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www.worldofcruising.co.uk April / May 2015 £4.95 Hip hip hip hooray! Smiles all round for P&O’s Britannia The Timeless Nile WELCOME TO CUBA Inside the Kids’ Clubs 3 OF A KIND + CAPTAIN GREYBEARD + LIFE ON BOARD + WHERE NEXT? + WORLD OF SPAS
Imagine a fabulous choice
of Viking river cruises
Budapest
MAGAZINE SECTION
WORLD OF CRUISING
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today to save today to save
ulous choice
£1,000pp
on all 2016 itineraries
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r cruises until 30 June 2015
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fantastic £895 per person fantastic £895 per person
Romantic Danube Romantic Danube
This incredible 8-day journey treats you to medieval This incredible 8-day journey treats you to medieval
towns, grand cities, ancient abbeys and soaring river towns, grand cities, ancient abbeys and soaring river
gorges along the celebrated Danube. Sail in comfort gorges along the celebrated Danube. Sail in comfort
and style through Hungary, Austria and Germany on and style through Hungary, Austria and Germany on
an award-winning Viking Longship®. an award-winning Viking Longship®.
From £895pp From £895pp
Elegant Elbe Elegant Elbe
Grand palaces, timeless landscapes, ancient cities Grand palaces, timeless landscapes, ancient cities
and picture-perfect countryside – there is a wealth of and picture-perfect countryside – there is a wealth of
wonders to explore on this 10-day journey along the wonders to explore on this 10-day journey along the
serene River Elbe. You’ll also enjoy a hotel stay in both serene River Elbe. You’ll also enjoy a hotel stay in both
historic Berlin and atmospheric Prague. historic Berlin and atmospheric Prague.
From £995pp From £995pp
Portugal’s River of Gold Portugal’s River of Gold
From the charming city of Porto, sail the Douro From the charming city of Porto, sail the Douro
through a land of historic churches, monasteries, through a land of historic churches, monasteries,
castles, verdant vineyards and outstanding beauty. castles, verdant vineyards and outstanding beauty.
This memorable 10-day journey includes a 2-night This memorable 10-day journey includes a 2-night
hotel stay in beautiful Lisbon. hotel stay in beautiful Lisbon.
From £995pp From £995pp
Visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk Visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk
or call 020 8780 7900 or call 020 8780 7900
Budapest
2 EDITOR’S LETTER
WORLD OF CRUISING
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
GARY BUCHANAN, our Contributing Editor, is
one of cruising's most distinguished writers,
contributing regularly to national newspapers,
and is the author of three books on the QE2. He
was the winner of the Best River Cruise Feature
category in 2014’s CLIA cruise journalism
awards for his World of Cruising article on the
Zambezi Queen.
JO FOLEY is a renowned author and journalist
as well as our World of Spas editor, having
previously edited Woman, Options, and The
Observer magazine. She travels worldwide in
search of the latest spa and beauty news and
reports back on the most blissful hideaways to
enjoy.
DANIELLE FEAR, known to her blog readers as
CruiseMiss, is a freelance writer and social
media professional covering all aspects of sea
Welcome travel. In a 2014 poll conducted by USA Today
she was one of only two British bloggers to
figure in the Top 10.
The launch of P&O Cruises’ Britannia is the most
important event in the UK cruise business so far this year DAVID FISKE is World of Cruising’s Digital
- which is why it is all over this month’s front cover and is Content Editor. A website developer with a
dealt with at length inside this issue, with some superb passion for cruising, he took his first holiday at
sea in 2009 and was hooked immediately. He
photography and carefully-crafted pictures in words lives in South Wales with his wife and baby son.
from a variety of writers.
We at World of Cruising have now had our say, and I MILLY JOHNSON, is a Sunday Times Top 10
want to hear from passengers – those who have best-selling author of 11 books and two
experienced the ship’s first few sailings, those who are novellas. Her novel, ‘Here Come The Girls’
features a 17-night cruise on a fictional P&O
looking forward to travelling on the ship in the future, or Cruises ship, Mermaidia, and her next book,
those who have already decided that Britannia is not ‘Afternoon Tea At The Sunflower Café’, will be
their cup of afternoon tea. Send your views by email to published in June
editor@worldofcruisingmagazine.com, or by
post to the address on Page 4. ANTHONY NICHOLAS took his first cruise in
1981 and has written for The Scotsman,
We have a bottle of Wiston Estate Cuvee Brut – the Independent, and The Sun, as well as a number
same English sparkling wine from West Sussex that was of magazines. Based in the north-east of
used to christen Britannia – for the sender of the best England, he also writes about hotels, rail
comments. journeys, and maritime history. His voyages have
taken in everything from ultra-luxury boutique
vessels to the most modern mega-ships.
Also in this issue, the arrival of Cruise & Maritime
Voyages’ Magellan, another look at cruising to Cuba, a SUSAN PARKER has been writing about cruise
new view of cruise capital Miami, and a look at the shipping for 20 years, for much of that time as
beautiful French city of Bordeaux. Plus the inside take on editor of the highly-respected Lloyd’s Cruise
kids’ clubs and cruise apps. International. She has visited many of today’s
latest ships both on the water and while they
were under construction.
Coming next, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas
and a whole host of new river vessels in Europe. Don’t ANNA SELBY is a long-established travel
miss out, subscribe today writer, specialising in luxury travel, cruises, spas
and wildlife. She has written for all of the UK’s
broadsheets as well as many magazines and has
written more than 30 books on travel, health,
spas, antiques and opera.
John Honeywell
MAGAZINE SECTION 3
WORLD OF CRUISING
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Sao Paulo.
