2020.

Virgin Voyages has agreed a ship charter deal with Atlantis Events, the LGBTQ+ events specialist. Atlantis Events will charter Scarlet Lady, the line’s debut ship, on a seven-night sailing departing from Miami on May 31, 2020. The ship will call at Key West, Florida; Cozumel/Playa del Carmen and Costa Maya, Mexico. Guests will visit the line’s private venue The Beach Club on Bimini Island, Bahamas. “Virgin’s long history of celebrating diversity and inclusion combined with Virgin Voyages’ innovative one-of-akind Rebellious Luxe experience make them a perfect choice for Atlantis,” said Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events.

of Adventure, a very different look and feel. Our aim is to set the highest standards for quality and service for any line operating out of the UK.” Last month, the operator laid the keel for its second newbuild, Spirit of Adventure, which will launch in summer 2020 (see Jane Archer’s report on p14).

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July / August 2019 | Forward

OPINION

MSC CRUISES

Don’t miss the boat on river cruise Janet Parton, sales director, Avalon Waterways

Clia recently announced the latest river cruise results, and the good news is that the market continued to grow at a healthy pace in 2018.

Over 230,000 British and Irish passengers took a river cruise in 2018 – an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year. The market shows no sign of slowing down, making the profit potential attractive to agents.

Why should river cruise be the focus for agents in 2019?

• There is a great earning potential. Travel agents can earn excellent commission. It’s a profitable product to sell with average booking values in the region of £6,000.

• Repeat business. Once someone tries a river cruise for the first time, they are highly likely to try other rivers and, in turn, they are likely to come back to you, the agent.

• Breadth of destinations. The 2018 river cruise results saw a rise in Asia river cruises at six per cent, with the Mekong and the Yangtze seeing the highest growth. These are great if you are designing bespoke long-haul itineraries for customers. It is a fantastic option to add on a cruise element to a larger trip. Africa saw growth of 17 per cent with the Nile growing by 21 per cent year on year. With Egypt having been off-limits for a period of time, it’s great to see demand.

• River cruise is great for firsttimers. Don’t presume that people have to have been on an ocean cruise to want to sail the rivers!

Cruising on rivers is a different kettle of fish to ocean cruising. The Rhine and the Danube attributed to 58 per cent of all European river sales in 2018 – both are destinations which are great for first timers. With the number of capital cities that hug the banks of the Danube, it’s great for guests who like city breaks.

If destination, commission and repeat business can’t convince agents to get behind river cruise, there’s more.

River cruise lines are consistently evaluating the onboard and on shore elements to ensure that the highest standards are met. Wellness and culinary options are becoming bigger factors in the river cruise experience, increasing the appeal.

The challenge for travel agents is to really understand the differences between each cruise line. In a sector where cruise lines offerings seem to be similar, it’s important to hone into the specifics of what the cruise line can offer. Not just in terms of what is included in the fare, but also the less tangible items: service, crew to guest ratio and, more importantly, their sustainability initiatives. River cruise lines are really championing this with many proactively reducing their environmental footprint from reduced fuel consumption, water savers and water filtration systems.

At Avalon we have recently partnered with The Ocean Cleanup to help clean the world’s oceans from plastic, this is in addition to our commitment to eliminate all single use plastics across our operation by 2020.

As the Clia report shows, river cruise popularity is growing and now is the time to drill deeper into the sector. With nearly a quarter of a million passengers now travelling annually, if you’re not selling river cruise – you’re missing the boat!

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Gratuities now in fare

MSC Cruises has announced it now includes gratuities in the fare on all cruises for UK and Irish guests.

In a statement the line said: “The change will affect bookings made from this date and any bookings made after this date will be subject to the new terms and conditions regarding service charge.

“Any bookings made before this date regardless of departure date will be subject to the existing booking terms that state service charge will be included as part of the onboard invoice however it is optional and can be removed on board at the request of the guests.”

P&O scrapped its daily service charge in April last year. MSC has put added focus on the UK market in recent years, launching its most recent ship, MSC Bellissima in Southampton in March.

Speaking at the christening, Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC’s executive chairman, said: “Southampton is a new home for us, a place we want to build roots and put down ties.”

The company is continuing to launch ships at a quick pace, with cruises for MSC Seashore going on general sale on July 11.

Gianni Onorato, chief executive officer of MSC Cruises, commented, “Each and every ship that we build is different. MSC Seashore is an evolution of the groundbreaking Seaside prototype, but this enriched ship has allowed us to further enhance the guest experience with the introduction of new features and facilities as well as some further improvement of the existing ones.”

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July / August 2019 | Forward

KEEL LAYING

Spirit of Discovery ‘just the start’ Saga Cruises hints at more to come as it starts to build its second new ship, Spirit of Adventure. Jane Archer joins the keel-laying ceremony in Germany The first two new ships commissioned

by Saga Cruises could be “just the start” of a larger fleet, according to the over-50s specialist’s new-build director, David Pickett.

Speaking at the keel-laying ceremony for new ship Spirit of Adventure at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Pickett did not rule out building more if demand for the brand continues to grow.

Spirit of Adventure is the second of two new ships being built by Saga.

The first, Spirit of Discovery was christened in Dover on July 5 by the Duchess of Cornwall.

At 58,250 tons and with capacity for 999 passengers, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure are identical. They will each have 517 crew and 99 cabins for solo travellers, but their interior designs are quite distinct.

“We wanted Spirit of Adventure to be different, to have its own character. We can’t call our ships

boutique and have them look and feel the same,” said Saga hotel design manager Andrew Porter.

The design is the work of Londonbased AD Associates, which has gone for bold patterns and stripes on the carpets and furnishings, and a tasteful colour palette combining various hues of green, gold, brown, grey and blue.

Among other differences, Spirit of Adventure has three times more cabin categories than Spirit of Discovery, while Italian and Nepalese restaurants, The Amalfi and Khukuri House, replace the seafood and Asian eateries on the first ship.

The layout of the Supper Club is also changing to provide more useable space and a larger bar. On Spirit of Discovery, the room has a 1950s cabaret feel and has been created in partnership with pianist and composer Jools Holland, who will be playing on selected cruises.

On Spirit of Adventure, the room

has a jazz club feel and will have different, yet-to-be-announced live entertainment, Porter said.

Art around the ship will be the work of British-based artists, and there will be outdoor yoga and games areas. In a hobby and crafts room, half-day classes are planned with artists, photographers and other experts.

In what Saga Group CEO Lance Batchelor called an “emotional day”, two coins stamped with the ship’s name and the date of the keel-laying were placed under the first of the 54 blocks that will be used to build the vessel.

“Her older sister is very beautiful, so this moment is even more poignant than before as we know what she will look like,” said Batchelor, who is leaving the company in January 2020.

Spirit of Discovery has remained in Dover since the naming so agents and potential passengers can have

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July / August 2019 | Forward a look around. It departs on its maiden voyage, a cruise around the UK, on July 11.

It will spend the rest of the year sailing to the Norwegian fjords, Mediterranean and Canary Islands, while 2020 highlights include a seven-night Scenes of Dunkirk voyage timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Operation Dynamo in May 1940, when hundreds of thousands of British troops were evacuated from the Dunkirk beaches to escape advancing German troops.

There is also a 16-night cruise to Monaco and St Tropez departing October 15, 2020 that will feature an onboard Hollywood film festival showing movies from the ’50s and ’60s, a pop-up casino and French language classes.

Spirit of Adventure is due to launch in August 2020, and will sail an inaugural cruise to the Baltic roundtrip from Dover, followed by voyages to the Norwegian fjords, around Britain and to the Mediterranean.

A 31-night voyage to the West Indies from Southampton departing November 15, 2020 ticks off eight Caribbean Islands.

David Pickett said: “Spirit of Adventure is designed for all ages, but there are details to suit our older guests such as having a restaurant on one level and ensuring dining areas are light enough to read the menus.”

Both ships have been snapped up by past Saga Cruises’ passengers, but Pickett reported that they are also attracting business from new customers who have never cruised before. “The cruise industry is so diverse now. Saga is not alone in starting to draw passengers from land-based holidays.”

He cited the ‘friendly’ size, high standards of service and Britishness as key areas of appeal for clients.

“There is one crew member for every two guests. It is luxury, but at a value-for-money level,” he said.

When Spirit of Adventure enters service in summer 2020, fares will cover unlimited drinks, as well as the gratuities, wifi, UK port transfers and travel insurance included now.

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Spirit of Discovery is here!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new ship, Spirit of Discovery.

Heralding a new era for the British cruise industry, this beautiful boutique ship brings our smaller-ship concept into the contemporary age. Every cabin has a balcony, and with so many other little luxuries included, your customers can enjoy an unrivalled cruise experience at an unbeatable price.

Every Saga boutique cruise includes: • A return chauffeur service up to 250 miles from the port • A cabin with a balcony • Speciality dining in a choice of restaurants • Unlimited on-board drinks in 2020 • Wine with lunch and dinner on 2019 cruises • 24-hour room service • All on-board gratuities • Free Wi-Fi • Porterage at the port, and more.

Book your customers on Spirit of Discovery today!

Standard Twin with Balcony

The Living Room

Grand Dining Room

Book online at sagaagents.co.uk, call FREE on 0800 074 8021 or contact Trade Support FREE on 0800 068 8732 Visit our online training platform at sagaexperts.co.uk Saga Trade Team Find us on social media Image Credit: Chris Ison Saga holidays and cruises are exclusively for the over 50s. A travel companion may be 40+.

NTA-SC2720

July / August 2019 | Forward

REPORT

How Trump’s new Cuba travel ban will affect the cruise industry After last month’s US travel ban to Cuba, there has been a knock-on effect for UK customers, with cancelled or amended itineraries. Sam Ballard investigates Last month’s news that the US government has banned virtually all travel to Cuba was met with incredulity by the cruise industry.

Tourism to Cuba had been stymied since the US implemented a trade embargo on the communist island in 1958. As a result, no ship – passenger or otherwise – travelled between the US or Cuba. Tourism, at least from the US, stopped. The decision cut off what was a burgeoning tourism scene before it really got started, and put Cuba in a state of virtual stasis.

That was until Carnival Corporation’s Fathom brand sailed to Havana in 2016 – after the diplomatic efforts of Barack Obama’s

administration and the Cuban government thawed relations.

In the following years, more companies were granted licences to operate in Cuba and tourism began to boom. The likes of Azamara, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International all called at Cuba. Virgin Voyages even named their Cuba itineraries Havana after Dark – pitching the capital as a sultry destination for its “Sailors”to enjoy when the sun goes down.

When the ban was announced, Clia revealed that 800,000 cruise bookings would be affected.

Most cruise lines have either diverted their ships to places such as

Mexico, Key West or other Caribbean Islands (and offered onboard credit for the change at short notice) or cancelled the cruise completely.

Oceania recently revealed that it would be doing the latter – and replacing its Cuba cruises with itineraries to Myanmar instead.

