Sea the world
May’s round-up of the best holidays afloat by travel editor David Wickers
Cruise news
Island life
Its first destination-specific ship, Silversea’s 100-passenger all-suite Silver Origin will begin cruising the Galápagos Islands from July. Shore excursions to Darwin’s remarkable Living Laboratory will be led by a certified expedition team, using the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratio in the region. Seven nights costs from £7,830pp including flights, excursions and two nights pre-cruise in Quito. Visit silversea.com.
PAGE TURNER
Following last year’s success, this year’s Literature Festival at Sea on Queen Mary 2 will feature award-winning authors Ian Rankin, Alexander Mccall Smith and Prue Leith, as well as Kate Mosse, Joanne Harris and Pam Ayres. Curated by the team at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, one week to New York, leaving Southampton on 1 December, costs from £1,549pp including return flight. Visit cunard.co.uk.
WORTH CONSIDERING
Unlike hotels, where late-morning checkouts are the norm, cruise ships disembark passengers early and won’t store luggage. So plan something to pass the time before your flight home so you don’t have to spend hours at the airport.
The right note
P&O Cruises has a new ambassador: Gary Barlow. A multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and member of one of the biggest pop groups in history, Gary will be musical director of The 710 Club, a live music venue aboard Iona, the new P&O Cruises flagship launching in May. Gary will also join guests for exclusive performances on two Iona cruises from Southampton, one departing 29 August for the Norwegian Fjords (7 nights from £789pp), and a second on 31 October to Spain (14 nights from £870pp). Visit pocruises.com.