Luxury, Boutique & Expedition Cruises DECEMBER 2019 Issue 19

STOWAWAY

www.stowawaymedia.com

North to the Norwegian fjords with Fred.Olsen’s Boudicca

The best of French Mediterranean ports

Innovations in river cruising:

AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna

DECEMBER 2019 Issue 19

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Luxury and boutique small ship news for discerning travellers

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Welcome to the new issue of Stowaway with a mix of news, river and ocean going ship reviews and a look at the diversity of cultural and

natural attractions available to cruise passengers travelling to ports along the French Mediterranean coastline and inland along the river Rhone.Share this issue of Stowaway with friends who can email me direct to be added to the emailing list and don’t forget to look at updates on our new cruise website www.stowawaymedia.comKeith EllisEditorkmellis@btinternet.com

Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic Inspiration sets sailLaunched in October, Hanseatic Inspiration is one of three Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ new ultra luxury expedition cruise ships and carries staff speaking fluent English, to reach out to international travellers with an interest in nature and the environment. Hanseatic Inspiration, with balcony suites, a wide choice of dining options, The Ocean Academy with interactive systems for guest study on board and professional guides on shore visits. Hanseatic Inspiration carries just 230 guests – only 199 for Antarctic and Spitsbergen circumnavigation cruises.

NEWS

Hanseatic Inspiration’s 2020/2021 itineraries include:

The Antarctic,

The Canary Islands and Cape Verde,

The North Sea and Iceland,

Greenland and The Great Lakes

Haneseatic Inspiration, off the coast of Norway

Putting on the style in HamburgThe days are long gone when a ship naming was done by a soberly dressed royal personage banging a bottle of champers on the side, with the ship sliding into the water accompanied by music from the local brass band. Now the whole ceremony is held in great style – see how MSC’s new ship MSC Grandiosa, christened by screen legend Sofia Loren was

greeted in Hamburg recently.

Scenic’s adventures below the water lineScenic Eclipse’s 228 guest luxury expedition ship has round trip cruises from Buenos Aires in February and March 2020 offering the chance to explore beneath the waves in the Scenic Neptune submarine, carrying a maximum of just six guests, to depths of up to 30 metres. The design of Scenic Neptune permits virtually floor to ceiling vision, with guests seated in three twin pods which can swivel round through 280 degrees to view underwater life, the ocean floor and perhaps even spot a submerged wreck.

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Seeing doubleJane Archer gets on board AmaWaterways’ new double-width river ship AmaMagna

AmaMagna is based on the Danube, where the locks are wider. Despite her extra size, she holds only 196 passengers, which is less than some traditional river ships and means there is space for large suites and several dedicated restaurants. She was named in a gala ceremony in the Austrian town of Grein by godmother Samantha Brown, host of US travel show Places to Love.

Here are six reasons why you will love AmaMagna.

All those balconiesAll cabins and suites on decks two and three have full-size walk-out balconies, which are great for everyone but will especially appeal to those transitioning from ocean to river cruising. All rooms are large, but for the most space chose a suite. The ‘standard’ ones (which are anything but standard!) have oodles of storage space, a large flat screen TV, an Apple computer (Wi-Fi is free) and a bathroom with a large glass-enclosed rain shower and separate toilet. Those splashing out on the Owner’s Suite get a separate bedroom and living room, a dining table, coffee machine and free mini bar. Entry-level cabins on deck three are as large as the best accommodation on some river ships. These have a fixed window.

Where to eatDining on the rivers doesn’t get much more fun than Jimmy’s Wine Bar, a family-style diner with long wooden tables where food is served on large platters and everyone helps themselves. There are no seating plans so it’s a great way to meet other passengers. The restaurant is one of four complimentary eateries on the ship. Al Fresco is open for self-service breakfast and lunch, and a waiter-served

dinner with an emphasis on vegetarian dishes, Chef’s Table is all about fine-dining (and it is also open for light lunch), while the main restaurant serves everything from fruit and omelettes for breakfast to surf and turf at dinner.

