Get Ready For Our Spring Issue!

We're now putting the finishing touches to our Spring issue, with some real treats in store for our readers. Our Cover Story theme for this edition is Into Africa, as our contributing editor Gary Buchanan puts together a special 'cruise-safari' experience through Southern Africa, taking a Silversea voyage around South Africa and Mozambique and then travelling inland to try a river-cruise aboard the luxurious Zambezi Queen (above).

It's a unique and wildlife-filled journey, capped off with a look at the pre- and post-cruise attractions of the port city of Cape Town, but that's only the start of an epic series of distinctive voyages in our latest edition.

From Southern Africa we head to Mexico's Sea of Cortes with American Safari Cruises as our adventure-cruise expert Steve Newman samples this unusual small-scale cruise style, and then it's off to South America with Holland America Line as another top writer, Yvonne Horn, takes readers on a typical voyage 'around the Horn.' Malta is also on our cruise radar, with an in-depth review of this wonderful Mediterranean hot-spot.

We also have the BIG ship stories, and they don't come much bigger this year than Norwegian Cruise Line's new Norwegian Breakaway, with Anthony Nicholas providing a full preview of this outstanding new-build, which is due to debut at the end of April. And then we have a special look at the onboard speciality restaurant of Todd English aboard Cunard's classic Queen Mary 2 and a historic cruising perspective by Peter Newall on the inimitable old-timer SS United States and the ongoing attempts to save her from an ignominious fate.

 

We also have a bonus for river-cruise fans, with three contrasting river journeys, on three different continents, highlighting all the delights of the deluxe Orient-Express cruiser Road to Mandalay in Myanmar; the European Waterways hotel barge Panache in the Netherlands; and the wonderful new Queen of the Mississippi of American Cruise Lines through the heartland of America.

 

Of course, our regular columnists are also well to the fore, with the award-winning style of Captain Greybeard (John Honeywell), The Cruise Guy (Stewart Chiron) and Cruise Radio (Doug Parker) adding their unique opinions and insight of the cruise world, alongside the essential World of Spas section, which takes a look at the gorgeous spa offerings of Morocco this time out.

 

With our regular News, Reader Letters and Passenger Perspective features, it all adds up to the best read on the best holiday choice from the best writers in the business. Be sure to have your subcription up to date - or join our growing band of happy readers - on this link.

 

 

 

 

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Hawaii Ground Cruise - Day 2

Continuing our 12-day 'grand voyage' of Hawaii with Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Holidays, we have a second day to explore Oahu...

After our full day on our return to Honolulu, we wanted to make the most of another chance to explore as much of the island as possible with our hire car, so we were (again) up early to get started - both because our first appointment was on the other side of Oahu but also because the Kahala Resort was having to deal with a slightly tricky organisational issue - the Honolulu Marathon, which had effectively cut it off from the rest of Waikiki!

To get to our car, which had been moved overnight to the nearby shopping mall, we had to get a taxi shuttle to the end of the Kahala resort property, walk across the line of the Marathon (dodging runners on the way!), then get another taxi shuttle (all laid on by the Resort) to the Mall, where we again had to dodge Marathon competitors (although these were more at walking pace!) to get across the road to the parking area. Phew!

Amazingly, everything was so well organised we were still on our way on to the Highway within 10 minutes of leaving the hotel and soon winging our way across the island, as most of the traffic seemed to be heading IN to Honolulu rather than the way we wanted to go.

Our first destination today was the Kualoa Ranch on the north-east coast, and it required taking Highway 1 and then Highway 3, the equivalent of interstate highways in Hawaii, albeit with speed limits as low as 45mph in places. Highway 3 was apparently one of the most expensive pieces of road ever built in the US as it required cutting a tunnel through the Ko'Olau Mountains and avoiding a number of Hawaiian archaeological sites that turned up along the route.

Still, it was worth the drive as the passage over and through the Mountains was immense and the scenery on both sides just jaw-droppingly beautiful. As we reached the coast and turned north-west, the mountains kept us company on our left, with the ocean on the right, and Oahu was absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. With the scenery continuing to be just as spectacular, we reached the Ranch and were wowed all over again.

Kualoa had been strongly recommended for us by our friend Stewart Chiron (The Cruise Guy), and it was easy to see why. Set into the slopes of the mountains, and along the stunning Ka'a'awa Valley, it is a breathtaking location for nature and terrain tours, and it is clearly picture perfect as a film location - which is exactly why scenes from Jurassic Park, Godzilla, George of the Jungle, Windtalkers, 50 First Dates and the TV series Lost (among many others) were all shot here.

