One of the main attractions of cruising is that the world is literally your oyster and given the choice of five wonderful and very differing continents it can sometimes make the decision of where to go a difficult one.
In order to give you a helping hand, Laura Lamb, Head of Product & Media at Reader Offers Limited, narrows it down to one spectacular cruise from each continent, with luxury topping the agenda.
Africa – The Ultimate African Discovery featuring Victoria Falls
This 18-night itinerary, which incorporates a 10-night cruise aboard the ultra-luxurious Silversea Silver Cloud ship, takes you to Africa’s southern-most tip and one of the most diverse countries in the world, South Africa.
Before joining your ship you will spend three nights in a five star hotel in the breathtakingly beautiful city of Cape Town, which spreads between the 3,000-foot-high, flat-topped Table Mountain and the sea.
It’s then time to step aboard Silver Cloud for an all-inclusive one-of-a-kind personal cruise where you will be engulfed in ultra-luxury from its elegant ambience to the attentive and friendly service.
The cruise takes in the historic sites of Port Elizabeth, South Africa’s fifth largest city; Maputo, Mozambique; Richard’s Bay, the economic centre of Northern Kwazulu-Natal and Durban which stands on the great natural harbour of Port Natal. The penultimate stop is East London, South Africa’s only large river and sea port before cruising back to spend a further night in Cape Town.
It doesn’t stop there. The crescendo of this magical trip comes in the shape of three nights at the mighty Victoria Falls. Just when you thought this couldn’t be surpassed you can then relax and soak up the beauty of the Zambezi River and search for game including hippo, crocodile, elephant and rhino.
America – New York Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States where celebrations including fireworks and parades are aplenty and this magnificent voyage aboard the majestic Queen Mary 2 gives you exclusive access to join the party.
The 20-night cruise begins in Southampton and eight days later, after having soaked up the luxurious delights and the incredible state-of-the-art facilities of the most famous ocean liner, you will be ready to hit the bright lights of the Big Apple.
Once in New York you will spend five nights in a luxury hotel and whether it’s great museums and ambling parks you’re after or the shopper’s paradise that is Fifth Avenue there is something to discover for everyone in the city that never sleeps.
Front row seats aboard a dinner cruise on the Hudson River gives you the best view of the world famed Independence Day firework celebrations.
Asia – Paradise Shores of Thailand
An unforgettable 12-night voyage to the exotic shores of Thailand aboard the Star Clipper with just 170 guests makes this a cruise with a difference.
Much like travelling on a private yacht the Star Clipper has been created for luxury loving passengers and its décor is reminiscent of the grand age of sail while still bestowed with all of the amenities of the present day. On arrival in the holiday paradise of Phuket, Thailand’s largest island you will spend three nights in a five star hotel before transferring to your ship to begin your cruise around the beautiful islands of this idyllic setting taking in Ko Surin, Similan Island, and Hin Daeng/Ko Rok Nok, one of the country’s most dramatic dive sites.
It’s then on to the breath-taking Malaysian island of Langkawi, whose tropical waters provide some of the most spectacular swimming and diving in the world, while for nature lovers on the land there are lush tropical forests and waterfalls to marvel at.
One last stop takes you to Ko Kraden, in the Talay Trang archipelago part of the Had Chao Mai National Park before you return to Phuket for your trip home.
Australia – Great Barrier Reef & Gold Coast
Your 24-night trip begins in the beautiful Indonesian island of Bali where you will spend three nights in a five star hotel before joining the brand new Seabourn Encore; the crown of a six star fleet that is the most modern and most acclaimed in the ultra-luxury cruise segment.
Upon leaving Bali you will first take in the islands of Lembar Lombok and Komodo, home to the famous ten foot Komodo Dragon before travelling to Australia’s Northern Territories and the city of Darwin with its beautiful coastline and numerous parks and gardens.
After several days relaxing at sea taking in all that this all-inclusive cruise has to offer from its impeccable service to exquisite cuisine you will arrive for two nights in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage protected area of the Daintree Rainforest. As you move on down the famed Queensland West Coast first taking in Townsville, then the stunningly captivating Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays and down to Mooloolaba before ending your cruise with three nights in the wonderful city of Sydney.
Europe – Maiden Voyage Barcelona to Venice
This 14 night ‘not to be missed’ European voyage begins in the beautiful city of Barcelona aboard Sirena following her $40 million refurbishment by Oceania.
Sirena will offer the ultimate in luxury cruising including speciality dining, a world-class fitness centre and spa, lavish suites and luxurious staterooms as well as 400 professionally trained European staff who ensure you will wait for nothing.
On leaving Barcelona you will head for France’s Southern coast taking in Marseille (for Provence), the jetsetter’s paradise playgrounds of Monte Carlo and Saint-Tropez before heading for Portoferraraio on the Italian Island of Elba. This fun-packed European tour continues taking in magnificent Rome, Positano on the captivating Amalfi Coast, the panoramic views of Sicily from the town of Taormina after which it’s the historical island of Malta and its capital Valletta.
Two days relaxing at sea takes you to the Adriatic and the coastal town of Kotor in Montenegro, renowned for its medieval structures and its stunning natural setting at the very edge of the mountain-rimmed Kotor Bay. Split on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and the Venetian influenced port of Koper in Slovenia are up next. You will spend the final two nights of this truly spectacular tour of iconic European landmarks in the majestic beauty of Venice gliding along its canals and under its bridges admiring the opulent palazzi and elegant churches lining the route.
For more information on the destinations mentioned above or for details regarding exclusive offers, telephone Reader Offers on 0845 604 7479. Alternatively, search to find your cruise at www.readeroffers.travel/info.
Reader Offers is the UK’s number one cruise specialist and has spent the past 20 years’ working with the world’s most exclusive cruise lines to create tailor-made luxurious and inspiring cruise holidays.
