A sailor’s life...
Carrie Drage takes a look at cruising holidays for groups by exploring the destinations on offer and the choices available both on board and on shore.
Cruising is a popular choice for groups and many cruise lines make it easier to arrange a holiday by providing a dedicated group booking service. This allows groups to customise their itineraries with specific shore excursions and onboard activities, in addition to receiving free places and discounted group rates.
Cruises operate to a wide range of destinations and, depending on your group’s interests, can provide a relaxing onboard experience or action-packed adventure. Either way, cruises provide a stress-free holiday as accommodation, food, excursions and entertainment are all taken care of.
A taste of the tropics
The Caribbean and Americas are a popular destination for cruising and many of the world’s largest cruise lines are based in North America.
Royal Caribbean International, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, sails to a number of worldwide destinations including the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda and the Bahamas. The company has a fleet of 22 ships including ‘Freedom of the Seas’ and ‘Liberty of the Seas’, which both cater for the more active cruiser. Onboard facilities include rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks and the FlowRider, where passengers can learn to surf an artificial wave. A new addition to the Freedom family will be available from May 2008 with the launch of ‘Independence of the Seas’. Groups can arrange private activities and shore excursions and benefit from one free berth for every bedroom booked. Complimentary champagne is also available and private cocktail parties can be arranged on request.
Meanwhile, Princess Cruises, one of the 10 brands owned by the Carnival Corporation, has 17 ships in its fleet. Two new additions this year were the ‘Emerald Princess’ and ‘Royal Princess’, both launched in the spring and, in November 2008, an eighteenth ship to be named ‘Ruby Princess’ will join the fleet. Princess Cruises sail around the world visiting ports in Canada and New England, the Mexican Riviera and the Panama Canal to name only a few. They operate ships in a variety of sizes ranging from 670-passenger ships to 3,100 capacity superliners. The larger ships are known for their poolside theatres, ‘Movies Under The Stars’, where films are projected onto a 300-foot outdoor screen and guests can indulge in complimentary popcorn and movie-themed cocktails. The ships also feature a variety of a la carte restaurants including steakhouses and Italian trattorias. Princess Cruises has expanded its itineraries for the 2008/2009 season and guests can now enjoy a variety of new sailings throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. Highlights include two new land options as part of cruises in this region; a four-day trip around the Galapagos Islands and a two-day trip to Machu Picchu in Peru, as well as two new seven-day and 10-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera. The itineraries offer a variety of shore excursions including the chance to become a dolphin trainer for the day and America’s cup yacht racing in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. Discounts on cruises are available for groups of 15 or more; however prices vary depending on the number of people and the type of cruise.
Another cruise line that forms part of the Carnival Corporation is Holland America Line, a company with a 134-year history in cruising that offers holidays to destinations including the Caribbean, Canada, New England and South America. The cruisae line currently has 13 ships in service and another ship, called ‘Eurodam’, is due for delivery in summer 2008. Holland America Line has recently completed a £150 million fleet-wide ‘Signature of Excellence’ initiative, which included the construction of Culinary Arts Centers on board all ships where passengers can attend cookery demonstrations, wine tastings or cookery classes held by top chefs and wine experts. Groups booking eight or more cabins receive a free berth and benefits are also available that include free champagne and chocolates, onboard credit and free photographs.
Slightly smaller in size but still owned by the Carnival Corporation is Costa Cruises, which currently has 12 ships in operation and, for the 2008 season, has introduced many changes for the fleet sailing the Caribbean and South America. For instance, during winter next year, the ‘Costa Fortuna’ will be sailing the Caribbean on a range of seven-day itineraries for the first time since it joined the fleet in 2003. This means that there will be three ships now sailing to destinations including Brazil and Tierra del Fuego, a group of islands off the coast of South America. Costa Cruises’ new ship, ‘Costa Serena’ was introduced to the fleet in May this year and, along with its sister ship ‘Costa Concordia’, both feature a Formula 1 racing simulator and a Samara Spa, believed to be the largest floating spas ever built. Extending over two decks, the Spas overlook the sea and include a rock sauna, Turkish bath and Japanese tea house. The company also has three new ships under construction in Italy, which are due to enter service between 2009 and 2010, and are to be called ‘Costa Pacifica’ and ‘Costa Luminosa’, with the third ship yet to be named. Rates vary depending on the size of your group; however the sales team is able to tailor cruises to include private dinners and shore excursions.
