United Kingdom
USACruise news is big on exciting new itineraries this week from a wealth of major cruise lines as well as some cracking deals to be snapped up.
Cruise news is big on exciting new itineraries this week from a wealth of major cruise lines as well as some cracking deals to be snapped up.
Holland America Line (HAL) has officially opened bookings to the public for its two newest Grand Voyages.
The Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole aboard Volendam enables cruisers to visit five continents on a journey that travels south-to-north, while the Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam covers six continents on an east-to-west route, each sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The HAL world cruise transits the Panama Canal and makes its way to Easter Island before crossing the South Pacific to Australia. It then explores the Great Barrier Reef en route to Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and sails south to Cape Town, South Africa, by way of the Seychelles, back up along the eastern coast of Africa, through the Suez Canal to Portugal before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
The Pole-to-Pole cruise follows a south-north-south route through the Panama Canal, down along the west coast of South America to Antarctica, then up along Argentina and Brazil to the heart of the Amazon River.
The ship then crosses the Atlantic Ocean to Africa, sails north to Europe and up to the North Cape before heading west across the northern Atlantic Ocean via Iceland and Greenland, and finally down the eastern shores of North America.
Guests who book the full 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole or 124-day Grand World Voyage by June 3, 2024, receive onboard spending credits and amenities valued at up to $8,800 (£7,119) or $8,500 (£6,876) respectively, per person. New perks for all guests who book early feature a complimentary Surf Wi-Fi package, a $500 (£404) air credit per person if booked through Flight Ease and complimentary roundtrip airport transfers.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that British radio presenters, Mike Toolan and Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross, will serve as UK Ambassadors to its fleet of 18 contemporary ships.
As part of NCL’s collaboration with Greatest Hits Radio and Hits Radio, the presenters will host a series of competitions on air, giving listeners the chance to win complimentary NCL cruises and take their followers on a journey through regular social media content posted throughout the year.
Norwegian Viva will be the newest ship embarking in the Mediterranean offering sailings from Rome, Athens, and Lisbon beginning August 10; and Caribbean sailings from San Juan beginning December 6.
Viking has unveiled a new 10-day river voyage, Treasures of the Rhine, which allows guests to experience Europe’s rich culture during winter.
The new Middle Rhine itinerary debuts in December 2023 and establishes the brand as the first line to operate year-round on Europe’s storied rivers, offering guests easier access to landmarks when there are typically fewer crowds.
The 10-day Treasures of the Rhine Viking cruise allows guests to discover the enchanting landscape and rich cultures of the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO Site boasting turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, medieval towns and stunning scenery.
Guests can admire the terraced vineyards dating back to the Romans and taste the region’s renowned red and white wines. Winter is an ideal time to visit and offers Viking guests smaller crowds, easier access to landmarks and opportunities to savour the culinary traditions of Alsace while exploring Amsterdam, Basel and Cologne.
Hosting 190 guests in 95 staterooms, the award-winning fleet of identical Viking Longships offers a variety of stateroom categories and true, two-room suites with full-size verandas. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, bar and lounge, library and expansive sun deck.
The ships feature al fresco dining on the revolutionary Aquavit Terrace, elegant Scandinavian design and environmentally considerate features, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines for a smooth ride.
TUI River Cruises has increased its range of activities on offer for customers while on board all three river cruise ships, all of which have a focus on mindfulness, allowing customers to relax and recharge on their cruise.
The onboard Book Club gives customers the chance to read and discuss a bestseller whilst making connections with other guests. Several copies of each book title are made available onboard for guests to read, with three Book Club sessions held during the cruise. Current titles include ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ and ‘The Keeper of Stories’, both by author Sally Page.
Bespoke stargazing is now available – using telescopes and binoculars customers can marvel at the key constellations, pointed out by the onboard activity host.
Following the popularity of winter crafts on board TUI River Cruises, activities such as jewellery making, card making and seasonal wreath-making have also been added to the summer daytime activity line-up.
What’s more, the summer season will see a silent fitness class available for customers who wish to show off their moves in a dance class, with headphones provided to listen to the music.
Those looking for the ultimate relaxation will be able to take part in a guided meditation on board, which focuses on relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation.
P&O Cruises has launched four new drinks packages on cruise holidays of five nights or more, all for a fixed price per person, per day. Guests can purchase the drinks packages by logging in to My P&O Cruises up to three days before their cruise or within the first two nights of their holiday on board.
Seadream Yacht Club has revealed its Christmas and New Year 2025 Caribbean cruises, carrying guests to the unspoiled island gems of St Barths, Prickly Pear, Anguilla, Lovango Cay, and Mayreau among many others.
