Cruise Adviser Luxury guide 2016 by Cruise Adviser

CRUISE ADVISER THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

LUXURY 2016

SCENIC

CRYSTAL CRUISES

SEABOURN

FAMILY

From Passau to Budapest, Anthony Pearce takes in the wonders of the beautiful Danube

Jeannine Williamson speaks to Edie Rodriguez about the cruise line’s lightspeed developments

Sam Ballard takes a closer look at the history of Carnival’s exquisite ultra-luxury brand

Planning a holiday with the kids? We reveal the secrets to travelling in style

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Cruise Adviser

Luxury 2016

CRUISE ADVISER

“We promise a lot and deliver more,” says Edie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Crystal Cruises, in our illuminating interview on p8. She’s talking about her company’s extraordinary expansion — into yacht, air and river — but her words could be the mantra for luxury cruise in general. This sector of the industry is having something of a moment, and Crystal, whose many plans for the future we untangle on p11, are one of the cruise lines leading the way. Another is Scenic — whose river cruise from Passau to Budapest on the Danube takes our cover feature (p22). As established players in the luxury market, both are exploring new ways to improve the luxury experience. While high-end cruise lines have traditionally looked towards land — influenced by the service, food and décor of four and five-star hotels — part of the luxury revolution has seen companies borrow from the ultra-exclusive yacht experience. As Jeannine Williamson reports from this year’s Sales Gala, luxury cruise is no longer just about butlers and fine dining — it’s helicopters, submarines and residences at sea (p19). With the Scenic Eclipse and Crystal Esprit yachts, customers will soon be able to enjoy the billionaire lifestyle at prices that are, given what’s included, incredibly reasonable. Of course, they are not the first to embrace yacht life. Seabourn, which takes our InFocus feature this issue (p30), began life with yachts and has kept that level of service and detail even as it has expanded its fleet, as Lynn Narraway, its UK MD, explains on p32. Elsewhere is our How To Sell guide (p34) and Directory (p51), designed to help reintroduce you to this growing sector. As we hope this guide proves: now, more than ever, is a fantastic time to persuade your customers to push the boat out that little bit more. We hope you enjoy reading.

CRUISE ADVISER THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

LUXURY 2016

LUXURY GUIDE 2016 CA-9

SCENIC

CRYSTAL CRUISES

SEABOURN

FAMILY

From Passau to Budapest, Anthony Pearce takes in the wonders of the beautiful Danube

Jeannine Williamson speaks to Edie Rodriguez about the cruise line’s lightspeed developments

Sam Ballard takes a closer look at the history of Carnival’s exquisite ultra-luxury brand

Planning a holiday with the kids? We reveal the secrets to travelling in style

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P 30

P15

Sam Ballard and Anthony Pearce Publishers of cruise adviser CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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CONTENTS TITLE

Cruise Adviser

CRUISE ADVISER

Luxury 2016

CRUISE ADVISER THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

is here to entertain and inform. In the first half of this guide you will find in-depth features and opinion on Luxury cruises, while the second half has our unique How To Sell guide and extensive cruise line directory.

LUXURY 2016

cruise adviser

LUXURY GUIDE 2016

On the horizon

CA-9

Features 7

––––– CLASSICAL RENAISSANCE –––––

What’s new in luxury cruise

Classical renaissance

We chat to Crystal Cruises CEO and president Edie Rodriguez

Crystal clear?

ANTHONY PEARCE JOINS LUXURY LINE SCENIC ON AN EIGHT-DAY PASSAU TO BUDAPEST RIVER CRUISE

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Anthony Pearce joins Scenic on a cruise from Passau to Budapest

Q&A

FAMILY

Planning a holiday with the kids? We reveal the secrets to travelling in style

P 30

P15

INTERVIEW

sat down with Edie Rodriguez, CEO and president of Crystal Cruises, as it prepares to launch ocean ships, river cruise vessels and a land and air programme

cruise adviser

cruise adviser: Crystal is going

Edie Rodriguez (centre), CEO and president, Crystal Cruises

of crew for a river vessel. We will offer open dining times, a visit to a Michelinstarred restaurant for every passenger and we will also have two VIP tour boats that are currently being built in Italy and other experiences unique to the industry. The launch of our river vessels is a massive opportunity for agents. Crystal is going through a period of growth and moving into new markets. What is your personal view on this? Some people do not welcome change. I love it and thrive on it. As a company you have to evolve to stay relevant. How important is your relationship with UK agents and what does the expansion mean for them? The UK is our second most important market and

it has always been very important to us. We know the Brits love to cruise, so we want to grow the UK market. We sell 97 per cent through the UK trade and this partnership is hugely important to us and we truly appreciate what they do. I always give agents a plug whenever I can. We view our portfolio as puzzle pieces that agents can be match together for their clients, such as a romantic break for two followed by a family getaway. We have selling tools to provide agents with all the support they need to sell with confidence, and with all the new experiences on offer we envisage that they can set their targets at doubling Crystal volume.

See directory, p53. Turn over to find out more about Crystal’s expansion

SCENIC

––––– PEARLS OF THE DANUBE

Jeannine Williamson reports from this year’s Sales Gala

Pearls of the Danube

SEABOURN

Sam Ballard takes a closer look at the history of Carnival’s exquisite ultra-luxury brand

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Why bringing the kids no longer means forgoing luxury

The great luxury shake-up

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Jeannine Williamson speaks to Edie Rodriguez about the cruise line’s lightspeed developments

P22

The river sector is the fastest growing sector of the cruise market, with many new ships being launched each year. Is there demand for a new line and how is Crystal going to stand out from the crowd? We have carried out extensive research and we asked our guests if they were interested in taking a river cruise. The result was that 79 per cent said they would like to take one, so we know the demand is there. We launched Crystal Mozart in Vienna in July (see page 12) and we are going to extend the river cruise experience. It will be different from anything already out there, both on board and on the shore. Crystal Mozart will carry 154 passengers and 92 crew members, an unprecedented number

Struggling to keep up with Crystal Cruises’ expansion plans? Let us help

Room for a little one?

