CRUISING JOURNAL ON BOARD SERVICES Explora Journeys Oceania Cruises REPORTS SILVER ENDEAVOUR SEABOURN VENTURE Cruise ships toward Zero Impact in 2050 INTERNATIONAL CRUISE SUMMIT 2022 COSTA CLUB CRUISE 2022 PORTS OF CALL Funchal Grand Turk Jan/Feb 2023 n.1 The World of Cruising reviewed by You

Embrace new limits Discover the 2022/23 and 24 itineraries on silversea.com TM2210145274 SILVER ENDEAVOUR AD_GBL.indd 1 10/21/22 11:14 AM

CRUISING JOURNAL 01/2023 ONBOARD SERVICES 23 Explora Journeys announces original onboard experiences 27 Oceania Cruises: a new Rum and Whiskey Program in 2023 CRUISE LINES GUIDE 29 Cordelia Cruises: India’s largest premium cruise line 32 Swan Hellenic: “Seeing what others don’t” ON BOARD DINING 48 Wonderland: imaginative Cusine on Royal Caribbean 51 Hot Pot: Chef for a night on Costa Firenze CRUISE EXPERIENCES 37 The new Prima Donna of the Waves 40 Seven Seas Explorer: a successful Cruise INTERVIEW 35 Clia Europe: Interview with Marie-Caroline Laurent CRUISE DESTINATIONS 53 Amawaterways: a successful return to the Mekong 57 The Itinerary of Explora I’s Maiden Voyage 59 Silversea Cruises: 27 expedition voyages for 2024/2025 NEWS 61 Adora Cruises: the new chinese Cruise Line 62 P&O Cruises: Arvia enters the Fleet 64 World Traveller embarks on her inaugural cruise 67 Carnival takes delivery of Carnival Celebration 68 Msc Seascape delivered: the 21st ship of Msc 70 The debut of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection 71 Aurora Expeditions presents Sylvia Earle PORTS OF CALL 73 Funchal on a Cruise: a Wonder to discover! 75 Grand Turk: what to see in this caribbean Paradise CRUISE EVENTS 81 Costa Diadema: the 2022 Club Cruise 85 The Internation Cruise Summit 2022 PHOTO GALLERY 87 Le Lyrial 95 CRUISING JOURNAL REVIEWS 105 RIVER CRUISE SHIPS RANKINGS 108 OCEAN CRUISE SHIPS RANKINGS REPORT On board Seabourn Venture between Chile and Peru EXCLUSIVE 16 77 Cruise Ships toward Zero Impact in 2050 REPORT 9 Silver Endeavour: the Inaugural Antarctica Cruise INDEX