Keeping in shapeA professional fitness trainer travels with AmaMagna and hosts everything from early-morning stretching and yoga classes to line dancing and Zumba either on the sundeck or in the Zen wellness studio, a large area at the back of the ship that also houses a gym and small lounge. Classes are free and open to all.

Staying on boardAmaMagna has a pool and bar on the sun deck, a spa offering massages, manicures and pedicures, a cinema and, if all goes according to plan, now and then there’ll be river expeditions in an excursion boat housed in a marina at the back of the vessel and sundowners on the marina platform. There are 45-plus cycles on board, including some for children, for guided tours but which you can borrow to explore on your own. A lift goes up to the sun deck, which is a big bonus for anyone with mobility problems.

So much includedPrices include shore excursions – there’s a choice of trips every day with walking tours, wine-tasting outings, hiking and cycling among options – all dining, Wi-Fi, and beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Drinks are on the house in a pre-dinner Sip and Sail cocktail hour in the lounge. Bikes carried on the ship can be borrowed at no charge.

ItinerariesAmaMagna is 22 metres wide so she can only sail on the Danube, where the locks are 24 metres wide. Seven-night cruises through Budapest and Vilshofen take in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. In 2020 she’ll also sail a few one-week cruises through Eastern Europe between Budapest and Giurgiu in Romania.

From top: AmaMagna; Al Fresco Restaurant; sundeck swimming pool; standard suite

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The French ports along the Mediterranean coastline provide

a wide choice of shoreside visits for cruise passengers that include tours of both historic port towns an inland villages, grand chateaux and ancient churches, museums and art galleries and world class vineyards with perhaps the chance to take home a bottle or two of the wine produced there, gastronomic dining experiences to savour local food styles and traditional dishes. For the more active, there’s also the opportunity to take part in hiking, cycling and kayaking.

Cruise lines offer visits to many of these places with their shore excursion programmes although with a little forward planning you can see them on your own – just make sure you have a note of last boarding times before your ship sets sail! French Med ports are all members of one of three cruise clubs along the coastline, now joined by historic river ports along the Rhone who work closely together and with both cruise lines and their own local tourism authorities to bring passengers the widest possible diversity of experiences.

WHY BOOK WITH A CERTIFIED AGENT?

The variety of cruise holidays available is almost endless, so it is always best to seek out those travel agents who have access to cruise training and resources.

CLIA is the official learning and accreditation body for the cruise industry, supported by the world’s leading ocean and river cruise companies, and are dedicated to providing expert cruise information and training to travel agents throughout the UK and Ireland.

EVENT AND FIRST HAND SHIP EXPERIENCE • Inspirational keynote speakers from the industry• Specific niches of cruising• Key sales contacts with the cruise lines• Ship visits to experience the products first hand

CLIA AGENTS ARE ABLE TO UTILISE ONLINE RESOURCES• Access to award-winning, City & Guilds accredited

cruise and destination training modules• Full access to our website where we host the latest

cruise news and company profiles• Access to an online Cruise Search to explore all

possible cruising options

All of this helps match customers with the right cruise, right ship and right itinerary.

BOOKING A CRUISE THROUGH A CLIA AGENT REALLY IS THE BEST PLACE TO START YOUR SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT CRUISE HOLIDAY

CLIAEuroCRUISE LINESINTERNATIONALASSOCIATION

Join the club - French style!

DECEMBER 2019 Issue 19Luxury and boutique small ship news for discerning travellers

Contrasting cultural experiences and the biodiversity of the region was recently experienced by Stowaway. Here’s just a few of the things we saw. Report by Keith Ellis.

1. The amphitheatre, Arles;

2. A typical French market;

3. The Escoffier ‘King of The Cooks’ Museum;

4. The Cloisters, Frejus;

5. The Chocolate Museum, Roquebrune

6. Horse riding on the Camargue

7. Traditional Bravade folk dance, Frejus

8. Helicopterjourneys along the Riviera coastline

9. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

10. Electric bike rides along rocky trails

11. Kayaking on inland lakes

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North to the fjordsStowaway editor Keith Ellis travelled to the Norwegian fjords this summer on board Fred Olsen’s Boudicca.

