September/October 2024
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ADULT-ONLY CRUSING | 51
Greece to Impose €20 Tax on Cruise Ship Visitors
The Best Adult-Only Cruises...
ADULTS-ONLY cruises are a great option for those looking for a child-free and hassle-free holiday. Even for those with children, taking some much- needed alone time is a great way to self-care. And others without children enjoy booking an adult- only cruise as it guarantees a calm, relaxing atmosphere on board. The popularity of adult cruises has grown in
recent years. Google Trends data shows a 66% increase in the search “adult cruise” for the first week of August 2024 compared to 2023, according to Iglu Cruise With that being said, the team at Iglu Cruise
has revealed some of the best cruise lines that currently offer adult-only itineraries. Virgin Voyages Virgin Voyages is renowned for its adults-only getaways, with all its cruise ships catering for adults aged 18 and over. Even if you have children, they believe that everyone deserves some time on their own to relax and enjoy a child-free holiday. Whilst all the cruises are child-free, Virgin Voyages encourages guests to let their “inner child” run free whilst sailing. They have designed their cruise ships with this in mind, with all their facilities focused on the needs and wants of an adult-only cruise. This includes the Redemption Spa (with a mud room, salt room, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, and heated marble hammam benches), a state-of-the-art gym, a well-being pool, hot tubs, shows and events, over 20 onboard restaurants and plenty of bars. You’ll also find a two-storey, three-bar nightclub onboard, meaning guests can truly let their hair down. Virgin Voyages has also stepped away from a traditional cruise ship design with a modern contemporary feel, completed with high-end world-class dining and luxurious interior design throughout the ships. It’s also worth noting that dining, wifi, gratuities, soft drinks (including juices, tea and coffee) are all included in the price of your cruise. There are no drinks packages, however,
for alcoholic drinks,
passengers can add money to a bar tab in advance. Ambassador Cruise Line Ambassador Cruises is another cruise line that
predominantly operates as adults only. They do have a few multi-generational cruises, where children are welcome, during the school holiday period, however, this is limited. Ambassador ships are much smaller than some other cruise
lines, meaning adults can enjoy a child-free cruise with the guarantee for a relaxing stay. The cruise line has a strong focus on
quality, and top-notch service, offering a more traditional cruise experience. Their target market is mainly for those aged 50 plus, however, adults of any age are free to enjoy an Ambassador cruise on one of their two ships; Ambience and Ambition. Whilst onboard, guests can enjoy a range
of facilities including two swimming pools, hot tubs, The Palladium (where you can watch a variety of shows and entertainment), 11 lounges and bars and fine dining restaurants, including speciality restaurants for an extra price. Marella Cruises Whilst Marella Cruise Line isn’t exclusively child-free, one of their ships, Marella Explorer 2, is reserved for adults only.
couples or
Designed for singles, even groups
of friends, this ship has everything you could want for a child-free holiday and it’s perfect for those looking for plenty of activities during their cruise.
With ten bars and nine
restaurants onboard, the food and drink is highly
regarded as some of the best on the sea. A stand-out is the Indigo Bar and Casino, a three-in-one venue giving guests the choice to relax with a drink from the
feature bar, join in on the dance floor, or test their luck on the slot machines or card tables. At the Broadway Show Lounge, you can also watch a range of exciting shows, complete with waiter service. In terms of facilities, you’ll find a main pool and four whirlpool baths for relaxing in the bubbles. There are many sunbeds located around the ship to soak up the sun or simply watch the world sail by. For golf fans, there is also a mini-golf course located on the ship. If you’re travelling alone or thinking about taking a solo holiday, a Marella cruise on the Marella Explorer 2 is a
great option.
Solo travellers are well looked after, with scheduled events bringing everyone together. Solo guests also receive a letter in their cabin from the Social Hostess with information about all of the solo events taking place. Mediterranean destinations are popular
for a Marella Cruise, with ports such as Dubrovnik, Split, Kotor, Corfu, Sicily and Athens found on many itineraries. . P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises has two ships which are exclusively adult-only; Aurora and Arcadia. These ships offer itineraries around the world, including Europe, Asia, Australia, North America and more. The ships offer a fantastic wealth of stunning bars and ambient lounges. Lazing back at Anderson’s in front of the traditional fireplace, you’ll simply melt into the cosy atmosphere of this laid-back bar. Alternatively,
if you’re in the mood for
celebrating, Charlie’s elegant champagne bar is the place to go, with its sparkling design and glitzy colour. Carmen’s is the central hub for live entertainment onboard. Here, the show lounge will provide you with countless memories of evening comedy or sophisticated cabaret. After the shows are over, the stage is cleared for a dance floor to dance the rest of the night away. The Curzon Theatre on the Promenade Deck has the feel
of a traditional, Shakespearian
theatre, yet behind the scenes is all the latest technology bringing the very best West End-style performances you’ve seen. As guests wander the decks they’ll find the chefs cultivating a huge array of dishes for every craving. From a freshly cooked breakfast on deck at The Orangery, to Café Bordeaux Bistro created by Marco Pierre White, the Aurora has a great array of eateries. In the evenings, the Alexandria and Medina
restaurants offer fine dining in exquisite surroundings with sumptuous food.
Norway Sets Zero Emission Deadline for Cruise Ships
SPEAKING at a press conference, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the country will impose measures to help take control of over- tourism in the region. A €20 levy can be expected for cruise visitors to popular Greek islands, Santorini and Mykonos; this can be expected during peak holiday time during the Summer season. Despite tourism being a main driver of economy in the country, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said “Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions”. However, he did insist that it is only certain destinations that are experiencing this issue. The government also plans to monitor the number of cruise ships arriving at the popular
holiday destination during the same periods to help curb over-tourism.
MSC Cruises Announce New Outdoor Space in World America
MSC Cruises has revealed the exciting attractions
await guests in The Harbour, a brand-new revolutionary outdoor space on MSC World America, specially designed for kids and families to gather, play and relax together. MSC World America is set to launch in April 2025 and will invite guests to discover a new world of cruising with a range of new and reimagined venues and concepts tailored specifically to the U.S. market. The crowning glory of the ships’ Family Aventura
district, The Harbour is a brand-new outdoor park thoughtfully designed to connect guests to the ocean and offer families an outdoor oasis.
NORWAY has revealed plans to implement strict zero-emission regulations for the cruise industry to safeguard its fjords. Here are the key points: From 2026, small vessels up to 10,000 GT must
incorporate zero-emission technology to navigate the fjords and coastal routes. Larger cruise ships have until 2032 to comply with the regulations. The government acknowledges that it will take time for the largest ships in Norway to meet the requirements. Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, the climate and
environment minister, emphasized the goal of preserving the stunning fjords and promoting sustainable tourism. The zero-emission mandate aims to drive technological advancements, reduce emissions, and maintain the appeal of the World Heritage fjords as tourist destinations. The regulations include using alternative fuels
like biogas for smaller vessels and the capability to connect to shore power. Norway boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including several fjords.
and experiences that will
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