SCENIC

From Passau to Budapest, Anthony Pearce takes in the wonders of the beautiful Danube

s I watch the pretty, red-roofed Bavarian houses, ancient fortresses and dense, emerald green forests that line the Danube glide by from the top deck of the Scenic Pearl a thought occurs to me that has probably occurred to every river cruise passenger: there can’t be a better way to see Europe. We’re here for an eightday Passau to Budapest sailing on one of the cruise line’s luxurious SpaceShips, and it doesn’t take long on board – and in the company of its excellent staff – to work out why the river cruise market is in such rude health. You often hear about ocean cruise passengers moving across to river – and while this makes a lot of sense – I struggle to think of anyone, whether they have cruised or not, who wouldn’t enjoy this experience. While luxury river cruises are by no means cheap, what is included is remarkable: not only are you being transported by a floating five-star hotel to some of Europe’s most incredible destinations, but all food, drink, excursions and even a butler are included in the price. Having arrived in Munich after an early morning flight from Heathrow, my partner Peggy and I jump on a coach, provided by Scenic, that offers increasingly impressive views as we head toward

the Danube, where we join the Pearl just outside of Passau. We are greeted with cocktails by smiling staff who welcome us “home” and, before long, we’re sat down to dinner, a simple but tasty buffet, an intentionally informal beginning to help ease jet lagged guests into the holiday. Our room for the next week is a beautiful balcony suite, with a window that slides down at the push of a button. That evening, after a few cocktails at the ship’s excellently stocked bar, we turn in early. Having opted for a wake up call, a knock comes at our door at 8am the next morning, our ever-helpful butler, Ilona, presenting us with tea and coffee. The first day is spent in Passau, a picturesque, classically Bavarian city found on the confluence of the three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz. From leaving the breakfast table to arriving in the centre of Passau takes a matter of moments – one of river cruise’s key advantage: there are no tenders or long bus transfers to get from the port. That evening, as we’re treated to a Germanthemed feast and some excellent Bavarian beer (our poor waiters are made to don lederhosen) we sail for the first time – across the Austrian border to Linz. The city makes an immediate impression with its futuristic Ars Electronica

Center, sat on the northern bank of the Danube, projecting its strange but hypnotic light display across the river. It stands in stark contrast to the city’s largely medieval and neo-classical architecture, and certainly divides opinion. Personally, I think it’s pretty cool. That night we decide to have a quick explore of the city, the third largest in Austria, boosted in size by its considerable student population. We were told that because of the university, the city is “full of dive bars”, and were not disappointed. With the ship docked so close to the centre of town, we were able to pop out and grab a beer in a typically smoky, low-lit bar before heading back to get some sleep. It was a nice opportunity to see a port of call we’d otherwise have missed, because, on Tuesday morning, after just about catching the late-riser breakfast, we jump on a coach for a shore excursion to Cesky Krumlov, a quite perfect small city across the border in the Czech Republic. The journey to Bohemia was a joy: we passed seemingly endless forests of pine trees, broken up by gorgeous, rolling green hills, sleepy settlements and through a disused, eerie border control station, a relic of the Cold War era. The city, founded around an arch in the Vltava River, is watched over

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Scenic’s Nichola Absalom shares details of the Eclipse

InFocus: Seabourn

––––– INFOCUS SEABOURN –––––

We check in with the ultra-luxury line ahead of the launch of Encore

How to Sell guide

ow do you define luxury? Service? Cuisine? Or getting behind that exclusive velvet rope? For the founders of Seabourn, back in 1986, it was about bringing the seemingly unattainable lifestyle of the world’s ultra-rich into the realm of the wealthy. Specifically, by making it possible to feel like a cruise was the same as taking a holiday on a private mega yacht. It’s important to note that within the ultra-luxury cruise segment, this was groundbreaking stuff. Crystal Cruises was not founded until two years later, in 1988, Regent Seven Seas in 1990 and Silversea in 1994. The now defunct Royal Viking Line, founded by the late Warren Titus in 1972, is perhaps the best example of a precursor to the ultra-luxury market.

Our 16-page walkthrough

Directory

51 30

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

The line specialised in longer voyages to exotic destinations, but was not comparable to the modern luxury lines of today. Titus went on to found Seabourn with Atle Brynestad, who later founded SeaDream Yacht Club. The new company launched the Seabourn Pride in 1988, capable of holding 208 passengers, the ship was able to access smaller ports as well as larger harbours. Seabourn never considered guests as passengers, instead they were seen as “members of a select seagoing society”. Thus, it was judged to be imperative that, once the guest was on the ship, they weren’t being asked to keep putting their hand in the pocket. Everything must be included in the price, dining and all alcohol must never cost more and there should even be a

MADE FOR THE SPA LOVERS

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ON THE TITLE HORIZON

The big luxury cruise news to look out for over the next few months

Bourn again

S Princess Charlene launches Explorer

egent Seven Seas has welcomed the first new ship to its fleet in 13 years. Princess Charlene of Monaco christened the 55,254-tonne Seven Seas Explorer — billed as the “most luxurious ship ever built” — in a ceremony in Monte Carlo in July. The 750-passenger vessel is remarkable in its ambition: it boasts 45,876

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

sq f of marble and, quite possibly, the most opulent room at sea — the Regent Suite. The 4,443-squarefoot, two-bedroom apartment comes with a custom-made Steinway, a $150,000 bed as well a ‘Vista Garden’ outdoor area. The ship will sail ten Mediterranean itineraries this summer before heading to North and Central America and the Caribbean.

eabourn is set to launch its newest ship, Encore, in January with pre-inaugural sailings in December. The ship is 26 per cent larger than the company’s three Odyssey-class vessels and holds 604 passengers. For more information, see p30.

Muse cruise

ilversea’s new flagship Silver Muse, will be delivered in spring of 2017. The new ultra-luxury ship is being built by Fincantieri. It’s 40,700 tonnes and accommodates 596 guests, with 411 crew members.

––––– CLASSICAL RENAISSANCE –––––

INTERVIEW

sat down with Edie Rodriguez, CEO and president of Crystal Cruises, as it prepares to launch ocean ships, river cruise vessels and a land and air programme

cruise adviser

cruise adviser: Crystal is going

to need a number of new employees. How will you find the right people for the job? Edie Rodriguez: We already have a team of family members, which is what I call our employees, on land, on sea and around the world. You need the right budgets and people to manage this expansion and we will continue to hire appropriately. We were also contacted by valued ex-employees who wanted to come back when they heard we were launching our new experiences. The river sector is the fastest growing sector of the cruise market, with many new ships being launched each year. Is there demand for a new line and how is Crystal going to stand out from the crowd? We have carried out extensive research and we asked our guests if they were interested in taking a river cruise. The result was that 79 per cent said they would like to take one, so we know the demand is there. We launched Crystal Mozart in Vienna in July (see page 12) and we are going to extend the river cruise experience. It will be different from anything already out there, both on board and on the shore. Crystal Mozart will carry 154 passengers and 92 crew members, an unprecedented number

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Edie Rodriguez (centre), CEO and president, Crystal Cruises

ALL

E X C LU S I V E

THE WORLD’S BEST IS NOW EVEN BETTER

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hotel, resort or cruise line in history, Crystal Cruises is more than just a luxurious way to explore the world. It is an adventure, opening up the globe just for you. Whether by sea, land or air, we are taking

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the new Crystal. Where all-inclusive is All Exclusive. Crystal Cruises Best for Luxury

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Regional Sales Manager North & Scotland Tel: 07841 921533 jon@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

Representative Northern Ireland & Eire Tel: 02890 642252 nanshort@btopenworld.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING, PLEASE CALL:

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––––– CRYSTAL CLEAR? ––––– TITLE

Have you struggled to keep up with the plans over at Crystal? Here’s a summary of what the company has annouce over the last year.

