The Globetrotter: Cruises

Cruises of all shapes and sizes are hugely popular these days, so cruise companies are o ering more and more themed, special departures and extra-interest journeys to entice you to book with them. Here are just a few inviting cruises to choose from…

GOURMET VOYAGE

Enjoy a luxury cruise with Compagnie du Ponant from Lisbon to Bordeaux in the company of Michelin-starred chefs and renowned sommeliers. Tastings, culinary workshops and conferences are on the menu between calls into Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vigo, La Coruña, Bilbao, Le Verdon and Bordeaux. Home will be the mega-yacht Le Boréal, with up to 132 outside cabins. A nine-day trip departing on 4 May 2014, costs from £1,512 per person.

0800-980 4027, www.ponant.com

WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Voyages to Antiquity’s 25- day Natural & Man-Made Wonders Of The World cruise, departing from Athens on 20 November 2014, cost from £3,750 per person, and encompass the classical treasures of ancient Athens, Crete and Egypt, –finishing with a three-day safari through two of Africa’s best game parks. The price includes a two-night hotel stay in Athens, one night in Nairobi and a three-day Kenya Safari land tour. There is a 15% single supplement.

0845-437 9737, www.voyagestoantiquity.com

BONNIEST SCOTLAND

For 2014, The Majestic Line has introduced a new threenight cruise exploring the coastlines of Mull and Loch Linnhe, Loch Leven and Glencoe. Running in May, July, September and October, the Inlets Of Mull And Loch Linnhe cruise will depart from Oban twice monthly; stops include Castle Stalker and Duart Castle. The area is rich in wildlife, including basking sharks, dolphins, seals, otters, Minke whales and sea eagles. The cruises, from £965 per person, are aboard Glen Tarsan and Glen Massan, two restored wooden – shing vessels, with six en-suite cabins.

01369-707951, www.themajesticline.co.uk

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

In 1984, MS Lindblad Explorer was the first passenger ship to navigate the Northwest Passage. In July next year, Lindblad Expeditions will emulate this with two cruises through expedition cruise specialist Mundy Adventures, aboard National Geographic Explorer. The 25-night Northwest Passage, Iceland and Greenland cruise departs on 28 July 2014 and costs from £19,780 per person fly/ cruise. The 24-night Northwest Passage, Newfoundland and Labrador cruise departs 19 August 2014, from £18,050 per person.

020-7399 7630, www.mundyadventures.co.uk

WORLD CRUISES 

P&O Cruises is offering a spectacular world cruise aboard Arcadia on 6 January 2015. The 106-night World Circumnavigation is for adults only, with single cabins available, from £9,999 per person. Highlights include extended calls in San Francisco, Honolulu, Sydney, Hong Kong, Dubai, Safaga and Sokhna (Egypt). And on 8 January 2015, sister ship Aurora embarks on a 105-night South America and Paci– c Adventure, from £9,299 per person. Both sail round trip from Southampton.

0843-374 0044, www.pocruises.co.uk/world

Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk

SAGA TASTERS Saga is offering four-night mini-cruises on Saga Sapphire. For example, A Taste Of The Continent cruise sails from Southampton on 2 May 2014, with excursions from Guernsey, Zeebrugge (for Brugge) and Amsterdam. From £519 per person. 0800-056 8986, www.saga.co.uk/cruises

DEVON REGIME NuBeginnings is running week-long boot camps in Devon for humans, and their dogs, who want to lose weight, from 15 to 22 November 2013, and 14 to 21 February 2014. From £2,900 for pet and owner inclusive – you’ll certainly shed pounds. www.nubeginnings.co.uk

EXOTIC MINIBREAK Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, half an hour’s drive from Alicante airport, is o ering a three-night getaway, from £438 per person, including winery tour, dinner for two and a Thai massage per person. Flights not included. +34 966 8184 00, www.asiagardens.es/en

CRUISE GUIDE The 2014 Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships is out now, as a book and eBook. £17.99: www.insightguides.com