Iguassu Falls
After time in Brazil explore Punta del Este, one of South
America’s most glamorous resorts and visit Uruguay’s
capital Montevideo with its distinctively Spanish feel.
Disembarking in Buenos Aires discover more of Argentina
Crystal Symphony, Rio de Janeiro Buenos Aires
with an extended stay in this passionate city and a visit to
Itinerary: Rio de
the world famous Iguassu Falls, providing a wonderful end Rio de Janeiro
Janeiro (overnight), Ilha Grande
to a journey which gives a glimpse of the extraordinary Ilha Grande, Ilhabela,
Ilhabela
São Paulo/Santos
charm and beauty of this continent. Sao Paulo, Itajai, Itajai
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in Buenos Aires
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the spectacular Italian cuisine of Piero Selvaggio, flights and 1 night stay at the Sheraton Iguazu
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■ Overseas transfers
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For further information or to book call Mundy Cruising
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Terms & Conditions: Fare is based on double occupancy in a Deluxe
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4 CONTENTS
WORLD OF CRUISING
Contents
www.worldofcruising.co.uk
April/May 2015 Issue 68
Audited circulation, December 2014:
20,679 copies
www.worldofcruising.co.uk April / May 2015 £4.95
Hip hip hip
hooray!
Smiles all round for
P&O’s Britannia
The Timeless Nile
WELCOME TO CUBA
Cover
Inside the Kids’ Clubs
The Queen on
3 OF A KIND + CAPTAIN GREYBEARD + LIFE ON BOARD + WHERE NEXT? + WORLD OF SPAS
Britannia’s bridge
EDITOR
John Honeywell
editor@worldofcruisingmagazine.com
WORLD OF SPAS EDITOR
Jo Foley
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Gary Buchanan
DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR
David Fiske
david.fiske@worldofcruisingmagazine.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Danielle Fear, Milly Johnson,
14
Anthony Nicholas, Susan Parker, Anna Selby
COLUMNISTS
Captain Greybeard, Andy Harmer, Britannia Special
Edwina Lonsdale
CREATIVE DIRECTION
Sabrina Godden, asg designs ltd
SALES DIRECTOR
Chris Cummings
PROMOTIONS
chris.cummings@worldofcruisingmagazine.com
CLASSIFIED MANAGER
Grant Collins
grant.collins@worldofcruisingmagazine.com
SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR Inside cover
Peter Grant
peter.grant@worldofcruisingmagazine.com FREE! 5,000 Cruise Miles – worth £50 –
MANAGING DIRECTOR for every reader
Chris Pitchford
chris.pitchford@worldofcruisingmagazine.com 50 Croatian Classic Cruising with Thomson
FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tel. +44 (0) 208 444 2554
NEWS
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2 Welcome aboard
All enquiries
+44 (0) 208 444 2554 Tell us what you think about Britannia and WIN
Reproduction not permitted without the a bottle of Wiston English sparkling wine
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All efforts are made to ensure factual accuracy 8 Ocean cruise news
is correct at the time of publication.
World of Cruising magazine © 2015
10 River cruise and destination news
World of Cruising is proud to be a
member of CLIA
CONTENTS 5
WORLD OF CRUISING
FEATURES
12 Winning ways 26 Anniversary schmaltz
Our prize writer is all set to cruise with MSC Princess at 50 and Crystal at 25
40 Magnificent Magellan
BRITANNIA SPECIAL A new dawn in British traditional cruising
14 P&O Cruises’ pride and joy arrives
45 River cruise
in style
Along the Timeless Nile
16 Party time as Britannia is christened
54 Children first
18 Here Come The Dreams We assess the cruise ship kids’ clubs
20 Marvellous memories of the 58 Havana ball
maiden voyage Cruising to Cuba
24 Top names in cruising give their views 63 Cruise cuisine
on Britannia Finest food on the French Riviera
Tell us what you think and WIN a bottle 74 There’s an App for That
of Wiston English sparkling wine Let your smartphone organise your cruise
THE TIMELESS NILE
45 WORLD
OF SPAS
85 News
The latest updates from Spas
editor Jo Foley
86 Food, glorious food
Why it’s not forbidden fruit
88 Looking good
With the latest beauty products
REGULARS 70 Where Next?
What makes Bordeaux such an attractive city
for ocean and river cruisers alike
6 Being There
Why Miami is Cruise Central 77 Columnists
Andy Harmer and Edwina Lonsdale
31 3 of a Kind
The best of Mediterranean Spain 78 Readers’ Letters
42 Life On Board 80 Captain Greybeard
With Joff Eaton, who will be launch Cruise Director casts a keen eye over the good and the bad
on Anthem of the Seas on Britannia
6 BEING THERE
WORLD OF CRUISING
Cruise
Central
T
he vibrant Miami skyline is a familiar sight for cruise
passengers – more than 5 million of them use the port
each year at the start and end of a voyage, mostly to the
Caribbean. And what better place to look back on the
glass-clad palaces of Downtown than from the top deck of a ship
– in this case, Norwegian Epic – berthed at one of its seven
terminals.
The soaring skyscrapers are matched as a spectacle by a line-up
of ships glimpsed from the Macarthur Causeway leading to the Art
Deco splendours of South Beach, whose hotels welcome countless
Brits for a few extra days of holiday before the start or after a cruise.
The city is also home to the headquarters of many cruise lines
and the biggest annual industry conference each year. Miami can
justifiably claim to be Cruise Central.BEING THERE 7 WORLD OF CRUISING
8 NEWS
WORLD OF CRUISING
UK passenger numbers drop
The arrival of two giant new cruise ships – ships sailing from British waters including P&O Cruises’
Britannia and Anthem of the Seas – could not Britannia, Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the
be better timed for the British cruise market. Seas, Princess Cruises' Royal Princess and Cruise & Maritime
Voyages’ Magellan.”
