Round-the-World Cruising
As the nights draw in, what could be a better way to escape
the chilly British winter than to pack up a trunk and sail around the world?
Three glorious months of sunshine and relaxation on a leisurely journey visiting
ports of call around the world. You can mix busy days exploring new ports
with lazy stretches at sea relaxing, enjoying the facilities of a top class
hotel, making the most of all the facilities of the modern-day cruising ships,
without once having to pack and unpack your suitcase. Facilities on offer
will included libraries, ship's cinemas and theatres, computer rooms, lectures,
gyms, spas, casinos, bars, discos, quizzes, games, and much much more depending
on the ship you choose.
Before you commit yourself to three months, however, it is a
good idea to "test the waters" to ensure that cruising is for you!
All the world cruise operators break their round-the-world itineraries into
shorter sectors, packaging them with flights. Some people opt for doing
half a world cruise, from the UK to Australia, and then returning the following
year to complete the voyage.
What to Pack?
You'll need a good range of clothes to get you through a long
trip, but the days when passengers would book an extra cabin just to accommodate
their wardrobes are long gone. Ships now come equipped with laundries and
self-service launderettes, so you can have your clothes cleaned as you go.
Pack clothes that mix and match, and remember to pack a few warmer items, an
umbrella and comfortable shoes for exploring ashore. It's a good idea too
to take an empty suitcase for all the souvenirs you're bound to accumulate along
the way.
Remember to take the addresses of all your friends to send
them postcards, but most importantly remember to take an ample supply of any
regular medication and check with your doctor well in advance of departure to
ensure you're up to date with any necessary inoculations.
The Options
- Cunard Line. Cunard's flagship the QE2, will start
2001 by setting off on her 21st world cruise, continuing a Cunard tradition
that dates back to 1922 when the Laconia undertook the first ever world
cruise. From New York to Southampton, the QE2's "Voyage of Great
Discoveries" will circle the world in 99 nights and call at 27 ports,
including cities such as Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore
and Bombay. A maiden call will be made at Phuket. Prices
start at £15,548 per person and include taxes and port-handling charges.
Gratuities, normally added to the shipboard account, will also be included
for those undertaking the complete world cruise.
- Holland America Line. Holland America's annual Grand
World cruises evoke the leisurely days of liner voyages - guest enjoy
elegant lounges adorned with priceless antiques and fresh flowers, spacious
staterooms and award-winning service. In January 2001 flagship
Rotterdam begins a 99-day cruise, visiting six continents, 33 ports and
offering sector cruises from as few as 15 days.
- Orient Lines. Orient Lines offer Grand Voyages in the
Marco Polo and the new addition to the fleet, Crown Odyssey, which virtually
circumnavigate the world. Crown Odyssey's 34 night Grand Passage sails
from Istanbul to Bombay in autumn 2000 (prices start from £4,650), or
passengers can stay on board for a World Journey of 82 nights, from Istanbul
to Sydney, flying home via the USA. Her 36 night Grand Pacific Voyage
from Auckland to Los Angeles in spring 2001 costs from £4,695.
- P & O Cruises. In early 2001 superliners Aurora
and Oriana undertake three month world cruises. Options include ; full
voyage, wonderful value at from £34 per night; liner voyages to and from
Australia and New Zealand; cruise and stay holidays; winter holidays from
two to three weeks to destinations including South Africa and India.
- Seabourn Cruise Lines. Seabourn's flagship, Seabourn
Sun, will undertake the company's first World Cruise in 2001.
Departing from San Francisco on 9th January, the 99 day circumnavigation
will call at 33 ports. The voyage will reflect the ship's former
heritage as Royal Viking Sun, a ship purpose built to cruise the world.
Prices start at £26,490 per person for the complete voyage, including
taxes, port and handling charges and gratuities. Complimentary wine is
served at lunch and dinner.
- Silversea Cruises will operate a world cruise departing 3rd
January 2001 from Los Angeles and ending on 9th May in London. The
itinerary will follow the sun to more than 50 countries, including the
Hawaiian Islands, the South Pacific including Australia and New Zealand, the
exotic ports of the Far East, India and the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.
For more
information call or e-mail David Brown Travel
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