© Cruising Journal bimonthly publishing jan-feb 01/2023 www.cruisingjournal.com [email protected] [email protected] Chief Editor Gabriele Bassi Authors Noel Aschwanden Gabriele Bassi Emanuela Daniele Sergio Ferreira Giorgia Lombardo Matteo Martinuzzi Giulia Pasetto Fabiana Rinaldi Artur Rodriguez Ernie Roller Craig Stembridge Waterways Leisure Tourism Mikkel Woodruff Photo Credits Cruiselines and Institutions Adora Cruises AmaWaterways Atlas Ocean Voyages Aurora Expeditions CLIA Euorope Cordelia Cruises Costa Cruises Explora Journeys Meyer Turku Meyer Werft Msc Cruises Ritz-Carlton Yacht Club Royal Caribbean International Silversea Cruises Swan Hellenic Individuals Gabriele Bassi Sergio Ferreira Giorgia Lombardo Arthur Rodriguez Ernie Roller Cruises News Media Group Contributors Aqua Expeditions Atlas Ocean Voyages Celestyal Cruises Cordelia Cruises European Waterways Impression Cruises Services Lindblad Expeditions Nicko Cruises Oceania Cruises Quasar Expeditions Royal Caribbean International SeaDream Yacht Club Seatrade Cruise Global Silversea Cruises Star Clippers Swan Hellenic Variety Cruises Windstar Cruises Los Angeles - Liverpool - Rome - Hamburg - Marseille - Barcelona In this Edition: Enjoy Cruising Journal in your own language. Scan the QR Code in each article and scroll to the corresponding fl ag. Enjoy reading! All rights reserved. Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission of the publisher. The information in Cruising Journal has been published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Cruising Journal was born in 2018 from 20 years of experience in the cruise world and with the desire to create something new. The portal was immediately developed in six different languages, to be usable by everyone and to be able to speak passionately about cruises and ships in a 360-degree way. Collaboration, passion and internationality are the key words of a project that over time has developed in many different directions, without ever letting partisan interests prevail and above all creating that atmosphere of sharing that is the winning formula for putting together an editorial staff of over twenty people and ten different nationalities. Cruising Journal’s choice has always been not to deal with mere news, not to deal with the daily news, but to give space to in-depth information about the cruise product, in the belief that there are no better or worse ships regardless, as well as the most beautiful Text Gabriele Bassi Pictures Cruising Journal, Costa Cruises WELCOME ON BOARD or the least beautiful cruise. There are so many different cruise lines and so many different products that suit equally different needs and situations. What we do every day is explain what revolves around the companies, we try them out for our readers, we recommend what are the unique features of each of them. We have been collaborating with many brands for years to get first-hand information and to give them a voice on our platforms. We favor those who have believed in us and support us in various forms, but we always want to understand the cruise landscape in the round. Over time our >[email protected] OF YOUR DREAMS IS RIGHT HERE, IN INDIA! THE DESTINATION ~ UPCOMING SAILING THEMES ~ Republic Day Valentine’s Day Holi ~ SAIL TO ~ Lakshadweep, Sri Lanka, Goa, Kochi, Chennai & Mumbai

This is achieved by visiting small and lesser-known ports of special cultural, geographical or wildlife interest, offering guests authentic and unforgettable moments in extraordinary places, all while enjoying a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere on board. Guests have the opportunity to visit unique and remote places beyond ports of call, boarding Zodiac to explore pristine areas of our planet that are often not accessible any other way, with itineraries carefully planned in detail by an experienced team to ensure the highest possible standard. The expedition ships in Swan Hellenic’s fleet combine the latest in polar-class Swan Hellenic, a luxury cruise line specializing in expedition tours of historical and cultural interest, has a comprehensive view of cultural cruising dedicated to offering its guests the opportunity to “see what others do not see.” Text Giorgia Lombardo Pictures Swan Hellenic SWAN HELLENIC: “SEEING WHAT OTHERS DON’T” technology with elegant and sophisticated interiors. Chic, spacious and well-designed cabins offer unobstructed views of the incredible destinations you visit. But not only comfort, as the ships are also designed to meet the latest requirements in terms of environmental regulations. Swan Hellenic cares about the environment and therefore applies sustainability policies that fully comply with the standards set by local authorities in specific areas, with the goal of preserving the pristine waters in which it sails and the magnificent wildlife and habitats that are explored. Finally, the crew includes a team of experienced guides, speakers and lecturers, 32 CRUISE LINES GUIDE

while the on-board team strives to anticipate guests’ needs and provide a truly personal service, always aiming to exceed and surprise expectations. Swan Hellenic is an expedition cruise line that is showing an increasingly strong and particular identity, with a focus on the true discovery of the destinations visited and with an emphasis on the cultural aspects of unique places in the world. 33 CRUISE LINES GUIDE