July 19, 2015 Crystal announces that it will be moving into river, yacht and air with three Exclusive-class ocean ships (including residences at sea), a river division, the Crystal Esprit yacht and its own Dreamliner plane.

September 17, 2015 The company, which was acquired by Genting Hong Kong earlier in 2015, reveals that it is to acquire the Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Germany.

November 2, 2015 Crystal River Cruises orders five ships (three

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

more than originally planned) and brings the launch date of the river line forward by a year — to July 2016 — after it purchases the MS Mozart. The four newbuilds will be ready for 2017.

November 17, 2015 The expansion continues with news that Crystal AirCruises has bought a smaller plane to accompany its Dreamliner. The Boeing Business Jet B777-200LR can handle 88 guests in first class accommodation, more than the Dreamliner’s 52.

Launches:

CRYSTAL CRUISES July 2016 Launch of Crystal Mozart (river)

June & August 2017 Crystal Debussy, Ravel, Mahler and Bach (river)

August 2018 Crystal Endeavor (yacht)

Autumn 2019 First Exclusive-class ship (ocean)

December 20, 2015 Crystal Esprit christened in the Seychelles. Crystal Luxury Air announces the addition of an ultra-longrange Bombardier Global Express XRS.

February 4, 2016 The company announces plans to restore the SS United States, a goldenage ocean liner that

CRYSTAL CRUISES

was launched in 1952. A feasibility study is due to be completed by the end of 2016.

March 14, 2016 The company announces that it will build the world’s largest mega yacht, the Crystal Endeavor. The vessel, which will have 100 guest suites on board, will debut in August 2018.

March 15, 2016 Crystal Luxury Air debuts its Bombardier Global Express XRS aircraft which will take flight in April 2016 offering the option to fly privately on a Crystal vacation. The plane can accommodate 12 guests. The bigger planes will join it in 2017 and 2018.

May 9, 2016 Crystal cuts steel on four river ships.

May 10, 2016 Crystal officially signs the order for eight ships with Lloyd Werft shipyard. The announcement is

bolstered by the news that Crystal will build two more river ships than previously thought, taking the fleet up to seven. The shipyard will also build the Crystal Endeavor yacht and the first Crystal Exclusive-class ship.

A weekend on Crystal Mozart by Sam Ballard From interactive toilets to ambient water fireplaces, Crystal Mozart is the ship that changes everything. That is, according to Edie Rodriguez, Crystal Cruises boss, who also claims it is the only luxury river ship in the world. The facts are that 154 guests are looked after by 92 members of staff. However, that could be misleading because the Mozart is big, twice the width of a typical river ship. In previous incarnations it held more than 200 passengers. The ship is all-suite

and all butler, with each cabin coming with an iPad (from which you can do everything from order room service to read a newspaper), Toto toilet and TVs in the room and bathroom mirror. The ship offers open dining as well as 24-hour room service. Passengers can eat in the Waterside restaurant or have something casual in Blue. The Bistro serves local gourmet cuisine while Vintage is for fine dining (and costs ¤190 per person). If you include room service, that’s five options. The spa is huge, with steam rooms and saunas bigger than those on Serenity and Symphony. The pool is the biggest on any river ship, and access to the area is free. Most shore excursions are included in the price of the ticket. Each passenger will get the opportunity to eat in a Michelin-star restaurant, with groups capped at between 16 and 20 so as not to swamp it Signature Events are included, too — such as attending a classical concert in a Viennese palace. Those feeling like splashing out can use the ship’s Wider Yacht for VIP experiences. These will cost ¤180 per person per hour. With six more ships on order, this new entrant into the river sector certainly appears to be making all of the right noises.

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RHINE, MOSELLE, DANUBE, MAIN, RHONE & SEINE Why choose Riviera Travel? Three brand-new five-star all-suite ships launching in 2017  Brand new five-star ship launching on the Douro in 2017 - MS Douro Elegance  More of our customers would travel with us again than any of our competitors*  We never discount  Dedicated agency sales support  Online booking at www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents 

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––––– ROOM FOR A LITTLE ONE? TAKINGS KIDS ON A CRUISE DOESN’T MEAN FOREGOING LUXURY. THE MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMPANIES ARE NOW BUILDING SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND BEST SUITES AT SEA

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CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

FAMILY

here are two options for the parent who wants a luxury cruise. The first is to book a holiday on one of the high-end lines that welcome kids on board. This means fine dining, beautifully appointed suites, all-inclusive drinks and excursions – but, more often than not, hardly an abundance of fun for the kids. Ultra-luxury tends not to mean bumper cars and multi-storey waterslides. The other option is to embrace the family-friendly cruise lines – those who offer ridiculously over-thetop fun for kids and that have increasingly embraced the space and the service provided by luxury lines. It makes sense that some of the biggest ships – those in the fleets of Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal

Caribbean International – also have some of the biggest suites at sea. Norwegian, for example, offers the Haven ThreeBedroom Garden Villa on board Norwegian Gem, Jade, Jewel and Pearl. At up to 5,750 sq f, these are made up of three bedrooms with king or queen beds, a huge living area including bar that seats four and dining table that seats eight, as well as a private garden terrace (and hot tub, of course). On Disney Magic and Wonder are the Concierge Royal Suites that span 1,029 sq f and can sleep up to seven guests. While it may not be as elegantly decorated as some cruise ships, the sheer amount of space and the included concierge make it truly luxury experience. Royal

Caribbean’s Loft suites – on its Oasis and Quantumclass ships – are not only massive at 1,599 sq f (plus a huge 874 sq f balcony), but are among the prettiest you’ll see. Spread over two storeys, they can house six and now come with a ‘Genie’ – a very Royal Caribbean take on the traditional butler. Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas, its newest ship and the largest in the world, has space in abundance. Its 189 suites – including enormous Royal and Sky Lofts – are among the most impressive you’re likely to find anywhere. Stuart Leven, MD for UK and Ireland, explains how luxury is there if customers want it.

