Once in a lifetime cruises you can’t afford to miss
NewsFrom cruising the Northeast Passageway on a luxury ship to a grand voyage of the Arctic on a world cruise, there are several experiences at sea that are once in a lifetime journeys.
Cruise Passenger has uncovered the best of the best for your personal bucket list. From high budget, to high energy, rare moments with Mother Nature, and even gastronomical feasts there is a magical journey waiting for you.
1. Crystal Cruises – Northeast Passageway
For an expert-led expedition to the Earth’s most remote polar regions, Crystal Cruises can take you to the Northeast Passageway. Until very recently the only ships able to go to the Northeast (as opposed to the Northwest) were specialised vessels that made the journey during a very limited window and with specialised ice-breaking ships. Therefore, this extremely remote ice-region has so far been unexplored by travellers.
Carrying just 200 passengers, the Crystal Endeavor will journey through the High Arctic in the late summer of 2021. The expedition will combine luxury and adventure – imagine Zodiac excursions with rare discovery, stunning wildlife and landscapes rarely ever seen before.
The Northeast Passage travels from the Bering Sea and East Siberia to the Barents Sea via the Arctic Ocean.
In terms of wildlife, it’s known that animal species outnumber humans in the high Arctic. As well as polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, reindeer, and whales, thousands of rare bird species live in the region.
Crystal’s Northeast Passage expedition visits another great region of the north: the North Cape. Before arriving in Tromsø, Norway, Crystal Endeavor will call in Honningsvåg, considered the gateway to the Arctic Circle.
Departures
Crystal Endeavor’s 28-night Northeast Passage expedition will sail from Anadyr, Russia to Tromsø, Norway on August 18, 2021.
Price:
Prices start from $69,142 and includes:
1-night pre-cruise hotel in Anchorage
One-way Air from Anchorage to Anadyr
2. Silversea – Solar Eclipse
Imagine experiencing a total blackout, surrounded by a stark white continent. This Antarctic voyage will be unforgettable by visiting during the complete solar eclipse on 4th December 2021.
Guests are invited to be on deck as the eclipse plunges into darkness, and the shifting lights and whispering shadows of the night sky bring the region to life.
There will be just three voyages to experience this incredible phenomenon. Limited to just 127-suites per ship, you’ll feel the remoteness on the ship and in the sky.
Departures
Buenos Aires to Ushuai from November 20, 2021
Price:
The Viking Sun is currently circumnavigating the globe and on a Guinness World Record attempt with its 245 day World Cruise. Starting in London, and cruising to six continents and visiting 111 of the world’s greatest cities and smaller ports, this world cruise is a once in a lifetime event for the guests currently on board.
With overnight stays in 23 different destinations, Viking have pulled out all the stops to make this the best Word Cruise on the market.
While this cruise is currently under sail, Viking regularly offers other unique world cruise itineraries as well as grand voyages that combine multiple itineraries for one comprehensive, multi-region cruise. And fingers are crossed that once this cruise is completed, another World Cruise will be announced shortly. Watch this space.
Departure:
The cruise departed from London and will conclude in London
Price:
4. RSSC Splendor – $16,000 per night, per person
This is the creme de la creme of cruising and the Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Splendor‘s most elite suite has been labelled the most luxurious accommodation at sea.
The Regent Suite is more than 4,000 square feet in total and rises above everything else on board. Luxurious craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail are obvious from the moment you enter. Unique design, rare and hand chosen art works, an in-suite spa retreat — all a first for any cruise ship ever built. And then there’s the ocean view from the private 120 square metre balconies…
The decadent appointments are all there: an array of Italian marble, a $7.5 million art collection of 300 works, including a Picasso in the Regent Suite which also boasts a $295,000 bed, private spa, steam room, sauna and… $147,000 Steinway piano.
Built by Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, Splendor carries just 750 guests. There are 375 suites, five unique restaurants and three bars and lounges.
Layout:
Departures
New York to Venice
Duration: 26 nights
Departs April 16, 2020
Prices:
The Regent Suite is $16,000 per person, per night
5. Belmond – Michelin dining every day
Ultra-luxury barge cruise line Belmond has launched a gastronomic six-night French voyage that will take guests to six different Michelin-starred restaurants, one for every day of sailing.
