CRUISES WITH A SHIPSHAPE NEW TWIST
BRAND new ships, thrilling itineraries and far-flung destinations — when it comes to cruising, there have never been more options for sensational sailing. Here are seven top picks for a getaway on deck this winter . . .
SUPER SOUTH PACIFIC
Discover the vivid blue waters and verdant islands of French Polynesia aboard oceania’s luxurious 1,250passenger Marina ship — on a ten-day cruise around the south Pacific.
This round-trip from Papeete in Tahiti takes in wildlife-packed islands with white- sand beaches, world- class snorkelling locations and dramatic mountains. Highlights include the rare birds and plants of Fakarava, rangiroa’s lagoon (which has been described as a ‘natural aquarium’ for its quantity of marine life), and glorious Bora Bora, which is crowned by Mount otemanu. DEPARTS: February 3, 2018 DETAILS: From £4,017 pp, not including
flights ( oceaniacruises.com; 0345 505 1920).
STAR WARS AT SEA
enjoy a Disney cruise in the caribbean just in time for February half term, and be transported to a galaxy far, far away.
The new ‘star Wars Day at sea’ experience involves jedis, Wookies, Droids and stormtroopers, who join guests on-board. young cruisers can take part in jedi training for a face-off with Darth vader.
The ship is also packed with famous characters from classic Disney movies — and the ports of call are equally exciting. This seven-night cruise sails from Port canaveral in Florida to Mexico’s gorgeous tropical island of cozumel, George Town on Grand cayman, Falmouth in jamaica, and Disney’s funfilled private island castaway cay. DEPARTS: February 17, 2018 DETAILS: Price packages from £2,014 pp based on a family of four travelling, including flights ( disneycruise.co.uk; 0800 169 0742).
EASTERN PROMISE
Costa cruises is offering a fresh way to explore japan — a brand new sevennight cruise on costa neoromantica.
This refined 1,800-passenger ship will cast off from Tokyo for a voyage that will take in some of this intriguing country’s less obvious sights — nagoya, where elegant historical buildings are set among the city’s high-rises; naha, on okinawa, which was almost completely destroyed in World War ii, but has been rebuilt in beautiful fashion and the (relatively) remote island of Miyakojima, with its lush interior and white-sand beaches.
The cruise will also call at Keelung in Taiwan, which is famed for its forts and buzzy night market. DEPARTS: january 11, 2018 DETAILS: From £929 pp, ( costacruises.co.uk; 0800 389 0622). Flights to Tokyo £821 return ( britishairways.com).
CUBA CALLING
Hailed as the island which must be seen before changing political times alter its mood and landscape, cuba is the newest addition to Holland america line’s menu of itineraries.
Graceful Ms veendam, with its collection of art and antiques (plus restaurants, casino and spa), will set off from Fort lauderdale in the new year on a seven-night voyage that will absorb the faded grandeur, Fifties cars, woozy atmosphere and vibrant spirit of Havana.
The ship will spend a night in port so guests can get the most out of their visit to the cuban capital — before continuing to Georgetown in the cayman islands, the costa Maya coast of Mexico, and cozumel. DEPARTS: january 3, 2018 DETAILS: Prices from £849 pp, excluding flights ( hollandamerica.com; 0344 338 8605).
ON FOOT INTO BRAZIL
Combine a cruise with a walking tour, and get to grips with the amazon. ramblers Holidays has launched a 16-night expedition cruise from Barbados to Brazil, sailing from the mouth of the mighty amazon river deep into the rainforest to discover exotic plants, birdlife and animals such as howler monkeys, sloths, anteaters and nd manatees.
Daily stops let guests sts enjoy jungle hikes to spot hummingbirds and toucans (right), and walks to rainforest towns where you can experience indigenous amazonian culture.
IN the city of f Manaus, known as s the Paris of the e jungle, guests will l learn about survival al skills and medicinal al properties of plants ts — before sailing back ack to Barbados, with th a stop on Tobago’s pretty beaches. DEPARTS: january 17, 7, 2018 DETAILS: From £2,795 95pp pp, including flights ( cruiseandwalk.co.uk; 01707 331 133).
THE JEWELS OF INDIA
Celebrity cruises merges the majestic charms of india and sri lanka with glitzy abu Dhabi on this 18-night adventure.
starting with a two-night stay in the biggest of the emirates, guests will set sail on the luxurious 2,038-passenger celebrity constellation — and will also visit Mumbai, via the glittering high-rises of Dubai and the omani capital Muscat. The ship will then trace india’s west coast, discovering the beaches and colonial Portuguese architecture of Goa, and the heritage of cochin. sri lanka’s capital colombo is another fascinating port of call. Thailand’s beach paradise Phuket and cosmopolitan singapore also await. Guests fly back to the UK from the latter. DEPARTS: March 21, 2018 DETAILS: From £ £2,299 pp, including fli flights, iglucruise.com, 0203 3733 6809.
MAGICAL MAURITIUS
Mix the riches of africa with the dreamy beaches of Mauritius and reunion on this brand n new crystal cruises v voyage. The redesigned crystal symp phony takes just 848 passengers on a1 a 13-day cruise from Port louis, in Mauritiu to cape Town, south africa. Ports of call include st-Denis, in reunion and Maputo, Mozambique. on the south african coast, guests can go ashore in richards Bay, Durban and Port elizabeth to discover south africa’s vibrant culture and thrilling wildlife. There are options for overnight safari adventures to lion sands Tinga lodge, sabi sand Game reserve and Kruger national Park. DEPARTS: December, 9, 2017 DETAILS: From £4,175 pp, including flights ( crystalcruises.co.uk; 020 7399 7601).