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Our guide

Introduction 03 The facts about cruising 04

Cruise and stay 05How to choose your cruise 06

Why Virgin Holidays? 08

Royal Caribbean

Overview 10Freedom of the Seas 12

Oasis & Allure of the Seas 14Serenade of the Seas 16

Anthem of the Seas 18Adventure of the Seas 20Splendour of the Seas 22

Celebrity Cruises

Overview 24Celebrity Eclipse 26

Celebrity Millennium 28Celebrity Infinity 30

Disney Cruise Line

Overview 32Disney Dream 34

Disney Fantasy 36Disney Magic 38

Useful info

How do I book? 40Cruise booked! What next? 41

What to pack 42A guide to shore excursions 44

Celebrations at sea 46Cruise top tips 48

Cruise etiquette 50Glossary 51

If you’re one of the nearly 22 million people who enjoyed a cruise last year, you’ll already know that cruising has changed beyond recognition in the past two decades. Far from old-fashioned, these beautiful ships now bristle with innovative features and offer unprecedented levels of service. Cruise ships aren’t a trip back in time – they’re a launch pad for discovery.

Today’s cruise lines recognise that travellers value barefoot luxury

and adventure over stuffy service. The glamour of the ‘Golden

Age’ of cruise liners is alive and kicking, but the focus now is on

delivering unique experiences both aboard and ashore. Days are spent

exploring private Caribbean islands and swimming with stingrays,

while evenings slip by watching movies under the stars and seeing

firework displays reflected on the ocean. Ships now offer world-class

restaurants, buzzing bars, palatial spas, complimentary kids’ clubs and

spacious cabins.

It’s no wonder that cruising has become a favourite for families and

adventurous types alike. Whether it’s a fun-packed island voyage with

Royal Caribbean, a jaunt to the Bahamas with Captain Mickey and

Disney Cruise Line, or a luxury trip around Southeast Asia with Celebrity

Cruises, there’s just nothing like it.

If you haven’t dipped your toes in the bottomless waters of cruising,

you might be confused about what’s actually involved. And so it’s our

pleasure to welcome you to The Cruise Guide from Virgin Holidays. In

these pages you’ll find an introduction to daily cruise life and advice

on where to go, how to book and what to pack, plus our top tips to help

you get the most from your holiday. Just be warned: statistics show

that your first cruise is unlikely to be your last. You’re about to discover

the habit of a lifetime.

03331 225 466

Talk to a Virgin Holidays cruise specialist

Monday – Friday, 9am – 9pm Saturday, 9am – 7pm Sunday, 10am – 6pm

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When it comes to myths about cruises, we’ve heard them all – and disagree with most of them. Cruise is the fastest-evolving segment of the travel industry – blink and you’ll miss the latest amazing new ship, awesome technological advance or exotic new port of call. So here are few of the most common chestnuts, officially debunked.

Myth No.1

I’ll find the lowest price for my cruise online

Busted: Cruises book out so quickly that a travel agent will

invariably find you the best possible deals and, in our case, the

best Virgin Atlantic or partner airlines flights. In addition to saving

you money on the fare, a cruise specialist can help to score you a

cabin upgrade and even bag you some onboard spending credit.

Thanks to Virgin Holidays’ special relationship with Royal Caribbean,

on selected sailings we can also offer you VIP benefits like priority

check-in, a Champagne reception, and dinner in a speciality

restaurant. Most importantly, booking your cruise through Virgin

Holidays, an ATOL protected company, means that on our flight-

inclusive packages you benefit from financial protection.

Tip: Book through Virgin Holidays and our specialist cruise team for

the best fares, great perks and peace of mind.

Myth No.2

I won’t have enough time ashore Busted: A typical shore day will see you arriving in port around 9am

and returning to the ship for early evening, leaving ample time for

exploration. If anything, you’ll be sneaking back on board early to

enjoy the empty pools…

Tip: If you’re determined to maximise your time ashore, look for

immersive cruise itineraries that incorporate long days and even

overnights in port, and pre-book plenty of action-packed shore

excursions.

