A SHIP FOR ALL SEASONS
The cruise industry has all kinds of ships going to all kinds of places. In fact, cruise ships are capable of offering amenities and reaching places that no other mode of travel can. Here’s a breakdown of who’s who in the blue
OCEAN VOYAGES
Every cruise company offers some kind of ocean passage, ranging from transatlantic crossings to epic roundthe-world voyages lasting many months. The most famous and romantic run of all is the transatlantic crossing where, in the glory days of ocean liners, ships competed to have the fastest crossing, the most luxurious fittings and the classiest passengers. These days, the name most associated with this service is Cunard, whose three “Queens” are three of the world’s most glamorous ships. See whitestar.co.za.
FAMILY CRUISES
Some lines offer cruises especially for families, with something for everyone. One of the best such trips is offered by MSC Cruises during the local cruising season from November to May. The four-day voyage from Durban to Pomene in Mozambique is a treat, involving two days at sea and a day each at Portuguese Island and at MSC’s dedicated beach resort at Pomene. It’s also incredible value for us rand-strapped South Africans. See mscruises.co.za.
RIVER CRUISES
Pleasure steamers have plied the world’s navigable rivers and lakes since the start of the Age of Steam. Today, modern ships sail the great rivers of Europe such as the Danube, the Rhine and the Volga, offering passengers the chance to explore the heart of many fine capital cities and cultures. Today, cruise lines also operate on many of the world’s far-flung, romantic rivers such as the Amazon, the Mekong, the Irrawaddy and the Yangtze. For inspiration, look no further than the river cruises in this week’s Imagine Cruising supplement.
WORKING SHIPS
There is nothing quite like setting sail in a working ship that does more than take people on holiday. Air travel has meant the end for many working ships but a few still remain, such as the MV Claymore II, which serves the utterly remote Pitcairn Islands (visitpitcairn.pn); and the Aranui 5, a ship with passenger accommodation that serves the Marquesas islands in French Polynesia (araniu.com). Perhaps the nicest and most accessible working ships are those operated by Hurtigruten, which connects the ports and villages of Norway’s rugged coast in a fast and comfortable service. Winter voyages offer passengers the chance of seeing the magical Northern Lights; summer voyages offer the chance of seeing the Midnight Sun. See pentravel.co.za for offers.
ADVENTURE CRUISES
Small, tough ships sail year-round to places like the Arctic and Antarctica on boutique cruises to show some of the far-flung beauty of the planet’s less-explored regions. The size of the ships and the nature of the voyages mean that these cruises are usually eye-wateringly expensive. It’s bucket-list stuff, but then that’s what bucket lists are for. See small-cruiseships.com for inspiration.