Michelle Bernstein Highlights New Sanctuary Ananda

Here at World of Cruising we are always ready to highlight a great cruise food story, especially when it features a celebrity chef tie-up with a deluxe travel brand.


In this case, it features luxury cruise and safari specialist Sanctuary Retreats, who have just announced an exclusive partnership with the high-profile American chef Michelle Bernstein, who will be creating a selection of Signature ‘Burmese Fusion’ dishes on board its luxurious new 21-suite Myanmar river cruiser Sanctuary Ananda.

Named after the beautiful Ananda Temple in Bagan, Ananda also translates in Sanskrit as 'extreme happiness' - one of the highest states of being.  Due to set sail for the first time in November, Sanctuary Ananda will offer a choice of six itineraries ranging from 3 and 4-night shorter trips (which can be booked as part of a wider Myanmar tour) to longer exploration cruises for river-cruise lovers, such as a 10-night Chindwin River itinerary. It will offer an authentically Burmese, yet exclusive experience, in line with Sanctuary Retreats’ philosophy of 'Luxury Naturally.'

Bernstein is well known for her appearances on Iron Chef and other top TV culinary shows, as well as her restaurants in Miami that are lauded as some of the best if America and feature a Latin-fusion style. She will bring a unique range of menus to the Sanctuary Ananada, which will also feature Burmese design throughout, with local Myanmar fabrics and artefacts as well as specially commissioned art.  

There are plenty of public areas to relax in, from the stylish Talifoo restaurant, to the spacious Sundeck, and air conditioned Kansi panorama lounge, where guests will be able to enjoy stunning views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, whilst enjoying afternoon tea, or perhaps a sundowner cocktail from the Burma Bar.

Prices start at £1,350 per person, based on two people sharing a Suite including all sightseeing as stated in cruise itinerary, all meals, soft drinks and local beer. Price valid for November 19 and 26, December 3, 10 and 17 sailings on a 3-night itinerary.  

More info: visit www.sanctuaryretreats.com.

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Join Project Orient!

Project Orient - the ambitious scheme looking to revive traditional line voyages from Britain to Australia - is looking for YOUR help.

With the consortium still looking for funding for their bid to build two new classic ships to carry 1,600 passengers from Southampton to Sydney (and vice versa), they are proposing a unique membership scheme to help them with short-term funds in order to be up and running by 2017.

Here's what they say:

"As you know, we need to raise a considerable sum of money to realise this dream; as directors of this project, we’ve sunk a bit of our own money and a lot of time into preparing everything needed to get in front of major investors but we need a bit more to create a “fighting fund” to speed up the process and to cover some vital expenses. This is where you may be able to help us.

We are thinking of creating an exclusive Club which we will call "The Members' Scheme", available only to the first 500 people who apply, who, for a one-off subscription fee of £99, receive the following benefits:

Before we secure investment to build the ships:

• Each member gets exclusive founder status with certificate and other merchandise
• Members will have access to a password protected exclusive section on the website with detailed insights on project progress
• Members will receive details of progress and all plans ahead of the general public and will be invited to comment on designs and ideas
• Members will have direct access to the directors of the project
• Members will receive an invitation to attend a special annual gala dinner, charged at cost, with relevant and important guests in attendance.

Once we have secured the investment, members will be able to:

• Visit the shipyard at a discounted price to view the ships and be shown around
• Benefit from a guaranteed ticket on each vessel’s maiden voyage at a discount of 5% in addition to any other benefits available
• Book further tickets in advance of the general public
• Receive an on board spend of £250 in addition to any other benefits available
• Enter an exclusive members’ Prize Draw to win 2 special “£10 Pom” tickets.

Joining The Members' Scheme is something of an act of faith. However, by becoming a founding member, your assistance and support will certainly help us make our dream become an amazing reality. If we are unsuccessful in obtaining the necessary investment to build the ships, we will refund the balance of the unspent subscriptions raised through The Members’ Scheme to each member equally on a pro rata basis. Note we will only launch The Members' Scheme if we obtain take-up from a minimum of 100 subscribers.

We look forward to hearing from you.

 

The Project Orient Team,

Asif Mashhadi, Mark Dugdale, Larry Sylvestre, Julian Tudsbery & Nigel Lingard

Well, that's their message, and you can help, contribute and become a Scheme Member by going to their website and registering your interest at www.sailtoaustralia.com.

We at World of Cruising know Nigel Lingard well from his days as managing director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, so people can be sure this is no fly-by-night organisation, and we are keen to support the venture and highlight the great opportunity involved (it is certainly WAY more realistic than Charles Palmer's rather ludicrous attempts to build Titanic II - the story of which has all gone very quiet recently!).