Myth No.3

The cabins will be crampedBusted: Spanning two floors and covering 1,524 square feet (and

that’s not including the balcony), you’re more likely to get lost in

Royal Caribbean’s Royal Loft Suites than feel claustrophobic. But you

don’t have to pay top dollar for space: even the most basic cabins

aboard today’s cruise ships eke out the maximum possible room, with

inside cabins boasting clever solutions like Disney Cruise Line’s Magic

Portholes, which stream live footage from outside.

Tip: Take time to familiarise yourself with the cabin categories of

the cruise lines you’re looking at, so you can establish your priorities:

private balcony, living space, ocean views, hot tub, grand piano...

Myth No.4

I’m too young for a cruiseBusted: As cruise lines launch increasingly inventive and entertaining

ships, passengers are getting younger. With experiences such

as Ripcord by iFLY®, the first skydiving simulator at sea, on some

Royal Caribbean ships, there are plenty of activities to keep all ages

entertained for hours.

Tip: Indulge your inner child and book a fun-packed trip with Royal

Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line – then we’ll see who’s too young

to cruise!

Myth No.5

I’ll get bored and be stuck there for a whole weekBusted: We challenge you to get bored on contemporary megaships,

with their cinemas, theatres, spas, shops, cookery schools, children’s

clubs, multiple pools, waterparks and slides, restaurants, cafés and

bars. What’s more, you don’t even have to commit to a week on board.

Plenty of cruise lines offer three or four-day voyages for those looking

to dip their toes in the water.

Tip: Set yourself a goal to learn a new skill or hobby during your

cruise. Most lines offer enrichment classes and courses in computing,

photography, dancing, and arts and crafts. Alternatively, pick a

themed cruise if you have a particular passion for, say, wine or music.

Myth No.6

I’ll get seasickBusted: Modern cruise ships are so large and boast such efficient

stabilisers to minimise the rocking sensation, you’re more likely to

forget you’re sailing than you are to suffer from seasickness.

Tip: If you’re still concerned, bring some remedies with you to avoid

paying over the odds on board. We suggest starting with natural

remedies like pressure bands and chewing on candied ginger or green

apples before resorting to medication.

THE FACTS ABOUT  CRUISING

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Cruise ships? Awesome. Hotels? Yes please. The two together? Unbeatable.

Combining a cruise with time ashore gives you the best of all worlds.

Whether you start by exploring the local culture of your departure city,

or prolong that holiday feeling by tagging on a beach break after your

voyage, you get to max out your surf and turf time.

The Virgin Holidays team are old hands at creating fabulous packages

for ‘cruise and stay’ holidays. Say you fancy a voyage aboard Royal

Caribbean’s action-packed Freedom of the Seas. We could find you a

sought-after room at the beachfront Cabana Beach Resort in Florida,

just a Frisbee throw from Universal Orlando® Resort and SeaWorld®

Orlando. Fancy getting to grips with glitzy Dubai after a cruise aboard

Splendour of the Seas? We can book you into the sumptuous Hilton

Ras Al Khaimah Resort, with added VIP benefits exclusive to Virgin

Holidays to help make it the holiday of a lifetime.

CRUISE AND STAY

Or how about the best Disney adventure ever? Let us arrange a week at

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, from which you can explore Walt Disney

World Resort before getting even closer to the Disney characters on

a three or four-night voyage aboard Disney Dream. Culture vultures

will be happy to hear that for the Far East odyssey aboard Celebrity

Cruises’ Millennium, which starts in Hong Kong and ends in Singapore,

we can secure you great stays in both cities to top and tail your voyage.

So why just cruise when you can cruise and stay? Your Virgin Holidays

cruise experts will help you find the best cruise for you, as well as the

perfect places to stay before and after. And then we’ll package it all up

for you, with flights, transfers and a hire car if you wish. Congratulate

yourself on your good taste, and know that you’re in the safest holiday

hands out there.

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HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CRUISE

A cruise holiday is one of those rare pleasures that has something for absolutely everyone. Whether you’re travelling alone or as a couple, with your kids, parents or mates, today’s cruise ships have so much to offer. With itineraries spanning the globe, there’s no question you’ll find one that’s right for you.

