Palatial elegance at sea

THE world’s newest and most luxurious residence at sea will be perched on the 14th deck of Seven Seas Splendor, above the bridge and overlooking the ship’s bow, when she sets sail in February 2020. 

As the largest suite ever constructed on a luxury cruise ship with more than 278 square-metres of interior accommodation, the Regent Suite is 412 total square-metres of palatial elegance at sea. 

Complete with an in-suite spa retreat featuring a personal sauna, steam room and treatment area with unlimited spa treatments,unobstructed 270-degree views over the ship’s bow from the 120 square-metre wraparound veranda, and a glass-enclosed solarium on top of the bridge with a Captain’s view of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Guests in the Regent Suite also enjoy a dedicated personal butler to manage all the details of the guests’ experience, a personal car with driver and guide in every port. 

The Regent Suite is nearly twice as large as the average Australian home and 20 times larger than the average cruise ship stateroom and is already sold-out for nearly all of Seven Seas Splendor’s 2020 inaugural season sailings.   


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Ride the Waves

A new data-driven report by InsureMyTrip, the largest travel insurance comparison site, and Cruise Critic, the largest cruise community, reveals that more travelers prefer to book a cruise during late January than any other time during the year. Data shows online searches for cruise deals typically spikes in early January.

In addition to a new buying cycle expected for 2019, cruisers can expect the following trends:

Technology Enhancements — Travelers can look forward to improved internet capabilities and technologies being rolled out across brands like Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian and MSC in the upcoming year.

Longer Time In Port, Less At Sea — More cruise lines will provide additional time in port and less time at sea, giving cruisers more time to explore destinations. Also, many cruise lines are planning port enhancements and upgrades.

More Personalized Experiences — Expect more cabin upgrades and perks for suite passengers, like personal concierges and private dining.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Solo Sojourn on the Yangtze River

CHINA'S landscapes are vast, its history and monuments epic. Complex and energetic – this is a country which must be experienced at least once in a lifetime. And the Yangtze River, the world’s third longest river at 6,280 kilometres (3,900 miles), is its symbolic lifeline. Flowing from Tibet to Shanghai and cutting through the dramatic mountains of the Yangtze River basin, the river’s fortunes are inextricably entwined with those of the country itself. 

Historically, the Yangtze served as a divider between northern and southern China, a natural barrier against invaders, and a waterway for transport and commerce. Today, the river basin is the country’s heartland, home to 500 million people – a tenth of the world’s population. One of the best ways to experience the #Yangtze is by #boat. And the luxuriously appointed Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is hard to beat. 

Exploring the very best stretches of this immense waterway, this elegant vessel introduces a new standard of cruising in #China. More intimate and luxurious, with the largest cabins and suites on the river, all with private balconies and floor to ceiling picture windows, as well as the highest crew to passenger ratio on the river of 1:1, the atmosphere is more private club than cruise ship. 

www.sanctuaryretreats.com

 Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Adventure Travel Trends for 2019

AS experts in adventure travel, K E Travel have weighed in what we think will be popular in the year of travel ahead. We've seen rises and falls and our iexperts have identified 10 travel trends for 2019 

1. Cosmic events will be in the spotlight - More and more travellers are visiting the most distant reaches of the planet, and the chance to see the rare event of a solar eclipse is now more accessible than ever, with a 34% increase in bookings to the Polar Regions and Patagonia in 2018.

2. More travellers will take on the self-guided challenge - In the last year, tour operators have seen a 20% increase in self-guided holidays. Adventurers want to take the reins, pick their own departure dates and go at their own pace, with the assurance help is on hand if needed. 

3. Adventure travel will embrace the new ‘slow travel’ trend - With daily life only ever becoming more hectic and well-being at the forefront of the modern zeitgeist, travellers are increasingly seeking adventures which allow them to enjoy a leisurely pace, relax, and reconnect with the idea of exploration and travel.

4. Cruises will offer more active options - Whilst more travellers want to slow down, they don’t want to stand still either. Active cruises are the answer, which offer the opportunity to intersperse a relaxing journey with options for adventure.

