New in the January sails!
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned cruiser, this is the perfect year to find your sea legs
CRUISE VIRGINS
THE world’s biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Allure Of The Seas, makes her Mediterranean debut. That’s 225,282 tons of fun you never knew you could have at sea, from zipwiring to surfing, skating and rock-climbing.
Watch daredevil divers in the Aqua Theatre and raise a glass in the Rising Tide bar — a watering hole on hydraulics that links the Royal Promenade to leafy Central Park.
ROYAL Caribbean International (0844 493 2061; royalcaribbean.co.uk) offers a five-night Western Mediterranean voyage on Allure Of The Seas, round trip from Barcelona, departing May 19, from £1,208 pp cruise-only.
GASTRO TREAT
FROMAGE favourites are among the delights served up on Britannia, a floating foodie emporium P&O Cruises is launching in March. There are spicy Indian dishes in Michelinstarred chef Atul Kochhar’s restaurant Sindhu, gala menus created by Marco Pierre White and pastries by eric Lanlard in the Market Cafe.
There are also classes in Saturday Kitchen star James Martin’s Cookery Club.
P&O Cruises (pocruises.com; 0843 374 0111) offers a 14-night Mediterranean voyage on Britannia, round trip from Southampton, departing April 11, from £1,069 pp cruise-only.
SALTY SEADOGS
HOLLAND America Line has a new voyage circumnavigating the Land of Fire and Ice, with five days in Iceland in search of glaciers and geysers. From Akureyri, dip in the steamy volcanic waters at Myvatn. It lifts the spirits — but not half so much as the local tipple, a schnappslike drink called Black Death.
HOLLAND America Line (0843 374 2300; hollandamerica.com) offers a 14-night Northern Isles cruise, round trip from Harwich, departing June 20, from £1,608 pp cruise-only.
LONE RANGERS
NO-FLY specialist Cruise & Maritime Voyages has set aside 150 inside and oceanview twin cabins for passengers travelling alone on Magellan, a former Carnival ship joining its fleet in March.
The firm is charging just 25 per cent supplement for solo cabins — other lines levy up to 100 per cent. There are hosted cocktail parties and gettogethers to help you mingle.
CRUISE and Maritime Voyages (0844 414 6185; cruiseandmartitime.com) offers a seven-night Summer Fjordland voyage, round trip from Tilbury, departing June 13, from £639 pp cruise-only for a single inside cabin.
FILM BUFFS
THE stars will be out for Cannes film festival and you can join them on a swanky Celebrity ship. Celebrity equinox is cruising into Cannes on day one of the festival and staying
overnight so you can party at a VIP-only rooftop extravaganza at the Radisson Blu with live music and cocktails.
CELEBRITY Cruises (0844 493 2043; celebritycruises.co.uk) offers a ten-night Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (for Rome), departing May 11, from £1,925 pp including flights.
POOLED RESOURCES
Dipping into a favourite film takes on a new meaning on the river cruise duo Emerald Waterways is launching on the Rhine and Danube in spring.
Emerald Dawn and Emerald Sun each has a pool with a retractable roof that converts into a cinema every evening.
EMERALD Waterways (0800 270 7017; emerald waterways.co. uk) offers a seven-night cruise, departing July 11, from £1,695pp including flights, transfers, shore excursions, drinks with lunch and dinner, and gratuities.
BEACH BABES
THE crystal clear waters of the Aegean were made for cooling off after a hard day exploring ancient civilisations. Variety Cruises has plenty of beach time with summer sailings between Istanbul and Piraeus on i ts yacht Variety Voyager. Between touring Troy, Ephesus and Delos, take a dip off Mykonos and Patmos.
VARIETY Cruises (0208 324 3114; varietycruises.co.uk) offers a seven-night cruise from Istanbul to Piraeus (for Athens), departing August 7, from £2,139 pp cruise-only.
CULTURE VULTURES
HIPPy days are here again as APT launches river cruises on the ganges in India, which visits Mayapur, known as the HQ of the Hare Krishnas.
Set sail from Kolkata after a week’s golden Triangle tour (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) to see Mother Teresa’s house and tomb, and visit mosques, temples and palaces.
APT (0800 046 3002; aptouring. co.uk) offers a 16-day Spirit Of India cruise tour from Delhi to Kolkata, departing November 26, from £5,595 pp including flights, UK transfers, touring and hotels in India, local beer and wine with lunch and dinner onboard, and gratuities.
IDEAL FOR FAMILIES
THE Med will be rocking to the sound of the Fab Four f rom October when the Cavern Club opens its doors on norwegian Epic — the norwegian Cruise Line fun family ship.
The Epic Plunge water slide and climbing wall will keep the children busy while mums and dads chill in the icebar.
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line (0845 201 8900; ncl.co.uk) offers a seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise, round trip from Barcelona, departing October 18, from £1,020 pp including flights and transfers.