Destinations Mediterranean | Cruise
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DESTINATIONS MEDITERRANEAN | CRUISE Cruising doesn’t have to mean flocking to the ends of the Summer nightsEarth. Jane Archer looks in to summer sailings in the Med ’m inching around a ledge aplenty as cities, including in search of the mythical Naples, Venice, Barcelona and minotaur, while preparing Dubrovnik, are right at the water’s myself to take on a giant snake. edge, while Rome, Florence and iSuch derring-do is rarely Athens are a day trip inland from what’s required on a cruise the ports of Civitavecchia, Livorno ship, but it’s all part of a and Piraeus, respectively. scarily real virtual reality maze Clients can choose from ships on MSC Cruises’ new MSC based in the Med or sail there on Bellissima – the latest in a list of a no-fly cruise from the UK. Best family attractions cropping on of all there’s always something Mediterranean cruises this year. new to enjoy, as they dock at It’s one of the many features different ports every day. on Bellissima designed to keep kids entertained – they can battle ON-BOARD EXPERIENCES pirates in a 4D cinema, swoosh Royal Caribbean International’s down towering water slides and Oasis of the Seas – one of the test their tightrope skills on a world’s biggest cruise ships – is ropes course – and ensure mum sailing the western Med from and dad have a great time too. Barcelona this summer and packs in everything from a zipline and FAMILY FUN swimming pools to FlowRider surf Med cruises know how to please waves, climbing walls and an when it comes to family summer AquaTheater. There’s a nursery holidays – the biggest and best for babies and toddlers, non-stop floating resorts are packed with action for youngsters in the kids’ clubs and activities to keep clubs and a hangout for teens. youngsters entertained, while Marella Cruises’ Discovery ashore there are beaches, water and Discovery 2, sailing the parks and adventure parks. Mediterranean from Corfu and Parents will find culture Palma this summer, have ➣ Shutterstock : PICTURE 46 20 JUNE 2019 travelweekly.co.uk travelweekly.co.uk 20 JUNE 2019 47 DESTINATIONS CRUISE | MEDITERRANEAN CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Champneys spa on Marella Explorer 2; solarium on TRIED Celebrity Edge; Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery; aquapark on Norwegian Epic PICTURES: Michel Verdure; Susan Seubert &TESTED MSC BELLISSIMA With everything from tapas inspired by Michelin-starred chef Ramon Freixa, to racing car simulators and Cirque du Soleil shows, MSC Bellissima is a ship for all ages. As glamorous as its Italian godmother Sophia Loren, the vessel holds more than 5,600 passengers and sparkles with Swarovski staircases that cost more than £1.5 million each. There are inside, outside and balcony cabins that can be combined into one living space for up to 10 people, as well as suites set over two levels. There’s also a Yacht Club with a private sundeck, pool, lounge and restaurant, where passengers are attended by rock climbing walls, mini golf, pools and play areas for butlers. babies and children. Sky Princess will have play A two-storey boulevard Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, areas for kids and teens, has bars, shops, cafes and meanwhile, have daredevil water slides on ships sailing restaurants, including a from Barcelona this summer. Norwegian Epic’s trio a poolside cinema and free steakhouse and Japanese of flumes includes the Epic Plunge, a 200ft flume that popcorn during evening shows teppanyaki bar. pitches riders into a giant bowl, while Disney Magic has Clients feeling dazzled the AquaDunk, as well as character breakfasts, parties by the choice can ask Zoe, and shows to enthral even the coolest kids. a virtual cruise assistant When it launches in October, Princess Cruises’ for the over-50s, launches in July and sails to the in all cabins. ‘She’ speaks Sky Princess will have play areas for kids and teens, Mediterranean in autumn, visiting Spain, France and Italy seven languages and can do a poolside cinema and free popcorn during evening on voyages from Southampton. Flamenco dance lessons, everything from checking shows. There’ll also be a Sanctuary hideaway for Spanish lessons and cooking demos with celebrity chef bills to advising on the best parents, and family suites where mum, dad and the Kevin Woodford are among the highlights of the 18-night restaurants in town. kids can spread out. It’s sailing two voyages in the Chic Mediterranean itinerary, departing October 17. Mediterranean, then heading off to the US. LOOKING AHEAD GOOD FOR GROWN UPS There’s lots more to look forward to