Image credit

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Garden VIllas are made up of three bedrooms and span up to 5,750 sq f

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

FAMILY

What sort of experience can guests expect from a Royal Caribbean suite?

cruise adviser

Stuart Leven: We launched Suite Class in March. There’s three elements of suite class, the top level is Star, then you get Sky, then Sea. If you get Star class, you get a Royal Genie. The best way to describe them is differential service, the Royal Caribbean way: so if you take Carlson from Downton Abbey and Mary Poppins, you’d get our butlers. A genie will have a maximum of three suites to look after and we’ll probably have three to five genies on each ship. It’s really very, very top end. If you’re in Star class, everything is included: your drinks are included, your internet is included. What we had before was the great hardware, these beautiful suites, but what we didn’t have was the service element to pull it all together. If you’re a Star-class guest, you will get fast-tracked through the terminal, your cases will be taken off you and will arrive in your room before you get there, you can take advantage of the suite-class sun deck and the restaurants on board, such as coastal kitchen, that are only for suite-class. Guaranteed VIP seating in the Royal Theater for any show, any time. The other thing we do is the desert island disc approach, which I love. We send a questionnaire before

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

you come on, and ask: what was your childhood dream? Who would you like to meet on a desert island? If you could only read one book in your life, what would it be? We did this on Ovation of the Seas, and a girl came on and said her childhood dream was to be a DJ. So we arranged for her to DJ in the ship’s floating DJ box, so she did a set over the rollerdisco for an hour. The Royal Genie is all about making dreams come true.

Were you looking towards what the luxury lines do? You do to an extent. The way I describe the Royal brand in general, which I think gives some insight into it, is: I think traditional cruise is a little bit Prince William, we’re Prince Harry. The Royal that doesn’t have to be king, and we’ve got a little glint in our eye. That’s us.

Are you trying to attract luxury customers now? We always have offered that. If you take this ship [Harmony of the Seas], the cheapest stateroom you will get will be about £900, which will be doing a normal seven-night cruise. You’ll pay several thousand for a [top] suite, and we’re always full. One of the things I love about Royal is that we’re not a three-star, four-star or five-star cruise line. We can provide cruises for everyone. This ship is so big, with so many facilities on it – the dining in 150 Central Park is akin to any Michelin-starred restaurant I’ve opened up in London hotels in my life. We’ve got the full range in dining, from that right down to [burger joint] Johnny Rockets. You can be in Jazz On 4, enjoying sophisticated jazz and cocktails, or you can be in the karaoke bar! You can do the holiday your way.

Founded in 2014, cruise adviser brings together the most insightful commentary, news and analysis for those looking to sell cruise holidays

You can find us at cruise-adviser.com (compatible with smartphone and tablet), on Twitter (@cruiseadviser) and Facebook

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Following this River guide, look out for Adventure and 2017 Preview cruise specials

For more information about print and online marketing, please email simon@cruise-adviser.com

––––– THE GREAT LUXURY SHAKE-UP JEANNINE WILLIAMSON REPORTS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGH-END CRUISE FROM THE 25TH SALES GALA

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INNOVATIONS

elicopters and James Bond-style submarines are among the innovations taking luxury cruising to new heights – and depths – and providing agents with an exciting range of opportunities to sell to clients that really want to push the boat out. The 2016 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook published by the Cruise Lines International Association (Clia), reports that cruise lines are offering luxe-loving passengers a wealth of possibilities including adventurous and exclusive tours, yachting and ultra-gourmet dining, to name just a few. Leading the field is Crystal Cruises, which unveiled the length and breadth of its fastexpanding product at the 25th Sales Gala held on Crystal Symphony and attended by 200 agents and business partners. The sessions provided detailed insight into the

company’s most significant brand expansion that encompasses Crystal Yacht Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Executive Class Ocean Cruises from autumn 2019, plus private jet and luxury air services. John Stoll, Crystal’s VP of land programme, told delegates: “What was considered luxury 25 years ago is not luxury today.” The 200-passenger Crystal Endeavor will offer extreme adventures by air, sea and land with ‘toys’ including helicopters for ‘flightseeing’ expeditions, a pair of seven-person submarines, eight Zodiacs and Seabob underwater scooters. For clients in search of a gentler experience, Crystal’s new river line product will feature a number of industry firsts including a Michelin-star restaurant meal for every passenger. Robin Maclear, chairman of The Cruise Line, said: “For the last 15 years the luxury market has not been expanding in line with the mass market, which has been building more and more, bigger and bigger ships. There is also not the brand awareness with cruise lines that is, for example, associated with luxury hotel and clothing brands. Now Crystal is trying to do that, and as a result it will make everyone else up their game.” Fellow Sales Gala UK delegate Matthew Lonsdale, director of Mundy Cruising, provided

a comparison with cars to illustrate the growth in the luxury cruise market. “We all remember our first car and how each subsequent car had additional extras, which at the time we thought were the best,” he said. “It is the same with cruising, after their first cruise people move upwards. Crystal have torn up the rule book and are going to start to do things very differently.” Providing tips for agents, Crystal’s UK head of sales, Michael Dupont, said: “It is important to underline the value for money. It is not about what it costs to get on the ship, but what it costs to get off the ship. Aside from the spa and optional excursions, Crystal clients have little else to pay for when they leave as all drinks, including unlimited Champagne and premium brands, are included throughout the cruise, along with tips. This also makes for a much more relaxing experience as passengers are not constantly having to think about the end cost of having an extra cocktail.” Elsewhere, other lines are making a splash and providing upper and highend sales opportunities. Launched in April, Europe’s newest ship for 2016, Holland America Line’s 2,650-passenger Koningsdam includes the only purpose-built wineblending venue at sea. This year Oceania will offer its most diverse

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Regent Seven Seas’ Explorer and, below left, a Scenic Eclipse helicopter

and extensive array of itineraries, including Australian cruises and six sailings that traverse the Panama Canal. Voyages have been boosted by the addition of Sirena, which joined its trio of 684-passenger ships in April. For clients that want to explore the far corners of the globe, the line has also announced a new 180-day around the world cruise aboard Insignia. Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, entered dry dock in May and the facelift will include 15 single cabins and 30 more Britannia Club Balcony staterooms. There will be a new French fine dining restaurant, the Verandah, open to all passengers for lunch and dinner, and the refurb includes extra kennels and a lamp post in the dog-walking area!