The Ranch offers a number of different tours, including horse-riding, hiking, its own beach and even Hula lessons - as well as being a great venue for weddings - and we were able to sample three in our few hours here. First we tried the standard Movie Sites & Ranch Tour, a bus ride around the main part of the 4,000-acre working ranch and into the Ka'a'awa Valley, where so many of the movies were filmed. Then we were able to try something a little more adventurous with the Jungle Expedition Tour in a 6-wheel Pinzgauer jeep, which took us deeper into the rainforest and for a little hike up a ridge that provided a brilliant look down the full length of the Valley.

Finally, we got to try their 1-hour ATV Tour, a chance to ride these great all-terrain vehicles around much of the Ranch, going back into the Valley and getting a better close-up of some of the film sites (we did stop for the inevitable Jurassic Park shot!). The people there couldn't have been any friendlier and we left only reluctantly, as we wanted to try to get to the North Shore to see some serious surfing before heading back to Honolulu. The Ranch also boasted a great cafe and gift shop and we were able to get a good (late) breakfast and a few souvenirs before leaving.

We had initially planned on taking the 45-minute drive north to Sunset Bay where some of the biggest waves are reputed to be, and the surfing is truly mega, then return to the well-known Crouching Lion restaurant for a late lunch. But, after reaching the Bay and seeing some serious waves (WAY too rough for swimming, but apparently surfing was OK!), we were told there was actually a surf competition further along the coast, so we jumped back in the car and headed along.

Sure enough, at the appropriately-named Banzai Pipeline there was a MAJOR event going as as the roads were packed and the beach was swarming with thousands of spectators for the Pipemasters event. We saw only the last 15-20 minutes or so but it was enough to prove competitive surfers are truly mental as the idea of being out in those kinds of waters, let alone trying to 'ride' them (or surf through the pipe, as they were doing - spot the surfer in the pic above!), is hideously ridiculous. Suffice it to say it made for great viewing and we left feeling like we had walked into a movie set.

By now, lunchtime was a LONG way in the rear-view mirror and there seemed to be nothing in the vicinity of the beach restaurant-wise, so we were trapped into moving (slowly) along with the traffic in the vague direction of Honolulu. 

Thankfully, we were able to turn off into the town of Haleiwa, where Jameson's By The Sea was the perfect place for an early dinner. With the sun setting over the distant hills and views into the bay where paddle-boarders and more surfers were still out playing, it was a fabulous vista to finish the day, while our fish dishes were quite excellent (Mahi-Mahi and Ulua, a new fish to us but a real winner in taste terms).

Finally, with the sun now long set, we drove back into Honolulu to pick up our baggage from the Kahala Resort (thinking it not wise to leave it in the car at all during the day). Then we drove back OUT of Honolulu to the west coast this time for a brand new adventure, where we would spend our final two nights (but more of that in the next episode, as I know we have a number of keen Disney fans eager to hear more...!).

Next up - Disney's Aulani Resort. 

 

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

World of Cruising - Winter Edition

Phew! Well the 'Big Push' to get our Winter issue finished and off to the printers in the immediate aftermath of our amazing trip to Hawaii has paid dividends, as everything was done and dusted yesterday and is now awaiting the finished article.

We aim to have copies back and our to all our subscribers by December 20 - just in time for Christmas! - and there is a LOT for readers to enjoy, over and above the 8-page special on the Hawaiian islands (sunset, above) with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Just to start with, we have our annual Cruise Planner, our look at ALL the lines and ALL their ships, that has now become a cruise industry standard and is essential reading for anyone planning a cruise anytime soon. This year's version is up to a bumper 12 pages as there is more info than ever before to pack into this Planner.

For a seasonal treat we have a look at Christmas cruising - or Santa at Sea, as we call it - while there is also an in-depth preview of the forthcoming (June 2013) Royal Princess of Princess Cruises. Contrbuting editor Gary Buchanan also casts his eye over the ultra-deluxe style of SeaDream Yacht Club, and what makes them stand out from the crowd.

For destination features, we have the Adriatic coast of Croatia and a trip to Bangkok, while there is also a distinctive journey along the Ganges in India with Assam Bengal Navigation Co. Our man Steve Newman  takes a trip with The Majestic Line in Scotland and historian Peter Newall details the amazing Heritage Collection of P&O. 

For those looking for some winter sun, we offer the blissful South Seas style of Paul Gauguin Cruises in and around Tahiti and we also have a special Passenger Perspective on the foodie cruise style of Oceania Cruises.

Of course, there is also our usual array of news, views and comment from our unrivalled range of columnists, including Captain Greybeard, Cruise Radio, the Admiral and, making a very welcome debut for us, Stewart Chiron, aka, The Cruise Guy.

With our regular World of Spas section, taking a look at the benefits of Yoga, among other things, it all adds up to the best read on cruising anywhere in the world. Just make sure your subscription is up to date...!

