DE-LUXE DESTINATIONS
De-Luxe Destinations - Luxury Travel Magazine
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DE-LUXE DESTINATIONS | |||||
| Complied by: Caroline Gladstone, Helen Hayes, Merry Kirkwood, David McGonical and Maggie Oelbeck, Issue 32 – Spring 2007 | |||||
| (Kimberley – Australia; Yasawa Isles – Fiji; Corinth Canal, Riviera, Alamfi Coast, Mt Etna – Mediterranean; cross the Atlantic; Caribbean Isles; European Waterways; Antarctica) | |||||
| FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO CRUISE, LUXURY CAN BE FOUND IN NOT-TO-BE-MISSED DESTINATIONS, AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. TRY THESE FOR SIZE… | |||||
| Expedition Excellence | |||||
| There is no greater spiritual awakening than the Kimberley, in Australia’s northwest. A cruise through this difficult to access corner of the planet opens up never dreamt of horizons. Here, colours are so vivid they defy belief – vermilion reds, deep ochres and umbers - all eloquently echoed in aboriginal art. There are also the mighty tides which feed highly-prized South Sea pearls, plunging waterfalls, and silky-white sandy beaches. Couple these life-enriching images with informative shore excursions, on-board lectures and the camaraderie of fellow travellers. Ship and Line: Orion Cruises or Coral Princess, www.orioncruises.com.au, www.coralprincess.com.au, | |||||
| Fabuous Fiji | |||||
| Cruising in the Yasawa Islands is a lovely combination of divine scenery and that wonderful concept known as ‘Fiji Time’. Decision-making and deadlines seem to melt away as your vessel cuts through the brilliant blue water en route to a private palm-fringed island. Will you snorkel in the shallows, or snooze until lunchtime seem to be the only question that needs addressing. The friendly Fijian crew have dropped anchor, mixed the cocktails, set up the beach barbecue and are tuning their guitars for a bit of a singalong. Ship and Line: Mystique Princess, Blue Lagoon Cruises, www.bluelagooncruises.com, Others worthy of consideration: Captain Cook Cruises. | |||||
| Under Sail | |||||
| Sometimes it’s all about wind power. A cruise on Star Flyer is like being aboard a large private yacht. You have full run of the ship, can help hoist the sails and even climb the masts. Others, like me, may prefer to relax in the huge widow’s nets that are strung out over the ocean on each side of the ship from the bow sprit. The ship sails off into the sunset, riding the high seas at night while you dine in the cosy restaurant or sit out on deck under balmy skies. When you wake in the morning you’ll discover the ship has pulled into a quiet bay, which is yours for the day. Ship and Line: Star Flyer, Star Clippers, www.starclippers.com. | |||||
| Mediterranean Masterpieces | |||||
| You have to be small to squeeze through the Corinth canal. This is just one memorable moment of small-ship sailing amid the Mediterranean’s ancient landscapes, exploring the art, antiquities, and lifestyles of its diverse cultures. The Riviera is seductive, so is the spellbinding beauty of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, while Greece’s mysterious mythology and island jewels exceed expectations. Watching Etna belching fire and brimstone into the Sicilian sky, strolling among the stones of Ephesus, and marveling at Istanbul’s many mosques are all equally memorable. Ship and Line: Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn, www.seabourn.com. Also worthy of consideration: Silversea, www.silversea.com, | |||||
| Atlantic Crossings | |||||
| A Trans-Atlantic crossing is one of life’s ‘must dos’. Once upon a time you could cruise out and fly Concorde back, now you get a chance to experience it in queenly style aboard QM2, the last of the legendary ocean liners to be built. Nothing equals the drama of sailing into New York Harbour with its skyscrapers lit up by the dawn light and the Staute of Liberty waving you in. Heart-stopping stuff. Ship and Line: Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line www.cunardline.com | |||||
| Caribbean Capers | |||||
| The islands of the Caribbean lie strewn like gems dropped by fleeing pirates. They lie in a 4000km arc from southern Florida to northeastern Venezuela. Calypso, reggae, steel bands and Mexican mariachi only skim the surface of the exotic sounds, rhythms and spectacle of the Caribbean. Fold in colourful architecture, lashings of rum and spices and a dash of Curacao, stir, and you have the perfect cruise destination. Then fill a pirate’s treasure chest with booty - diamonds, gold, emeralds – from numerous duty-free outlets on almost every island. But the real treasure lies in the loveliness of the less-frequented islands with their lush vegetation, pristine beaches, and quiet coves. All the big cruise companies are here: Holland America Line, Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and others. | |||||
| Barge Beauties | |||||
| Seldom sylph-like, most barges are workhorses of European waterways. Some however, have been beautifully refitted for those who like in the intimate delights of canal cruising. For example you can cruise the outlying islands of the Venice lagoon then cruises up the Brenta canal – much as burchiellos would once have transported Venetian nobles to the gorgeous villas that line the canal. This was the playground of the Venetians in the 16th century. Visit elegant Palladian villas; the amazing Villa Pisani, and marvel at amazing art works, gardens and statuary. On board you dine like a doge on Veneto regional specialties prepared by your personal chef. For European Barging visit Outdoor Travel www.outdoortravel.com.au, Worthy of consideration: La Dolce Barge, Canals of France, www.canalsoffrance.com | |||||
