This is a medium-res, can we get the hi-res please?
BRIDGE FROM THE
CRUISECO PRESENTS
ULTRA-LUXURY
ISSUE 61 SPRING 2019
TIMELESS JAPAN
Discover Europe onboard the world's most luxurious cruise ships
Off the beaten track in the idyllic island nation
Land of
ANCIENT WONDERS Explore the Kimberley with Ponant's exciting new La Lapérouse as she sails one of Cruiseco’s exclusive itineraries WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF YOUR LOCAL CRUISECO CRUISE SPECIALIST
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CONTENTS
WELCOME Cruising really does offer something for everyone. In this issue of From the Bridge, we explore Australia’s magical Kimberley region; traverse South-East Asia on Seabourn Ovation; discover some of Japan’s less-travelled regions; and sail around Europe with ultra-luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Cruiseco is offering an exclusive history cruise to Papua New Guinea – in an action-packed itinerary of onboard and onshore events, a team of expert military historians will share their knowledge of the Pacific Wars.
02 COVER STORY
25 GRAND VOYAGES
LAND OF ANCIENT WONDERS Weathered by aeons of rain, wind and sea spray, Australia’s untouched Kimberley is almost as old as the Earth itself. Discover it for yourself onboard Ponant’s stylish new Explorer-class ship, Le Lapérouse.
ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME ‘Adventure’ doesn’t have to mean wading through crocodile-infested rivers in Borneo or bungee-jumping off a cliff – it can be about getting out of your comfort zone and exploring places that are new to you.
08 CRUISE LINE PROFILE LUXURY UNLIMITED Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of a handful of true luxury lines and, since the launch of Seven Seas Explorer, it is taking its fleet to spectacular new levels.
EXOTIC JOURNEY Sailing from Hong Kong to Singapore through exotic South-East Asia aboard the super-stylish Seabourn Ovation offers a fascinating glimpse into a distant past. We check out the highlights of next year’s itineraries.
12 CRUISECO EXCLUSIVE
31 PASSENGER REVIEW
PACIFIC WAR HISTORY Papua New Guinea is one of the final frontiers of the South Pacific, a naturally beautiful, culturally rich country that played an important and little-known role in the two World Wars.
AEGEAN ODYSSEY Cruiseco Member Rebecca Smyth tells us about her immersive 7-night cruise on Celestyal Cruises’ friendly Celestyal Crystal.
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28 SMALL SHIP
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20 BIG SHIP
IDYLLIC JAPAN Showcasing the island nation’s distinctive culture and diverse land and seascapes, Diamond Princess takes you on an unforgettable journey to 10 less-visited destinations that will bring you closer to the ‘real’ Japan.
All listed fares are subject to availability and were correct at time of printing. Front cover image: Ponant’s Le Lapérouse. From the Bridge is produced by Cruiseco in cooperation with Edge. For more information about Edge, please visit edge.agency or phone 02 8962 2600.
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LAND OF
ANCIENT WONDERS Weathered by aeons of rain, wind and sea spray, Australia’s untouched Kimberley is almost as old as the Earth itself. WORDS: RODERICK EIME
Wandjina artwork in sandstone caves at Raft Point
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COVER STORY
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he walls of the cave are emblazoned with graffiti so old that no-one can really date these creations with certainty. Some researchers believe the exquisite rock art depictions we’re looking at could be at least 50,000 years old. Staring at them, we try to imagine the ancient people who came here and painted these intricate murals. Prehistoric animals, ornately attired hunter figures and mysterious deities of unknown origin all adorn the bare rock face; standing testimony to the tribes who once lived among these rough canyons. “The Kimberley is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the world,” says former Chief Scientist of Western Australia, Professor Lyn Beazley AO. “Its biodiversity and marine ecosystem are among the world’s most pristine. The tropical savannahs of the region are the only nearuntouched such landscapes left on the planet.” Travel companies often use the term ‘pristine wilderness’ to describe somewhere away from the souvenir sellers and taxi touts of the world’s over-crowded tourist traps. But in the remote Kimberley region of Australia’s North West, you can be assured that its pristine wilderness is exactly that. The Kimberley has been voted the top adventure cruise destination for Australians and is quickly establishing itself as a ‘must-do’. A secret well-kept by fishers, prospectors and cattle ranchers for decades, it’s a relatively new region for adventure cruising, explored only by more intrepid travellers over the past 30 years.