The trouble with virtually infinite choice, however, is the question of where to start. You can

cruise anywhere in the world in any number of ships, but what will make the perfect cruise for

you? To help you out, we’ve created this handy grid so you can navigate your way around some

of our favourite cruises. All you have to do is think about your favourite holiday things: chilling on

the beach, zip-lining through the jungle, shopping for tax-free bargains or getting acquainted

with the local culture. We’ve even factored in how you might like to spend time ashore before or

after your cruise. After all, the only thing better than a cruise holiday is a ‘cruise and stay’ holiday.

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Disney Cruise Line The undeniable favourite for Disney fans of any age

Celebrity Cruises The fun-loving line that’s redefining luxury cruising

Royal Caribbean High-octane, high-tech holidays for everyone

Holiday Key: Beach Shopping Romance ActiveR&R/Spa

C R U I S E S T A Y S H I P P A G E

Caribbean Orlando Freedom of the Seas 1 2

Caribbean Orlando Oasis & Allure of the Seas 1 4

Caribbean Miami Serenade of the Seas 1 6

Caribbean New York Anthem of the Seas 1 8

Caribbean San Juan Adventure of the Seas 2 0

Middle East Dubai Splendour of the Seas 2 2

C R U I S E S T A Y S H I P P A G E

Caribbean Miami Celebrity Eclipse 2 6

Far EastHong Kong

or Singapore Celebrity Millennium 2 8

Alaska Vancouver Celebrity Infinity 3 0

C R U I S E S T A Y S H I P P A G E

Caribbean Orlando Disney Dream 3 4

Caribbean Orlando Disney Fantasy 3 6

Caribbean Orlando Disney Magic 3 8

CultureAction

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ABTA No.J1138

Travel with Virgin Holidays and we’ll do everything in our power to match you with your perfect cruise and then craft a dream holiday around it.

Whether you’re a cruise virgin or veteran, we’ll track down the trip

that ticks your boxes and then tick a whole load more by arranging

your flights, adding a night or five in a dreamy hotel and organising

transfers or a rental car. Then we’ll top it off with lashings of Virgin

perks like cabin upgrades, priority check-in at the cruise terminal and

complimentary concierge service on selected cruise and stay holidays.

The result is a fabulous holiday handcrafted for you by experts. We’ll

take care of every detail, from recommending the right cabin for your

family to pre-booking restaurants. You can rest assured that we’ve

tracked down the best-value cruise for you (we’ll refund the difference

if you find it cheaper elsewhere) and relax in the knowledge that every

element of your holiday is protected.

Flying high

We’re proud to say that Virgin Holidays is the UK’s most successful

transatlantic tour operator, and the market leader for travel to the USA

and the Caribbean. When it comes to delivering unbeatable quality,

choice and value when travelling across the pond, it certainly helps

that we can call one of the world’s favourite airlines, Virgin Atlantic,

part of the family. Flying with Virgin Atlantic guarantees you a free

lunch, and a tasty one at that; complimentary drinks; a seatback TV

with multiple channels and movies; a complimentary amenity pack

for adults and fun-packed goody bags for the kids. Our Virgin Holidays

team can book you onto Virgin Atlantic flights over 11 months in

advance, well before any other tour operators get a sniff of them.

Finally, for truly stress-free travel, Virgin Holidays has several airport

lounge options for you, including our v-rooms at London Gatwick† and

Manchester Airport. These exclusive lounges offer complimentary

food, soft drinks, internet, newspapers and stuff for the kids, and can

be reserved when you book your holiday.

WHY VIRGIN HOLIDAYS?

VIP treatment

We want you to feel like the star you are while you’re on holiday with

us, so we’ll treat you to exclusive benefits while you’re sailing aboard

select ships from some of our favourite cruise lines, including Royal

Caribbean. On these sailings, you can expect a dedicated Virgin

Holidays Cruise check-in desk, complimentary dinner for two at a

speciality restaurant, priority reservations for speciality restaurants,

and an exclusive Champagne reception hosted by a Royal Caribbean

Senior Officer.

