HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
A drastically modernised fleet in recent years has given Holland America a real contemporary edge, moving away from their rather traditional image (although they maintain a slightly more formal onboard style). Large cabins and plush public rooms make for plenty of choice, while they offer imaginative food from well selected international menus. A new tie-up with luxury New York- based Le Cirque restaurants promises to add still further to the fleet’s Pinnacle Grill alternative dining in 2011. World voyager Prinsendam is the ex-Seabourn Sun, and hence the odd one out, while the Maasdam series also have weaker alternative dining. From Rotterdam on, HAL added greater alternatives, and newest quartet Westerdam, Noordam, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam (2010) are positively packed with all their recent service enhancements, plus extra sophistication. Sailing further afield each year, they are in the Caribbean, Panama Canal, South America, Pacific, Asia, Mexico and Hawaii in the winter, in Europe, Alaska and Canada/New England in summer/autumn. Packages are sold with tax shown separately. Gratuities not included.
www.hollandamerica.com
Ship
Prinsendam Maasdam,
Statendam, Ryndam, Veendam
Rotterdam 5-Star Resort
Volendam, Zaandam 5-Star Resort Amsterdam
5-Star Resort
Zuiderdam, Oosterdam 5-Star Resort Westerdam, Noordam 5-Star Resort Eurodam
Nieuw Amsterdam
5-Star Resort 5-Star Resort
45.10 Two 59,652 1316/593 42.87 Two 61,396 1432/607 44.20 Two 61,000 1380/647 44.37 Two 82,000 1848/800 43.05 Two 82,500 1916/800 40.87 Two 86,273 2104/929 41.16 Two 86,700 2106/929
HURTIGRUTEN (Norwegian Coastal Voyage)
This is something different in the cruise world; not so much cruising as coastal voyaging and exploring on ships that double up as local ferries and cargo vessels (although the newest ships are surprisingly chic and stylish). The fleet comes in four styles – the Millennium- class trio, which all boast some lovely public rooms; the six New Ships, slightly smaller but still comfortable; and the older duo, which are more basic. Fram adds a more overtly expedition-style to the Hurtigruten portfolio and is geared more for cruising, with higher- spec cabins and public rooms. Cabins tend to be functional, but there are plenty of places to watch the scenery float by. Operating year-round to the North Cape, plus a handful of seasonal voyages to Spitsbergen, Greenland, western Europe, the Baltic and Antarctica, plus long ‘Pole to Pole’ voyages, this is ‘soft’ adventure cruising with the bonus of the Northern Lights in winter and Midnight Sun in summer. There are numerous stops en route (some at odd hours of the night) as the ships deliver cargo and passengers throughout Norway. Excellent lunch buffets, but evening dining is more restricted. Alternative dining is limited to a small café. There is no tipping, and limited entertainment but their choice of shore excursions are increasingly imaginative. Drinks prices are steep but you may take your own.
www.hurtigruten.com/co.uk
Ship
Nordstjernen Vesterålen
New ships - Richard With, Kong Harald, Nordlys, Polarlys, Nordkapp, Nordnorge
Millennium class - Trollfjord, Finnmarken, Midnatsol
Fram Rating Type SR Dining Tonnage P / C
3-Star Adventure 14.70 Open 2,191 3-Star Adventure 20.46 Open 6,261
3-Star Adventure 24.04 Open 11,204 - 11,386
4-Star Adventure 24.81 Open 15,530 - 16,151
4-Star Adventure 45.85 Open 11,647
149/40 306/60
457 - 481/85
628 - 646/98
254/150 Winter 2010 / 2011 I WORLD OF CRUISING 89 Rating Type SR Dining Tonnage P / C
5-Star Boutique 47.85 Two 38,000 793/428 4-Star Resort
44.35 Two 55,800 1258/557
LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS
This diverse adventuring fleet offers some of the most experienced expedition-style voyaging in the world, with an eco-responsible and educational aspect to every cruise. High-tech Zodiac landing craft and other equipment afford terrific close-ups of the areas they visit and a tie-up with National Geographic assures guests of superb lec- ture programmes and excursion leadership while venturing into many areas – notably Svalbard (in the Norwegian Arctic), Baja California and New Zealand – where the larger lines don’t go. Other specialities are Antarctica, Alaska, the Panama Canal and Falkland Islands. On- board ambience is low key but food and service are high quality, with the accent on local produce and specialities. The single-seating eve- ning meals are also a highlight. A new Skills@Sea adventure learning programme allows guests to try new skills under the guidance of expert tutors. Wellness programmes are another feature, including yoga and Pilates. Endeavour was the ex-Caledonian Star, while Explorer was the Lyngen of Hurtigruten. Islander and Endeavour sail year-round in the Galapagos, while Lindblad also operate the deluxe, 47-passenger Salacia on the Nile in Egypt, the smart 28-passenger riverboat Delfin II on the Upper Amazon in Peru, and sleek 44-passenger yacht Panorama in the Med. Gratuities not included.
www.expeditions.com.
Ship NG Explorer
NG Endeavour NG Sea Bird NG Sea Lion NG Islander
Lord of the Glens Oceanic Discoverer
Rating Type SR Dining Tonnage P / C
4-Star Adventure 41.22 One 6,471 4-Star Adventure 26.63 One 3,132 4-Star Adventure 10.16 One 630 4-Star Adventure 10.16 One 630 4-Star Adventure 22.18 One 1,065 5-Star Boutique
12.50 One 600 4-Star Adventure 27.03 One 1,838 LOUIS CRUISES
This collection of former classic vessels (and slightly newer ones) has long been one of the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets. But not any more. Nowadays, Louis Cruises are well known for their series of well-priced year-round voyages out of Greece, south France and Italy, ranging throughout the Med and to the Atlantic Isles and North Africa, from 3-10 days. The all-Greek onboard ambience is unfailingly friendly, while the passenger mix reflects a full European flavour. The Med-inspired cuisine and entertainment are decent without being startling but it is well in keeping with a four-star product and the accent is more on port-intensive itineraries than onboard creature comforts (although the Spas and nightlife are surprisingly stylish for older ships). Aquamarine sailed for both Royal Caribbean (as Nordic Prince) and Airtours (Carousel); Orient Queen was also the Starward, Majesty previously the chic Norwegian Majesty, Coral the ex-Sunward II and Cristal the former Leeward, all of NCL. The Majesty also adds an extra dimension of bigger ship sophistication to Louis’ small-ship mix. Gratuities not included.
www.louiscruises.com
Ship Calypso
Orient Queen Aquamarine Coral
Louis Cristal Louis Majesty
Rating Type
3-Star Classic 3-Star Classic 3-Star Classic 3-Star Classic 4-Star Resort 4-Star Resort
SR Dining Tonnage P / C 15.08 Two 11,162 740/290
16.10 Two 15,781 980/355 18.51 Two 23,149 1250/450 15.44 Two 14,194 919/365 21.34 Two 25,611 1200/450 22.70 Two 40,876 1800/596
148/101 96/77 62/29 62/29 48/32 48/35 68/20
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