P&O Cruises' Ventura was christened in spectacular style by Dame Helen Mirren in 2008, when the screen siren commanded a team of Royal Marine Commandos to abseil down the side of the ship. This 3,092-passenger ship ushered in a more contemporary look for P&O Cruises. Rising 15 decks, the family-friendly Ventura is similar to Princess Cruises’... P&O Cruises' Ventura was christened in spectacular style by Dame Helen Mirren in 2008, when the screen siren commanded a team of Royal Marine Commandos to abseil down the side of the ship. This 3,092-passenger ship ushered in a more contemporary look for P&O Cruises. Rising 15 decks, the family-friendly Ventura is similar to Princess Cruises’...
Having been the Cunard flagship for almost 40 years, Queen Elizabeth 2 was a tough act to follow, but the next ship to bear the name Elizabeth offers a glimpse back to the Golden Age of travel. The era of the much adored ship known the world over as QE2 may be gone, but on-board...
Throughout the world there are groups of islands caressed by gentle winds, ringed by white sandy beaches and glistening iridescent waters. But nowhere in the world is there a group of islands quite like the Spice Islands - 632 islands to the north east of Indonesia. Straddling one of the world’s most volatile volcanic belts...
In 100 BC any self-respecting Greek or Roman citizen who needed a makeover would journey to Pergamum in Asia Minor for its renowned health facilities - the Canyon Ranch of its day. The treatments included comedies and tragedies in the amphitheatre, mud baths, snake-handling, soaking in a hot mineral pool and drinking ‘magical water’ laced...
Fancy a flutter on the ocean waves? There are plenty of options, but beware of the pitfalls. In 1626 a Venetian public gambling house was legalised for the first time. Soon, the high society of that prosperous city met in little houses – casini – to indulge in business dealings and politics – but mostly...
Founded in the 6th century, the timeless citadel of Dubrovnik is awash with honey-coloured stone buildings separated by narrow limestone pavements. It is little wonder it is called the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. This showcase of a city with ochre Baroque façades endured a modern medieval siege in the early 1990s, when more than 2,000...
Just thinking about seasickness is enough to make you squeamish – but help is at hand. During my career as a cruise writer I have encountered a violent hurricane in the North Atlantic, three cyclones in the South China Sea and survived the tempestuous Drake’s Passage en-route to Antarctica. Fortunately, despite feeling somewhat queasy on...
Launched in 2016, Koningsdam is the first of Holland America Line’s Pinnacle-class ships and is a vessel ahead of the curve. As the largest ship ever built for Holland America Line, this renowned cruise line’s new flagship is aptly named - ‘Koning’ means ‘king’ in Dutch. As their first new ship in eight years, it...
Founded in 1873 under the name Holland-Amerika Lijn, this enterprising company offered a transatlantic passenger service between Rotterdam and New York until 1971, when Holland America abandoned passenger transportation and switched to running cruise ships full time. In 1989 Holland America Line became a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. The company’s fleet of 15...
Norovirus hits the headlines again – but this time it’s not on a cruise ship. Tabloid newspapers go into overdrive when an outbreak of norovirus – or stomach flu - occurs on a cruise ship. ‘Gastro bug strikes hundreds at sea’ was one recent example of the dramatic headlines. It is a cheap way to...