OCEAN VS RIVER CRUISING WHAT’’S THE DIFFERENCE AND WHICH IS BEST?


24 CRUISE NEWS


...what’s the difference and which is best? Paris,


EVER wondered what makes a river cruise so different from an ocean cruise… apart from the fact ocean liner cruise the seas while river cruises meander down small rivers. Well, an ocean cruise is typically on a much larger ship. River cruise ships usually only accommodate between 150- 250 passengers while ocean liners can accommodate


anywhere up to 6,000 OCEAN CRUISES VS RIVER CRUISES


Riviera slip the moorings and commence on a wonderfully scenic cruise along the beautiful and majestic Seine into the heart of one of France’s most historic and picturesque regions, Normandy. With time to enjoy the historic little town of Les Andelys en route, you continue your journey along the Seine’s sweeping meanders, before exploring the delights of Rouen, one of Europe’s finest medieval cities with its stunning cathedral and tangle of atmospheric winding streets. Passing the legendary Jumiege


Abbey, the ship


moors in the pretty village of Caudebec with time after dinner for an evening stroll in this most typical of French villages. Then to Bayeux, spared significant war damage, it retains its wealth of splendid buildings as well as the legendary and


guests. While there are lots to do on both types


of cruise, ocean liners will typically have a lot more big scale activities such as rock- wall climbing, go-karting and onboard surfing while river cruises are more focused on activities in the destinations. Relaxation is key for river cruise ships… good food, good wine, a nice massage and wonderful views.


While ocean liners can visit many countries on a voyage, river cruises focus on exploring one main river such the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Seine or Douro. You can even cruise the Yangtze in China or the Mekong in Cambodia. If you prefer smaller ships, plenty of wonderful scenery,


stunning tapestry for which it is so famed. You will also see some of the many thought-provoking monuments and places along the Normandy coast and reflect on the remarkable story of the D-Day landings on a visit to Gold Beach and the remnants


It’s time to celebrate! Can we steal you away for a romantic getaway?


WHETHER its your first anniversary, your 38th, or its just time for that dreamy, escape, a cruise is the perfect way to relax and lean into the romance of the open ocean. NI Travel News take an inside look at Virgin Voyages’ hub in Miami and their Beach Club at Bimini.


First stop, Miami Miami can party like Vegas, with


cruising


through the heart of a country, stopping at quaint villages and docking within walking distance to major historic sites then a river cruise could be just what you are looking for. From the Douro Valley to the majestic Danube, or the Nile to the mighty Mekong Delta, there’s a good reason that river cruising is known as the most relaxing way to travel. Glide along the world’s most incredible waterways on an inspiring range of luxury river cruises. Whether you’re a lover of history, culture


or architecture, get to know what makes each stop special with a carefully planned excursion every day, led by local experts and fully included in the price. Effortlessly cruise from port to port and soak up the river views as you enjoy incredible all-inclusive dining and impeccable


service. Relax in your


spacious suite or cabins, sip cocktails on an expansive sun deck or indulge in a massage at the onboard spa. These are all things you can do on a river cruise. The whet your appetite, Riviera Travel offer an eight-day Seine,


Paris and Normandy River Cruise. From romantic


of Mulberry Harbour. The cruise would not be complete without a visit to charming Honfleur - its near perfect waterfront of tall pastel-coloured 18th century houses, traditional shops and maze of streets providing the inspiration for the Impressionist painter Claude Monet to paint here many times. Countless sleepy villages silently drift by as you arrive in delightful Vernon, from where you take the short drive to Giverny visiting Claude Monet’s home and one of the world’s most famous and most painted gardens. Enjoy the quintessentially half-timbered streets of Vernon before continuing on to your final destination, one of the world’s most iconic and romantic cities, Paris. From the Arc de Triomphe to the Sacre-Coeur to the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre to the Pompidou Centre, the smart shopping of the Galeries Lafayette to bohemian Montmatre, the list is endless and the variety arguably unmatchable; this breathtaking city never fails to inspire no matter how many times you get the chance to visit. For more information or to book, check out rivieratravel.co.uk or speak to your local travel agent.


Swan Hellenic Unveils 2023 Season of Cultural Expedition Cruises Across Seven Continents


SWAN Hellenic has


released full details of its 2022-2023 cultural expedition cruises,


offering an


extraordinary choice worldwide as its fleet grows to two and then three purpose-built,


ultramodern ice-class expedition cruise ships.


Exploring across seven continents, the adventurous and curious-minded can now access unique experiences previously out of reach. What’s more,


Swan Hellenic is


celebrating the arrival of its full fleet on the waves with Early Swan Savings of 30%!


beaches like the Caribbean and the backcountry beauty of the Bayou, all with the rich cultural diversity of cities like New York and London.


The


Magic City isn’t just where your journey takes off from; it’s where it begins.


The atmosphere beyond the pier


painted


The picture on


television — clad with string bikinis, drinks,


frozen and


catchy 90s songs — doesn’t quite do Miami justice. Sure, South Beach still radiates a


gorgeous


and colourful electricity not often found on US beaches, but there’s so much more to uncover of Miami’s diverse identity. Brickell beams with cosmopolitan rooftop bars and Michelin Star restaurants.


The once-gritty


neighbourhood of Wynwood in Miami is now a beaming art district filled with trendy eateries and craft breweries. Cuban neighbourhoods like Little Havana radiate the storied history and vibrant culture of the city. And even the aforementioned South Beach, famed as it may be, is more than just beaches and nightclubs — lined with Art Deco hotels, street markets, and arguably Miami’s best cluster of restaurants in Sunset Harbour. At Wynwood Graffiti Art Experience you’ll learn


about the history, language, and techniques of graffiti from an artist with over two decades of unsanctioned


experience. Once you’ve created your own work of art on a wall in the heart of Wynwood, you’ll take a tour of the Wynwood Graffiti Museum. Take a Latin Classics Cooking Class.


This


demonst ration-s ty le cooking class,


you’ll


learn to create a sample menu that combines Latin flair and seafood. Served family-style, these Latin classics include a welcome sparkling wine,


traditional ceviche, Cuban roasted pork shoulder with freshly made mojo, jasmine white rice, and flan.


Sea you at the club - The Beach Club at Bimini


Relax with


restorative options like beachside yoga classes and lounging by the pool in a private cabana.


As the


day winds down with a beachside


bonfire, the night gives way to a vibrant-coloured


sunset apropo of the idyllic time spent on the islands. Besides exploring the


islands’ incredible biodiversity and historic shipwreck diving, relax and unwind at with a private beach club experience, Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini. It isn’t just the impossibly neon turquoise water, or the seemingly unperturbed beaches that coyly dance with the waves that make Bimini so enticing. Sitting on the westernmost part of the Bahamian Islands, Bimini is the far less-visited port home to a decidedly more intimate and visceral heartbeat. Beyond the quiet beach moments or the adrenaline- inducing shark dives, the three islands that unite to make Bimini are drenched in rich cultural history — where the conch is so fresh you taste the path from which you came, natural watering holes are rumoured to have the power to heal, and nights end next to bonfires under star-kissed skies. For more information check out virginvoyages.com.


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  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88