Cruise hits a high note with Katherine
WHAT could make a luxury cruise holiday even more special? How about being serenaded by Katherine Jenkins under the stars?
Cruise-and-stay specialist Imagine Cruising conjured up a gala dinner last month with a performance by the glamorous Welsh mezzo-soprano for just 500 guests whose cruises were going to start, or had ended, in Dubai.
The black-tie event was such a hit that Katherine will return to Dubai next April for another show. Imagine Cruising director Peter Shanks says: ‘Our customers are looking for more than just a cruise. They are keen to immerse themselves in a destination at the start or finish of their cruise, and adding iconic events creates such a memorable experience.’
To see Katherine next year, Imagine Cruising has put together a 23-night trip starting on April 18 from £2,199pp. The price includes a flight to Dubai, a two-night hotel stay for the concert, and a 21-night cruise back to Southampton aboard Queen Mary 2.
Another exclusive package offered by Imagine Cruising is two days at the Rugby Sevens in Dubai in December, hosted by former stars Rory Underwood, Joe Roff and Jean de Villiers.
The trip includes three nights in Dubai during the tournament, three nights in Abu Dhabi and a 12-night cruise to India and Oman aboard Celebrity Constellation. The cost, from £2,099pp, also includes flights.
Cruise Nation (cruisenation.com) offers a three-night hotel stay in Verona and tickets to see Placido Domingo in concert on July 21, followed by a seven-night cruise from Venice to Greece aboard Costa Luminosa. The cost, from £1,024pp, includes flights.
Azamara Club Cruises (azamaraclubcruises.co.uk) has a collection of special events taking in next year’s World Cup finals in Russia. A 12-night Baltic cruise from London on June 17 includes three days in St Petersburg. Prices start at £3,767pp.
And an eight-night cruise from Rome to Barcelona, departing May 21, 2018, costs from £2,627pp – the trip includes two days in Monte Carlo for the Grand Prix. Race-day tickets cost extra.