Or if you want to take the kids to Walt Disney World Resort before

embarking on a Caribbean cruise, we’re all (mouse) ears. We’ll sort you

out with our exclusive Disney Springs Check-In service, which lets you

check in early for your flight home and leave your luggage with us for a

hassle-free last day in the Magic Kingdom. Fancy a few nights of luxury

in Dubai after a voyage around the Middle East? We’ll call our friends at

The Palm. There’s only one thing we love more than a good time, and

that’s showing you one.

Peace of mind

If your flight is cancelled and you can’t reach your destination within a

reasonable amount of time, you can change to another cruise holiday

with us. If we can’t give you a holiday, we’ll give you a full refund. If your

flight is cancelled, we’ll simply book you a new one with the help of all

our airline partners. And if it’s not leaving for a couple of days, never

fear, we’ll assist you in booking a hotel too.

Virgin Holidays is ATOL protected, so on our flight-inclusive packages

you benefit from financial protection. We’re also a member of ABTA,

so you can book with confidence knowing we follow their code

of conduct.

Unbeatable value

We’re so confident that we’ll find you the best possible price for your

cruise that we’ll refund you the difference in price if you find the

identical holiday (including a Virgin Atlantic flight) at a lower price

within 24 hours of confirming your booking with us.

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The future of holidays

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

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What you need to know

With such an extensive fleet, it’s important to decide what Royal

Caribbean experience you’re looking for in order to pick the right ship. If

you and your family have boundless energy and a desire to get the most

from every day, plump for an action-packed ship like Freedom of the

Seas, Oasis of the Seas or Anthem of the Seas. Looking for something

slightly smaller, more sedate and elegant? Consider Splendour of the

Seas or Serenade of the Seas. Regardless of which ship you choose,

you’ll find complimentary children’s clubs, fabulous spas and unrivalled

choice for dining and activities. Even better, Virgin Holidays passengers

benefit from exclusive perks when sailing on selected ships with Royal

Caribbean, such as priority check-in and disembarkation, a Champagne

reception and dinner in a speciality restaurant.

What’s included

Sail with Royal Caribbean and you’ll find all food included in your fare

other than meals served in speciality restaurants and cafés. Selected

soft drinks, tea and coffee are also included, as are ice cream, room

service, 24-hour snacks, children’s clubs and onboard entertainment,

including activities like rock climbing, ice skating and surfing on

the FlowRider®. Food, select drinks and children’s clubs are also

included when ashore at Royal Caribbean’s private islands, CocoCay

and Labadee.

This is the cruise line that prides itself on delivering a holiday for everyone. It’s all about high-octane, high-tech entertainment aboard ships that flabbergast with their sheer size, energy and variety of activities.

More than any other cruise line, Royal Caribbean® loves going big

and creating ‘firsts’. With seven of the world’s 10 longest cruise ships

among its 24-strong fleet, Royal Caribbean believes that bigger is

better because more ship means more choice in cabins, dining venues,

bars and entertainment. Twin giants Allure and Oasis of the Seas

have over 20 stateroom categories, over 30 cafés and restaurants,

and numerous pools, one of which transforms into an open-air

amphitheatre at night. The ‘firsts’ are equally mind-boggling and

include the first dodgems, zip-line, climbing wall and skydive simulator

(Ripcord by iFLY®) at sea, and the first robotic bar (Bionic Bar®) probably

anywhere. With so much going on, there really is something for

everyone, whether that means watching a movie under the stars by

the pool or just kicking back on your private balcony. And because

they sail to hundreds of destinations, Royal Caribbean ensure that the

views from that balcony will never fail to delight, whether you choose

to explore the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and Bahamas, the

exotic climes of Dubai and Asia, or even Alaska.

Key embarkation points for featured Royal Caribbean cruises

A Port Canaveral, Florida – Freedom of the Seas, Caribbean cruise B Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Oasis/Allure of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas,

Caribbean cruise C Cape Liberty, New Jersey – Anthem of the Seas, Caribbean cruise D San Juan, Puerto Rico – Adventure of the Seas,

Caribbean cruise E Dubai – Splendour of the Seas, Middle East cruise

C

A

B

D

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CARIBBEAN FREEDOM

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Fancy sipping cocktails on sun-drenched Caribbean beaches while the kids are snorkelling? Doing some duty-free shopping while they hang out with Kung Fu Panda? Well, you’re only human – and this is the cruise for you. We’re talking lazy days on a private island, mornings spotting tropical fish from glass-bottomed boats, and afternoons spent riding horses along white sand beaches. In a word: bliss.

