Selector Magazine - Oct 2019 - Cruise Special

CRU ISE GUIDE

THE JOURNEY ALL THE FUN YOU CAN HAVE ON THE WAY!

THE CRUISE JOURNEY

WITH THE GROWTH OF CRUISING, YOU CAN AFFORD TO BE CHOOSY WHEN IT COMES TO ENSURING A DREAM JOURNEY.

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ruising is thriving and Australians are the fastest growing international market. Last year, almost 1.5 million Australians went on a cruise and all the lines want a slice of the pie.

With the global growth comes more new and refurbished ships, as well as bigger vessels, which means if you’re looking to book a cruise, you’ve got even more choice!

ELEVATE YOUR A-TO-B

As part of this drive to get you on board, cruise lines are innovating and evolving their on board offerings.

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Cruise lines, now more than ever, are focussed inward, with each of them determined to have their vessels be destinations in themselves.

Each is investing heavily to create and deliver experiences that are as enjoyable and as interesting as those you are on your way to experience.

In short, cruise companies are determined to elevate your A-to-B, your Journey, to the same status as your chosen destination. And the innovations are just getting started!

YOUR JOURNEY IS IMPORTANT

This guide is a celebration of what is now possible onboard across the cruising market. There is an extraordinary array of new possibilities on offer that are designed to appeal broadly and specifically.

Service and the smooth delivery of these experiences are ultimately the distinguishing factors between good, 11

great and incredible, and all cruise companies know this. They are acutely aware that there is no point in investing in and curating these experiences if the smooth delivery of them falls short of your expectations. And they know that expectations are high.

Cruise companies want you to find the right fit for you and they want you to come back. They know that a few little things can sometimes add up to a lot, especially when you have saved and entrusted your hard earned savings to their brand.

Now more than ever you are in a position to research and communicate with companies and travel agents about what are going to be the best choices to suit your travel dreams.

MORE CHOICE, MORE POSSIBILITIES

From wining, dining, special interest experiences, to entertainment, shopping, 12

beauty and wellness, this year’s guide shines a light on the sea of possibilities and choices that exist across the open ocean, river and exploratory cruises.

We hope you enjoy the unique insights from writers Roderick Eime, Maggy Oehlbeck and our special industry insider, Portia Starboard.

OCEAN JOURNEYS

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CRUISE LINES ARE PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO IMPRESS

FROM SECLUDED SANCTUARIES TO BROADWAY STYLE SHOWS, OCEAN CRUISE JOURNEYS HAVE SOMETHING TO IMPRESS EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER.

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ith cruising on a roll all over the world, cruise lines are pulling out the stops to impress potential customers with ‘ground-breaking’ and ‘gamechanging’ innovations both in terms of newbuild ship design and onboard offerings on existing vessels.

One of the most widely-touted such features is the ship-within-a-ship concept, where premium passengers enjoy a kind of sanctuary away from the rowdy hoi-polloi in the general sections.

Even though guests may be travelling on one of the new so-called megaliners, they can enjoy seclusion in a dedicated section

of the ship where exclusive restaurants, spa salons, bars and relaxation spaces are set aside for their use. A bit like the old ‘First Class’ sections of the early ocean liners, but with even more.

These luxurious enclaves will usually boast cabins, suites and staterooms of a superior standard, often with butler service and other extra niceties like a bar allowance or included laundry.

SIZE IS EVERYTHING

Cruise ships built within the last few years will always feature a majority of outside cabins or balconies, recognising that inside cabins are the least popular and often remain empty. Cabin size, too, is an important bragging point. Ships built in the 1980s and 1990s frequently had small, cramped accommodations and even when the ships were refitted, they were stuck with them.

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Those seasoned cruisers who may have begun their travels before the modern era will recall a somewhat regimented shipboard atmosphere with fixed mealtimes and seating arrangements.

Nowadays, even passengers on ‘the lower decks’ can choose from a variety of dining options ranging from café-style eateries through to true fine dining. Some cruise lines have aligned themselves with famous celebrity chefs such as Princess Cruises has done with Curtis Stone and his onboard fine-dining restaurant, SHARE. However, these deluxe alternatives usually come with a surcharge.

INCLUDED EXTRAS

At the lofty end of the market, many lines are enticing discerning guests with all-inclusive packages that allow passengers to eat, drink and be pampered to their hearts’ content. There may be some variations, such as Viking’s 20

included beer, wine and soft drinks at mealtimes, while others may operate on an ‘open bar’ principle with passengers paying for ultra-premium beverages only.

Other inclusions might be Wi-Fi, shore excursions and alternate dining venues.

It’s not unusual to have special wineor spirit-tasting events, often sponsored by

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major labels and hosted by knowledgeable sommeliers or winemakers.