On the surface, Cuba is that perfect mix of old-school glamour, history and great weather. If you go there, the chances are it’s because you are interested in seeing the historic island where the likes of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara began their revolution, buy a cigar, drink some rum – and also want to see what life really is like in a country

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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July / August 2019 | Forward

How Brits can still cruise to Cuba British cruise lines are not affected by the travel ban, which specifically prevents trade between Cuba and the US. However, there are only a handful of options. One is Fred Olsen’s 13-night Classic Caribbean & Havana Highlights, which sails from Barbados. German-owned HapagLloyd and British-based Marella Cruises also still offer cruises to Cuba.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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that has been “frozen in time” by communism.

Look a little deeper and you will discover that life for most Cubans is a struggle. Living on a few pesos a day, it’s a challenge to make ends meet. By allowing tourism between Cuba and the United States, more money was coming into Cuba and more people were being brought out of poverty.

Or, as my tour guide told me earlier this year: “Working as a guide for the American ships is like winning a multimillion dollar recording contract.” Through tips, he could earn in a single afternoon many times more than a doctor could in a month.

The reasons given by the Trump administration was that Cuba is propping up governments like Venezuela and Nicaragua. Steve Mnuchin, the US treasury secretary, said that the ban would keep American tourist dollars out of the hands of the Cuban military.

It’s questionable whether this tells the whole story and, regardless of the above, the decision to isolate Cuba did not work between 1958 and 2016, so it is unlikely to work now. Tourism is a major force for diplomacy and by banning travel to Cuba the Americans are no longer able to wield that card.

Regardless of where you stand on boycotts – James Thornton, boss of Intrepid Travel, once said he was against them, and that’s good enough for me – by building tourism up properly in a destination, it is a huge economic enabler to the local population, which may otherwise struggle under oppressive regimes.

Once tourism is established, and it becomes a major part of GDP, governments will do whatever they can to protect it.

Trump’s decision to ban travel to Cuba will hurt Cuban people far more than it will the governments of either Cuba, Venezuela or Nicaragua.

July / August 2019 | Forward

INCENTIVES & NEW HIRES

Midcounties’ Alistair Rowland elected chairman of Abta

Russell Cox hooks up with Hurtigruten Russell Cox has joined Hurtigruten as a key account manager.

Cox, previously Midcounties Cooperative’s commercial manager, will be responsible for developing relationships with consortia, agency head offices and independent trade partners across the UK. Cox’s role was previously covered in part by Mark Walter, the line’s head of UK trade sales.

Princess appoints new senior leadership team

Alistair Rowland, chief retail officer of Midcounties Co-operative, has been elected chairman of Abta following the association’s AGM. He replaces Noel Josephides, chairman of Sunvil Holidays, who stands down after six years.

Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive said: “I am delighted to welcome Alistair Rowland to his new position.

He will be invaluable in our ongoing work to support our members and their customers as well as helping to deliver Abta’s business plan.”

Rowland added: “Now, more than ever, it is vital that we have an association that represents the voice of the industry, supports its members and helps their customers to feel confident in travelling.”

Princess Cruises has announced the senior leadership team for the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess.

Three of the team – captain Nick Nash, staff captain Richard Dalton and hotel general manager Richard Harry – are from the UK. Construction of the ship is taking place in the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy and will be completed next year. Enchanted Princess will be officially named in Southampton on June 30, 2020, the first Princess ship to be named in the UK since Royal Princess in 2013.

APT offers prize draw to celebrate the launch of their Europe and Russia 2020 brochure

Titan offers agents ‘Ultimate Moments’

Luxury touring company APT is hosting a prize draw for agents to celebrate the launch of their Europe and Russia 2020 brochure.

Prizes on offer include Beats headphones (valued at £200), Fitbit fitness trackers, a summer hamper, a £50 Mac make-up voucher and a £50 Ticketmaster voucher.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply make an APT Luxury or Essential Europe or Russia 2020 booking and register your booking online to be entered in to the draw.

At the end of each week in July, Titan will add every agent who has booked a Titan Travel holiday over the last seven days into a prize draw for the chance to win an ‘Ultimate Moments’ gift box, which includes over 945 experiences for two people to enjoy.

Agents will also receive a £25 lifestyle voucher for all Titan river cruise bookings and a £10 lifestyle voucher for all other Titan holidays booked in July.

Vouchers can be claimed by emailing agentincentives@titantravel.co.uk.

You can enter the draw as many times as you like, so the more bookings you make the more chances you have to win.

The offer only applies to bookings made before July 31 and is open to UK and Ireland agents only.

Bookings must be registered before August 7 via aptagentclub.wufoo. com/forms/apt-europe-russiaincentive-june-2019/. Or contact your APT Account Manage or the APT Trade Sales team at agentclub@aptouring.co.uk.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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The

By Waterfront In September 2018, Waterfront, the publisher of ABTA Magazine and Cruise Adviser, launched a new creative agency. The Studio by Waterfront specialises in design solutions across print, web and social media. The Studio offers a tailored approach for all clients, with copywriting, proofreading and design elements available, in the following areas:

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E XCE P T ION A L CU LI N A RY E XPE RI E NCES WITH RIVIER A TR AVEL A river cruise is an extraordinary journey of discovery that should also be a culinary pleasure.

With Riviera Travel, we give your customers the choice, with fine dining experiences from sumptuous breakfast with over 60 options to superb buffet lunches and fine four-course dinners.

Our menus feature international classical as well as regional specialties.

A CHOICE OF DINING EXPERIENCES For those who prefer a more intimate setting, the Stern Bar transforms into our “chef’s restaurant” with seating for no more than 34 diners (no additional charge). Here the chefs present their signature dishes*.

CONTACT OUR AGENCY SALES TEAM: Call for support: 01283 744307 | Email: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk

CALL RESERVATIONS 7 DAYS A WEEK: Call to book: 01283 744370 | Book online: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents

Operated by and subject to booking conditions of Riviera Travel, ABTA V4744 ATOL 3430 protected. Subject to availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. *The Bistro is available on all ships except the Douro Elegance and the Douro Splendour.

ABTA No. V4744

July / August 2019 | Forward

INTERVIEW

“We see areas that others can’t get to…”

Sam Ballard talks to Al Bakker, a kayaking expert who is part of the expedition team at Aurora Expeditions, about the benefits of getting out in the icy waters There are few experiences on the water that are as tranquil as kayaking. The feeling of silently gliding on the surface of the water is something very little else can compare to. Imagine that experience when you’re in the Antarctic.

Perhaps unsurprisingly therefore, kayaking is also one of the most sought after experiences for customers who are going on an expedition cruise. It’s little wonder why. When you board a ship and are taken to the ends of the Earth, why wouldn’t you the opportunity to board a kayak and get that little bit closer? To delve a little deeper and see place right up close.

It’s one of the reasons why Aurora Expeditions have Al Bakker as part of its expedition team.

Bakker has been kayaking for 40 years – 20 of them with Aurora, leading its adventurous passengers into the Antarctic and Arctic waters.

“We typically go out for between two and four hours and aim to see as much as possible,” Bakker explains.

“We keep the groups small – no more than 12 passengers – and because we’re travelling on smaller, quieter vessels than Zodiacs, we’ll see areas that others can’t get to.”

That’s one of the key attractions of kayaking: the intimacy that being on a silent mode of transport creates

with your surroundings – making it all the more likely that you will see something incredible – like whales – or simply mean that you can better take in your incredible surroundings.

However, Bakker adds that, while you don’t need to be an Olympic level kayaker to take part in the excursions, some experience is needed. Typically, guests will be asked to tell Aurora that they want to take part in the kayaking programme well before they set sail.

Bakker, or one of the Aurora team, will then make contact with them.

“We ask that you have at least some experience,” he adds. “The good thing about these voyages is that they are usually booked way out, so if you

Al Bakker leads a group of kayakers on the icy waters of Paradise Harbour, Antarctica

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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July / August 2019 | Forward

have never been on a kayak before, you have the chance to get that experience. It’s important, not just for the individual, but the group.

It means that the guide isn’t having to look after one person too much and the group can get the most out of their experience.”

And what about the experience?

What will a group typically see when they’re kayaking? Whether it’s the vast ice of Antarctica or the glaciers of the Arctic, both are incredible, says Bakker. And, while the kayaking group will visit many of the same wildlife sites as those travelling on Zodiacs – such as penguin rookeries – the kayaking group will often get the opportunity to delve a little deeper into a destination.

The trips have proved so popular that there is now a dedicated kayaking programme on board every Aurora voyage.

As the popularity of expedition cruising continues apace – with industry insiders tipping the sector to grow 30 per cent by 2022 – Aurora Expeditions has proved itself to be right at the forefront of that trend.

Having recently launched its new ship, the Greg Mortimer, the line has announced that it will be adding a second newbuild to its fleet, due for delivery in 2021.

Passengers want experiences that they can’t get elsewhere. They want to see things that are totally unique – and tick off those bucket list destinations. However, while the world of expeditions was once the domain of explorers and their extremely wealthy benefactors – now it is open to far more people.

It will never be a mass-market pursuit, but the chances are that you will have a customer who might just want to dip their toe into expedition cruising, and board one of Al Bakker’s kayaks.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Embark on the Arctic adventure of a lifetime

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For the past 27 years Aurora Expeditions has led small-group, expedition-style travel to the polar regions and other wild and remote destinations. Their aim is to connect like-minded travellers with nature and wildlife, and offer unique experiences and activities in some of the world’s most inspiring regions.

Set to sail in 2019, Aurora Expeditions’ new state-of-the-art purpose-built expedition vessel, the Greg Mortimer, is the first passenger vessel to feature the patented Ulstein X-Bow®, allowing for faster and smoother sailings - a ship designed by expeditioners, for expeditioners. Named after Aurora Expeditions’ co-founder, the Greg Mortimer carries an average of 120 passengers in total per voyage, which reinforces Aurora Expeditions ‘small group, big experience’ ethos.

Discover some of the inspiring Arctic itineraries Aurora Expeditions has to offer.

For more information and to book, contact your preferred wholesaler or Aurora Expeditions: P: freecall 0 808 189 2005 E: agents@auroraexpeditions.co.uk W: www.auroraexpeditions.co.uk/europe-uk-agents

West Greenland Explorer

Iceland Circumnavigation

Trip highlights: West Greenland offers an adventure-filled experience that includes thrilling Zodiac cruises along gleaming ice-filled fjords, unbeatable photographic opportunities, and meeting friendly Inuit locals living in some of the world’s most remote and harshest environments. Affectionately known as the ice-factory of the north, the icebergs that are created from calving glaciers are some of the largest on the planet.

Trip highlights: Iceland is a remote volcanic island with mind-blowing landscapes and fascinating culture and history to please even the most discerning traveller. With most of the country uninhabited, much of Iceland’s terrain consists of plateaux, mountain peaks, and fertile lowlands and one of the best ways to reach these remote areas is by ship.

Departs 18 May, 2020 | 11 days

On this unforgettable voyage in one of the world’s most remote regions, you will discover Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, an Arctic metropolis with a small-town feel and explore the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the world’s largest calving glaciers.

Balcony Stateroom from £6,500pp*, twin share

Departs 2 June, 2020 | 11 days

Aurora Expeditions explores many of the deep fjords that are ideal for kayaking^ and Zodiac cruising, and glaciers including Europe’s largest, Vatnajökull. A truly unique way to explore this stunning country; a circumnavigation of Iceland is an experience not to be missed.

