28 CRUISE NEWS


Beach Fun and Sun in the Caribbean Windstar


CRUISE IN COLOUR ON THE GREEK ISLES


See ruins from the dawn of democracy, wind down on a beach and then indulge in fresh Mediterranean fare, all in one day...


GREEK Isle cruises deliver ancient wonders and once-in-a-lifetime excursions along with some of the bluest water on earth. Greek Isle cruises offer a striking balance between popular attractions and seldom- visited ports.


Whether you have seven days, 12 days


or more, you’ll find just the right itinerary in our wide selection. Wander a brilliant- white maze of shops, restaurants, and homes to a breathtaking overlook. Stand in the same place as the greatest thinkers of all time. Sample flavourful cuisine at a taverna you’ll talk about for years to come. From ancient Athens to sun- dappled Mykonos, colourful Chania to the incredible Olympia, begin your adventure in the Greek Isles. Visit some of the world’s most influential


places. Marvel at the Temple of Athena Nike that was built around 420 BC. And that’s just the tip of the Acropolis. Explore archeological treasures, ruins and wonders on every sun-drenched island. On overnights, soak in Greek culture with lively dancing or a concert under the moonlight. Leave an hour or two each day on your Greece cruise to unwind, Greek-style and take in natural beauty and seascapes. Sit under a straw umbrella on a Santorini black-sand beach. Sip ouzu under a fuchsia bougainvillea tree. Watch the waves roll in and let your worries roll out. There’s nothing like it.


The port of Souda on the Aegean Sea


is home to a Greek and NATO naval base and is located six kilometeres (three miles) from Chania—the second-largest city on Crete, which itself is the largest of the Greek Islands. Once you’re in Chania, set your


compass for the historic waterfront with its famous Venetian Harbour dating to the 14th century. Walk along the breakwater


Cruise Bookings ‘Almost Double’ Following Lifting of Covid Protocols


CARNIVAL Cruise Line bookings nearly doubled on Monday (15 August) compared with the same day in 2019 after it announced on Friday (12 August) it was to ease its Covid-19 vaccination and testing protocols. The line removed the need for vaccinated guests to test prior to embarkation last Friday (12 August). Christine Duffy,


President of


Carnival Cruise Line said: “We have previously disclosed strong occupancy projections for the summer, and our bookings through the end of 2022 have also been very solid,” said . “With the further alignment of


to the restored 500-year-old lighthouse for views that are particularly photogenic from late afternoon until sunset. The atmospheric tangle of streets that is Old Town is easily explored on foot, and you can stop at one of the many outdoor cafés for a bouyatsa (custard pastry) or a glass of Cretan red wine.Soúda can also be a jumping-off point for a visit to Rethymnon, located about 54 kilometers (33 miles) to the east.


Katakolon (Olympia), Greece Piraeus (Athens), Greece


No modern metropolis is more steeped in myth than Athens, Greece. From the gritty port of Piraeus—gateway to Greece’s fabled isles—to the Parthenon—eternal symbol of Western civilisation—Athens has attracted adventurers and classicists for centuries. This heritage is still very much alive for modern visitors sightseeing in Athens: ancient stadiums and temples dwell alongside apartment blocks, modern performances are staged in the marble amphitheaters where Greek drama was born and millennia-old monuments are scattered in the archaeological park that circles the Acropolis. One of the world’s oldest maritime


powers, Athens is blessed with a balmy climate and stunning coastline. The seaside suburbs of Athens are scalloped with sandy beaches, fancy yacht clubs and glamorous beach bars.


Souda (Chania), Greece


The port of Katakolon is the gateway to the Peloponnese, one of Greece’s most intriguing and least well-known areas. Beyond the region’s famous site of ancient Olympia—one of the most treasured remnants of the classical world— the Peloponnese gets little of the glory given the Greek islands and Athens. And it deserves much more, as you’re about to discover. A distinctly Greek welcome can be


protocols to other vacation choices, our guests are booking the remaining 2022 inventory, and getting a head start planning for 2023. “Mid-August is typically not a busy month for cruise bookings, but it’s clear that pent-up demand for Carnival has not been satisfied and guests are responding very favourably to our updated protocols.”