Editor Simon Veness started his cruising days on line voyages between Britain and South Africa in the late 1960s and 1970s, and will happily vouch for the fact it is a cruise experience very different from most today and one you will long treasure. So give Project Orient a look - we think you'll like it.

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All Aboard For Saga’s New Antiques Seashow

Calling all fans of BBC's Antiques Roadshow - you can take to the sea with Saga Cruises AND enjoy your favourite TV show on a special voyage to northern Europe this May.

In keeping with Saga's style of adding onboard value to the entertainment and lecture programmes, Roadshow presenters Paul Atterbury and Ian Harris (above) will lead a fascinating series of talks, master-classes and valuations on board the Saga Sapphire's sailing to the Baltic.

They will be joined by valuer Clive Steward-Lockhart, who is also a familiar face on the show, and archaeologist and antiquities lecturer Dr Ann Birchall, who will give fascinating talks on underwater archaeology and life in the classical world.

Guests will also be able to join a hosted antique-hunting shore excursion, where the experts give hints and tips along the way during this new A Voyage the Baltic cruise.

Saga Sapphire will sail from Dover on May 19, heading to the Baltic via the Kiel Canal,  a 60-mile channel through the German countryside. The journey ends when passing the Canal lookout station, which uniquely plays the national anthem of each ship as it passes.

Blending the imposing grandeur of St Petersburg with the refined grace of Helsinki and the stylish allure of two ports in Sweden, Stockholm and Gothenburg, this cruise celebrates northern Europe's great maritime heritage, as well as that of the the new Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which have each celebrated more than two decades of independence.

Tallinn in Estonia is acclaimed for its fairytale skyline of turrets and spires, while there is great shopping in Latvia's Ventspils and, from the Hansa port of Klaipeda, in Lithuania, passengers can visit the 13th century Memelburg Castle.

The 14-night cruise costs from £2,368 per person, with the price including VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, all meals and snacks, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, entertainment and lectures, all gratuities, porterage, travel insurance and cancellation cover.

More info: call 0800 056 8986 or visit saga.co.uk/cruises.

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Fred Olsen's Canadian Autumn

For those who enjoy the glories of autumn, the 'Fall' colours of New England and Canada take some beating. The great forests of russet, orange and gold are truly a sight to behold, and they can also be combined with a cruise these days, as various lines offer trips along the St Lawrence Seaway and down to New York (or vice versa).

And, for those with the necessary time and curiosity to explore a bit further afield, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 32-night ‘Canadian Fall with New York & Boston’ cruise this September is an absolute must-try for the best of the autumn splendour.

Setting sail on Balmoral from Southampton on September 1, this longer cruise is perfectly timed to coincide with the best of the glorious Fall foliage on the other side of the Atlantic, and gives guests the chance to enter the iconic city of New York by cruise ship - one of the most exhilarating experiences at sea.

Prices for this cruise start from £3,149 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

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Windstar's Asian Bonanza

As we've mentioned several times just recently, Asia is currently proving a boom area for the cruise world and it is a great time to get on board with this amazing region - and some special deals that seem to crop up on a regular basis.

The latest is from Windstar Cruises, who are currently featuring an exclusive offer for the line’s recently introduced Far East sailings. Guests can receive 2-for-1 cruise fares on any of the new Asia itineraries, two free hotel nights pre or post- cruise, and a free exclusive private event on shore during each voyage. As an added benefit to previous guests, the line also offers an additional 10% off the cruise fare to Yacht Club Members. 

 

Star Pride, Windstar’s all new, all suite power yacht (formerly the Seabourn Pride) will set sail for the Far East this October and voyages start from just $3,999, if booked by March 28 The ship's voyages include:

Singapore & the Malay Peninsula

Discover the melting pot of Malaysia and Thailand on this 10-day round trip voyage from Singapore, visiting Penang, Langkawi, Pulau Pangkor, Kuala Lumpur, and Malacca, Malaysia, as well as Phuket, and Ko Yao Noi, Thailand. The free exclusive private event, Phuket: A Feast for the Senses, gives guests the opportunity to enjoy local culture with a Long Drum Parade and a private dinner at award-winning restaurant Sala Bua (Pavilion of Lotus).

Treasures of South-east Asia

Cruise in private yacht style on this 14-day voyage from the haute couture of Singapore’s legendary Orchard Road to French-flavored Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) and the monuments of Hanoi. The voyage starts in Singapore and visits Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hanoi (Haiphong), and Halong Bay, Vietnam, before ending in Hong Kong. The free exclusive private event, Hoi An: Dreams of Floating Lanterns, is the perfect way to experience the best Vietnam has to offer in arts, crafts, culture and cuisine with a private performance of lion dances and dinner at Nam Long, a beautiful restaurant on the Thu Bon River.

