A TASTE OF L I F E AT S E A
If you’re a curious traveller, with a taste for discovering new destinations and a desire to escape the everyday, then why not consider a cruise for your next holiday?
Swim with dolphins and dance to a steel band by the sea
TODAY, thanks to an exciting array of new ships and thrilling new itineraries on offer, there is a cruise for everyone – whether you like adrenaline-fuelled adventure, fun-filled family getaways, epicurean escapes, life in the lap of luxury or something altogether different. Here’s just a selection of our favourites to inspire you if you’re tempted to sample a holiday at sea…
DUBAI AND ARABIAN GULF
ESCAPE the British winter for a sundrenched break discovering life’s true riches on a seven night fly-cruise in Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. Sailing aboard Oceana, you’ll enjoy a mesmerising tour of this enchanting region, witnessing dramatic desert landscapes, cultural landmarks and spectacular city skylines. Visit the Bahrain National Museum in Manama and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the Louvre Gallery in Abu Dhabi. Soar above the Dubai metropolis on a seaplane tour, take an XLine zipwire across the marina, or head to the dunes for a four-wheel-drive desert safari.
>> DUBAI AND ARABIAN GULF FLY-CRUISE: Seven nights, Oceana, EO28, dep Dec 6, 2020, from £749pp. pocruises.com
EASTERN CARIBBEAN
FAMILY members of all ages will enjoy the holiday of a lifetime aboard Adventure of the Seas. Depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and spend a day at sea enjoying ice skating, rock climbing and the Perfect Storm water slides on deck before dropping anchor in Haiti, where a fantastic zipline over the glistening Caribbean sea awaits. Tackle the assault course at Puerto Rico’s Toro Verde Ecological Adventure Park or take a hike through the island’s rainforests; in St Thomas sail on a pirate schooner to Buck Island or swim with dolphins in nearby Tortola, and in St Maarten dance to a steel band and eat with the locals as turquoise waters lap the sand.
>> EASTERN CARIBBEAN: Eight nights, Adventure of the Seas, dep April 11, 2020, from £622pp. royalcaribbean.co.uk
ALASKA CRUISETOUR
EXPERIENCE the best of both worlds and marry the magnificent spectacle of a seven-day voyage along Alaska’s dramatic coastline with an enchanting land tour, staying in beautiful Wilderness Lodges. Explore the pristine Glacier Bay National Park and the picturesque Denali National Park and take a trip on the Princess Alaska rail service, before setting sail for a tranquil week aboard Royal Princess, taking in panoramic vistas and with the chance to visit wildlife conservation centres and enjoy exhilarating outdoor adventures.
>> CONNOISSEUR CRUISETOUR: Eight-day land tour, seven-day cruise, Royal Princess, dep May 15, 2020, from £2,893pp. princess.com
MEDITERRANEAN ENJOY a medley of magical Mediterranean destinations on a week-long cruise aboard the stunning MSC Grandiosa, departing from Naples and heading first to Messina, Sicily to explore Mount Etna or discover a wealth of Norman cathedrals and churches. Arriving at the incredible harbour at Valletta, Malta, you’ll find a cosmopolitan community bringing together a melting pot of cultures, while Gaudí’s Barcelona is a colourful introduction to Catalonian life. Stroll around Marseille’s Vieux Port, or visit Arles, once home to Van Gogh, before heading to Genoa and a tour of the city’s magnificent palaces, brimming with old masters or the chance to explore pretty Portofino.
>> MEDITERRANEAN: Seven nights, dep Naples, May 25, 2020, from £599pp. msccruises.co.uk SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA AND THE BALTIC Join Norwegian Escape in Copenhagen for a culture-rich cruise taking in enchanting destinations around Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic coast. Spend two days in St Petersburg, exploring a wealth of museums and galleries – you’ll even have time to take in a ballet or operatic performance. Enjoy an authentic Finnish sauna experience in Helsinki, medieval castles and contemporary café culture in Tallinn, the historic sights of Berlin and the picturesque islands around Stockholm on this captivating cruise.
>> SCANDINAVIA, RUSSIA AND THE BALTIC: nine days, dep May 29, 2020, from £1,079pp. ncl.com