WINDSTAR Cruises has launched a brand new Beach Fun & Sun: A Remote Caribbean Getaway for winter 2023 which features seven days on some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean including St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Barts, Anguilla, Jost Van Dyke (overnight), Virgin Gorda, and Tortola. The 4th November 2023 sailing will take place on Windstar’s all-suite Star Pride while the other eight departures are onboard the 342-guest classic sailing yacht, Wind Surf. Both yachts’ watersports platforms (which allow guests to jump from the yacht into the sea) will operate daily on these


Cruises’


President


Christopher Prelog. Our small yachts visit scenic Caribbean islands for a peaceful, relaxing holiday away from crowds.” Also new in the Caribbean


are Windstar’s first ever ex- Miami sailings in December 2022. The small ship cruise line recently relocated its offices to Miami from Seattle which makes the sailings particularly meaningful to


Windstar staff


and crew. Jungles & Jewels of the Central American Coast stops in Key West before heading to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, then returning to Miami with all-inclusive cruise only prices from £2,474 per person. The new Central America & the Panama Canal Revealed cruise brings


guests from


Miami to Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Costa


Rica Panama and with all-


inclusive cruise only prices from £2,870 per person. Starting January 2024, Windstar is


cruises, except for embarkation/ disembarkation days, so the sailings will be very much focused on beaches, swimming, watersports and snorkelling. Current


all-inclusive cruise


only prices start from £2,640 per person. Beach Fun & Sun can easily be combined with Windstar’s Classic Caribbean for a two-week cruise as the itineraries alternate and both depart from St. Maarten. Classic Caribbean includes stops in Dominica, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, and Nevis as well as a repeat in St. Barts. “We created this itinerary specifically for people who like to spend time enjoying some of the best tropical beaches, swimming and watersports activities,” said


introducing a new seven-day round trip Naturally Costa Rica itinerary from Puerto Caldera featuring inaugural calls in San Juan del Sur and Corinto in Nicaragua.


All-inclusive cruise


only fares start from £2,940 per person. This new cruise combines easily with a Windstar Panama Canal itinerary for a 14- day adventure in the region. Other returning Caribbean


itineraries include Windward Island Surfs & Sunsets, a seven- day roundtrip San Juan sailing up and down the Windward Islands; Windward Ways & Tobago Cays, sailing through the Windward and ABC Islands; and Yachtsman’s Caribbean, a classic voyage to the Caribbean’s private yachting scene.


Celebrate Milstone Anniversaries and Birthdays at Sea with a Group or Family Cruise


experienced here like nowhere else. The region reveals what it means to be Greek: traditions that go back thousands of years, simple but delicious and healthy cuisine, towering mountains, crystal blue seas and, above all, the true hospitality of the people. In Greek, xenos means “stranger,” but the word also means “guest,” and a respectful traveller will be treated like a favoured friend. For more information check on hollandamerica.com


THE opening up of international travel this summer has delivered an unexpected bonus for The Scenic Group – a dramatic increase in the company’s Groups business. Pent-up demand caused by pandemic lockdowns is thought to be behind much of the rise, with larger groups – either made up of family or friends – opting to splash out on bucket list cruises with both the operator’s Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises brands. “It’s been an unexpected


bonus for us,” said Scenic Group’s Director of Trade Sales Andrea Stafford.


business


“In fact, the rise in groups has made us look


again at how we treat that whole area of our operation. We have renewed our focus on groups and streamlined the entire booking process. “We’ve found this year that


there is huge interest in the weddings market, and also people


celebrating milestone


birthdays with family.” “Both Scenic and Emerald Cruises offer a range of exclusive excursions and experiences for clients looking


for


somet hi ng special,” explained


CRUISE IN COLOUR ANCIENT WONDERS AND ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXCURSIONS


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