Planning a cruise in 2023? Here’s a guide
Planning a cruise in 2023? From trolling the Norwegian fjords to sailing New Zealand by super yacht, here’s a taste of the itineraries on offer.
It’s time to refloat your overseas cruising dreams. Fleets are leaner, ships are cleaner and passengers are keener than ever to set sail on once-in-a-lifetime cruises. Those who have waited three or four years will be frothing to return to the world’s waterways, where travelling always feels easier. Almost every morning a new view appears outside your window, as if delivered overnight by elves. A different city, a tropical island, a mountainous fjord, wildlife sanctuary or icy terrain awaits. At its best, cruising brings together like-minded people who enjoy dipping in and out of destinations, and that gentle, drifting feeling of sailing on open seas or scenic rivers.
With older vessels sent off to the scrapyards in recent years, the future of cruising is quieter and more sustainable. Travellers are planning long or short voyages to less crowded ports aboard smaller, spacious ships, staffed by affable, unflappable (and fully vaccinated) crew. Here’s a selection of alluring itineraries to consider for 2023, covering almost every curve of the globe.
1 Norway two ways
In fragile environments such as the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic, it pays to travel with the local experts, Hurtigruten. The company has carried cargo and passengers along Norway’s coast since 1893 and next year will introduce two upgraded itineraries.
With regular departures from Oslo during the auroral season, the 13-night North Cape Express offers the best chance to witness that swirling green glow of the Northern Lights (if they don’t appear, you receive a free future cruise). Along the way, sail through the majestically mountainous Hardangerfjord, and join all-day tours to remote communities. The other new itinerary is the 15-night Svalbard Express, which explores the Lofoten Islands, the year-round whale habitat of Vesterålen, and the world’s northernmost populated settlement, Longyearbyen.
These extensions of the line’s classic cruises deliver a wider range of entertainment, hikes, picnics and culinary tours, and drinks with meals on the freshly refurbished MS Trollfjord. Don’t miss the sauna with panoramic views to warm up after an excursion. The onboard team also presents lectures about the region as well as photography, cooking and art classes.
Hurtigruten’s 13-night North Cape Express (Oct 2023 to Mar 2024) and Svalbard Express (June to Sept 2023) from $4054 and $5794 per person twin share, respectively, for an inside cabin. Suites from $12,812 and $21,070 per person, respectively, including more generous beverage package and private lounge access; hurtigruten.com.au
2 Door-to-door Mediterranean
If you’ve craving culture and a variety of experiences, this three-week cruise seamlessly blends Europe and North Africa. In a round trip from Lisbon, the voyage zigzags between the two continents’ coastlines to Italian islands (Sicily and Sardinia), Spanish cities (Cadiz, Cartagena, Malaga and Palma), Casablanca and Tangier in Morocco, and the capitals of Malta, Tunisia and Algeria. The final day in Gibraltar, a British outpost on Spain’s south coast, wraps up this voyage on Silversea’s new hybrid ship, Silver Nova.
Scheduled to launch next year, the spacious 728-passenger vessel will be powered by LNG while sailing and free of local emissions when docked. Not only is the onboard experience all-inclusive, the fare includes flights (which can be upgraded to business class at reduced rates) and private transfers from your home to the airport.
Silversea’s 21-night Lisbon to Lisbon cruise departs October 16, 2023. From $23,800 per person including flights, transfers, hotels, fine dining, drinks, butler service and shore excursions; silversea.com
3 South Island by super yacht
See New Zealand in style aboard a super yacht with a helicopter. Live out your James Bond fantasy when you land on the shiny new Island Escape in the misty vista of Doubtful Sound. The Jacuzzi next to the helipad is a top spot to marvel at the Fiordland’s towering peaks and showering waterfalls. Another exciting flight on the chartered chopper whisks guests from Milford Sound to Lake Wanaka for an overnight stay. The next day, fly over the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers before landing on the snow for the ultimate photo opp. After a night in a forest retreat, take the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch, taste pinot noir in Gibbston Valley, and try fly-fishing in the wilderness.
The 30-passenger yacht was built last year to navigate narrow channels and coves that bigger ships can’t access. It’s equipped with kayaks, paddleboards and Zodiacs, and a dynamic positioning system that eliminates the need for seabed-damaging anchors. Bookended by hotel stays, this is a small-group expedition escorted by a Captain’s Choice tour manager and a doctor.
All-inclusive fares for the 16-night Grandeur of Fiordland by Super Yacht, departing from Queenstown on March 5, 2023, from $28,750 per person twin share; captainschoice.com.au
4 Easy Egypt
A slow-paced river cruise along the Nile is the most blissful way to travel in Egypt, watching the passing show of ancient landscapes that have hardly changed since pharaohs ruled thousands of years ago.
Viking’s adventure begins with a three-night stay at the Sheraton Cairo Hotel and guided tours to attractions such as the necropolis at Sakkara, Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, the Citadel of the Mountain and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. In Giza, experience the unforgettable sights of the Great Pyramids and the Great Sphinx from astride a camel.