INTERVIEW A truly compelling edition of Seatrade Cruise Med took place in Malaga on the 14th and 15th, with a return to having Exhibitions in attendance and, above all, a series of interesting insights into the state of the cruise industry. Equally important, however, was the assembly organized by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) in conjunction with Seatrade, which on Nov. 13 and 14, focused on issues and new challenges for the future of cruise shipping. We asked Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General of CLIA Europe, to tell us about the highlights discussed on the occasion, to understand what the current and future plans are and how the sector is coping with the restart after the long difficulties of the pandemic. Marie-Caroline, how are you experiencing this Ports and Destination Dialogue and what are the most frequently recurring words in your meeting? Certainly “collaboration”: we worked a lot together even during the months of the pandemic, thinking about how to restore operations and above all creating that synergy that is fundamental, especially in times of difficulty. But right now we are seeing the results, experiencing great collaboration and making us ready to face future challenges. I know that there are at least three central points being discussed at your assembly. What are you going to talk about here in Malaga on these days? One issue of fundamental importance is the new European regulations on emissions and environmental protection. It is a great challenge that awaits us, both in terms of meeting the deadlines that envisage drastic reductions in emissions and The exclusive interview with Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General of Clia Europe, during the Seatrade Med 2022 in Malaga Text Gabriele Bassi Pictures CLIA Europe CLIA EUROPE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MARIE-CAROLINE LAURENT 35

the supply of electrical power by the ports, and regarding public opinion, which expects rapid and determined responses. On a practical level, we are preparing a checklist of issues to be resolved and measures to be completed by all ports. I have seen the signing of the clean energy agreement signed between some cruise lines and the port of Barcelona. This will certainly be an important fi rst step in this direction. But this is not the only theme addressed in Malaga, is it Marie-Caroline? Exactly. Another aspect that requires us to work very closely together are the new entry regulations in certain non-Schengen countries, the collection of biometric data and the requirement to fi ll in special forms for entry into Europe. We should work to ensure that all ports can be aligned to make it as easy as possible for passengers to embark and disembark. Information and uniformity of procedures will be key to dealing with these changes in the best possible way. Marie-Caroline, the motto of this CLIA meeting is “Sailing towards a better future”. What will really make the future of cruising better? We’ll talk about clean energy for ships and strong collaboration between ports at a regional level to make procedures easier for cruise passengers. But it’s also fundamental to work at a local level to ensure that the cruise product is understood and accepted by the communities. We are trying to move towards “community engagement” that can bring us the consent of the citizens and we will discuss this here in Malaga. Environmental protection, good logistics for embarking and disembarking and more communication will be the pillars on which we intend to base our mission in this area. Thank you, Marie-Caroline, it really seems very important and above all very challenging issues that we will be talkINTERVIEW 36 ing about these matters on these days and that will be developed in the coming months. What is the key to solving and tackling such complex problems? Undoubtedly synergy and dialogue. CLIA unites a large number of ports that fi nd, in our association, a forum for dialogue and confrontation. Collaboration and networking at regional and local level will be the strong points for all future challenges. Ports from different countries that share, for example, the same cruise itinerary, will necessarily have to align their procedures, in order to make cruises more and more compatible with the territory as well as facilitate the passenger experience. Thank you very much Marie-Caroline. I think it is a very important piece of work that you have done and your words have highlighted the main issues that the industry will face in the short to medium term. In Malaga we have often heard words of optimism for the recovery of the sector, in particular the growth of the “new generation” sector of passengers from 20 to 35 years old. If we are really trying to be “Sailing towards a better future” it will also be thanks to the collaborative efforts and commitment that CLIA is putting in place for the coming months.