5. Solo travel will continue to rise - Google searches for “solo travel” were at the highest they've ever been in 2018. Travel companies are now building catered products to not only accommodate, but celebrate the solo traveller. 

6. Adventure travel will go cross-borders  - With Europe’s most popular destinations only getting busier, adventure travel is looking to lesser-visited countries and seeing what else is out there.

7. New visa regulations will give rise to emerging destinations - As a booming adventure travel industry puts the spotlight on lesser-visited destinations, countries are taking note and making it easier for them to get there.

8. Travellers will look for smaller guided groups- KE has seen more travellers seek low-impact, small group numbers, with trips of less than 12 passengers selling most in 2018. 

9. Travel destinations will make a comeback - When once popular destinations suffer the threat of terrorism, or recover from a major disasters or events, reductions in the number of visitors are inevitable. However it’s when these situations start to settle that travellers are itching to return. In 2018 compared to 2017 KE has seen bookings to Turkey increase by a staggering 475%.

10. Non EU countries in Europe more popular than ever  - With only a few months to go until Brexit, the information of how it will affect travellers is still not clear. The uncertainty of EU travel has no doubt influenced travel to non-EU destinations such as Georgia, Albania and Norway. 



Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Sail for Free

BOOK any seven-night Fiji cruise and receive three nights free with small ship cruise specialists, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji’s, annual ‘Three Nights Free Sail’. Offering savings of up to AUD$2100 per person this deal is on sale until 28 February 2019 with travel valid until 31 March 2020 including school holidays. 

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji’s seven-night itineraries include the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands cruise which departs every Tuesday and Saturday and the 4 Cultures Discovery cruise and Colonial Discovery cruise which depart once a month on alternate months.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Premium Line at the Top

HOLLAND America Line took home five Porthole Cruise Magazine's 2018 Readers' Choice Awards. Readers from Porthole, one of the world's leading consumer cruise travel publications, recognized Holland America Line in areas that covered everything from top shoreside experiences to onboard facilities.

Holland America Line won in the categories of Best Shore Excursions, Best Private Island for Half Moon Cay, Most Eco-Friendly Line, Best Medical Facilities and Best Facilities for Guests with Disabilities.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Symphony of the Seas debuts at PortMiami

ROYAL Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas has made her highly anticipated debut to the cruise capital of the world, #Miami. Fresh from her inaugural Europe season, the world’s largest and most adventure-packed ship sailed into her permanent, year-round home at Royal Caribbean’s brand new, state-of-the-art Terminal A at PortMiami, the largest #cruise terminal in the U.S.

The ultimate family ship, Symphony of the Seas will sail year-round seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami beginning Nov. 17, and will add visits to the cruise line’s highly anticipated private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, when it launches in May 2019.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

A right royal rendezvous in New York harbour

CUNARD'S flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 had a rare meeting in New York Harbor and paid tribute to British Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth during the carrier's first visit to the U.S. The rendezvous between these renowned vessels celebrates the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom and their committed alliance.

Luxury cruise line Cunard is a company known for its rich history and significant role in both World Wars. Having deep roots in both England and the U.S., it's an honor for the brand to welcome the Royal Navy carrier to its U.S. homeport of Brooklyn, #NewYork.

Awarded '#1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line' by Travel + Leisure's 2018, 2017 and 2016 World's Best Awards and 'Best World Cruise Itineraries' and 'Best Trans-Atlantic Itineraries' by Porthole Cruise Magazine's 2016 Readers Choice Awards.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Exclusive beach club on board

P&O Cruises Australia will be offering a limited number of guests exclusive access to a private ‘beach club’ onboard its newest ship, Pacific Adventure. Called the “Byron Beach Club”, the retreat will be available to guests booked in to Pacific Adventure’s suites and mini suites. 

The exclusive-access retreat offers a private outdoor pool, whirlpool spas and comfy seating situated on the top deck (16) of the ship. With expansive sea views, club-goers can enjoy pure relaxation and pampering in stylish surroundings. In addition to the pool and spa area, Byron Beach Club guests can enjoy their own private dining concierge service.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

First modern riverboat departs from New Orleans

AMERICAN Song, the 1st modern riverboat in U.S. history, departed from the Port of New Orleans on October 6, 2018. Underway at 100% capacity, this historic new riverboat is off to a great start and is cruising the Mississippi River on its 8-day inaugural sailing between New Orleans and Memphis. An unforgettable cruise with stops at Oak Alley, Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, and Vicksburg, arrives in Memphis October 12th.