| Family Fun | |||||
| You like pamper-perfect cruising, but also want to take your kids along? Do you curtail the luxury and go for the mega-ships with rock climbing walls and ice rinks, or go for caviar and champagne but no kids-club? Boutique cruise lines such as Silversea, Seabourn and Seadream Yacht Club welcome children on board, but don’t have special facilities to keep them entertained. Larger luxury cruise lines Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises encourage families, and have extensive programs for kids on selected sailings. In Australia, Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess will offer fully fledged kids facilities when she arrives in November for her first season. Disney Cruise Line is the perfect fairytale balance between luxury and child-friendly. As for destinations, look for multi-destinational, short-hop itineraries, rather than cruises with endless days at sea such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and South Pacific are wise choices. There are also many barging companies that can have your family ensconsed on a beautiful barge on a tranquil European canal, Princess Cruise; Disney Cruise Line www.princess.com; www.disney.com. | |||||
| Frozen Beauties | |||||
| Antarctica is not only a wildly beautiful icescape of incredible grandeur and populated by some of the most endearing creatures on earth, it’s so untouched that merely visiting it lifts your soul. The prevalent expedition ships are warm and comfortable – as they’d need to be for the price – but stop well short of luxury. There are some large cruise ships visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, but you won’t set foot ashore. If you want to really explore Antarctica in true luxury, including Zodiac cruises amongst icebergs and walking around penguin colonies, as well as visiting the haunts of explorers of the Heroic Age, the only Australian operator who does that is Orion Expedition Cruises, www.orioncruises.com.au. The voyages often fill more than a year in advance. | |||||
| ON THE HORIZON | |||||
| - Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, Carnival Splendor is set to debut in July 2008 with Carnival’s first-ever Northern European cruise program, www.carnivalcruiselines.com | |||||
| - Cunard has launched its 2008 program, featuring the inaugural season of its newest liner, 90,000-tonne Queen Victoria, as well as itineraries for Queen Mary 2, and the Queen Elizabeth 2. The maiden season for the Queen Victoria, will start with all three Queens spectacularly meeting in New York Harbour on January 13, 2008 for a ‘Royal Rendezvous’, www.cunardline.com | |||||
| - Crystal Harmony, from Crystal Cruises will move through Australian waters next February as part of its 108-day World Cruise – called Majestic Harmony, www.crystalcruises.com or Wiltrans, 02 9265 7100. - Holland America Line will name its new 2,044-passenger Signature-Class ship ms Eurodam. It will be delivered in mid 2008, and marks a new stage of luxury development for the cruise line, www.traveltheworld.com.au | |||||
| - From December 2007, True North adventurers can join artist Larry Mitchell on a new ‘discovery cruise’ to the Louisiade Archipelago (which runs south from the tip of PNG’s main island), www.northstarcruises.com.au | |||||
| - With three ships located in Europe in 2008, Oceania will offer 54 European itineraries including calls at St Tropez, St Petersburg, the Greek Isles and Scandinavia, www.oceaniacruises.com.au | |||||
| - Orion Expedition Cruises have released details of fresh cruises to two new destinations: Lord Howe Island and New Zealand, with early cruises departing from October 2008, www.orion.com.au | |||||
| - Princes Cruises will base its 77,000-tonne Sun Princess in Australia for five months from November 2007. With the first of its itineraries a 28-night around Australia cruise starting on November 7. Highlights of the 2008/9 season include maiden visits to Australia by three Princess ships, an unprecedented two world voyages, a spectacular cruise through Antarctica, new 10-night dream Tahiti cruises and special visits to Adelaide and Perth by the biggest ship ever to visit those cities – the huge 2,670-passenger Diamond Princess, www.princess.com.au | |||||
| - Silversea is extending its range of itineraries in 2008 with more than 30 new ports to make a total of 350 worldwide; there are 197 itineraries to choose from including Alaska, and a luxurious 110-day World Cruise, www.silversea.com | |||||
| - For those who like European river cruising, Tauck has announced its new riverboat, Swiss Sapphire, with 59 outside facing staterooms, www.traveltheworld.com.au | |||||
| - A range of new cruises has been announced by The Residents of the World; 19-day packages with itineraries including destinations such as South Africa, Mauritius, and the Maldives, linking with luxury stays on-shore priced from $US 10,995 per person, www.aboardtheworld.com | |||||
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