Travel News April/May 2019
CRUISING 19
Tropical escapes to beat the cold...
Diverse cruises for winter ‘20 R
OYAL Caribbean International is creating more ways to ditch the cold for tropical escapes in the 2020-21 winter season.
The global cruise line is introducing a combination of diverse off erings throughout North America and the Caribbean, from new ship pairings in major homeports across Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico to a more diverse range of itinerary lengths and popular destinations.
Big news for the Lone Star state is that Adventure of the Seas will call Texas home for the fi rst time in 2020, becoming the largest ship sailing short getaways from Galveston. Touting “only-on-Royal” favourites, including Splashaway Bay and the Perfect Storm waterslides, guests sailing on Adventure can make the most of their four and fi ve-night holidays while visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. Adventure of the Seas will join Liberty of the Seas, which will be sailing seven-night Caribbean cruises year-round from Galveston.
Enchantment of the Seas will sail south for the winter to homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the fi rst time, following her summer season in Galveston. Sailing seven-night itineraries from the clear waters of San Juan, Enchantment will open the doors to the awe-inspiring islands of the Southern Caribbean, from the pink sandy beaches of Barbados to the lush tropical mountains of Dominica.
Known for its passionate and welcoming spirit, San Juan will continue to be the year-round homeport for Freedom of the Seas, which will be newly reimagined in March 2020 as part of the Royal Amplifi ed fl eet modernisation programme. Following her multimillion-dollar transformation and summer season in Europe, the amplifi ed Explorer of the Seas will return to Miami with elevated nightlife, exhilarating activities and updated entertainment for all. Explorer will bring the far- fl ung islands of Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba, as well as Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Labadee, Haiti, within reach on fi ve and nine-night cruises from Miami. Select fi ve-night sailings will visit Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, the unparalleled family holiday destination for thrill and chill. The fi rst in the cruise line’s Perfect Day Island Collection of destinations around the world, Perfect
Day at CocoCay ups the ante on private destination experiences by delivering unmatched adventures and amenities, including Thrill Waterpark with 13 jaw- dropping slides, like Daredevil’s Peak – the tallest waterslide in North America; Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool; the Caribbean’s largest wave pool; Up, Up and Away, the helium balloon that fl oats up to 450 feet in the air; and Chill Island for some beach R&R.
Independence of the Seas will return to Fort Lauderdale in November 2020, sailing four and fi ve-night short getaways to the Western Caribbean and Nassau, The Bahamas. The ship will also off er select sailings to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Whether relaxing on the picturesque Bahamian beach at Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated private destination or climbing the Mayan ruins in Cozumel, guests on Independence will relish in adventure-packed, memory-making holidays. Modernised from bow to stern in 2018, Independence will be one of six Royal Amplifi ed ships homeporting on Florida’s east coast in 2020.
Vision of the Seas will be off ering 10- and 11-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Southern Caribbean. The glass-encased ship will call on dream destinations across the Caribbean, reaching picturesque islands like St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Thomas, San Juan, Antigua and St. Maarten on the 10-night itineraries, while the 11-night sailings will include an overnight stay in Oranjestad, Aruba, a destination hot spot known for world-famous underwater diving locations and wind-sculpted desert landscapes.
Rhapsody of the Seas returns to her longtime homeport of Tampa in 2020 to embark on new adventures. Globetrotters can experience the Panama Canal’s intricate waterway system and arrive to the treasured UNESCO World Heritage city of Colon and the ruins of the San Lorenzo castle, all in one 11-night expedition.
Rhapsody’s regular seven-night itineraries will call on coveted Caribbean destinations, including Grand Cayman, Belize and Mexico. Also returning to her homeport in Tampa, Brilliance of the Seas will join Rhapsody for the season, continuing a mix of four and fi ve-night sailings to the Western Caribbean, perfect for short getaways and fi rst-time cruisers.
The Victoria Mekong - a new deluxe river cruiser
Wendy Wu introduces new river cruiser on the Mekong
ASIAN specialist Wendy Wu Tours recentluy put on show their new state of the art, deluxe river cruise ship, the Victoria Mekong.
John Booty, Sales Manager Ireland and IoM for Wendy Wu Tours, was in London to run the rule over the new ship.
He said: “We had a full day session on the new river cruiser and were most impressed. The ship looks absolutely stunning and cruises on the Victoria Mekong have now gone on sale.”
Accommodation is in three cabin categories. There are 17 Deluxe Cabins on Main Deck, 16 Deluxe Cabins on Upper Deck and 2 VIP Suites. Contemporary cabins have large bay windows, full modern comforts with en-suite bathroom and a private balcony.
Te Mekong’s facilities include a passenger elevator, swimming pool with pool bar and sundeck, lounge bar, dining and entertainment, restaurant with open kitchen, massage room, library and games room, movie room and gym
The Victoria Mekong will be off ering three-night and four-night cruising itineraries between Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. With its four-star comfort and superior service, there’s no better way to experience the beauty of the Mekong. Shore excursions puts the client right in the heart of local life and there are plenty of opportunities to interact with local people and their fascinating culture. While onboard you also sample local heritage through music and dance.
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