38 | CRUISE NEWS
www.nitravelnews.com
February 2025
European Destination Highlighted as Top Hidden Gem Destination By UK Cruisers
CADIZ, the
ancient port city in southwestern Spain,
has
Swan Hellenic Announce New Development in First Cultural Expedition Cruise
SWAN Hellenic have announced an exciting new development in high- end exploration, its first-ever cultural expedition cruise offering a connoisseur focus on Wine & Gastronomy Sea. Departing
from Lisbon on May
EMERALD CRUISES CELEBRATES KEEL LAYING MILESTONE FOR NEWEST SHIP
12,
2025, and calling at Leixoes (Oporto), Ferrol, Santander, Bilbao, Lorient, Roscoff, Saint-Malo and Honfleur on its way to Portsmouth, this “Legacy of Wine” cruise will explore prominent historical and cultural sites in depth at each port of call in the Swan Hellenic tradition. But it will also transform the experience with visits to prestigious vineyards and the producers of local delicacies, combined with unique daily opportunities to savor the finest culinary and oenological specialties, showcasing the unique terroir and rich winemaking traditions of each region. Master of Wine Keith Isaac, General
Manager of Castelnau Wine Agencies, will guide the wine tastings and accompany guests throughout their voyage, offering illuminating insights that benefit from his 36 years’ expertise. The tastings will range from premium port and champagnes to Rioja, Ribera del Duero and award-winning ciders and calvados. The privileged guests will likewise rub shoulders with multi award-winning Chef Heribert Dietrich, a member of JRE and the worthy recipient of 16 Gault & Millau points, plus a Michelin star, in his illustrious career. Each evening aboard, Heribert and
Keith will join forces to create an intimate celebration of fine wine and haute cuisine in an elegant ocean-view setting, bringing guests skillfully curated pairings with which every course tells a story. This crescendo of signature dishes, each displaying the exceptional creativity for which Chef Heribert is renowned, will then culminate in a spectacular Gala Dinner towards the end of the voyage. “We are very proud of this significant enhancement to our cultural expedition cruising,” says Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito. “Every aspect has been expertly conceived to immerse our guests in transformative gastronomic experiences that enrich their voyage with new skills and insight.”
APT & Travelmarvel Launch 2025/26 Asia Collection
APT & Travelmarvel has launched its 2025/2 6 Asia Collection, featuring escorted tours, new Small Group Journeys, and river cruises in Vietnam & Cambodia, India, Japan, and Sri Lanka. The long-haul programme is brought to market with a special introductory offer: · ·APT Vietnam & Cambodia river cruise and tour. · Travelmarvel Vietnam & Cambodia cruise and tour. ·
APT’s new India tour and cruise itinerary.
The Asia programme expands into the lesser- explored parts of India for the first time, with the addition of APT’s luxurious, 12-day Kolkata and Lower Ganges Cruise. Guests will enjoy three nights in Kolkata, India’s “City of Joy”, where the new trip begins and ends, and a seven-night cruise aboard the Ganges Voyager, exploring the exciting destinations Bandel, Matiari, Khushbagh, Murshidabad, and Chandannagar.
HOLLAND America Line has unveiled its 2026- 2027 South America and Antarctica season, featuring itineraries ranging from 14 to 31 days. From November 2026 through to March 2027,
Oosterdam and Volendam will operate five itineraries, with a total of nine departure dates. These will visit destinations such as the Amazon River, Falkland Islands, Antarctica and - new for the 2026-2027 season - the Pio XI Glacier, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest glacier outside of Antarctica. The Pio XI Glacier can be seen on Oosterdam’s 14 or
15-day South American Pathways: Chilean Fjords and Glaciers voyage, sailing between San Antonio (Santiago), Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. These itineraries will take guests to ports including Montevideo, Uruguay; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; Punta
Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Montt, Chile; through the Chilean fjords; Glacier Alley; and a day of scenic cruising at Pio XI Glacier. The 1964-guest Oosterdam will also operate 22-day
Antarctica itineraries, between San Antonio (Santiago), Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. In addition to a four-day Antarctic experience, these include an overnight stay in Buenos Aires. . A 22-day South America and Antarctica Holiday, departing December 19, 2026, will celebrate Christmas and the new year on board. Elsewhere, two 16-day Panama Canal and Inca Discovery cruises will operate between Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio (Santiago), Chile. These voyages will visit the Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador, Panama City; and Callao, Lima, including overnight stays. Additionally, guests on this itinerary can opt for a Galapagos Islands overland tour or a three to four day stay in
Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and gateway to Machu Picchu. The 1432-guest Volendam will operate a Legendary Amazon Explorer itinerary, with 27 or 30 day options available.
Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale or New
York to Fort Lauderdale, it will visit the Amazon rainforest and feature an overnight call in Manaus. Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line, said: “Pio XI - or the Brüggen Glacier - is the longest glacier in the southern hemisphere outside of Antarctica, and it is truly spectacular. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Grandaddy of Patagonian icefields,’ it’s known for its bright blue hues and signature dark streak, and it can really only be accessed via ship. Plus, it is a very active glacier for calving, so our guests are in for a treat when they visit.”
EMERALD Cruises has announced a significant milestone in the construction of its newest and most
innovative luxury superyacht, Emerald
Kaia, with a keel-laying ceremony held during the week of December 27, 2024, with the team at MKM Yachts in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. This pivotal event marks the foundation of what will become a transformative addition to Emerald Cruises' renowned fleet of yachts. Set to debut in April 2026, Emerald Kaia promises to
redefine yacht cruising with its contemporary elegance, thoughtful amenities, and world-class service. "The keel laying of Emerald Kaia marks another
exciting step forward in our vision for redefining the yachting experience,” said Glen Moroney, chairman and founder of Scenic Group. “Building on the tremendous success of Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, Emerald Kaia reflects our commitment to innovation, luxury, and sustainability. We thank the skilled team at MKM Yachts for bringing this vision to life." Emerald Kaia is designed to accommodate 128 guests in spacious luxury, with 88% of cabins featuring verandas. Key highlights include an expansive Observation Sun Deck, state-of-the-art wellness areas with a 50% larger spa and swim-up platform allowing for direct access to the ocean from the fitness centre, enhanced marina facilities, including an indoor lounge and new water toys like an inflatable slide. With a focus on connecting guests to the sea and their surroundings, the yacht will offer bespoke itineraries to the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, and Seychelles. Emerald Kaia will become the third luxury superyacht in
Emerald Cruises' fleet, following the successes of Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara. The new yacht represents Scenic Group's ongoing commitment to expanding its footprint in the luxury yacht cruising market, offering unforgettable journeys to the world's most captivating coastlines.
been revealed as the favourite Eur ope an 'hidden gem' destination by UK cruise guests for the second year running. The
finding was announced following a survey by cruise specialist
cruise.co.uk, which was conducted with almost 600 people who have taken a holiday at sea. Located in Spain’s Andalucia region and
recognised as the oldest city in western Europe, Cadiz is included on a number of Mediterranean cruise itineraries, with ships docking centrally into the local area. Cadiz secured 9% of the public vote, while
Kotor, Montenegro, took second place with 7%. The city is nestled in a scenic bay and boasts medieval architecture, historic monuments and UNESCO World Heritage status.
Despite its title as 'the most famous little
harbour in the world', Portofino, on the Italian Riviera, was named third on the hidden gem list. Known for its high-end yachts and luxury shops, the picturesque fishing village and resort town claimed 4% of the vote. Overall, 46% of respondents cited the
‘attractiveness’ of a location as the main reason for naming it their favourite hidden destination. Proximity to points of interest came in next at 27%, with ‘the friendly welcome’ at 11%. But Cadiz and its fellow hidden gems may not
remain under the radar for much longer. 85% of respondents have already recommended their favourite discoveries to family and friends, with just 15% keeping it to themselves. Tony Andrews,
cruise.co.uk managing director,
said: “Cadiz continues to captivate UK cruisers with its unique blend of history, charm and accessibility. Its ancient streets and welcoming atmosphere make it an unforgettable stop. It’s no surprise the city has topped the list for the second year running - passengers clearly value destinations that offer stunning scenery and rich cultural experiences. Our survey once again highlights just how many hidden cruise gems there are in Europe, each with its own distinct appeal and waiting to be explored.”
Holland America Line launches 2026/27 South America and Antarctica Season
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
