The Village Post - Cruise & Travel Magazine - October 2016 by The Travel Village Group

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

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

Issue three

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

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

Filled with a spectacular array of diverse and exotic destinations, your world awaits your discovery. There is simply no better way to explore it than aboard the elegant ships of Oceania Cruises. Relax on board and savour cuisine renowned as the finest at sea, rivaling even Michelin-starred restaurants ashore. Inspired by Master Chef Jacques Pépin, these culinary delights have always been a hallmark that distinguishes the Oceania Cruises experience from any other. Considering the

Uncompromising Quality Incredible Value

perhaps the most remarkable aspect of an Oceania Cruises voyage is its .

THE

DIFFERENCE

Mid-size, elegant ships catering to just 684 or 1,250 guests

The Culinary Center – the first hands-on cooking school at sea

Finest cuisine at sea, served in a variety of distinctive open-seating restaurants - at no additional charge

Country club casual ambiance; tuxedos and gowns are never required

Gourmet culinary program crafted by world-renowned Master Chef Jacques Pépin Spectacular port-intensive itineraries featuring overnight visits and extended evening port stays

Extraordinarily high staff-to-guest ratio ensures exemplary personalised service More than 80% of accommodations feature private verandas Acclaimed Canyon Ranch SpaClub®

BEST VALUE IN UPSCALE CRUISING

EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome to the third issue of the village post by The Travel Village Group, featuring all the news, reviews and interviews you need for your next trip

his edition of the village post showcases the great variety of holidays available to you with some inspirational editorial pieces. This issue affords me the opportunity to speak to you about family cruising with a bit of a twist, solo holidays with our Which?-approved partners Riviera Travel (p38) and experiential travel with G Adventures and its National Geographic small group tours (p4). We also take an in-depth look at two of expedition cruise’s great destinations: Antarctica and the Galápagos (p8). I have shared some highlights from my family summer holiday to New York, the City That Never Sleeps (p44) — and for once it wasn’t a busman’s holiday on board a cruise ship. We also spoke to five families about their time on board five different cruise lines (p15). While we're on the theme of family holidays, Royal Caribbean has always been popular with the younger generation due to its innovative, fun-packed ships. One of the interesting things about Royal Caribbean is the number of multi-generational families now booking deluxe accommodation: grandparents, parents and grandchildren are taking advantage of the largest choice of luxury accommodation at sea. It’s a growing trend among families that would normally look at luxury beach resort hotels, who are now turning their eyes to the luxury resorts at sea. I realise that many will frown upon using the words luxury and Royal Caribbean in the same sentence, but I urge you to take a look at its Loft Suites — see p22 — and you may find yourself tempted. If you’ve recently visited any of our websites — thecruisevillage.com, thetravelvillage.co.uk or rivercruising.co.uk — you may have noticed that we have had a bit of a makeover with our brand logos. We now have the clear blue and green colours for our Cruise and Travel Village brands and hopefully it will be easier to identify our business in a very crowded market place. We like them and I am sure you will see lot more of them in the coming weeks and months. Finally, one of the things on many people’s bucket list is the Northern Lights. And why not? They are spectacular and they are popular. We have some amazing offers for this season’s lights and if it’s something you are thinking about — please do call us because we can give you the best chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis in 2016/17. Enjoy this edition — and please spread the word. Thank you for your business.

Phil Nuttall, managing director of The Travel Village Group Published by

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––––– BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS G ADVENTURES' PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC OFFERS THE CHANCE TO FIND YOUR INNER EXPLORER

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G ADVENTURES

“

reater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort,” says G Adventures of its cruise on the Ganges in association with National Geographic. This is the way of modern travel, where more and more high-quality operators are providing tours to far-flung, once relatively untouched regions. Bucket list destinations are now not just accessible, but they are doable in style. G Adventures is a wellknown name in expedition and adventure touring, and is starting to make waves in cruise. Its new river cruise programme features nine itineraries, of eight to 15 days, that explore the likes of Cambodia, India, Peru and Vietnam, aimed at those with a younger mindset. Last year it announced its National Geographic Journeys on both land and river, including the above 12-day Kolkata to Varanasi cruise. The ship, built in 2006, is tiny – even compared to other river cruise vessels – with a capacity of 24 passengers over 12 cabins. Featuring more inclusions than on standard G Adventures tours, such as private transport – including internal flights on some – the NGJ trips have more included meals and activities. Experiential and accessible are the key words – holidays that are full of adventure, but fun.

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Each trip offers experiences that are unique, such as a game drive in South Africa with a scientist from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Programme and a “dualnarrative walking tour” in Israel led by both Israeli and Palestinian guides. Jeff Russill, VP of product at G Adventures, said the partnership is a “match made in heaven. National Geographic and G Adventures have similar values, an aligned sense of social responsibility, and a shared belief in the positive impact travel can have on the planet”.

Interview Jamie Sweeting, vice president of Sustainability, G Adventures The Village Post: Can you tell us about G Adventures’ commitment to green tourism? We have completely retrofitted our G Expedition to have the most modern

engines in the entire Antarctic fleet. We have also just launched a brand new river cruise programme, where we use small vessels and localised itineraries that don’t travel huge distances. We are a small group adventure travel company, so we have less impact. It’s important to remember that it is people who protect places, so if you can empower the local people to make money off tourism, they are going to become the stewards of the environment. Why should travellers give back? Supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses strengthens communities, raising their overall quality of life, and ensuring that the places we take our travellers to will continue to be preserved. G Adventures is a social enterprise, which means the social value of what we do is just as important to us as the profit we earn.