The latest figures compiled by the Cruise Lines The popularity of river cruising, however, has continued
International Association (CLIA) show that the number of to grow. The number of UK passengers taking to inland
UK passengers fell by 4.8 per cent to 1,64 million in 2014 waterways in Europe and the rest of the world grew by 6
and for the first time we have been overtaken by Germany per cent in 2014.
– with 1.77 million passengers – as the biggest European The vessels are a lot smaller, so the increase is only
source country. 8,000 – to a total of 139,400 – but it’s still significant.
Britannia and Anthem, sailing from Southampton Europe is the most popular region, with the Danube the
throughout the summer, will provide capacity for about busiest river, but the numbers of travellers heading
7,500 a week - which should be enough to see us take the further afield, to the Mekong in south-east Asia and the
top spot back again. Brahmaputra in India, are showing significant growth.
Announcing the figures at the Cruise Shipping Miami CLIA attributed the growing popularity of rivers to
conference, CLIA Europe chairman Pierfrancesco Vago newer, bigger vessels with greater on-board amenities
said: “Once again the number of Europeans choosing a and even balcony cabins.
cruise holiday has hit a new record – reaching 6.39 million
passengers – despite on-going economic difficulties.” FIGURES released by CruiseBritain show more
He added that the 0.5 per cent overall increase was an passengers than ever visited the UK’s 57 cruise ports in
“extraordinary result,” continuing a period of growth 2014. A total of 110 individual ships – many on multiple
which has seen an increase of 44 per cent in passenger cruises – brought 922,000 people on day calls, an
numbers since 2008. increase of 6 per cent. CruiseBritain chair Daren Taylor
A reduction in capacity of ships sailing from the British said: “Britain can offer a port for every cruise ship
ports is blamed for the fall in UK and Ireland passenger currently sailing – from the largest vessels carrying
numbers, although the number of fly-cruise passengers thousands of passengers to mid-range and boutique
grew by three per cent. ships, and to the small expedition ships looking for a
Andy Harmer, Director of CLIA UK & Ireland, says: “2015 more remote experience.”
is all set to be a landmark year with many additional cruise
Nine new ships for Carnival brands
Carnival Corporation, which owns Cunard and P&O Cruises
in the UK, plans to place orders for nine new ships to be
delivered between 2019 and 2022.
No details of the ships have yet been announced, nor has the company
said which of its brands – which also include Princess, Holland America
and Costa – will operate the ships, expected to cost between £470
Britannia
million and £540 million each. Five will be developed and built by Italy’s
Fincantieri, while orders for the other four will go to Meyer Werft, for
construction at its yards in Germany and Finland.
Carnival currently has 101 ships in its global fleet and has several ships winner
on order or delivery before 2019. Luxury brand Seabourn gets a new ship
next year and another in 2018. Princess is expecting one in 2017 and Congratulations to Robin
both Carnival and Holland America will take delivery in 2016 and 2018. Faulkner, of Whyteleafe,
Neither Cunard, nor P&O – which last month launched Britannia – has Surrey, winner of our competition in
any confirmed ship orders. association with Iglu – to win a cruise
The Carnival deals, which are still subject to reaching agreement on on P&O’s Britannia. At the age of 81
financing, will fill available construction slots at the yards – making it he is a veteran of 74 cruises on 37
more difficult for Richard Branson to find anyone to build ships for his different ships, and already has two
proposed Virgin cruise line. other cruises booked for this year.NEWS 9
WORLD OF CRUISING
Revolutionary design concept Turning away
for Virgin ships from Tunis
Richard Branson is planning a striking new look for his cruise Cruise lines moved quickly to
ships if legal action doesn’t scuttle the plans before they even cancel visits to Tunis after the
reach the water. terrorist shooting which cost
the lives of 20 tourists – 17 of
them from MSC Splendida and
Costa Fascinosa.
Holland America, Star Clippers,
AIDA, and Hapag Lloyd Cruises have
Virgin Cruises, with a $1 billion investment from venture capitalists and all switched scheduled calls to
planned to launch by 2019, will initially have two of the modernistic “ultra alternative ports.
ships” carrying 4,200 passengers each. CLIA UK & Ireland say none of its
But consultant Colin Veitch, a former CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, is suing members plan to visit Tunis in the
Branson and Virgin Group for more than £200 million damages and has foreseeable future, although Regent
asked a judge to put a stop to the development. Seven Seas and Oceania say they are
Veitch claims that Branson went back on a deal reached in 2011 and that “monitoring the situation.”
Branson “muscled him out” of the joint venture he proposed to establish as a Three more of Costa’s ships –
rival to Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Favolosa, Fortuna, and neoRiviera -
He is alleging breach of contract, saying Virgin initially agreed a partnership are affected by the changes, and
that would bring him $315 million over two years, but that the company later MSC’s itineraries for Divina, Fantasia,
began altering the deal to diminish his earnings and leave him as “an and Preziosa have been switched for
indentured servant whose ownership and rewards depended completely on the rest of the year.
Virgin’s whims.” He says he was squeezed out when Virgin hired Tom Twelve MSC Splendida passengers,
McAlpin, former president of Disney Cruise Line, as CEO. The striking ship including British lawyer Sally Adey,
design concept has been disclosed in Veitch’s lawsuit, filed in Miami. were killed in the shooting at Tunis’s
Virgin say the claim has no merit. In a statement, the company said: Bardo museum. A further 13 were
“Richard Branson and the Virgin Group first looked at the cruise market in the injured. Five Costa Fascinosa
late 1970s and our current team has been exploring the opportunity for more passengers – four Italians and one
than a decade. Over the years, we have been in discussions with a number of Russian – died, and eight were
parties, including [Veitch], and those discussions ceased in 2012.” injured in the atrocity.