F red.Olsen’s 880 passenger Boudicca sails to a contrasting choice of

European destinations during the coming year, including the Azores & Madeira, The Mediterranean & Black Sea, Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as explorations of French and German waterways, all from Dover so there’s no flying involved. But a favourite cruise destination for many passengers remains the dramatic fjords of Norway, with six Boudicca cruises planned there in 2020 and early 2021.

The waters of the fjords are remarkably clear with the often vertical rock faces reflected in the water surface and descending deep into the water, so that Boudicca can sail closer for study and photography of the rock formations and waterfalls cascading down.

It’s not all about rocks and waterfalls of course. Boudicca’s excursion programme connects passengers to the environment and countryside, with casual journeys across wide lakes by launch before a lakeside lunch, supervised kayaking and more stimulating travel on the water on fast moving RIB boats. There are shore visits to traditional towns, meeting the people who sell locally crafted souvenirs and enjoying lunches in local hotels serving traditional Norwegian dishes.

It’s possible to take part in fishing and hiking expeditions and there are less strenuous country walks including a visit to view the Kjenndalen Glacier. There’s an opportunity to travel on the historic Flam Railway, stopping along the way to view close up the fast flowing Tvinde waterfall. You can even enjoy a helicopter ride over the town of Bergen.

Bergen itself is a ‘must see’ town, with rows of traditional wooden shops and houses overlooking the water. Take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Floyen or perhaps visit composer Edvard Grieg’s summer home and enjoy a short recital of his music in the nearby concert hall.

On board you can enjoy a traditional cream tea in The Lido Lounge and there are lectures, concerts and dance classes. On deck there are golf nets.

Boudicca’s passengers tend to be more mature Brits but families are certainly welcome, there were youngsters on board and l spotted younger couples. Restaurant choices are varied, with The Four Seasons main restaurant serving international dishes while the smaller Indian Ocean restaurant offers the same a la carte menu in a more exotic ambiance. There’s the more relaxed Secret Garden Café Lounge & Bar too which is also open for late night snacks.

Boudicca’s Jacuzzi area (top) The Secret Garden Cafe (centre); Boudicca (right)

Publisher/managing editor Keith Ellis: kmellis@btinternet.com www.stowawaymedia.com

Seating is fixed for dinner although at breakfast and lunch, there’s open seating in The Four Seasons and Secret Garden, a good opportunity to meet other passengers. The Bookmark Café serves teas, coffees and pastries during the day and evening.

In the evenings, there’s also the Grill serving individually prepared fine steaks and seafood dishes at an additional cost – great to sit outside looking over the pool. Dress for dining is these days more informal, smart casual sums it up, although the captain’s Welcome and Farewell cocktail parties are more enjoyable if you’re prepared to dress up a little.

Alcoholic drinks are not included in the fare but the ‘All Inclusive’ drinks package includes good quality wines, beers and spirits, although of course Boudicca’s wine list includes high quality wines, beers and spirits from around the world.

There’s a good choice of accommodations too, from spacious balcony suites on the Marquee and Bridge decks, open terrace suites on Lido deck where the passenger looks across the open promenade out to sea and a wide choice of other cabins with picture windows, plus insides. There are also solo traveller accommodations as well as for those with mobility problems.

The Atlantis Spa offers a wide range of treatments and there is also a well equipped gym, to work off the extra pounds.

There are ex UK no fly sailings to visit the Norwegian fjords also by Fred Olsen’s ship Balmoral from Newcastle and from Rosyth (port of Edinburgh) and also Black Watch from Liverpool. Boudicca has also just announced a 28 night ‘Midnight Sun & Northern Lights’ departing Dover on 14 August 2021, taking in Greenland, Iceland and Northern Norway as well as a chance to see the Northern Lights.

Luxury and boutique small ship news for discerning travellers

Kjenndalen Glacier (top); Touring the Fjord by RIB (centre); The fast flowing Tvinde waterfall (bottom).