Daily Mail Cruise | February 5, 2019

2 CRUISE SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT SUPPLEMENT DailyMail, Tuesday, February 5, 2019 ROUND two million Britons set sail for a holiday at sea in 2018, thanks to an increasingly diverse array of new ships and itineraries catering to families, style-conscious couples, adventurers, twenty-something clubbers, culture vultures and more. Intrepid over-50s are leading the way, with the advent of ‘explorer’ cruises to far-flung corners of the globe such as the Galapagos and the Polar regions, while chic design-led ships inspired by leading boutique hotels are introducing a style-conscious younger generation to the world of holidaying at sea. Just this year, there are a number of innovative new vessels making their debut. Royal Caribbean is leading the way with its ‘bigger and better’ approach to seafaring escapes, catering to travellers A CRUISE into 2019 There’s aholiday at sea tosuit all tastes,with who like the idea of a floating resort with endless amenities, activities and entertainment, plus enough dining options to eat somewhere different at almost every meal. Royal Caribbean’s 4,246-passenger Spectrum of the Seas, the first in its new Quantum Ultra Class of ship, will make her maiden voyage in June, with itineraries focusing on China and other Asian destinations. Recent innovations including the Bionic Bar and Sky Pad will continue to feature on board alongside brand-new Suite Club accommodation and the Ultimate Family Suite, which includes a private 3D cinema with a karaoke option, plus tube slide between duplex levels. Already well known for river cruises, Scenic is planning to make waves with its ocean-going holidays, introducing a luxurious six-star 228-passenger ‘Discovery Yacht’, Eclipse, in April, featuring all-verandah suite accommodation, a 6,000sq-foot spa and a butler service for every guest. In her first year, she will transport guests IONA, the new flagship in the P&O Cruises fleet, will make her debut in summer 2020, sailing exclusively from Southampton to the breathtaking Norwegian fjords in her inaugural season. Iona has been designed with the vision of bringing the outside in, and her guests will enjoy ever-changing panoramas from all over the ship, thanks to a range of design features that offer views of the surrounding seascape. Watch the world go by through the triple-storey glass walls of the stunning Grand Atrium or from the comfort of the new Conservatory Mini-suites, designed to maximise enjoyment of majestic vistas at all times. There’s an innovative entertainment hub, SkyDome, featuring a glass roof, and a pool with a retractable stage that will offer immersive shows under the stars, plus more than 15 places to eat, including eight speciality restaurants – this being the first ship in the P&O Cruises fleet dedicated exclusively to Freedom Dining, enabling you to dine anytime between 6pm and 9.30pm each night. “ Watch the world go by through the triple-storey glass walls of the Grand Atrium Bringing the outside in: Guests on Iona will enjoy ever-changing panoramas to Antarctica, Cuba and the Baltics, featuring intrepid excursions guided by expert discovery leaders, whether that’s gliding over glacial Icelandic waters on the ship’s fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, soaring above stunning landscapes in one of Eclipse’s two helicopters or diving up to 1,000 feet below sea level in a six-person submarine. GLAMPINGATSEA FOLLOWING the much-vaunted launch of the state-of-the-art, spectacular Celebrity Edge last year, Celebrity Flora will deliver an altogether different experience when she debuts in May. The first purpose-built luxury vessel for expedition cruises sailing from Quito to the Galapagos islands, this 100-passenger ship brings the signature Celebrity Cruises style to specialist exploration holidays in the region. So, after spending their days immersed in the flora and fauna of this unique, remote archipelago, David Attenborough-style, guests will retreat on board to find themselves in a stylish AND, COMINGIN2020…