European Anthem switch Speaking up
Odyssey Anthem of the Seas will spend only
this summer sailing from the UK.
Actress Jane Seymour, astronaut
Buzz Aldrin, and people’s poet Pam
Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Ayres are among the speakers lined
Aegean Odyssey, the 570-
launching this month, will sail from up for Cunard cruises this year.
passenger ship operated by
New Jersey next year, and In September, Crosby, Stills & Nash
Oxford-based Voyages to Antiquity,
Southampton will welcome back will cross from New York to
will make its first visit to the UK in
Independence of the Seas. Southampton on Queen Mary 2.
2016. A 15-day itinerary that
www.royalcaribbean.co.uk cunard.co.uk
begins in Seville in June calls at
Falmouth and Dartmouth before
arriving in Dover. It will then depart
for a 15-day voyage to France and Record sales TOWERING FACT
Portugal, with stays in Bordeaux
and Nantes. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines took more 32,000 tonnes of steel – equivalent
www.voyagestoantiquity.com than £2m in bookings on the first to three Eiffel Towers – used in the
day its 2016/2017 itineraries went construction of Britannia. For
The French port of Bordeaux on sale in March. Total sales from more numbers turn to the
features in our regular WHERE March 6-8 added up to £4.5 million. Editor's review on page 20.
NEXT? feature on Page 70 www.fredolsencruises.com10 NEWS
WORLD OF CRUISING
Inspired
by Grace
and Joy
The two river cruise ships
joining Tauck’s European fleet
in 2016 will be called ms Grace
Royalty on the rivers and ms Joy. Names for the
Inspiration-class vessels were
chosen from almost 400
suggestions put forward by
With a regal staircase that would not look out of place in a the company’s employees.
stately home or European castle, Maria Theresa is the grandest
of river cruise ships. The vessels will bring the total
number of Tauck ships to nine – a
So it was only fitting that its christening last month should be carried out by 125 per cent expansion in two years.
a member of the Hapsburg dynasty. Maria Theresa, a daughter of the Holy Like the company’s other
Roman Emperor Charles VI, was the mother of Marie Antoinette. Inspiration-class ships – Inspire and
Carrying out the ceremony in Amsterdam, Princess Anita von Hohenberg Savor launched in 2014 – the two
thanked Uniworld owners the Tollman family for “creating this beautiful new vessels will carry only 130
tribute to Maria Theresa, who left such a strong legacy across Europe. This guests, far fewer than on similar-
magnificent vessel … is truly a floating castle.” sized competitors, but with more
The Maria Theresa has 75 staterooms including a Royal Suite and 10 staff. They will include 22 suites of
butler-serviced suites with balconies, and will cruise the River Danube. 300 sq ft each, with double French
Contributing Editor GARY BUCHANAN reviews Maria Theresa in the balconies. Four smaller cabins are set
next issue of World of Cruising. aside for solo travellers.
uniworldcruises.co.uk www.tauck.co.uk
Churchill remembered
Author and biographer Celia Sandys is travelling on two river cruise tours
this spring to speak about her grandfather, Sir Winston Churchill, who
died 50 years ago.
Sandys will talk about Churchill to guests travelling with Tauck during a 23-day river
cruise: “Belle Epoch: London to Monte Carlo”, which also includes a private tasting tour
at a goat farm in Étretat; a guided visit to seaside Honfleur – home of the Impressionist
movement; a private visit to the Absinthe Museum in Auvers-sur-Oise; and a private
dinner at a château in Rouen. The other itinerary is a 14-day river cruise: “Cruising the
Seine Plus Versailles, Paris & London”. Both tours also begin with an included two-night
hotel stay at London’s Savoy Hotel.
www.tauck.co.uk
Iglu takes to the rivers
Award-winning cruise travel agent Iglu have added river cruising to their specialist travel
portfolio, with a dedicated team working alongside the ocean cruising business.
More than 2,000 individual river cruises, on 160 ships and 38 rivers worldwide are at their fingertips, and managing
director Simone Clark said: It’s a natural progression to add river crouise as it’s an exciting and growing market with a
wide array of high quality products and exciting itineraries.”
Welcoming the move, Uniworld boss Kathryn Beadle said: “Iglu have had phenomenal success promoting ocean
cruising and we are delighted they have turned their attention to river cruise… they will guarantee a boom in sales.”
www.iglucruise.com/river-cruiseNEWS 11
WORLD OF CRUISING
Viking's
obeisance to
Norse deities did
not persuade the
weather gods to
smile on the
ceremony
Viking breaks more records
The 12 new river ships christened by Viking last month take the
company’s fleet to an astonishing 60 vessels. Next month will
see the arrival of the company’s first ocean ship, Viking Star.
Torstein Hagen, the company’s founder and chairman, confirmed that at least
six more river ships will be built for launch in 2016.
The christening ceremony in Amsterdam saw loyal company employees
– including housekeepers and office staff – act as godmothers to 10
190-passenger Longships. Two smaller 96-passenger vessels that will
operate on the River Elbe were christened by remote control at a shipyard in
Rostock, Germany. The ships are all named after Norse deities.
Viking’s 16 river ship launches last year earned a place in the Guinness Book
of World Records and Hagen hinted that he may be looking for another record
Indian winter
when Viking Star is christened in Bergen on Norway’s National Day, May 17.