Alternatively, Regent Seven Seas Cruises also sails to the Caribbean, Alaska and South America. The company has a fleet of four ships, two of which are believed to have the world’s only all suite, all balcony accommodation, and recently completed a £10 million refurbishment project on three of its ships; ‘Seven Seas Voyager’, ‘Seven Seas Mariner’ and ‘Seven Seas Navigator’. Passengers sailing on these cruise liners can enjoy enjoy all-inclusive fares with no gratuities to pay or drinks to buy. Groups receive shore excursions on selected sailings, which can include a full-day tour of Moscow or an evening concert at the Grand Theatre in Ephesus, in Turkey. Discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more passengers.
Crystal Cruises, meanwhile, operates two ships, the luxurious 940-passenger ‘Crystal Symphony’ and the 1,080-passenger ‘Crystal Serenity’. Both ships offer groups a variety of dining options including Asian and Italian cuisine, as well as on-board activites and entertainment, ranging from wine tastings and cookery demonstrations to classical recitals and comedy performances. The vessels offer a variety of itineraries to the Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Caribbean, Canada, New England and South America, visiting destinations such as Lima in Peru, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Antigua, Boston in New England and Montreal in Canada. The 2008 season will see the return of the annual themed cruises, which are only available on certain ships on particular dates. These will include a seven-night Mexican Riviera jazz cruise, exploring the history of jazz music and featuring performances by top musicians, as well as an 11-night New England and Canada golf cruise, featuring instruction from PGA pros and the option to play at prestigious clubs such as the Monte Carlo Golf Club. Groups wishing to holiday with Crystal Cruises will be dealt with on an individual basis and cruises will be tailored to the specific needs of each group.
Also operating two ships is Disney Cruise Line, owned by the Walt Disney company; however this number is due to change in the near future following the announcement that two new ships will be launched in 2011 and 2012. In 2008, the cruise line will once again be offering a choice of three-, four- and seven-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean on board the ‘Disney Wonder’ and ‘Disney Magic; however, alongside these cruises, the ‘Disney Magic’ will also be offering 12 new seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera, taking in the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. The cruises will be re-introduced, due to popular demand, for the first time since 2005. Group discounts are available.
Sea Dream Yacht Club, another small cruise line, gives large groups the option of chartering its two yachts, ‘SeaDream I’ and SeaDream II’. Smaller groups can also take advantage of special discounts which allow group organisers one free bedroom for every seven booked. The ships will sail the Caribbean between January and April 2008, visiting the British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, French West Indies, Netherlands Antilles and the Windward & Leeward Islands. New port stops for 2008 include Lucaya and Egg Island in the Bahamas and Cockburn Town in Turks and Caicos. Each 55-bedroom ship provides a variety of facilities including indoor and outdoor dining options, a Thai spa and a golf simulator containing over 50 courses. All cruises are inclusive of meals, wine with lunch and dinner and water sports.
Lastly, Spirit of Adventure, which is a brand owned by the Saga Group and operates cruises for over 21s, has launched 13 new cruises for 2008 exploring various destinations throughout the world. Its ship, ‘Spirit of Adventure’, is offering two new cruises for March and April 2008, which will take in Cuba and the Caribbean and Central America. Shore excursions include bamboo rafting in Jamaica and a visit to the Mayan ruins of Tazumal in El Salvador. Groups receive one free place for every 10 passengers.
Other cruise lines that sail to this region include Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Island Cruises, MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruises, P&O Cruises and Voyages of Discovery.
European escapes
The Mediterranean is an easily accessible destination for British travellers and with its great diversity of cultures, languages and history, together with its mild climate, the area has become a year-round cruise destination. Meanwhile, groups wishing to explore Scandinavia, the Baltic and northern Europe are also well catered for with a diverse range of cruise options available.
Carnival Cruise Lines, another company that forms part of the Carnival Corporation, operates 23 modern superliners, known as ‘The Fun Ships’ and is renowned for its elaborate Las Vegas-style shows. The cruise line’s new ship, ‘Carnival Splendour’ will operate five inaugural European cruises from Dover beginning in July 2008 and it’s groups policy is the same as Holland America Line’s.