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Bookings are open for Silversea’s new flagship Silver Muse, which will debut with a pre-inaugural Monte Carlo round-trip sailing in April 2017. Expanding the line’s fleet to nine ships, the 596-passenger vessel will have the highest number of large suites in the fleet. Regent Seven Sea Cruises’ 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer is also sailing from Monte Carlo. Staterooms include the opulent 3,875 sq f Regent Suite, complete with an in-room spa retreat and Steinway piano, both firsts at sea. The line has also teamed up with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for travel from London to Venice followed by a tennight Mediterranean cruise on Seven Seas Mariner. Azamara’s two mid-sized ships, the 638-passenger

Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, are undergoing refurbishments. The upgrades, inspired by the four elements will include new spa suites featuring rain showers with ocean views, and outdoor whirlpool tubs. Scenic is set to enter the ocean market with the 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse launchig in 2018. It will have two helicopters, two submarines and a fleet of Zodiacs. Final word to Helen Tabois, ITC’s Senior Product & Marketing Manager, Caribbean & Cruise, who said: “Luxury cruise clients appreciate the same high standards of service and attention to detail that they’ve grown used to while holidaying in some of the world’s finest hotels.” See Directory from p51

––––– PEARLS OF THE DANUBE ANTHONY PEARCE JOINS LUXURY LINE SCENIC ON AN EIGHT-DAY PASSAU TO BUDAPEST RIVER CRUISE

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SCENIC by an imposing baroque castle, and paved with cobblestones and, to invoke a cliché, is like a fairytale. Subject to a mighty restoration project after years of disrepair behind the Iron Curtain, the city feels unusually both old and new, almost like a model village. It’s not as large or as lived in as Prague, but it certainly rivals it for beauty (and only the country’s capital attracts more tourists). That evening, we enjoy our best meal so far, in Scenic Pearl’s excellent Portbellos, a separate area from the Pearl Lounge which is found at the front of the ship. I choose a Ligurain-style stuffed veal loin and risotto main, part of an incredible sevencourse menu that includes mozzarella and prosciutto, minestrone soup, and a stunning porcini tortellagi on a truffle-flavoured tomato coulis. The next morning, we embark on a short visit to the Benedictine Melk Abbey, an incredible baroque structure high above the Danube. Still a working monastery and school, the building is 01. The Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest 02. Scenic Pearl 03. The Museum of Natural History, Vienna 04. Melk Abbey, Austria 05. Sailing through the Wachau Valley 06. Spittelberg, Vienna 07. Blue Church, Bratislava 08. Linz’s Ars Electronica Center in Austria 09. Ceský Krumlov castle 24

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home to just 30 monks today and houses a gorgeous library of some 100,000 volumes. After a leisurely stroll back to the ship, we set off towards Dürnstein. Sat on the (admittedly windy) sun deck we watched as the ship weaved through the Wachau Valley, its entrance marked by a precariously poised castle on a jutting piece of rock. With its sprawling woodlands, pretty villages and carefully arranged vineyards, it was not just the highlight of the trip so far, but one of the most incredible parts of Europe I’ve ever been to. Dürnstein itself is as pretty a village as I have seen. Save for a church, a handful of houses and a couple of pubs, the area is largely made up of neatly arranged, lush green vineyards, aided by the Wachau region’s temperate microclimate. As we sat on a sandy bank of the river (beaches on the Danube – who knew?) and watched the sun go down, a warm, summer glow gave the place a distinctly Mediterranean feel. It’s the sort of town you fall in love with immediately and draw up plans to retire there. It’s particularly enjoyable because of what you know is coming next: three bustling capital cities, beginning with Vienna. We opt to explore the city alone, rather than take a shore excursion, so take the U-Bahn to Stephansplatz, next to

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Budapest’s Chain Bridge and Royal Castle, lit up during the Scenic night cruise

St Stephen’s Cathedral, a towering gothic wonder. It was my second time in the city, which, for my money, is one of the world’s most beautiful. It still feels like the political and cultural centre of a mighty empire, a position it held for centuries. It is dominated by grand imperial palaces, strictly maintained royal gardens and apparently endless statues of seriouslooking men on horses. But Vienna isn’t all about the past. Mixed between its monumental baroque masterpieces are striking examples of new architecture, including the ultra-modern central train station and the stone-clad Mumok in the Museum Quarter. Its many student bars, famous coffee houses and excellent restaurant scene make it an exciting and livable city.

We lunched in a gorgeous little restaurant in the Spittelberg district, a cobblestone alley full of ivy-covered Biedermeier buildings, opting for the Wiener schnitznel, which turned out to be sumptuous but quite enormous. That evening, after a light dinner, we donned our evening wear and headed to out to enjoy the highlight of the trip so far: a private concert of Viennese classical music at the opulent Palais Lichenstein. In front of just a few hundred guests, a small ensemble expertly made their way through compositions by Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven, at one point aided by majestic ballet dancers. It was a very special evening. On return to the ship we sit with Antonio, the

Scenic Pearl’s excellent barman, who seems to enjoy nothing more than dreaming up cocktails based on ingredients he thinks we’ll like, something he’s remarkably adept at. The following day is the turn of Bratislava, the Slovakian capital that sits on the Danube between Vienna and Budapest, two of Europe’s most magnificent capitals. Often compared to these and Prague – which it played second fiddle to during the Czechoslovakia years – it doesn’t get the billing it deserves. It’s a great little city, full of winding cobblestone streets and overlooked by a mighty, rebuilt castle. The old town is only small, but is quaint and characterful and well worth a wander, while its new areas, although blighted by some

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SCENIC ugly communist buildings, provide a striking contrast with the well-maintained Vienna, which was the other side of the Iron Curtain. One example is the city’s stunning Blue Church, built in Hungarian Secessionist style, quite unlike anything else I’ve seen, which is nestled between derelict high-rises, but a stone’s throw from pretty, tree-lined streets. Of all the destinations we visited on Scenic’s Iconic Danube itinerary, Budapest is the most perfect for a river cruise. It’s a city defined and divided by its waterway, having started life as three cities: Buda and Obuda to the west of the Danube and Pest to the east, becoming Budapest in 1873. Unlike Vienna and Bratislava, many its most famous landmarks line both sides of the river. We arrive on Sunday morning, the final day of the cruise, greeted by grey skies and lashing rain – but the most spectacular of views. Scenic has acquired itself best parking space in the city: directly opposite the gothic revival Hungarian Parliament, easily one of Europe’s most impressive buildings. So good is the view, in fact, we were told that tourists regularly request (and are denied) temporary access to the ship so they can get a sneaky picture of the parliament from it. We had been looking forward to Budapest more than any other stop, and

