54 | CRUISE NEWS


www.nitravelnews.com


May 2023


WITH many luxury and ultra-luxury cruise lines expecting a record number of passengers this summer, first-time cruisers are being offered top tips on making the most of their experience. More people than ever are considering switching up their usual holiday plans in favour of sailing the open seas. However,


cruising is unlike land-based


trips, and the extent of choice and information available often daunts holidaymakers when booking and embarking on their first journey afloat. Ahead of saying bon voyage and sipping cocktails in front of the breathtaking ocean views, first time cruisers are encouraged to pre-plan their trip,


carefully select their accommodation on-board and pack efficiently for their trip. Here are Panache Cruises’ first- time cruising tips to help holidaymakers navigate their way through their first booking: 1. Book through a specialist Consulting with a specialist cruise retailer will


massively benefit first-time cruisers because they have detailed knowledge of all the different service offerings. By offering a personalised service, they will take time to get to know ‘hopeful cruisers’ too. They will establish what best suits their taste and preferences in order to find the best ship for them. Cruise specialists have extensive knowledge of the industry and will be able to take the stress and hassle out of the finer elements. They can also assist with advance onboard bookings, like shore


excursions and dinner reservations, so there is less to worry about on arrival. A specialist cruise agent will also book your flights (if needed) and any hotel stays at the start or end of your holiday. 2. Consider a ‘no fly’ cruise Most first time cruises are unaware that many popular destinations could be served from ships that leave their local port. This negates the need to take a flight to join the ship. This has many advantages and takes a lot of stress out of the experience. Where long-haul flights are required to join a ship, always consider the effects of jet-lag. It is always sensible to arrive in your departure port a day early to help minimise the effects of long-haul travel. Even when taking short-haul flights, many people choose to arrive a day or two early to explore the port of departure and the surrounding Similarly, many people often


area.


extend their trip to explore the final destination on their cruise itinerary


before flying home. 3. Pre-plan your trip Organisation is key to making the most of a cruise trip,


so


holidaymakers are strongly encouraged to


plan in advance.


Those who book early will be the first to receive information and can get ‘first dibs’ on certain things. A range of activities and attractions will be on-board, so try pre-booking excursions and speciality dining reservations beforehand. If this is not possible, most cruise lines will also have a phone ‘app’, calendar, or planner which lists everything going on, thereby allowing people to


get ahead of the game. 4. Research the cruise line Different cruise lines offer very different


onboard experiences, from entertainment to dining. For example, Oceania is the world’s leading culinary and destination-focused cruise line. While some lines offer resort-style ships full of activities like mini golf and arcades, others are traditional and more relaxing. Different cruises will attract different people, so holidaymakers should think carefully about the experience and vibe they want. 5. Study cruise ports beforehand Unlike mainstream cruise lines, many shore-


excursions are included with luxury and ultra- luxury cruise lines, which is great for ‘new to cruise’ customers. Nonetheless, it is still important to research and book in advance. Cruise line tours can sometimes be expensive when not included in the fare, so don’t be afraid to research the ports and explore independent tours if this is the case. For more adventurous holidaymakers who are keen to avoid the crowds, researching the ports beforehand is key. Find out if there are buses or local transport in the area to help with DIY independent tours. Always be mindful of the ship’s departure time however when wandering off into unfamiliar


areas. To minimise risk, first-time cruisers might want to only book tours that are organised by the cruise line


as these are guaranteed to return before the ship is due to depart. Find out more about luxury cruising at https:// www.panachecruises.com


Swan Hellenic Announces Delivery of Expedition Ship


SWAN Hellenic have announced that it had taken delivery of SH Diana from the Helsinki Shipyard on Friday the 31st of March, and that its newest and largest ship is en-route in the Baltic and will pass the through the Kiel Canal.