CRUISE EXPERIENCES Early Autumn North Atlantic crossing is not for the faint heart ed. Great that NCL did not insist on masks however a few kept them on. All pretesting to board made for a very swift seamless check in and boarding at the NCL terminal. The ship had only been operational for 4 weeks prior but did not expect so many issues, more about them later. On arrival into the atrium, it is most definitely not the norm you would see looking up, as it is spacious and sliced out into three levels creating an open welcoming space with good quality furnishings and a real change from the NCL bank of elevators which dominate all other ships. Along with retail outOn board the new Norwegian Prima on a cruise from Southampton to Iceland, all the way to New York. Text Craig Stembridge Pictures Enrie Roller NORWEGIAN PRIMA: ON BOARD THE NEW PRIMA DONNA OF THE WAYS lets on each floor you have guest services, excursion desks, IT helpdesk and many more in house service centres. Not to forget the large bars one on each level. Our Club Balcony cabin was ready from 1pm and luggage all arrived by 4pm. Our cabin Steward Roman JR Abat was on hand to introduce himself and throughout our stay keeping our cabin in perfect order and delivering the wonderful treats we had in the cabin fresh and on time. His attention to detail along with charming personality made for wonderful hospitality. The cabins are a welcome change to the norm on NCL with much more sq metre than before and really well decorat37

ed interior. The shower must be one of the largest I have seen in any balcony class to date. The dining options are immense, Hudson’s one of the main dining rooms you able to take in 270-degree views while dining located in the aft of the ship overlooking the stern. The other main dining room for a more upscale experience is The Commodore Room. Both venues have the same extensive fixed main dining menu that offers a good variety. The menu also features a build-your-own pasta option where guests can request a tailor-made dish by selecting their choice of pasta, sauce and toppings for more than 24 meal combinations. The menu also includes a “Specialities” section from which cruisers can select a dish from one of the ship’s speciality dining restaurants which is chargeable. Other restaurants to eat in without cover charges is the Local pub and Grill, Surf-side Café and the Indulge food hall which has 11 different menus to choose from and the service is prompt and always ready to eat. Wonderful staffing all around but stand out was Roselan (Rosie) – assistant Maitre D and Priscilla – restaurant assistant both in Hudson’s and Indulge Food Hall. The speciality restaurants again don’t hold many covers. But were always full. Plenty to choose from in 8 different styled restaurants. CRUISE EXPERIENCES 38

The variety of bars around the ship are pleasant and intimate not large maximum seating of between 40 and 50, again making for standing around and not many seats especially when its 6c outside and raining. NCL is continuing its experiment on sustainable cocktails however bold and to be admired not many people enjoy them. TOverall, an improved looking product with amazing interior décor and exterior design. However, the interior has been compromised by the vast exterior which does not make up for the lack of seating and productions/ entertainment to keep the full cruise liners guests occupied. 39 CRUISE EXPERIENCES

I have to be honest and mention the initial marketing of Seven Seas Explorer was somewhat off-putting to me. Touted as the “most luxurious ship ever built” before she even made her debut seemed pretentious and frankly presumptuous to me. Like most new ships I reviewed the interiors, studied the deck plans, and watched some videos. I concluded she was a bit over the top, and perhaps someone else’s idea of ultra-luxury but not necessarily mine. Maybe trying a bit too hard? That was my initial perception anyway having never set foot on her. Needless to say perceptions can be proven wrong and that was certainly the case where Seven Seas Explorer was concerned. I found the ship absolutely delightful with beautiful Here we are on board Seven Seas Explorer, a story to discover the experience aboard a Regen cruise. Text Ernie Roller Pictures Enrie Roller SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER: A SUCCESSFUL CRUISE original works of art, top notch fittings & finishes, and just the right balance of bling to bring it all together. Surprising I found the ship very comfortable & inviting, and not at all stuffy. The atmosphere onboard was casual elegance even if the surroundings were in some cases opulent. More on the ship in a bit. This adventure started with two nights in Rome and thankfully we had an anti-climatic journey from our home in Fort Lauderdale to Italy. Flights were jammed packed as were the airports. People are traveling in droves after these last years of virtually no travel during Covid. We made all our hotel 40 CRUISE EXPERIENCES