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the city didn’t disappoint – and, of course, neither did Scenic. In fact, our day in the Hungarian capital reinforced everything we’d come to love about life on board Scenic Pearl. From the quite magnificent docking point, to our shore excursion to one of the city’s thermal baths, the evening meal and night cruise up and down the river, the day was perfectly planned and executed. The Szechenyi Medicinal Bath is remarkable. Sourced from two thermal springs, its 18 pools are housed in a gorgeous 103-year-old neo-baroque complex, along with saunas, a gym, massage rooms, a café and more. Its two largest pools are outside and set at temperatures of 34c and 38c, so, on a cold day, you can see the steam rising high. Within moments of stepping in, I feel relaxed, refreshed and re-energised – you can understand why the city’s doctors prescribe the facility as a treatment for any number of ailments. When we finished, a mini-bus ordered by Scenic was waiting for us and took us back to the ship, where other guests were arriving from different shore excursions, with lunch due to start in five minutes. It’s something that we’d got very used to over the last week: everything on Scenic is timed to perfection. It’s a faster-paced holiday than an ocean cruise – with a busy schedule on each of

its six full days – but was still relaxing because of the way it was managed. The staff are incredibly diligent and helpful: if you want something that’s not on the menu, a query answering about a port of call or a problem resolving, there’s always someone to ask and a resolution within moments. Of course, knowing that, because Scenic is all-inclusive, you don’t ever have to worry about extra costs (entry to the Szechenyi Baths, for example, or that second or third cocktail), means you can sit back, enjoy your holiday and overindulge as much as you like. We had planned to sample some of the city’s famous nightlife, but didn’t want to miss what Scenic had in store for us that evening: a night cruise through Budapest, departing just as we sat down to dinner. If the city is beautiful by day, it’s breathtaking by night. With its bridges, art noveau buildings and Buda castle all lit up so majestically, we braved the cold and headed up to the pitchblack sun deck at about 10pm. After we docked again, we took residence at our usual spot at the bar, the glow of the Hungarian capital shimmering on the water outside the ship. It was a fitting end to a truly special week See Directory, p57. Turn over to find out more about Scenic’s new ship

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––––– Q&A NICHOLA ABSALOM SCENIC BRAND MANAGER

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What will Scenic Eclipse bring to the luxury market?

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Nichola Absalom Our goal with Scenic Eclipse was to open up the private Discovery Yacht experience so that our guests could discover regions previously only visited by a fortunate few. There’s nothing on the market at this level that does that, so we’ll be bringing unique experiences to guests while they travel in luxury and safety.

How does it differ from other Scenic offerings? This is our first six-star ultraluxury mega ocean yacht that will cruise the oceans of the world; from the tip of the Arctic to Antarctica and beyond. Built for just 228 guests, it will feature 114 all-verandah suites, from the spacious 32 sq m Verandah Suite to the truly luxurious 233 sq m two-bedroom Owner’s Penthouse Suite, and offers something that is simply not available anywhere else. Although our signature brand of allinclusive will mean guests will enjoy the superior level of inclusions they are familiar with from our river cruises, Eclipse, which has been three years in the planning, is the pinnacle of luxury ocean cruising.

What will regular Scenic customers recognise? Scenic’s signature brand of all-inclusive luxury means guests will enjoy a superior level of inclusions – all meals (no surcharge for any

on board dining venue), complimentary top-shelf beverages all day every day, butler service with an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio and on board entertainment and lectures in the 240 seat theatre. As with all Scenic cruises, all tips and gratuities are included as is complimentary wi-fi, expert local guides for included shore excursions, a choice of included Scenic Freechoice activities to personalise the guest experience plus Scenic Enrich special events. Can you tell us more about the helicopters and submarines? Scenic Eclipse will take guests to places previously thought inaccessible with two onboard helicopters and a seven-seat submarine, adding a whole new dimension of wonder. These twin-engine helicopters will take guests beyond the horizon, while the custombuilt submarine provides optimal sightseeing to a world below the surface. Supplements will be charged for use of these and prices will be available in our series of mini brochures, released in August 2016.

Are you looking further afield for your river offerings, too? In the last year Scenic has significantly invested in its fleet and in the range of destinations it covers. In 2016 alone we have launched the Scenic Azure on the Douro river,

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SCENIC the Scenic Spirit on the Mekong, The Scenic Aura on the Irrawaddy and three new ships onto the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers (Scenic Jasper, Amber and Opal). 2017 will see major renovations to our ships located on the French rivers, including a rebuild of three Scenic Space-Ships in France and the launch of an onboard cooking school plus new Freechoice activities, Scenic Enrich experiences and a number of new combination cruises. Scenic Diamond in Bordeaux plus Scenic Emerald and Sapphire on the Rhône and Saône in the South of France, will be rebuilt for 2017 opening up public spaces and reducing the number of guests to 155 (78 cabins) but not staff numbers; offering guests an even more personalised level of service than ever before. The redesigned ships will all feature two 47 sq m Royal Owner’s Suites on the Diamond Deck – the biggest suites on European river cruise ships, larger wellness centres and gyms plus a vitality pool. One of the most exciting new elements of these ships will be the exclusive Scenic Culinaire experience. One of the onboard dining venues has been transformed into a private cooking emporium offering tailored cooking classes. The dedicated space will feature cooking stations, a cheese and wine cellar, fresh ingredients will be sourced from local markets and our cooking

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instructors will introduce guests to regional recipes based on the regions we are cruising through. Scenic Culinaire features a realtime camera and screen to ensure each participant can see every cooking move in detail. Plenty of sessions are scheduled throughout the cruise, however with exclusive numbers, guests are encouraged to register their interest early.

How has Eclipse been received so far? As we launched Eclipse in conjunction with our 30th anniversary, it heralded a new direction for Scenic and, as such, we’ve received an unprecedented amount of coverage from both the consumer and trade partners and press. I think everyone has been very excited to hear about the world class innovation and unique safety features that Eclipse boasts. The arrival of Eclipse in August 2018 is an exciting time for the luxury cruise market and opens up a world of opportunity and adventure that has never been possible before.

