Feb/Mar 2023

Cruise International

The independent magazine for cruise holidaymakers.

Cruise International2 min read
Editor’s Letter
WELCOME TO A NEW-LOOK CRUISE INTERNATIONAL, where we’re getting a head-start on this year’s holiday planning with a host of new features designed to inspire your next escape. Thank you to the many thousands who kindly answered our reader survey last
Cruise International1 min read
Cruise International
EDITORIAL Editor Katie McGonagle Art Director Petra Manley-Leach Sub-Editor David Powning DIGITAL Digital Product Manager Ben Iskander Digital Editor Claire Benktander Digital Marketing Assistant Olivia Matthew ADVERTISING Group Director of Sales Cat
Cruise International1 min read
St Lucia Carnival
Every winter, cruise ships make frequent calls into the Caribbean island of St Lucia so passengers can admire its natural splendour, especially its famous twin volcanic peaks, the Pitons, along with lush rainforest and classic beaches with their warm
Cruise International1 min read
Japan Sakura Festival
Visitors have been flocking to Japan since it reopened its borders, and there are numerous exciting Japan cruise itineraries launching in 2023. Unsurprisingly, many provide brilliant opportunities to admire its famous springtime cherry blossom (sakur
Cruise International5 min read
Trending / News
Small-ship line Variety Cruises has kicked off its debut season in Tahiti with a series of eight and 11-day sailings on the two-masted motorsailer Panorama II, which holds just 49 guests. Moor up at tiny ports of call where huge forested peaks overlo
Cruise International3 min read
LIFE & STYLE
Don’t let your fitness regime fall away on holiday. Keep it going or start a fresh activity thanks to Princess Cruises’ new partnership with Xponential Fitness. From February 20, guests upgrading to Princess Plus (£50 per day, including drinks, tips,
Cruise International2 min readDiet & Nutrition
FOOD & DRINK
New luxury line Explora Journeys has developed signature dishes to debut on its first ship, Explora I, when it departs from Southampton on its maiden voyage on July 17. The ship will feature six restaurants among 18 food and beverage venues, plus cur
Cruise International1 min read
Postcards
PICTURES: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO/OZGURDONMAZ/COOKELMA/JAN VAN DER WOLF/ OLEG BRESLAVTSEV; BJC ELLERBOEK;VISIT NORWAY; ESIN BARUTCU ■
Cruise International2 min read
Hiking Pulpit Rock, Norway
Are we nearly there yet…?” asks my 73-year-old mother, during our hike up Pulpit Rock. We pass a couple of girls on their way down, so she asks them the same question. “Not far now – it’s worth it,” they cry cheerfully. Half an hour later, we are inc
Cruise International2 min read
Back On The Bosphorus
As we started the day below ground level in the cavernous halls of Istanbul’s new cruise terminal, little did I know it would end several storeys high, overlooking the brightly lit minarets of the old city reflected in the glassy waters of the Golden
Cruise International4 min read
Music Maker
As I arrived at the beautifully lit exterior of the Royal Palace of Godollo, a castle that was once a summer residence for Queen Elisabeth of Hungary, I knew that it would be an evening to remember. No sooner had I taken my seat (and a sip of Austria
Cruise International4 min read
City Guide Lyon
The Romans certainly knew a plum location when they saw one, and two millennia after they founded Lugdunum in 43BC, the southern French city of Lyon still packs a picturesque punch. With steep hills overlooking the confluence of two major rivers, the
Cruise International5 min read
Caribbean Quest
Keep a straight line, otherwise you’ll end up on the rocks,” barks the guide as we carefully line up our two-person kayak between buffeting waves, before paddling determinedly through the centre of the narrow channel. On either side of us, dark forbi
Cruise International4 min read
Med Cruises
Splash in and out of translucent Aegean waters from the deck of Variety Cruises’ Galileo on an idyllic week-long sailing around the Cyclades. With just 24 cabins, it has the feel of a private yacht rather than a large cruiser and can tuck into seclud
Cruise International5 min read
Market Forces
We’re about to step over the threshold of the txoko or, as I’ve taken to thinking of it, the man cave. Women can enter this establishment but they’re not allowed to cook. I like it already. “The txokos were created as a place for men to meet,” says o
Cruise International4 min read
Reunion By River
How unlucky can one place be? Poor Cape Girardeau, a town in the US state of Missouri, was just getting over a great fire that, in 1916, destroyed much of the downtown when it was hit by a big freeze, leaving residents not only shivering in sub-zero
Cruise International4 min read
Insider’s Guide Tipping Point
If there is one cruise topic that always provokes a lively debate, among both first-time and seasoned cruisers, it’s the subject of tipping. Many people question – understandably – why you don’t pay daily tips on other types of holidays but you do on
Cruise International4 min read
Made In Adelaide
Every South Australian will tell you Adelaide is just a big country town, and it’s not hard to see why. The state’s coastal capital has seen a significant glow-up in the past five years with the arrival of flashy skyscrapers and a glitzy five-star ho
Cruise International2 min read
Heavenly Hoorn
If I’m honest, I was looking for a restroom when I stumbled into the foyer, but what I found has to be one of the most unusual hotels in the world – proof that the small Dutch city of Hoorn is full of surprises. Aptly called Heavens, the hotel is bui
Cruise International3 min read
Behind The Scenes Adventure Central
We can fly most places in the world including Europe – except Svalbard, which is a no-fly, no-dive zone. The helicopters are available for charter so if somebody wants to have the aircraft to themselves, we can also take them up on a private flight.
Cruise International1 min read
Reviews
PICTURES: MSC/IVAN SARFATTI; A-ROSA CRUISES; DANIEL FOX ■
Cruise International2 min read
Msc World Europa
Sitting beneath a ceiling fan, surrounded by wooden elephants and sepia photographs of polo players, I take my first sip of tea, freshly poured by the waitress. In front of me is a menu that lists biscuits, scones and muffins, along with the particul
Cruise International2 min read
Seabourn Venture
With a smart, dark racing-green hull and streamlined contours, Seabourn Venture looks like it means business. As the first purpose-built expedition ship from luxury line Seabourn, its long-awaited debut came last July when it slipped into service wit
Cruise International2 min read
A-rosa Sena
You could say that German river cruise specialist A-Rosa Cruises has really pushed the boat out with its newest next-generation ship, A-Rosa Sena. Gone are the bright and breezy shades and slightly budget feel of A-Rosa’s other ships, replaced with a
Cruise International1 min read
Ask The Experts
We’d like to go on a spring cruise to see Keukenhof Gardens but many of them seem to be booked up – have we left it too late for this year? Will Sarson, head of strategy and innovation, Riviera Travel Keukenhof Gardens are an eye-catching river crui
Cruise International2 min read
Jean-christophe Novelli
I like the sense of adventure that comes with a cruise and the joy of not knowing exactly where you are. It’s exciting to be away from the daily routine, and I appreciate the first-class service and comfort from the hospitality team and all the staff

Cruise International

More Issues From Cruise International