cruise inaugurals 13
Clockwise from top left: P&O Cruises’ Britannia Superior Deluxe cabin; Compagnie de Ponant’s Le Lyrial; Viking Ocean’s Viking Star; NCL’s Norwegian Escape; RCI’s Anthem of the Seas
who has used a palette of blues to refl ect the ship’s wide-ranging destinations, from sap- phire-streaked polar ice to the vivid turquoise of Mediterranean sea coves. Fans of Ponant’s earlier ships will fi nd a similar atmosphere of yacht-style sophistication on Le Lyrial but a key difference is that Deck Six has been redesigned to feature fewer but larger suites (in all the ship has 122 staterooms to the others’ 132). Le Lyrial will spend summer 2015 cruising round the Mediterranean before heading to Antarctica. 0800 980 4027;
ponant.com
Viking Ocean Cruises VIKING STAR 48,000 tons; �998 passengers Having challenged the river cruise market with a hyperdynamic approach to fl eet development, Viking Cruises is taking an equally aggressive stance towards competitors in the Premium grade ocean cruise sector. Its fi rst ocean-going vessel will offer free shore
excursions (like Regent Seven Seas), compli- mentary Wi-Fi (like Oceania) and itineraries which, like those of Azamara Club Cruises, include a high proportion of overnight port stays, On top of that, the new Viking Star will feature complimentary drinks at lunch and dinner and
all-balconied cabins which – at 270 square feet - are 20 per cent larger than the industry average. But then, with four ships due to be in service by 2017, Viking’s chairman Torstein Hagen knows it must make an almighty splash to establish its place in the market. Viking Star is certainly designed to do just that; taking popular highlights from the `Viking Longship’ river cruise vessels like the `Aquavit Terrace’ indoor / outdoor dining area, it also combines classic ocean ship facilities like a wraparound promenade and a large observation lounge with new touches like a fi re pit in the magradome-roofed pool area, and a Nordic style snow room in the spa. Viking Star spends its inaugural year cruising
Northern Europe, the Baltic and the Mediter- ranean.
VikingCruises.com / 0800 458 6900.
Royal Caribbean International
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS 167,800 tons; �4,180 passengers Travel agents thrilled by last year’s Quantum of the Seas launch will fi nd sistership Anthem boasts a similar range of innovations, including virtual balconies, a skydiving simulator, the London Eye-inspired North Star and the multi-function SeaPlex venue for circus skills classes, bumper car rides and roller skating. The big difference is that Anthem will sail from
sellingtravel.co.uk
Southampton and cater specifi cally to the British market, especially fi rst time cruisers. 2015 spring-to-autumn sailings around North Europe, the Med and the Canaries range in duration from three to 15 days, with plenty of short ‘taster’ options to woo new-to-cruise clients. 0844 493 2061;
royalcaribbean.co.uk
Norwegian Cruise Line NORWEGIAN ESCAPE 164,000 tons; �4,200 passengers As Norwegian’s newest and biggest ship to date, Norwegian Escape will showcase innovations including the line’s fi rst snow room, the largest ropes course and Thermal Suite at sea and two adults-only lounge areas, Vibe Beach Club and Spice H2O. Also new is a ‘grotto’ with waterfalls to provide shelter from the sun by day and a dance venue at night. After her October 2015 launch, Norwegian
Escape will operate seven-night Caribbean cruises out of Miami year-round, calling at the US and British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. Top attractions of her home port will be refl ected onboard in the shape of the fi rst-ever fl oating Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant and a seabound version of Miami’s oldest bar, Tobacco Road. Attractions for younger cruisers include a
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle miniature golf course, an expanded Kids’ Aqua Park and Norwegian’s fi rst dedicated nursery for chil- dren under two. 0845 201 8900;
ncl.co.uk
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