––––– THE WORLD AT YOUR DOORSTEP –––––

he travel industry has seen a rise of ‘once in a lifetime’ trips in the last few years. More and more people are taking extended time off work to really experience the world we live in and all it has to offer. To meet this demand, travel agencies have been offering more and more flight and cruise round the world itineraries. When a travel agent puts together a round the world flight itinerary there are five main partnerships to select from, based on the countries the customer wants to see. The most popular itinerary would be Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the USA but travel agents will easily have you visiting the Garden Route, drinking wine in the Hunter Valley and relaxing on a beach

in Mexico all in one trip. Another added benefit is flexibility: by paying one change fee you can push back the whole itinerary by a week or two. If you want to see the world from a different perspective, though, perhaps a round the world cruise is for you. There are the added benefits of never having to worry about accommodation or meals, and a constant level of comfort throughout the trip. With multiple cruise lines to choose from, your expert at Travel Village will be able to recommend the best option for your needs. There is less flexibility in the itinerary once booked; but you get the added benefit of enjoying the company of kindred spirits over the months you’re away as well as visiting places like Bora

Bora which aren’t as easily accessed by flights. A round the world trip is a big undertaking, but you’ll have the team at Travel Village behind you offering support, expertise and local tips and tricks from their personal travel experience. They can help you pick the best accommodation, car hire and transfers in each location, as well as recommend must-do activities to get the most out of your holiday. Your agent will be your point of contact throughout your whole trip, checking in on you. If you have any questions they are just one call or one email away.

Interested in booking a round the world trip? Call us on 0800 810 8222

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Your 2018 summer story starts here... Book by 30 November 2016 Savings of up to

10%

WITH

Low deposit

P&O Cruises’ brand new collection is out now, with an exceptional early booking offer Don’t miss your chance to plan your future moments in the sun. For a limited time only P&O Cruises’ Summer 2018 collection is available with an early booking saving of up to 10%‡ and their best ever low deposit offer – just 5% of your holiday price◊. So what will you write into your summer story; perhaps a little romance, far-flung places, golden beaches and dramatic landscapes? The possibilities are endless. The only certainty? That an amazing adventure (and a great deal) awaits.

What’s new for 2018? • Greek Island cruises on Aurora and Ventura • Due to popular demand, more long Norwegian Fjord cruises, with two 12-night Fjord immersion cruises (Arcadia J810, Aurora R808) • Both Azura and Aurora will operate a 14-night cruise to Iceland in 2018. Azura travels north to Reykjavik through the Irish Sea, calling at both the Orkney and Shetland Islands, whereas Aurora travels to Iceland via the Norwegian Fjords • New cruises to Canada & North America • New range of Discovery cruises for 2018 - Discovery cruises are leisurely holidays that visit less frequented ports and are perfect for guests who’ve been to all the classic ports before

France and Spain BRITANNIA | 30 MAR 2018 | 7 NTS Southampton - Cherbourg La Coruna - Gijon - Bilbao Southampton

Early booking Select Price of †

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†Select Price of £569 per person is based on two adults sharing the lowest grade of inside cabin available on cruise B807 and is subject to availability. *5% early booking discount is applicable to Select Price holidays on new bookings from our new Summer 2018 programme booked before 30 November 2016. ‡10% early booking discount is applicable to past guests making a new Select Price booking from our new Summer 2018 programme before 30 November 2016. These savings are additional to Select Price benefits. These discounts are not combinable and are not available on Early Saver prices. New Summer 2018 programme relates to all applicable cruises sailing from 21 March to October 2018. Δ Members of the P&O Cruises Peninsular Club benefit from an additional 5% discount with Select Price bookings on selected cruises available until departure. See Peninsular Club booklet for full terms and conditions. ◊P&O Cruises Summer 2018 Programme Select Price bookings made up to 30 November 2016 will benefit from 5% deposit. Bookings made from 1 December 2016 will revert to the standard 15% deposit (outside 90 days before departure). Fares and offers are subject to availability and can be changed/withdrawn without notice. Full terms and conditions apply.

ADVENTURE SPECIAL TITLE

ANTARCTICA A t the bottom of the globe lies a frozen continent separated from the rest of the world by the Southern Ocean. It is encircled by pack-ice and covered by an ice-sheet several miles deep. Tourism to Antarctica began in 1969 when the naturalist LarsEric Lindblad designed the Lindblad Explorer, the forerunner of today’s expedition cruising. Ships visit the ice-free coastal areas and sub-

Antarctic islands during the Austral Summer season which runs from November to March. The weather is variable but it is generally cold, dry and windy, with up to 20 hours of daylight. Cruises, ranging from one week to three, call at points of interest on the Antarctic Peninsula and sometimes South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. After crossing the often tempestuous Drake’s Passage, to the south of Argentina and Chile, the

stark beauty of Antarctica is revealed. First landfall for cruisers is often the Chilean research station of González Videla in Paradise Bay. As the cruise unfolds, the narrow Lemaire Channel – nicknamed ‘Kodak Gap’ due to its delphinium-blue glaciers – is a highlight. Explorations on board Zodiacs allow passengers to see the continent’s residents at close quarters: Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, snow petrels and pintado petrels, as well as crabeater and Weddell seals; while in the distance humpback whales breach the surface of the ice-strewn water. There are three types of ships that visit Antarctica and the experience varies depending on the type of vessel. For clients for whom Antarctica takes pride of place on their bucket list, expedition ships with icestrengthened hulls offer