Luxury river cruise adventures
www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk
company, Pandaw, has announced a
new 12-night expedition, exploring
the luscious Southern Indian
landscape from Chennai to Cochin.
Opera Vita New editors Nine nights will be spent in luxurious
accommodation along the
Floating boutique hotel La Bella Vita, New editors have been appointed expedition trail, the highlight is a
operated by European Waterways to World of Cruising’s two sister chartered 3-night river cruise with
and featured in our last issue, publications. Sue Bryant, a frequent Pandaw aboard the MV Vaikundum.
operates two opera-themed cruises contributor to national newspapers, From £2,086 p person for the four
from Venice in July and September. takes charge of Cruise Ports & departures between November
www.gobarging.com Destinations, and Jill Sayles will be at 2015 and March 2016.
the helm of Cruise Trade News. www,pandaw.com
Four more for CroisiEurope
CroisiEurope, launching two new ships before Easter, has
announced another four vessels to be introduced next year.
MS Princess Elbe is an 80-passenger paddle-driven ship which will operate
between Berlin and Prague. Hotel barge MS Daniele will accommodate 24
passengers on cruises along the Briare Canal between Burgundy and the Loire
Valley; and MS Deborah is another hotel barge which will navigate the
Garonne Canal from Toulouse.
RV Princesse Apsara, carrying 60 passengers, will join the company’s four
other ships on the Mekong, sailing between Angkor and Saigon.
The additions take the total size of CroisiEurope’s fleet to 43.
www.croisieurope.co.uk
River cruise highlights: Prague (top) and the Mekong12 WRITING COMPETITION
WORLD OF CRUISING
Katy’s our winner
We’re sending Katy Howard on a cruise to the Mediterranean. She is the winner
of our competition, organised in collaboration with MSC Cruises, for student journalists
who had never been on a cruise ship. Her entry was the unanimous choice of a panel
of judges consisting of MSC’s Giles Hawke, CLIA (UK and Ireland)’s Andy Harmer, Iglu
Cruise’s Simone Clarke, and editor John Honeywell. Katy will be flying to Italy to spend
a week on board MSC Preziosa, and her report from the trip will be published here.
Katy, 27,
studied
Dreams of a Cruise
I
meteorology at n the high season, not a day goes by when I cannot see a cruise ship from
the University my living room window. Some are small, others are huge; some painted
of East Anglia with big red lips and colourful designs, others sleek and refined. These
and is currently massive floating cities creep in silently during the early morning hours, and
a part-time leave in a flurry of traditional horn blasts!
student of photo-journalism at New Year departures see the ships leaving in spectacular fashion, with
Southampton Solent University. fireworks and parties, whilst new arrivals get the grand treatment of
She is looking forward to escorts, water jets and warm welcomes from the dockside.
discovering whether she would be However, watching from my window or down at the local quayside is the
suited to a job as a cruise ship closest I have ever been to them. Nevertheless, dreams of travelling on one,
photographer. or even working on board, will never be far away!
With newspapers and brochures showing the inside of the ships, I do
She said: “There is nothing more know there is a variety of activities on board. Imagine… Ice skating in the
shocking than finding out on a lazy middle of the Atlantic Ocean! Rock climbing as you sail to the
Monday morning, with no work Mediterranean! On many holidays, these kind of activities are normally
and no university lectures, that you restricted for children. I would hope that’s not the case on a cruise, I’d want
are being sent on a Mediterranean to have a go!! I am such a big kid at heart.
cruise. Now that shock has worn What else would I imagine a cruise to be like? With attentive crew to make
off, the excitement is building me feel very special throughout the journey, it would be fun and exciting.
rapidly. Actually so are the nerves Like Alice in Wonderland, getting lost on board the massive ships and
too! I've never done anything like discovering a different city in every port, but where would I go? North
this before! I hope I have enough maybe, to lay out on the deck in the middle of the night, watching the silent
time to really make the most of the dance of the Aurora. West, to see the Statue of Liberty, or do the best cruise
trip, try out everything I can on ever, and travel around the world!
board, and that I have enough How would my dream day on a cruise start? Hopefully with breakfast! One
camera cards and storage on my of those buffets with hot and cold varieties on offer, maybe even something
computer to capture as many from our next destination. Over-indulging could be a problem! I can hear
pictures and memories as I can!” the announcements now “Can Miss Howard please return to the centre of
We hope she has a great time on the ship. You have eaten too much and we have a list to starboard…”
board and we are looking forward In port, I’d love to be taken into the main city, given a map and information
to sharing her report from the cruise. on places to visit and then left to explore. Also being taken back to the ship
Continued on page 7813
MAGAZINE SECTION 13
WORLD OF CRUISING
204 PORTS. 70 COUNTRIES. 5 CONTINENTS.
CREATE YOUR OWN MASTERPIECE.
Marseille
France
Florence Mumbai
Italy India
Deepen your appreciation of local life & culture
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America, the West Indies, and (from 2016) Australia & New Zealand. Once there, we’ll help you of voyages or to book:
truly immerse yourself in local culture and nightlife with our Longer stays, More overnights,
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344 stateroom, club-like ships, you’ll explore places far beyond the reach of big cruise lines visit AzamaraClubCruises.co.uk
- often docking in prime spots close to town. What’s more, nearly everything you need is
already included in the price of your voyage. contact your travel agent
Imagine a full day wandering among the Renaissance treasures of Florence. In Marseille,
simply stroll off your ship into the colourful Old Port for an evening meal. Or discover
at leisure the exotic sights, sounds and scents of Mumbai - the glamour capital of India.
