sign in sign up
<<
Home , Adventure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit, Azamara Quest, Celebrity Apex

Issue One | £4.50 / €5.00MALAGA | November1 2020 PORTS & DESTINATIONS ESSENTIAL PLANNING INFORMATION FOR AGENTS

EXPLORE WITH REGENT: IT’S ALL INCLUDED!

EMERALD AZZURRA HEADS TO THE MED IN 2021

FOCUS ON: THE MEDITERRANEAN

StowawayMedia.com

VISIT MALAGA.COM/PORTS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS CONTENTS 3

4 NEWS We’re here to inspire you

Welcome to the first issue of Ports and Destinations, a new magazine that focuses on the wonderful places your clients can visit on a cruise holiday. Time and again, polls show that destination is the number one driver when it comes to choosing a cruise. But how many people, I 6 CLIA COMMENT wonder, consider all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to provide the ports and excursions that make going ashore so easy. FOCUS ON AZAMARA That’s what this new magazine is all about. 8 We’ve launched with a special look at the Mediterranean, a vast sea separating two continents that harbours everything from A-list cities 11 CRUISING THE MED and sun-kissed islands to ancient Greek and Roman history. Future issues will focus on other favourite cruise regions around the world. We’ve also got a special report on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ all-inclusive shore-ex programme, look at what makes Azamara the cruise-cum-destination specialist, and highlight some of region’s favourite ports, providing useful information that agents can use to inspire their clients. Enjoy! 14 FOCUS ON REGENT SEVEN Keith Ellis, Publisher, Stowaway Media SEAS CRUISES

16 TAKE THREE PORTS To arrive at Cartagena is to enter fully... to enjoy (/TOULON/) the best of an entire country, without ever leaving this region where the sun -and time itself- have mellowed 18 PROFILE: BODRUM each little corner into a unique treasure Vestiges of a thousand-year-old culture, gastronomy 20 PROFILE: CARTAGENA that prides itself on excellence in every dish, the best beaches for enjoying water sports all year round, a different form of leisure living, popular and religious 22 PROFILE: festivals... No place offers more Spain than this unique port: the Port of Cartagena 24 PROFILE:

26 PROFILE:

28 INTRODUCING MEDCRUISE

30 PORT LISTINGS

Published by ...... Stowaway Publications 10 Tadorne Road, Tadworth KT20 5TD Surrey +44 (0)1737 81 2411, [email protected] Written and Edited by: ...... Jane Archer ...... [email protected] Creative.....Andrew Reeves, Oddsock Design * All cruise information is correct at the time of going to press...... [email protected] Contact individual cruise lines for the most up-to-date itineraries and schedules. Front cover image: Emerald Azzurra Brought to you by the Mediterranean PORTS & DESTINATIONS Powered by Spain 4 NEWS NEWS 5

Dover employs ECO-robot to clean ships’ hulls

Cruise ships visiting Dover port can now enjoy a hull spring clean thanks to a new machine developed by Norwegian cleantech company ECOsubsea. The machine uses a robot-like ‘vehicle’ to remove debris from a ship’s hull and pump it ashore, which helps to protect the ocean and marine life. The machine also minimises the spread of alien invasive species between continents and embarks enables vessels to operate more efficiently because, once cleaned, they use less fuel and on a green future therefore generate lower emissions. Sonia Limbrick, head of cruise at Dover port, said they are always looking for ways to The Estonian port of Tallinn is building an implement good environmental practices. “I am sure this intense cleaning regime will have eco-friendly cruise terminal that uses sea a positive impact on our port and wider environment,” she added. power and solar panels for its heating and Disney Cruise Lines’ was the first vessel to get an ECO hull clean while in energy. Dover this summer. The machine will be available to all other visiting cruise ships. Port authorities are also working with Sky-high monasteries a highlight city officials to create a walkway from the quay into the old town. They hope this will as Celestyal adds Volos calls encourage guides to ditch bus transfers and Glacier Bay instead walk groups from the port to the The Greek city of Thessaloniki and an excursion to the spectacular ‘hanging monasteries’ of town, which takes just 10-15 minutes. stars on ACL’s Meteora feature in a new Eclectic Aegean voyage launched by . In keeping with its green image, the new SeaDream The seven-night sailings, departing in October and November 2021 on new ship Celestyal terminal, slated to open in July 2021, has newbie Experience, operate round-trip from Piraeus, the port for , with embarkation also been designed specially to meet the needs American Cruise Lines’ available in Thessaloniki to attract the self-drive market from eastern European countries. of both the cruise industry and the local spices up its 175-passenger American The vessel joined the Celestyal fleet this summer after previously sailing as Costa community. A rooftop promenade will be Constellation will be spending two neoRomantica for . open to all and the facility will be used for Grenadines days in Alaska’s Glacier Bay on The itinerary includes a night in , where Celestyal is including a free boat trip concerts and conferences out of season a new 11-day Alaskan Explorers’ on the Bosphorus and trip to the spice market, and visits the Turkish port of Canakkale (cruise ships only sail in the Baltic between cruises cruise round-trip from Juneau for to the remains of ancient Troy and Gallipoli battlefields. The monasteries (six late April and mid October). launching in 2021. The cruise line remaining of the original 24) are perched 400 metres in the air on pillar-like rocks in Tallinn is a favourite stop for cruise The spice island of features on has also lined up new itineraries Meteora and reached on a day trip from the Greek town of Volos. passengers on account of its medieval walled a new series of voyages in the along the US East Coast and on enters service in March 2021 with a Three Continents cruise visiting old town. Some 338 vessels called in 2019, that SeaDream Yacht Club is starting in the Mississippi River between , , , and before switching to a summer Idyllic Aegean making it the second busiest Baltic port after November. Memphis and Nashville, and itinerary calling into , Santorini, Milos, Mykonos, Kusadasi and the new port of Agios , and that is expected to rise to The one-week cruises, on the a selection of pre-cruise land Nikolaos in Crete. 375 in 2021. 112-passenger SeaDream I, also call into packages, including a two-night the islands of St Vincent, Bequia, Canouan, VIP stay at the Guest House Hotel Mayreau, Union and Tobago Keys on the in Memphis and tour of Elvis Brisbane eyes year-end opening for new terminal Down way Grenadines. The vessel is the first Presley’s home, Graceland. to operate in the West Indies since Covid-19 caused the global cruising industry to come The Australian port of Brisbane is due to open a new cruise The Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, to a halt. terminal at the end of the year. The A$177m facility, on the the gateway to the Sea of Cortez in The voyages, running from November outskirts of the city, will enable the port to handle the world’s Baha California, is among highlights of a 2020 until April 2021, are round-trip from biggest cruise ships. Some 150 cruise calls and turnarounds programme of new cruises from Los Angeles Windstar spreads its wings for 2021 Bridgetown in , which, at the time are due to call into Brisbane in 2021 with city tours, a river from . The port call features A helicopter flight over the hill-top palace of Masada followed by a tour of the Old City of of writing, the British are allowed to visit cruise and trips to a koala sanctuary among excursions on in a selection of five-night cruises round-trip Jerusalem awaits clients as returns to Israel next summer after several provided they have a negative Covid test offer. The terminal was scheduled to open in October but was from LA next summer, as well as a six one- years away. within 72 hours of flying and again on arrival. delayed because of the Australian ban on cruising caused by week Mexican Riviera voyages that also call will be sailing a new itinerary round-trip from Piraeus (Athens) that calls Grenada is popular for its pretty capital of the Covid pandemic. into Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. into Ashdod and Haifa in Israel, and Alexandria and Port Said in Egypt, from where there St George’s, its sandy beaches and the array IN BRIEF is an excursion to and the pyramids. An alternative cruise round-trip from Piraeus of spices – everything from nutmeg to ginger transits the Corinth Canal and overnights in Istanbul, where tours visit bazaars, cruise the - that grow there. Excursion options will take will be visiting Thessaloniki has revised its Taste of the Tropics Trains, boats and gushing waterfalls are among Bosphorus and take in a Whirling Dervish show. passengers river tubing, kayaking or on an for the first time next summer on a series voyages round-trip from Barbados to include highlights ashore as ’s new The two voyages are among a host of new itineraries in the Mediterranean, Alaska, Baha island tour to learn about nutmeg, cocoa and of 12-night Turkey and the Best of Greek calls into Charlotte Amalie and Frederiksted in the ship makes its debut in Northern California and that Windstar has lined up for 2021. There are also new Caribbean chocolate production. Islands cruises round-trip from . The US Virgin Islands, where swimming, snorkelling next summer. Passengers can feel the heat in the and Central America cruises from that stop off in Key West for a visit to Ernest The Grenadines are all about sun, sea, itinerary also includes a call into Hydra, a and catamaran trips are among attractions. The warm waters of the Blue Lagoon in the Icelandic Hemmingway’s former home, now a museum. sand and snorkelling. SeaDream’s signature pretty Greek island where cars, scooters islands of Puerto Rico, Guadaloupe and St Vincent capital of Reykjavik and get their chills in an ice bar In August, a 14-day cruise from Reykjavik in Iceland to Montreal in Canada takes Champagne and Caviar Splash takes place and even bicycles are banned. round off the itinerary. in Bergen, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords. passengers through the icy waters and scenic fjords of the North Atlantic. in Mayreau.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS LIMITEDINAUGURAL EARLYBIRD FARES SEASON AVAILABLE 6 CLIA COMMENT