For groups wishing to sail along the Norwegian fjords, look no further than Norwegian Coastal Voyage. The fleet of 14 cruise ships makes 34 ports of call between Bergen in southern Norway and Kirkenes in the north, however, the company has recently expanded its itineraries to include Greenland, Spitsbergen, the Chilean fjords and Antarctica. Groups booking the ‘Classic Round Voyage’, ‘Voyage to the North’ or ‘Voyage to the South’, in Norway, receive one free place for every 20 passengers travelling between May and August, or one free place for every 15 passengers travelling between September and April. For Spitsbergen, Antarctica and Greenland, one free place for every 15 passengers booked is also offered.
Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which is owned by Star Cruises, currently has 13 ships in service and will launch the fleet’s newest addition, ‘Norweigan Gem’, this month. The company also has plans to build three new ships between 2009 and 2011. The company will base three of its ships in Europe from March 2008, giving groups an even greater choice of cruises in this region. New itineraries will include a 15-night ‘New World to Ancient Cities’ cruise that will visit Florence and Nice. One free place is available for group bookings of 16 or more, as well as incentives such as on-board credit, welcome gifts and private cocktail parties. NCL operate ‘Freestyle Cruising’, meaning that dining options are more flexible, allowing groups to arrange dinners onboard at a time to suit you; it is even possible to arrange your own karaoke session or have a group photograph taken.
Alternatively, Celebrity Cruises, another company operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, has nine ships in its fleet. The company will be deploying five ships in the Mediterranean in 2008 and over 18 new ports of call have been added to European itineraries including Split in Croatia. The company also owns two ships under the recently launched Azamara Cruises brand, ‘Azamara Journey’ and ‘Azamara Quest’ sailing to Europe, Asia, South America, Antarctica and the Caribbean. Celebrity Cruises’ latest ship, ‘Celebrity Solstice’, is still under construction; however, it is scheduled to set sail on its seven-night maiden voyage, a roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, in December 2008. The groups policy for Celebrity Cruises, including the Azamara brand, is the same as for Royal Carbbean International, its sister company.
MSC Cruises is another cruise line offering year round cruising to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. It currently has a fleet of eight ships including ‘MSC Orchestra’ and MSC Musica’ and will launch its new ship, ‘MSC Poesia’, at Dover in April 2008. The new ship will offer three Mediterranean cruises for 2008, ranging in length from eight to 14 days and will call at ports including Dubrovnik in Croatia and Venice in Italy. Excursions will include a visit to the ancient city of Olympia in Katakolon in Greece, where groups can visit the temples, Olympic stadium and modern village of Olympia. Free places are available on group bookings; however, these vary depending on the ship and the time of year.
P&O Cruises, which is the sister company of Princess Cruises, has five ships dedicated to the UK market with a new ship, named ‘Ventura’, being launched in Spring 2008 and another new ship scheduled for delivery in 2010. The cruise line offers holidays to Scandinavia and the Mediterranean and, for the 2008 season, has added more seven-night cruise breaks to Northern Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, the Channel Islands and Ireland with an increased number of overnight port stays. Similar to NCL, the company operates ‘Freedom Dining’ on its vessels, aimed at giving a more flexible approach to dining. Special rates and on board credit are available for groups of 15 or more.
Windstar Cruises, which is now owned by Ambassadors International, offers passengers a rather different cruising experience on its three motorised sailing yachts. The company cruises to a range of destinations in the Mediterranean and Greek Islands and each ship offers passengers a range of outdoor pursuits including scuba diving and kayaking. Groups receive one free berth for every 10 people.
For travellers over the age of 50, Saga Cruising will be offering a new range of itineraries on its two ships, ‘Saga Rose’ and ‘Saga Ruby’. In April 2008, ‘Saga Rose’ will sail the Black Sea for the first time ever on a new 28-night cruise visiting Greece, Turkey, Ukraine, Portugal and Russia, as well as the new 14-night ‘British Isles in Bloom’ cruise that will take in some of the UK’s public gardens, including the Eden Project in Cornwall, Tresco Abbey Gardens on the Isles of Scilly, Bodnant Gardens in Wales and Powerscourt in Ireland. Meanwhile, from June 2008, the ‘Saga Ruby’ will offer four new voyages from Newcastle-upon-Tyne that are scheduled to visit numerous Mediterranean cities, including Barcelona in Spain, Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Stockholm in Sweden. Groups receive one free place for every 10 paying passengers.