CRUISESailing from Port Canaveral aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the

Seas®, you’ll have a full week to explore the highlights of the eastern

Caribbean, calling at the Bahamas and Virgin Islands. Not done

daydreaming? Don’t worry – there’s a western Caribbean option too.

That one will take you to Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico.

The choice is all yours.

Way down in Kokomo

One of the best things about the Caribbean is that it really does deliver

Bounty-Bar-ad perfection. After an evening roaming the 15 decks

of your new floating home, Freedom of the Seas, you’ll wake up in

paradise: Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay in the Bahamas.

As you step onto cashmere-soft sand, you’ll be transfixed by the

island’s turquoise waters, secluded coves and swaying palm trees.

The kids will be silenced (if only temporarily), staring wide-eyed at the

Power Wheels track and array of watersports toys. Snorkelling and

parasailing kit, pedalos, WaveRunner jet-skis… You name it, it’s here.

Officially introduced to the Caribbean, you’ll have a full day to enjoy

Freedom of the Seas as you sail for the Virgin Islands. Your first port

of call will be St Thomas, the preferred haunt of the notorious English

pirate Blackbeard. Feeling active? Climb to the top of the seventeenth-

century Fort Christian for stunning views of the island, then scale

the 99 Steps (be warned: there are actually 103) to stroll around

historic downtown.

The following day you’ll visit the tiny half Dutch and half French island

of St Maarten, which has one beach for each of its 37 square miles.

Here you can stroll along the bustling Great Bay Boardwalk, spot

celebs in chic Marigot and shop, shop, shop! Yes, St Maarten is a duty-

free shopping paradise, awash with designer boutiques, souvenir

shops and bargain outlets. Laden down with goodies and Caribbean

memories, you’ll have two days of play and relaxation aboard Freedom

of the Seas before returning to Florida.

Freedom to play

Cruising with Royal Caribbean means having just as much fun at sea as

you do on land. This itinerary gives you three days to exhaust the kids

(and yourselves) trying out all the activities Freedom of the Seas has

to offer, from rock climbing and surfing to ice-skating and boxing. Or

indulge your inner grown-up and stretch out on a sun lounger by the

adults-only Solarium pool, soak in a whirlpool high above the ocean,

and enjoy a wine tasting at Vintages wine bar.

STAYDesert island Orlando

As if a week’s cruising around the Caribbean isn’t enough excitement

for one family, you can add another week of fun at the Wyndham

Orlando Resort. Sticking to the paradise vibe, this fabulous property

is set in lush tropical gardens, with paths winding around lagoons,

poolside restaurants and ice cream parlours. It feels as secluded as a

desert island – but you’re actually in the middle of International Drive.

Just grab a free shuttle bus or your hire car (included in your package)

for short hops to Universal Orlando® Resort, SeaWorld® Orlando and

Wet ‘n Wild Orlando. Need more beach time? No problem, we’ll simply

arrange four nights for you at the lush Cabana Beach Resort.

There’s something for everyone on this energetic island adventure

Prices shown are guide prices only. Orlando Stay & Cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Category Z inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 06 Jan ‘16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

7-night Caribbean cruise and Orlando stay Sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas®

Port Canaveral, Florida - CocoCay, Bahamas - Charlotte Amalie,

St Thomas - Philipsburg, St Maarten - Port Canaveral, Florida

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GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,199 PER PERSONBased on a 7-night cruise and a 7-night stay at Wyndham Orlando Resort, including f lights and car hire.

Don’t forget that Virgin Holidays guests get exclusive perk s

aboard Freedom of the Seas. As a Virgin VIP you get priority check-

in and disembarkation, a Champagne reception and dinner in a

speciality restaurant.

Love being in the thick of it? Staterooms on board Freedom of the Seas

may be smaller (and less expensive) than swanky suites, but they’re close

to all the restaurants and kids’ clubs, making them ideal for getting

the most out of your time aboard.

Marvel at tropical fish, sharks and corals at Coral World’s amazing

underwater observatory on Coki Beach, St Thomas.