Vietnam Unveiled

Vietnam combines beauty and culture in one perfect experience on Windstar’s 10-day voyage from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong. Ports of call include Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hanoi (Haiphong), and Halong Bay. The free exclusive private event, Hoi An: Dreams of Floating Lanterns, allows guests to enjoy local culture and practice skills like Vietnamese letter drawing, lantern-making, and wood-engraving interactive workshops.

Pearls of the Indian Ocean

Sail through some of the Andaman Sea’s most breathtaking islands and bays and explore the colonial Old Towns, ancient cave temples and melting-pot cities on this 15-day voyage from Dubai, UAE, to Singapore. Star Pride visits Mumbai, Mangalore and Cochin, India; Phuket, Thailand; and Penang, Malaysia. This itinerary highlights everything from India’s colourful cities to the tranquil beauty of Thailand’s beaches.

More info: call (in the US) 1800 258 7245, or visit www.WindstarCruises.com.

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Paul Gauguin Get Exotic With Shore Excursions

We already know that Paul Gauguin Cruises - operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury ship in the South Pacific - have an exotic array of voyages in that part of the world.

And now they are adding still further to their exotic quotient with the details of new, optional shore excursions this year for their Australia & South East Asia voyages.

On these 14-night itineraries, the Paul Gauguin sails between Cairns and Singapore, visiting less-travelled tropical ports of Australia such as Thursday Island, once a World War II military outpost, and Darwin, with its lively yet laidback ambiance. 

 

Indonesian ports include Komodo Island, home of the Komodo dragon; beautiful Bali, a coveted destination for generations; and Semarang, with its fascinating history and gateway to the temples of Borobudur. Two departures are offered: June 25 and August 4, with cruise fares from £3,890 per person if booked before March 31. Both sailings include round-trip airfare from Los Angeles.

Highlights of the optional shore excursions offered on the Australia & South East Asia voyages include:

• Thursday Island, Australia—Thursday Island Discovery: Gain insight into Thursday Island’s people, history, commercial base and culture; visit the refurbished Torres Strait Museum and Green Hill Fort; and see the Japanese Pearl Divers Memorial.
• Darwin, Australia—Crocodylus Park: Visit a park featuring more than 1,000 saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, ranging in length from 11 inches to 15 feet.
• Komodo Island, Indonesia—Komodo Trekking Tour: Trek through Tamarind Woods in search of Komodo Dragons, the largest reptiles on Earth.
• Benoa, Bali, Indonesia—Elephant Safari Ride & Monkey Forest: Acclaimed as one of the world’s best, the Elephant Safari Park is home to 29 of these gentle giants. Enjoy a 30-minute elephant ride then travel to Sangeh Village to visit the Sangeh Monkey Forest.
• Benoa, Bali, Indonesia—Bali Safari & Marine Park: 400 animals, representing 80 species, live here. Interact with the many different animals within these gardens and enjoy the water park, which has slides for both adults and children.
• Semarang, Indonesia—Fascinating Borobudur Temple: See the dramatic landscape of Central Java en route to Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and take in a performance by local entertainers.

Onboard the ship, a variety of special guests will lecture, perform or provide demonstrations which are in the all-inclusive fares. Parisian celebrity chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, champion freediver Herbert Nitsch, “extreme artist” Jean Francois Detaille and soprano Françoise Krief will be on the June 25 voyage. 

 

Joining the August 4 voyage are Nobel Peace Prize winner John E. Hay, islands expert Helen Henry, destination specialist Mick Fogg and Paul Gauguin Cruises chairman Richard Bailey. On both voyages, art history professor and Paul Gauguin expert Caroline Boyle-Turner, renowned archaeologist and scholar Mark Eddowes and a World War II expert will provide a series of lectures.

More info: call 020 7399 7691 or visit www.pgcruises.com.

 

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Voyages to Antiquity Unveil Burma & Malaya

When it comes to the Far East, the countries of Burma and Malaysia remain some of the most unknown territory, with an exotic, almost mysterious side to them.

The best way to see as much of possible in a short time is by cruise, which is why Voyages to Antiquity are currently highlighting their voyage to "mysterious Burma & the Malay Peninsula" in January next year.

Cut off from the rest of the world for decades, Burma’s unique culture has been preserved; its incredible landscapes remain unspoilt, the golden temples and pagodas intact.

Much of this will be on display as the Aegean Odyssey will berth in the heart of Yangon for two full nights. With good quality hotels in short supply, the ship offers the perfect base for a full exploration. The voyage also takes in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia before disembarking in the dynamic city of Singapore for a 2-night hotel stay.

Prices start from £3,995 per person for this remarkable 21-day cruise-tour, departing January 4, 2015.

More info: call 0845 437 9737 or visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see 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.

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