Cruise News
NOW, VOYAGER By Gary Buchanan
Portsmouth rarely sees ship’s christenings, but, in early December, the newest vessel from All Leisure Group was showcased to the public and named by natural history television presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff. The 540-passen- ger Voyager has now become the flagship of the destination-led cruise company, VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY. Constructed in 1989, this 15,343-ton vessel entered service as Crown Monarch, which became Cunard Crown Monarch from 1993-94. She then sailed under various names until 2008, most recently as Alexander von Hum- boldt for Phoenix Seereisen & Bamtur. She was purchased by All Leisure in 2009 and, after two seasons under charter, has been transformed following a multi-million pound, month-long refit at Portland in Dorset.
Aqua Expeditions on The Mekong
F Key additions to the vessel include the
introduction of an ‘explorer theme,’ reinforcing the line’s educational adven- ture concept. On Deck 5, the social hub of the vessel, the new Scott’s Lounge, is a classic piano cocktail bar, while an intimate, pre-bookable speciality restau- rant, the Explorer Club, has been created. A new Lookout Lounge also provides panoramic views from the front of the ship, and a new terrace with all-weather awning has been added to the Veranda Restaurant for al fresco dining. Other enhancements include a
refurbishment of the library; a new dual-purpose Bridge Club that can also be used for lectures and small functions; and an upgrade of all soft furnishings. Voyager will offer a choice of 270 cabins, 87 per cent of which are outside, 30 with balconies. Managing director Alan Murray said: “Ensuring the bulk of our outlay in the upgrade was made in the UK, and in UK businesses, makes us especially proud of the ship, and the high standards of workmanship are a tribute to the nation’s great shipping and exploration traditions.” More info: call 0844 822 0820 or
www.voyagesofdiscovery.com.
16 WORLD OF CRUISING I Winter 2012-13 CHRISTMAS READING
Two of World of Cruising’s regular contributors have new books out this month – just in time for Christmas.
Peter Newall’s CUNARD LINE – A FLEET HISTORY is a glossy, hardback 304-page volume, lavishly illustrated and with a great sense of the line’s heritage. Intended as a definitive Cunard history, Newall outlines all the vessels to have sailed under Sir Samuel Cunard’s colours, especially the often-overlooked cargo vessels of the 19th century. With more than 700 illustrations – many in colour – it serves to highlight the full story and maritime traditions of Cunard, from their founding in 1840 to the present day (Ships In Focus; £39.50;
www.shipsinfocus.com).
Steven B Stern’s annual opus, STERN’S GUIDE TO THE CRUISE VACATION, is also just published for 2013, now a whopping 818 pages and packed with all the info cruisers need to make the right choice for their next voyage. Now in its 24th edition, Stern keeps the focus firmly on the cruise lines and their ships with a plethora of other facts and minutiae to please both first-timers and regular voyagers alike (Xlibris, $23.99;
www.Xlibris.com).
ollowing the success of river cruises in the Peruvian Amazon, AQUA EXPEDITIONS is launching its third
luxury vessel in 2014, on the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam. The Aqua Mekong will be the first boat of its class on the river. Keeping in style with the MV Aria and Aqua, the new vessel will be small enough to be intimate, and large enough to be spacious and luxurious, paying attention to detail from the design and decor to the cuisine and service. Aqua Mekong will have 20 suites, decorated in a lush contemporary Asian
style, using local materials and fabrics, each with floor-to-ceiling picture windows enabling travellers to relax in bed and watch Asia float past. There will also be a generous- sized spa and fitness centre, dining room, library, screening room and an observation deck with a pool and a lounge bar. Itineraries will run from Siem Riep
down-river to My Tho, near Saigon, stopping in Phnom Penh along the way, and vice versa. The experience will also include Aqua’s trademark daily river and shore excursions off the boat in skiffs. More info:
www.aquaexpeditions.com.
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