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ADVENTURE SPECIAL a peerless experiential cruise with high-quality onboard service and appointments. Ice-breaking Russian Ships – built for polar research with basic accommodation and facilities – offer programmes to remote parts of the Antarctic Peninsula. Larger cruise ships ‘sail-by’ sub-Antarctic Islands as part of a South American odyssey, but there are no landings on the frozen continent. Most expedition ships for the British market depart from Ushuaia at the southern tip of Patagonia. Passengers fly to Buenos Aires before continuing

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on by domestic carriers. Specialised trips depart from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia to visit the Ross Sea and McMurdo Sound.

Who sails there? In addition to the comprehensive series of Antarctica cruises aboard the all-suite, 132-passenger Silver Explorer, Silversea Cruises recently announced Silver Cloud will be converted into an iceclass ship and transition to its luxury expedition fleet in November 2017. For Antarctic itineraries the all-suite vessel will be restricted to 200 guests.

Another major player for polar safaris is Hurtigruten which has announced an order for up to four explorer ships to meet demand for its popular programme of Antarctic explorations. The company has some of the best excursions in the industry, and even offers a lucky few people the opportunity to camp on the polar ice for a night on certain departures. The cruises also go deep into the region, getting close to the area's natural wilflife, such as penguins, seals and whales.

Interested in an Antarctic cruise? Call 0800 810 8222

ADVENTURE SPECIAL

GALAPAGOS

traddling the Equator some 620 miles off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, the fascinating ecological time-warp that is the Galápagos archipelago comprises 19 islands and several dozen islets and reefs. Home to creatures found nowhere else on Earth, it was the variation of unique species of birds and mammals that caught the imagination of Charles Darwin who based his work On The Origin Of Species on the natural selection he witnessed on these isolated, actively volcanic islands. Visitors to the Galápagos Islands need to understand this is not a destination of palm trees and piña coladas; each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from barren black, volcanic rocks to swaths of white sand beaches melting into gemstone-blue waters. By far and away the best way to visit this natural kaleidoscope is by a variety

of cruise packages that are on offer from operators catering for independent travellers as well as those who seek luxury throughout their cruise-tour. The flight to this isolated sanctuary of natural history is via Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Here a two-day visit to the Spanish colonial district of broad cobbled plazas, whitewashed buildings and golden churches is a perfect contrast to one of the most astounding and unforgettable places on Earth that lies just a 90-minute flight away. After landing at the airport island of Baltra passengers are taken by Zodiacs to their ship and prepare to explore this isolated sanctuary of biodiversity. Depending on permissions from the Directorate of the Galápagos National Park, visits are made to the islands of South Plaza, Española, Punta Suarez,

Floreana, Puerto Ayora, Genovesa, Punta Espinoza and Bartolomé. Celebrity Cruises offer four seven-night itineraries through this awe-inspiring land of fire aboard the 100-passenger Celebrity Xpedition. This wellappointed vessel offers ocean view staterooms and suites. In June the company announced the imminent deployment of the 48-passenger Celebrity Xperience and the 16-guest Celebrity Xploration to offer an even greater range of options to explore this showcase of evolution. Silversea Cruises operate the most luxurious vessel around the ‘Islas Encantadas’ – the enchanted isles. The 100-passenger Silver Galápagos boasts a range of luxurious suites as well as all the indulgent appointments that are a signature of Silversea Expeditions which has just announced two new seven-night Galápagos

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itineraries. Other operators include Avalon Waterways, with the 40-passenger Isabella II, which offers amazing eight-night itineraries starting off in Quito and visiting the likes of Baltra, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, South Plaza and North Seymour Island. Busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as December to February; the slightly cooler, dryer season is June to November. At any time of year clients need to take protection from the weather; proper footwear, bug spray and a digital camera with plenty of memory. A degree of pre-cruise research will also pay dividends. Visitors who are not part of a cruise package will have to pay a $100 National Park entrance fee.

Interested in a Galรกpagos cruise? Call 0800 810 8222

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––––– STAYING IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE SAM BALLARD ON HOW YOU CAN BE ADVENTUROUS WITHOUT ROUGHING IT

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s a worldly traveller, curious about adventure cruises, have you ever thought about taking an expedition cruise but been put off by the thought of roughing it? As expedition companies brag about how little they resemble a cruise, are a large number of people left wondering, what exactly is wrong with a cruise? Many cruise lines don’t purely operate Caribbean or Mediterranean sailings, meaning that you don’t have to rough it to take in some of the most exciting destinations in the world. P&O Cruises has a huge number of exotic cruises on offer for passengers wanting something a little different. One example is a March sailing on Arcadia from Hong Kong to Dubai. This Asian cruise goes through Vietnam, Thailand,

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Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka before finishing up in the Middle East. Passengers will be able to eat in Atul Kochhar’s Sindhu restaurant or Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill while exploring the Far East – not a bad option for those customers who want a bit of British comfort while in a mysterious land. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is running a spectacular 27-night voyage in July next year that will leave from Dover and go up to the Norwegian Fjords and beyond, as far north as the Arctic Circle and Svalbard, where polar bears can often be found. Cruise & Maritime Voyages, another ex-UK specialist, is running a cruise in January that leaves from Bristol and takes passengers across the Atlantic to the Amazon. Passengers on