American Song is the first ship in American Cruise Lines’ new modern #riverboat series—the 2nd ship in the series, American Harmony, is already well under construction and will be launched in a few weeks. American Cruise Lines is pleased to offer American Song and its new series of modern riverboats in addition to its current fleet of authentic paddlewheelers.

American Song will continue to cruise the #Mississippi throughout 2018. In 2019, American Song will reposition out West to the Columbia & Snake Rivers and 2nd modern riverboat, American Harmony, will begin cruising the Mississippi.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Conde Nast unveils Readers Choice winners

THE winners of Condé Nast Traveler 31st annual Readers' Choice Awards have been unveiled, ranking the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, airports, and cruise lines in the world. The Readers' Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. A recording-breaking number of responses from nearly half a million readers who rated their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today.

The 2018 results are all about comfort. Readers stayed closer to home than ever before, pushing more cities like Chicago, Charleston, and Nashville to the top of our lists. They favored the Caribbean and domestic islands in the southeast, like Hilton Head, Amelia, and Kiawah. The properties that impressed them most were smaller and less flashy than in years past, and our small-cruise-ship list is longer than it's ever been, suggesting that the right kind of less is more. The world has changed in ways no one could have predicted, and so it stands to reason that how we get away from it all would, too.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

On the waves . . .

DREAM Cruises, “Asia’s Global Cruise Line” and the only International cruise company that has year-round homeport deployments at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, welcomed the arrival of the 2 millionth passenger – Ms. Mu from Taiwan on September 23.

In 2018, Hong Kong is ranked 4th with the number of cruise calls in Asia. In 2017 the passenger throughput of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal doubled to 780,000. It is projected that the number of ship calls and cruise passenger throughput in #HongKong as a whole would range from 181 to 258 and from 564,102 to 1,041,031 respectively by 2023.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Boutique cruises in the Cat Ba Archipelago

ALREADY operating in Vietnam’s Nha Trang Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, under the five-star Emperor Cruises brand name, Heritage Cruises, a member of the Lux Group, will launch its first boutique cruise in the Cat Ba Archipelago in the Tonkin Gulf under the brand name of Heritage Cruises. 

The company announces the launching of its website and first cruise photos at www.heritagecruises.com and promotion through various travel trade shows and roads shows in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Dubai a global cruise tourism hub

THE cruise industry has long boasted of its value compared to land vacations. And now according to a new report from Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, cruise tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of Dubai’s tourism industry with the city being among the world’s leading winter cruise destinations. 

The global cruise industry continues to grow rapidly with 27 million cruisers expected in 2018. By 2030 more than 40 million people worldwide will travel on cruise ships annually. #Dubai is well-placed to be a global cruise tourism hub. 

According to Cruise Arabia and Africa, the number of cruise passengers in Dubai increased to 625,000 in the 2016/2017 season compared to 320,000 in the 2013/2014 cruise season representing a 95 per cent growth rate. Over the next cruise season 2018/2019, the tourism board of Dubai expects to see 725,000 cruise tourists and 825,000 cruise tourists in the 2019/2020 season.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Seabourn has approval to sail to Cuba from Miami

SEABOURN, the world's finest ultra-luxury cruise line, has received approval to begin sailing to #Cuba from Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico, starting with a 12-day #cruise aboard Seabourn Sojourn departing Miami on November 4, 2019.

The 11-, 12-, and 14-day sailings will visit five ports in Cuba, calling at three or four on each itinerary and providing guests the ideal opportunity to discover the different regions on this vast island. All five voyages will feature overnight stops in the historic capital city Havana, offering travelers ample opportunity to see and experience this vibrant destination. 