INTRODUCING EMERALD AZZURRA DECEMBER 2021 - DECEMBER 2022 ADRIATIC COAST • RED SEA • MEDITERRANEAN

New York is always a popular destination for British cruisers. The cruise jigsaw is no puzzle

As all the statistics compiled by CLIA UK & expert guides so their guests have wonderful over the past couple of decades show, days ashore. cruise has consistently been the fastest- As we have heard many times at CLIA UK growing sector of the travel industry. & Ireland conferences, the choice of tours There are many reasons for this. There is immense, and growing all the time to are ships to suit everyone, whether families, meet changing expectations. Discovering adventurous couples or luxury lovers. There’s the highlights of cities such as or New wonderful food, world-class entertainment and York, or snorkelling trips in the Caribbean, are fun activities. always popular, but these days your clients can And then there are all those spectacular alternatively visit yoga retreats, learn to cook places that cruise ships visit in every corner of with local chefs, join bike rides, go hiking and so the world. Great cities, historical towns, island much more. nations, icy landscapes. Cruise guests can go wildlife watching in the Galapagos and South Playing matchmaker Africa, have beach time in the Caribbean, get As with picking the right ship, it is vital close to glaciers in Chile and so much more. that agents listen carefully to their cruise They might visit three, four, five or more customers and suggest itineraries that match countries on just one holiday, daily ticking off their requirements. It might be a cruise that Andy Harmer, CLIA UK and Ireland director. unforgettable sights and experiences yet only coincides with the French grape harvest, have to unpack once. The ease of a cruise going whale-watching in , seeing the holiday cannot be overstated. Northern Lights in , wanting an itinerary that visits Rome, Florence and has an overnight It starts with you in Venice. But getting guests to those destinations by It’s a huge amount for agents to know but all ship is just one part of a huge jigsaw in which the resources of CLIA UK & Ireland are available various parts fit together seamlessly. to help our members so they in turn can be Intimate Experiences • Exotic Destinations There’s you, the agents, on whom the cruise sure of offering the best possible service to lines rely to sell their holidays. There’s the port their clients. And the cruise lines themselves Award-winning river cruise line Emerald Waterways introduces Emerald Yacht Cruises and authorities around the world, on which cruise are of course always on hand to offer advice lines rely to provide the facilities that enable and guidance. the brand-new, innovative super yacht, Emerald Azzurra. Custom-designed to allow unique them to dock their ships. Between them, these It is, after all, in everyone’s interest to make access to the fascinating ports and harbours only small yachts can reach. ports are investing millions of pounds in new, sure we look after all our customers so they more efficient terminals and larger docks to return year after year for another cruise. make sure they offer the best experience for their visitors and can also welcome the world’s For more information and to request a brochure biggest vessels. And then there are the local tour companies call 0808 296 3399 or visit emeraldyachtcruises.co.uk in each destination, on which the cruise lines Andy Harmer, rely to provide world-class excursions led by CLIA UK and Ireland director

ABTA No.Y6328 AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA Terms & conditions: Earlybird fares are limited in number and once sold out the full fare will apply.

E2523 TRADE Ports & Destinations Advert.indd 1 15/10/2020 11:18 8 FOCUS ON AZAMARA FOCUS ON AZAMARA 9