Whichever destination you decide on, join us on a holiday that sails the road less travelled. Azamara Club Cruises® is a proud member of the
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longer STAYS. more OVERNIGHTS. night TOURING. SM
ABTA NO.Y165014 BRITANNIA ARRIVES
WORLD OF CRUISING
There were moving scenes as Britannia was given a
traditional welcome on her first-ever arrival in
Southampton – greeted by a flotilla of small boats
and three fire tugs shooting powerful jets of water
high in the air. Enthusiastic crowds lined the banks
of Southampton Water and packed Mayflower
Park at the start of a week of colourful celebrations.BRITANNIA ARRIVES 15
WORLD OF CRUISING
Water
welcome16 ROYAL BRITANNIA
WORLD OF CRUISING
Royal Britannia
There could have been no better person to christen P&O
Cruises’ Britannia than Her Majesty The Queen. Among
all her other qualifications, she had previous experience
– having named the former Royal Yacht Britannia in
1953. She also presided at the naming of P&O’s Oriana
20 years ago, and Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and –
naturally – Queen Elizabeth.
The bands of the Irish Guards and HM Royal Marines
set the tone for proceedings on a chilly Southampton
morning, but it was Scotland’s Red Hot Chilli Pipers that
warmed up the crowd before master of ceremonies Rob
Brydon introduced a cohort of Strictly ballroom dancers
as they took to the red carpet.
Before pressing a big blue button to release a metre-
high bottle of English sparkling wine to crash into the
ship's hull. Afterwards, Captain Paul Brown called for a
rousing three cheers with a shout of "Hip, hip, hip...
hooray!"
Her duties did not end when she proclaimed: “May God
bless this ship and all who sail in her.” She was taken on a
tour of the vessel, sounded the horn from the bridge, and
joined about 130 very-VIP guests – including the Bishop
of Southampton and Britannia’s Food Hero chefs – for
lunch in the ship’s Meridian restaurant.
The Band of HM Royal Marines
Smiles all round: The Queen with Bitannia's Captain Paul BrownROYAL BRITANNIA 17
WORLD OF CRUISING
Caption
Nebuchadnezzar of Wiston sparkling wine The Strictly dancers put on a show
Posy presentation
Elizabeth Philips, the only female deck officer on board
Britannia, was chosen to present a posy to The Queen at
the conclusion of her tour of the ship. And it wasn’t the
first time a member of the Philips family, from the Isles of
Scilly, had performed the task. As a schoolgirl, Elizabeth’s
twin sister Sarah presented The Queen with a bunch of
flowers during her Golden Jubilee year.
Twenty-three-year-old Elizabeth has been with Carnival
UK for six years, starting as a cadet, and has trained
aboard P&O’s Aurora, Azura, and more recently Cunard’s
Queen Elizabeth. She returns to maritime college in South
Shields in June to study for her Second Officer’s ticket
and eventually hopes to gain qualifications to become a
pilot back home, following in her father’s footsteps.
The posy was created by Greenwich florist Karen
Woolven who was also responsible for dressing
Southampton’s Ocean Terminal with 3,000 red white
and blue blooms for the event. She said: “I used pearl and
peach avalanche roses, bombastic spray roses, white
freesia, pale peach ranunculus and white anemones. It
looked perfect. I was very, very pleased when I saw the
Queen had chosen an apricot colour!”
Elizabeth Philips makes the presentation18 BRITANNIA
WORLD OF CRUISING
Here Come
the Dreams
Novelist MILLY JOHNSON discovers an inspirational Britannia,
and imagines an atrium encounter with Hercule Poirot
T
he first word to pass through my brain when I at least once, then melt back to their cabin with
saw the Britannia from the outside was simply, body pampered and mind rested. Stress and
“WOW!” But there were no initial words for the romance are sworn enemies. If you can’t relax on a
inside because I was left speechless, and for anyone ship, you won’t relax anywhere.
who knows me, that is no mean feat. Even the carpeted corridors are sophisticated and
Even though she shares many of the favourite features whoever chose the cabin beds should be
of her sisters in the fleet (my beloved Crow’s Nest for canonised. We just did not want to get up – even
instance) there is a grace about this ship which is for a famous P & O breakfast. The game has been
unique, as if the designers have pulled out every stop raised with the cabin design – both practically and
they could find and really listened to what passengers aesthetically.
have suggested. The rooms feel just that little bit more cosy on this
There is a 1930s Art Deco air, so much so that I ship, the soft furnishings more plush. Everywhere I
almost expected to bump into Hercule Poirot in the looked was more gorgeous than the sight before.
stunning Star Burst atrium (on pleasure, rather than And so clever to have shorter lengths of seating in
business, one hopes). the theatres for ease of access. It’s little touches like
This might be a family ship, but it’s also fabulously these that show the care and attention which has
accommodating to those who have chosen it as a been taken. Minor things have power to make or
romantic getaway. There are secluded couched snugs break a holiday.
up by the pools, sumptuous seating everywhere and In short, I cannot wait to be on that ship, hear the
hundreds of places to which to escape for tea, or horn, see the anchor raised and be part of a merry
cocktails for two. throng sailing into the sunny horizon. I’ve met some
The food is always good on P & O ships, but the boat of the nicest, friendliest people of my life on board
has been well and truly pushed out on Britannia’s fare. and I imagine the Britannia will make people smile a
That’s what you would expect with the assemblage of lot. I spent a chunk of time on the visit looking for a
big-name chefs advising on the menus. suitable place to stow away.
