Cruise International February/March 2020

Where are you dreaming of escaping to this year? Inspired by the fabulous Tutankhamun exhibition, the Nile is definitely No 1 on my wishlist – and in this issue you’ll find countless ideas for your best holiday ever, including the Top 20 Luxury Cruises for the year ahead (page 27). On page 40 Julie Peasgood embarks on an iconic transatlantic crossing, and on page 102 we have a total guide to Antarctica. We also have expert tips for first-time cruisers (page 68), stunning new ships (page 48), plus if you’re keen to try cruising but want to travel as part of a group, on page 92 you’ll find lots of expert advice. On page 76 you can read about a Russia river cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg. And if you’re…

Enjoying a resurgence in popularity, the world’s longest river has been Egypt’s lifeblood since the days of the pharaohs. Cruising along the Nile is like stepping through a time portal into a more genteel age, where traditional felucca sailboats drift by, rural life abounds and Agatha Christie’s 1930s murder mystery Death on The Nile is called to mind. Adding to the romanticism of this iconic river voyage are, of course, the ancient temples and monuments strung along the banks of the Nile, from the temples of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings (where Tutankhamun’s tomb was unearthed) to the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza — the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one still intact. >> Turn to page 46 to find out what new…

VIKING SAILS TO ANTARCTICA Viking has expanded its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of Viking Expeditions, which will begin sailing in January 2022 with its first vessel, Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. “In creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition,’ we are perfecting polar expedition cruising, and we will usher in a new era of comfortable exploration,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. A second expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022, sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic. To develop the new expedition voyages, Viking has partnered with some of the world’s most prestigious scientific institutions, including Cambridge University’s Scott Polar Research Institute. This relationship is underpinned by a major Viking endowment for scientific research into the polar regions. Viking has also partnered with the Cornell Lab of…

NEW SHIPS FOR VIKING Viking has unveiled more details about its four new river cruise ships which are custom built to navigate the Seine. The four new identical vessels, which will debut in May 2020, are inspired by the design of the award-winning Viking Longships, and will dock in the centre of Paris next to the Eiffel Tower where the Paris and the Heart of Normandy roundtrip cruise begins. Sailing to Giverny, home to the gardens and farmhouse where Claude Monet lived, the ships will then call at Rouen to trace the footsteps of Joan of Arc and Arromanches for the D-Day Museum. Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga each host 168 guests and boast many of the same features as the other Viking Longships, despite being smaller (vikingrivercruises.co.uk). ANTON ON THE…

ORANGE ZEST Channel the growing terracotta trend with this gorgeous Sofia Chevron tote bag. It's the ideal size for packing everything you need for a day at the beach (£45, oliverbonas.com). POLAR TIME The limited edition C6 Anthropocene watch retains all the range’s innovations, such as a dual-time GMT feature, while conveying the Arctic's icy wilderness with its polar white face and dial. Plus – five per cent of sales goes to an environmental charity (£995, christopherward.co.uk). AMBER NECTAR These gorgeous Ejing Zhang earrings work best when paired with a simple blouse. As each piece is handmade from resin filled with delicate yarns, all pairs are unique (£190, net-a-porter.com). Beach bliss Elevate your holiday look with this leopard-print jumpsuit from Next's Emma Willis Collection. Stylish yet easy to wear, it's the perfect cover-up to layer over your…

AND BREATHE… The Senses Spa on board new luxury ship Scenic Eclipse offers a range of therapeutic and holistic treatments designed to reset mind and body, including the standout Scenic Revive, an uplifting, mood enhancing therapy which uses revitalising essential oils and energising body massage to stimulate circulation, boost the flow of Chi and enliven the mind (scenic.co.uk). Did you know? Almond milk is in high demand, but that’s bad news for bees; according to a new report*, billions of honeybees are being wiped out by mites, pesticides and habitat loss. So it may be worth trying an alternative such as coconut or oat milk. HEALTHY OPTIONS Finding imaginative plant-based food on cruise ships can sometimes be a bit of a challenge — but Oceania Cruises offers the most extensive and creative plant-based menus at…