4 minute read
Trend Report: Where We're Going in 2023
from Range by Sea - 2023
by Ensemble
BY ROBIN CHERRY
CLOSE TO HOME CRUISES ARE SATISFYING many travelers yearning to return to the sea. Ports are often less expensive, and no one can deny Alaska’s majesty, New England’s charms, or the rugged beauty of California’s coast. Since most cruise lines sail under foreign flags, they must make a foreign port of call, which is why New England cruises often stop in Montreal; California cruises visit Mexico, and Alaska cruises call on Canada (Lindblad, with four US-flagged ships that sail to Alaska, is the exception). For East Coasters, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has a round trip from New York that docks in Boston on July 4th to take in the fireworks over Boston Harbor.
Montreal
Other travelers are flocking to epic, bucket-list cruises that dock in dozens of ports across multiple continents. When Holland America Line’s 73-day Grand Africa Voyage sold out in 2022, the company added another for 2023, departing in October for the souks of Casablanca, the ancient monuments of Petra, and the beaches of Zanzibar. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled its longest World Cruise to date. The 154-night 2026 world cruise offers 431 free shore excursions that allow passengers to explore 41 countries across six continents.
Shanghai
NEW IN FOOD & DRINK
Mocktails are still having a moment and mixologists are tapping into the trend with innovative mocktails like Strawberries on Fire, a blend of jalapeño, strawberry, lime juice, and agave that was created by Rob Floyd from TV’s Bar Rescue. Cunard offers Bee-Dazzled, Seedlip Spice 94 blended with honey water and orange juice while Regent’s Mango Mule is a refreshing mix of mango puree, honey, lime, cucumber and ginger ale. Explora is even introducing Club Soda gatherings featuring zero-proof spirits.
CUNARD’S BEE-DAZZLED MOCKTAIL
LATEST FITNESS CRAZE
It was only a matter of time before pickleball took to the sea and several cruise lines now offer pickleball courts and tournaments. Carnival Conquest was first to build a permanent pickleball court and Holland America, which recently inked a partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association, promises all ships will have designated pickleball courts and complimentary lessons by April 2023.
PICKLEBALL ON BOARD HOLLAND AMERICA LINE SHIP
NEW SHIPS ON THE BLOCK
Several ships are launching this year and there’s nothing like the new ship smell (and bragging rights) of a maiden voyage.
EXPLORA I is the first ship from MSC Group’s new luxury brand, Explora Journeys, which is designed for “slow travelers” who want to “stay longer and travel deeper.” All 461 suites will have floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces EXPLORA I’ s maiden voyage will sail in July 2023 from Southampton to Copenhagen , including an Arctic Circle stop.
On the design front, the grand entry stairway that winds around a pillar of crystals and lights on Oceania’s new Vista sets the stage for an elegant journey. All-veranda staterooms include a new category: 260 squarefoot staterooms designed for solo travelers. There are also three 2,400 square-foot Owner’s Suites. Vista’ s Founder’s Cruise will sail from Rome in May with stops in Italy, Greece and Croatia.
Seabourn’s new Pursuit is an ultraluxury, purpose-built expedition ship with 132 all-veranda staterooms, including two-story Wintergarden Suites. It features a 26-person expedition team and two custom- built submarines that will give guests an immersive view of life below the ocean’s surface. Seabourn Pursuit sets sail in the Mediterranean in August.
Celebrity Ascent, launching in December, is the last of the Edge class series. It will carry 3,260 passengers and include Celebrity’s greatest hits: the Magic Carpet cantilevered deck; Infinite Balconies that blur the line between inside and out; and a Rooftop Garden filled with live greenery. Celebrity Ascent will sail from Fort Lauderdale alternating between ports in the Western and Eastern Caribbean.
