News
THE BIG PICTURE
Shore start
Big Island, Hawaii, USA
America’s 50th state will be more than just a world cruise pitstop in 2010. Holland America’s ms Zaandam will add Hawaii (pictured) to its sailings next winter with a 14-day itinerary from San Francisco. Princess Cruises is also adding more Hawaii dedicated itineraries to its 2010/2011 line-up, while Cunard deploys Queen Victoria to Los Angeles for two sailings to the archipelago in 2011. Paradise is just around the corner – grass skirts, optional.
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT…
NOTICE A THEME?
From vampires to veteran performers, themed cruises are making big waves on both sides of the Atlantic
Whether you view them as tacky or tremendous fun, themed cruises are picking up steam. In the States, boy band New Kids on the Block (pictured) sold out a Carnival Imagination cruise (from 14 May) for the second year. Carnival has also chartered a vampire-themed ‘Fangs and Fur’ sailing on Carnival Liberty (2 January) and a Kid Rock cruise to Grand Cayman on Carnival Inspiration (29 April). Earlier in 2009, the UK had Lulu’s Shout! tribute to Motown music on Fred Olsen’s Boudicca and P&O invited TV psychic star Derren Brown onboard.
“There’s no secret that the Derren Brown cruise was a trial to see how a themed cruise might be received,” says Morgan Van Selman, (entertainment) product manager for P&O. “And passenger feedback was positive. I was onboard, and there was a great buzz around the ship. Not only was it something new and exciting for existing passengers, but it brought a lot of new cruisers to P&O. It’s certainly food for thought for the future.”
And there’s more to come in 2010. Royal Caribbean’s ship for the UK market, Independence of the Seas, pays tribute to the Fab Four on a Beatles-themed cruise around the Caribbean (28 March), while you’ll be able to wake up to Sir Terry Wogan again on Queen Victoria on 14 May with his ‘Old Geezers and Gals’ charity cruise in aid of Children in Need.
DESTINATION
CASTAWAY CARIBBEAN
Get off the beaten track and discover paradise’s hottest port stops
HALF MOON CAY - Bahamas
Who’s going there?
Holland America Line
Where
HAL’s all-exclusive private island (pictured) – often rated the best of all the cruise lines’ islands – is a secluded slice of paradise spread out over 600,000 square metres, with only 2% of it developed.
What to do
Gallop along the beach on horseback, swim with stingrays or try any number of watersports. Too much effort? Then relax and run your toes through the sand in a private beachfront cabana with your very own butler. Maybe you could make it over to the massage hut for some respite. Travelling with teens? They’ll love the WaveRunner water park.
Onboard
The premium ms Nieuw Amsterdam is for couples or families with older children.
The itinerary
Departs Fort Lauderdale (7 November 2010) and calls at Turks and Caicos, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and St. Maarten for seven nights.
FALMOUTH - Jamaica
Who’s going there?
Royal Caribbean (from December 2010)
Where
Jamaica’s latest stop is the once-bustling 18th-century Falmouth, a forgotten port between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
What to do
The colonial harbour area will be abuzz with new shops, entertainment venues and restaurants. Also nearby is the Martha Brae River for rafting and the historic plantation estate of Greenwood Great House, while James Bond buffs should head to Jamaica Safari Village, where scenes from Live and Let Die were shot.
Onboard
Oasis of the Seas, the megaship of the moment, is all about eye-watering, large-scale fun for all the family.
The itinerary
The nine-night cruise leaves Fort Lauderdale on 30 December 2010, stopping at Labadee, St Thomas and St Maarten.
BEQUIA - The Grenadines
Who’s going there?
Azamara Cruises
Where
This unspoilt, sleepy Southern Caribbean island is usually reserved for jetsetter yachts and teeny-tiny cruise ships, but the more mid-sized Azamara Journey will be anchoring here in 2010.
What to do
Visit the nearby Princess Margaret Beach, where British royalty once swam, or have an adventure off-road in a jeep to see The Flintstones-esque rock houses at Moonhole. The clear, see-tothe-bottom waters are perfect for divers, and for a fresh lobster feast, head to Moskito (The Friendship Bay Hotel, +1 784 458 3222) near Port Elizabeth.
Onboard
The 710-passenger Azamara Journey is a taste of luxury for adults without the extreme price tag
The itinerary
Sail roundtrip from Miami for 12 nights on 20 March 2010, visiting Antigua, Dominica and the British Virgin Islands.
TORTOLA - British Virgin Islands
Who’s going there?
P&O
Where
Though it’s not technically new, the dreamy capital of the British Virgin Islands remains relatively off-radar compared to its sister islands St Thomas and St John.
What to do
Cane Garden Bay is the main draw for beach time, but you’ll be able to sip your Island Fizz cocktail in peace one cove down in Brewers Bay. Cool off in the tropical shade of the forests of Mount Sage National Park, or for island hopping, take a half-day boat trip to the neighbouring Jost Van Dyke or Virgin Gorda.