and air arrangements independently and did not take advantage of the Regent air or hotel program. We took a taxi from Fiumicino airport to our hotel in Rome which was called the River Palace. To our relief we only had to wait maybe an hour for our room to be ready and we instantly crashed for a few hours. The River Palace was a modest hotel very near the Piazza del Popolo and therefore within walking distance to most major attractions of the city. Having already been to Rome several times we had no tours booked and generally avoided the tourist attractions. This was more of a shopping & eating excursion and I confess we ate very well! One observation is how crowded the city was. We generally avoid the Mediterranean/Europe in summer and this trip only reinforced that notion. We will stick to either the Spring or Fall for future European vacations. Embarkation day - My favorite day of days arrived. Embarkation day! Even after 135 cruises I still get excited embarking on a ship, especially one I’ve never sailed before and even more thrilling trying out a new cruise line. We opted for the cruise line transfer from Rome to the port of Civitavecchia, as it’s about a two hour journey. We met up with the transfer at the Westin Excelsior which is the pre-cruise hotel that Regent uses. We had our documents and negative COVID tests in hand. We brought with us two proctored COVID tests which I’ve used for other cruises so I was familiar with them. BinaxNOW by Abbott. We each took turns testing in our hotel room using the hotel’s wifi service, and thankfully both of us were negative. The entire process takes about 30 minutes each and the verified results are emailed directly to you, which you can then show to the embarkation staff. It works brilliantly. Embarkation was a little cumbersome but this can be attributed to COVID procedures. The terminal was one of the older terminals (without a/c) but the fans were circulating to cool things off. In fact we embarked on a Silversea cruise from this same terminal. I think the smaller ships must use it. The embarkation process entails providing COVID results, then clearing a security screening, then actually checking-in and boarding the ship. You can opt for a COVID test right at the terminal for a $99 per test fee which is a little steep. FYI Regent will no longer require a negative COVID test at embarkation as of August 1st, unless it’s required by the country of embarkation. Boarding the ship was via the ships gangway, so no modern jet-bridge at this terminal. I have to confess the Silversea embarkation process from this same terminal was superior, but it was several years ago pre-COVID so it’s not a fair comparison. Anyway on that sailing they actually checked us in on the ship in the main lounge with a glass of champagne. First impressions make lasting impressions and that was certainly the case with Seven Seas Explorer. We entered into the beautiful atrium with music playing (live music would be bet41 CRUISE EXPERIENCES

ter) and were met with a glass of champagne. Our suite was not yet ready so off we went to enjoy lunch in La Veranda. Almost instantly I could feel how spacious and luxurious the ship felt. That first lunch did not disappoint and was a preview of the wonderful cuisine & service we would enjoy the forthcoming week. Our suite was ready around 1pm and we made our way to Deck 8, cabin 860. This was a E-Concierge category stateroom. I absolutely loved this stateroom and it’s a top five favorite of any ship I’ve sailed. The layout was great, with the bed facing the window & doors for amazing views. Tons of drawer space and a perfect sized walk-in closet. The bathroom was beautifully appointed with double sinks, a full size tub and separate walk-in shower. Water pressure was excellent and there was no fluctuation of temperature. I enjoyed all the attention to detail, as honestly that is what really sets an experience apart these days. It’s all about the detail. Luxury bath products; robes & slippers; binoculars; umbrella; live orchid; welcome champagne; stocked mini-bar; coffee/ espresso maker; card key holders; welcome letter; wool blanket; cashmere throws; interactive tv with a great selection of movies and music. I requested some rum for the mini-bar and to my surprise a full bottle of rum was promptly delivered. A 42 standout for me was an actual bedspread. I know that sounds silly but I’m so tired of the standard white duvet with runner that is found on every single cruise ship and hotel room these days. Funny enough the bedspread was only put out on embarkation day but it was a nice touch. The live orchid was also a standout, but probably my favorite standout were the metal refillable water bottles by vero. These were yours to keep and they could be refilled at any number of water refill stations around the ship. I always used the one at the Coffee Connection. The water was delicious and it came out ice cold, with your choice of still or sparkling. We made great use of these both in the cabin and on shore excursions. We only used room service for breakfast, and it was always served promptly on our choice of the coffee table or balcony, and beautifully displayed. What a great was to start the day, and we are not even breakfast people. Like on other luxury ships you can opt to have dinners in your cabin ordered off the dining room menu, served course by course if you so desire. Our cabin steward was awesome. Besides an introduction the first day we never saw him. Like magic he would service the cabin twice a day without fail. I believe the bed sheets were changed almost every day if not every day which I have not experienced on other ships. Also you did not see cleaning CRUISE EXPERIENCES