The visit to Havana allows guests time to explore the designated UNESCO World Heritage Site during its 500th anniversary year and immerse themselves in a wide array of historical and cultural experiences.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Worlds most popular cruise destinations

THE world's leading cruise reviews site, Cruise Critic and its online #cruise community, has announced the winners of its third annual Cruisers' Choice Destination Awards, naming the world's most popular cruise #destinations, based entirely on consumer ratings submitted with reviews on Cruise Critic. The awards name the top cruise destinations across 18 regions worldwide. New in 2018, the awards also highlight the best cruise lines to visit each region.

The Eastern Mediterranean port of Kotor, in Montenegro, came out as the number one destination hotspot for UK cruisers. The Baltic Sea port of Talinn, capital city of Estonia, secured second place in popularity, and the Aegean island of Santorini proved third favourite overall, for UK cruise travellers.

Highlighted Awards:

Glacier Bay in Alaska was named the Most Popular Cruise Destination in 2018 – It's one of the best Inside Passage locations for glacier and wildlife viewing, with its Margerie Glacier considered one of the most photogenic glaciers.

Edinburgh secured the top destination award in the British Isles & Western Europe category – for the very first time - beating Barcelona, Rome and Venice, among many others. 

Cuba's capital city of Havana was named the Best Cruise Destination in the Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya for the first time. While international cruise lines have long visited Cuba, U.S. travelers were only able to begin visiting the island once regulations were eased in 2016.

Dubrovnik has been named the Top-Rated Eastern Mediterranean Destination for the past two years, and has done it again this year to score a hat trick.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Cruise magnet Puerto Vallarta

THE Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board welcomes the return of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Miracle first call to Puerto Vallarta in seven years. Connecting San Diego and Puerto Vallarta, the ship is scheduled to make its call on December 2019.

Carnival Miracle will join the 2019 winter season offering 10 voyages from the Port of San Diego, kicking off on December 1, 2019, with a seven-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera featuring stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.

Puerto Vallarta continues to be a great magnet for the cruise industry, the maritime terminal will receive 154 cruises this year with 404,734 people on board approximately, which represents 9 percent more than in 2017 when 145 vessels arrived.

Calls to the destination are expected to increase annually and Puerto Vallarta’s International Port (API) is preparing with an estimated $22 million USD extensive renovation and construction project that will improve port infrastructure, generate direct and indirect jobs, incentivize the Mexican Riviera's route and the Port - City link.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

On the water . . .

AFTER releasing selected 2020 Europe river cruising itineraries on 6 June 2018, Viking has opened all Europe river cruises for 2020. The line has done this in response to unprecedented demand, and is the only company to have 2018, 2019 and 2020 all on sale at the same time. Guests can lock in a 2020 cruise at 2018 prices with just a $500 deposit. Viking had already opened 2020 sailings of Pharaohs & Pyramids and Oberammergau, The Passion Play in March, due to strong demand.

This announcement comes on the heels of an impressive list of recent accolades for Viking: 

• In February, Viking swept Cruise Critic’s 8th Annual Cruisers’ Choice Awards with 10 First Place honours. 
• In 2017, the company was named the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2017 World’s Best Awards 
• Viking was voted the Best River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

First to board

JOINING the inaugural round trip cruise from Reykjavik, regular PONANT cruisers Wendy Burgess & Dainis Kivlenieks from Australia were the first passengers to board PONANT’s brand new Explorer class small luxury expedition ship Le Laperouse, they joined a sell-out group of passengers from around the world eager to try out this first of six new PONANT Explorer ships currently being constructed. 

Le Laperouse will spend some time in Northern Europe and Mediterranean before heading south via the Seychelles and Borneo to arrive in Australia early in 2019 for a season of voyages that include the Great Barrier Reef, Kimberley, Sub Antarctic Islands and New Zealand waters.



Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Viking's ocean fleet expands

NAMED after the prominent constellation and in honour of Dr. Fisher’s work on NASA’s Orion exploration vehicle project, the 930-guest 47,800-ton Viking Orion arrived in Livorno, Italy on June 16. The ship will continue her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean this summer before heading east to sail Viking’s newest itineraries in Asia, Australia and Alaska.

New ship features include a planetarium-like immersive theatre, an “Explorations in Space” collection conceived as a photographic journal through space, with a broad range of vintage photographs, including astronaut portraits and documents of complex mission activities, produced by NASA and captured by National Geographic photographers.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK