Cruise News - March 2008

Facts & Figures; Foodie Heaven & The Delights of the Caribbean & Egypt

March 2008 ‘Cruise News’ from Mundy Cruising - the leading UK specialist in international, quality cruising, tailor-making luxury holidays to suit the needs of the discerning customer. Of the comprehensive travel destination features, ship reports, industry news columns and comment from Mundy’s knowledgeable Managing Director Edwina Lonsdale, content highlights this month include:

 

** DID YOU KNOW?

- Crystal Serenity was voted the No. 1 mid-sized ship in the world by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine (US). In fact, of 81 ships listed in the February 08 issue of the magazine, the ship’s overall score of 94.6 was higher than every other ship with more than 135 passengers. Crystal Serenity was also voted as having the best activities and facilities of any ship in the world.

- in 2009 Swan Hellenic will return to river cruising, offering a season of river cruises on the Danube and four further river cruises on the Rhone. Their selected partner will be German operator A-Rosa, operating vessels with a maximum number of 100 cabins, accommodating just 200 passengers.

- when Celebrity Solstice debuts in December, the ship will present a top deck covered in real grass! The Lawn Club will offer bocce ball and croquet, golf putting and a spot to picnic with a basket of wine and cheese. The area will feature venues called Patio on the Lawn, the Lawn Club Shop, Sunset Bar and the previously announced Hot Glass Show.

 

** FOODIES AFLOAT (Cruise News page 5):

For international passengers, food continues to be a main highlight on most cruise ships. The diversity of dining has increased, as has the value for money – a considerable change from the time when quantity rather than quality was the emphasis at sea.  

Since her launch in 2003, guests on Crystal Serenity have enjoyed meals prepared by Nobu-trained chefs. Now master Chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa will travel aboard sister ship Crystal Symphony this Spring to officiate the opening of two new restaurants, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar.

On Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, the gourmet Signatures restaurants are the only Cordon Bleu restaurants at sea. Silversea, a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel consortium, enhances its dining room menus with ‘La Collection du Monde’, a series of signature dishes created exclusively for Silversea by Relais & Chateaux, whilst a more exclusive experience can be had in the Relais Gourmands Degustation restaurants Saletta and Le Champagne.

 

** Caribbean Dreaming (Cruise News page 7):

Traditionally the Caribbean is renowned as a holiday destination – once as a playground for the rich and famous and more recently now of appeal to families and cruise lovers. However, there are two faces to the Caribbean – the standard big ship big port itineraries and in contrast the tiny islands, with gem-like bays, pristine white sand beaches and welcomes from friendly, laid-back locals.

Mundy Cruising recommends some ships which sail in the Caribbean:

- Wind Surf cruises the area at the perfect time of year, from the end of November to end of March. Carrying just 300 passengers in attractive yacht-style cabins and calling at different ports every day, Wind Surf offers a choice of two seven-day itineraries – which can be combined to create a 14-night cruise. One sails northbound to the French West Indies and St Lucia; the other southwards to the Windward Islands, visiting Grenadines, Dominica, St Lucia and Tobago,

- it’s ‘Yachting not Cruising’ with SeaDream Yacht Club, operating two, 110-passenger  mega yachts – SeaDream I and II. Emphasis is placed on chic, casual informality on board. A more active, outdoor experience, with overnight stays in port, guests can dine outside, watch movies under the stars, take a nightcap at the Top of the Yacht Bar, or even sleep under the stars on the Balinese sunbeds. SeaDream operates five, seven, nine and fourteen-night itineraries through the British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands.

 
** Exclusive Mundy Experience on the Nile (Cruise News pages 14/15):

Mundy has teamed up with Oberoi to present an exclusive and fascinating 10-night land and sea holiday to Egypt in 2009. Combining Cairo and the Pyramids, with an exploration of Upper Egypt and the Nile valley, the February itinerary features a pre cruise-hotel stay in Cairo, with seven nights aboard the NEW, luxurious, all-suite Oberoi M/s Zahra Nile cruiser. Departing the UK on January 31, guests enjoy three nights at the Mena House Oberoi in Cairo before joining the Zahra; and on disembarkation, the option is available to extend their stay for an additional week at the all-suite Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh Resort on the Red Sea.

Highlights include: the Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo; exploring Upper Egypt along the Nile; Sound and Light at Luxor

Fly-cruise fares, for 10-nights, from £3,810 per person, based on twin accommodation; with the optional Red Sea extension at £650 per person.

 

For reservations and news of the latest cruise line offers, contact Mundy Cruising

Tel: 020 7734 4404 ; and NEW website: www.mundycruising.co.uk

For further press information; or additional copies of Cruise News in

print or pdt format

Please contact:

Jill Faulds, JF Associates, Telephone: 01795 890100; E-mail: jill@jfapr.co.uk

---