COMFORT ZONE board the company’s former flagship, the Marco Polo, will have the opportunity to explore the world’s largest rainforest, which is home to more than 40,000 species of plants, 1,300 species of birds and 2.5 million different insects. After a week in Brazil, the cruise will call at French Guyana, Grenada and Barbados before returning to Bristol. It’s not just ocean cruises that offer a bit of comfort while visiting exotic destinations. Uniworld has superb itineraries across Asia on rivers such as the Mekong and Yangtze, however it’s the company’s India cruise that always catches our eye. Running for 13-days from New Delhi to Kolkata, passengers are taken across the country in serious luxury on the Ganges Voyager II. They will visit the Taj Mahal, Jaipur and sites including Mother Teresa’s former home. The entire trip is more post-colonial glamour than expeditionstyle roughing it. One other – much overlooked – option for passengers looking to take a more unusual cruise are repositionals. These sailings are typically those that connect a ship’s winter and summer programme, for example, Viking Cruises’ trip from Bergen through to Montreal. Quite often there will be plenty of sea days,

however, a good itinerary planner will come up with some real gems along the way. For the Viking sailing there will be calls at two incredible destinations in Iceland and Greenland before the ship reaches Canadian waters and stops off at Saguenay, Quebec and finally Montreal. World cruises are another great way to take an exotic holiday. While most cruise lines wouldn’t be averse to selling all 100 odd days of their grand voyage, they’re realistic about that not being feasible for everybody.

World Cruise sectors, therefore, are a pretty good option for cruise line and passenger alike. Holland America offers world cruises ranging from 111-nights to 14-nights. A very interesting option is the 17-night cruise that takes passengers from Osaka, Japan to Honolulu, with prices starting at about £2,000 each. There are hundreds of different options for customers wanting to take a cruise somewhere a little different. You just need an agent like us to know where to look.

Where next? Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises Departing: Tokyo, Japan Visiting: Lesser visited Japanese cities as well as Petropavlovsk, on Russia’s east coast. Ending: Vancouver, Canada Date: May 7, 2017 for 15 nights Price: From £2,294 Cruise line: Princess Departing: Dubai, UAE Visiting: Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland Ending: Dover Date: June 8, 2017 for 32 days Price: From £4,741 Cruise line: P&O Cruises Departing: Southampton Visiting: Madeira, St Maarten, Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada Ending: Barbados Date: October 27, 2017 for 14 nights Price: From £1,199

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TITLE

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Five families, on five different cruise lines, share the highlights of their holiday

rom sailing with Mickey Mouse and all of his chums to snorkelling on Royal Caribbean’s private island, if you can say one thing about a family cruise, it is that the choices are staggering whoever you go with. But how exactly do you choose? From renowned brands to some of the industry’s most exciting names, these are cruise lines that have partnerships with titans like Lego, Dr Seuss and

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Pixar, with kid’s clubs for all ages, all while sailing in some of the most exciting destinations around the world Whatever happened to a week in Skegness? To help us find out what was so great about each one, we sent five different families on five different fun-filled cruise lines, and asked them to report back about what they loved and what they would change on their family holiday. From a multi-generational family to a couple travelling with

their teenage daughter, the diversity of a cruise holiday is what makes it so attractive to so many people. Everyone from bingo playing grandmas to Xbox loving sons are catered for, and in good company, too. There’s a reason why it’s fast becoming the most popular family holiday for Brits looking to get away. It’s a tough job but our families coped admirably. Let us know who your favourite family cruise line is too!

CRUISE FAMILIES

Carnival Cruise Line The Galways Have you been on a cruise before? Yes. What did you most enjoy while on board? The level of service from staff and crew, food, entertainment, the formal nights and childcare. What was your children’s highlight? They loved the daily activities like swimming and dancing. They also enjoyed eating – especially the Pizza Pigout

THE CRUISE WITH MUM AND GRAN Ship Carnival Sensation Destination Caribbean Ages 71, 68, 39, 36, 25, 12, 5

Staterooms had plenty of room for family. Older members of party catered for too

What was the best feature of the ship itself? That it was so big; there was so much space. The staterooms had plenty of room for family. The older members of party were catered for, too. In what way could it have been even better? The only way it could have improved for us would have been if the ship departed from the UK. It’s a shame you have to fly to have the wonderful experience. Would you go again? Absolutely.

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CRUISE FAMILIES

Disney Cruise Line The Knights Have you been on a cruise before? Yes. What did you most enjoy while being on board? Cruising with Mickey and co and getting pretty much unlimited access for autograph-hungry children. What was your children’s highlight? Having a boogie with Chip ’n’ Dale. What was the best feature of the ship itself? Cabins were comfy and family friendly (with an

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THE CRUISE WITH A SINGLE PARENT Ship Disney Magic Destination Barcelona to the UK Ages 40 something, 11 and 4

Disney has the same attention to detail in cruising as it does with its theme parks

area for children that can be curtained off at night) and in discreet tones – not too much in-yourface Disney. In what way could your experience have been even better? The food was good but not great Would you go again? Definitely. Disney has the same attention to detail in cruising as it does with its theme parks.