Land ahoy AzAmazing journeys Land journeys

Small group once-in-a-lifetime-style tours of between three and Tours of three to six nights in key cities and locations close six days that take in local cultures with the help of historians, to the departure port that focus on iconic landmarks and No Azamara cruise is complete if you haven’t professors and connoisseurs. Accommodation is in everything hidden gems. Accommodation is in four and five-star hotels, from five-star hotels and castles to boutique lodges and even some boutique inns and luxury lodges. Examples include: spent plenty of time ashore seeing the sights glamping. Examples include: Three-night tour of and the Algarve in Portugal and mixing with the locals A five-night tour taking in Machu Picchu, Cusco and at the end of a 10-night Spain Intensive cruise from Belmond’s Hiram Bingham train ahead of a 10-night voyage Barcelona to Lisbon departing November 4 2021. from Lima in to Santiago in Chile departing January 23 When is a cruise not a cruise? No, Luxembourg and the The answer was to ‘slow’ the Cruise tour from £5,451pp excluding international 2022. Cruise tour from £6,899pp excluding international it’s not the start of a joke, but a valid before a cruise from . A itineraries, allowing ships to stay flights. flights. question given Azamara’s decision series of cruises around in late or overnight in marquee ports Six-night tour of Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger in Norway last summer to set itself up as a early 2021 come with everything from so passengers could venture out A five-night tour of the Andalucian towns of Seville, before a 12-night Baltic cruise from Stockholm to leading destination expert. overnights in game reserves to pre and after dark. “If you only visit St Tropez Cordoba and Grenada in Spain ahead of a seven-night Amsterdam departing July 23 2021. Cruise tour from post-cruise safaris paired between 8 and 5, you have missed Intensive cruise from Barcelona to Nice departing £7,644pp excluding international flights. with the winelands and St Tropez,” was Pimentel’s oft-quoted April 17 2021. Cruise tour from £4,705pp excluding Victoria Falls. mantra, and it was applied to ports international flights. Travel companies around the world. including Abercrombie Fresh itineraries were created Stay local Overnight stays & Kent and Perry that tapped into festivals and events have been drafted in around the globe, new excursions to operate the bulk took passengers to mix and mingle of the tours, which with locals by day and after dark, invariably carry the line’s and one AzAmazing evening – a free AzAmazing branding. concert, show or experience – was In short, what with a added to every cruise. portfolio of thousands A few years ago, ‘country intensive’ of cruises on the three cruises that focused on just one sister ships Azamara country were introduced; for 2021, VICTORIA FALLS Journey, Azamara they are now offered in destinations Quest and Azamara as far afield as Greece, Spain, Iceland, The moniker ‘Club Cruises’ was Pursuit, and more than 1,700 shore Japan and South Africa (see right). dropped from its name and the line’s programmes on offer, a holiday with Blurring the lines between land existing selection of excursions, local Azamara is as much about seeing and sea with the Explore Further Two or three-night pre or post-cruise city stays so clients can Overnight stays during a voyage give passengers longer to enjoy experiences and night tours was the world on land as it is by sea. concept was the next logical step see the highlights and get a feel for local life. Examples include: iconic sights or experiences. Examples include: enhanced with new pre and post- The strategy hasn’t happened in Azamara’s quest to be the Two or three nights in Venice ahead of an 11-night Greece Two nights in Kruger National Park during a 12-night South cruise tours, and additional day and overnight but rather has developed destination expert and it will continue   Intensive cruise from Venice to Piraeus departing April 20 Africa Intensive cruise round-trip from Cape Town departing overnight excursions in many ports over the past under the to evolve, was the key message from 2021. Cruise and two-night stay from £3,981pp excluding January 3 2022. Cruise and safari from £4,755pp excluding (see right), all curated under a new leadership of president and chief Pimentel when the new model was international flights. international flights. ‘Explore Further’ tag. executive officer Larry Pimentel. He launched in June 2019. He resigned They might be a few hotel nights joined Azamara in 2009 after a long from Azamara in April this year but Two or three nights in at the end of a 19-night Three-night trip to Johannesburg and Victoria Falls during a in Athens or Rome before or after career at the helm of cruise lines if the range of options in the 2021-22 , Sri Lanka and Myanmar cruise from to 12-night South Africa Intentive cruise round-trip from Cape a voyage from the cities’ respective including Cunard and SeaDream programme is anything to go by, Singapore departing November 18 2021. Cruise and two- Town departing February 20 2022. Cruise and excursion ports of Piraeus and , or Yacht Club, and set about finding a his vision of destination immersion night stay from £5,319pp excluding international flights. from £6,119pp excluding international flights. a four-night cultural tour of Belgium, way to set the brand apart. continues to reign supreme.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS FOCUS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN 11

The destination that has it all

No matter your age, interest or budget, there’s a cruise to suit in the Mediterranean

If you had to design the perfect place for a cruise holiday Been there, done that? it would look a like the Mediterranean. Centuries of There are plenty of other history, fascinating cultures, A-list cities, some of the wonderful (if less famous) most gorgeous food and wine in the world, blue skies, cities to discover – the likes of gorgeous beaches. In short, something for everyone and Pisa, Nice, Marseille, Istanbul all ages. No wonder British cruisers flock there in their and Cadiz – as well as the thousands every summer. landscapes of , In , France, Spain and alone you find Andalusia and to some of the world’s most sought-after cities –Venice, captivate and the islands of Barcelona, , Seville, Dubrovnik – on the sea, while Sicily, , , Elba Rome and Florence are just a 60 and 90-minute transfer and Majorca to explore. All respectively from the ports of Civitavecchia and Livorno. can also be visited on a cruise.

PORTS & DESTINATIONS 12 FOCUS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN FOCUS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN 13