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GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,299 PER PERSONBased on a 7-night cruise and a 7-night stay at the Doubletree by Hilton at SeaWorld®, including f lights and car hire.

Consider yourself a foodie? Try a walking culinary tour of Nassau during

which you’ll visit a “down home” eatery, meet a fair trade chocolatier

and try everything from conch fritters to rum cake.

Bag yourself a sought-after Aquatheatre Suite for prime views of

the shows, as well as the Boardwalk and the ocean, from your snazzy

wrap-around terrace.

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LIVE LARGE

If your kids are always the first ones diving into the pool in the morning and the last ones kicking a ball around come dusk, we recommend this trip.

CRUISEBecause when it comes to keeping children entertained on cruise

ships, size matters – the bigger the better! Cue Royal Caribbean’s Oasis

of the Seas® and Allure of the Seas®: the world’s largest cruise ships.

Each as long as five Boeing 747s, these sisters pack in over 30 cafés

and restaurants, a zip line, ice rink and numerous pools, one of which

transforms into an open-air amphitheatre at night.

You’ll be spoiled for choice, but it’s still worth dragging yourself away

from the 3D DreamWorks cinema to explore your surroundings. Sailing

from Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral (Winter 2016), you can pick

your Caribbean adventure: go east for Nassau, the vibrant capital of

the Bahamas, followed by St Thomas and St Maarten, or head west to

hit Royal Caribbean’s private resort of Labadee on Haiti, plus Falmouth,

Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico. Both itineraries are offered by Oasis of

the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Big is beautiful

Step aboard the world’s largest cruise ship and start to find your

way around (it might take a while). Both ships are divided into seven

distinct neighbourhoods. This means you can saunter along Royal

Promenade if you fancy some shopping, enjoy a stroll and coffee

in Central Park, take the kids to the Boardwalk for ice creams and a

carousel ride, or pack them off to the Adventure Ocean children’s

area while you chill out in the Vitality Spa. Even if you do get lost,

you’ll find interactive digital maps dotted around the ship to help you

find your way.

Fortunately, these weeklong Caribbean voyages give you three full

days at sea to enjoy the eye-popping array of activities offered by

Oasis and Allure of the Seas. (That said, plenty of people opt for

back-to-back eastern and western Caribbean cruises to have more

time to try everything.) Regardless of how long you sail, as a Virgin

Holidays guest you’ll enjoy exclusive treats such as priority check-

in and disembarkation, a Champagne reception and dinner in a

speciality restaurant.*

West is best, but east’s a feast

There’s no right or wrong when you’re choosing between Caribbean

voyages with the region’s expert, Royal Caribbean. An eastern

Caribbean voyage delivers fun-packed Nassau with its pastel-painted

shacks serving up fresh conch and rum-laced coconut milk, as well

as the cosmopolitan islands of St Thomas and St Maarten. Take your

family to the 34-acre Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island off Nassau,

Coral World marine park on St Thomas, and wave riding in St Maarten’s

Little Bay, and they’ll love you forever. Will they love you just a tiny bit

more if you whisk them west to Royal Caribbean’s private resort of

Labadee, Falmouth’s Mystic Mountain adventure park and the Xel-Ha

ecotourism underwater park near Cozumel? We couldn’t possibly say.

STAYThe mouse and the lion

Book a week at the Doubletree by Hilton at SeaWorld® and you’ll

find yourself in 28 acres of landscaped gardens set halfway between

Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, next door to

SeaWorld Orlando and opposite Aquatica™. Play some mini golf, splash

around in the hotel’s three pools and grab a free shuttle or your hire

car (which is included in your Cruise & Stay package) to the land of the

Mouse, knowing that a relaxing spa treatment awaits your return. For

a taste of Africa, head for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where zebra,

giraffes and gazelles roam free on savannahs below your room.

Go big with a Caribbean escape on the world’s largest cruise ships

Prices shown are guide prices only. Orlando Stay & Cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Category Z inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 14 Dec ‘16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

7-night Caribbean cruise and Orlando stay Sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis or Allure of the Seas®

Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Nassau, Bahamas - Charlotte Amalie,

St Thomas - Philipsburg, St Maarten - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,399 PER PERSONBased on a 10-night cruise and a 2-night stay at the Courtyard Cadillac Miami Beach Oceanfront Hotel, including f lights and car hire.