PS: Our day-by-day Blog of our grand Hawaii expedition will return tomorrow!

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Hawaii - More Time In Maui

Continuing our grand journey around the Hawaiian isles with Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Holidays, aboard the Pride of America…

Destination Hawaii – Maui, Pt 2

It’s Day Three of our grand Hawaiian adventure and, as usual, we’re wide awake at Silly O’Clock. With the five-hour time difference from Florida, we’re finding it difficult to sleep much past 6am (with our bodies still insisting it is 11am), but at least we’re getting plenty of time to experience both the ship and the destination!

This morning, we’ve been invited to breakfast at the Lazy J Steakhouse, which is usually reserved for suite guests but Norwegian would like us to get the full onboard experience, hence we are temporarily VIPs for the duration.

This breakfast option (which is also open to suite guests at lunchtime) provides a full alternative to either the main dining room or the Aloha Café buffet and is a wonderful idea for those who like that little ‘extra’ touch. It features a slightly more imaginative menu – including the likes of Crab Cakes Benedict and Smoked Salmon Frittata – as well as a full regular choice of fresh fruit, cereals and pastries, and a more relaxed vibe, hence it adds a real deluxe feel to the regular experience.

Once fully re-stocked (it is impossible to ever go hungry on a cruise, of course!), we are ready for the next item on our Hawaii agenda, which is the second full day on Maui and another chance to explore on our own with our trusty Dodge Caliber rental car (which we were able to park overnight right next to the ship – incredibly handy).

Our first target is to drive up the mountain of Haleakala and view the (dormant) volcano but, thanks to talking to our good friend Stewart Chiron (The Cruise Guy and general Hawaii expert), we know this is not a light undertaking.

Stewart had advised us to make this a morning priority while also being careful to stay fully hydrated and take some energy food with us to counter the effects of the quick journey to 10,000ft (as the altitude can be a problem if you’re not careful). We were also told it can be distinctly chilly at the summit, hence we dressed for a colder day than the standard 82F down at sea level.

Thankfully, we were blessed with superb weather nearly all the way – and an absolutely stunning experience as a result.

Haleakala forms the main part of Maui, dominating the eastern ‘half’ but, from a distance, looking less challenging than the more rugged western mountain portion. The perspective is a deceptive one, though, as the road up is long and winding (a real switchback in several places) and, with our desire to stop at regular intervals to enjoy the view and try to acclimatise a little, it takes us a full two hours to complete the drive.

With the near-perfect weather, we drive up through the ever-present layer of cloud around the mountain’s ‘midriff’ and emerge into clear, blue sunshine of the brightest and most inviting kind. It is immensely invigorating and – thankfully – we show no signs of being worried or affected by the big altitude difference.

It is $10/vehicle to enter Haleakala National Park and there are two separate visitor centres to enjoy, with plenty of information to take in and park rangers to talk to. We learn about the amazing and unique ecosystem atop the mountain, with plants like the remarkable Silversword, which blooms only once, right at the end of its near 50-year life cycle, and the Nene goose, Hawaii’s national bird, which lives in this rather bleak environment. There are also massive amounts of info on Haleakala and volcanoes in general, especially the Shield type which is basically all of Hawaii.

The vertical rise of the mountain causes some startling vegetation and other scenery changes, from heavy forest and lush tropical plants to open fields and then a more scrubby plant-life that then gives way to the rocky, arid summit.

The last 1,000ft or so is pure alien planet territory, an extensive volcanic field of rock and scree, but even that doesn’t prepare us for the view inside the crater itself.

Haleakala last erupted at the end of the 18^th century and it is now possible to hike down into the crater from the main observation centre – a journey that takes you into the heart of a stunning vista of dormant cinder cones, red, iron-rich soil changes, huge boulders, craggy cliffs and vast stretches of volcanic scree and dust that disappear into the distance.

When JRR Tolkien was writing about the evil wastes of Mordor, he might very well have had the interior of Haleakala in mind. It is a view that amazes and boggles the mind, challenging the viewer to understand the immense forces of nature at work here, primal forces that have shaped the earth from the very beginning.

It is also a vista that shifts and alters from every angle (and there are numerous viewing points at the 10,023ft summit), including the ‘Science City’ of observatories and military tracking stations that live up here as well. We spend at least two hours observing, photographing and marvelling at this most astonishing of scenes, chatting to rangers and other visitors and just generally revelling in the experience.

We had thought we could fit in a trip to Lahaina on the other side of the island – the former Royal residence and whaling centre in the 19^th century – but with the fact it will take us at least an hour to make the drive down, then another hour to get there, we decide that will be trying to cram too much into the day, especially as we need to return the car to the airport rental depot then be back at the ship by 5.30pm.

