PLAN YOUR CRUISE
Tempted to travel? We asked Andy Harmer, SVP membership and director, UK and Ireland, Cruise Lines International Association UK and Ireland (@CLIAUK), for his top five destination tips for would-be cruisers ALASKA, USA
My first cruise was to Alaska, an incredible destination best explored by cruise, as the coastline and the inside passages are spectacular. We saw lots of whales, did a stunning helicopter ride to a glacier and just found the scenery breathtaking. You get to sail from either Seattle or Vancouver, two of my favourite US cities, so it’s worth a pre- or post-trip stay, especially on such a long-haul trip. And the Rocky Mountaineer train is a great add-on, too.
THE BALTICS
It may not be the most obvious destination for cruising, but many of the beautiful cities in the region are right on the coast, making it ideal. If your ship docks in Stockholm, Tallinn, St Petersburg or Helsinki, for example, you’re are right in the heart of the city. A cruise is a wonderful way to explore the region – and when you sail away from Stockholm, you are surrounded by the most incredible archipelago of islands, which make an awe-inspiring backdrop.
KOTOR, MONTENEGRO
The Mediterranean is packed with well known destinations, such as Venice, Barcelona, Athens, Rome, Nice, of course, all must-sees. However, I didn’t know much about Kotor, the Montenegrin port, which provided me with one of those wonderful ‘wow’ moments when I drew back the curtains in my cabin one morning. It’s a truly charming, picturesque place to explore and the coast is stunning – one of the best-kept secrets of the Med.
THE KIMBERLEYS, AUSTRALIA
One of the most thrilling seafaring holidays I’ve had was an expedition cruise from Darwin, in the remote Kimberleys region of northern Australia, which is hard to explore on land. It was on a small ship, with only about 100 guests on board, and we had the most extraordinary wildlife experiences, seeing whales up close in the natural habitat as we explored on a Zodiac boat safari. We did hiking excursions ashore, and had fascinating lectures in the evenings about the wildlife and landscape. There’s an incredible place called Montgomery Reef, where hundreds of tiny islands appear to rise above the water as the tide falls away at sunrise. It really is one of the most magical sights I’ve ever seen – and there’s no one else around.
CITIES TO VISIT
Cruising is an ideal way to explore the world’s great cities, especially as many itineraries now incorporate overnight stays so you can pack in more time ashore and discover the nightlife, too. New York and Sydney are hard to beat as dramatic destinations to sail into and depart from on a ship. Those famous skylines and iconic sights are laid out before you, and no matter how many times you’ve seen pictures, seeing them for yourself is a bucket-list experience.
Miami is a wonderfully vibrant city and the starting point for many Caribbean itineraries, so it’s worth tagging on a few nights if you can. Lima, in Peru, too, which has some wonderful food and a city-centre mountain which offers awe-inspiring views as far as the eye can see. Singapore is also worth seeing and Beijing is an exciting, culturally rich destination, and gateway to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.
New York and Sydney are hard to beat as dramatic destinations to sail into