How can agents find out more about Eclipse and Scenic in general? A series of Eclipse minibrochures are currently in production where we will be offering air-inclusive packages from the UK. These will be available in August. We have a dedicated section on our website with detailed information on Eclipse plus

full itineraries and preview cruise only prices. We also have a dedicated agent portal where agents will find information on Scenic, current incentive schemes, contact information for our Regional Sales Managers, marketing material and brochure request links. Is there too much capacity being added too quickly to the luxury sector? What effect might this have? I think we need to determine what the word ‘luxury’ actually means. There are many marketing messages claiming products are ‘luxury’ when in fact they fall very short of the mark in terms of product delivery. This can dilute the demand for true ‘luxury’ products and services which leads to overcapacity. We have seen this across the board this year with discounts of over 50 per cent being marketed in abundance. This has a detrimental effect on all tour operator margins. We are confident that the introduction of Scenic Eclipse with strong USPs and clear differentiators will not add to this problem. In many cases only the supremely wealthy or explorers and adventurers could’ve travelled to the Antarctic hinterland or have ventured below the surface to witness Polar wildlife in their natural habitat, but now we are making these experiences accessible. See Directory p57. More information on Scenic.co.uk

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––––– INFOCUS SEABOURN –––––

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SEABOURN fully-stocked bar in each suite. Everyone on board would have an experience virtually indistinguishable from a trip on a private yacht, without having to stump up millions on seafaring hardware. The next year saw the company add a second ship, the Seabourn Spirit, in 1989, before Carnival purchased a 25 per cent stake in 1991. It took its stake up to 50 per cent in 1996, allowing Seabourn to buy the Seabourn Legend. Carnival took over the remaining 50 per cent in 1998, about the same time it bought Cunard and transferred over the company’s Royal Viking Sun and Goddess I and II. The three new additions to Seabourn’s fleet were also the most short-lived. Atle Brynestad bought the two Goddesses in order to start SeaDream Yacht Club and the Sun moved to Holland America Line to become the Prinsendam. The company continued to grow its presence in the ultra-luxury market with the Pride, Spirit and Legend until it announced the launch of its Odyssey-class in 2009. The vessel, the first of three ships, was the first new ship for Seabourn in more than a decade and it changed everything. Bigger, better and updated, the Odyssey-class vessels hold a maximum of 450 passengers across 32,346 gross tonnes of hardware. To put that into context, the Legend came

in at just under 10,000 gross tones, while the Goddess ships came in at under 5,000 gross tonnes. How would Seabourn maintain the feel of a luxury private yacht now that its ships had more than doubled in size? To compound the problem, the line announced a deal with Windstar in which it would sell off its three small ships leaving it with the three Odyssey vessels (Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest). At the same time Seabourn revealed that it would be building its biggest ships ever, starting with Encore (due to launch in November), capable of holding 604 passengers. Ovation will follow in 2018. The answer to the above question is that, while still rooted in tradition, Encore and Ovation will be bastions of a different type of cruising to the Legend, Spirit and Pride. The dynamics of catering for 600 passengers are different to those needed to cater for 200. The ships

are much bigger and a certain level of intimacy is bound to be lost. However, there are elements of Seabourn circa 1986 that will still be strongly evident in 2016 and beyond: guests are still part of a seafaring society; everything (apart from the casino and spa) is included and the onboard choice is far greater; and, most importantly, while Encore is four times bigger than the Legend, there will only be three times as many guests. This means more space per person; the definition of luxury in the upper echelons of the cruise market. That, along with the work of renowned ship designer Adam D Tihany, means that Seabourn may not be like a luxury yacht any more, but it is something far better: one of the most luxury holidays available anywhere, land or sea. See Directory p59. Turn over for more about Seabourn’s commitment to luxury

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WHAT SETS SEABOURN APART? TITLE

ynn Narraway is the managing director of Seabourn UK. Here she writes about her company’s commitment to luxury, and the importance of travel agents in helping them deliver on that. We don’t like to sell Seabourn against other luxury cruise brands. We prefer to put ourselves within the spectrum of the wider luxury market. When you look at the all-inclusive value of a Seabourn holiday versus a five or six-star hotel, guests really get a total wraparound service with us. With hotels you might not even get full board, and you certainly won’t get your drinks included in the price.

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Our crew will know your name and the minibar will be stocked with your favourite drinks. When you check into your stateroom, the cabin stewardess will knock on your door with a glass of champagne and an array of different soaps for you to choose from, as well as the Molton Brown brand that we have specifically made for Seabourn. Travel agents must look at what the luxury sector offers and become an expert. Being confident about the different aspects of our brand — which they can be through the Seabourn academy — will enable them to become that expert. The rewards of doing so are huge. But you must be confident and do your

research. The service you are giving must be the same as the service guests will receive once they are on board our fleet. In many ways it is an extension of our own brand. Luxury travellers are highly educated and sophisticated. They expect good service at every level. Both on the ship and ashore, from start to finish. It’s important that the agent partner does their research and becomes an expert in selling luxury. Learn as much about luxury brands as you can and the differences that exist between them. Once you’ve got a luxury guest, they will come back to you. At Seabourn our repeat booking rate is about 50 per cent. 33

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––––– HOW TO SELL LUXURY CRUISES How, as a travel agent, do you cater for the luxury market? From the specialists we speak to — from cruise line executives to agents who have cornered the market — it’s all about service and knowledge. If you are selling a six-star luxury brand, you can’t give bucket and sand service. Wealthy customers expect a certain level of service, and if you want to crack the luxury sector you must become an extension of the brands that people are willing to pay the big bucks for. However, fear not, for those who are just starting out, this guide is a great starting place. We’ve boiled everything down to its purest essence to help you. From two simple questions, we’ve provided a host of incredible options to cover a large part of the luxury market. It’s a good starting point, but remember to do you research if you want to take your luxury credentials to the next level!

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HOW TO SELL

––––– Q1. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO?  NORTH AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN  EUROPE & THE MEDITERRANEAN  SOMEWHERE MORE EXOTIC

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HOW TO SELL

––––– Q2. WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO?    

WINTER 2016 SPRING 2017 SUMMER 2017 AUTUMN 2017

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Winter 2016

Spring 2017

Summer 2017

Autumn 2017

North America/ Caribbean

Europe

Exotic

Price shown are per person and are correct at the time of publication

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HOW TO SELL

NORTH AMERICA

WINTER 2016

olland America Line’s new flagship, Koningsdam, is currently plying its trade in European waters. However, come the winter it will be plotting a course for the Caribbean where it will be transferring passengers from Fort Lauderdale to paradises across the Caribbean. The ship is the perfect extension of HAL’s brand, and is a great luxury getaway for guests who enjoy fine food and great music.

Line: Holland America Line Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, US Departure date: December 4, 2016 Destination: Caribbean Durations: 19 nights Ship: Koningsdam Price: from £1,699

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The dining options on board Koningsdam are top notch. Some of the best in the industry in fact — from seafood at Sel Der Mer to Tamarind, an Asian fusion restaurant. Look out for the De Librije menu, too, from Michelin-star chef Jonnie Boer.

