NEWS Q&A
Q. Where else can guests experience
Barbadian food on Arvia and Britannia? A. We will be doing a range of events, from supper clubs to cooking lessons.
with...Sophie Michell
The Barbados-based chef will be on board P&O Cruises’ Arvia and Britannia for A Taste of Barbados, a new culinary experience for passengers on Caribbean fly-cruises until March
Q. Which part of the experience most excites you? A. I’m excited about seeing the guests on the ships discover the local ingredients and dishes that the chefs [Adrian Cumberbatch and Damian Leach, plus mixologist Shane McClean] and I are making on board. One of the most exciting parts of my family and me moving to Barbados was discovering so many amazing ingredients on the island, so this is going to be fantastic for passengers too.
Q. How will guests be able to meet you on board? A. I will be in The Cookery Club restaurant on Britannia, cooking and serving the food, so there’ll be full-on interaction with passengers from start to finish. I love meeting people and I’m so proud of Barbados and what it has to offer. We’ll have one big old party each weekend!
Traditional dress, Papua New Guinea
Swan Hellenic to launch
first Asia-Pacific sailings Swan Hellenic has revealed details of its first sailings in Asia, departing in April and May 2026. Agents can choose from four culture- focused itineraries on flagship Minerva. The 13-night Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea
Britannia
We will even have our own area in the buffet, so it’s accessible for all passengers.
Q. What’s your favourite Barbadian dish? A. I love all the food here! The soups and stews with dumplings are the ultimate comfort food. The ‘cutters’ are the best: soft white buns with thickly cut ham and cheese, or fried fish and hot sauce.
Q. What do you hope guests will take away from it? A. I hope they love the mini immersion into the culture and food, the energy and love that goes into our gorgeous sun filled island.
cruise will sail through the remote Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, where clients can see the region’s volcanic landscape up-close through caldera hikes and reef snorkelling. Two other itineraries, Secrets of the Coral Triangle and the Last Paradise on Earth, take in Indonesia’s colourful Raja Ampat archipelago, while the Philippines to Japan Cultural Crossover sailing explores those island nations. Mario Bounas, managing director at Swan Hellenic, said: “We have had fantastic demand for our Asia Pacific routes.”
Cruise gives Scotland £343m boost
The cruise industry generated £343 million in economic output in Scotland in 2023, a report commissioned by Clia has found. As well as stepping off the ship to experience the highlands and islands, an increasing number of passengers are choosing to start or end their journeys in Scottish ports such as Dundee, spending on overnight stays. The report also revealed the cruise sector supported 4,712 jobs across a range
of sectors that year, delivering £145 million in wages. i Scottish Isles cruise: Grand Voyage, page 18
6 October 2025
travelweekly.co.uk/cruise
PICTURE: Unsplash/Bob Brewer
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