CRUISE FAMILIES

MSC The Simpsons Have you been on a cruise before? No! We didn’t think it was for us. But all our friends raved about how good it is. What did you most enjoy while being on board? We were blown away by the entertainment. There was so much to do, we didn’t even have time to do everything we wanted. We hardly saw the children as they were always in the clubs with their new friends. What was your children’s highlight? Our six-year-

THE FIRST TIME CRUISE FAMILY Ship MSC Preziosa Destination Mediterranean Ages 48, 43, 12, 10 and 8

We hardly saw the children as they were always in the clubs with their new friends

old loved the water park, whereas the older two loved the waterslide. What was the best feature of the ship itself? For me it was the theatre, for my wife it was the spa. In what way could your experience have been even better? If we could have stayed longer! The weather in one port wasn’t great but, apart from that, we can’t complain. Would you go again? Definitely. We have already booked our second cruise.

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CRUISE FAMILIES

Norwegian Cruise Line The Mcmullens What did you most enjoy while on board? Even though we’ve sailed several times I always enjoy first setting foot on the ship. We were in awe as we admired Jade – there was so much to see and do. What were the children’s highlights? My daughter Emily loves the variety of activities on board the ship – there’s so much for her to do – from sports, the pool and even a video arcade! On top of that there’s a wonderful atmosphere for families, and with the Tree Tops

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THE LONE TEENAGER FAMILY Ship Norwegian Jade Destination Adriatic Ages 44, 40 and 14

We’re big fans of the fitness centre, which has a huge array of equipment

Kid’s Club and Wipe Out Teen’s Club there’s always somewhere for all the kids and teenagers to hang out together and make friends. What was the best feature of the ship? My husband and I love the speciality restaurants. The food was great – and on top of that the staff are so friendly. We’re also big fans of the fitness centre, to help burn off the speciality dining! Would you cruise again? Definitely! We’re big fans of Norwegian and the variety they have to offer.

CRUISE FAMILIES

Royal Caribbean The Wards Have you been on a cruise before? Yes indeed, we are lucky enough to have cruised seven times, it has become a favourite holiday choice which we try to do at least once a year. What did you most enjoy while being on board? It’s hard to choose one thing! One of the main attractions is the feeling of luxury that comes with being so well looked after by the staff, coupled with the tranquility of the ocean and the onboard experiences. For the more energetic members of the family, the FlowRider, pools and top deck parties are firm favourites! What was your children’s highlight? A definite highlight was making friends on board and enjoying the amazing facilities available to them, such as the sports court, climbing wall and pool movie screen. Snorkelling on the private island of Cococay is something that will stay in our memories for a long time to come. What was the best feature of the ship itself? The staff really go the extra mile to make your holiday one to remember, and the entertainment team organise fantastic events

THE OLDER TEENAGE FAMILY Ship Freedom of the Seas Destination Caribbean Ages 50, 49, 18 and 17

Although we have tried other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean remains our favourite

from pool games to parties, stage shows to sports games. Our favourite area was the pool deck and, from sunrise to moonlight, that’s where we had the

most fun during our time on board! In what way could your experience have been even better? By not getting off! We love every minute and, although we have tried other lines, Royal Caribbean remains our favourite. Their ships offer outstanding features which have set a high standard, and I really know I’m on holiday when I stroll along the Royal Promenade or enjoy a cocktail in the Viking Crown Lounge. Would you go again? Absolutely, we have a short European cruise break booked for this year, and are considering which Caribbean itinerary to sail next summer – decisions, decisions!

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Free Airfare

Plus:

FREE Unlimited Internet

Choose one:

FREE Shore Excursions* FREE Beverage Package* FREE Shipboard Credit* *Limitations apply

FOLLOW THE MIDNIGHT SUN Southampton to Southampton

ADRIATIC & AEGEAN ALLURE Venice  to Athens 

11-Day Voyage | Marina - 21 Jul 2017

12-Day Voyage | Riviera - 24 Jul 2017

Inside from £2,579 per guest Veranda from £3,799 per guest

Inside from £2,469 per guest Veranda from £3,539 per guest

MEDITERRANEAN MEMORIES

SPOTLIGHT ON SPAIN

Barcelona  to Rome 

Barcelona  to Barcelona 

12-Day Voyage | Sirena - 18 Aug 2017

12-Day Voyage | Marina - 21 Nov 2017

Deluxe Ocean View from £2,979 per guest Veranda from £3,689 per guest

Deluxe Ocean View from £2,139 per guest Veranda from £2,569 per guest

Olife Choice promotion is applicable to new bookings created between 1st Oct 2016 and 30th Nov 2016 on selected 2017 sailings. Number of FREE Shore Excursions and amount of SBC is determined by length of sailing and excludes Choice and Exclusive excursions. All offers are subject to availability, and can be changed/withdrawn at any time. Fares are ‘from’ based on 2 adults sharing the lead grade of stateroom. Tour Operator’s terms and conditions apply - please ask for full details.  Overnight stay in port. Prices correct at time of print (13 Sep 2016) E&OE

––––– 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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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 over-the-top 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 a 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 a 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'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

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FAMILY the village post What sort of experience can guests expect from a Royal Caribbean suite?

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

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.