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COVER STORY
Soak up the views from the horizon pool
While overland travel is also popular, it can be a rough and uncomfortable experience and it’s not without its dangers. This is where the new breed of luxurious small ships come to the fore, offering comfort and sanctuary in a harsh environment. No other cruise line exemplifies this genre of modern, responsible travel better than Ponant. Away from the crowded, commercialised ports, Ponant vessels are designed to reach remote, otherwise inaccessible locations with ease. They’re large enough to provide space and privacy for those on board yet, each state-of-theart vessel is also small enough to venture where megaships can never sail. Excursions take place aboard sturdy Zodiac runabouts, with just a handful of passengers in each boat and an expert interpreter to guide your experience. With 30 years of maritime experience, Ponant is at the forefront of small ship cruising – its gleaming, futuristic vessels are equipped with the most advanced technological and environmentally sensitive tools. Guests can expect to receive a supremely comfortable voyage in luxurious surroundings akin to a 5-star hotel.
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A secret well-kept by fishers, prospectors and cattle ranchers for decades, it’s a relatively new region for adventure cruising, explored only by more intrepid travellers over the past 30 years.
Traditional owners
In 2018, Ponant responded to the urging of its many repeat guests and launched the first of its new Explorer-class ships, which are designed for adventurous voyages to remote or challenging destinations – including the sought-after Polar regions. These new vessels, of which a total of six are planned, are slightly smaller and more agile than the current fleet and have a raft of adventure-specific features such as an innovative underwater viewing lounge (the ‘Blue Eye’), as well as kayaks and paddleboards. Ponant is also well known for its gastronomy, with menus devised by worldrenowned chef Alain Ducasse. There’s also a comprehensive wine cellar aboard every ship, overseen by a knowledgeable sommelier. To bolster the luxury, indulgent spa treatments can be enjoyed after a conscience-cleansing workout in the gym. Another clever feature of these new Explorer-class vessels is the hydraulicallyretractable marina at the stern, where Zodiac tenders are embarked and disembarked. Climbing in and out of tenders can be a nerve-wracking process for less mobile guests, even in the relatively calm waters of the Kimberley.
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COVER STORY
Easy access from the marina platform
Croc spotting up close
King George River, the Kimberley
The Kimberley’s spectacular waterfalls, stark gorges, vast savannah and desolate mountain ranges are all waiting to be explored by one of the world’s most modern and comfortable expedition cruise ships. But this versatile accessory simplifies the procedure considerably, making the overall experience more stress-free and enjoyable. Another thing worth noting is that the vessel dedicated by Ponant to cruising the Kimberley, Le Lapérouse, has a reasonable-sized swimming pool on board. This is much appreciated when you’re craving a relaxing dip in the sun, because swimming in the waters off the Kimberley coast is not possible due to the abundance of saltwater crocodiles (a fact that will soon become clear as your expedition guide points out the big reptiles populating the riverbanks).
Ponant’s Iconic Kimberley itinerary is one of the most comprehensive offered by any major cruise operator. In 2020, 11 back-to-back 11-day voyages will take place between May and September, with a different set of excursions every day. The Hunter River, for example, is one of the most picturesque landscapes in the Kimberley, where wild mangrove forests are home to abundant bird species.
“The high point of this voyage,” says veteran expedition leader Mick Fogg, “will undoubtedly be our exploration of the King George River and its majestic twin falls, the highest in Western Australia. “We also visit Collier Bay, the site of the mysterious Montgomery Reef, where the entire marine ecosystem appears to rise from the sea with the falling tide like a reappearing Atlantis.” Throughout each journey, Le Lapérouse will traverse one of Australia’s most ancient and awe-inspiring coastlines. The Kimberley’s spectacular waterfalls, stark gorges, vast savannah and desolate mountain ranges are all waiting to be explored by one of the world’s most modern, luxurious expedition cruise ships. A visit to the Kimberley is, in every sense, a giant step back in time to a land almost unchanged since dinosaurs roamed these parts. In fact, with a keen eye, you might just spot one.