An Eric Lanlard pudding is half art-work, half- Could I write a book set on this beautiful boat? Do
aphrodisiac - and don’t even get me started on the the flowing lines and elegance lend themselves to
quality of wines stocked. It’s wonderful to see the tales of love aboard the high seas? Oh – do you
presence of the Glass House on the ship, here a more really have to ask?
sophisticated space of old-age glamour than on the This is a ship which would easily inspire tales of
Azura, but easily as welcoming and restful, and home single ladies meeting and falling head over heels
to my favourite tipple – the sparkling Peller Ice Wine with officers and gentlemen. This is a ship which
Cuvee which is, in my opinion, the best fizz for filling a froths the imagination with plots of revived
flute when you have something special to celebrate. relationships, freshened hopes and dreams realised.
The spa is a port of tranquillity, so heavenly I expected This is a ship where ghosts of passengers will
to see clouds beneath my feet rather than a floor. The happily dance on the top decks in the night breeze.
scents there make you float. Everyone should go there The Britannia is romance personified.BRITANNIA 19
WORLD OF CRUISING
Milly Johnson is a Sunday
Times Top Ten best selling author
of 11 books and two novellas.
Her latest book, ‘Afternoon Tea
at the Sunflower Café,’ (Simon
and Schuster, £7.99) will be
published on 18 June. Milly’s
novel ‘Here Come The Girls’
(Simon and Schuster, £7.99)
features a 17-day cruise on
board a fictional P & O ship, the
Mermaidia. A short story, ‘Here
Come The Boys,’ available to
download for 99p from Amazon,
returns to the same ship – with
unexpected consequences.
Guests gather in Britannia's spectacular atrium as gala dinner host Rob Brydon
describes the Star Burst as "one of Beyoncé's earrings." Inset: Milly Johnson20 BRITANNIA
WORLD OF CRUISING BRITANNIA
BY NUMBERS
£473
million to build...
almost £130,000
per berth
Maiden memories for the
first privileged passengers
Passengers were prepared to pay top dollar and book a year
or more ahead just to get the chance to be first on board…
and editor JOHN HONEYWELL was fortunate enough to
be able to join them for part of the journey.
B
ritannia’s maiden Terminal and there must
voyage to the have been some leftover
Mediterranean red, white and blue confetti
left Southampton from the naming ceremony
just four days after the ship because it was blizzarding
had been christened by across the open decks as
The Queen. Captain Paul Brown gave
Her Majesty might be the order to cast off and
used to the smell of fresh Britannia nudged gently
paint and new carpets that astern.
follow her on every Royal Heading down
visit, but for most of us the Southampton Water, the
unique aroma is something crowds on deck – wrapped
we get the chance to savour only Walls remain un-scuffed, there are up against a chill breeze but
occasionally. no tell-tale marks of spilt drinks on determined to make the most of
As the first 3,500 passengers table-tops or floors, and not a single their free glasses of bubbly – were
leading the way for millions more smoker has left an illicit cigarette treated to a brief fireworks display in
who will follow over the next 30 burn on the side of the pristine white the gathering dusk.
years, we are privileged that our washbasin. Members of a group of Britannia
cheeks will be the first to rest on crisp There are all sorts of special treats fans sharing their obsession on
new pillowcases. No-one else will to look forward to on a maiden Facebook were uniformly attired in
have dried themselves on the fluffy voyage. P&O Cruises long ago custom-made T-shirts and some
bath towels, and our deckchairs have abandoned ticker-tape farewells and were even togged out in garish Union
yet to be imprinted with tanning brass bands on the quayside to mark Jack suits to match the red, white
lotion from a host of sun every departure. But the band of HM and blue emblem on the ship’s bow.
worshippers. Royal Marines was out at Ocean But with the light fading fast, andMAGAZINE SECTION 21
WORLD OF CRUISING
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WORLD OF CRUISING
1082 2500
feet long... 148 feet longer miles of electrical
cables – the distance
than the height of the
Shard – the tallest from Southampton
skyscraper in Europe to Venice and back
Continued from 20
the ship not yet at Calshot Spit, most they did not stop the effervescent the wind and waves had become too
of us had adjourned inside, where and ever-smiling cruise director Neil dangerous and no more passengers
the party continued in Britannia’s Oliver from marshalling his troops by were allowed ashore.
spectacular three-deck-high atrium. the pool for the first sailaway party. The ship’s crew spent the remainder
Its ever-twinkling Star Burst central It was a shame that fewer than 200 of the afternoon ensuring everyone
sculpture-cum-space-age-chandelier, passengers were prepared to brave was able to return safely. As we
surrounded by tiers of minstrel the elements made our delayed departure, the
galleries, is the perfect party venue. Martin had flown in to teach Captain’s message of apology to the
On the following evening the gala £100-a-head classes in The Cookery passengers for conditions that were
welcome reception returned to the Club and to host £150-a-head out his control, and his thanks to the
same venue, where the Captain dinners at its refectory table. In crew for their brave efforts, was
addressed the throng – in their best Barcelona, he led two dozen greeted with a spontaneous burst of
bow ties and ballgowns, and once passengers on a tour of the city’s warm applause.
again sipping free bubbly – at vibrant La Boqueria market. He There had been a few other niggles
6.00pm and 8.15. pointed out which were the best – inevitable on a brand new vessel.
The lavish dinner in the trio of main hams, cheeses, and fish to buy, but But nobody was unduly concerned
restaurants – Peninsular, Oriental tactfully ignored the offal stalls piled when a short-lived water pressure
and Meridian – featured special high with sheep’s heads, tripe, and problem shut down all the tea,
treats devised by chef Marco Pierre bulls’ cojones. coffee, and soft drink dispensers in
White, and a night of celebration One startling tip he had learned the Horizon buffet one afternoon.
continued with ballroom dancing in from the famed elBulli restaurant Why worry when there’s a kettle and
the Crystal Room, comedy pianist nearby (now closed) was that in a supply of teabags in every cabin.
