CRUISE NEWS 23


Royal Caribbean Brings Back Direct Flights from Belfast Royal Caribbean


FOLLOWING the success of


International’s direct charter flights from George Best Belfast City Airport to Bologna, Italy, this summer, the cruise line has announced


it will be expanding the offering to summer 2023. Guests departing from Belfast will


have the opportunity to fly direct to Ravenna thanks to the partnership between


International, Airport


Royal Caribbean Belfast City


and British Airways. The 2023 flight programme offers direct flights between Belfast and Bologna from 14th May until 22nd October 2023,


putting guests’ minds at ease for a smooth holiday experience from start to finish.


Jennifer Callister, Head of


Ireland sales at Royal Caribbean International, said: “We had such a fantastic reaction to our first charter service that we really wanted to expand the offering. We’re delighted to be able to give guests travelling from Belfast the chance to fly direct to Bologna, making it even easier to book the ultimate holiday and allowing them to prepare themselves for all the fun they’ll have onboard.” Aviation Development Manager


at George Best Belfast City Airport, Ellie McGimpsey,


said: “The Windstar Cruises Adds Arabia to Sailing Schedule


WINDSTAR Cruises’ small ships are known for sailing to luxurious and off-the-beaten- path ports around the world. The full breadth of


sailings is highlighted best in their new get ready for dog cuddles.


The Atlantic Road and Bergtatt marble mine Direction: Southbound Disembarkation port: Kristiansund Embarkation port: Molde Time:16:45 - 21:20 Meal: Soup with local ingredients and the mine’s own spring water to drink. You can also have a late dinner on board the ship. Price: from £ 142 per person


This can be the tour where you are on a bus that drives over the sea and a boat that goes into the mountains. Weather permitting, the journey starts with what has been named one of the world’s most beautiful roads— the Atlantic Ocean Road— that crosses islets and skerries all the way out by the sea. Naturally, there will be a photo stop and even during the dark season between middle of November to middle of February there could still be beautiful sights on the Atlantic Road Then the bus drives into the mountain and the marble mines. Golden marble has been extracted here since the 1930s, and mining has created 40 kilometres of mining shafts over eleven levels. Part


Silversea Opens Sales on Inaugural Antarctica Voyages of Silver Endeavour


SILVERVEA Cruises has opened general sales for the inaugural season of its new ship Silver Endeavour, strengthening its position as the leading ultra- luxury expedition cruise line. One of the world’s most advanced and luxurious expedition vessels, Silver Endeavour will undertake 12 voyages to Antarctica from November 21, 2022, broadening the industry’s most diverse polar offering. Travelling aboard Silver Endeavour—on voyages that range from five to 20 days and include Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise sailings, as well as an extended ‘Deep South’ expedition and a new 10-day Antarctic Peninsula voyage—the cruise line’s guests will journey in Silversea’s trademark level of comfort, while enjoying some of the most immersive, personalised experiences available in Antarctica. Silversea has also unveiled the ship’s seven suite categories, which include some of the most spacious accommodations in expedition cruising. “We are delighted to open sales on Silver


Endeavour’s inaugural voyages, marking a new era in ultra-luxury expedition cruising,” said Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “Silver Endeavour will unlock some of the


of the mine is a 300-metre lake with clean, clear spring water. You set out on the water in a safe, stable raft, and on the way across the underground lake you get to taste the spring water that flows down the sides of the mountain. There are colourful lights in the water and chandeliers in the tunnels which create a magical atmosphere. Wheelchair users can also come on this trip. Finally, we meet in the main hall, the large mining hall that can accommodate 300 people. You can watch a film there and learn more about the mining operation. You will be served a meat soup and of course the mine’s own spring water to drink. There will be time for a short stroll in Molde town before boarding the Havila Voyages ship again. For more information on this cruise visit havilavoyages.com.


brochure, available to order or access online, including the line’s newest offering: cruises to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf – a first for the luxury cruise line. “With impressive UNESCO sights, beautiful


beaches and wildlife, top-rated golf courses, amazing snorkelling and diving and, of course, great shopping, Windstar is excited to introduce our guests to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf with new itineraries in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, United


Arab Emirates, Bahrain and


Qatar,” explained Windstar Cruises President Christopher Prelog.