Balcony Stateroom from £5,680pp*, twin share

*Terms & Conditions apply. Valid on select ship voyages only and select cabins. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the Greg Mortimer which must be booked and deposited by 30 September, 2019, or until sold out, whichever comes first. Promotion is subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is not available in conjunction with any other offer, can be withdrawn at any time and is not redeemable for cash. Prices and offers correct at time of printing and subject to change. Prices are inclusive of discount, gratuities are not included. For solo or triple share pricing please contact us.

Normal booking terms and conditions apply. To confirm your booking, a completed booking form and non-refundable deposit of $2,500 pp in the booking currency is required within 7 days of reserved berth/s. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please visit www.auroraexpeditions.co.uk/find-outmore/ terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. ^At an additional cost. West Greenland Explorer image, photo credit: Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland -Two kayaks paddling near an iceberg in the Disko Bay in Greenland.

July / August 2019 | Forward

PORTS OF CALL

Monaco Gary Buchanan looks at the principality on the Côte d’Azur, a glamourous stop on Med cruises There’s something wonderfully elitist about sailing into Monte-Carlo.

Bathed by the light flung up from the Mediterranean, this pint-sized enclave on the French Riviera is the world’s most coveted real estate. Taking pride of place among the towering apartment blocks that rise into the hills like stacks of dominoes are the Casino, Hôtel de Paris and Hôtel Hermitage – hangouts of the extravagantly wealthy and achingly cool.

To avoid any confusion, Monaco – with its population of 39,000 – is the name of the principality which is the world’s second-smallest country after Vatican City. Monte-Carlo is the name of one of its five districts, albeit the ritziest. But what this itsy-bitsy nation no bigger than London’s Hyde Park lacks in size, it makes up for in glamour. Streets are crammed with Lamborghinis and Ferraris; while whip-smart spas cater to fashionistas seeking complexions of eternity.

Cruise passengers sail into MonteCarlo expecting to find an oldfashioned aura of decadence, but it’s the superyachts lining Port Hercule that epitomise this tax-haven’s status as a playground for the über-rich.

With so many waterborne gin palaces vying for berths, cruise ships were unable to dock here until 2002 when the world’s largest floating dock, Quai Rainier III, was inaugurated. The following year Seven Seas Voyager was christened at this revolutionary pier. Since then, all but the largest ships have been able to tie up alongside this 352m long pontoon, affording passengers easy access to the principality, rather than relying on tender service when anchored offshore.

From this dock, like everywhere else in Monte-Carlo, all roads lead to the Place Casino where the flamboyant buildings look like they’ve been created by pastry chefs. Several James Bond movies have been filmed in the Casino’s imposing Salle Europe.

With its glass dome illuminated by Bohemian crystal chandeliers, here uniformed bartenders serve Martinis shaken or stirred.

Another symbol of glamour, perched atop a rocky bluff, is the pastel-pink Palais du Prince – seat of power of the Grimaldi family – Europe’s oldest ruling dynasty.

Visitors can tour the Grands

28

July / August 2019 | Forward Appartements and ornate Throne Room; as well as the vintage car collection of Prince Rainier III. Daily at 11.55am there’s the spectacle of the changing of the Royal Guard at the Place du Palais. Close by is the ornate Cathédrale de Notre-DameImmaculée, final resting place of the Grimaldis whose tombs are arranged in a crescent; fresh flowers adorn the grave of Princess Grace.

If aquariums are your clients’ thing then the Musée Oceanographique is one of the world’s greatest aquariums.

Oceanomania is also the largest ‘cabinet of curiosities’ of the sea; plus there’s a Mediterranean Aquarium, Tropical Aquarium, Shark Lagoon and a 2.8 ton skeleton of a fin whale.

For one weekend in May the maze of narrow streets in Monaco reverberates to the roar of finelytuned engines and the popping of champagne corks while celebs mingle with Formula One champions. The unique Grand Prix circuit snakes its way along the harbour and through the city, affording spectators more close encounters than any other circuit in the world.

In recent years several cruise ships have planned their itineraries to coincide with the Grand Prix and most offer unrivalled opportunities for their passengers to enjoy this legendary race. Clients wanting

to immerse themselves in this ultimate weekend of sport will revel in Silversea Cruises’ two-day land package which offers access to prerace time-trials; as well as a privileged vantage point to enjoy the thrill of the 78-lap race from the F1 Club at Villa Casa Mia, perched above the dramatic first corner at Sainte Devote.

Clients visiting Monaco during a port call can board the Monaco Le Grand Tour, which departs every 15 minutes from Port Hercule.

This open-topped hop-on, hop-off bus service trundles around the principality in a continual loop and a one-day pass costs €23.

Monaco’s climate means there’s never a bad time to visit. Tourist

season peaks in July and August when hotel rates are in the stratosphere.

If clients prefer fewer crowds then spring and autumn are ideal times to visit. Many cruise lines dock here out of season when the temperatures drop – along with price-tags.

Monaco is located 22km from Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport. Taxis are expensive at around €100 and take approximately 30 minutes; there is a regular Airport Xpress bus service that costs €22 and takes 45 minutes.

For clients who want to get their cruise off to a flying start, for €160 Heli Air Monaco offer a seven-minute helicopter ride. Is there any other way for dedicated style junkies to arrive in mesmerising Monaco?

THREE MONACO CRUISES Nine nights around Italy

29 days along the Med coast

13 days from Rome and Greece

Crystal Cruises – Crystal Serenity Monte-Carlo-Venice July 10, 2020 From $2,999pp

Viking Ocean Cruises – Viking Sky Barcelona-Istanbul April 4, 2021 From £10,190

This all-inclusive luxury voyage departs from Monte-Carlo and sails around Italy, with stops in Florence (Livorno), Rome and Sorrento, plus a call at Dubrovnik in Croatia.

This epic new itinerary travels along the Mediterranean coast from Spain as far as Istanbul, taking in calls in France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Crete and, of course, Monte-Carlo.

Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Pearl Rome (Civitavecchia) (round-trip) October 1, 2019 From £1,109pp This cruise takes in the Greek Islands and several stops in Italy Croatia and Montenegro, before a stop at glitzy Monte-Carlo on the final day.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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F E AT URE S | R O OM SERV ICE MEN U | SHORE EXCUR SION S

Explore

GLOBE

ISSUE ONE

Issue One

PREVIEW EDITION

December 2016

D E C E M B E R 2 01 6

WATERMARK YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST HOLIDAYS IN THE WORLD

WHY ARE CRUISES M A K I N G WAV E S ?

SAILING SOLO O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K WHY ARE CRUISES M A K I N G WAV E S ?

SAILING SOLO O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K

FJORD FOCUS A JOURNEY TO WEST NORWAY

Give back with trips that support the local host communities

Roam Russia

Discover the grand delights of St Petersburg and Moscow year-round

New routes

Low-cost carriers are mapping their way in long-haul airspace

WONDERFUL WORLD FOUR BUCKET-LIST STOPS

Solus

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thevillagepost Amazing Grace Introducing Tauck’s new ship on the mighty Rhine

Turning the tide An in-depth look at MSC Cruises’ forthcoming Seaside

Issue two

A world of luxury We consider the benefits of all-inclusive river cruising

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SECRETS OF THE DOURO Explore the wonders of Porto with our new itinerary for 2017

MEET THE FLEET Introducing a trio of new ships: Emerald Radiance, Liberté and Destiny

RAISE A GLASS Enjoy the world’s finest wines during our new cruise on the Rhône

WHICH RIVER ARE YOU? Find out which Emerald Waterways cruise best suits your personality

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Travel industry insights / September 2018

Soak up the colour, culture and energy of Argentina’s pulsing capital – an unforgettable introduction to the sensual appeal of Latin America

Stepping lightly

ON THE HORIZON THE LATEST CRUISE NEWS

EMERALD WATERWAYS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK

thecruisevillage

Buenos Aires

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EMERALD EXPLORER

Eastern promises Sailing Asia’s majestic Mekong with APT Touring

thevillagepost American Queen A music-themed tour of the Deep South on the mighty Mississippi

Fire and ice Explore the Galápagos and Antarctica with our handy guide

Issue three

Capital concerns Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest with Scenic on the Danube

All around the world These epic cruises and flights will take you across the globe

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Issue three

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ISSUE TWO Issue two | Section Name

H E L P I N G YO U S E L L S O L O T R AV E L

FROM THE TEAM

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HIGH LIFE

ON THE HIGH SEAS The dazzling rise of luxury cruise

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T H E Y E A R I N R E V I E W | TO K YO | C L I A R I V E R CO N F E R E N C E

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CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

AU R O R A E X P E D I T I O N S | R I T Z - C A R L TO N | C R Y S TA L R I V E R C R U I S E S

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Sue Bryant sails on Celebrity Edge, the much hyped new ship that could change the future of cruise

A NIGHT ON MSC’S BRAND NEW SHIP BELLISSIMA

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

PARADISE FOUND We return to the Caribbean with P&O Cruises and find it very much open for business after last year’s hurricanes

PLUS HOW TO SELL: EX-UK PORTS OF CALL: COPENHAGEN WAVE: SPECIAL OFFERS ROUND-UP

EMPIRE OF THE SUN A TRIP DOWN MEXICO WAY 02

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WHY THE THAI CAPITAL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BACKPACKER HAVEN

PERFECT DAY

Making a splash Jonathan Thompson boards Navigator of the Seas in Miami for the first sailing to Royal Caribbean’s much lauded private island in the Bahamas – Perfect Day at CocoCay

July / August 2019 | Midship Desert islands have come a long way in the 300 years since Robinson Crusoe was published. Until a generation or two ago, Daniel Defoe’s seminal novel was the benchmark for any and all remote islets and atolls: empty beaches, swaying palm trees and nothing to do except lie on the sand, float in the waves and soak up the sun.

That benchmark has been rising steadily for the past 50 years, with demands for luxury, comfort and excitement upping the ante, even in utopia’s most distant corners.

Now Royal Caribbean has taken that criteria and blown it out of the water.

Its latest addition to the world of paradise enclaves can be considered a bona fide game-changer.

Even the prefix of the company’s new private island in the Bahamas sets the bar high: ‘Perfect Day’. And it speaks volumes that all of those I spoke to aboard the first official sailing agreed that it more than lives up to the hype.

At a mind-boggling cost of $250 million, Perfect Day at CocoCay (pronounced ‘key’ much to the chagrin of cadence lovers), should be something special, and it is: a water park, beach resort and adventure sports centre rolled into one colourful, tropical whole.

It’s a record-breaker, too. Here, 250km off the Florida coast, you’ll find the tallest water slide in North America, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool and the region’s largest wave pool.

Make no mistake, this is something very, very special. The ground-breaking attraction took four years to design and build, with materials painstakingly shipped over from the US, and more than 350 permanent employees living and working on the 125-acre atoll. And, according to Royal Caribbean, this is just the first of many.

“CocoCay was the ideal setting for the first Perfect Day island,” says Claudia Diaz-Gonzalez, director of private destination development, who joined us on the inaugural cruise. “It’s just a flawless backdrop with these beautiful Bahamian

Clockwise from above: an aerial view of CocoCay, which covers 125 acres; the Daredevil’s Peak water slide, with the easily accessed jetty; the balloon can fly up to 30 guests high above the island

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July / August 2019 | Midship waters and incredible white sand beaches. It was the perfect opportunity to add an incredible new experience for our guests.”