The ‘Epicurean Burgundy’ itinerary is on the Belmond Napoleon Belmond’s largest in their fleet and has only six cabins carrying up to 12 passengers.
The six different Michelin restaurants combined carry a cumulative 12 stars, including two three-Michelin-starred restaurants.
1. The first stop is two Michelin-starred lunch at La Côte Saint-Jacques, just outside of Auxerre. Specialities include Back from the Islands rosette of lobster and fresh palm nut salad, and egg parfait with white Alba truffles and puy green lentils.
2. Further along the River Saone to Seurre, is the first three-starred Michelin restaurant, Maison Lameloise in Chagny. Lunch features the best of local traditional dishes such as the Burgundy snail tart.
3. Lunch is at at one-star Le Jardin des Remparts which serves modern dishes that feature seasonal and locally-sourced produce.
4. At Tournus, guests dine at Aux Terrasses. Chef Jean-Michel Carrete creates bold dishes like charcoal-grilled octopus and hay-smoked pigeon.
5. Nest is the second three-starred restaurant of the itinerary, at the world-famous Restaurant Georges Blanc in Vonnas. The restaurant has kept its three Michelin stars since 1981, and it has also built up a reputation for reimagining classic dishes. On the menu is Bresse chicken, and a reworking of the Vonnas pancakes that chef Blanc’s grandmother used to make.
6. The final stop is Restaurant Paul Bocuse in Lyon, holder of two Michelin stars. Highlights include black truffle soup – created for French president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing in 1975; sea bass in a puff pastry shell, and turbot with champagne sauce.
Departures
The itinerary departs August 9, 2020 from St- Jean-de-Losne, France to Lyon.
Prices:
Prices start from $11,955 pp
6. Uniworld – Amazon River Cruise
Uniworld charters Aqua Expedition’s ship Aria for a small handful of unique itineraries along the Amazon including the very best of Peru over 15 days.
The 15-day cruise and land tour is a diverse adventure into the best of of Peru and the Amazon rainforest, beginning in Lima—the “City of Kings” and includes Machu Picchu.
After embarking in Lima, you will journey into the Amazon on board the Aria Amazon, a five-star ship designed for luxury. Guests enjoy river skiffs to the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers before setting off to the birthplace of the Amazon River.
Departures
15 days from Lima to Lima departing September 23, 2020
Prices:
7. Avalon Waterways – Oberammergau
This is a 12 Day River Cruise from Budapest to Munich and is a guided vacation through Germany, highlighted by a visit to the Bavarian village of Oberammergau – world famous for its Passion Play, performed only once a decade.
The Passion Play is a stunning theatrical event with a history dating back to 1634. With Avalon Waterways, guests can enjoy preferred seating and accommodations in Oberammergau.
The journey also sails through Central Europe’s capitals and charming towns in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany.
The European river cruise begins in Budapest, Hungary with a guided sightseeing tour of Heroes’ Square and the sites of the “Pearl of the Danube.” Then, sail to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava to see the Old Town and the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Cruise onwards to Vienna, Austria to see the Habsburg Imperial Palace and Vienna Opera House. Visit the Wachau Valley through Austria’s picturesque wine country. Enjoy a local wine tasting, hike to Dürnstein’s castle ruins, and visit Melk’s Benedictine Abbey.
The River cruise continues to Linz, then Passau, Germany and the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
When the cruise portion of the journey ends, the guided tour of Austria and Germany begins, which includes Bavaria’s Neuschwanstein Castle, and Innsbruck’s St. James and Hofkirche Cathedrals. In Munich, view Nymphenburg Palace, the Marienplatz, and gothic Frauenkirche.
It’s described as a blend of adventure, relaxation, and inspiration with the highlight being the once-a-decade performance of Oberammergau’s Passion Play.
Departures
14 May 2020 to 25 May 2020 from Budapest to Munich.
Prices:
Prices start from $7,980 pp
