SHIPS & DESTINATIONS
CARIBBEAN
Enjoy a port-rich voyage on this small-ship cruise that visits all three of the Dutch ABC Islands in one go, while also revelling in late-night fun
NEW SHIP – BRILLIANT LADY
Virgin Voyages’ fourth ship turns up the wow factor with a tasty new restaurant, sizzling live shows and even a murder mystery…
PORTUGAL
A leisurely sailing along the Douro on new ship Porto Mirante is the perfect way to enjoy this magical region in Portugal
SPECIALIST CRUISES
Whether you’ve got a taste for fine wines or want to witness the next solar eclipse, here’s our pick of seven of 2026’s very special sailings
WINTER SUN CRUISES
Beat the seasonal winter blues by booking a sun-soaked cruise to one of these colourful corners of the world
IN EVERY ISSUE Travel Bulletin
TRAVEL NEWS
What to wear on a chic European city break 24 96 ARCTIC CRUISE for two worth up to £22,500 PAGE
Travel trends, cool hotel buys, blue zones and a chic new luxury British train
NEW HOTEL – THE CHANCERY ROSEWOOD
The former American Embassy has been remastered as a stylish new hotel, with roomy suites and an incredible selection of culinary options
RIO DE JANEIRO CITY GUIDE
Discover Samba-filled streets, seaside cycle rides, incredible beaches and sloth-filled forests in this spirited South American mega city
TRAVEL STYLE
HOTSPOTS
Go in search of India’s graceful Bengal tigers in Ranthambore National Park and enjoy a trip to Tulum’s Mayan city ruins in Mexico
REPORTER
The latest cruise stories, wellness trends and foodie finds
POSTCARDS
Explore a hidden spot in Malta, ride Queensland’s Kuranda Scenic Railway and discover the sandy delights of Skagen
INSIDER’S GUIDE: DRINKS PACKAGES
Discover how to make the most out of your next cruise drinks package
CELEBRITY TRAVELS
Highclere Castle’s Lady Carnarvon tells us why she loves opening her home to the Downton Abbey team, hosting royalty and cruising with Viking 30 84 10 40 86 24 48 91 45 55 98 15 91 60
JOURNEYS THROUGH LIVING CULTURES
ASIA PACIFIC
BOOK BY 31 NOVEMBER 2025
$250 ONBOARD CREDIT PER GUEST
EXCURSIONS
At Swan Hellenic, our voyages are one of discovery—charting the world’s most remote and extraordinary destinations. Introducing our newest voyages across the Asia Pacific, designed to captivates explorers with its striking contrasts and natural wonders. Volcanic shores, coral atolls, and remote rainforests create some of the world’s most biodiverse and pristine habitats. The people add to its allure, from Japan’s blend of ancient traditions and modern innovation to Papua New Guinea’s diverse cultures. Rich human stories reflect centuries of tradition, isolation, and exploration, making the region’s history as fascinating as its landscapes.
13 NIGHTS FROM
£9,100 PP
HONIARA - JAYAPURA
SH MINERVA
5 - 18 APR 2026
10 NIGHTS FROM £7,000 PP
JAYAPURA - SORONG
SH MINERVA 18 - 28 APR 2026
11 NIGHTS FROM £7,700 PP
SORONG - MANILA
WHAT’S
INCLUDED:
•Charter flights, group transfers, & one night pre-cruise hotel (where stated)
•All inclusive onboard including 24-hour room service
•All expedition landings
•One shore excursion per port of call
•Standard wifi package
•Onboard gym, sauna, pool
•Onboard gratuities & port taxes
SH MINERVA 28 APR - 9 MAY 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE OR TO BOOK:
Call: +44 207 846 0271
Email: sales-uk@swanhellenic.com
11 NIGHTS FROM £9,350 PP
MANILA - HIROSHIMA
SH MINERVA 9 - 20 MAY 2026
10 NIGHTS FROM £8,500 PP
HIROSHIMA - OTARU
SH MINERVA 20 - 30 MAY 2026
SCAN THE QR CODE TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD OUR ASIA BROCHURE
Want to experience MORE in Europe?
Choose from 12 contemporary ships and over 150 destinations.
On a holiday with NCL®, there’s always more to experience. You can explore more iconic destinations in the Mediterranean, Greek Isles or Northern Europe and indulge in world-class dining at our speciality restaurants. Kick back in our award-winning spa or go full throttle on the only race tracks at sea. Out here everyone can have their best holiday ever!