Meanwhile Ocean Village, another Carnival Corporation brand, is offering one and two-week itineraries in the Mediterranean in 2008, on board ‘Ocean Village’ and ‘Ocean Village Two’, its latest cruise ship that was launched earlier this year. ‘Ocean Village Two’ will be sailing on two new western Mediterranean itineraries for 2008 including the seven-night ‘Tapas and Togas’ cruise visiting Rome and Monte Carlo, as well as offering a brand new Action Ashore programme for the eastern Mediterranean that features volcano hiking in Santorini, in Greece, and a visit to the Turkish baths in Ephesus, in Turkey. Discounts and on board credit are available for groups of 8 or more passengers.
On a different note, it might be of interest to know that Orient Lines, who until recently were owned by the Norweigan Corporation, has recently sold its only ship, the ‘Marco Polo’. The cruise liner will make its final voyage between Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Lisbon in Portugal, in March 2008, before re-entering the market under the ownership of Transocean Tours, a German company which has taken on the long-term charter. Itineraries on offer will include a Norwegian Fjordland cruise and a British Isles Discovery cruise.
Finally, the ‘Ocean Majesty’, a ship chartered by Travelsphere and Page & Moy is offering the choice of 13 European cruises, seven of which are new for 2008. New itineraries include ‘Treasures of the Mediterranean’, an eight-night cruise calling at Toulon in France and Genoa in Italy and ‘Iberia and the Balearic Islands’, a 12-night cruise stopping at Valencia, Palma and Menorca. Groups can expect one free place for every 12 passengers and receive a free coach to and from the port or airport. There is also a group loyalty scheme which includes money off future group holidays and subsidised familiarisation trips.
Other cruise lines which visit these regions include Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line and Island Cruises.
Discover Africa, Asia and Australasia
For a more exotic cruise option, groups can sail around Africa, Asia and Australasia. Not only do many of these cruises offer a glimpse at remote, unspoiled landscapes and access to wildlife unseen on British shores, they also give passengers an opportunity to sample the cuisine of different cultures.
For next year, Costa Cruises has increased the number of ships cruising the Far East and itineraries for 2008 will include visits to China, the Phillippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and South Korea. The company has also introduced a brand new ‘Japan Cruise’ with 14- and 15-night sailings from Hong Kong on board ‘Costa Allegra’. Ports of call include Kobe, Tokyo and Cheju.
Meanwhile, Star Cruises, which is part of the Star Cruises Group, is said to bethe only cruise line that offers year round cruises in Asia Pacific. The company operates three ships available to the UK market and is renowned for its Asian cuisine, which spans Japanese teppenyaki and sushi through to Indian halal. In 2008, ‘SuperStar Virgo’ and ‘SuperStar Gemini’ will offer cruises throughout Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and China, whereas ‘SuperStar Libra’ will operate from India and Taiwan. Meanwhile, for the first time ever, the ‘SuperStar Gemini’ will be based in Australia between November and February 2008. Itineraries range from seven to 26-nights and the ship will visit various destinations including Melbourne, Sydney and the tropical Whitsunday Islands, positioned off the coast of north Queensland. Groups booking 15 or more cabins receive one cabin free.
The ‘Saga Ruby’, operated by Saga Cruising, will be offering cruises to North Africa, including a 29-night journey to Egypt and the Suez Canal that will feature a trip to the Giza Pyramids, Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and Petra in the Jordanian desert.
Other cruise lines visiting these locations include Crystal Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Hebridean Island Cruises, Holland America Line and Louis Cruise Lines.
A need for nostalgia
Transatlantic cruises can range in duration from six nights to three weeks and depart from a range of destinations in the UK, Europe and the Americas. They were once a neccessity for travellers wishing to cross the Atlantic; however, today, they remain a popular cruising choice for groups travelling from the old continent to the new.
Costa Cruises offers a number of transatlantic voyages including a 16-night cruise, departing in April 2008, between Fort Lauderdale and Savona in Italy and a 17-night March sailing, between Santos in Brazil and Savona.
MSC Cruises also undertakes a series of transatlantic cruises between 16 and 21 nights in duration, including 18-night crossings between Venice and Santos, in Brazil, and Dover and Santos on the ‘MSC Opera’. Both of these cruises are Art-at-Sea themed cruises featuring courses on silk, oil and acrylic painting.