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THE MOST INCLUSIVE LUXURY EXPERIENCESM Cruising as it was meant to be — a sumptuous and very personal experience where your every wish, your every whim and your every want are met with gratifying luxuries, satisfying comfort and complete fulfillment of your wanderlust. Anticipate an unforgettable journey to the world’s greatest destinations where everything is included. FREE FLIGHTS • FREE UNLIMITED SHORE EXCURSIONS FREE UNLIMITED BEVERAGES • FREE PRE-PAID GRATUITIES FREE OPEN BARS & LOUNGES • FREE 24-HOUR SERVICE ALL ONBOARD ACTIVITIES • ALL FINE DINING

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Book Now Bonus of $300 Shipboard Credit is per suite ($150 per person) and applies to Guests 1 and 2 only on any new 2017 Mediterranean voyage on Seven Seas Voyager® or 2017 Alaska booking on Seven Seas Mariner® made between September 6 and November 4, 2016. Prices are per person based on 2 persons sharing a suite and include all-inclusive cruise, return economy flights from select UK airports, Free unlimited shore excursions are capacity controlled on a first come, first served basis. Spa, Casino, Laundry & Telephone costs are not included in all-inclusive fare. All fares, flights, itineraries, excursions & offers are subject to availability and maybe withdrawn or changed at any time. Further terms & conditions apply please visit www.rssc.com. ~Cruising.

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––––– INFOCUS SEABOURN –––––

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.

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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

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 companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Royal Viking Sun and Goddess I and II. The three new additions to Seabournâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. Interested in booking a Seabourn cruise? Call us on 0800 810 8222

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Cruise from

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The most spacious and luxurious river cruises on the Danube Luxury all-inclusive 8-day Gems of the Danube river cruise from just £1,645 per person Sailing commences in the 11th century Bavarian city of Nuremberg where a medley of contemporary and classic styles influence the region from the footpaths to the skyline. From medieval Regensburg, ease out into Austria and traverse the architectural elegance of an area famed for its rich musical heritage. You can explore the nearby town of Ceský Krumlov or take an excursion to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava.

per couple on selected dates

TRULY ALL-INCLUSIVE WITH SCENIC Out-of-this-world experiences

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PLUS o Flights from a choice of up to 15 UK airports

Your final few days are spent exploring the crown jewels of the Danube: Vienna and Budapest. Inspiring, insightful and mesmerising in every sense, guided tours – and much more – will take you deep into the heart of these culturally rich and diverse cities.

o Unlimited premium branded drinks* and complimentary in-suite mini bar

Your itinerary

o Invitation to Portobellos – on board Italian fine dining with sumptuous wine pairings

Day 01 UK > Nuremberg

Day 05 Melk > Dürnstein

Day 02 Nuremberg

Day 06 Vienna

Day 03 Regensburg

Day 07 Budapest

Day 04 Passau > Linz

Day 08 Budapest > UK

Departures between April - October 2017

o Fine dining in a choice of up to five on-board venues

o The largest, most luxurious suites on Europe’s rivers o Incredible staff to guest ratio of 1:3 and a private butler for every guest o Exclusive cocktail receptions at the most majestic locations – Scenic Sundowners o Exquisite L’Occitane toiletries and luxurious suite amenities o Complimentary WiFi internet o Price includes tipping, transfers and all taxes

Terms and Conditions: Price of £1,645 is based on two people sharing a Category D Standard Suite on the 8-day Gems of the Danube cruise departing on 3, 10 April 2017 and is subject to availability at the time of booking. Savings of up to £2,250 per couple applicable to selected dates only, discounts on other dates may vary – please call for full details. This offer is not combinable with other offers. Supplements may apply for upgraded suites with balconies. Butler services vary. Laundry restrictions apply. Offers are valid for new bookings only made between 1 October – 31 December 2016. Prices correct at time of going to print (September 2016). For full itineraries and booking conditions, please visit scenic. co.uk. Flights are subject to availability, and may incur a minimum flight supplement of £95 per person. *All drinks are included on-board except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, champagnes and spirits.

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

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SCENIC

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

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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. It's 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. It takes a matter of moments, from leaving the breakfast table to arrive in the centre of Passau. 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

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 Ligurian-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 32

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SCENIC

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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

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 of 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 the 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 had 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. Interested in booking a Scenic river cruise? Call 0800 810 8222

SCENIC

Q&A NICHOLA ABSALOM SCENIC BRAND MANAGER What will Scenic Eclipse bring to the luxury market?

the village post

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 onboard dining venue), complimentary top-shelf beverages all day every day, butler service with an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio and onboard 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,

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SCENIC 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, available now.

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, 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

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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 and a cheese and wine cellar, fresh ingredients will be sourced from local markets and our cooking 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.

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 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.

Interested in booking a Scenic Eclipse cruise? Call 0800 810 8222

––––– TWO’S A CROWD AS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HOLIDAYING ALONE HITS AN ALL-TIME HIGH, WE SPEAK TO THE TEAM BEHIND GO SOLO, RIVIERA’S NEW LONE TRAVELLER COMPANY

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ravelling solo is a chance to see the world and try new experiences on your own terms. There are a number of reasons to travel alone, and people of all ages – from gap-year students to pensioners – are doing so in record numbers. That said, there are relatively few operators who specialise in solo travel, particularly for those who want escorted touring. It’s why Riviera Travel – the river cruise line and tour operator – launched Go Solo last month. As of next year, the company will offer eight land-based tours – with more to be announced

in 2018, and non-concrete plans to expand into cruise. We spoke to Will Sarson, who is heading up the project, to find out more. the village post How did Go Solo come about? Will Sarson: In terms of solo passengers, we’re already quite established, even though we’ve not done anything specifically targeted towards solo travellers. We’ve welcomed about 15,000 solo passengers since 2014. But what was increasingly happening is people on the tours were coming up to us saying, “Why don’t you do more for solo travellers?”

