CRUISE NEWS
What’s the word from the high seas?
Health workers save up to 50%
MSC CRUISES is offering up to 50 per cent off for health workers and their families on cruises until December 31, 2021, for bookings between August 31 and April 30 next year. MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: ‘We want to express a heartfelt thank you to every healthcare professional around the world.’ ( msccruises.co.uk, 0203 426 3010).
More cancellations
CUNARD has extended its suspension of all sailings until spring 2021 — Queen Elizabeth until March 25, Queen Mary 2 until April 18 and Queen Victoria until May 16.
Guests booked on cancelled cruises will receive a refundable future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to all the fare, plus a nonrefundable bonus FCC equal to 25 per cent of the fare.
Queen Elizabeth’s sailings to Australia, Japan and Alaska will be replaced with three-night to 14-night European cruises, including scenic voyages around the coast of Cornwall, west coast of Ireland and the Scottish Isles, as well as short breaks to Amsterdam ( cunard.com, 0344 3388 641).
Midnight sunbathe
SCENIC cruising doesn’t get much better than long days in Norway’s midnight sun — and 458-guest Seabourn Sojourn’s 14-night North Cape and Majestic Fjords round- trip from Copenhagen features calls to Alesund, Svolvaer, Tromso, Storstappen Island, Honningsvag (pictured), Loen, Flam, Stavanger, Farsund and Skagen. The July 17, 2021, departure starts from £6,595 per person and includes all drinks, tips and a night’s pre-cruise stay at the Sofitel Heathrow with parking ( mundycruising.co.uk, 020 7399 7670).
Mistletoe & Rhine under £700
TUI’s new venture into river cruising starts on November 26, with three itineraries through November and December on newly refurbished TUI Isla. The five-night Mistletoe & Rhine Christmas markets cruise on December 6 starts at £679 per person, including flights from Heathrow, £120 excursion credit and tips. Depart Frankfurt for Cologne, Dusseldorf, Koblenz and Rudesheim ( tui.co.uk, 0800 975 4477).
Slow-lane Scotland
CRUISE along Loch Fyne, stopping at Tarbert fishing village so the chef can pick up seafood for dinner, continue south to Lochranza on Arran for lunch and walk part of the Coastal Way. The five-suite, former wooden fishing boat Splendour’s Inlets and Islands of Wild Argyll cruise departs Holy Loch Marina, Dunoon, on May 1 or September 18, 2021, with prices from £2,040 per person ( argyll
cruising.com, 07917 858 545).
The wizard of Oz
APT has released its 2021 touring and expedition programme for Kimberley, Western Australia, with four sailings aboard the new 180-guest Le Bellot, which can transform its sundeck into a platform for swimming and watersports. The 14-day Kimberley Coast & the Top End cruise sails from Broome to Darwin on June 15, 2021, with prices from £8,395 per person including flights and APT’s Covidflexible booking cover ( aptouring.co.uk, 0800 012 6686).
Angkor Wat awaits
SAVE up to £1,500 per couple when booking a south-east Asia river cruise on Emerald Harmony in 2021 and 2022. The 15-day Majestic Mekong cruise starts at £3,020 per person based on the April 7, 2021, departure from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City via Kampong Tralach, Phnom Penh, Hong Ngu, Sa Dec and My Tho. Highlights include Unesco World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat, a Buddhist monk blessing and a Cu Chi Tunnels tour. Prices include flights, 11 excursions and gratuities ( emerald
waterways.co.uk, 0808 301 3352).