Scan here to get your FREE copy of our latest brochure! For details and expert advice call our UK holiday specialists today on 0333 336 1594, visit ncl.com or contact your travel agent
Mykonos, Greece
Epic®, Mandara Spa
Norwegian Viva®, Cinque Terre
EDITOR’S LETTER
As a cruise journalist, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy epic trips on some of the world’s best ships to incredible destinations around the globe. But nothing could ever prepare me for the mind-blowing wonder of my cruise to the Antarctic. It takes four travelling days from the UK to reach this iceberg- lled wonderland, but boy, is it worth it.
A beautifully calm world awaits you, full of breaching whales, cute penguin colonies and toothpaste-blue icebergs. I was the lucky guest of Viking on its expedition ship Polaris. Read my special report on page 72.
Getting there involves a stop-o in Buenos Aires, and my stay in this wonderful city inspired the magazine’s new travel section. Reporting on the world’s best cruise ports and bringing you news of new hotels, train journeys and tours, I hope it will give you inspiration to extend your cruise holidays.
Elsewhere in the issue, don’t miss Deborah Stone’s roundup of this season’s best winter sun cruises (pg 60), Kelly Ranson’s insightful look at drinks packages (pg 45) and Lady Carnarvon’s heart-warming travel tales (pg 98). Enjoy the issue and don’t forgot to check out our website – cruiseandtravel. co.uk – for cruise news, celebrity interviews and daily travel ideas.
Vicky Mayer, Editor
vicky.mayer@chelseamagazines.com
Tel: +44 (0)1858 438 749 Email:
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TULUM, MEXICO
You’ll find spectacular Mayan ruins throughout Mexico but one of the most picturesque spots to explore has to be Tulum’s beachside. During the 11th century, the Maya built the walled city of Tulum to administer their burgeoning maritime businesses. When Spanish conquistador Juan de Grijalva sailed past in 1518, he was amazed to see the walled city painted red, blue and yellow, with a ceremonial fire burning brightly atop the watchtower. Originally the city was called Zamá (‘dawn’) because it faced east but it was soon renamed Tulum, the Mayan word for ‘wall’, in reference to the city’s fortifications.
Today, the ruins of this thriving city are a must-visit. Look out for El Castillo, a cliff-edge tower that stands 7.5 metres tall, serving as a landmark for sailors, and don’t miss the Temple of the Frescoes, an observatory that was used to track the sun’s movements. Make sure you take your swimming gear along for your visit too. The ruins sit on steep seaside cliffs where you can look down on gorgeous turquoise waters and powder-white sands. You’ll find the main beach beneath El Castillo, at the bottom of a steep wooden staircase. Take an invigorating dip after your tour and imagine what this vibrant city would have looked like back in its heyday.
WORDS VICKY MAYER
You can visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum on an NCL seven-night Caribbean: Harvest Caye, Cozumel & Roatán cruise, departing from Miami on 31 January 2026, priced from £480. Other lines visiting the region include Oceania, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises.
+ Turn to page 30 for another Caribbean sailing
Triple Savings on your P&O Cruises
WITH
Caribbean
ARVIA (K602) 16 JAN 2026 | 15 NIGHTS
Fly from/to London†, Barbados (overnight in port), Martinique, St. Kitts, Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua (overnight in port), St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados
Cruise Club Fares From PP
IONA (G605) 28 FEB 2026 | 14 NIGHTS
Southampton, La Coruna, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz (Seville), Lisbon (overnight in port), Southampton
VENTURA (N607) 18 APR 2026 | 14 NIGHTS
Southampton, Vigo, Lisbon, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, Madeira, Southampton
Cruise Club Fares From PP Cruise Club Fares From
REPORTER
WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF CRUISE & TRAVEL
REVOLUTION ON THE RIVER
Leading contemporary cruise line Celebrity Cruises has revealed details of its exciting entry into river ships with the launch of two new ships in 2027. With the promise of floating dining pods, infinity pools, lush cabins and overnight stays, river cruising has never looked cooler. The line’s two new ships Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will sail on the Rhine and Danube, offering guests open decks, spacious staterooms and modern dining experiences. We love the sound of the dining pods, where you’ll be able to eat on deck floating above the river, cool infinity pools and a top deck bar and grill. Add to that beautifully designed cabins, eight onboard restaurants and bars and some fun overnight stays too, these innovative new ships look set to change the face of river cruising. For more details, visit celebritycruises.com