The world’s favourite With so much going for Time to tour it – and we haven’t even All cruise lines offer mentioned the reliably hot a multitude of guided summers, with temperatures excursions that cater for all often topping 30 degrees interests and provide an easy Centigrade - it is no surprise way for passengers to get to find that the Mediterranean out and see the top sights, is the world’s favourite learn about the history and cruise destination after the get a taste of local life. Caribbean, and number It might be a tour around one for the Brits, attracting Pompeii from Naples or Rome from Civitavecchia, a trip to a more than 550,000 of us winery in Tuscany or in the footsteps of WHAT’S NEW in 2018, according to CLIA on the islands of Elbe and Corsica. in the Mediterranean UK & Ireland. It’s likewise no Foodie tours that encourage participants to cook like a surprise that throughout the local and health-themed excursions – for instance to a yoga Ultra-luxury line Silversea has combined five cruises in summer there is a vast choice retreat - are increasingly popular, while active sorts will to an epic Grand Voyage around the Mediterranean next of cruises and itineraries to choose from, ranging from just a few find guided bike rides and walking with Marella Cruises and autumn. Departing September 8 2021, the 59-day cruise, nights to two weeks or more. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. from Venice to Lisbon on the recently-refurbished Silver There is also a huge range of cruise ships, from the luxury vessels ‘On your own’ tours that provide a transfer to Rome or Shadow, calls into 45 ports in 17 countries including operated by the likes of Seabourn and Silversea that hold a few Florence and then leave folk to explore alone are favourites Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Albania, Russia, , Italy, France hundred passengers to the floating resorts of Royal Caribbean with those feeling more adventurous, and of course and Spain. Prices from £26,500 per person including International and that have room for several everyone is free to wander off and do their own thing flights, transfers, Wi-Fi, drinks, tips, laundry and $1,000 per thousand and are wonderful for families. If clients fancy a boutique anyway once their ship has docked – always making a note person on-board credit. offering, look no further than Variety Cruises; for sailing ships cast of the all-aboard time first so they don’t get left behind. your eyes over to Windstar. MSC Cruises’ flagship MSC Grandiosa will be taking over As ever, matching clients to the right cruise is imperative. Not just the company’s signature cruises around the western the size of ship, although that’s the first place to start, but the type of Med next summer. The seven-night voyage calls into cruise. Do they want to strike off the modern metropolises, go island- Marseille in France, , Civitavecchia (for Rome) and DID YOU KNOW? The region is compact, allowing cruisers to tick off four countries hopping in Greece or uncover ancient Roman cities such as Ephesus in Italy, Valetta in Malta and Barcelona in Spain. in just seven days, all without the hassle of unpacking. Choose the in Turkey and Pompeii in Italy? Maybe they have their eye on celebrity Royal Caribbean International’s Odyssey of the Seas Western Mediterranean and you’ll find France, Spain, Italy, Malta and hotspots along the French and Italian Rivieras. is making its debut in the Mediterranean next April. on the itinerary. Head east and Greece, Turkey, Croatia and For those back a second or third time, the lesser-known port such The new Quantum Ultra ship will be sailing seven and Montenegro await. Or put the two together in one spectacular two or as Valletta in Malta, Palermo in Sicily and in Corsica might The Romans called the Mediterranean the Mare Nos- nine-night cruises to Greece, Italy and Turkey from even three-week voyage across the sea. be just the ticket. Returnees might also appreciate the increasingly trum, Our Sea, because it was in the middle of their Civitavecchia ( Rome), as well as 12-night voyages that As a general rule, one-week cruises start with a day at sea so popular ‘slow’ itineraries that stay late or overnight in popular ports Empire. add calls into Ashdod and Haifa in Israel. Adventure of passengers have time to rest before a sightseeing marathon ticking such as Barcelona, Dubrovnik and St Tropez so there is time to see The Mediterranean is surrounded by 17 countries the Seas, which was planned to cruise the Baltic, will off five great ports. On smaller ships, it might even be one port each more and party until late.  including France, Spain and Italy to the north, Turkey now be sailing new four and five-night Med cruises from day. Clients who want more time to relax should aim for a 12 or The Mediterranean season runs from April to October, but a and Israel to the east and Egypt and Morocco to the Barcelona. 14-night itinerary with more days at sea. handful of companies – the likes of MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and south. However long clients go for, a couple of hotel nights at the start Norwegian Cruise Line - operate year-round. Winter means most Forts, towers and plenty of tapas await as Fred Olsen or end of the cruise is always a good idea, especially for those Cruise Lines’ new ship Bolette explores some of Spain’s tourists have gone home so sightseeing is easier, but the weather can There are two island nations within the Mediterranean – embarking or disembarking in the lesser-known ports (Motril anyone?) on a 14-night be unpredictable, with some sunshine but also wind and rain. If the Malta and Cyprus. must-see triumvirate of Barcelona, off-season is possible, April, May, September and October are best as voyage round-trip from Dover next September. The The Mediterranean is connected to the Atlantic by Venice and Rome. the sun is not so toasty. vessel is one of two ships Fred Olsen acquired from the Strait of Gibraltar – a channel between Spain and All three, and also Athens, are Holland America Line this summer and replaces Morocco that narrows to just eight miles at one point. the key embarkation ports for Boudicca, which has been retired from the Fred fleet. Mediterranean cruises, and served by The Peloponnese was separated from the Greek The seventh Holland America Line ship to bear the likes of British Airways, easyJet mainland when the Corinth Canal was dug in the early the name Rotterdam will make its debut in the and Ryanair. For those who prefer not 1890s. Mediterranean in July 2021 with a seven-day maiden to fly, a combination of Eurostar and VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS Monaco is smaller than New York’s Central Park and voyage from Trieste in Italy to Civitavecchia (the port for fast national rail services makes the home to one of the most expensive streets for real Rome). train a viable option to ports such as and Barcelona, while estate in the world. an overnight journey from London to Venice on Belmond’s Venice Virgin Voyages’ second ship, Valiant Lady, is due to enter Game of Thrones’ fans can join GoT tours around service in May 2021 with a summer season of sailings Simplon-Orient-Express at the start of a cruise is a lifetime’s ambition  Dubrovnik, where parts of the hit TV series were filmed. round-trip from Barcelona, where it will be berthed in a for many and financially well worth agents selling. And if neither plane nor train appeal, there are plenty of round- prime location by the World Trade Center. Three one-week Syracuse in Sicily might be Italian now but it was once trip cruises from the UK to the Mediterranean with Royal Caribbean itineraries variously visit ports including , Olbia the largest ancient Greek city in the world. in Sardinia, Toulon, Palma de Mallorca and Gibraltar, and all International, Celebrity Cruises, P&O Cruises and others, although include a Friday overnight stay in the party town of Ibiza. clients will need to set aside at least two weeks for the trip because of the extra time needed to get across the Bay of Biscay.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 14 FOCUS ON REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES FOCUS ON REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES 15 The sky’s the limit

HERMITAGE, ST PETERSBURG

On tour with Regent Whether clients are interested in history, music, food or art, have a tick list of world must-sees, are watching the budget or want to splash the cash, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a shore excursion to suit. Here is just a snapshot of the range of tours available.

Don’t miss St Petersburg: Guided tour of the world-famous Hermitage Museum. 3.75 hours. Free. Available as a small group tour for £31pp. Civitavecchia: Transfer to Rome with a guide and then have a day on your own to explore highlights such as the Vatican, the Colosseum, the ancient Forum, the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps. 10 hours. Free. Livorno: See the highlights of both Florence and Pisa, including the famous leaning tower, on one guided tour. 10.5 hours. Free. Available

POMPEII as a small group tour for £55pp. Sorrento: Guided tour of the ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii that was preserved in ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. 5 hours. Free. Available as a small group tour for £31pp. Regent’s free excursion offering permits passengers to book as many tours as time and their stamina allows Stay active St Lucia: Harness up and zip through the tree canopy in the heart of the island’s rainforest. A sense of adventure and head for heights a It’s been more than 10 years since the bosses Regent’s excursions are free at the point of More recently, it has built on the concept of ‘exclusivity’ to give must. 4 hours. Free. at Regent Seven Seas Cruises came up with delivery (of course some cost is bundled passengers the option to pay for a small group tour (maximum 16 Malaga: Hop on your bike and pedal around sights including the the idea of free and unlimited shore excursions into the cruise fare) and there is no limit people). Typically these cost between £30pp and £50pp but in some Moorish citadel, Picasso’s birthplace and the city’s cathedral. Expect to for passengers as a way to kick start the cruise to the number that passengers can take cases have a price tag of £180 or more. cycle up to two miles. 3.75 hours. Free. market as the world grappled with a deep other than scheduling clashes and their own Many of the shore excursions are well-trod favourites – first- recession. It was a brave move but so popular stamina. timers visiting Civitavecchia or Livorno would be very disappointed if Discover that it remains a key selling point in Regent’s It is brilliant as no one has to worry about there were no tours to Rome or Florence on the menu, or indeed a Valencia: Learn to make an authentic paella during a hands-on class toolbox. the budget, but especially welcome in places canal cruise for those spending the day in Amsterdam – but Regent at a local farm before tucking into your handiwork with a glass of The decision not only enabled Regent to such as Japan and , where language also offers an excellent range of special-interest tours, for instance sangria. 4.5 hours. £79pp. stand out from the pack in the glamorous is potentially a concern, and St Petersburg, focusing on cooking, wine or art, as well as some downright Barcelona: Dive into the extraordinary world of Catalan architect ultra-luxury cruise sector but set it on the path where passengers need a visa to go ashore unusual options (flamenco in a mine anyone?) for those who want Antoni Gaudi on a visit to Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia, the as- to becoming the world’s most inclusive line. alone. It is such a hassle to get one that something different. yet unfinished Church of the Sacred Family. 8 hours. £134pp. At the time free shore excursions were most people rely on the ships’ excursions but New tours are being introduced, drinks, gratuities and all speciality they are expensive, and with most itineraries added all the time. Splash out dining were already included in the cost of allowing two or three days in port because No fewer than 65 St Petersburg: Take a high-speed train to Moscow and tour the capital, a Regent cruise; shortly after, free Wi-Fi for there is so much to see, it’s easy to rack up were unveiled in the visiting Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin museums. A TREVI FOUNTAIN - ROME all and pre-cruise hotels for those booking quite a bill. Mediterranean and ride on the Metro is included. 18 hours. £1,296pp including business- higher suite grades were added to the list Alongside the complimentary excursions, this class seats on the train, breakfast and dinner. of perks. With free tours as well, it is not Regent has always offered a selection of year to coincide with the Cozumel: Fly to the Yucatan peninsula to see the pyramids, columns unusual for passengers to disembark their costly tours such as flight-seeing over February launch of new and sacrificial pits in the former Mayan city of Chichen Itza. 4 hours cruise with a nil bill. Alaska, the ballet in St Petersburg and bullet ship Seven Seas Splendor. (1.5 hours are spent on the site). £308pp. Importantly, the free excursion offering trains in Japan at a subsidised price rather These will be available is not just a headline grabber. The bulk of than free. across the fleet in 2021.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 16 FOCUS ON FRANCE FOCUS ON FRANCE 17