And that noise started getting louder and louder. It was a very natural thing to say, “Yes, OK.” It’s a small-ish range to start with. We’re going to launch a range of eight tours for 2017. The idea is to give a nice cross-section of tours and they will all be dedicated solo traveller tours. Riviera has won lots of awards for escorted tours, so we’re not straying too far away from what has made us successful in the first place, which is really well put together tours and hotels that we’ve all inspected personally. We are using those basics and just tweaking here and

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SOLO TRAVEL there for the solo traveller. For example, we’ll always include dinner on the first night, so you’ve got the nice welcome. It gives people the chance to break that ice a little bit. I can understand why people would be nervous, but we make sure that no-one is left out and the dining arrangements are all looked after. The message is very much: you’re never alone unless you want to be. A worry for solo travellers is the cost. Cost is a funny thing in the solo industry. Companies will boast about no single supplements, but then you can look at the prices and realise the single supplement is built into it. I think it’s patronising to make out that it’s the same price as travelling as a couple, but economics come in to play here. If you’ve got a hotel room with two beds and you only use one, the hotel is going to lose money if they don’t charge you a little extra. We’ve done all we can to keep the costs down. We’re not trying to profiteer from this. If you compare our Go Solo tours to our Riviera tours you realise it’s similar to single prices with Riviera, which are really good prices in the first place. We want to charge a fair price from the start – our prices will be really transparent. I think when you see our prices and compare them to the market, people will be surprised.

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How will you help travellers get together? That’s all going to come down to the tour managers. We’ve got 300-odd tour managers, but we are going to be working with a select few of them to make sure they’re really into the idea of working with a group of solo travellers. It’s all about the subtleties. We’ll be having regular feedback sessions to make sure people are feeling well looked after without feeling mollycoddled. It’s very easy to patronise solo travellers and that’s something we’re trying hard to avoid.

something for me?” And now people like that have got something as well!

Some people travel solo by choice, of course. Absolutely, it’s something I’ve done myself. I was speaking to a lady the other day and her husband just goes away on golf holidays, he’s not interested in doing anything cultural. She said, “I really want see the sights of the world, but I feel a bit awkward travelling with couples, why can’t you do

Classical Italy eight days from £949

GO SOLO’S FIRST TOURS Bruges Four days from £399 Rouen, Honfleur & Highlights of Normandy five days from £549 Berlin & Dresden five days from £669 Classical Spain seven days from £779

South Africa 16 days from £2,259 Sri Lanka 13 days from £1,979 India & Shimla 15 days from £2,269

––––– SOUTHERN COMFORT SAM BALLARD CRUISES ON THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI WITH AMERICAN QUEEN

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MISSISSIPPI

merica’s Deep South is a region like no other. Historically one of the poorest areas in the United States, it also boasts one of its richest cultures. This is the birthplace of rock’n’roll, the blues and jazz. When walking the streets of New Orleans, Nashville or Memphis, the music just sounds better. Musicians and singers spill out of the bars onto the streets where they carry on playing, for pleasure and tips, lining the streets and jostling for attention. We start our Southern adventure in New Orleans, the self-declared capital of the Deep South and one of America’s biggest party towns. After two days in the Big Easy we will begin our Mississippi cruise with the American Queen Steamboat Company through to Memphis, the final resting place of The King, Elvis Presley. Music, cocktails and good times: New Orleans has been this way ever since the French and Spanish set up camp here centuries ago, before Napoleon sold it to the US in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. From Bourbon Street, the epicentre of the city’s nightlife, to the beautiful colonial mansions that line Charles Avenue and lead up to Audubon Park, there is a reason why New Orleans attracts both groups of Americans, out to enjoy boozy weekends,

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and foreigners coming from much further afield. The French Quarter is relatively small. However, it is bursting with bars, restaurants, hotels and a number of other less than salubrious joints. We eat beignets at Café du Monde, which has been serving the sugar-stacked pastries since 1862; enjoy a night in August, one of the best fine-dining restaurants in town; and watch jazz in Palm Court, one of those neighbourhood cafés that manages to make both families and couples feel comfortable. When it’s time to board the American Queen, any sadness we have at leaving New Orleans disappears at the first sight of our ship. The Queen is the biggest paddlesteamer on the Mississippi and, as someone used to European river boats, it’s quite something to behold a river ship capable of holding 436 passengers. The public areas are incredible – from the Mark Twain gallery to the Ladies Parlour – and appear to be influenced by the antebellum homes and steamboats of the Civil War period. The Grand Saloon theatre has been modelled on Ford’s Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated) while the dining room boasts double-height ceilings with huge chandeliers that lead up to vast mirrors. The whole ship has an old

world charm that suits our journey through Southern plantations, Civil War sites and on up to Memphis. That evening we eat in the J.M. White Dining Room and feast upon typical home-cooked Southern fare of grits, fried chicken and biscuits before being introduced to the ship’s musicians, which include a jazz house band called the Steamboat Syncopators, a pianist who can play with his feet, Jerry Lee Lewisstyle and a blues duo, all plucked from the huge pool of local talent. The all-American staff offer the very best in that famous Southern hospitality. Our first stop is Oak Alley Plantation. Built in the 1830s by socialite Jacques Telesphore Roman, it is the epitome of antebellum extravagance. It sits at the bottom of a quarter of a mile of 300-year-old oak trees that links the house up to the Mississippi. The avenue of oaks was designed to tunnel the breeze from the river and help cool its inhabitants. It’s easy to get caught up in the plantation’s glamorous surroundings, from the big house to the perfectly manicured gardens. The property was used as Brad Pitt’s lair in Interview With A Vampire and it really does suit that eerie feel. However, as our guide rightly reminds us, this wealth has to be put into the context in which it was created. To reinforce