Royal Caribbean has taken that immaculate Caribbean canvas and created a picture-perfect retreat on it, with the island split into a number of zones, loosely falling under two umbrellas: ‘chill’ and ‘thrill’.

It’s the latter which will attract the most attention, with 13 enormous water slides including the monstrous Daredevil’s Peak at a soaring 41m.

That was my first port of call after disembarking the Voyager-class Navigator of the Seas, on our short cruise out of Miami.

Disappointingly, there’s no lift to the summit of Daredevil’s Peak, and it takes some time to traipse all the way to the top, but the ride back down this soaring, soaking helterskelter – through rainbow tubes, unexpected drops and spaghetti-like spirals – is most definitely worth it.

My eight-year-old self is 30 years distant now, but I could feel him alongside me as I raced down the tube, whooping with delight before I whooshed out at the bottom into the Bahamian sunshine.

Arguably even more dramatic is the Duelling Demons water slide.

Although a relatively Lilliputian 23m, this involves being released through a terrifying trapdoor, before being sucked back down to beach level on a steep wave of adrenaline (after the initial terror, eight-yearold me also heartily approved).

Once you’ve had your fill of the water slides, other adrenalinefuelled activities on the island range from a 500m long zip line to Up, Up And Away, a large sightseeing balloon, which can fly 30 guests up to heights of over 100m. Meanwhile, over on South Beach, you can go jet skiing, paddle boarding and even Zorbing on the ocean.

The “chill” options are no less plentiful, with four restaurants to choose from (covering pretty much every angle from child-friendly fare to more upscale offerings) and the freshwater Oasis Lagoon at the heart of proceedings. Here, you

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July / August 2019 | Midship can explore three distinct coves, or simply make a beeline for the thatch roofed swim-up bar, to enjoy one of the signature cocktails (NB. If this is your plan, ensure it is included in your package or buy an add-on before leaving the ship, then all you need to do is wave a wristband and drink to your heart’s content).

Cabanas here are available for rent, but the loungers and umbrellas are all complimentary, and there were plenty to go around during my visit, even after Navigator of the Seas had disgorged all 4,000 of its passengers onto the island.

Indeed, the beauty of this place is that, even with a full cruise ship’s worth of swim-suited patrons wondering around, it doesn’t feel too busy at all. South Beach in particular was nearly empty for most of our day trip, and one suspects you could easily fit another ship’s worth of guests here simultaneously.

“We built the island to be able to comfortably accommodate up to 10,000 guests at any one time,” confirms Diaz-Gonzalez. “The specially-constructed jetty can take two cruise ships at once, and on many days it will.”

That’s another major bonus of Perfect Day at CocoCay: unlike most cruise landings, the ship remains easily accessible at the purposebuilt jetty throughout. No need for customs checks or passport control, or queues of any kind. If you forget anything or want to pop back to the ship for any reason, you can do so with zero hassle and be back in your cabin within a few minutes.

Royal Caribbean is planning to offer Perfect Day at CocoCay as an option on 11 ships in its fleet, including all sailings out of Miami and the US northeast. By the end of 2019 they expect more than a million guests to have visited, with that figure doubling in 2020. Later this year, they plan to add Coco Beach Club – an upscale dining club boasting the first overwater cabanas in the Bahamas and an infinity pool spanning almost 800m.

This, of course, is just the first Perfect Day island – and Royal

CocoCay has activities and amenities for adults and children – in a tropical paradise setting

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July / August 2019 | Midship

Caribbean is tight-lipped about where the other locations will be.

What we do know is that there will be at least four others around the world, with potential sites identified in Asia and Australia as well as at least one more in the Caribbean.

Wherever they are built, CocoCay is likely to remain the most accessible of the bunch, with easy access from Royal Caribbean’s home port of Miami. Our cruise was just a four-night round-trip, which also included a stop in Nassau – the onetime pirate republic and present-day capital of the Bahamas.

The whole of this stretch of the Caribbean, including CocoCay and its neighbouring Berry Islands, were at the very heart of pirating in the 17th and 18th centuries, and rumours persist of buried treasure here. If early signs are anything to go by, Royal Caribbean appears to have struck gold above ground, too.

THREE CRUISES TO PRIVATE ISLANDS Perfect Day at CocoCay

Great Stirrup Cay

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

Royal Caribbean – Mariner Of The Seas Port Canaveral (round-trip) November 12, 2019 From £334pp (flights not included)

Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Sky Miami (round-trip) August 9, 2019 From £409pp (flights not included)

MSC Cruises – MSC Divina Miami (round-trip) January 12, 2020 From £299pp (flights not included)

This three-night round trip from Florida takes in a stop in stunning Nassau and a full day to enjoy Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.

Great Stirrup Cay was the original private island, bought by NCL in 1977.

It now has new food and drink areas, cabanas and expanded beaches.

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MSC’s brand new private island has a slightly different focus, which is more about an immersive ecofriendly environment, with spas, bars, excursions and beautiful beaches.

July / August 2019 | Forward

CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

“This is a golden period…”

Emily Eastman talks to CMV’s Chris Coates and Mike Hall about how the line is looking to expand its fleet and itineraries, but without changing its USP Cruise & Maritime Voyages has, in recent years, doubled-down on its USP. Rather than attempt to compete in an increasingly crowded marketplace where lines are working overtime to attract new-to-cruise customers, CMV is instead honing its offering to its target audience: over50s keen to tick off bucket-list-worthy destinations at a competitive price.

Next year, CMV launches its Grand Round the World Cruise aboard Columbus, a 120-night escape that spans five continents, 27 countries and 38 ports of call. With a lead-in offer of buy one, get one free, the trip works out at just £75 per person per night, cheaper than many city hotels.

The 2020 itinerary follows what has already been a successful 2019.

New ship Vasco da Gama launched in Singapore back in April, arriving in London Tilbury in June via calls in Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Portugal. Formerly Pacific Eden with P&O Australia, the 1,220-passenger ship has now been officially onboarded to the CMV fleet.

The line credits its growth to the popularity of its small and mid-sized ships, which offer itineraries and ports of call often unavailable to larger vessels. The line undoubtedly has a loyal following, with some Cruise Club Members having sailed close to 1,000 nights with the line – an impressive figure given that CMV only launched in 2010.

According to CMV group commercial director Chris Coates, “Four cruise conglomerates own upwards of 70 per cent of the industry. It’s not what the traditional cruise market wants.”

And that market is expanding.

“By next year, there will be more people in the UK over the age of 55 than under,” says Mike Hall, CMV’s head of marketing. “That puts it into perspective. This is a golden period – people at that age for the next five to ten years will be retiring on good pensions. That’s our target audience, and it’s a growing audience.”

But the line’s growth hasn’t been just purely numbers-based, says Hall.

“Itinerary is the number one reason

why people cruise with us. We have a lot of very popular perennial itineraries that we run year after year, but we’re also always looking for different itineraries, particularly as we have a lot of loyal customers who want to travel somewhere new.”

CMV’s fleet complements this ambition. Tristan da Cunha – a remote group of islands which can only be accessed by smaller vessels – has been added as a port of call for cross-Atlantic cruises.

There is an element of impact awareness to the line’s small-ship philosophy. “CMV makes sure it can put on the right number of excursions that won’t adversely affect the communities in each destination,” says Hall. “Where we go into places with small communities, we ensure we’re not making an impact on that environment.”

And it is a business model that continues to prove popular. “There are, without a shadow of a doubt, a lot of people who prefer this type of ship,” Hall adds. “They can easily find their way around, they’re going

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July / August 2019 | Forward to get to know the crew and the other passengers. It’s a home from home.

That’s why they come back. You’re not just a number.”

It is this culture of familiarity that CMV intends to be known for. The line already works closely with the trade, which accounts for around 80 per cent of its business, and it has invested heavily in ramping up its field sales support, welcoming four new business development managers to the UK team and continuing to support the agent community.

“I think the proposition we have is quite simple,” says Hall. “The danger with the larger cruise lines is that they can, in the end, try to be all things to all people. But we are unashamedly in the over-50s sector.”

CMV’s average passenger age is 67, but the line has responded to customer demand for multigenerational sailings by launching a few cruises in the August school holidays where guests can bring their children and grandchildren.

It is also responding to demand for greater capacity in the UK market, with Coates teasing “something new for the UK soon, possibly even in 2020”.

Vasco da Gama is intended to boost source markets in Germany and in Australia when it repositions there later in the year.

“It’s no secret that we want to grow the fleet more internationally,” says Hall. “It may not be in 2020, it may be 2021, but there’s a new ship in the pipeline. It won’t be a brand new ship – we’re not into shipbuilding – but we’ll acquire one.”

CMV certainly knows its market, and Hall asserts that agents, for the most part, understand its offering.

“The bigger challenge with agents now is to understand that, yes, we’re very well known for doing the British Isles and fjords and Baltics and all the northern places, but we are now getting into these much longer cruises; round-the-world trips, more exotic destinations. So it’s getting agents to understand that we do offer that for this demographic – these people are time-rich.”

It should be a simple sell: a clearly defined market and packages for which CMV knows there is demand.

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July / August 2019 | Forward

FOOD SPECIAL

Getting on board with the culinary revolution in the cruise industry Over the next 15 pages we look at how diverse cuisines, celebrity partnerships and locally-sourced ingredients have freshened up cruise lines’ food offering Earlier this year, P&O Cruises named José Pizarro – the Spanish-born, UK based chef – as one of three new Local Food Heroes. Partnering with P&O Cruises on Iona, the line’s latest ship, which is set to launch in 2020, Pizarro, along with Norwegian chef Kjartan Skjelde and home cook Marte Marie Forsberg, joins Marco Pierre White and Eric Lanlard as the established Food Heroes.

Pizarro is known as a master of tapas and has done as much as anyone to establish Spanish food and sherry in the UK. It says a lot about changing eating habits of the British public and the food revolution in cruise, that P&O Cruises, which has

always promoted a home-away-fromhome type of holiday, is embracing such culinary diversity on board.

The new ship, P&O’s largest, will have seven speciality restaurants on board – meaning there will be 17 dining venues in total. It’s becoming a common theme in cruise: Scenic Eclipse will have 10 dining “experiences” for just 228 guests; Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady will have 20 “food choices” on board; while, Celebrity Apex will join Celebrity Edge in having 29 restaurants, cafés, bars, and lounges to eat in. From one or two dining options (on admittedly smaller ships), cruise lines now offer an abundance – usually a main

dining room, a French bistro, Italian and, increasingly, Chinese, Indian, Southeast Asian or Japanese options.

From Crystal Cruises’ partnership with Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa to Pizarro, cruise lines are attracting some of the biggest names in food.

Unlike some celebrity tie-ins, these pairings undoubtedly elevate and diversify the onboard offering. But cruise lines have also improved the sourcing of their food, making sure ingredients are as fresh as possible.

In a recent cruise adviser column, Janet Parton wrote that cruise lines can “shout about the ways in which the cruise sector has listened and responded to broader

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July / August 2019 | Forward

culinary trends, ensuring that the onboard gastronomic experience meets and surpasses the expectations of everyone of our guests.

