This year sees more new ships launched than ever before. Gary Buchanan rounds up the vessels setting sail, giving you the top routes to book. Champagne corks at the ready…
The cruise industry is evolving, and today more and more passengers are taking to the seas. In Europe the number of passengers last year was up by 15 per cent on 2014, while in China the number of passengers grew by 79 per cent, reflecting an overall expansion in Asia of cruise ports and routes. To supply this demand, a further 20 ships will be making waves. The prospect of more choice, better value and places to visit is unrivalled. Here we present the best of the bunch.
RIVER cruises
STRAND CRUISE
Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) has long featured on most people’s bucket lists. There’s arguably no finer way of experiencing this magical country – which was for so long off-limits to all but the most determined of traveller – than a cruise on the Irrawaddy River. With its contemporary suites, gourmet dining, spacious pool deck and wellness centre, the newly-built 54-passenger Strand Cruise has just entered service, offering three- and four-night sailings between the historical centres of Bagan and Mandalay (themselves lined up for Unesco status). Excursions include visits to iconic landmarks such as the famous U-Bein Bridge at Amarapura, Tantkyitaung Pagoda and the ancient imperial capital of Ava.
Best route The Strand Cruise is a reinvention of the legendary style and personality of Rangoon’s fabled Strand Hotel. A three-night cruise from Mandalay to Bagan departing September costs from $1,681 (excludes flights). thestrandcruise.com
CRYSTAL MOZART
Having announced three new ocean ships, luxury operator Crystal Cruises is entering the increasingly popular river cruise sector. In July, Crystal Mozart will herald the first of five vessels that will have competitors looking to their laurels. This freshly fitted out 160-passenger ship will have the highest crew-to-guest ratio and largest suites of any river boat in the world. Cruising the Danube, Crystal Mozart will offer the largest dimensions in Europe too. Public areas span a single level, and there will be open-seating dining rooms with complimentary wines and spirits. A wrap-around promenade is joined by a beauty salon and library, plus a fitness centre and spa with an indoor pool. A fleet of luxury motor coaches is on hand for the gamut of excursions on offer in each destination.
Best route The Countries of Eastern Danube cruise from Vienna visits Esztergom, Mohács, Pécs and Belgrade – 11 nights departing October, from $4,955 (includes flights). crystalcruises.co.uk
FINESSE
Ultra-modern in design, Finesse is a newly-constructed hotel barge cruising the River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy from May. Hotel barges have traditionally been conversions of cargo vessels but this new eight-guest péniche-hôtel – as they are known locally – has some of the largest accommodation in the European Waterways fleet. There’s a spacious sun deck with an alfresco dining area and spa pool. Staffed by a crew of five, Finesse will feature a demonstration galley where you can watch the onboard chef prepare gourmet meals featuring Burgundian specialities such as magret de canard and beef bourguignon; while oenophiles will love visiting the areas of Santenay and Beaune.
Best route Revel in Dijon’s markets and cathedral; 14th-century Château de Germolles; and Paray-le-Monial, with its 12th-century basilica. Six-night cruise from Montchanin to St-Jean-de-Losne, departing August, from $5,620 (excludes flights). gobarging.com
KHA BYOO PANDAW
Another option for more intrepid travellers to Myanmar is the new Kha Byoo Pandaw, which launches in February. Founded in 1995 by Burma historian Paul Strachan with the rebuilding of an original Clyde-built steamer called Pandaw, the company can trace its roots back to the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, founded by Scottish merchants in 1865. The Kha Byoo Pandaw has been constructed in the same luxurious colonial-style design as the rest of the Pandaw fleet with nine spacious air-conditioned staterooms, each with a sizeable bathroom and shower. Because of her ultra-shallow draft, the ship will be able to cruise all the way up to the Upper Irrawaddy from July to March.