Onboard
Brits will feel right at home onboard the family-friendly Ventura, complete with Noddy and Marco Pierre White dining.
The itinerary
The cruise leaves Barbados on 13 February 2010 for a 15-night sailing to Grenada, Curacao, Aruba and St Lucia, amongst others.
SHORE EXCURSION
Due south
It might be one of the least inhabited places in the world, but Antarctica’s wild residents make for some pretty entertaining company.
And the journey to the White Continent is just as exciting. You can spot whales, penguins (a whopping 17 species, in fact) and seals without even setting foot on land. Early February to March is the best time to visit the icy wilderness. It’s when penguin chicks begin to hatch, the whales breach in their masses and about 100 million birds fly south from the Arctic to bask in the (warmer) summer sun. And with up to 20 hours of sunlight a day, you’ll get maximum gazing time, too. Hurtigruten’s ms Fram takes a cool tour of the Peninsula – with the opportunity to take special PolarCirkel speedboats for a closer view – which leaves on 14 February.
FIVE OF THE BEST…
LATE SHOW
Blue is the new black, so why not try one of these brighter bow ties for formal nights
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Navy and blue dot bow tie, £49, Brooks Brothers (brooksbrothers.com). Tartan bow tie, £35, Hackett (www.hackett.com). Navy and grey Brooke reversible bow tie, £30, Thomas Pink (www.thomaspink.com). Blue bow tie, £25, Austin Reed (www.austinreed.co.uk). Remper blue and white micro check bow tie, £25, Ted Baker (www.tedbaker.com)
LIFESTYLE
BUILD YOUR OWN PORT
Create the ultimate sailaway with Muji’s Port in a Bag, a wooden model set that includes ships, terminals and cranes. It’s the perfect gift for a fellow cruise-lover, or you could just keep it for yourself and create your very own mini-cruise. £9.95, www.muji.co.uk
READ
Big, bigger, best
A brand-new book charts the rise and rise of supersized cruise liners
Unless you’ve been buried beneath a giant sand bed, you’ll know that the behemoth that is Oasis of the Seas (see In Numbers, right) has just set sail. To celebrate its launch, Building the Biggest traces the history of ship construction, from Brunel’s ironship Great Britain – one of the earliest liners in 1843 – through the 1900s and up to the current Genesis class. It explores how the jet age threatened to destroy the industry but, also gave rise to the concept of a dedicated cruise ship. The book features previously unpublished material from Royal Caribbean. Ship enthusiasts are likely to feel as if all their Christmases have come at once. Geoff Lunn’s Building the Biggest (The History Press, £17.99) is out now
IN NUMBERS
SIZE MATTERS
Oasis of the Seas finally heads for the high seas
3.5 the maximum number of times the ‘Rising Tide Bar’ goes up and down in one hour
50 tonnes of ice cubes are made onboard every day
800 million pounds were spent on building Oasis of the Seas
6,296 guests can sleep onboard at maximum capacity
526,172 litres of water fill the AquaTheatre pool
72% of staterooms have a balcony
12,175 plants adorn Central Park, the sea’s first ever living park space
ONBOARD WITH…
ESTHER RANTZEN
The journalist and prospective parliamentary candidate loves to meet kindred spirits on cruises, says Tobi Cohen
My cruise ‘addiction’ started about 15 years ago. My late husband, Desmond Wilcox, ran away to sea as a teenager and became a deckhand. He trained on a four-master, and really believed that sailing was about sails, polished wood and making sure that the paint is pristine and fresh.
I cruise so often now that it is difficult for me to place each trip and put a year to them. I’ve developed a taste for very small ships.
My favourite place to cruise to is New Zealand – going round those fjords. I want to go to the South Seas, and it’s my ambition to go on the Star Clipper around the Caribbean, because that’s a sailing ship like the ones my husband used to tell me about.
I sometimes cruise on my own. It’s OK: there is always so much to do, and one meets kindred spirits. I think it’s rather fun.
I once met a wonderful gentleman onboard. It turned out his partner thought he was 67 and he was actually 87. We suspected the reason he didn’t bring her was because he feared she might catch sight of his passport. But bless him! If he feels 67, be 67, I say. Though I do think he should have had the courage of his convictions.
I love watercolours, so if there is a watercolour class, I always do that. I enjoy sunrise and sunset over the ocean, so I always hope that I will have a balcony with an unrestricted view – that makes such a difference. I go to the lectures, and I always enjoy those but, most of all, I love the destinations. That’s what I go for.
I enjoy set dining. I like being at a table with strangers, but I do think it is important to move if you’re not compatible, because you will find someone that you are compatible with.
BEAUTY
HEAVEN SCENT
This season’s elegant new fragrances will also look divine on your dresser
Left to right: Voyage en Méditerranée Labdanum De Séville, £52, L’Occitane (www.uk.loccitane.com). Precious Edition Nina, £44, Nina Ricci (www.ninaricci.com).
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