Cruises begin November 2023 on the all-


suite, 312-guest Star Legend. • The 18-day Wonders of Arabia sails from


Athens to Dubai, transiting the Suez Canal and spending five days in Egypt and Jordan, including an overnight in Luxor to take in the majestic Karnak and Luxor temples, followed by two days in Oman. Departs 5th November 2023. • The ten-day Sparkling Sands &


Cities of the Persian Gulf will sail on 11 dates from Dubai to Muscat, Oman (and in reverse). Highlights are overnights in Doha and Abu Dhabi; a late night in Ras Al-Khaimah; stops in quieter cities such as Fujairah or Khasab; as well as time


planet’s most remote and extreme destinations, welcoming guests in Silversea’s trademark level of comfort. With state-of-the-art technology, one of the highest ice-class ratings of any expedition cruise ship, and industry-leading Zodiac- and expert-to-guest ratios, our newest ship will offer a uniquely immersive expedition experience to our well-travelled guests.” “Among the most advanced expedition ships at


sea, Silver Endeavour will enhance the expedition experience to all new levels for our guests when she sets sail to Antarctica from November 2022,” said Conrad Combrink, SVP Expeditions, Destination and Itinerary Management, Silversea Cruises. “I look forward to accompanying our guests on her maiden voyage, as we fly over the Drake Passage to embark Silver Endeavour in King George Island, journeying deep into Antarctica on this milestone voyage.”


Extending from November 21, 2022, to March


14, 2023, Silver Endeavour’s inaugural season will comprise 12 immersive voyages: 10 ANTARCTICA BRIDGE FLY-CRUISE VOYAGES Silver Endeavour will welcome guests on 10


Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise sailings, including her maiden voyage, from November 21. Offering the fastest, most direct route to the White Continent, Silversea’s


Antarctica Bridge enables travellers to skip the Drake Passage, flying directly to King


George Island in European business- class comfort to embark the ship. Travellers will journey deep into Antarctica on voyages between five and nine days, exploring


destinations such as the Antarctic Peninsula, the Antarctic Sound, and the South Shetland Islands. In celebration of the milestone sailing, Conrad Combrink— Silversea’s SVP Expeditions, Destination and Itinerary Management—will be accompanying guests on Silver E n d e a v o u r ’ s inaugur al voyage,


marking the occasion with various


onboard enrichments. Moreover, 20 expedition experts—including marine biologists, historians, naturalists, archaeologists, and more—will share their knowledge with guests on each voyage aboard Silver Endeavour, offering one of the most personalised expedition experiences at sea. DEEP SOUTH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION Departing round-trip from Puerto Williams on


February 12, 2023, Silver Endeavour will journey to the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Sound, and the Antarctic Peninsula, before attempting to cross the 69th parallel south on Silversea’s first ever 20-day ‘Deep South’ expedition. Facilitated by the ship’s PC6 ice class rating—among the highest


on Sir Bani Yas, an island known for its pristine nature and wildlife conservation. Departures on 3rd, 13th and 23rd December 2023; 2nd, 12th and 22nd January 2024; 1st, 11th and 21st February 2024; and 2nd March 2024.


• The nine-day Arabian Nights & Egyptian Days will sail on two dates between Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Aqaba, Jordan (and in reverse). Highlights include an overnight in Sharm el- Sheikh and in Safaga with the opportunity to visit Luxor, and the chance to soak in the turquoise waters of the resort ports of Ain Sokhna and Hurghada. Departures on 20th and 29th March 2024. • The eight-day Realm of the Queen of Sheba


sails from Muscat, Oman to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, passing through waters rich in history. The cruise combines relaxing days at sea watching deserts and mountains pass and dolphins playing in beautiful Omani fjords, with time in Salalah following UNESCO’s Frankincense Trail to the ruins of ancient Al Balid and Zafar. Departs 12th March 2024. • The 12-day Red Sea Revelries via the Suez


Canal, sails from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Athens. Highlights include an overnight in Luxor; a later night in Ain Sokhna, Egypt; a transit through the Suez Canal; and a day in Heraklion, Crete. Departs on 7th April 2024. For further information and reservations visit www.windstarcruises.com


of any expedition ship—and her cutting-edge navigation and exploration technology, the sailing will offer travellers the opportunity to access some of the world’s most remote and extreme destinations, exploring Antarctica first-hand, and witnessing the continent’s rare wildlife and unique landscapes.


NEW 10-DAY


ANT ARC TIC PENINSULA VOYAGE Concluding i


S l v e r


Endeavour ’ s inaugur al season in Antar ctica, guests will set sail on a brand


new 10-day voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula, departing round-trip from Puerto Williams on March 4, 2023. Spending six days exploring the peninsula


during this variation of Silversea’s


iconic peninsula voyages, travellers are likely to see penguin colonies, as well as various other bird species; different seal species; and other marine life. Silver Endeavour’s amenities will enhance the experience for guests with her remote gimbal camera system, her remotely operated underwater vehicle, and her industry-leading expert- and Zodiac-to-guest ratios.


feedback we have received since offering passengers flights to Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas has been excellent, and we are confident that next year’s charter service will be just as, if not more, popular. “Combined


with Belfast City


Airport’s six-minute average security processing time and the airport’s location, only five minutes from Belfast city centre,


passengers


travelling to Bologna next summer for Explorer of the Seas will enjoy a smooth, fast, and hassle-free start to their journey.” To find out more, speak to your local travel agent.


DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM BELFAST WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN


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