carts and supplies sitting in cabin corridors like on other ships. It was much more discreet. One final detail worth mentioning is laundry. Regent will launder one bag per day of laundry at no charge. We sent out a couple bags during the cruise and the way it returned the next day impressed me to no end. The clean laundry would be waiting on your bed after dinner in these grey Regent boxes, all wrapped in Regent tissue paper. Absolutely beautiful presentation for something as simple as laundry. Should you desire to do your own laundry there were laundry rooms available on most passengers decks. These are not like laundry rooms I’ve seen on other ships. First they are spotless, kept quite cool, complimentary, and have beautiful lighting fixtures, chairs & couches, art, and a large flat panel TV. You can even have room service delivered to one if the mood strikes. That is the kind of attention to detail that sets Regent apart. Seven Seas Explorer was built in 2015 but for all intents and purposes she felt brand new. Everything was in pristine condition and I saw virtually no wear & tear. Inside and out she was spotless and as well maintained as the day she entered service. As I mentioned earlier the ship’s original marketing campaign was a bit off-putting to me, but now having experienced the ship first hand I can say she is likely the most lavish and expensive feeling ship I’ve sailed on. The attention to detail in her design, the choice of art (original works by Picasso & Chagall), fabrics, and fittings are all top notch. There was no skimping and it shows. She borrows some traits from her cousin the Marina Class at Oceania, but Regent takes it all to the next level with a better layout, more windows facing the sea, and space. For a ship this size the amount of public space is unparalleled. On a ship space equals luxury and that is certainly the case here. My favorite spaces were the extravagant atrium area, the art-deco inspired Explorer Lounge, the magnificent Compass Rose dining room with its gorgeous chandelier, and the topside forward facing observation lounge. Even La Veranda, the buffet restaurant felt luxurious and nothing like a typical buffet restaurant. Outdoor areas were also lovely, with a full teak lined pool deck, a large tiled heated swimming pool, plenty of luxury cushioned sun loungers (shaded or open to the sun), an outdoor but sheltered Pool Grill, an aft open deck dining extension of La Veranda, and down on Deck 6 a partial wrap-around promenade deck leading to the aft spa deck. The Serene Spa had a fantastic aft open deck with infinity heated spa pool overlooking the stern. I loved this pool even though it was a bit warm for me. Inside were men’s & women’s facilities including sauna, cold room, experience showers, and steam room. These facilities were open to all at no extra charge. Nice touch. No venue ever felt crowded but it never felt empty either. It was just a very pleasant balance of people 43 CRUISE EXPERIENCES

years are dated menus. This means that days selection will be used once and once only, not to be repeated again. Very impressive. Back in the day this was the norm, but now most ships see menus created by head office and if it’s Tuesday, then the set Tuesday menu will be used. Also up to the task were the surroundings. Versace china, crystal glasses, silver flatware, comfortable seating and beautifully designed spaces. The chandelier in the Compass Rose is especially impressive, along with the very high ceilings. All creating a luxurious atmosphere of space. The specialty restaurants were more intimate, and each offered a unique and exceptional dining experience. Needless to say I ate very well this cruise and my expanding waistline proved it! Funny enough a standout for me was Sette Mari at La Veranda. Perhaps expectations were low because essentially this was the buffet restaurant transformed for dinner, but I have to say it was exceptional and the sunset over Santorini was an added bonus. One nice feature on Regent is that on port day lunches, one of the specialty restaurants is used. This is a great way to dine twice in your favorite specialty restaurant if a second dinner reservation is hard to come by. If there was a miss I would say it was the Pool Grill. The atmosphere was busy and a little loud, and some ventilation fans would have been welcomed as it’s outside and gets toasty. The burgers and fries were just so-so and I consider myself somewhat of a burger connoisseur. 45 CRUISE EXPERIENCES

