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A huge fleet of attractive, large, modern ships with all the amenities of a contemporary resort. The brand, one of the best for families, has five main styles. The oldest duo are used mainly for the short-cruise market as they lack some of the latest creature comforts and have smallish cabins, although both have been extensively refurbished. The six Vision-class ships (in pairs) brought in a new era of contemporary design and facilities and the Voyager quintet then added an amazing range of unique facilities (like rock-climbing walls and ice rinks) and even more choice. The Radiance quartet offer a slightly classier alternative to an already consistent product, with some of the best features of the Vision and Voyager ships. The massive Freedom-class went on to include surf- pools, water parks and other innovative facilities and are as much a destination in themselves as anywhere they go. The advent of the truly gigantic Oasis of the Seas in 2009 and sister Allure a year later add a whole new dimension to their slick ‘city-at-sea’ concept, with a positively futuristic array of features and amenities, including a unique ‘neighbourhood’ concept of big, open public spaces like the al fresco Central Park, lively Boardwalk (with its Aqua Theater) and massive Royal Promenade (complete with ‘floating’ bar). The dining choice on these two is also among the best at sea for any of the Resort-style vessels, rivalled only by NCL’s Norwegian Epic. Royal Caribbean also allow flexible dining with their My Choice option, which provides pre-booked dining in the main dining rooms any time between 6 and 9.30pm (as well as the choice of multiple alternatives on all the mega-ships). Operating to all the main cruise destinations, including Hawaii, Alaska, northern Europe and the Med, Mexico, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Canada & New England, South America, Dubai and the Middle East, Bermuda and year-round in the Caribbean. Independence operates out of Southampton to Spain, Portugal, the Canaries and Western Med with a more British onboard flavour for much of the year. Gratuities not included. www.royalcaribbean.com/co.uk


SAGA CRUISES Ship


Saga Ruby Saga Pearl II Saga Sapphire


SEABOURN CRUISE LINE Ship


Seabourn Pride, Spirit, Legend


Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn, Quest


Rating Type 6*


Boutique 6*-Plus Boutique


SR


Dining Tonnage P / C 48.07 Open 10,000 208/164 71.11 Open 32,000 450/335


Outstanding small deluxe ships, with the larger trio serving as the new benchmark for boutique cruising. Seabourn has consistently high service levels, something other lines have sought to emulate. The original trio are small Grande Hotels at sea, with exceptional cuisine and service but low-key entertainments, as befits their style. The arrival of Odyssey and her sisters (2009-11) added a significant extra element of opulent sea-going refinement, offering even greater onboard sophistication, highlighted by a 2-deck Health Spa, even more lavish suites and four superb dining choices. And, although the extra size increased passenger capacity more than 100 per cent, Seabourn succeeded in maintaining the same elegant, personal service, while increasing the amount of individual space aboard to one of the highest in the world. Their worldwide winter programmes take in the Far East, India, Arabia, Africa, the Caribbean and South America, with summers spent in Europe, plus an annual World Cruise and Grand Voyages from 26-90 days. Packaged with tax, flights and drinks. Gratuities included in fare. www.seabourn.com


SEA CLOUD CRUISES Traditional sail-cruising doesn’t come more eye-catching or


Ship Sea Cloud Sea Cloud II Rating Type


5*-Plus Classic 5*-Plus Classic


SR Dining Tonnage P / C


39.56 Open 2,532 44.75 Open 3,849


64/60 86/60


Rating Type


4*-Plus Classic 4*-Plus Classic 5*


Classic SR Dining Tonnage P / C


38.16 One 25,000 655/380 41.68 One 18,591 446/252 52.80 One 37,301 706/560


Quest for Adventure 4*-Plus Adventure 41.68 One 18,591 446/252


The holiday company primarily for the over-50s specialises in breathing elegant, new life into older vessels like Saga Ruby (ex-Vistafjord and Caronia of Cunard), the heavily refurbished Saga Pearl II (switching from the Adventure brand in November 2013, and formerly the 1981-built Astoria), and Saga Sapphire, the former stylish Europa of Hapag-Lloyd from 1981-1999 that most recently operated as Bleu de France for Pullmantur. Onboard style is low-key but elegant, with good lecture programmes and thoughtful, well-organised shore excursions. Most cruises are ex- UK, sailing from Southampton or Dover. Dining is good quality in one leisurely sitting, and there is always a buffet alternative, while Sapphire adds even more choice with an alternative Indian/ Asian fine-dining option. All three tour the Med, northern Europe and Greenland in summer while travelling further afield in the autumn and winter, to the Canaries, Caribbean and Africa, with Ruby on her final season for Saga in 2013 with a grand 109-night World Cruise. New Northern Lights cruises are a feature in February and March. The ‘Adventure’ brand will be phased out in late 2013 as Quest for Adventure transitions back to Saga Pearl II, but this is currently a completely different proposition, sailing with a more small-scale, expedition-orientated style and onboard programme around Europe, the Black Sea and Middle East, plus, in autumn and winter, the Caribbean, Amazon and Africa, albeit still with high-quality dining and service, and including tailor-made shore excursions and wine with lunch and dinner. Gratuities are included.


www.sagacruises.com Winter 2012-13 I WORLD OF CRUISING 89


genuine than this pair of luxury tall ships. The original Sea Cloud dates back to 1931 and has been beautifully and lovingly maintained and updated over the years, while Sea Cloud II was an updated version in 2001. Cabins range from large suites to small 2-berth cabins but all are beautifully furnished and well equipped. Onboard style is casual and relaxed (with a couple of more formal dinners per cruise), with the emphasis on convivial social gatherings and destination discussions. In the Caribbean in winter and in the Med and Baltic in summer, Sea Cloud Cruises is a German line but with fully bi-lingual voyages and high-quality continental cuisine, plus a river-cruise arm with River Cloud II on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Gratuities not included. www.seacloud.com


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