In Luxor, board the new 84-passenger Viking Osiris to explore the famous temples and tombs that line the mythical waterway. Visit the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, with privileged access to the exquisite tomb of Queen Nefertari, which only a few tourists get to see. Spend two days in Aswan, where passengers are invited into a local’s home for a glimpse of day-to-day life. Among other optional activities are shopping at the spice markets, a cruise on a traditional wooden felucca sailboat, and tours of the Aswan High Dam or Great Temple of Ramses II.
The 12-night Pharaohs and Pyramids round trip from Cairo from $7295 per person twin share; viking.com.au
5 Transpacific traveller
The list of ports is enticing enough – Tahiti, Tonga, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea – but there are many other reasons to take this trip. First, any Seabourn cruise is exceptional. Second, it takes you all the way home to Australia.
Fascinating fusions of French and Polynesian cultures, colourful customs and history, diverse wildlife, natural wonders and unspoilt underwater worlds are covered on this month-long journey. Every day, you’ll change your mind about your favourite beach, from Bora Bora to Champagne Bay.
If time and budget allow, choose the longer itinerary from Miami, which adds stops in Central America (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica) and South America (Peru, Ecuador, Panama) and crosses the Equator, the International Date Line and the Panama Canal. A rare highlight is an overnight call at enigmatic Easter Island, enabling in-depth discovery of the enormous moai figures scattered around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rapa Nui National Park, and the ceremonial stone village of Orongo.
Seabourn Sojourn’s 27-day Pacific Pearls from Papeete to Sydney departs February 23, 2023, from $23,990 per person twin share. The 59-day Pearls of the Pacific from Miami to Sydney departs January 2023, from $49,999 per person twin share; seabourn.com
6 Another side of Japan
Ponant is the first expedition cruise line to venture into the subtropical islands of southern Japan. Explore this rarely seen side of the country to discover the natural heritage and traditions of the Okinawa archipelago. Swim in turquoise waters at the white-sand beaches of Ishigaki, Miyako and Kume and the tiny sandbar of Hatenohama, and snorkel or dive around the coral reefs of Zamami in the Kerama Islands, whose distinctive colour of crystalline sea is known as “Kerama blue”.
On Taketomi Island, an intriguing town preserves the insular lifestyle of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429-1879), where the local transportation is carriages drawn by water buffaloes. At UNESCO-listed Iriomote, spot endemic species in the national park, where the sea, rivers, mountains and forest converge.
This new itinerary is aboard the luxurious Le Soleal, a sleek 264-passenger ship with an outdoor heated pool, jazz club with live music, salon, spa and hammam, and two restaurants serving French and international cuisine.
Departing from Keelung, Taiwan, on March 24, 2023, eight-night Japanese Subtropical Islands expedition from $8220 per person twin share for a balcony cabin, excursions and open bar; ponant.com
7 Cunard’s new Queen
Cunard is set to debut its first new ship in more than 12 years, Queen Anne, in January 2024. The quintessentially British line is distinguished by its more formal style of cruising, with activities such as ballroom dancing, fencing lessons, afternoon tea served by white-gloved waiters and presentations by an impressive roster of guest speakers.
In its maiden season, Queen Anne will undertake a transatlantic voyage between the UK and the US, offering a more leisurely way to cross the pond. This fabled nautical experience is best for passionate seafarers because only two out of 12 days are spent on land. However, both of those stepping stones – Ponta Delgada in the Azores and Port Canaveral, home of NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre – are bound to be fun. There’s also a transatlantic voyage aboard famous fleetmate Queen Mary 2 that can be extended to Sydney, creating an epic 47-night journey via Portugal, Spain, Namibia, South Africa, Mauritius, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. Sign me up.
Queen Anne’s 12-night Westbound Transatlantic departs Southampton on January 27, 2024, and disembarks in Fort Lauderdale. From $2209 per person twin share. Queen Mary 2’s Southampton to Sydney departing January 11, 2024, from $11,349 per person twin share; cunard.com
8 Barge your way through France
If cruising doesn’t float your boat, consider canal barging. Afloat in France has a fleet of seven Belmond barges in Burgundy, Provence, Champagne and Canal du Midi, accommodating four to 12 people. Invite your friends or the extended family on a customised journey with a private guide, chef and crew to take care of everything. Choose activities such as truffle-hunting, horse-riding, hot-air ballooning or simply sitting on the deck, eating and drinking. Dining can also be tailored to guests’ tastes using local, seasonal specialities.
Alternatively, couples or solo travellers can join scheduled departures, which might focus on Michelin-starred restaurants or private wine- tasting. No need to worry about seasickness: the barge glides so slowly that it’s often possible to step off and stroll or cycle along the towpath. While it’s moored overnight in peaceful ports, guests can head into town for the evening.
Cruise Traveller offers six nights departing Avignon on August 13, 2023 from approx. $9300 per person twin share including meals, drinks, excursions and domestic transfers to and from Paris; cruisetraveller.com.au