Travel journalist and photographer Roderick Eime has been on a seemingly never-ending cruise for the past 20 years, picking up several awards on the way while filing for major newspapers, magazines and websites. SPRING 2019 7
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GRAND VOYAGES
Adventure of a lifetime No matter how much you love your comfort zone, there’s something special about visiting new countries, experiencing different cultures and meeting like-minded people. On a world cruise with CMV, you get all of that and more. WORDS: RODERICK EIME
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umans are a funny bunch. Some of us are perfectly content to stay at home and watch television, experiencing the world mostly through a flatscreen while being surrounded by our other creature comforts. Others are the proverbial ‘rolling stones’; always on the move and gathering no moss. The latter are usually the ones prasied for ‘really living’, ticking off their bucket lists, making friends all over the world and living by Helen Keller’s famous quote: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” But when we talk of adventure, and adventure cruising, what do we mean? ‘Adventure’ doesn’t have to mean wading through crocodile-infested rivers in Borneo or bungee-jumping off the edge of a cliff. Most of us get just as much out of taking a journey to a country we’ve never visited before; one that’s full of unfamiliar sights and smells, where the streets echo with the sounds of an exotic foreign tongue. If you’ve ever daydreamed of such an experience, or had your imagination captured by a TV travel show — where the host wanders wide-eyed through a market filled with bizarre fruits and vegetables, or is lucky enough to stumble upon a traditional dance by locals, complete with alluring costumes — then know that you can do this too. No matter how much you enjoy your comfort zone, there are always different ways to experience lifechanging adventure.
Barbary macaques roam the Rock of Gibraltar
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GRAND VOYAGES
CRUISE ITINERARY
Finely peserved mosaic floors, Paphos, Cyprus
Meet the fleet
Cape Verde memories
Set the wheels in motion Now, let’s aim high and consider an adventurous world cruise. It doesn’t have to be all fancy champagne and butlers in waistcoats — it can be more affordable and down-to-earth than you might think. Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has earned a reputation for providing wellpriced, yet enriching and comprehensive itineraries all around the world, on its ‘classic’ cruise ships. This line offers you ship experiences that reflect the ‘golden age’ of ocean travel without extra, unnecessary bells and whistles that only add to your cruise fare. Instead, CMV’s attention is focused on optimising the most important things: superior cuisine, engaging onboard activities, enrichment classes (calligraphy, music, decorative arts and millinery), guest lecturers (maritime history and criminology, to name just two) and luxurious comforts like rejuvenating spa treatments or a refreshing dip in the pool. Then, of course, there are those intangible perks on the ship, like making new acquaintances and, potentially, some lifelong friends. With so many interesting activities to take part in onboard, you’re sure to meet a kindred spirit.
With the recent addition of both the 1220-passenger Vasco da Gama and the new 1400-passenger flagship, Columbus, the CMV fleet now consists of six ships. This includes the venerable 1948-built, 550-passenger Astoria, which has undergone numerous refurbishments and refits over the decades to remain a firm guest favourite. CMV calls its world cruises ‘Grand Voyages’ and with good reason. These lengthy ocean transits encapsulate everything that a world cruise should be. They cross multiple meridians, spanning more than a month (some sail for longer than three months) and include port visits to exotic destinations such as the remote Marquesas, São Vicente (Cape Verde), Gibraltar, Cyprus and the Andaman Islands. Grand Voyages typically depart from the British Isles and head Down Under, or vice versa, and frequently include a ‘Blue Ribbon’ event such as a transit of either the Suez or Panama Canals. The voyage is sure to include some perfect adventure tales for you to thrill your guests with at your next dinner party. It’s not difficult to imagine that any itinerary including such far-flung destinations would expand one’s understanding of the planet, its people and our environment. This brings to light another famous thought by the Roman philosopher Seneca: “Travel and change of place impart new vigour to the mind.” So, grab adventure by the horns and enjoy your next travel experience to its fullest potential with a CMV Grand Voyages cruise.
CRUISE NAME
Vasco Da Gama MSC Cruises’ 7-night Middle Eastern return cruise on MSC Bellissima departs Dubai on December 14, 2019. Ports of call include Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani habi and Sir bi and Sir BaniYas Island,. Fares start from AU$879 per person, twin share.
CRUISE NAME
Columbus Crystal Cruises’ 12-night Visions of Arabia & India cruise on Crystal Symphony departs Abu Dhabi on October 27, 2021. Ports of call include Manama, Bahrain; Doha, Qatar; Dubai, UAE; Muscat, Oman; and Mumbai, India. Fares start from AU$6455 per person, twin share.
FACT FILE Cruise line: CMV Vessel: Vasco da Gama Max guest capacity: 1220 GRT: 55,877 Entered service: 1993 Facilities: 6 restaurants, 5 lounges and bars, 2 pools, spa and fitness centre, theatre, library. Cruise line: CMV Vessel: Columbus Max guest capacity: 1400 GRT: 63,786 Entered service: 1998 Facilities: 6 restaurants, 7 bars and lounges, 2 pools, spa and fitness centre, theatre, library. SPRING 2019 27
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