in 2020, as Carnival The Med isn’t just about kids though. Marella Explorer 2 Cruise Lines returns to the Med after a 12-month break. joined Marella Cruises’ fleet in April and is sailing adult- Carnival Legend is sailing nine to 12-day cruises only cruises round-trip from Naples this summer. The ship between Barcelona and Venice from July to October, isn’t new but has been completely ‘Marella-ised’ in a while Carnival Radiance is visiting Italy, France, Croatia, massive refurbishment. Greece, Malta and Spain on three cruises from April to Among the new features are a golf-themed clubhouse June. The ship, currently sailing as Carnival Victory, will bar, beach barbecue-themed The Beach Cove and be fresh out of the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz with a Nonna’s, which serves made-to-order pizzas, as well as new water park and tightropes. new champagne bar Flutes and a Champneys spa. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn is making Saga Cruises’ new Spirit of Discovery, reserved its European debut in 2020 with seven to 11-day ➣ 48 20 JUNE 2019 travelweekly.co.uk DESTINATIONS MEDITERRANEAN | CRUISE 5 OF THE BEST FAMILY DAYS OUT ❂❂Get ready for a wet and wild time on a white-water rafting adventure on the Soca River from Koper in Slovenia, with Celebrity Cruises. ❂❂Set out on a Barcelona city sightseeing tour by Segway. Barcelonasegwaytour.com has prices from £42 for two hours. ❂❂Make a splash with dizzyingly high water slides at Aqualand Torremolinos, 30 minutes outside Malaga. ❂❂When in Rome, do as the gladiators did; Viator has a two-hour ‘Gladiator School’ with prices from £49. ❂❂Harness up and slide through the treetops in ABOVE: Aqua diver on Oasis of the Seas Vizzavona Forest in Corsica. Book at corsicanatura-activities.fr. sailings from Venice to the Greek Norwegian Dawn Celebrity Cruises is offering islands. One of three NCL ships life on the Edge – Celebrity Edge, BOOK IT in the Med next year, it’s visiting visits Santorini and that is – on a nine-night Western Santorini and Mykonos, where Mykonos, where Mediterranean voyage round-trip Marella Cruises has a families can hike up volcanoes, cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome). seven-night Magic of Spain head out on a jeep adventure or families can hike Departing July 27, it will be calling cruise round-trip from Palma spend a few hours on the islands’ in to Italy, France and Spain, with on Marella Discovery 2. It beaches. up volcanoes or prices from £7,342 cruise-only for costs from £1,103, including Royal Caribbean is ramping head out on a four people sharing a cabin. flights and transfers, departing up the family fun in summer 2020, And high kicks are promised on September 28. when Oasis of the Seas is replaced jeep adventure Royal Caribbean International’s by Allure of the Seas, fresh out of Learn to Dance voyage from Saga Cruises offers a 16-night an extensive makeover that will Southampton with Pussycat Doll Roman Italy and Sardinia cruise add water slides, a water park for There’s also space on a seven- Kimberly Wyatt. The cruise is on round-trip from Southampton toddlers and more restaurants. night sailing from Barcelona to Explorer of the Seas from August on Spirit of Discovery, Civitavecchia (Rome) with Princess 18-31, with visits to Barcelona, departing November 18 LAST-MINUTE BOOKINGS Cruises on August 10. It ticks off Marseille and Gibraltar, and costs and visiting Malaga and Families have been snapping up Gibraltar, France and Italy, with from £8,556 for a family of four Civitavecchia. Prices start Med cruises this year, but there’s still prices starting at £3,736 for a sharing a suite. at £3,122 cruise-only. some capacity for those yet to book family of four, including flights. Families can also grab some last- their summer getaway. On August 11, families can hop minute availability on a 14-night Carnival Cruise Line has MSC Cruises has a seven-night on a one-week Greek extravaganza voyage from Southampton to the a nine-day voyage from round-trip voyage from Venice on on Norwegian Star. The voyage Med on P&O Cruises’ Azura, Barcelona to Venice on MSC Magnifica on multiple sailings sails round-trip from Venice and departing July 20. The cruise calls in Carnival Legend, departing between August 4 and 31. Cruise- visits Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos. to Cadiz, Barcelona, Monaco and July 19, 2020, and visiting only prices start from £1,149 per Prices are from £914 per person for Rome, with prices from £1,199 per Marseille, Livorno and adult and £399 per child. a family cabin. adult and £839 per child. TW Naples, from £959 cruise-only. travelweekly.co.uk 20 JUNE 2019 51.