DESTINATIONS CRUISE | MEDITERRANEAN
TRIED & BELLISSIMA MSC
With everything from tapas inspired by Michelin-starred chef Ramon Freixa, to racing car simulators and Cirque du Soleil shows, MSC Bellissima is a ship for all ages. As glamorous as its Italian
godmother Sophia Loren, the vessel holds more than 5,600 passengers and sparkles with Swarovski staircases that cost more than £1.5 million each. There are inside, outside
and balcony cabins that can be combined into one living space for up to 10 people, as well as suites set over two levels. There’s also a Yacht Club with a private sundeck, pool, lounge and restaurant, where passengers are attended by butlers. A two-storey boulevard
has bars, shops, cafes and restaurants, including a steakhouse and Japanese teppanyaki bar. Clients feeling dazzled
by the choice can ask Zoe, a virtual cruise assistant in all cabins. ‘She’ speaks seven languages and can do everything from checking bills to advising on the best restaurants in town.
TESTED
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Champneys spa on Marella Explorer 2; solarium on Celebrity Edge; Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery; aquapark on Norwegian Epic PICTURES: Michel Verdure; Susan Seubert
rock climbing walls, mini golf, pools and play areas for babies and children.
Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, meanwhile, have daredevil water slides on ships sailing from Barcelona this summer. Norwegian Epic’s trio of flumes includes the Epic Plunge, a 200ft flume that pitches riders into a giant bowl, while Disney Magic has the AquaDunk, as well as character breakfasts, parties and shows to enthral even the coolest kids. When it launches in October, Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess will have play areas for kids and teens, a poolside cinema and free popcorn during evening shows. There’ll also be a Sanctuary hideaway for parents, and family suites where mum, dad and the kids can spread out. It’s sailing two voyages in the Mediterranean, then heading off to the US.
GOOD FOR GROWN UPS The Med isn’t just about kids though. Marella Explorer 2 joined Marella Cruises’ fleet in April and is sailing adult- only cruises round-trip from Naples this summer. The ship isn’t new but has been completely ‘Marella-ised’ in a massive refurbishment. Among the new features are a golf-themed clubhouse
bar, beach barbecue-themed The Beach Cove and Nonna’s, which serves made-to-order pizzas, as well as new champagne bar Flutes and a Champneys spa. Saga Cruises’ new Spirit of Discovery, reserved
48 20 JUNE 2019
Sky Princess will have play
areas for kids and teens, a poolside cinema and free popcorn during evening shows
for the over-50s, launches in July and sails to the Mediterranean in autumn, visiting Spain, France and Italy on voyages from Southampton. Flamenco dance lessons, Spanish lessons and cooking demos with celebrity chef Kevin Woodford are among the highlights of the 18-night Chic Mediterranean itinerary, departing October 17.
LOOKING AHEAD There’s lots more to look forward to in 2020, as Carnival Cruise Lines returns to the Med after a 12-month break. Carnival Legend is sailing nine to 12-day cruises
between Barcelona and Venice from July to October, while Carnival Radiance is visiting Italy, France, Croatia, Greece, Malta and Spain on three cruises from April to June. The ship, currently sailing as Carnival Victory, will be fresh out of the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz with a new water park and tightropes. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn is making
its European debut in 2020 with seven to 11-day
travelweekly.co.uk
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