Best route Few vessels set their compass to this remote region, so passengers will be able to revel in the pioneering spirit. A ten-night sailing from Bagan to Katha and Mandalay, departing November, from $3,530 (excludes flights). pandaw.com
ADVENTURE cruises
HEBRIDEAN SKY
The two ships in the Noble Caledonia fleet will be joined in May by the 118-passenger Hebridean Sky. This trio of identical ships is perfectly suited to expedition cruising, yet the ambient and clubby interiors are straight out of the pages of Country Living. All accommodation boasts wood panelling and fabrics in soft hues which enhance the traditional nautical style. Suites on the Scott and Shackleton decks feature private balconies and are worth the investment. Navigating mostly in Northern Europe, South America and Antarctica, each cruise has a set itinerary – but it is the potential for fortuitous events, such as following a whale, that often creates the highlight of the cruise.
Best route During the Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords cruise there’s an exploration of the hauntingly beautiful ‘land of fire and ice’ during calls at Cape Horn, Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine National Park, Chiloe Island, Puerto Montt and Valdivia. Departing March 2017, 18-nights, Buenos Aires to Valparaiso, from $11,100 (includes flights). noble-caledonia.co.uk
SANTA CRUZ II
This Ecuadorian cruise company that pioneered expeditions to the Galápagos Islands back in 1969 has just launched its newest expedition ship in the region. The 90-passenger Santa Cruz II has stylish yet simple interiors, indoor and outdoor dining options, two lounge bars, a well-stocked library, gym and two hot tubs on deck. Accommodation is in single, double or triple cabins; while the three Darwin Suites at 30 square metres up the ante in terms of personal space and facilities. The vessel will offer four-, five- and nine-night itineraries in the Northern, Eastern and Western Galápagos Islands with each expedition carried out in the company of seven knowledgeable guides.
Best route To get the best out of the ‘Enchanted Isles’, a combination of Santa Cruz II’s Eastern and Western itinerary is perfect. Mundy Adventures has a nine-night combination cruise, including a night in Quito from $9,089 (includes flights), departing September. mundyadventures.co.uk
CRYSTAL ESPRIT
Not content with taking ocean and river cruising by storm, Crystal Cruises has just launched Crystal Esprit. With its sassy, resort-style design, this 62-passenger, all-suite yacht boasts globally inspired gourmet cuisine, inclusive of fine grape and premium spirits. Modern tasting and classic menus are a feature of the Yacht Club Restaurant each evening; the Patio Café is perfect for pastas and risottos, seafood and antipasti at lunch; while the Grill offers locally inspired street food served tapas style outdoors – complementing the Sunset Bar on the ship’s top deck. In keeping with the port-intensive itineraries in warm waters, there’s a water-sports marina with a two-passenger submersible. The inaugural season sees this sleek yacht in the Seychelles until March before heading to the Arabian Gulf; Aegean; and Croatian Riviera.
Best route This summer, sojourn along the Dalmatian coast and visit the archaeological wonderlands of Rovinj, Šibernik, Trogir, Vis, Hvar and Korcula. Venice to Dubrovnik seven-night cruise from $5,585 (excludes flights), departing June, crystalcruises.co.uk
MS SPITSBERGEN
Norwegian coastal cruising specialist Hurtigruten has announced a refurbishment programme that will give four ships a stylish ‘Arctic interior’ reflecting earth colours with icy blues. The newly acquired MS Spitsbergen is also being completely remodelled to offer suites with balconies and large windows, offering passengers a private point to watch the Northern Lights (best chance to see them between October and February) or midnight sun (visible north of the Arctic Circle from late May to July). From May, the sailing schedule of the 320-passenger MS Spitsbergen will allow more time in selected ports with exhilarating excursions such as rib-boat rides, whale watching, horse-riding and sea eagle safaris. Norwegians make good use of their summer and love the outdoor life. Another highlight of these voyages is the cuisine, and menus reflect local specialities.