“As well as amazing partnerships with celebrity chefs to create incredible onboard restaurants and bespoke menus, cruise lines are working with local producers and suppliers to ensure that regional ingredients are incorporated into the daily onboard offering. Whether that’s delicious red wine from vineyards just a stone’s throw from the Rhône, local cheeses from the banks of the Rhine or even escargot to surpass Paris’ top Michelin-starred restaurants when sailing on the River Seine.”

As Parton noted, this is often common on river lines: itineraries on the Danube will often include Austrian dishes and wines – often overlooked in favour of French cuisine. On a recent Elbe cruise with Viking Cruises, the ship’s Dresden-born head chef whipped up local dishes, while there were always a selection of usually Italian, French, British and American options available (the line also offers the same standards each night, such as steak and chips, poached salmon, Caesar salad).

The river cruise sector has also led the way in culinary-themed cruises, such as Uniworld’s Connoisseur Collection, but ocean cruise isn’t far behind, as Rebecca Barnes writes on p48. She joined French line Ponant on a cruise in association with the Ducasse Conseil caterers that included a meal prepared by Xavier Boireau from Paris’s exceptional Rech and tasting of Grands Crus, lectures and activities centred on wine. For many people, food isn’t just something you enjoy while on a cruise holiday – it’s now a reason to go.

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FOOD SPECIAL

Champagne supernova Sara Macefield joins European Waterways for a leisurely hotel barge cruise around Champagne country, pairing fine-dining with fantastic French countryside for a sparkling holiday

July / August 2019 | Midship Nothing can disguise the effervescent sparkle that comes from cruising through Champagne country deep in the French heartland.

Rolling lush hills covered by a patchwork of vineyards, grand Gothic structures and a poignant collection of memorials to casualties of Great War battles fought across these lands are clues to its tumultuous past.

But the soul of this famous region is the sparkling wine that takes its name, earning global renown as the ultimate toast of celebration.

No wonder my mouth is watering at the prospect of a six-night sailing on European Waterways’ sumptuous 12-passenger hotel barge Panache through its fragrant heart. And while I’m expecting bubbly to flow liberally on this cruise (and it does), I haven’t anticipated what a voyage of epicurean excellence it becomes, with gourmet cuisine at every turn.

From the moment we are greeted with flutes of fizz as we embark in the city of Châlons-en-Champagne, we relish gastronomic four-course feasts every time we sit down to dine.

Any lingering thoughts of restraint that I might have disappear in a haze of Champagne cocktails and fine wines as I savour one of the

finest culinary line-ups I’ve ever encountered on a cruise.

Each mealtime is transformed into a memorable occasion as we gorge on beautiful filet mignon, roasted cannon of lamb and Charolais beef.

SHIP SHAPE Panache Built: 1959 as a cargo ship.

Converted in 1998 Decks: Three,

including a sun deck with pool Capacity: 12 passengers and six crew

A hotel barge that has been fitted out in traditional yacht style with brass and mahogany fittings in the public areas and comfy cabin accommodation

We dive into mouth-watering starters, baked avocado with walnuts and Brie, and a caramelised red onion and goats cheese croustade, while memorable desserts include raspberry Champagne jelly with lemon granita, and a rhubarb and ginger sorbet that turns out to be delicious – even though I don’t like rhubarb and ginger!

Such is the culinary skill of our chef, I even find myself dipping into

Panache among the vineyards; a glass of bubbly in the spa pool; fine dining on board

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dishes I’d never normally consider: exquisite moules marinières, salty oysters and prawns cooked with chili, garlic, lemon and sherry.

And then there’s the cheeseboard, a feast of flavours including Brie, Bleu de Bresse, Roquefort and Banon.

In keeping with the occasion of our banquet-style meals, hosts Regina and Erell launch into animated descriptions of each fromage, along with accompanying vinos – red and white varieties including freelyflowing Chablis Grand Cru, Sancerre, Margaux and Pinot Noir.

And we can’t forget the Champagne, although this becomes our drink ashore as we embark on tours of Champagne houses found around Épernay, the region’s capital.

The city’s grand Avenue de Champagne is lined with stately mansions belonging to the world’s leading Champagne brands and is acclaimed as one of the most expensive in the world, with famous names Moët & Chandon, Pol Roger and Perrier-Jouët based here.

A tour of Moët’s cellars, which stretch for almost 30km underground and are home to millions of bottles of gently maturing bubbly, makes for a fascinating afternoon as we

July / August 2019 | Midship learn how the three main grape varieties of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay are blended to produce different varieties of this upmarket elixir.

Only wines produced in Champagne can lay claim to its prestigious name and, of the 300 Champagne houses here, just five are still independently-owned and run.

A visit to the independent Champagne Henriot leads us along winding roads to its hilltop vineyard where we get to sample some of its varieties of bubbly while strolling among the vines.

This stokes our appetite for an exquisite gourmet lunch of local fare at the Relais & Châteaux Hostellerie La Briqueterie a short drive away.

La Maison Pannier is another independent Champagne house and, before stopping for another obligatory tasting, we explore its medieval cellars where locals sheltered during the First World War, establishing an underground community with shops, a pharmacy and ad hoc doctor’s surgery.

Such daily outings are made easier thanks to the two minibuses that follow Panache during its 90km journey along the sleepy Canal latéral à la Marne and River Marne, parking up at each docking point to whisk us off on half-day tours.

But another joy of this trip is sitting outside on deck as we meander at snail’s pace along the waterways.

Travelling so slowly brings a soporific feel as life comes to a virtual standstill, giving us the luxury of time to absorb the bucolic views at their best; watching swallows dipping and diving through the air and herons gracefully swooping low over the water.

The distant toll of church bells vies with the musical chorus of songbirds that accompanies our progress as we pass through locks, admiring the

pretty landscaped gardens of the lockkeepers’ houses and their window boxes brimming with vivid blooms.

With our fellow travellers, who hail from Australia and California, there’s a relaxed house party ambience as we chat and chill, pausing only to soak up the bubbles in the hot tub or taking one of the bikes ashore to cycle along the towpaths.

After so much culinary indulgence, pedalling off some calories comes as a welcome relief, although the fabulous views still ensure that we enjoy a feast for the eyes.

THREE BOOZE CRUISES Champagne

Wine

Whiskey

European Waterways – Panache Châlons-en-Champagne to Château-Thierry May 31, 2020 From £4,290pp

Viking River Cruises – Viking Longship Forseti Bordeaux (round-trip) April 11, 2020 From £1,995pp

The Royal Scottish – The Spirit Of Fortitude Oban-Shian Bay October 16, 2019 From £2,739pp

Six nights through Champagne country, including gourmet meals, fine wines, open bar, daily excursions and transfers to and from Paris.

This eight-day saunter around the Bordeaux wine region includes tours of vineyards, plus an optional trip to Cognac for a different tipple.

This six-night luxury voyage takes in the best distilleries in the Highlands and islands. The 12-passenger vessel includes a whiskey viewing room.

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TASTE AUTHENTIC BEAUTY LET US TAKE YOUR CLIENTS CLOSER TO THE LOCAL DELICACIES OF ASIA. Your clients can enjoy included roundtrip Economy Class flights or Business Class for £1,749 each way plus one-night pre cruise hotel and overseas transfers on almost all of our voyages to the Far East.

For more information or for reservations please call 0207 340 0700, visit silversea.com or email salesuk@silversea.com.

On select voyages. Terms & Conditions apply. Visit www.silversea.com/terms-and-conditions for complete Terms and Conditions.

July / August 2019 | Forward

FOOD SPECIAL

The best restaurants at sea From sensational sushi to steaks and classic French cuisine – with more options than ever before, Anthony Pearce rounds up the finest speciality dining options While it’s true that cruise ships’ main dining rooms have evolved and improved in recent years, some of the greatest change has come in the emergence of the speciality restaurant. From the traditional one or two dining options, the number of onboard options has dramatically increased in recent years. Silver Muse, Silversea’s flagship, for example, has 12 venues for 596 guests, while Scenic Eclipse, the line’s muchdelayed yacht, will have 10 dining ‘experiences’ for 228 guests.

With more choice than ever, we take a look at some of our favourites: Umi Uma, Crystal Cruises Acclaimed Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa partnered with Crystal in 2003 to open the exceptional Silk Road, since renamed Umi Uma, and

The Sushi Bar, which serve some of the best food at sea. The JapanesePeruvian fusion dishes include Nobu-style lobster with truffle-yuzu sauce; and a bento box of chocolate soufflé cake with shiso syrup and sesame ice cream. Bookings required; no additional cost (for one visit; additional visits cost $30 per person).

Manfredi’s, Viking Cruises Viking’s elegant ocean product is

blessed with great places to eat, including the Chef’s Table, which serves a range of tasting menus paired with wine; the Kitchen Table, a cookery school; Mamsen’s breakfast station; but our pick is Manfredi’s, an Italian that is best known for its Bistecca Fiorentina rib-eye – easily the best steak I’ve had at sea. Bookings required; no additional cost.

La Dame, Silversea Silversea’s La Dame (previously Le Champagne) is the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea and one of the most opulent speciality restaurants out there. Silversea says the restaurant features a bespoke menu by the line’s top chefs and describes it as “the highest expression of excellence of French dining”.

Expect Lobster bisque, glazed duck

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July / August 2019 | Forward breast, foie gras and other Gaelic classics. Bookings required; US$60 per person.

Jacques, Oceania Cruises Oceania Cruises spends more per guest on culinary experience than any other cruise line and it is for that reason it can claim to serve the best food at sea. Found on Marina and Riviera, Jacques (from French chef Jacques Pépin) is the pick of the bunch from Oceania Cruises’ exceptional speciality restaurant collection. Modelled after a Parisian bistro, Jacques serves exceptional French dishes such as coq au vin, steak frites and lobster thermidor.

Bookings required; no additional cost.

The Grill by Thomas Keller, Seabourn Seabourn’s elegant Grill – a collaboration between three-star Michelin chef Thomas Keller and designer Adam D Tihany – serves incredible thick-cut prime NY strip steak. Inspired by classic American restaurants of the 1950s and their menus. Expect Dover sole meunière, lobster thermidor, veal T-bone and beef rib-eye. Bookings required (one per cruise); no additional cost.

Rudi’s Sal de Mer, Holland America Line Found on board Holland America Line, this French brasserie serves top quality French seafood dishes, plus other classics. For discerning young ones, meals at Sel de Mer are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu. The restaurant is available on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, but on other ships, the Rudi’s Sel de Mer menu is available on select evenings in Pinnacle Grill. Bookings required; $49 per person.

Qsine, Celebrity Cruises One of the most innovative eateries at sea, Celebrity Cruises’ global fusion restaurant Qsine serves shareable dishes, which have playful names such as Painter’s Mignon, Crunchy Munchies and Sushi Lollipops. The menu, which borrows from across the globe, is perfect for CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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FOOD SPECIAL

Luxury on a plate Rebecca Barnes indulges in a gastronomy cruise around the coast of France with Ponant

July / August 2019 | Midship We’re motoring along a country lane a few kilometres from the Unesco village of Saint-Émilion in the Bordeaux region, surrounded by rows of manicured vineyards and regal châteaux. Our tour guide says the word ‘château’ in this region signifies quality.

