CRUISING FOR A GOOD TIME
Several ships have grand plans for 2019 so stop dreaming & start planning. By Elizabeth Sleith
Next year, South Africans will have an unprecedented three chances to board a Cunard ship from their home country — or to board elsewhere and disembark at home. The British-American luxury line has announced that its ships will be calling in Cape Town three times in 2019 — a first for the South African market. Queen Elizabeth will call in Cape Town in both January and November, whereas Queen Victoria will be there in April. Sailings start from 16 nights, heading both from and to Southampton, UK, and Australia.
This gives locals ample opportunity to visit Europe and/or Australia —while travelling in luxury on one of the world’s most celebrated liners.
● See whitestar.co.za.
CHINA AND EUROPE BY RIVERS
Uniworld, the all-inclusive luxury river cruise line, is launching three new European cruises next year, along with a new ship on China’s Yangtze River. The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer will have “the largest cabins and suites on the river, all with private balconies“, as well as an observation deck, theatre, library, and spa. Uniworld is also extending its 11-day Highlights of China & The Yangtze itinerary with a new seven-day pre-trip to Mongolia, which includes visits to the Gobi Desert and capital city, Ulaanbaatar.
The three new itineraries are in Central Europe: the 15-day Alluring Amsterdam & Vienna; 10-day Authentic Danube & Prague (both aboard the River Princess); and the 10-day Magnificent Moselle & Rhine (aboard the River Queen).
● See uniworld.com.
CUBA GETS MORE PORTS OF CALL
Royal Caribbean has announced that it will be expanding its cruise itineraries to Cuba in 2019, with longer and more immersive trips to the increasingly popular isle.
Its Empress of the Seas currently does four- and five-night Cuba itineraries that sail from Miami and either call or overnight in Havana.
The line has now added seven- and eightnight sailings onboard the same ship, that will call on Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, in addition to Havana.
Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas is also to join Empress of the Seas sailing short cruises to Havana later this year.
● See cruises.co.za.
NEW SHIP FOR MOZ TRIP
For holidays closer to home, the MSC Musica will be making her grand entrance to the SA cruising scene in November. It will replace the MSC Sinfonia, which has been sailing in SA waters since 2009.
The new ship is larger than the Sinfonia, with some amazing touches, such as a seethrough piano suspended on a crystal floor over a pool, along with plush, spacious rooms.
MSC Musica’s first cruise of the season is a four-night trip to Portuguese Island and Pomene Bay, departing November 8.
● See msccruises.co.za.
● For more cruise itineraries, offers and deals, see imaginecruising.co.za and lifestylecruises.co.za.