Island Cruises, meanwhile, offers a transatlantic cruise on a slightly smaller vessel. ‘Island Star’, which is one of only two cruise liners operated by the company – the other being the ‘Island Escape’ – will be voyaging between Santos and Palma in Majorca, when it departs on its 20-day transatlantic cruise in March 2008. Groups may also be interested to learn that Jongleurs, a comedy brand operating a chain of UK comedy clubs, will be taking up residency on all cruises aboard the ‘Island Star’ between May and September 2008. Every week comedians will beperforming in the Bounty Club onboard and will also be giving comedy masterclasses, teaching how to write and perform stand-up humour. Groups of 10 or more receive one free berth.
Other companies offering transatlantic cruises include Cunard, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.
Enjoy a world of opportunity
Groups who have a bit more time on their hands should consider a world cruise, which gives passengers the opportunity to explore all four corners of the globe.
Holland America Line is offering a ‘2008 Grand World Voyage’ in January. The 114-day journey on-board ‘MS Amsterdam’ will depart from Fort Lauderdale and marks the 50th anniversary of the cruise line’s world cruise programme. Visiting 39 ports in 29 countries across six different continents, the voyage will take in India with overland tours to the Taj Mahal, venture to Egypt to experience the Pyramids and, for the first time ever, will cruise the Fiordland National Park in New Zealand.
Silversea Cruises, a small privately-owned cruise line operating four yacht-style ships to a variety of worldwide destinations, has also recently announced plans for a world cruise. In January 2008, the 382-passenger ship, ‘Silver Shadow’, will embark on a 110-day voyage to more than 25 countries and over 50 different ports of call. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, the cruise will include extended overnight stays in Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Bangkok, Mumbai in India and Barcelona in Spain as well as sailing down the Panama Canal.
Crystal Cruises has announced that best-selling author Bill Bryson will be joining the final leg of its 2008 World Cruise, which departs from Rome in April next year. The 108-night cruise on board ‘Crystal Serenity’ will visit 45 ports in 22 different countries including New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, India and Egypt. The ship departs Los Angeles in January 2008 and, for those with less time on their hands, the cruise will be split into eight shorter cruises, ranging from 11- to 18-nights, departing from Los Angeles, Papeete in Tahiti, Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai in India, Civitavecchia and Rome in Italy.
Saga Cruising is another company which is offering a world cruise in 2008. ‘Saga Rose’ will journey across four oceans and travel along both the Panama and Suez canals when it embarks on its 11th Saga World Cruise in January next year. The 100-night cruise will take in various places including Easter Island, Sri Lanka and Peru.
Tour operator, Travelscope, who exclusively charter the ‘MV Van Gogh’, is also offering a round-the-world journey departing in January 2008. Passengers on the 93-day cruise can enjoy snorkelling in Bora Bora’s lagoon and dolphin watching around New Zealand’s Bay of Islands.
Other companies offering world cruises include Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line and Crystal Cruises.
Short but sweet
Mini cruises are a great choice for first-time cruisers, however, can also be enjoyed as a ‘holiday within a holiday’ by groups staying on the mainland.
Captain Cook Cruises operates 16 vessels and offers a choice of cruises weekly throughout Australia and Fiji. Cruises include an overnight Sydney Harbour Cruise, three-, four- and seven-night cruises down the Murray River and three-, four- and seven-night cruises to the Great Barrier Reef. Captain Cook Cruises has a dedicated group travel department that offers a free place on bookings of 15 or more people.
Alternatively, Louis Cruise Lines offers mini cruises aboard ‘MV Sapphire’, which are two days in duration and sail on a weekly basis from Limassol in Cyprus to Egypt and Israel. The Egyptian mini-cruise includes a shore excursion to Cairo, during which passengers visit the National Archaeological Museum, home to King Tutankhamun’s collection of antiquities, before taking a dinner cruise on the River Nile, on board a luxurious cruise boat. Passengers on the Israel cruise, meanwhile, can enjoy an excursion to Bethlehem, including a visit to the Church of the Nativity and a trip to the Holy City of Jerusalem, taking in the Wailing Wall.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, which currently has four ships in service, as well as a fifth ship, ‘Balmoral’, due to start sailing in January 2008, is also offering mini cruises next year. Ranging from two to four-nights in duration, the ships will be calling at various ports including St Helier in Jersey, Lisbon in Portugal and Seville in Spain. Benefits vary depending on the requirements of the group, however, they can include free places for 10 or more passengers, on-board credit and private cocktail parties.
Other operators that offer mini cruises include Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.