I’m on one of the excursions on Ponant’s Gastronomy, Vineyards and Grands Crus cruise, which combines sailing with onboard gourmet experiences, carefully selected port stops and visits to prestigious vineyards.

Pulling up at the 30-hectare estate of Chateau Soutard, my senses are assaulted by the scent of alcohol combined with spring sunshine.

One of the oldest estates in the Bordeaux Right Bank, the limestone soil or ‘terroir’ here is renowned for producing exceptional wine; this is the birthplace of the Merlot grape variety.

Inside the cellar, a crystal chandelier hovers over the gleaming stainless steel tanks where vinification takes place; deeper inside, rows of 500-litre French oak barrels assist the ageing wine.

Soutard’s tipple is a blended mix of 65 per cent Merlot and 35 per cent Cabernet Franc. Arriving as someone who doesn’t drink much red wine, by

the time we leave I’m pretty much a convert following a tasting of a fresh and fruity Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. Back on board the elegant ship L’Austral we sit down to another excellent informal lunch buffet in SHIP SHAPE L’Austral Built: 2010 Decks: 6

Capacity: 264 passengers (double occupancy)

Sleek, stylish and with the feel of sailing on a private yacht, L’Austral offers intimacy and luxury in spades.

The Grill restaurant. Ponant focuses on serving fresh, carefully selected ingredients with the “French touch”; high-end suppliers include Bordier butter, Ladurée macarons, Kaviari caviar, Valrhona chocolate and Château Virant olive oil.

Based on its collaboration since 2016 with the Ducasse Conseil, the French cruise line is elevating its culinary standards with a catering offering that has been redesigned for the entire fleet. This long-term partnership incorporates reviews,

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optimisation of the culinary offering and world-class training for the teams on board, based on three principles: “Healthy. Tasty. Elegant.”

Philippe Tremel, Ponant’s corporate chef, says: “It is a daily challenge to combine the requirements of onboard catering with our passion for French haute cuisine. This collaboration enables us to pursue this search for culinary excellence to serve our guests.”

To add an authentic flavour, dishes are often inspired by the ports of call visited and ingredients are locally sourced when possible. Following a morning in Belle-Île-En-Mer, we are treated to traditional savoury pancakes (galettes) made with ham, cheese and egg – known as a galette complète, this tasty and filling dish hails from Brittany.

Another excursion highlight in Bordeaux is the Cité du Vin, a wine wonderland and cultural facility suitable for all the family and situated in a space-age building inspired by the river and the liquid element of the tipple.

The pièces de résistance on Ponant’s culinary cruises are the gala dinners where the food is supervised by renowned chefs – on this cruise it is Francis Fauvel, from the restaurant Ducasse sur Seine, and

July / August 2019 | Midship Xavier Boireau from Paris seafood institution Rech, who ordered the ingredients from the French capital a couple of days earlier.

Generous pourings of DieboltVallois champagne served al fresco kicks off the proceedings, before we sit down to a club crab salad, with mango and romaine lettuce.

A delicately flavoured gilt-head bream carpaccio follows, served with sea urchin and seaweed butter toast, followed by a delicious main of sea scallops from Normandy, green asparagus and peas, complemented with truffled cooking jus. A decadent hazelnut chocolate pudding provides the perfect finish.

The meal is paired with carefully selected white wines including a 2017 Pernand Vergelesses Premier Cru, and a 2011 Château Chalon, as well as a 1997 Porto Colheita port.

To complement our fine-dining experience, renowned cheesemaker Bernard Antony is also on board with a buffet of mature cheeses, including a punchy farmer’s camembert from Normandy. Awardwinning sommelier and manager of Le Cinq, Eric Beaumard is also on the ship throughout the cruise.

With big cheeses such as this on board, your foodie-loving cruise client can be assured of luxury on a plate, with a side helping of French flair.

THREE HAUTE CUISINE CRUISES Gastronomy, Vineyards…

Brilliant Bordeaux

A Culinary Experience

Ponant – L’Austral From Lisbon to L’Orient April 11, 2020 From £3,356pp

Uniworld – SS Bon Voyage From Bordeaux (round-trip) March 29, 2020 From £2,249pp

Nine nights from Portugal to the Atlantic coast of France with incredible onboard cuisine and vineyard visits during a two -days stopover in Bordeaux.

Sailing three rivers in southwest France, this cruise is part of the Connoisseur Collection, which includes culinary-inspired excursions and events.

Avalon Waterways – Avalon Poetry II From St Jean de Losne to Port St Louis, March 31, 2020 From £2,339pp This cruise along the Rhône and Saône takes in the best food and wine that Burgundy and Provence has to offer.

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FOOD SPECIAL

SALT of the earth

Adam Coulter joins Silversea in the Far East to find out more about their new culinary initiative Sea And Land Taste, or SALT, which invites passengers to immerse themselves in local food cultures on and off board

July / August 2019 | Midship We’re surrounded by kids in a makeshift village ‘hall’ (I use that word loosely; corrugated iron structure held up by poles is more accurate); in fact the whole village has come out to greet us – parents, grandparents, the village elders.

I’m showing the children – who have now gathered around me – pictures of my boys from a visit to Longleat Safari Park. Together we recite the names of the animals: lion, tiger, elephant (that’s an easy one), wolf… no? They don’t know a wolf, but they love watching the videos.

A table at one end of the hall is piled high with fresh produce, all picked today for us – mangoes, peppers, walnuts, peanuts and some food I’ve never seen before which tastes astringent.

The occasion? The first ever visit to Lajala, a tiny community off the tiny island of Coron in the Philippines, as part of Silversea’s new culinary programme, Sea And Land Taste, or SALT. SALT will be rolled out on the line’s new ship, Silver Moon, next year and will be retrofitted onto Silver Muse and Silver Spirit. It’s not just off-the-ship experiences, the ships will all have a SALT Lab, where passengers can either watch chefs prepare the food, or prepare it themselves; and the SALT Kitchen which will showcase regional cuisine, wherever in the world the ship happens to be.

The idea behind the programme is to learn about the regions the ship visits through food. But this is not just about tasting the food on board, or participating in a ‘chef’s table’ experience, where a small group of passengers accompany the chef to a local market to pick the produce for a meal made for them that evening.

SALT is about meeting the locals who grow this food, learning how they cook it, how a recipe has been handed down through the years; the cultural influence of the cooking – and then cooking it with a local chef, either back on board in the SALT Lab or on land.

Which is how we come to be in Lajala, accompanied by award-

The fish market in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo and (below) Silver Muse, which will be retrofitted with SALT

winning food writer and chef Nicole Ponseca, an American-Filipino, and her friend, a local chef and guide, Clang Garcia, who are explaining the food in front of us, encouraging us to try it and sample the different flavours and tastes.

The kids, of course, are more interested in my phone, but the fact the entire village has come out to greet us is quite overwhelming.

Silversea are mindful that this fine balance – controlled tourism to bring dollars to impoverished communities balanced with retaining that authenticity – is key

to the SALT programme. Once that balance tips too far towards the tourism side, then you’ve lost what makes this so special.

The idea and driving force behind this programme is Silversea’s Chief Marketing Officer, Barbara Muckermann, who has sliced and diced the Silversea demographic to find the thread that binds all of their passengers – food: “They all see that food is the key to getting to soul of a destination, getting to really understand a destination.”

She enlisted the help of the former editor of leading US foodie magazine

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July / August 2019 | Midship Saveur, Adam Sachs, to curate the programme. It’s his role to seek out these authentic experiences via the people on the ground. And, if he doesn’t know someone, he’ll know someone who knows someone, or “two degrees of Bourdain” as he puts it. And that’s very much the guiding principle behind this programme – going deep into food culture, trying stuff that you might find uncomfortable (chicken butts? Yep, that was me in Kota Kinabalu, our next stop) just like Bourdain. And in fact, Anthony Bourdain was signed up as one of the guest chefs before his untimely death in June 2018.

As Sachs explains: “My role here is as a storyteller, it’s about weaving all these different strands of food culture together. I’m looking for those aspects of the journey that allow guests to discover more about a culture through the food and the people they meet.

“It’s about showing how important food is to a culture, how we can learn from it and so learn about the destination we are visiting.”

However, Muckermann remains realistic about just how many passengers might want to participate in the experiences curated by Sachs.

“We’re not expecting the whole ship to do the weird stuff that Adam will have you experiencing in the next few days,” she jokes. “We are expecting five to 10 per cent of the ship will be all the time in the SALT Lab, all the time trying to understand and learn so much more about the food.

“When it makes sense there will be SALT excursions, and they will be available for any guest that is interested.

“There will always be activities in the Lab that may be much more hands on, much more interactive, but if you’re not interested in going as deep, you will just be able to have a wonderful dinner which is in sync with the destination.”

Our next stop is Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo. We have breakfast in a local café where we order sweet coffee and a delicious broth of chicken laksa.

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July / August 2019 | Midship Then we visit the food market, where we are assailed with the sounds and smells of local produce – baskets piled high with chillies and spices; coconuts being shredded and juiced; huge onions, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes and garlic overflowing from their trays.

Adjacent is the fish market, which has all manner of local fish laid out – not on ice we learn, but doused regularly with cold water, which keeps them fresher. There’s a lot of fish here which you think maybe should not be here: parrot fish, shark and a huge moray eel.

It’s part stimulating, part upsetting, but it’s certainly authentic.

We ask whether we can get something grilled for us and our guide mentions the night market, but are told it’s a little bit “edgy”.

Excellent. We make a mental note to return. A food demo at the Kokol Haven Resort in the mountains above town is followed by a sunset cruise to Pulau Manukan – part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park – and a delicious dinner on the beach. On the return trip we gauge interest for the night market – very few takers – just myself, Adam and one another. It’s 10.30pm by the time we get back to the mainland.

The ship leaves at 11.30pm. We have enough time. Just...

The market is buzzing – the sounds and smells of the morning replaced by smoke and sizzling grills – chicken, pork, prawns and all manner of fish.

We wander among the makeshift restaurants (in the loosest sense of the word), and spy some tasty chicken morsels. Adam points at two skewers: “Ha ha, chicken asses for you!” the girl says as she passes us the skewers.

We chomp on them. I gag; Adam eats them with relish. Barbara’s words come back to me. Like Bourdain, I’ll try anything once, but I also reserve the right to never try it again. No more chicken butts for me.

Our final stop on this extraordinary journey is Singapore, a sanitised version of the Far East, but also the biggest cultural and foodie melting pot. We take a tour of the hawker markets with leading foodie writer

Chicken for sale at the night market in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo

Annette Tan, followed by a food demo in Allspice, a chef’s training facility, before being treated to a multi-course authentic “peranakan” meal.

Silversea are genuinely trying something new, and for agents this is significant when you might struggle to find a real differentiator between the ultra-luxury cruise lines. SALT is just that – it takes you right to the heart of the place your client is

visiting, and it’s up to you how deep you choose to dive.

As Barbara Muckermann says: “We can put another upscale restaurant on our ships anytime. This isn’t about that. Our role as a travel brand is to give our guests that context to explain a destination.”