SWEET SERENADE

Easily one of the world’s best cruise lines for families, Royal Caribbean also has plenty to offer adults. Carrying just over 2,000 guests, Serenade of the Seas®

is a sophisticated mid-size ship that can access smaller ports than her big sisters but still offers multiple bars and restaurants, a rock climbing wall and 9-hole mini golf course.

CRUISESo, if you’re looking for a sun-kissed, grown-up holiday, look no

further than this 10-day southern Caribbean voyage. Sailing from

Fort Lauderdale, you’ll have four days to luxuriate aboard Serenade

of the Seas and five days to explore the diverse islands of Tortola, St

Maarten, Martinique, Antigua and St Kitts. Or for something different,

try an itinerary that calls at Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, St Lucia, Barbados

and Antigua.

Island hopping, Caribbean style

With two chill-out days aboard Serenade of the Seas before you touch

Caribbean sand, you’ll have adapted to local ‘go slow’ time by the

time you reach the British Virgin Islands. Once here, blend in with the

yachties by chatting about the stiff breeze you encountered off Jost

van Dyke as you made your way back from Foxy’s Bar after a Sly Fox

rum cocktail. Take advantage of the duty-free shops at St Maarten the

next day and celebrate your retail triumphs with a long French lunch

in Marigot.

Bring your French dictionary for a day on Martinique and soak up the

cultural delights of the island’s capital, Fort de France. Must-see sights

include the cathedral, lively covered market and beautiful library

designed by Gustave Eiffel. Pressing on to Antigua, continue your

cultural binge by visiting the historic Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley’s

Heights lookout fort and Betty’s Hope restored sugar plantation. Had

enough culture? Explore some of Antigua’s 365 beaches – yup, that’s

one for every day of the year.

There’s more history waiting at St Kitts, notably in the form of

Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fascinating

38-acre complex of seventeenth and eighteenth-century barracks

and fortifications also affords spectacular views of the Caribbean as

it stretches out to the horizon. You’ll be a dot on that horizon the next

day, with two days at sea before reaching Florida.

Sophisticated sailing

With her elegant Safari Club complete with self-levelling pool tables,

suave Hollywood Odyssey cigar and jazz bar, and chic restaurants,

Serenade of the Seas is one sophisticated lady. She’s a particular fan

of glass: nearly three acres of the stuff have been used to create a

jaw-dropping 10-storey atrium, elevators that look out to the sea and

picture windows that reward you with stunning views no matter where

on the ship you are. When you’re not captivated by the views, you’ll be

kept busy with educational courses, live music in the Schooner Bar,

dancing in the atrium and snuggling up for films under the stars at the

poolside cinema.

STAYWelcome to Miami

Nobody wants their holiday to end, so postpone the inevitable with

two extra nights in the Courtyard Cadillac Miami Beach Oceanfront

Hotel. As the name suggests, it’s located on Miami Beach, so you can

tumble out of your chic bedroom straight onto the sand. With a palm-

shaded pool complete with tiki bar and a welcoming Italian restaurant,

you’ll struggle to drag yourself away to the local sights, but with car

hire included in your package you can go off and explore whenever you

wish. If you like being in the thick of things, Sonesta Coconut Grove

Miami is in the heart of trendy Coconut Grove and has a slick rooftop

pool and bar with panoramic views of Miami Bay.

A little more grown-up, but you’ll still feel like a kid again

Prices shown are guide prices only. Miami Stay & Cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Category Z inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 16 Mar ‘16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

10 or 11-night Caribbean cruise and Miami staySailing on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas®

Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Tortola, British Virgin Island - Philipsburg,

St Maarten - Fort De France, Martinique - St John’s, Antigua - Basseterre,

St Kitts Nevis - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

17

Stretch your legs before heading home with a rainforest adventure tour

on St Kitts, which will see you hiking through lush forest and spotting

exotic plants and animals along the way.

If you want the extra space of a suite for minimal cost, and can do

without the concierge privileges of top-range suites, grab yourself

a Junior Suite.