Kev Orkian in the Headliners blind tasting, slices of water melon And who needs soft drinks when
Theatre, and for the obsessives, the fried in liberal quantities of butter, there are 20 different brands of gin
Syndicate Quiz at 10.30. were indistinguishable from foie gras. in the ever-popular Crow’s Nest and
When passengers returned to their He had another tip for a guest at 64 varieties of beer on sale in
cabins they discovered, alongside lunch in the Torre de Alta Mar Brodie’s pub – Timothy Taylor’s
their nightly pillow chocolates, a restaurant, who complained that her proved the most popular in the first
commemorative gift from P&O in salad was full of “dirt” which she had week, by the way, with Brewers
the shape of a Wedgwood teacup laboriously removed and left on the Gold from Essex, and the oddball
and saucer whose design was side of her plate. That dirt, he told Banana Bread from Wells & Young
inspired by the Star Burst. her, was grated truffle costing filling the other two podium places.
thousands of Euros per kilo! Sadly, the weather in the first week
T
he partying continued When Britannia arrived in Monte didn’t encourage too much
throughout the two-week Carlo next morning, Martin was sunbathing, but after my return
voyage. The first port of call aboard one of the first tenders home I saw some pictures of a
was Gibraltar, which ashore, rushing to fly home for his packed pool deck celebrating a
refused to join in the fun, providing a weekly appearance in TV’s Saturday rowdy sailaway party as the ship left
cold, wet day that was more like Kitchen. Cadiz behind for the final leg of the
Dartmoor in December than the He was lucky – not because he was journey back to Southampton.
Mediterranean in March. leaving the ship, but because he was It really was a memorable voyage
High winds had closed the airport able to leave the ship. By lunchtime, for all. I’ve avoided saying it so far,
– sending celebrity chef James and with hundreds of passengers on but it’s almost inevitable… Britannia
Martin on a detour to Malaga – but excursions, Capt Brown decided that will rule the waves for years to come.BRITANNIA 23
WORLD OF CRUISING
3647
passengers
15
passenger decks
1350
crew
13 bars
1837
cabins...
13
places to eat
64
are suites
20
varieties of gin in
The Crows Nest
1313
have balconies
(inc.15 for singles)
64
British beers
in Brodie’s bar
460
are inside cabins
(inc.12 for singles)
746
seats in the
Horizon buffet
plus...
268
on the open deck
at the stern
936
capacity of the
Headliners
Theatre
£1
million-plus
art collection24 BRITANNIA
WORLD OF CRUISING
Dave Mills, Iglu
I think many will enjoy the most recent incarnation of
Britannia, which it seems is ushering through a fresh new
Sukie Rapal, www.cruise.co.uk
energy and approach in her wake! Loved the elegant,
consistent flow of the public areas, and the change of tempo
The best feature of Britannia is the flow of the
apparent particularly in the The Limelight Club, Sindhu and at
ship itself. There are lots of little pockets to explore
the market cafe area. She really underlines and extends that
for different times of the day. On a sea day, sitting
which P&O does best – and crucially I think
in the Atrium and enjoying a cup of coffee from
loyal P&O guests will find her
the market place, reading a book and people
absolutely enchanting.
watching provides a great way to relax.
Phil Nuttall, Cruise Village
David Dingle, Carnival UK Britannia introduced me to something I have never
experienced before. From the moment I stepped
Seeing the ship take shape and come to life, exactly on-board to the moment I disembarked, it was
as we imagined it, is an extraordinary feeling... Sindhu, in just as though I had spent a night in a luxury hotel
particular, is a stunning space in which the art and lighting on Park Lane or Mayfair. This must have been a
play a huge part in the overall ambience, with works from huge gamble for P&O Cruises, but you know
different sculptors in varying textures and looks which what? It has paid off massively.
resonate to give a very tactile space. Combine this with
Atul Kochhar’s wondrous modern Indian dishes and
you have a very special dining experience.
Peter Shanks, Imagine Cruising
Gary Buchanan, (and a former MD of P&O Cruises)
Contributing Editor,
World of Cruising Britannia is a real step up for P&O Cruises. By using
one designer they have created a very appealing and relaxing
Britannia has benefitted from having one experience. Deck areas are stylish and spacious, restaurants
designer in charge of the entire concept. The public and bars welcoming and relaxing. The Food Heroes and
rooms and accommodation are redolent of a deluxe hotel Cookery Club are brilliant. Deliver a similar step up in the
and have a decadent appearance. I particularly admire quality of the overall experience and service so that the
the Epicurean Restaurant, while the Crow’s Nest Bar software exceeds or matches the hardware –
is a marvellous rendition of a firm favourite. then they are onto a real winner.
James Cole, World Travel Holdings
Christopher Edgington, P&O Cruises
I thought the ship was really contemporary. It felt like it
Britannia's atrium tells a story and is the real
was in a different league versus the other P&O ships. It
heart of the ship... it will become a meeting place,
had a real luxury hotel feel. It was felt very different to
somewhere to sit, relax and people watch. It is
what I was expecting from P&O. Obviously, any new
similar in feel to the Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo
cruise ship is great for the industry but one that is
or a grand hotel lobby. The Star Burst creates
dedicated to the British market all
an ever-changing view as it glitters in
year round will really help drive
the light and casts a colourful
new-to-cruise customers.
glow over the space below.
Now tell us what YOU think, and win a bottle of Wiston sparkling wine. Write to: editor@worldofcruisingmagazine.comExtraordinary Bonus Savings WORLD OF CRUISING
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CALL 0845 505 1920 OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT
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Dates refer to the cruise departure dates. Overnight stay in port. Two overnight stays in port.You can also read