Adam Coulter is the managing editor of Cruise Critic UK

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July / August 2019 | Midship

SELLING TIP – A balcony cabin is a must in Alaska for those close-up glacier views on scenic cruising days

HOW TO SELL

Alaska

Jane Archer is the authority on all things cruise. This issue, she looks at itineraries to Alaska – a growing destination for customers looking for activities and adventure

Small, medium and large p56

A taste of adventure

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Cruise and stay

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Alaska is a vast, empty wilderness twice the size of Texas but with fewer inhabitants than Birmingham.

Although a cruise is the easy way to visit, you don’t have to be a cruiser to be enthralled by its fabulous scenery (think snow-topped mountains and creeping glaciers), and the fun activities on offer, including zip-

wiring, whale-watching, kayaking, gold panning and more. Icy seas makes the season short – from May to September – but during this time there are ships plying Alaska’s waters to suit all tastes and budgets. Over the next few pages we compare small, medium and large ships, as well as looking at the more expedition-like

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voyages available and suggesting ideas for those who want to combine a cruise with a land tour of Alaska or Canada. Whatever clients choose, one thing is for sure. With so much on offer and just 24,000 Britons cruising in Alaska in 2018, according to figures from Clia UK & Ireland, agents have everything to play for.

July / August 2019 | Midship

Small, medium and large Whether clients are looking for a casual family holiday in Alaska with as many activities on board the ship as there are ashore to keep the kids entertained, or to enjoy the wilderness while living a life of luxury, there is a cruise to suit. There are also as many price points as there are ships catering for those on a budget, as well those ready to splash the cash.

Remember to take into account of the cost of flights and excursions, if not included, when matching clients to a cruise.

All-inclusive luxury Who? Regent Seven Seas Cruises Where? Alaska When? June 17, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From £5,659pp, including flights Included excursions make ultra-luxury cruise line Regent a winner in Alaska, where hikes, whale-watching and trips to glaciers are a must but don’t come cheap. This cruise, from Vancouver to Seward, is on the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner. Transfers, drinks, gratuities and wifi also included.

Formal Who? Cunard Where? Alaska When? June 2, 2020 How long? 10 nights How much? From £1,499pp cruise-only Cunard is taking its formal nights and traditional fixed dining

back to Alaska in 2020 after testing the water with four cruises this summer. The sailings are on the 2,081-passenger Queen Elizabeth roundtrip from Vancouver with calls into Juneau, Skagway and Sitka, scenic cruising around Glacier Bay and close to the Hubbard Glacier.

Family-friendly Who? Norwegian Cruise Line Where? Alaska When? May 10, 2020 How long? Seven days How much? From £1,039 cruise-only Families will have a blast on this round-trip from Seattle on NCL’s fun-loving Norwegian Bliss. The 4,000-passenger ship has go-karts, laser tag and kids’ clubs for youngsters, and a multitude of places to eat.

Clients can pay an extra £99pp and choose two perks from free drinks, speciality dining, wifi, shorex credit or reduced prices for friends and family.

SELLING TIP – Splash out on shorex to make the most of the unique experiences available

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July / August 2019 | Midship

A taste of adventure Alaska is perfect for clients with an adventurous spirit, with everything from hiking in bear territory to kayaking, snorkelling and crab fishing among the activities on offer. For true adventurers, suggest Hurtigruten, which has its debut Alaska season in 2020, or Seabourn. Both have expedition teams on their sailings in the 49th state to lecture about the local flora and fauna as well as guiding exciting trips ashore.

Expedition style Who? Hurtigruten Where? Alaska When? May 31, 2020 How long? 14 days How much? From £5,500pp including flights Hurtigruten is an expedition specialist with in-depth voyages that visit small towns and cruise up close to glaciers. This voyage is on new hybrid ship Roald Amundsen sailing round-trip from Vancouver. Prices include selected alcoholic drinks and excursions, tips and wifi. Flights are included in bookings made by July 31.

All-inclusive Who? Seabourn Where? Alaska When? June 12, 2020 How long? 14 days How much? From £6,299 cruise-only One of a small band of ultra-luxury cruise lines, Seabourn is dipping its

toe in the world of soft adventure on its Alaska voyages, which combine multiple sailing days with kayaking, hiking and Zodiac tours, as well as excursions in search of bears. The voyage, on the 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn, is round-trip from Vancouver. Prices include tips and drinks.

Small ship Who? Ponant Where? Alaska When? July 22, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From €4,330pp cruise-only Ponant is a French cruise line that specialises in offthe-beaten-track voyages on small ships. This cruise – one of five new Alaska sailings between Vancouver and Juneau that the line has announced for next year – is on the 264-passenger Le Soleal and includes calls into Sitka, Haines and Skagway. Prices include selected drinks, wifi and a one-way flight from Seattle to Juneau.

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SELLING TIP – Add a pre or post-cruise tour to see more of the Alaska wilderness

July / August 2019 | Midship

Cruise and stay Alaska is a long way to go for a one-week cruise, but that just means agents have a perfect excuse for offering a land element either to the start or end of a client’s voyage. Tours deep into the Alaskan wilderness are popular, as are pre-cruise journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer train through Canada. Agents can create their own packages, but it’s hard to beat the variety and expertise offered by cruise lines and operators with decades of experience in the region.

On your own Who? Princess Cruises Where? Alaska and Denali on your own When? May 9, 2020 How long? 10 days How much? From £1,167pp cruise-only During the 50 years Princess has been sailing in Alaska, it has built up a huge portfolio of itineraries, so the only difficulty is choosing. This ‘on your own’ cruisetour pairs a one-week cruise from Vancouver to Whittier with nights in Mt McKinley and Denali Lodges, plus a hotel in Fairbanks.

Into the tundra Who? Holland America Line Where? Alaska and the Yukon When? May 30, 2020 How long? 13 days How much? From £2,099pp cruise-only Holland America Line

combines trains, boats, planes and even a bus on this round-trip from Seattle on Koningsdam that includes a transfer to Vancouver, a cruise to Skagway and two nights in the Yukon and two in Denali. Price includes a tundra wilderness tour and a flight from Anchorage to Seattle.

Rail and sail Who? Kuoni Where? Alaska and the Rocky Mountaineer When? May 24, 2020 How long? 15 nights How much? From £5,565pp including flights Kuoni is an upmarket long-haul specialist with a growing programme of cruise-and-tour holidays.

This one starts with a week in Canada, including two days on the Rocky Mountaineer train, with seven nights sailing roundtrip from Vancouver in a balcony cabin on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Infinity.

Includes transfers, a classic drinks package and tips.

SELLING TIP – Advise a cruise from June to August for the best chance to spot whales

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July / August 2019 | Aft

DIRECTORY Got a cruise query? Let us assist you.

The cruise adviser directory provides you with the vital contact details for all major cruise lines operating in the UK – meaning trade sales support is never more than a phone call away

CRUISE LINES!

Information missing or out of date?

Email info@cruise-adviser.com

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July / August 2019 | Aft Celebrity Cruises Katherine Hulatt, trade support 01932 834 379 (option 2) salessupport.uk@rccl.com

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A-Rosa River Cruises Simon McDermott, business development manager 07340 719746 simon.mcdermott@arosa-cruises.co.uk

Celestyal Cruises Marios Polydorou, senior manager sales +30 216 400 9631 m.polydorou@celestyalcruises.gr

Amadeus River Cruises Natalie O’Mahoney, head of sales 0800 035 6411 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Coral Expeditions Amy Sharpe, UK sales manager 020 3934 7170 UKSales@coralexpeditions.com

AmaWaterways Jamie Loizou, sales, marketing and digital director 033 3305 3902 jamieloizou@amawaterways.com

Cosmos Janet Parton, sales director 020 8315 4545 agencysales@cosmos.co.uk

American Cruise Lines Hannah Logan, product manager 0800 035 0237 sales@americancruiselines.co.uk

CroisiEurope John Fair, sales director 020 8328 1281 jfair@croisieurope.com

American Queen Steamboat Company Rupert Thomson, managing director 01223 568 904 r.thomson@aqgsa.com

Cruise & Maritime Voyages Lisa Jacobs, head of trade sales 0844 414 6140 lisa.jacobs@cruiseandmaritime.com

APT Touring Jessica Shelton-Agar, national sales manager 01494 736 147/07584 057 341 jessica.shelton-agar@aptouring.co.uk

Crystal Cruises Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

Aurora Expeditions Talia Schwartzman, sales executive +61 2 9252 1033 agents@auroraexpeditions.co.uk Craig Upshall, sales director UK/Europe 07824 305 232 craig@auroraexpeditions.co.uk

Cruising Excursions Simonne Fairbanks, chief operating officer 0800 091 8274 traveltrade@cruisingexcursions.com

Avalon Waterways Janet Parton, sales director 020 8315 4545 agencysales@avaloncruises.co.uk

Cunard Line Victoria Snelgar, business manager – sales operations 07773 253 279 victoria.snelgar@cunard.co.uk

Azamara Club Cruises Lori Scanella, business support executive 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com

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Disney Cruise Line Juliet Holden, account executive 080 0171 2317 juliet.holden@disney.com

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Belmond Yann Guezennec, worldwide director of sales & marketing, trains & cruises 020 3117 1395 yann.guezennec@belmond.com

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Emerald Waterways Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk

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Carnival Cruise Line Luke Smith, head of UK & international sales 020 7378 4660 carnivalsalesuk@carnival.com

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July / August 2019 | Aft European Waterways Mark Robinson, sales and reservations manager 01753 598 555 sales@europeanwaterways.com

Lucy Harris, business development representative 0344 338 8600 lucy.harris@hollandamerica.co.uk

E-Waterways Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

Hurtigruten Anthony Daniels, UK general manager 020 8846 2666 anthony.daniels@hurtigruten.com

Exotic Heritage Group Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

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Intrepid Travel Andrew Turner, head of industry sales 080 8274 5719 ukbdm@intrepidtravel.com

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Far Horizon Hannah Logan, product manager 0800 035 3189 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk

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JTA Travel Dave Green, managing director 0121 508 5567 dave.green@jtatravel.co.uk

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Geoff Ridgen, head of sales 01473 746164 cruise.sales@fredolsen.co.uk

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Fred Olsen River Cruises Hannah Logan, UK Sales Manager 0800 035 3189 hannah@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Katerina Line Olivera Lesinger, head of UK & overseas +38 5 51 603 409 olivera@katarina-line.hr

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G Adventures Stuart Darnley, national sales manager 07964 983 842 sdarnley@gadventures.com

Latin Routes Jessica Dennison, director 020 8546 6222 info@latinroutes.co.uk

Great Rail Journeys Lindsay Dixon, head of trade sales 01904 527 180 lindsaydixon@greatrail.com

Leger Holidays Ashley Dellow, head of retail sales 01709 385 811 retail.sales@leger.co.uk Lindblad Expeditions Jacinta McEvoy vice-president global sales +1 212 261 9000 jacintam@expeditions.com

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Aishling McLoughlin, sales representative UK & Ireland 07852 488 471 aishling.mcloughlin@hl-cruises.com

Lotus Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

Hebridean Island Cruises Lisa White, reservations manager 01756 704 704 lisa.white@hebridean.co.uk

