Cruise News
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! By Editor Simon Veness
The dawn of 2013 marks another major milestone in the history and progress of World of Cruising magazine – our 15th anniversary, and a chance to look back on 15 years of being Europe’s premier cruise publication. Since our inception in 1998, we have provided an unparalleled array of stories, features and reviews, with an in-depth style and high-quality writing that sets us apart in the publishing world today. We firmly believe we have the best stable of contributors, with an award-winning line-up from the likes of Gary Buchanan, Jo Foley, John Honeywell (aka Captain Greybeard), Doug Parker, Yvonne Horn, Michael DeFreitas, Peter Newall, Steven B Stern, Anna Selby, Steve Newman, Guy Mansell and many, many more. And, from this edition, we also welcome Stewart Chiron, otherwise known as The Cruise Guy, into the fold as our new columnist for the Aft View section. Over the years, we have brought you the latest News, Reviews and Previews, the World of Spas, and an array of opinion and insight second to none, along with original features like our Passenger Perspectives, Destination Focus pieces and the best-read Readers Letters section in the industry. If our readers write in, the cruise lines take notice! Our annual Cruise Planner (also in this issue) has become an industry standard and is now copied elsewhere – but never equalled. We have also expanded in recent years to provide our own website –
www.worldofcruising.co.uk – a busy Blog site – http://timespentatsea.
blogspot.com – and a keenly followed Twitter account, www.
twitter.com/worldofcruising. All in all, it amounts to an unrivalled
approach to this amazing business, which now stretches further and further around the globe, with more ships in more places than ever before. So make sure you stay with us as we take you on another world cruise adventure – into 2013, and beyond!
Reflection of Quality B
By Contributing Editor Gary Buchanan
The last of the acclaimed quintet of Solstice-class ships from CELEBRITY CRUISES is pitch-perfect. Much has been written about these vessels’ ground-breaking design as well as the enhancements that have been a feature of each successive new build.
ut few industry observers who sailed on a showcase cruise in October were left in any doubt that
Celebrity Reflection had raised the bar once again.
Not only has a whole deck of accommoda- tions in a variety of grades been added, a private aerie has been created on Deck 14 that includes five Signature Suites and a sublime Reflection Suite. The most notable feature of the suites in this enclave is their airiness, with ceilings soaring one and a half decks high. The Signature Suites offer 441sq ft of personal space as well as a 118sq ft veranda and come complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and verandas with whirlpools. Each of the five suites can accommodate four guests and has dedicated butler service. The one-off Reflection Suite, spanning 1,636 sq ft, is simply sensational. This is the first two-bedroom for Celebrity Cruises and is grabbing the headlines with its distinctive bathroom with glass shower perched above the sea – and nestled two decks above the navigation bridge. “Guests can enjoy breathtaking sea views while discretely showering courtesy of the
10 WORLD OF CRUISING I Winter 2012-13
special reflective glass panels that encase the shower,” explained the company’s senior vice-president of hotel operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. Indeed, the reflective ‘smart glass’ instantly transforms from transparent to translucent at the flick of a switch so guests can refresh under the powerful rain-shower by day and night with complete discretion.
Apart from this outré feature, the New
York-based designers BG Studio International have created an indulgent living space that includes a ten-seat dining table, commodious lounge with baby grand piano and an elegant wet-bar. In the bedroom, the Reverie mattress has a massage programme for the ultimate in relaxation. The 10ft-high floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views, as does the 194sq ft wraparound veranda. Taking their first peek at this, the coolest accommodation yet offered by Celebrity Cruises, the pundits agreed this lavish suite boasts artistic grace and refined glamour that spans the lexicon of decadent design. Little wonder it has sold-out for the first season of cruises. More info:
www.celebritycruises.co.uk.
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