DANCING QUEEN
The location of a beloved Australian movie classic, this inner Sydney pub has finally had the glamazon-worthy makeover it deserves
Crystal’s all-suite, butler-serviced river ships, feature the largest luxury suites on Europe’s rivers, Michelin-inspired cuisine and acclaimed service.
In the 21st century, we don’t need to make long journeys across the world’s oceans to get anywhere, as travellers did in the first half of last century. And yet, ocean cruising has never been more popular, with nearly 27 million passengers cruising the globe last year. So, just what is it about cruising that its devotees love?
The secret lies in the definiton of the word cruise: ‘to sail about in an area without a precise destination, especially for pleasure’. A cruise is not just where you go, but the way you get there. It’s as much about the onboard experience — the food, the entertainment, the friendships made — as it is about the destinations. These days, there’s a cruise for just about every taste, from those whose idea of heaven is simply cosying up on a deckchair with waiter service on hand to those who love the nightlife or thrillseekers looking for challenging expeditions.
Some cruise lines proudly replicate the romantic experience of yesteryear, complete with white-gloved stewards, butlers, formal dinners, high teas and even gentlemen-host programs to make sure single ladies have dance partners and cocktail companions. On the other hand, many gleaming new megaships featuring an artillery of amazing facilities are purely of this era, with everything from laser-tag ranges to fully equipped TV studios. The trick is finding the right cruise for you, because there one.
In this guide, we’ve concentrated on the small, luxury ships that carry only a few hundred passengers — floating five-star hotels that offer exemplary cosseting. These vessels can sail up rivers and into ports where the mammoth ships can’t go; plus, they leave a gentler environmental footprint on fragile shores. We think a boutique ship is the best way to take the plunge if you’ve never cruised before. Bon voyage.