Open for booking now, SeaDream’s Christmas and New Year 2025 Caribbean voyages sail from November 2025 through the first week of January 2026 and feature 14 delightfully different itineraries.
Whether the pristine British Virgin Islands, the flavourful Spanish and French West Indies, the islands of the Puerto Rico Archipelago or rarely accessed Guadeloupe and Martinique, each voyage offers a remarkably different yachting experience.
What’s more, SeaDream’s enhanced watersports marina comprises a new water slide and s equipped with yachting toys such as Hobie Cat catamarans, kayaks, a banana boat, wakeboards, snorkelling gear, a floating island and trampoline, stand-up paddleboards, water skis and wave runners.
Hebrides Cruises, which offers unique luxury, wildlife and wellness small cruise experiences around Scotland’s West Coast has announced the addition of a new super yacht, Lucy Mary to its fleet ahead of the summer.
The classic motor yacht of contemporary design was built in 1994 in Holland by the renowned Lowland Yachts and has been named after Hebrides Cruises owner Rob Barlow’s granddaughter.
Lucy Mary boasts luxury accommodations, ocean-going endurance, excellent facilities and sustainable credentials. The 23-metre-long motor yacht’s fittings and finishes are impeccable and elegant, from the custom-designed mahogany dining table, stylish bar area and original artwork to a stunning rear deck for alfresco dining and sunset drams.
The Master Cabin Suite is spacious and light, with a large dressing room, desk and seating area. Mahogany flooring covers the main saloon inside deck, while exterior decks are finished in teak.
The vessel carries eight guests on board and ten for charter in four ensuite cabins, including a master cabin suite. The tender is also carried on board for a safe and fast voyage.
Riviera Travel has announced the launch of its full European escorted tour programme for 2024. The programme includes two brand new departures focussing on rail, alongside two new solo travel options.
The itineraries, available to book from today (May 17, 2023), cover destinations across Europe with tours running from March to November. They join Riviera’s portfolio of 2024 river cruises and worldwide tours, which are already on sale.
A total of 631 European escorted departures are available next year, covering 70 itineraries. This includes 50 dedicated solo tour itineraries, as well as 12 ‘Walk and Discover’ itineraries, which allow guests to discover Europe by foot, alongside specialist guides.
In addition, Riviera Travel has added the option to travel by rail from the UK to join six of their most popular seven-night European tours, with four itineraries featuring additional overnight city stays along the way.
All itineraries include return flights or trains, transfers, all scheduled visits and guided tours, breakfast and select meals, and the services of a Rivera Travel tour manager throughout.
Avalon Waterways has announced a NEW Storyteller Series cruise for 2024: Cheers to 50 Years! A Storyteller Cruise & Birthday Celebration with Jen Hatmaker.
Jen Hatmaker is a New York Times best-selling author of For the Love; Of Mess and Moxie; Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire – as well as her new cookbook, Feed These People. Hatmaker also hosts the award-winning “For the Love” podcast and has her own Jen Hatmaker Book Club and leads an online community comprised
This eight-day, Active & Discovery through Holland & Belgium cruise sees guests spending their days gliding through the canals of Amsterdam, biking past Holland’s postcard-perfect windmills, walking through Rotterdam’s modern architecture, sampling sweet treats in Brussels and tagging the streets of Ghent along with Hatmaker.
The Storyteller cruise with Jen Hatmaker is the third to be announced for 2024. Other Storytellers set to host Avalon Waterways’ cruises in 2024 include Diana Gabaldon, best-selling author of the Outlander series and award-winning Scottish actor and best-selling author Graham McTavish.
Previous Storyteller cruises have been hosted by Cheryl Strayed, Candace Bushnell, Gillian Flynn, Christopher Moore and Sister Hazel.
Luxury cruise operator Emerald Cruises has launched a new offer where a second guest can sail free across selected sailings in its 2023 Europe and Southeast Asia river cruise collection.
From visiting the largest temple in the world at Angkor Wat Cambodia, to a special guided art tour in Vienna or a culinary tour of Budapest’s grand market, guests can explore some of Europe and Southeast Asia’s most iconic attractions.
CroisiEurope has released details of its 2024 programme which features over 170 river, canal and ocean itineraries on more than 50 ships, sailing on 39 waterways in 37 countries.
On sale now, the comprehensive programme of itineraries covers river cruises, ocean and coastal cruises, the canals of France, themed cruises, long-haul and exotic destinations as well as Christmas and New Year sailings.
CroisiEurope is offering 15 percent early booking discount off all 2024 European cruises and 8 percent off all 2024 Mekong and Southern Africa cruises if booked before September 30, 2023.
2024 prices start from just £413 per person for a four-day Short Break in Paris cruise including all meals, excursions and port fees.
