Cruise International April/May 2019

In these uncertain times one thing we all need is the prospect of a fabulous stress-free holiday to look forward to. So in this issue we are showcasing some of the incredible itineraries you can sail on from the UK – turn to page 73 to see the best no-fly cruises for the year ahead. One of the best things about cruising is that it’s a chance to escape from your everyday life, and for a week or 10 days (maybe longer if you’re lucky enough to be going on a world cruise), you can travel to amazing destinations while everything is taken care of for you. On page 45 you’ll find the Top 20 Luxury Cruises for ocean and river, and on page 68 you’ll find top expert tips on…

With foam-crested turquoise waves lapping at soft, powdery sand and palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze, Bottom Bay is one of the best-looking beaches in Barbados — high praise indeed for an island famed for its scenic sandy stretches. Sheltered on three sides by coral cliffs, it’s tucked away on the south-east coast and calls for long, lazy days of relaxation. Although the wild swell here is perfect for wind and kite surfers, swimming is best saved for the tranquil waters off the sheltered west coast. But there’s more to the Caribbean island than beach life: other attractions include Bridgetown, its UNESCO-listed World Heritage capital, which, settled by the English in the 17th century, buzzes with life among streets lined with old colonial buildings and includes an old military…

ALL-INCLUSIVE SAILINGS for Saga Cruises A number of all-inclusive features are available on board Saga Cruises’ new ship, Spirit of Discovery, during its last three winter sailings of 2019. Drinks, tips, entertainment and fine dining are all included in the cruise price, alongside a chauffeur-driven transfer to and from the port, if guests live within a 250-mile radius of Southampton. And in towns and cities where the ship’s mooring is more than 500 yards from the port, a complimentary shuttle bus is provided, too. The three sailings offering these all-inclusive savings range from 14 to 35 nights and are a great choice for guests who want to book a cruise without the worry of budgeting for extras. Spanish Islands of the Atlantic is the first of the trio to depart. Leaving the UK on 4…

DARCEY TO SAIL ON SCENIC Dame Darcey Bussell DBE is joining Scenic’s Cultural Heritage of Russia sailing this May, sharing insights and tales into her life including time spent with the Kirov Ballet, and joining guests for an exclusive ballet performance. “Russia is a country of wonderful cultural heritage with a rich history of dance,” Dame Darcey said. “I’m very much looking forward to sharing my stories and experiences of dancing with the Kirov Ballet in its home city, St Petersburg.” The 14-night Scenic cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow, departing 26 May, is priced from £4295pp, based on two people sharing (scenic.co.uk/speciality-cruises). VIKING MD BECOMES GODMOTHER TO RIVER SHIP Wendy Atkin-Smith, MD of Viking, has become the godmother of one of the cruise line’s new river ships, Viking Sigrun, at a ceremony in Basel, Switzerland. “As…

CHIC TOTE We love this Prada straw bag with its red and white striped trim (£990, net-a-porter.com). BOHO CHIC These statement earrings will add a splash of colour to any summer outfit with their on-trend mustard yellow crochet frames and delicate beading (£24, oliverbonas.com). HIGH IMPACT For the perfect pout, try Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Desire in Rouge Excess. Just one stroke of the formula gives long-lasting coverage (available at major international airports). PRETTY IN PINK Look stylish by the pool in this flattering Rosie for Autograph bikini (top £25, high-waisted bottoms, £16). Available from marksandspencer.com. RIGHT NOTE Inspired by Amy Winehouse and Camden Town, Siren and Sailors eau de parfum by Jusbox has a melody of warm, sensual notes (£140 for 78ml, selfridges.com). GET SET GLOW Elemis’ bestselling deep cleansing balm is now enriched with extract of English Rose Oleo…

EASY PACKING An ultra-lightweight shell and an elegant tapered design make travelling a breeze with this stylish carry-on Radley suitcase (£139, caseluggage.com). TOUGH SHOT The Panasonic Lumix DC-FT7, featuring 20.4 megapixels and a 4.6 optical zoom, is built for shooting in challenging outdoor environments and underwater (£199, johnlewis.com). COOL BLUE Made from two tone mesh laminated polycarbonate, Samsonite’s MixMesh suitcase boasts stand-out colour details and effortless mobility (£188, samsonite.co.uk). HANDS-FREE FREEDOM Take calls and messages on the go while tracking your heart rate, workouts and sleep, with the new Samsung Galaxy smart watch (£279, samsung.com/uk). RAZOR SHARP See and be seen with these binoculars from Swarovski’s EL O-Range, mixing long-range optics with ergonomic flair (£2,530, uk.swarovskioptik.com). GOOD LOOKS The Padfield cosmetic pouch is ideal as a compact makeup bag or mini wash bag (£135, padfieldengland.com).…