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NORTH AMERICA

t the time of writing Seven Seas Explorer is the newest luxury ship in the world. It also boasts the largest suite at sea, for any customers who really want to secure their bragging rights. This cruise is perfect for those guests who want every single thing to be taken care of, from their alcohol to shore excursions. The only thing that Regent wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay for is your spa or casino bill!

Line: Regent Seven Seas Departure port: Miami Departure date: March 16, 2017 Destination: Caribbean Duration: 10 nights Ship: Seven Seas Explorer Price: from ÂŁ4,119

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NORTH AMERICA

SUMER 2017

ailing across the ocean wave, the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. What could be better? Nothing, and you’ll have plenty of that on this trip. Cunard are known as the specialists when it comes to transatlantic travel and this cruise — pegged as a Fashion Week special — features guest speakers from across the industry, with names such as Colin McDowell, Gail Sackloff and Julien Macdonald.

Line: Cunard Departure port: Southampton Departure date: August 31, 2017 Destination: New York Duration: Seven nights Ship: Queen Mary 2 Price: from £1,479

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The remastering of Queen Mary 2 was a huge undertaking. Any clients you have that either haven’t been on Cunard before, or haven’t been on board the QM2, are in for a real treat.

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AUTUMN 2017

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here is something very special about the Mississippi river. There’s also a reason why people tend not to do the lower part of the river in the absolute peak of summer — it’s too damn hot. This sailing, on board the beautiful American Queen, will be just as conditions are starting to cool. Enjoy some incredible southern hospitality, as you journey through the fascinating and historic Deep South.

Line: American Queen Steamboat Company Departure port: New Orleans, US Departure date: October 1, 2017 Destination: Mississippi river Durations: Nine days Ship: American Queen Price: from $1,999

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EUROPE

WINTER

o you have clients pining for a bit of a break before their families descend on them for the Christmas holidays? This cruise, on board the all-inclusive Scenic Opal, gives passengers the opportunity to sample the delights of Europe’s famous Christmas Markets for those who needs to do some last-minute shopping. Your butler will be on hand to help you relax, too. Just remember to wrap up warm!

Line: Scenic Departure port: Amsterdam, Netherlands Departure date: November 21, 2016 Destination: Rhine river Duration: Eight days Ship: Scenic Opal Price: from £1,420

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The innovative sunroom balconies mean that the outside comes in at the touch of a button. Rather than passengers having to go outside. Useful, especially in the winter months.

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SPRING

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rance’s most luxurious cruise line is, unsurprisingly, not one to go easy on the decadence. This ten-night sailing is absolutely perfect for wine lovers, with stops at Lixoes (just outside Porto) and Bordeaux — two European cities that specialise in the sweet stuff. Expect some beautiful nouvelle cuisine to accompany and leave you feeling suitably indulged

Line: Ponant Departure port: Lisbon, Portugal Departure date: April 15, 2017 Destination: Portsmouth Durations: 10 nights Ship: Le Soleal Price: from ¤4,570

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SUMMER

here is something innately luxurious about cruising through the south of France, and it is certainly helped by the high standards on board the Lord Byron, widely considered one of the finest vessels on the water. This trip, from Lyon to Avignon, includes stops off in places including Arles, where Vincent Van Gogh painted The Starry Night among many other great works.

Line: Riviera Travel Departure port: Lyon, France Departure date: June 8, 2017 Destination: Avignon river Duration: Eight days Ship: Lord Byron Price: from £1,599

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Prices on board Riviera offer great value but remember that they do not include alcohol. The argument is that drinks aren’t free on an all-inclusive trip — you just pay for them before you get on.

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eabourn has heralded its upcoming ship, Seabourn Encore, as a game changer in the luxury market. A lot of industry commentators are excited to see what’s on board, as well as the company’s loyal guests — 50 per cent of which are repeat bookers. This early autumn cruise takes in some of the most beautiful sites the eastern Mediterranean has to offer, including Rhodes, Santorini and Athens.

Line: Seabourn Departure port: Istanbul, Turkey Departure date: September 2, 2017 Destination: Piraeus, Greece Duration: Seven days Ship: Encore Price: from £3,699

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WINTER

lenty has been said about Crystal’s headline-grabbing assent on the cruise industry. The Crystal Esprit, which was christened in the Seychelles, is the first of many planned additions to the line. The intimacy of the ship allows for an incredible amount of access, particularly useful on this sailing that takes passengers through the Holy Land and on to Jordan to see the incredible Rose City of Petra.

Line: Crystal Cruises Departure port: Limassol, Cyprus Departure date: November 13, 2016 Destination: Aqaba, Jordan Duration: Ten days Ship: Crystal Esprit Price: from $5,590

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The Crystal Esprit comes with its own submarine. An actual submarine. It costs an eye-watering $599 for a half hour expedition. But, it’s an actual submarine!

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SPRING

EXOTIC

ietnam is a destination on many bucket lists, and for good reason, too. A trip to the beautiful Southeast Asian country, and its neighbour, Cambodia, is a fascinating insight through thousands of years of history. From the ancient temple complex at Angkor Wat to the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh or Phnom Penh. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no shortage of luxury operators competing in the region, too.

Line: APT Departure port: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Departure date: March 10, 2017 Destination: Mekong Duration: 15 days Ship: AmaLotus Price: ÂŁ4,140

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EXOTIC

SUMMER

iking Cruises’ ocean ships have caused something of a stir in the industry. The river operator, which has traditionally operated in the river sector, took the bigger canvas of an ocean vessel and ran with it. From the spa to the Aquavit Terrace, the growing fleet has garnered a huge amount of positive press. The cruise we have chosen is one that takes passengers right to the company’s homeland. Book the owner’s suite and enjoy the glass-fronted sauna that looks out across the ocean.

Line: Viking Cruises Departure port: Bergen, Norway Departure date: June 3, 2017 Destination: London Duration: 15 days Ship: Viking Star Price: from £4,490

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The spa on board Viking’s ocean ships are among the best we have ever seen. They include snow rooms, plunge pools and more treatments than you can shake a seaweed wrap at.

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AUTUMN

EXOTIC

e at cruise adviser are big fans of Uniworld’s ultra luxurious offerings. Coupled with their always sumptuous décor, their ships are the absolute epitome of river cruise elegance. This cruise down the Ganges is as rare as it is sublime. It is pretty much unique to Uniworld, and takes place on board the Ganges Voyager II, a beautiful ship that combines the best of old world luxury with modern living. It’s something that has to be seen to be believed.

Line: Uniworld Departure port: New Delhi, India Departure date: October 9, 2017 Destination: Kolkata, India Duration: 13 days Ship: Ganges Voyager II Price: £6,429

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