Ports of call and final considerations - This cruise was port intensive and I’m not a fan of port intensive cruises. In fact my favorite itinerary is a transatlantic crossing with no ports at all. It’s one reason I sail on Cunard’s QM2 quite often. This cruise though fit the bill for a variety of reasons, but I would have certainly enjoyed some days at sea to enjoy the ship. In fact there were no sea days this cruise, although we enjoyed some spectacular cruising along the coasts of Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Just stunning. We had been to all these ports before except for Gythion and Amalfi. The port of Amalfi offered the opportunity to explore Positano which did not disappoint. It’s something I have been wanting to do ever since seeing the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. In Catania we returned to the quaint oceanside town of Taormina which is as charming as ever. Santorini is always a delight but it was the most crowded we have ever seen it, which took away from some of its charms. In fact it was over an hour wait to take the cable-car back down the mountainside to tender back to the ship. Getting up was no wait at all. The fact there were five ships in port didn’t help matters. Another reason we will avoid the Mediterranean during the summer months. We did take advantage of the included excursions that Regent includes on every sailing. Frankly they left me a bit meh. I’m not sure what I was expecting but they were no different than the excursions I’ve experienced on the mega-ships. Everything was well organized, but I thought perhaps they would be a bit elevated in some way being Regent. They weren’t. Maybe the excursions you pay for have that elevated experience, but that sort of defeats the purpose of having them included. Disembarking Seven Seas Explorer was effortless and very well organized. In fact they even offer full room service breakfast on your disembarkation morning which was unexpected. I can honestly say I felt like I was 15 years old again and didn’t want to get off that ship! No I didn’t have a tantrum but I could have easily stayed onboard another week. I can’t say that about every cruise I take. I always enjoy them but usually I’m ready to get off at the end. That wasn’t the case here. We took a cab to our post-cruise hotel in Athens called the in[n] Athens which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would absolutely stay here again. The hotel wasn’t luxurious but it was charming and fully remodeled, and in the heart of Athens. Best of all the a/c worked like a charm which was welcomed with temperatures in the mid-90’s. Our journey home was a 26-hour ordeal going through both JFK and Atlanta but it everything was on time and our luggage made it safe and sound. So really nothing to complain about except a very long day and night. CRUISE EXPERIENCES 46

In closing I think it’s apparent my fi rst Regent cruise was a roaring success. It was truly one of my best experiences at sea. This is not to say there were not some areas of opportunity. There were which I will outline here, along with some standout details that truly impressed me. Please keep in mind these suggestions in no way impacted the cruise and are minor, but are ways Regent can elevate the experience and stay ahead of the competition. The luxury market competition is tough after all and getting even tougher. New entrants like Explora Journeys, Scenic, Emerald, Ritz Carlton Yacht Club, the return of Crystal, and even rumors of Four Seasons building new ships. Of course established luxury operators like Seabourn, Silversea, Ponant, and SeaDream Yacht Club are always raising the bar. Personally as a consumer I think the competition is great and keeps everyone on their toes, and I would like Regent to stay one step ahead of the pack. How could Regent raise the bar? - Internet. It’s included but was quite slow and clumsy. Post cruise survey, in fact it had to be completed during the cruise using the clumsy and slow internet. Frustrating. Email it after the cruise. No pens in the cabin - a small but missing detail. Key card holder was a nice touch but needs to be better quality. It quickly began to fall apart. Offer a full sushi bar experience in Pacifi c Rim. Improve the quality of the burgers and Pool Grill experience. Offer cold towels and sorbet/popsicles poolside by staff, some other lines do this and it’s a very nice touch, especially on a hot afternoon poolside. Elevate the shore excursion experience, ours felt no different than mass-market cruises. Elevate the tender/embarkation tents in the various ports. Better seating, more staff, cold towels, more beverage choices than water. Even mass-market lines did a better job. Surprised not even cold towels were offered especially on a summer cruise in very hot ports. This is something that passengers from other competing lines see and Regent should stand out and impress. Standout details that really impressed - Initial document package, love it. Great attention to detail and a taste of what is to come. Great fi rst impression. Included professional laundry service, the best at sea bar none. Laundry rooms, beautifully fi tted out and in keeping with the luxury experience. Dining Room Menus, extensive and printed daily with the date, something you don’t see anymore. Full room service breakfast the fi nal morning onboard. So civilized up to the last moments onboard. Water thermoses and refi ll stations. Fantastic concept and also great for the environment, a win win! Specialty Restaurant Lunches, great way to experience a specialty restaurant without committing to a full dinner. Full bottles of liquor delivered for the mini-bar. Very impressive. I never heard the word “no”. A true testament to an ultra-luxury experience. Bravo Regent on delivering excellent service from beginning to end. 47 CRUISE EXPERIENCES