Toulon cruise calls 2021* Toulon Azamara Cruisers calling into Toulon next year don’t know how lucky they Celebrity are. The town, roughly half way Cruises Take three ports between Marseille to the east Disney Cruise and St Tropez to the west, is one Disney Magic Line of the least-known ports on the , but what it lacks Fred Olsen Borealis in celebrity status (among Brits Cruise Lines Bolette at any rate), it more than makes up for in charm. Marella Cruises If the delightful old town Cruises Riviera doesn’t captivate – and it really Nautica should, with its of narrow streets, market (not Mondays), numerous fountains and the P&O Cruises Britannia second-largest opera house in France, second only in grandeur to the one in – then the views over town and the Med from the top of surely will. Princess Cruises A cable car reaches the summit, 584 metres above sea level, in under six minutes. A museum at the top tells of the liberation of Provence by the Allies in . A ticket Regent Seven Seven Seas Mariner combining the cable car and museum is available. Seas Cruises Seven Seas Splendor Ship-spotters can take a boat tour around the harbour, which doubles as one of France’s main naval bases and is home to the giant Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier; the Musée de la Saga Cruises Spirit of Discovery Marine tells of the town’s . Seabourn Seabourn Encore Toulon has three berths for cruise ships up to 300 metres (that’s like Celebrity Cruises’ Seabourn Sojourn Millennium-class or similar) just steps from the town centre. Larger vessels (up to 340 metres) can dock across the bay at La Seyne sur Mer. Transfer time to Toulon is 15 or 30 * CLIA members on sale in the UK only minutes respectively by ferry or bus.

MARSEILLE

Whether clients want to mingle with the rich and famous, dine Nice Nice cruise calls 2021* Shhh. Whisper it, but it was thanks to British Silversea like a local or climb every mountain, they can on a cruise calling aristos back in the late 1700s that Nice into the South of France is on the tourist map for it was they who discovered the city was rather, well, nice. Just Nice turnarounds 2021* the place for a healthy escape from a chilly English winter. Azamara Azamara Journey Cruise lines calling into Marseille in 2021*: By the 1800s Queen Victoria was a regular Marseille SeaDream Azamara; You only need remember one word when Marseille’s skyline has been transformed visitor; now, some 150 or so years on from SeaDream I Yacht Club visiting Marseille. Bouillabaisse. The famous in recent years, with skyscrapers and her royal rendezvous, the city still has a fish stew was invented here so frankly there shopping centres (Les Terrasses du Port, caché about it. No wonder that every summer Celebrity Cruises is nowhere better to find out just what makes with 190 outlets, is a shopper’s dream), thousands of cruisers join the rich and famous Villefranche cruise calls 2021* Crystal Cruises it so appetising. but the main attraction still is Vieux Port, that flock to its restaurants, bars and beaches. Celebrity That’s lunch sorted then. But before that a lively area guarded by two forts and The city’s port, a pleasant 30 minutes’ walk Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Cruises there’s a great city waiting to be discovered buzzing with fishing boats, restaurants, from the centre, can only take ships up to 190 Holland America Line – specifically the oldest metropolis in France shops and people. metres (Azamara’s three ships are at the limit MSC Cruises and the edgy face of the Cote d’Azur, home to This is the place to board a tourist train of what can fit). Bigger ships anchor off Villefranche sur Mer and tender passengers ashore. Crystal Cruises Crystal Symphony a melting pot of other nationalities who have to Notre Dame de la Garde, a spectacular It’s then a short taxi or train ride into Nice (respectively nine and seven minutes). The city’s Norwegian Cruise Line Disney Cruise arrived over the centuries and lent the place church perched high on a hill and visible all hop-on, hop-off bus loops around to Villefranche as well as circling around key sights in Nice. Disney Magic Line an exciting vibe. the way from the cruise port, or hop on a The beach at Nice is lovely, but there’s more to the city than sun, sand and sea, from getting Princess Cruises Cruise ships dock at Môle Léon Gourret, a ferry to the island fortress of Chateau d’If, a culture shot at the Musée Matisse, the Musée Marc Chagall, the Russian cathedral and Gothic Marella Cruises Marella Explorer huge basin about 4.5km outside the city that a former prison and home of Alexandre Notre Dame Church to exploring the maze of streets in the old town. A 45-minute sightseeing Regent Seven Seas Cruises can berth up to seven large vessels at once. Dumas’ fictional Count of Monte Cristo. tour by mini train (departures from the ) introduces visitors to the Oceania Cruises Riviera Royal Caribbean International From there, passengers need to take a shuttle Crossing time is 20 minutes. highlights. P&O Cruises Azura (follow the green line to the ‘bus terminal’ for Le Panier, the old town, is an artsy area full To do as the Niçois, join the walkers, joggers and bikers on the Promenade, a palm-fringed SeaDream Yacht Club Britannia the free airport bus) or taxis into town. A small of character with scruffy terraced houses pedestrian walkway around the seafront. Prefer to be a tourist? Grab a bite to eat at the Silversea berth, La Joliette, walking distance from the and artisan studios built around narrow nearby art-deco fronted Palais de la Mediteranée, with its open air restaurant overlooking the Royal Caribbean International Virgin Voyages Vieux (Old) Port, additionally takes craft of up streets and steep steps. Baie des Anges, or a cocktail or two at the world-famous Negresco Hotel, a celebrity hangout to 210 metres (roughly the length of Regent’s with a roll call that includes everyone from the Beatles to Princess Grace of Monaco. Just * CLIA members on sale in the UK only * CLIA members on sale in the UK only Seven Seas Voyager). Details of Marseille turnarounds p33 don’t ask the price.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 18 PORT PROFILE PORT PROFILE 19

WHY NOT?