Best route Classic Round Voyage on MS Spitsbergen, 12-day round trip from Bergen to Kirkenes and back departing June, from $2,920 (excludes flights). hurtigruten.co.uk
OCEAN cruises
SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER
Setting the bar reassuringly high, Regent Seven Seas Cruises launches its 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer in July. This much-anticipated all-suite, all-balcony ship is designed to be the most luxurious ever built. Speciality restaurants include the ornate Chartreuse for French gastronomy; Pacific Rim with Asian-inspired cuisine; and Prime 7 with its superb steaks and seafood. There’s also the chance to learn from expert chefs in the Culinary Arts Kitchen – reminiscent of a prestigious French cookery school. To atone for any over-indulgence, head to the high-tech gym at Canyon Ranch SpaClub. This blissful space leads to a teak-deck terrace that surrounds an infinity-edge plunge pool. For the ultimate pied-à-terre at sea, the 360 square metre Regent Suite comes complete with its own spa retreat and Steinway grand piano; plus a glass-enclosed sitting area with views over the ship’s bow. Cruises span the globe and with so much included – flights, shore excursions, speciality dining, superb wines and spirits, wi-fi and gratuities – you can leave your wallet at home.
Best route Soak up the best of Italy and Greece with the bonus of exploring Turkey’s ancient Ephesus. Monte Carlo to Athens, eight-nights departing October, from $5,535 (includes business-class flights on European routes). rssc.com
QUEEN MARY 2
Cunard’s ship – the touchstone of maritime tradition – will emerge in June from a makeover that will transform its slightly dowdy look with more than a soupçon of glamour. Given the moniker ‘Queen Mary 2 Remastered’, the company’s flagship will see redesigned Club Balcony Staterooms (ideal for those who wish to dine at a time of their choosing but don’t want to splash out on a suite) and, for the first time, the creation of Britannia Single Staterooms. Grill suites will now have oodles of style with muted tones and elegant textures as well as bespoke carpets inspired by rugs from the original Queen Mary. The exclusive Queen’s Grill and Princess Grill (for those paying top dollar) will undergo a decorative overhaul replacing the slightly passé look. For passengers who like a break from formality, the casual King’s Court restaurant will be remodelled to offer more seating and a wider range of food choices. A stylish Carinthia Lounge will be created for decadent champagne afternoon teas as well as a Verandah Grill which will evoke the recherché dining salons on the famous transatlantic ‘Queens’.
Best route Nothing beats a rite of passage that is an Atlantic crossing to the Big Apple. Southampton to New York, departing July, seven nights from $2,060. cunard.co.uk
VIKING SEA
Cruise pundits were bowled over with the tangible comforts of Viking Ocean Cruises’ innovative Viking Star, which entered service in 2015. Offering a similar take on inclusive value and unfussy cuisine, the company’s second vessel, Viking Sea, is scheduled to enter service in April. This 930-passenger ship has been designed to exude a refined Scandinavian vibe – nowhere more so than the spa, with thalassotherapy pool and snow grotto. The bright and airy staterooms and suites are handsome, not minimal. Speciality restaurants such as Manfredi’s and the Chef’s Table come with no surcharge; beer, wine and soft drinks are complimentary; as is wi-fi. Cruises in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean place a great deal of emphasis on land discoveries, and the inclusive shore excursions offer much more than the usual frenetic route-marches from fountain to forum, ruin to relic, museum to monument, gallery to ghetto, cathedral to catacomb.
Best route A Viking Homelands fly-cruise with a company that knows how to show off its own backyard. Stockholm to Bergen, 14 nights, departing July, from $6,400. vikingcruises.co.uk
KONINGSDAM
The countdown is on for Holland America Line’s much-anticipated Koningsdam, which debuts in April. Wine connoisseurs will be able to experience the art of winemaking at Blend – the only purpose-built wine-blending venue at sea. Music will also play a big part in life onboard, with the Memphis music experience that is B.B. King’s Blues Club; a dedicated salon for classical music; and an interactive music experience called Billboard Onboard, part of the ‘music walk complex’. Fine dining offerings include a French seafood brasserie, Sel de Mer; Pinnacle Grill, featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine; Canaletto Italian restaurant; and pan-Asian Tamarind, one of the finest restaurants of its kind.