MISSISSIPPI this, rickety reproduction slave quarters stand at the back of the gardens, the names of long-dead slaves written on the walls. The main house itself was built using Mississippi mud, taken from the river banks by the slaves themselves. The tour was included in the price of the cruise. With every stop, there are always excursions available for those who don’t wish to part with any more cash, whether that’s a tour or the company’s hop-on, hop-off bus service. One tip would be to look at the premium excursions which often aren’t that expensive. From trips out to see alligators to visiting Morgan Freeman’s blues club, Ground Zero. After our call at Oak Alley, the American Queen glides up the Mississippi to towns that all played a part in the Civil War. From Natchez to St. Francisville, Vicksburg and Helena. We are taught more about these former strongholds of the Confederacy that were brought to their knees by the occupying Union armies. Estates were repossessed, businesses stolen and livelihoods lost. Vicksburg did not even

01. A resting American Queen 02. The JM White dining room 03. Soniat House, New Orleans 04. The National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis 05. Musicians in the Big Easy 06. Although it's not just jazz 07. Enjoying a beer on board 08. The French Quarter, New Orleans 09. Oak Alley Plantation 05

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MISSISSIPPI

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celebrate Independence Day for 81 years. Our final stop on the American Queen is Memphis, a city I’ve been looking forward to visiting for a long time. Home to Graceland and Sun Studio, which launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, there’s no shortage of attractions here. The city of Memphis offers a free bus between Sun Studio, Graceland and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, which is good to know during the scorching summer months. Beale Street, officially Home of the Blues, has music playing 24 hours a day in bars run by legends like the late BB King. It’s a little touristy, but for those staying just a few days, it’s well worth a visit. Be prepared to spend at least half a day in the Civil Rights Museum, too. The museum runs through the plight of African Americans, from the slave trade through to the fight for Civil Rights. It features exhibits such as a bus you can board and sit next to a defiant Rosa Parks. Our Mississippi cruise has been a remarkable experience. The American Queen is a ship that is made to turn heads while conjuring up images of southern belles and antebellum charm. The Mighty Mississippi tells the story of America better than anyone else. Go and listen to it for yourself.

––––– NEW YORK, NEW YORK OUR MD PHIL NUTTALL VISITS THE BIG APPLE

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NEW YORK

f I am ever asked, which I frequently am, what is your favourite destination and why? I have to say it’s New York. It has been for the last 15 years and after my recent holiday there with my wife and the two boys (aged 18 and 25) it still is! Why? It has all the ingredients that make it a great holiday destination, be it for a weekend break, Christmas shopping, pre- or post-cruise stays and it has a great rail connections. Plus it’s only a short ride to the coast and Atlantic beaches. I took advantage of some great advice from some of our Travel Village

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customers and found a lovely small boutique hotel on E 55th St. A great location because it’s only a short walk to Central Park and Times Square. How did we get around? We walked! In fact most days we covered between seven and 10 miles and the boys managed over 14 miles on one day. We did however make full use of our 72-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass. One advantage of taking the tour to Brooklyn is you can get off the bus and have a pizza in the world famous Grimaldi’s pizza house, situated beside Brooklyn Bridge. You can then take the ferry back to

HOW TO SEE THE BIG APPLE Cruise Line: Cunard Ship: Queen Mary 2 Departure and length: November 5, 2016 for seven nights

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International Ship: Navigator of the Seas Departure and length: November 10, 2016 for

Manhattan. This is included in your 72-hour bus pass. We enjoyed the shops and bars in Soho and Greenwich Village and even braved the crowds around Times Square. We didn’t take in a show, but instead opted for a brand new New York attraction called The Ride. You could not get anything more American if you tried. I was very sceptical, but told I simply couldn’t go to New York without taking it in. It was bonkers, entertaining, cheesy and

genius. Basically, you are on a modern, airconditioned bus with theatre seats facing out to the street so the New Yorkers and tourists are your stage. You are looking at them as you ride by, with surprises en route. Meanwhile, everyone is looking at you and interacting with you. If you want to know more, check out The Ride online. I mentioned earlier how easy it is to travel out of Manhattan and we arranged to take the train to New England to see some friends we met on our honeymoon last year onboard Celebrity Reflection. It was an hour’s ride from Grand Central

station and well worth the visit. It was stunningly beautiful and, if we had more time, we would have carried on for another two hours to Boston and flown home from there. This is an example of why a visit to New York can be so much more with a bit of planning and a little travelling time. Will we be going back? Not will, but when will we be going back! Next year, hopefully, and we intend to make much more of our time by including New England, Boston and Philadelphia and increasing our six nights to nine. Oh and I almost forgot, we didn’t even get chance to visit Central Park, so we will spend time there too.

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e hope you’ve enjoyed reading our new magazine. If you’re interested in any of the features, and would like more information then please get in touch. We’re independent, impartial and here to help you find the cruise holiday that’s right for you.

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