Go west 14 miles to explore the winding cobbled streets and authentic Turkish res- taurants in the little town of Gumusluk.

Try riding a Segway. It’s a fun way to get around.

Forget the cultural stuff and go to the beach. Yahsi is a fa- vourite for its clear water and nearby food emporiums.

Try a Turkish Hamam Bath – it’s a steam clean for the body.

Bodrum

CRUISE CALENDAR WHAT TO DO One of the Brits’ favourite sun, sand and sea destinations, Bodrum Cruise calls 2021 in Turkey is gaining favour with (CLIA members on sale in the UK only) luxury cruise lines on account of its Crystal Cruises Crystal Esprit Discover: The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. One of charming old town, historical sites, Oceania Cruises Nautica the seven ancient wonders of the world, it was built lively bazaars and lovely beaches. A for King Mausolus, who reigned from 376-353BC. few lines stay overnight. Regent Seven Seven Seas Mariner The town sits on the country’s Seas Cruises Visit: The Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Turquoise coast, half a day by sea Seabourn Seabourn Encore located within the stout walls of the 15th-century from Kusadasi and 20km across Seabourn Ovation St Peter’s Castle. the water from Kos, so it fits well in cruises around Greece and Turkey. Silversea Silver Shadow See: Bodrum’s theatre was built in the 4th century The cruise port is just 1.5km from Windstar Star Legend and in its heyday held 13,000 spectators. the city centre and was enlarged in Cruises 2011 to accommodate four small or Contact: www.bodrumcruiseport.com Explore: The maze of alleys in the Old Town. two large vessels, including Royal Caribbean International’s giant Oasis- Shop: The modern bazaar is packed with stores class ships. Eight cruise lines have selling everything from jewellery to t-shirts. around 30 scheduled in 2021.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 20 PORT PROFILE (ADVERTORIAL) PORT PROFILE (ADVERTORIAL) 21

CRUISE CALENDAR

Cruise calls 2021 (CLIA members on sale in the UK only)

Azamara Azamara Journey Cartagena Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Celebrity Constellation Cruises Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Reflection

Costa Cruises

Cunard Queen Victoria Queen Elizabeth

Disney Cruise Line Disney Magic

Fred Olsen Braemar, Borealis Cruise Lines Bolette, Balmoral

Holland America Westerdam Line Zuiderdam Nieuw Statendam

Marella Cruises Marella Explorer

MSC Cruises MSC Preziosa

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Getaway

Oceania Cruises Riviera

P&O Cruises Ventura, Aurora Britannia, Arcadia

Ponant

Princess Cruises If you’re thinking Columbia in right now, direct Regent Seven WHAT TO DO WHY NOT? Seven Seas Splendor your thoughts several thousand miles east because this is Seas Cruises

about the ‘original’ Cartagena – the one on the south-east Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas coast of Spain, some 380 miles south of Barcelona. International Odyssey of the Seas Visit: The Roman Theatre and museum. It was Take an excursion to Bateria  The city was founded in 221BC by the Carthaginians  Saga Cruises Spirit of Adventure built 2,000 years ago but only discovered in de Castillitos, a medieval- and over the centuries has been invaded by Phoenicians, Spirit of Discovery 1988 beneath a bombed-out cathedral. looking fort built in the Byzantines, Romans, and Moors. The most-visited 1930s some 30 minutes Scenic Scenic Eclipse Walk: The Calle Mayor, a pedestrian street lined attraction is the Roman theatre which, with space for 6,000 from the city. Seabourn Seabourn Sojourn with high-end shops and cafés, and paved with spectators, was the second-biggest in Iberia. In 1888, local Seabourn Encore blue marble tiles. Get wet, wet, wet at the Terra engineer Isaac Peral designed and built a battery-powered Natura Waterpark in nearby SeaDream SeaDream II Learn: The dark days of the Spanish Civil War submarine complete with two torpedos and a periscope. It is Murcia. Yacht Club SeaDream I (1936-39) are remembered at the Refugio Museo now on show in the city’s military museum. Have a tapas-tasting lunch Silversea de la Guerra Civil, in a former air raid shelter in the  Silver Moon, Dawn, Spirit The cruise port is an easy stroll from the town centre and ashore. centre of the city. Windstar , can hold up to two large cruise ships at any one time. For Head out to a nearby ranch Cruises Star Legend Discover: The remains of a Moorish palace at to see pure-bred Spanish 2021, some 185 cruise calls from around 35 cruise lines are Contact: www.apc.es the Castillo de la Concepcion. horses. scheduled.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 22 PORT PROFILE (ADVERTORIAL) PORT PROFILE (ADVERTORIAL) 23

CRUISE CALENDAR

Cruise calls 2021 (CLIA members on sale in the UK only)

Azamara Azamara Journey Gibraltar Azamara Quest Azamara Pursuit

Carnival Cruise Carnival Legend Line

Celebrity Celebrity Infinity Cruises Celebrity Silhouette

Costa Cruises Costa Fascinosa

Cunard Queen Victoria Queen Elizabeth

Fred Olsen Balmoral Cruise Lines Borealis

Holland America Westerdam Line Rotterdam Nieuw Statendam

Marella Cruises Marella Explorer

MSC Cruises MSC Poesia MSC Splendida

Oceania Cruises Riviera, Insignia

Iona, Ventura P&O Cruises Aurora, Britannia Arcadia

Enchanted Princess Island Princess Princess Cruises Regal Princess

WHAT TO DO Gibraltar’s sunny disposition, rocky backdrop and British mien WHY NOT? Royal Caribbean International – a result of the territory being ceded to the UK in the 1713 Anthem of the Seas Treaty of Utrecht after the War of the Spanish Succession Spirit of Discovery Saga Cruises – have made the Rock a favourite port call for UK cruise Spirit of Adventure Explore: The tunnels in the Rock that were turned into Join an e-bike tour around SeaDream Yacht an underground city for troops during the Second passengers. the Rock. SeaDream I Club World War. The territory – barely three times the size of the City of Get your thrills on the London – is on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, Variety Cruises Harmony V See: The Barbary macaques (wild monkeys) that roam Windsor Suspension Bridge freely at the top of the Rock. guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean so it’s ideally and the Skywalk, some Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady located for cruise lines on a circuit around France, Spain and 340 metres above the Discover: Monuments and memorials to Lord Nelson, Mediterranean. Windstar Wind Surf Italy, or sailing into the region from the UK. the evacuation of civilians in World War Two, the British Cruises Star Legend Go in search of cetaceans on and American War Memorials and Wellington Memorial The cruise terminal is just 15 minutes’ walk from the town  a dolphin-watching excursion. Contact: www.gibraltarport.com on a DIY tour of the territory. and accommodates four medium sized or two large ships at any one time. In 2021, the port is expecting almost 25 cruise Visit: St Michael’s Cave, some 274 metres above sea level and crammed with and stalagmites. lines and more than 220 port calls.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 24 PORT PROFILE PORT PROFILE 25