SH Diana is now sailing to Palermo for her


inaugural cultural expedition cruise, the ten- night Mysteries of Carthage and the Moors, which will take her guests to explore some of the most fascinating locations in North Africa before crossing the “Pillars of Hercules” to Seville and Lisbon. Departing Lisbon on the 25th of April, the nine-night Historic Ports of the Western Seaboard will see her hugging the coasts of Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to reach Amsterdam. Here on the 4th of May, a Christening Ceremony


with US luxury travel industry icon Valerie Wilson as godmother will take place naming SH Diana in the traditional manner with a modern twist, sending her on her way in style to cruises of the Scandinavian fjords and a full Arctic season. “We’re delighted to have taken delivery of this


exceptionally beautiful and versatile new 5-star vessel,” said Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito. “As the largest ship in our fleet, she is the first to be outfitted with large tender boats as well as expedition zodiacs, offering guests a wide variety of extraordinary in-depth experiences seeing


what others don’t.”


Emerald Cruises Heads ‘Below Deck’ with New Celebrity Chef


American Cruise Lines Announces Newest Coastal Cat


AMERICAN Cruise Lines has announced that construction has begun on American Legend, the 4th new Coastal Cat in the company’s Project Blue series. First announced in January 2022, the Project Blue series is a set of 12 small ships designed to sail almost any US cruise itinerary. The 100-guest American Legend is built for coastal operation and features the innovative new hull design that is a hallmark of the series. All of American’s new Coastal Cats are being built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD. The first three ships in the series, American Eagle, American Glory and American Liberty, are scheduled to begin sailing in the next twelve months. American Legend will begin cruising the US in late 2024 and is the 19th new small ship in American’s fleet.


American Cruise Lines has grown substantially in the past several years and has led the resurgence of the river


cruise market in the US. In just the past five years, the company has nearly tripled its fleet by introducing innovative new


small ships. The


company is the only cruise line in the world to operate a 100% US flagged fleet of both riverboats and small cruise ships, and the only cruise line in the US to offer 100% US itineraries along both rivers and coasts. American Legend, like its sister ships, will feature many amenities including 56 staterooms and suites, each with a furnished private balcony. The nimble go-anywhere ship will also offer spacious lounges inside and out, an open-air top deck for spectacular views, and multiple dining venues. The ship’s unique hull form also allows for a wide activity platform at the stern equipped with kayaks, and a large tender for in-depth adventure directly from the ship. For further information call American Cruise Lines on 0800 021 3172, email sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk or visit www.americancruiselines.com


EMERALD Cruises will be


welcoming celebrity chef, Ben Robinson on board for two culinary-themed sailings on its 100-guest luxury yachts, Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara in 2023 and 2024. Chef Robinson, best known as


the executive private yacht chef on from TV’s Below Deck, will bring his distinctive culinary style to two, eight- day sailings. The first sailing, onboard Emerald Cruises’ Coastal Gems of Italy and Croatia tour, departs Venice on 28 October 2023, and the second, the Hidden Charms of the Caribbean itinerary, departs San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 2 March 2024. Chef Robinson is accomplished on both land and sea. He worked under Italian master chefs in Florence and gained an apprenticeship at the three-Michelin Star restaurant, The Fat Duck in Berkshire. Ben was a head chef on yachts for more than ten years, including the largest sailing yacht in the world. He is well known for his appearances on Below Deck and Below Deck Mediterranean, both runaway hits on Bravo TV, followed by


Netflix UK. At the evening welcome


reception that kicks off each sailing, guests will meet the chef himself and enjoy a signature cocktail. During the onboard cooking demonstrations,


Chef Robinson


will share his creations, made with locally sourced ingredients, and share cooking tips during an interactive Q&A session. He will also lead guests on onshore excursions to add his insights and flair to the experience. He will also design three customised dinner menus, which will be served in the yachts’ exclusive onboard dining room, La Cucina. “As you can imagine I’m a huge


fan of yacht cruising, so when I learned about Emerald Cruises’ beautiful, modern yachts, I knew I wanted to cook on board. It’s a natural fit for me,” said Chef Robinson. “I look forward to sharing my passion for food with the guests and exploring the culinary traditions of these regions together.” For more information, visit www. emeraldcruises.co.uk.


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