ON BOARD DINING Forget the menu concept, with a classic series of courses. Forget classic table settings with elegant tablecloths and white porcelain plates. Twist your concept of flavors, of combinations of ingredients. There will be no first course or second course. Are you ready for ‘Imaginative Cuisine’. Welcome to Wonderland! It is undoubtedly one of the most eclectic and innovative restaurants on board Royal Caribbean International’s ships, as well as cruise ships in general. Present on all Oasis and Quantum class units, it is located in different spaces depending on the ship’s structure. However, they are all united by a carefulWonderland, one of the speciality restaurants on board the Royal Caribbean fleet, presents a new “Imaginative Cuisine” concept that will amaze you with its combinations and setting. Text Gabriele Bassi Pictures Gabriele Bassi WONDERLAND: IMAGINATIVE CUISINE ON ROYAL CARIBBEAN ly designed but distinctive ambience, unconventional, where everything appears strange and peculiar. Different types of furniture, colour combinations that focus on red, black and white, but also fine pieces setting the table, with candelabra, sumptuous glasses and designer plates. You will be welcomed accordingly, by a character wearing a tall top hat, who will introduce you to the restaurant and escort you to your table. Wonderland is one of the Royal Caribbean speciality restaurants that require a reservation and a fee to be paid. If you are early, and we would recommend that you go early... the bar is the ideal place to wait for your table, en48

joying one of the extraordinary and scenic cocktails on offer here. Every single course is a true culinary experiment, prepared with exclusive ingredients and the result with more or less extreme proposals by the chefs on board. Not everything will please you, but it will certainly make you think and be impressed, especially thanks to the helpful explanations provided by the waiters. Fish, meat, vegetarian options. Elegance in the composition of the dishes, attention to every little detail. Rare ingredients or extravagant combinations. The important thing here is to astonish, to experience, to break out of the ordinary. And Wonderland succeeds in this perfectly, overwhelming every stereotype and teasing us from start to fi nish. An end that can’t get any better with the arrival of the desserts: a triumph of art and gluttony. Not just lots of beauty, such as the delicately melting chocolate sphere, but also substance. Excellent pear, divine chocolate... Wonderland represents a truly different and extremely innovative concept of cooking. The common theme is amazement and experimental. About the rest, there are no rules. You order what you want, or rather, you order nothing: you let yourself be carried away by all the samples that arrive on the table, sniffing and biting here and there. The aim is not to like everything, perhaps we can’t like everything, even some of the more intriguing proposals (placton, tomato water, crudités, etc.). It is rather to impress us and leave us with something special. And it succeeds perfectly: an added value to the cruise, a trip to a wonderland... that you don’t often get to do again. 49 ON BOARD DINING

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