Next-level cruising
Dial it up — there’s even more reason to take an ocean cruise with impressive new ships and exciting itineraries launching in 2020 and beyond, plus private submarines. By Lee Tulloch
Clear vision
Crystal Endeavor, which will be the largest, most spacious purpose-built polar class expedition yacht in the world, celebrates its inaugural season from August 2020 to December 2021 with a maiden exploration of Russia and the Far East, a 17-night round trip from Tokyo to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands. 200 guests will be hosted by an expedition team of 25, with Crystal’s famed comforts — a Nobu restaurant at sea, anyone? — on hand after a day of rugged excursions. crystalcruises.com.au
Raise the roof
A new ship in the Galapagos is Celebrity Flora, a 100-guest ship with interiors designed by Kelly Hoppen and anchorless technology to protect the sea floor. There’s also bound-to-be-popular rooftop glamping with two double cabanas that offer four guests campfire-inspired cuisine and a private naturalist to explain the brilliant night sky. celebritycruises.com
Broadening horizons
If cruise ships are floating hotels, then hotels can become cruise ships — at least that’s the thinking behind the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which launches in 2020 with the first of three 149-suite custom-built yachts. With one of the highest guest-to-crew ratios at sea, the yacht will also feature suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and personal terraces, multiple dining venues — including a speciality restaurant from Michelin-starred Sven Elverfeld
— a signature Ritz-Carlton spa, concierges for each guest and a spacious, residential design intended to give the feel of a personal yacht. The yachts offer various itineraries throughout Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, or are available for private charter. ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com
THIS PAGE The Vista on Celebrity Flora is an open-air hideaway spot for guests to unwind on Celebrity’s 100-capacity ship with interiors designed by Kelly Hoppen.
Dancing on ice
In 2021, Ponant will unveil its new icebreaker Le Command ant Char cot, the world’ s only low-em is si onLNG electric hybrid icebreaker, capable of taking guests to the geographical North Pole. Ponant’s small-capacity ships carry more passengers to polar regions than any other cruise line. The Le Commandant Charcot will follow the launch of six other elegant ships that make up the Ponant Explorers series. All are equipped with an underwater passenger lounge called Blue Eye, which allows guests to view, ‘feel’ and listen to the underwater world via hydrophones as they travel. au.ponant.com
Space race
Plenty of marble and more than 500 crystal chandeliers will adorn Regent Seven Seas Splendor when she launches in early 2020, upping the luxury quotient to stratospheric levels in the all-suite ship. The Regent Suite, measuring a whopping 415 square metres is positively palatial — and features a $300,000 handcrafted bed and private in-suite spa retreat. Captain Serena Melani will also be the first woman in cruise industry history to captain a new ship at launch. Bravo! rssc.com
Silver service
Launching in August 2020, Silversea’s 100-guest Silver Origin will be the cruise line’s first destination-specific ship, with state-of-the-art navigation technology and environmental awareness for the ecologically fragile Galapagos Islands. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the surroundings, selected suites feature ocean-view bathtubs and immersive cultural offerings include cuisine from Ecuadorian chefs, and the highest ratio of guides and Zodiacs per guest in the region. silversea.com
Grand tour
A stay at the opulent Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria resort favoured by George Clooney and Brad Pitt, with 12 nights of cultural immersion aboard the Crystal Serenity taking in the Mediterranean’s most enchanting locales is just one of the exclusive itineraries in Cruiseco’s new Collections Europe 2020. From the romance of Barcelona to the turquoise waters of Corsica, it’s the ultimate guide to sailing through Europe in style. cruising.com.au