Spa options are expanding rapidly with all vessels now offering sophisticated treatments and services in ever-larger and more lavish spaces. Everything from a simple massage, yoga class or coiffure to acupuncture, detox treatments or even botox injections can now be had onboard.

IT’S SHOWTIME

The variety and extent of shipboard entertainment is also an area focussed on by cruise lines in their effort to stay ahead of the opposition. It may be lavish theatre productions rivalling Broadway, celebrity performers and soloists, comedians or even erudite guest speakers. Silversea is well known for attracting notable speakers aboard their world cruises, having hosted 22

such names as Dr Zahi Hawass, the famous Egyptologist, as well as Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Dan Rather and eminent Australian historian, Geoffrey Blainey. Holland America Line even hosted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu aboard ms Amsterdam in 2014, demonstrating that entertainment and enrichment are often one and the same.

And in keeping with the latest wearable technology, cruise lines are introducing personal devices that not only track your spending and open your cabin door, but allow you to book shore excursions and theatre seats, as well as locate members of your cruising party. Princess Cruises’ MedallionClass™ is a standout example and is being progressively introduced across their newer ships.

RIVER JOURNEYS

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THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO TAKE A RIVER CRUISE, WITH MORE COMPETITION MAKING FOR EXCEPTIONAL JOURNEYS.

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n something of a parallel trajectory, the number of passengers choosing to enjoy river cruising is roughly following the upward trends in cruising generally.

Similarly, new riverboats are launching at a frenzied pace, trying to keep up with the demand. Australian cruisers, in particular, have shown a penchant for rivers, whether they’re in Europe, Asia, the Americas or even here at home.

As an example, one of the bestknown boutique river cruise operators, Uniworld, is set to launch five vessels in the next 12 months, three in Europe and one each in Egypt and Southeast Asia.

Each will introduce exciting new features that exemplify the rapidly rising standards now demanded by discerning passengers.

Viking River Cruises, one of the largest global operators of river cruises with some 70 vessels worldwide, christened seven brand new boats in March this year alone.

EUROPEAN ALLURE

Europe remains the most popular destination for river cruising with vessels plying the Danube, Rhine, Elbe, Douro, Seine and others on the continent, as well as the Volga and Dnieper in Russia and Ukraine. The number of vessels has more than doubled in the last ten years and now close to 400 vessels sail these iconic waterways offering a wealth of choice and with levels of luxury never seen before. What’s also worth noting is that about half of these boats are less than ten years old.

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While the various rating sites may rank the river cruise lines by their own methods, in truth it would be harder to find a bad cruise, with all the top lines ranking neck-and-neck in the 90 point region for satisfaction and boasting a slew of awards.

RIVER REWARDS

European riverboats typically carry around 150 guests in twin cabins, while some operators also offer dedicated solo cabins. You can rightly expect that the majority of these plush spaces will be above the waterline with private balconies and panoramic windows. Butler service is also commonly offered to guests who have chosen ‘suite level’ accommodation. Not all operators offer such big ship features as spa and gym facilities, so be sure to enquire if these inclusions are important.

Much like the trend in high-end ocean cruising, all-inclusive fares are 28

increasingly popular on the river too.

Shore tours, Wi-Fi, selected beverages, special talks and lectures, so-called ‘signature events’ and premium onboard dining options are frequently included as part of these fare packages.

When sailing many river cruise itineraries, you will likely find yourself

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alongside passengers who are interested in such topics as history, art, music, wine and cuisine and are keen to share their passion for culture and the finer things.

So, don’t be shy to share your knowledge of our great Australian and New Zealand vintages with your shipmates!

ADDED ENRICHMENT

Entertainment aboard riverboats naturally won’t be as lavish as the big ocean ships, but expect to find talented musicians at the piano or ‘minstrels’ strolling among diners with a violin. Special guest speakers or local experts, academics and historians commonly serve as destination experts adding enrichment to the overall experience and enhancing your understanding of the famous destinations and historic cities visited by riverboats.

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Because of the locks and bridges throughout Europe, shipbuilders are constrained in their designs, promoting creativity in the vessels’ architecture.

Top decks are optimised for deck games, outdoor alfresco dining and 360-degree observation, while some vessels even employ retractable wheelhouses for transiting the lowest bridges.

Here in Australia and also in America, we don’t have such restraints and we can enjoy some of the largest sternwheelers, harking back to a time of nostalgic romance when paddlewheels splashed in unison with their mighty steam engines. For example, Captain Cook’s Murray Princess, the largest such vessel in the Southern Hemisphere, plies the traditional trade routes of the 19th century from Mannum to Renmark.