But we are immensely rewarded for our time on the mountain. It is a truly remarkable experience and one we will be keen to repeat in future, if at all possible. The weather had begun to close in as we lingered at the top, bringing in a thick veil of cloud and dropping the temperature by a good 10 degrees, hence we opted against a short hike into the crater itself. But this will certainly be on our ‘To Do’ list next time…!

Next up – The Big Island.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Hawaii - The Start

Destination Hawaii – Waikiki

So here we are in Waikiki Beach, on a glorious December day, ready for our cruise but keen to see something of this famous part of Honolulu before we leave.

So what do you do? Easy – you walk it. All of it. After a soothing night in the Modern Honolulu hotel, we were ready to head out about 8.45 local time (-5 hours, EST). Thanks to two important tips from our friend Stewart Chiron, aka The Cruise Guy, who is also a Hawaii expert, we had a couple of strategies to employ:

1)      Have breakfast at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where the Tropics restaurant is perfectly situated overlooking the beach and offering a range of classic and Hawaiian menu favourites. We especially loved their Hawaiian Bananas Foster French Toast (with macadamia nut ice-cream; yes, for breakfast!) and the Loco Moco – a fried egg on a burger on rice, with thick gravy. Absolutely delicious.  

2)      Take advantage of the ship’s late sailing (7pm) to see as much of Waikiki as possible. Therefore, our transfer from the hotel to the port isn’t until 5pm, giving us most of the day to explore.

And explore we did – along the full length of Waikiki Beach and back again, a gentle stroll along in the 80-degree sunshine, dipping our toes in the sea and enjoying the long stretch of sand. With surfers and paddle-boarders to watch and plenty of fish (and two amazing moray eels) to observe in the water, it was truly a gorgeous walk.

We made it as far as the New Otani Resort (another Cruise Guy recommendation), where we stopped for a drink overlooking their beautiful Hau Tree Lanai, one of the most picturesque restaurants on the island. After a couple of cocktails, we wisely caught a cab back to our hotel and then wandered across (about 10 minutes) to the huge Ala Moana shopping centre, a four-storey mall of immense proportions.

Here, we scoped out some Christmas presents for family (no mention of what, just in case they’re reading!) and enjoyed a Christmas concert from a local cultural centre, whose children were a true delight to watch and hear as they performed a range of festive songs with Hawaiian dances. Just brilliant (and all to raise money for needy families).

A leisurely lunch included a fresh tuna sandwich and a local beer (the Paradise Porter – delicious), and we then began a slow wander back at the hotel, stopping at Crazy Shirts for some more Christmas shopping.

Our faithful town car driver was there on the dot of 5pm to pick us up and, in no time at all, we were  at the port of Honolulu ready to check in with hardly another person in sight (great call, Stewart!).

Finally, we were on Pride of America, and heading to our home for the next 7 days, stateroom 8512, forward on the port side with extra-large balcony. Great way to start the trip – and we’ve fallen in love with Hawaii and its people already.

Next up - Maui, Day 1

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Welcome, Cruise Guy!

World of Cruising magazine is excited and proud to welcome aboard (or welcome back!) Stewart Chiron as our latest special guest contributor, starting with our Winter edition next month.

Stewart, better known on TV and Radio as The Cruise Guy, is a long-time cruise expert and proponent, dating back more than 20 years. He is one of the world's most-quoted cruise aficionados and is frequently called up by the major News channels for all things to do with cruising and cruise ships.

He's a regular contributor on trends and deals for leading news organizations, like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WGN, Good Morning America, CNBC, Travel Channel and CNN. He appears in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Detroit Free Press, Los Angeles Times, Newsday, Huffington Post, and The Miami Herald. 

He is also quoted in magazines like Money, Newsweek, Family Circle, Smart Money, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Tom Parsons' Best Fares, and Frommer's Budget Travel. And, from our new Winter edition, he will feature in World of Cruising as well!

Stewart (left, with Love Boat skipper Gavin MacLeod) was actually involved in the early days of the magazine 15 years ago and continues to be a great source of information and insight, hence The Cruise Guy column will be a lively, chatty place to get his opinion on the latest news of the day and learn even more about this fascinating business as he frequently rubs shoulder with the movers and shakers throughout the industry.

He says: "As a founding member of World of Cruising Magazine, I’m excited to be back on-board, sharing the inside track with some of the most informed, discerning cruise readers in the world. Brand new ship deliveries are slowing down, so stay-tuned as cruise industry tries to keep us stimulated."

It is just another reason to make sure you have your subscription up to date - and be ready for the next edition of the world's leading cruise publication. 

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.