DESTINATIONS — CRUISE
Indian wonders
Jane Archer takes a look at cruising in the Indian Ocean
E S
un, sea and sand are synonymous with the
Caribbean, but what if your client has been to the West Indies and wants something different? Consider the Indian Ocean, an area that offers everything from the ‘three Ss’ to cultural excursions and big-game safaris. However, the presence of Somali pirates in certain areas had stopped the region becoming a firm fixture on the cruise map. There is one exception. Costa Cruises has operated a winter programme in the region since launching round-trip voyages from Port Louis in Mauritius in 2007, with a break between 2012 and 2014. Now, however, as Nato patrols appear to have got the piracy under control, other companies
are starting to dip their toe in the Indian Ocean’s waters. Voyages to Antiquity has
introduced Indian Ocean cruises for next winter, while Holland America Line and Fred Olsen will be passing through the region in 2015 and 2016. Greek-owned small-ship line
Variety Cruises, meanwhile, has been offering island-hopping tours in the Seychelles for the past 18 months (see box).
The Indian Ocean is the world’s
third-largest sea, stretching from South Africa in the west to Australia in the east. However, cruise lines’ Indian Ocean sailings generally focus on an area that takes in the eastern side of the Cape and the island nations of Mauritius, Seychelles, the Maldives, Madagascar and the Comores, as well as India itself.
The area still includes a hugely
diverse collection of attractions. In South Africa, clients can take a big-game safari – Addo Elephant Park and Hluhluwe Game Reserve are accessible on day trips from Port Elizabeth and Richards Bay respectively – while those cruising around India can enjoy the cultural explosion that is Mumbai or visit the Kerala backwaters from Cochin.
In Sri Lanka, there are tours of
the temple at Kandy and to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, while Mauritius has beaches and the bustling capital of Port Louis. Madagascar is famous for beaches and biodiversity, with its wildlife highlights including lemurs, chameleons and sea turtles, as well as giant baobab trees, orchids and pristine rainforest. Costa has introduced ‘slow’
cruises from Port Louis for this winter on board neoClassica, the former Costa Classica, which is the latest vessel to join its neo ship collection. These pack in fewer ports, so passengers have more time to see the sights at the top destinations, as well as offering small-group excursions and onboard cuisine that reflects the places the ships are visiting. Costa neoClassica is operating 14-night itineraries from Port Louis this month and next, and then again from December to February 2016. The cruises will spend two nights in Mahé in the Seychelles, and also visit Nosy Be, Diego Suarez and Tamatave in Madagascar, and St Denis in Réunion. Voyages to Antiquity is making its South Africa and Indian Ocean debut in November
15 January 2015 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 71
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