DISNEY CRUISE LINE Ship
Disney Magic, Wonder
Disney Dream, Fantasy
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
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 and ’12) Disney Dream and Fantasy added a new layer of amenities and sophistication, 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, the latest duo 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 to the Bahamas and Caribbean (from Port Canaveral and Miami in Florida, plus Galveston in Texas), but they also now operate further afield seasonally, with a full Alaskan and Mediterranean summer series, plus the Panama Canal and Pacific coast. Disney’s feature and amenity-packed private island of Castaway Cay (on most Caribbean cruises) is another bonus. Gratuities not included.
www.disneycruise.com
CRYSTAL CRUISES Ship
Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity
6*
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 most distinguished entertainment and cruise enhancements 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, 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 and Asia, plus Africa, South America, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, and extended summer seasons in Europe and Alaska. Longer journeys include grand world voyages and transatlantic cruises. Most drinks and all gratuities now 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 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 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
84 WORLD OF CRUISING I Winter 2012-13
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