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Heritage Line Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

The Majestic Line Louisa Grant, cruise co-ordinator 01369 707951 louisa@themajesticline.co.uk

Holland America Line James Scott, business development representative 0344 338 8600 james.scott@hollandamerica.co.uk

Manatee Amazon Explorer Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

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July / August 2019 | Aft Marella Cruises Andrew Isherwood, commercial support team 020 3451 2762 commercial.support@tui.co.uk

Pearl Seas Cruises Susan Shultz, director of sales +1 203 458 5280 susan.shultz@pearlseascruises.com

MĂśvenpick Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

Ponant Stephen Winter, international sales director 0800 980 4027 swinter@ponant.com

MSC Cruises Victoria Taylor, sales operations manager 020 7092 8182 ukinsidesales@msccruises.co.uk

Poseidon Expeditions Alexandra Prokopyeva, sales and marketing 020 3808 7787 sales@poseidonexpeditions.com Ports Direct Karl Lapage, managing director 0843 0843 003 karl@portsdirect.co.uk

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National Geographic Expeditions Simon Chambers, operations manager 01473 242 636 sales@fredholidays.co.uk

Princess Cruises Mark Lowman, manager – sales operations 023 8065 6531 mark.lowman@princesscruises.co.uk

Noble Caledonia Agency sales, 020 7752 0000 agencysales@noble-caledonia.co.uk

Pullmantur Cruises Dave Chidley, agency sales manager 0800 021 3180 sales@fredholidays.co.uk

Norwegian Cruise Line Nick Wilkinson, regional vice president business development UK, Ireland, Israel, Middle East & Africa 023812 45241 nwilkinson@ncl.com

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Quark Expeditions Christiane Bach, business development manager +1 416 645 8248 christiane.bach@quarkexpeditions.com

Oceania Cruises Lisa Clarkson, national accounts manager 07809 351 545 LClarkson@OceaniaCruises.Com Agency Sales, 0345 505 1920 AgencySales@OceaniaCruises.Com

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One Ocean Expeditions Debra Taylor, new business development 07956 852 197 debra@toucanmoon.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Caroline Moody, business development executive 023 8068 2283 agencysales@rssc.com Anna Salter, business development executive 023 8068 2283 agencysales@rssc.com

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P&O Cruises Brodie McIntosh, trade engagement manager 023 8065 5780 brodie.mcintosh@cunardpocruises.com

Riviera Travel Darren Mussell, agency sales assistant manager 01283 744 307 agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk

Pandaw Hannah Logan, product manager 020 8396 7320 uk@pandaw.com

Rocky Mountaineer Steven Harris, regional sales director 07970 519 164 sharris@rockymountaineer.com

Paukan Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

Royal Caribbean International Trade support team 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com

Paul Gaugin Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

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July / August 2019 | Aft Travel2 Colin Currie, head of sales 07891 257 160 colin.currie@travel2.com

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Saga Travel Sukina Fagg, national account manager 080 0074 8021 sukina.fagg@saga.co.uk

Travelsphere & Just You Sarah Weetman, head of trade sales 07748 843 244 sarah.weetman@travelsphere.co.uk

Scenic Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk Seabourn James Scott, business development representative 0344 338 8610 james.scott@seabourn.co.uk Lucy Harris, business development representative 0344 338 8610 lucy.harris@seabourn.co.uk

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SeaCloud Anja Ringel, vice-president, international marketing and sales +49 40 3095 9217 aringel@seacloud.com

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SeaDream Yacht Club Mark Schmitt, sales director 07904 068 407 mschmitt@seadream.com

Victoria Cruises Tom Antonucci, sales manager +1 212 818 1680 tom@victoriacruises.com

Shearings Michael Bowers, national sales manager 01942 823 449 sales.support@shearings.com

Victory Cruise Lines Dave Chidley, agency sales manager 0800 038 1665 sales@fredholidays.co.uk

Silversea Sales support 020 7340 0700 salesuk@silversea.com

Viking Cruises Andrew Schweitzer, key account manager (south) 07825 986 996 andrew.schweitzer@vikingcruises.com Jenny Wade, regional sales manager (north) 07966 995 012 jenny.wade@vikingcruises.com

Uniworld Rachel Healey, national sales manager 07408 855 544 rachel.healey@uniworld.com

Variety Cruises Chris Lorenzo, managing director, Seafarer Cruises 020 8324 3114 info@seafarerholidays.co.uk

Star Clippers Danielle Dudley, UK sales manager 077 6585 2116 danielle@starclippers.co.uk

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Volga Dream Hannah Logan, product manager 0800 021 3186 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Tauck UK country manager 080 0810 8020 tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk

Voyages to Antiquity Michelle Daniels, head of commercial 07775 065581 m.daniels@voyagestoantiquity.com

Titan Travel Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager 012 9345 0726; 078 3465 2135 edwina.coppock@titantravel.co.uk

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Windstar Cruises Sales team (The Cruise Line) 0800 852 7248 windstarUK@cruiseline.co.uk

Touchdown | Travel Industry Services Robbie White, head of cruise product 020 8607 3805 rwhite@touchdown.co.uk

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KNOW YOUR...

...debarkation There’s more than one way of getting off a cruise ship. We look at them all The most common – and easiest – means of getting ashore is by docking.

This is what it sounds like: the ship ties up at a pier and guests are able to simply walk off, either via a ramp, gangplank or gangway. As with all means of debarkation, guests will be required to swipe their key card to let crew know they are ashore. On some cruises, every port will have docking facilities – some are simply concrete piers, others are large terminals, sometimes with (overpriced and tacky) shops. As you might expect, as pieces of architecture, they are mostly unremarkable – the art deco terminal in Cherbourg a notable exception.

Even though guests are able to simply walk on and off the ship, on

the bigger ships there can be waits while guests who are booked on shore excursions are allowed to leave.

The other main type of debarkation is tendering, where ships drop an anchor away from the shore and use small boats (tenders) to carry passengers on to land. These journeys are usually a few minutes at most, and common in regions such as the Norwegian fjords. Tenders are invariably small and compact and thus can provoke seasickness in some passengers even in calm conditions.

Guests with accessibility issues may find getting on or offer tenders difficult, while wheelchairs are often not permitted in the tenders at all, meaning guests must stay on board.

Holland America Lines is unique in having a wheelchair-accessible tender transfer system, while Princess says it makes a case-by-case decision.

Another means of getting ashore, although far less common, is a wet landing. This consists of boarding a Zodiac from a floating dock on the ship and riding it from the ship to the shore, stepping off directly in the water, and wading (at most knee deep) to the sand. A dry landing is similar, but straight onto the sand.

You will only ever see these on incredibly remote (and exotic) ports of call, such as the Galápagos, or, as Windstar notes, in the Costa Rican ports of Isla Parida, Puerto Jimenez, and Taha’a in French Polynesia.

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July / August 2019 | Aft THINGS TO DO

GAMESROOM

Each month, we bring you a selection of things to do on your lunch break or journey to the office

CROSSWORD See the next cruise adviser in September for the answers

JUNE SOLUTION

ACROSS

DOWN

6. Make over (4)

1. Marine steering wheel (4)

7. Trip off-ship (6)

2. Cruises (7)

8. Goes aboard (7)

3. Japanese port on the Yodo River (5)

9. Embarrassing to have it on your face (3) 11. Channel port (5) 13. Dubious (5) 15. Incorporated (3) 16. Surfing destination (7) 19. Head home (2,4) 20. Chilled (4)

SUDOKU

See the next cruise adviser in September for the answers

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5. Boat Race distance measure (6)

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QUIZ See bottom of page for answers

1. Who was leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2008?

2. What is the name of the second new ship being built by Saga Cruises?

3. The actor Tom Holland is best known for playing which super-hero?

4. Madame X is the recently-released 14th album by which singer?

5. Perfect Day at CocoCay is a private island resort owned by what cruise line?

6. Which major sporting event began on July 6 in the Belgian capital, Brussels?

7. What is known as the 49th state of the USA? 8. Actor Paul Darrow, who died last month, is best remembered for starring in what 1970s TV sci-fi series?

9. The Grimaldi dynasty still rules over which principality on the south coast of France?

10. Which Love Island star is the brother of boxer Tyson Fury?

11. Which novel by Liane Moriarty was turned into a hit HBO TV series starring Reece Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman?

12. Nicole Kidman is married to which New Zealand-born country singer?

13. In which country was this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup held?

14. What does VAR stand for?

15. What train stopped running from London Paddington to Wales and the West Country this year after 43 years in service?

QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Fidel Castro 2. Spirit of Adventure 3. Spider-Man 4. Madonna 5. Royal Caribbean 6. The Tour de France 7. Alaska 8. Blake’s 7 9. Monaco 10. Tommy Fury 11. Big Little Lies 12. Keith Urban 13. France 14. Video Assistant Referee 15. InterCity 125 (or HST)

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July / August 2019 | Aft

LOOKOUT

1

All the pictures from the latest cruise events 1. A photo from Scenic’s recent fam trip for agents along the Danube. (Left to right) Julie Kinghorn – Cruise Specialists, Lorraine Stairmand – Thomas Cook, Lisa Paterson – Cruise Specialists, Tracie Duffy – Crumlin Travel, Joanne Mitchell – Travel Beauro, Glenda Bennett – Steward Travel, Ann Barber – Travel Counsellors, Catherine Divan – 6-Star Cruises, William Young – Scenic sales manager, North.

2. A–Rosa’s new business development manager, Simon McDermott has been out and about visiting agents to update them on all the latest developments from the river cruise line. This is the first time A-Rosa has had a dedicated business development manager on the road.

Pictured sharing the A-Rosa love are: (left to right) Simon McDermott, business development manager at A-Rosa River Cruises and Marion Owen, proprietor of Marion Owen Travel in Hull.

3. Emerald Waterways recently hosted a fam trip for agents along the Danube, pictured here in Bratislava. (Left to right, from back row) Susan Murrie – Morgans Travel, Emma Rawlings – Cruise.co.uk, Julie Bramford – Midcounties PTA, Mandy Watkins – Premier Travel, Nicole Warren – Fred Olsen Travel, Gayle Foster – HPB Travel, Clair Griffiths – Miles Morgan Travel, Wendi Hardy – Emerald Waterways sales manager, Central South.

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4. Twenty-four travel agents join Riviera Travel’s largest ever fam trip, visiting Portugal to experience the operator’s Douro Valley to Lisbon for Solo Travellers seven-night tour. Also on the itinerary was a ship visit on the five-star Douro Elegance.

5. Fifty travel trade partners enjoy a funfilled trip to Ibiza with the Carnival Cruise Line UK team. The trip, which takes place every year, rewards those travel agents who do the most to engage with Carnival Cruise Line UK’s Loyalty Rocks Club. The group stayed at the legendary Ibiza Rocks Hotel.

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Spirit of Discovery is here!

Book online at sagaagents.co.uk, call FREE on 0800 074 8021 or contact Trade Support FREE on 0800 068 8732 Visit our online training platform at sagaexperts.co.uk Saga Trade Team Find us on social media Image credit: Chris Ison Saga holidays and cruises are exclusively for the over 50s. A travel companion may be 40+. NTA-SC1711