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COVER STORY


DISNEY CRUISE LINE Ship


Disney Magic, Wonder


Disney Dream, Fantasy


CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES Ship


Marco Polo Ocean Countess


Rating Type 4*


4* SR


Classic Classic


Rating Type 5*


SR Resort 5*-Plus Resort Dining Tonnage P / C 33.60 Two 84,000 2500/945 32.00 Two 128,000 4000/1458 Dining Tonnage P / C


26.92 Two 22,080 820/356 21.99 Two 17,593 800/350


This classic ship operator offers two well-known former ships, the original and highly popular Marco Polo (herself converted from classic Russian liner Alexandr Pushkin) of Orient Lines and the ex- Cunard Countess of Cunard, now refurbished as Ocean Countess. Sailing purely from UK ports on a series of voyages to northern Europe, the Canaries and Mediterranean, with longer cruises to the Caribbean, Amazon and Orinoco, plus a popular round- Britain series. Full British onboard style, cuisine and entertainment, with stylish alternative dining on Marco Polo and good choice of public rooms, all with a traditional feel. Marco Polo also boasts Zodiac inflatable boats for more expedition-style shore excursions, notably in the Amazon. Gratuities added to onboard account. http://uk.cic-cruises.com


CRYSTAL CRUISES Ship


Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity


6*


Though heavy on the Disney style, these ships are well equipped for ALL the family. All American, though quite sophisticated menus, served in three different dining rooms, plus a chic adults- only Italian restaurant. Excellent service and entertainment, especially in the main theatre. Kids amenities are superb, but so are the Spa facilities and private areas for grown-ups. The new (in 2011) Disney Dream added a new layer of amenities and sophistication to the operation (along with sister Disney Fantasy in April 2012), with high-tech additions like a ‘water-coaster’ flume ride; enhanced theatre facilities; an exclusive dining alternative; inside cabins with a ‘virtual portholes’; and superb kids areas. At 40% bigger than the first duo, Dream and Fantasy put Disney on a par with the likes of Celebrity for modern-resort-at-sea concept. Core voyages are 3, 4, 5 and 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral (Florida) to the Bahamas and Caribbean, but they also now operate further afield seasonally, with a full Alaskan summer series, the Mexican Riviera and (new for 2012) Canada and New England. Disney’s feature and amenity-packed private island of Castaway Cay (on all Caribbean cruises) is another bonus. Gratuities not included. www.disneycruise.com


Rating Type 6*


SR


Boutique Boutique


Dining Tonnage P / C


53.10 Two 51,000 940/545 62.96 Two 68,000 1080/655


At the forefront of deluxe Boutique-style cruising, which borders on Resort with the modern feel of their ships, these outstanding mid-sized ships strike all the right notes and boast some of the best entertainment and cruise enhancement at sea. Spacious and well appointed, nearly all cabins and suites have full baths (as opposed to showers), and 66% have balconies. Serenity is a slightly more spacious version of the first design, but both feature excellent alternative dining, with a gourmet-quality Italian restaurant and a signature Asian diner by Japanese celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. A choice of worldwide itineraries, most from 7 to 10 nights (but some up to 21 days), with winter favourites including The Panama Canal, Caribbean, Mexico and Asia, plus Africa, South America, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, and extended summer seasons in Europe and Alaska. Longer journeys include world cruises (on Serenity) and transatlantic voyages. From 2012, most drinks and all gratuities are included. www.crystalcruises.com


CUNARD LINE Ship


Queen Mary 2 Queen Victoria Queen Elizabeth


5* 5*


FRED.OLSEN CRUISE LINES Ship


Black Watch Boudicca Balmoral Braemar


Rating Type 4*


4* 4* 4*


Classic Classic Resort Resort


SR


Dining Tonnage P / C


35.45 Two 28,613 807/320 33.83 Two 28,388 839/320 32.49 Two 43,537 1340/471 26.25 Two 19,089 727/310


When Fred. Olsen bought Black Watch (originally Royal Viking Star) in 1998, it took their operations to a new dimension, with more modern hardware, facilities and style. They have since added the ex-Norwegian Dynasty (Braemar), Star’s former sister Royal Viking Sky (Boudicca) and Norwegian Crown (Balmoral). They all give the Olsen fleet a touch of modern style as well as expanded fly-cruise options. All cruises feature good British-orientated entertainment and bridge instructors, and many include gentlemen hosts. The quality and choice of cuisine is above average, although alternative dining is not as varied. Ex-UK cruises utilise ports like Liverpool, Greenock, Newcastle and Rosyth as well as Dover and Southampton, while fly-cruises take in much of Europe and much further afield, including Canada and New England, South America, West Africa and world voyages, when packages include charter flights and tax. Gratuities not included. www.fredolsencruises.co.uk


Rating Type 5*


SR


Resort Resort Resort


Dining Tonnage P / C


57.25 Two 148,528 2592/1253 44.68 Two 90,000 2014/1140 43.21 Two 90,400 2092/1160


In the grand tradition of British luxury cruising, QM2 (which replaced QE2 in 2008) offers imaginative first class cuisine, a huge range of facilities and dining choice in classic Cunard style, not to mention a hefty measure of Resort-style glitz. Queen Victoria is a true ultra-smart Resort vessel but still with the gracious Cunard hallmark, plus excellent dining and entertainment choice and the new Queen Elizabeth added another helping of classic maritime style in late 2010. Sailing much of the globe, with grand world cruises, transatlantic voyages and a full summer season to and from Southampton, from 4 to 24 days. Gratuities not included. www.cunard.co.uk/cunardline.com


90 WORLD OF CRUISING I Winter 2011-12


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