First steps for new cruise ships Ovation of the Seas and Norwegian Escape

It’s been an exceptionally busy week at the German shipyard of Meyer-Werft. No sooner had they completed a ceremony to mark the first steel-cutting on the third Quantum-class cruise ship for Royal Caribbean, than they were laying the first block in dry-dock for Norwegian Cruise Line's newest vessel.

The name of the Royal Caribbean ship was announced as Ovation of the Seas; it is scheduled for delivery in autumn 2016. Sister ship Quantum is in the final stages of construction and, weather permitting, will travel down the River Ems to the sea within the next few days. It will visit Southampton for three days at the end of October before crossing to the United States to spend the winter cruising from New York to the Caribbean. In the spring it will relocate to Shanghai, China.

Next in line will be Anthem of the Seas, still being assembled in Meyer-Werft’s giant construction shed; it will arrive in Southampton in the spring for a season of European cruises. Each vessel measures 167,800 tons and will carry almost 4,200 passengers.

Norwegian Escape (above) will have about the same passenger capacity but is marginally smaller at 164,600 gross tons (a measure of volume, not weight). Based on the design of Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, it has an extra deck to provide more cabins and room for extra public spaces.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO, Kevin Sheehan was on hand as a crane lifted block 35/41 - the first of 86 in total - into the dock. When it enters service in November next year, Escape will operate seven-day cruises from Miami to the eastern Caribbean.

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European Waterways New Brochure

Luxury hotel barge operator European Waterways has launched its 2013 Brochure – and accompanying UK price insert – featuring cruises along the magical canals, rivers and lakes of Europe, aboard a fleet of hotel barges, ranging in size from 6 to 20 guests.

Since 1974, European Waterways has been providing high-quality barging cruises on its fully-crewed ‘floating hotels’ to a discerning clientele wishing to enjoy wonderful scenery, stimulating history and local culture and, of course, fine cuisine and wines.

New highlights introduced in the 2013 programme are: 

• Cruises along the picturesque Canal de la Marne au Rhin in Alsace-Lorraine aboard the newest addition to the fleet, the 12-passenger Panache.
• A new feature on the evocative French region of Champagne, offering cruises aboard three hotel barges at various times of the year.
• Longer Waterway Journeys, or ‘voyages of exploration’ of varying duration through several countries.

Traditionally 6-night cruises, operating from March to October, these relaxing holidays in France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, England, Scotland and Ireland, include: accommodation in air-conditioned, en suite cabins; all gourmet meals on board; selected domaine and château wines; open bar; daily escorted shore excursions; local transfers; and the use of all barge facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.

With the fully-crewed luxury vessels accommodating between 6 and 20 guests, clients can choose to either charter a whole boat with family and friends or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis. The average crew ratio is one crew member for every two passengers and includes Captain, Chef, Tour Guide and Hostesses, ensuring an extremely high level of service.

Also on offer is a range of themed charter cruises, which can be organised for special interest parties, featuring activities such as golf, walking and wine appreciation.

Prices for 6-night cruises in 2013, based on double occupancy, lead in at £2,250 per person aboard hotel barge Scottish Highlander in the Scottish Highlands, based on double occupancy in an en suite cabin; or at £14,400 for 6 passengers aboard Nymphea in the Loire Valley, on a whole boat charter basis.

For more on river-cruising, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, and, for more information, go to  www.gobarging.com. 

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European Waterways refurbishes Rick Stein's Barge

Spring time will soon be upon us, and what better place to spend it than cruising through the orchards and vineyards in the South of France? The gorgeous Dutch barge Rosa immerses passengers in a world of picturesque villages, good food and fine wine, sailing on the Canal de la Garonne through Gascony towards Bordeaux.

An old friend and one of their most prized barges, she has been a member of the European Waterways fleet for a number of years, and was loved by celebrity chef Rick Stein on his hugely successful BBC TV series 'French Odyssey'.

Newly refurbished, Rosa now presents an exquisite wood-panelled saloon, occupied by cosy seating and a bar. Passengers can relax on her deck as they bask in the French sun and even enjoy her very own spa pool.

The varied itinerary offers passengers the very essence of Southern France. As they visit historic Montauban, experience ancient abbeys, indulge in wine, armagnac and fois gras tasting and even traverse an impressive 1,000ft aqueduct. Eight passengers can enjoy this experience, staying in one of four double cabins, each air conditioned and with en suite facilities, or a party can charter the whole barge.

Rates for a cruise aboard Rosa are from £2,250 per person sharing a double cabin and from £15,700 for an exclusive charter of the entire vessel for 8 passengers. This is all-inclusive (excl. travel).

The European Waterways hotel barges accommodate between 4 and 20 passengers and are ideal for people looking for either an individual cruise with other like-minded people or for those wanting a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.

All the vessels across Europe's rivers are fully crewed with a Captain, gourmet chef, hostess and tour guide, with a private air-conditioned mini-bus taking passengers on excursions. There are well-planned and interesting daily itineraries that give passengers the opportunity to visit cultural and historical places of interest, vineyards and markets in each region.

For more information visit European Waterways or contact the UK's leading luxury river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Crystal Brings Stieg Larsson To Life In Stockholm

Tattoos….murder….secrets….Stockholm. Only one of these things is normally associated with a luxury cruise line, but with Crystal Cruises’ new Crystal Adventure - “Stieg Larsson’s Stockholm” - guests can discover a little Scandinavian intrigue first-hand in 2011.

With more than 46 million books sold worldwide, deceased Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s Millennium book series has made him the biggest novelist to come out of Europe since J.K. Rowling. All three books have been made into films while The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is now getting a big-budget Hollywood remake by renowned director David Fincher, and starring Daniel Craig and Robin Wright.

Crystal’s Larsson-focused shore excursion will take guests to the Stockholm island of Södermalm for a walking tour centred on his novels’ content. Much like the successful real-life Da Vinci Code tours that dot Europe, the tour will be spiced with factual information and intriguing stories that tie the real Stockholm to Larsson’s works of fiction.

This unique city view will be offered on three summer Baltic voyages on Crystal Serenity: May 22, 11-night “Baltic Explorer”; June 2, 11-night “Regal Treasures”; and June 27, 11-night “Jewels of the Baltic.” All three itineraries include overnights in Stockholm, as well as visits to Estonia, St Petersburg, Finland, Germany and Copenhagen.

The cost of the “Stieg Larsson’s Stockholm” excursion is $118 per person, which includes additional panoramic Stockholm highlights.

Prices for these Baltic voyages start from £4,207 per person (based on the May 22 departure) including free return economy class flights, 11 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks and port taxes. In addition, as part of Crystal's "All Inclusive - As You Wish" promotion, guests on this voyage will also receive onboard spending money of $1,000 per person, which can be spent on shore excursions, spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, purchases in the onboard boutiques, gratuities or Vintage Room experiences.

For reservations, call www.crystalcruises.co.uk or check with the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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