CRUISE PLANNER
new UK-specific fly-cruise Med programme, based out of Palma, Mallorca, will debut in 2011 on Grandeur of the Seas, while Independence now operates year-round out of Southampton to Spain, Portugal, the canaries and Western Med with a completely British onboard flavour. Gratuities not included.
www.royalcaribbean.com/co.uk
Ship
Monarch, Majesty of the Seas
Legend, Splendour of the Seas
Grandeur, Enchantment of the Seas
Rhapsody, Vision of the Seas
RATINGS: RESIDENSEA
With just 88 guest suites as well as 110 privately-owned apartments, this ship has set a new benchmark in 6-star cruising. She has a choice of restaurants together with all the amenities of a luxury retreat. These include outstanding golf facilities (including a floating target range which is towed behind the ship), a full- sized tennis court (a first on any ship) and a hydraulic water sports platform. This is no ordinary ship and is not run like one. Quite unique, it allows you to enjoy life in a private resort whilst visiting the world. Following the sun with the seasons, itineraries allow passengers time to enjoy both the ship’s facilities and longer stays in each port. Sold cruise only. In 2011, she voyages to South America and Antarctica, then back to Europe via the Panama Canal and Caribbean. Fares include port tax, drinks and gratuities.
www.aboardtheworld.com
Ship The World Rating Type SR 6-Star Boutique n/a
Dining Tonnage P / C Open 40,000 396/252
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
A huge and diverse fleet of attractive, large, modern ships with all the amenities of a contemporary resort. The brand, one of the best for families, has five main styles. The oldest duo are used mainly for the short-cruise market as they lack some of the latest creature comforts and have smallish cabins, although both have been extensively refurbished recently. The six Vision- class ships (in pairs) brought in a new era of contemporary design and facilities and the Voyager quintet then added an amazing range of unique facilities (like rock-climbing walls and ice rinks) and even more choice. The Radiance quartet offer a slightly classier alternative to an already consistent product, with some of the best features of the Vision and Voyager ships. The massive Freedom-class went on to include surf-pools, water parks and other innovative facilities and are as much a destination in themselves as anywhere they go. The advent of the truly gigantic Oasis of the Seas in December 2009 and sister Allure in December 2010 add a whole new dimension to their slick ‘city-at-sea’ concept, with a positively futuristic array of features and amenities, including a unique ‘neighbourhood’ concept of big, open public spaces like the al fresco Central Park, lively Boardwalk (with its Aqua Theater) and massive Royal Promenade (complete with ‘floating’ bar). The dining choice on these two is also among the best at sea for any of the Resort-style vessels, rivalled only by NCL’s Norwegian Epic. Royal Caribbean also joined the movement to allow flexible dining in 2009 with their My Choice option, which provides pre-booked dining in the main dining rooms any time between 6 and 9.30pm (as well as the choice of multiple alternatives on all the mega-ships). Operating to all the main cruise destinations, including Hawaii, Alaska, northern Europe and the Med, Mexico, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Canada & New England, South America, Dubai and the Middle East, Bermuda and year-round in the Caribbean. A
92 WORLD OF CRUISING I Winter 2010 / 2011 Moderate; Standard; Superior
Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator, Mariner of the Seas
Radiance, Brilliance, Serenade, Jewel of the Seas
Freedom, Liberty, Inde- pendence of the Seas
Oasis, Allure of the Seas
Rating Type SR Dining Tonnage P / C 4-Star Resort 29.20 Two 73,000 2500/858 4-Star Resort 33.33 Two 69,130 2074/732 4-Star Resort 30.30 Two 74,137 2446/760 4-Star Resort 32.23 Two 78,491 2435/765 4-Star Resort 44.31 Two 138,000 3114/1176 5-Star Resort 36.02 Two 90,090 2501/869 5-Star Resort 43.92 Two 160,000 3634/1360 5-Star Resort 41.27 Two 222,900 5400/2150 SAGA CRUISES
The holiday company primarily for the over-50s specialises in breathing elegant, new life into older vessels like Saga Ruby (ex- Vistafjord and Caronia of Cunard) and the heavily refurbished Saga Pearl II (formerly the 1981-built Astoria), which joined the fleet in 2010. Onboard style is low-key but elegant, with good lecture programmes and thoughtful, well-organised shore excursions. Dining is good quality in one leisurely sitting, and there is always a buffet alternative. Both ships tour the Med, northern Europe and Greenland in summer while travelling further afield in the autumn and winter, to the Canaries, Caribbean and Africa, with a World Cruise on Ruby. Stable-mate Spirit of Adventure (the former Berlin) is a slightly different proposition, sailing with a more small-scale, expedition-orientated style and onboard programme around Europe, the Black Sea and Middle East, plus, in winter, Africa, the Indian Ocean, South-East Asia and Australasia, albeit still with high-quality dining and service, and including tailor- made shore excursions and wine with lunch and dinner. Gratuities are included. NB: the company has just bought the former original Europa of Hapag-Lloyd from a French operator to join the fleet in early 2012 and potentially replace Saga Ruby.
www.sagacruises.com,
www.spiritofadventure.co.uk
Ship Saga Ruby Saga Pearl II Spirit of Adventure SEABOURN
Outstanding small deluxe ships, with their latest trio serving as the new bench market for small, six-star cruising. Seabourn has consistently high service levels, something other lines have sought to emulate. The original trio are truly, small Grande Hotels at sea, with exceptional cuisine and service but more low-key entertainments, as befits their boutique style. The arrival of the Odyssey and her sisters (2009, ’10 and ’11) has added a significant extra element of opulent sea-going refinement, offering even greater onboard sophistication, highlighted by a 2-deck Health Spa, even more lavish suites and four superb dining choices. Their worldwide winter programmes take in the
Rating Type
4-Star Classic 4-Star Classic
SR Dining Tonnage P / C 4-Star Adventure 27.18 One 9,570
38.16 One 25,000 655/380 41.68 One 18,591 446/252 352/170
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