CRUISE CALENDAR

Cruise calls 2021 (CLIA members on sale in the UK only)

Azamara Azamara Journey Azamara Quest Livorno Azamara Pursuit

PISA Carnival Cruise Carnival Legend Line

Celebrity Celebrity Constellation Cruises

Crystal Cruises Crystal Symphony

Disney Cruise Disney Magic Line

Fred Olsen Borealis Cruise Lines

Hapag-Lloyd Europa 2 Cruises

Holland America Westerdam Line Zuiderdam Nieuw Statendam

Marella Cruises Marella Explorer

MSC Cruises MSC Seaside

FLORENCE Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Getaway Norwegian Escape

Riviera, Sirena PORT OF LIVORNO Oceania Cruises Marina, Insignia Nautica

The city of Livorno, on the west coast of Italy, is home to Azura P&O Cruises WHAT TO DO one of the biggest and busiest ports in the Mediterranean. WHY NOT? Britannia There are some 300 calls from more than 20 cruise lines Enchanted Princess scheduled for 2021 and in all, up to 11 cruise ships can berth Princess Cruises Discovery Princess there at one time, including Royal Caribbean International’s Regal Princess Shop: Check out the stalls in the busy Try a bowl of Il Cacciucco – an Mercato Centrale market, off Piazza giant Oasis-class vessels. authentic Livorno fish soup. Seven Seas Mariner Regent Seven Cavour. Note that it is closed Sundays. Most ships dock at the commercial port, from where Seven Seas Voyager Take the train to Pisa (16 min- Seas Cruises passengers must take a shuttle bus or taxi to the city; from LUCCA Seven Seas Splendor Explore: Fortezza Vecchia, the city’s old utes) and climb the Leaning fortress. Puerto Mediceo, used by smaller vessels, it’s an easy walk into Tower. Silver Moon Silversea Silver Shadow town. Join a food and wine-tasting Ride: Boats offer tours along the canals of excursion into the Tuscan the Quartiere Venezia (Venice Quarter). Most of the thousands of passengers the ships bring go to hills. Florence, around 60 miles up the road, and Pisa, famed for its Contact: www.portolivorno2000.it Discover: Find out what lurks beneath the  leaning tower, or the walled city of Lucca are also popular,, but waves at the city aquarium. with its Renaissance architecture and pretty canals, those who linger in Livorno won’t be disappointed.

FLORENCE

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 26 PORT PROFILE (ADVERTORIAL) PORT PROFILE (ADVERTORIAL) 27

CRUISE CALENDAR

Cruise ship turnarounds, 2021 Barcelona (CLIA members on sale in the UK only) Azamara Azamara Journey Azamara Quest

LA BOQUERIA MARKET Carnival Cruise Carnival Legend Line

Celebrity Celebrity Apex Cruises Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Constellation Celebrity Infinity

Costa Cruises Costa Smerelda Costa Fortuna Costa Favolosa Costa Fascinosa

Disney Cruise Disney Magic Line

LA RAMBLA MSC Cruises MSC Grandiosa MSC Virtuosa MSC Magnifica MSC Seaside MSC Seashore MSC Fantasia MSC Preziosa MSC Splendida MSC Poesia

Norwegian Norwegian Epic Cruise Line

PORT OF BARCELONA Norwegian Jade

Oceania Cruises Riviera, Marina, Insignia, Nautica, Sirena WHAT TO DO It is famous for Anton Gaudi’s architecture, the buzzing La WHY NOT? Ponant Le Lyrial Rambla boulevard and was even immortalised in song by Le Dumont d’Urville Enchanted Princess Freddie Mercury and Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé. Princess Cruises Discovery Princess ‘It’ is of course Barcelona, the most popular cruise port in Marvel: At the unique architecture and Head up to Montjuic and take Seven Seas Splendor the Mediterranean on account of all the ships that either call Regent Seven 2,000 years of heritage at St Pau Hospital the cable car back down to Seven Seas Voyager or homeport there during the summer. Seas Cruises or Park Güell. the port. Seven Seas Mariner The city is on Spain’s Mediterranean shore, making it a must Have a day on the beach. It’s GAUDI’S PARK GUELL Jewel of the Seas Walk: By Mount Montserrat Natural Park for any cruise ships sailing the France, Spain and Italy trilogy Royal Caribbean right there in the city so you and Benedictine Abbey. International favoured by first-timers as well as being an ideal start or can’t miss it. Adventure of the Seas Explore: The wine region of Penedés, with end port for longer voyages to or from the eastern shores of Tantalise the taste buds at La Seabourn Encore more than 300 wineries, or the village of  Seabourn Greece and Croatia. Boqueria market, half-way up Seabourn Sojourn Sitges, the perfect combination of More than 30 cruise lines have over 550 cruises scheduled La Rambla. modernism and bohemian life. Silver Shadow from the port next year. There are two piers for small vessels Silver Moon Join an excursion to Camp Silversea Lunch: Discover Catalan gastronomy and next to the World Trade Centre at the bottom of La Rambla; Nou. Footie fans will not need Silver Spirit become a true chef. Silver Dawn the main harbour, Moll Adossat, 10 minutes by shuttle bus asking twice. from the city, accommodates up to five big ships at one time. Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady

LA RAMBLA Contact: www.portdebarcelona.cat

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 28 BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEDCRUISE

#VISITGIBRALTAR PORT OF GIBRALTAR

Cadiz city centre is just a short walk from the cruise port. Bringing the Med together

Cadiz, Haifa and Vendres, ports is vast, ranging from large more attractions to meet the ever- respectively in Spain, Israel and facilities that can dock numerous changing expectations of today’s France, are the latest members vessels at once, including the world’s travellers. to sign up to MedCruise, an ever- biggest ships, to small harbours that Agents can keep up with all growing association that brings only luxury and boutique craft can use. the new developments through THE IDEAL • Established, quality cruise facilities together ports from countries across Ships might be berthed within easy MedCruises’ social media sites, • A wide choice of shore excursions the Mediterranean. distance of one of Europe’s great cities, which detail information about CRUISE SHIP It’s just the latest instalment providing passengers with a gateway ship departures, new shoreside • Competitively priced bunkers delivered by quality operators in what has been a impressive to glamorous attractions, high-end attractions, upcoming cultural PORT OF • Excellent international communications success story for MedCruise since shops and a wide choice of dining, or and sporting events that they it started with just 12 members in on the edge of unspoilt villages and can sell into, as well as excursion CALL • Broad spectrum of marine services 1996. Today it has 75 members countryside – the places to top up opportunities and other hot news. across 21 countries that between on authentic souvenirs and try local These sites are also a valuable them operate 140 cruise ports cuisine in family-run restaurants. resource for the cruise lines’ itinerary that handle more than 30 million The variety of experiences these planners, who need to keep up to date passenger movements each year. ports offer passengers is equally with what is happening in the various Most are in summer, but a few cruise vast. It might be a chance to visit destinations their ships visit as well lines operate year-round, taking world-class art galleries, sip wine as seeking inspiration for new tours advantage of the mild weather and with a vintner in his own vineyard, and excursions that will lure back excellent sightseeing opportunities tour some of the greatest ancient past passengers and enthuse the all- once most tourists have gone home. Greek or Roman cities or uncover important new-to-cruise customer. MedCruise membership is not architectural gems from the There is no doubt that MedCruise confined to ports either. Tourist Renaissance. Cruisers can climb has been a fantastic partner for the boards and shipping companies that volcanoes, laze on sun-kissed cruise industry over the past 24 provide shoreside operations such beaches, try their hand at cooking years. Here’s to the next 24! as food and beverage provision, like a local. refuelling and repairs are among a In short, MedCruise’s wide reach plethora of associate members that means its port members can satisfy are vital for the smooth running of every customers’ interests. And the all port operations. options keep on growing each year The variety of MedCruise member as those members help to develop Gibraltar Port Authority North Mole, Gibraltar, Tel: +350 20046254, Fax: +350 20051513 AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA [email protected] www.gibraltarport.com 30 MEDITERRANEAN TURNAROUND PORTS MEDITERRANEAN TURNAROUND PORTS 31