EXPLORATORY JOURNEYS THE GROWTH IN EXPLORATORY CRUISING MEANS YOU CAN NOW JOURNEY TO REMOTE DESTINATIONS IN STYLE.

catering to eco-conscious and inquisitive travellers who may never have considered ‘cruising’ in the traditional sense. This is why expedition cruising is better described as ‘adventure by ship.’

MORE TO EXPLORE

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any commentators suggest that the frenzied developments in the expedition sector are the most exciting news in the cruise business, if not the travel industry as a whole.

One source* states that between now and 2023, 41 new expedition ships will be delivered from 17 cruise operators, introducing over 8500 berths to the market, which would easily be doubling 2018’s capacity.

While adventure and expedition cruising may now be exhibiting more ‘mainstream’ characteristics, it nevertheless remains a ‘niche’ sector, 44

Historically, it was only aboard very basic ships that one could get to the Antarctic Peninsula when voyages began there in the mid-1960s with just one or two specialist operators. The sector received a major boost in the early 90s when sturdy Russian ice-class vessels became available following the fall of the Soviet Union, and over the last ten years or so, it has grown exponentially as the established players join the growing f leet.

Now, in recognition of its popularity, one can find representation from most major brands in the expedition market as their many repeat customers cry out for new destinations to explore. As an 45

example, Silversea used their experience in luxury small ship operations to branch into expedition with the introduction of the 132-passenger Silver Explorer in 2008. Two further vessels were added in 2013 and 2014, with the line’s original vessel, Silver Cloud, extensively reconfigured in 2017 for polar operations.

A newbuild ship, Silver Origin is planned for operations in the Galapagos in 2020.

BIG SHIP FEATURES

The average capacity for expedition vessels is a little more than 200 passengers with some catering to just a dozen or so.

This is a far cry from the massive vessels in the world’s conventional cruise f leet, where numbers are nudging 5000.

In response to passenger expectations, these ‘new wave’ vessels, sometimes called ‘yachts’, now incorporate big ship features such as spa salons, sauna, gym, fine dining (with impressive wine lists) 46

and outdoor recreation zones, often with pools. But the most exciting innovations are those dedicated to enhancing the guest experience in these remote locations.

The incorporation of helicopters vastly transforms any voyage into one of genuine exploration with otherwise inaccessible locations suddenly achievable as well

THE MOST EXCITING INNOVATIONS ARE THOSE DEDICATED TO ENHANCING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE 47

as the pure exhilaration of seeing your surroundings from above. A handful of the new ships will also include miniature submarines (or submersibles), enabling you to view undersea features like wrecks and reefs to a theoretical depth of 300 metres.

Other activities available aboard smaller vessels include photography tuition and yoga, as well as expert interpretation in such topics as ecology and history. At their destination, some offer guided hikes, mild mountaineering, ice camping, scuba diving, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and Zodiac tender excursions.

If you travel aboard any of these ships, your fellow passengers are likely to be well-travelled and knowledgeable with a demonstrated interest in such subjects as environmental science, history, culture and archaeology. While it may be a 48

chance for you to share expertise, it’s also a perfect opportunity to expand your own repertoire as you travel to some of the world’s most fascinating locations. *2019 Expedition Market Report Cruise Industry News.

OCEAN SUITES

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SUITE OR CABIN – WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE, FIND OUT WHAT TO EXPECT ON AN OCEAN CRUISE.

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f you are a first-time cruiser with deep pockets and looking to splurge on a world cruise, how ‘sweet’ it is will depend whether your ‘suite’ lives up to expectations.

So what is a suite? Usually the most luxurious and spacious accommodation on your vessel, dependant on your ship’s size. It should comprise king or queensize bedroom – ideally with walkin wardrobe, ample storage, marble bathroom with separate shower, bathtub, possibly a bidet, and definitely designerbrand toiletries. You should have a separate lounge, not just a curtain wraparound room divider, and most desirable suites should have balconies or verandas.

Additional perks are chilled Champagne to welcome you aboard, and canapés at cocktail time.

There will also be a handwritten greeting card from the Captain or Hotel Captain, a lavish f loral arrangement,

bowl of fruit – hopefully replenished regularly, chocolates, an espresso machine and mini-bar stocked with your choice of complimentary spirits if you are on an all-inclusive luxury ship. Best of all, you will have a butler. However, butlers don’t apply to all suite categories, as not all suites are created equal. There are multiple categories: junior, penthouse, vista, minisuites, spa suites and so on, according to the cruise lines’ market positioning.

CABIN COMFORT

Then again, you might be just as content with a standard cabin, which comes with double or twin beds and ensuite, drawers, hanging space, mini-bar and television.

Most importantly, you must decide whether you want an outside cabin with at least a porthole, or an inside one with no porthole (cheaper). A growing trend is sole occupancy cabins, eliminating the need to pay single supplements.

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