Best route A perfect pre-Christmas escape to the Caribbean islands of Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas; British Virgin Islands; St Maarten; St Kitts; San Juan; and Grand Turk Island. Nine nights, sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, departing December, from $1,270 (excludes flights). hollandamerica.com
SMALL SHIP cruises
SEABOURN ENCORE
This ship may have many imitators, but it has few peers. When the new 604-passenger ship enters service in December, it will represent an evolution of the award-winning cruise line’s highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships that have revolutionised ultra-luxury cruising. There’s no risk of gastronomic ennui, because chef Thomas Keller – the culinary genius behind three-Michelin-starred Napa Valley institution The French Laundry – will be conjuring up new flavours to complement Seabourn’s already celebrated cuisine. Seabourn’s popular Extended Explorations programme offers longer voyages, which have the bonus of comprehensive port content and more in-depth exploration of a particular region. Seabourn Encore will sail to Arabia and India before setting the compass for Australia and New Zealand.
Best route This voyage fires the imagination: visit New Zealand’s Milford Sound; Fjordland National Park; Christchurch; Wellington; and Tauranga during the austral summer. Sydney to Auckland 16-night cruise, departing February 2017, from $11,399 (excludes flights). seabourn.com
AZAMARA JOURNEY & AZAMARA QUEST
Azamara Club Cruises has created the concept of ‘Destination Immersion’ – placing the emphasis on exploration thanks to overnights in port and late departures. In 2016, Azamara’s ships will have 90 overnight stays in ports of call and there will be no fewer than 177 late-night sailaways from destinations such as Cochin; St Maarten; and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. The company’s two vessels, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, are undergoing a major transformation during which no area onboard these 686-passenger ships will be left untouched. The Owner’s and Club World Ocean Suites will emerge with a genteel look; similar enhancements will be applied to Club Continent Suites and Staterooms. The Sanctum spa will have a contemporary look and emphasis on holistic health and Eastern therapies.
Best route Arabian Gulf & Emirates offers an overnight stay in Dubai at the beginning and end of the cruise, which also calls at Khasab and Muscat in Oman; Bahrain; Doha; and Abu Dhabi. Round-trip from Dubai, ten nights, departing October, from $2,720 (excludes flights). azamaraclubcruises.co.uk
SILVER MUSE
As travellers come to expect more, cruise ships have evolved to appeal to whims and caprices. Nowhere is this more evident than Silversea’s latest addition to its fleet of boutique-style ships which launches in April 2017. Far removed from the cookie-cutter aesthetic, the 596-passenger Silver Muse will offer top-drawer luxury, with small-ship intimacy and all-suite rooms. There’s a cornucopia of dining options, including the elegant Atlantide Bar and Grill; La Grande Dame by Relais & Châteaux will feature a bespoke menu representing impeccable French cuisine; Kabuki will offer a theatrical production inspired by the five elements of Japanese cuisine – taste, smell, texture, colour and sound. There will also be the signature Hot Rocks grill where you can cook your steak just the way you like it right beside your table.
Best route The pinnacle of the routes on offer is arguably the 14-night cruise from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, departing September 2017, calling at Halifax, Portland, Boston, New York (overnight), Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah and Port Canaveral. From $8,475 (excludes flights). silversea.com
SIRENA
The embodiment of urbane yet casually elegant travel, Oceania Cruises also knows how to enhance that essence of cruising – serendipity. Less cruise ship, more a country club at sea, the company’s latest ship will be inaugurated in April. Following a $37 million makeover, the 684-passenger Sirena will join her three sister ships. There will be a range of accommodation options, including 93 square metre Owner’s Suites, 73 square metre Vista Suites and the 30 square metre Penthouse Suites. Each category of suites and staterooms has Prestige Tranquillity Beds – possibly the most comfortable at sea. Restaurants will include Tuscan Steak and Red Ginger (Asian), while at lunchtime the Grand Dining Room will be transformed into Jacques Bistro. The ship will make an impressive 11 maiden calls to destinations for Oceania Cruises.
Best route The aptly-named Mediterranean Collage cruise visits the Maltese island of Gozo, Palermo, Sorrento/Capri, Rome, Portofino, Monte Carlo, St Tropez, Marseilles and Mahon (Menorca). Ten-day cruise from Valletta to Barcelona, departing July, from $3,390 (includes flights). oceaniacruises.com
Photos by Sarah Coghill; Gary Latham; Carl Pendle; Andrew Richardson; Jill Mead