Ports of the Mediterranean

Marseille

Vendres

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 32 MEDITERRANEAN TURNAROUND PORTS MEDITERRANEAN TURNAROUND PORTS 33

Cruise lines offering turnarounds in Barcelona in 2021:

Azamara

Celebrity Cruises

Costa Cruises

Crystal Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Holland America Line

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Ponant

Princess Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

SeaDream Yacht Club Barcelona Cruise lines offering turnarounds Marseille in Marseille in 2021: Scenic On Spain’s east coast, Barcelona is the busiest port in the Marseille is not only the second-largest Mediterranean, popular as a turnaround port because of its excellent Crystal Cruises city in France but the country’s busiest Virgin Voyages global flight connections and as a port of call for its ease of access Costa Cruises cruise port, popular with MSC Cruises Windstar Cruises - the city is just 10 minutes by shuttle bus from the main cruise port - and Costa Cruises for embarkations and MSC Cruises and attractions that range from quirky architecture to one of Europe’s numerous other lines as a port of call for top football clubs. Up to seven ships can berth there simultaneously. Regent Seven Seas Cruises the city’s home-spun attractions and as a SeaDream Yacht Club gateway for excursions to the Camargue, Aix en Provence and other delights. The port is on the edge of the city, which sits Cruise lines offering turnarounds on the Cote d’Azur. in Civitavecchia in 2021:

Azamara

Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Crystal Cruises

Costa Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Holland America Line

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Ponant

Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Cruise lines offering turnarounds Royal Caribbean International Monaco in Monaco in 2021: Civitavecchia (Rome) Seabourn Given Monaco is just 2.1 square km (smaller than the City of London), Crystal Cruises On the west coast of Italy, the town of Civitavecchia is one of the main SeaDream Yacht Club its port, which can berth ships up to 300 metres long, punches above Hapag-Lloyd Cruises turnaround ports in the Mediterranean on account of its proximity its weight in terms of turnarounds and cruise calls. The principality is Silversea to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, some 43 miles away, and to Rome itself tucked into a corner of the French Riviera, and famous for its glitzy Oceania Cruises Windstar Cruises (passengers can be in the city in an hour by road or 90 minutes by casino. Cruisers can wander into town from the port (elevators avoid Regent Seven Seas Cruises train). The cruise port has six terminals and no limit on the size of steep climbs to the palace and casino) and explore alone; excursions SeaDream Yacht Club ship that can dock. pair Nice with the cute hill-top village of Eze.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 34 MEDITERRANEAN TURNAROUND PORTS MEDITERRANEAN TURNAROUND PORTS 35

Cruise lines offering turnarounds in Piraeus in 2021:

Azamara

Celestyal Cruises

Crystal Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Holland America Line

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Ponant

Princess Cruises Istanbul

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Istanbul is back on the cruise radar after several years on the no-go list due to fears Seabourn of terrorism. Its return is excellent news for SeaDream Yacht Club cruisers, who are advised to arrive a day or two early before they are due to sail so there Silversea Piraeus (Athens) is time to visit the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Variety Cruises (from Marina Zea) Palace and other attractions. The port, at The town of Piraeus is home to one of the busiest turnaround ports in Windstar Cruises Karakoy is a short walk across the Galata the Mediterranean and certainly the busiest in Greece. It is just a few Cruise lines offering turnarounds Dubrovnik Bridge from the tourist area and can berth miles outside Athens and an hour’s drive from the city’s international in Dubrovnik in 2021: up to three ships at once. airport, which is well served with flights from Europe and around There are few cities in the world still Emerald Waterways enclosed by the stout medieval walls our the world. The port has three terminals and can berth up to 12 cruise Cruise lines offering turnarounds Marella Cruises forebears built, but Dubrovnik in Croatia is ships simultaneously, including the very largest vessels. Variety in Istanbul in 2021: one. The city occupies an enviable location Cruises’ ships sail from nearby Marina Zea. SeaDream Yacht Club in the Adriatic and is hugely popular for port Norwegian Cruise Line calls – so much so that restrictions were put Oceania Cruises on numbers last year to stop the city being Ponant Cruise lines offering turnarounds overwhelmed – but not so big when it comes in Venice in 2021: to turnarounds. The port is about 30 minutes’ Regent Seven Seas Cruises walk from the old city; buses and taxis Azamara Seabourn will whisk people from one to the other in Celebrity Cruises about 10 minutes. Walking the city walls and SeaDream Yacht Club Costa Cruises Game of Thrones-themed tours are among highlights. Crystal Cruises Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Palma de Mallorca Holland America Line The busy capital of Mallorca is also MSC Cruises the Balearic Islands’ biggest cruise Norwegian Cruise Line port. Ships dock mainly at the Estació Maritima, across the bay from the city’s Oceania Cruises landmark cathedral, about 20 minutes Ponant from the airport and a 40-minute walk to the centre of town. The city can hold Princess Cruises up to 10 cruise ships including the very Regent Seven Seas Cruises biggest vessels. Seabourn

SeaDream Yacht Club Venice Cruise lines offering turnarounds Silversea Cruise ships entering and leaving Venice port sail along the Giudecca in Palma de Mallorca in 2021: Canal, passing St Mark’s Square and the entrance to the Grand Canal, Windstar Cruises Costa Cruises making it a leading contender for the title ‘world’s best sailaway’. The port has six berths; and there is additional docking space for small Hapag-Lloyd Cruises vessels and river ships on the Giudecca Canal. It is pleasant to wander MSC Cruises the canals and bridges into the city; there are alternatively water taxis Marella Cruises from the main terminal area.

AUTUMN ISSUE | STOWAWAY MEDIA PORTS & DESTINATIONS 2020_AD_PBCN_CRUISE•PORT_DESTINATIONS_A4.pdf 5 7/9/20 8:56

The leading cruise port in the Mediterranean

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K