18

GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,499 PER PERSONBased on a 10-night cruise and a 2-night stay at 70 Park Avenue, New York, including f lights.

Anthem of the Seas is as long as the Shard in London is tall, so wear

comfy shoes to walk to dinner if your stateroom is at the other end of

the ship!

There’s a Dynamic Dining system aboard Anthem of the Seas, which

lets you dine when and wherever you wish (Dynamic Dining Choice) or

pre-select a dining time for each night, in which case you’ll dine at the

four main restaurants accompanied by the same wait staff (Dynamic

Dining Classic).

19Prices shown are guide prices only. New York Stay & Cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Category Z inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 13 Jan ‘16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

BRING THE FAMILY

Here at Virgin Holidays, we love multigenerational family holidays. We love them because we know how to get them right: take a large helping of fun, add total escape from the daily grind for Mum and Dad, mix in some culture for the grandparents and top it all off with children’s clubs for tots to teens. It’s a failsafe recipe that we’ve perfected over the past 30 years.

CRUISEAnd, thanks to Royal Caribbean’s brand new ship Anthem of the Seas®,

our winning family formula is now even better. This floating giant is so

jam-packed with entertainment that there’s something for every age

and taste. There’s afternoon tea accompanied by a virtual orchestra

for Gran; golf and a skydiving simulator for Dad; the Adventure

Ocean kids’ club for the younger generation; and Devinly Decadence

treats for anyone who fancies them (all under 500 calories, don’t you

know). Teenagers, meanwhile, can find a way to be grumpy even in

the Caribbean, but they’ll be powerless against the charms of their

dedicated Living Room, Fuel disco and teen-specific spa treatments.

When smart is fun

Together with her two Quantum-class sister ships, Anthem of the Seas

represents the pinnacle of ‘smart’ cruising. Not content with super-

fast internet and a bar staffed by robots, Royal Caribbean gives you a

WOWband bracelet upon arrival. This little beauty opens your cabin

door, charges drinks to your account and links to the Royal iQ app, with

which you can reserve restaurant tables and seats for ‘We Will Rock

You’ in the 1,300-capacity Royal Theatre.

When not deliberating between Jamie Oliver’s Italian, the molecular

gastronomy Wonderland restaurant or one of Anthem’s 16 other

dining venues, you can go surfing on the FlowRider®, take in

360-degree views from the North Star glass pod 300 feet above the

ship, or hit the SeaPlex indoor entertainment complex, complete with

bumper cars, roller skating and a circus school. Do all that and you’ve

still just scratched the surface, with numerous bars, boutiques, pools

and even a ‘stowaway’ piano player to discover.

Cosmopolitan Caribbean

Few harbours equal New York for wow factor, so why not start and

finish a Caribbean adventure by sailing past Manhattan and the Statue

of Liberty? Two days at sea enable your family to get acquainted with

Anthem of the Seas before calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico. With its

blend of Spanish, African, North American and indigenous Taíno

cultures, the old walled city is a treasure trove of tumbledown forts,

café-packed plazas and cobbled streets lined with antique shops and

artisan studios. From here, you’ll travel to St Thomas, rich in Danish

heritage, white sand beaches and riveting tales of Blackbeard the

pirate. After a day in St Maarten, a killer combo of the best of France

and the Netherlands all wrapped up in Caribbean sunshine, you’ll

reach the beautiful volcanic island of St Kitts. The story goes that

Christopher Columbus was so taken by the place that he named it after

St Christopher, the patron saint of travellers. Having gained points with

St Christopher, you’ll have two more fun-packed travel days aboard

Anthem of the Seas before returning to the Big Apple.

STAYBig Apple calling…

Whether you start as you mean to go on or finish your holiday in

style, you can’t go wrong with two nights in New York. With its prime

Manhattan location, the boutique 70 Park Avenue hotel is just steps

away from Grand Central Station, Bryant Park and Madison Square

Garden. Pick up tips on what’s hot in town during the complimentary

wine hour hosted by the property each evening, or simply put your

feet up after a long day’s sightseeing. If NYC equals Broadway for you,

then the Manhattan NYC is just the place, with its Midtown location,

pre-theatre buzz and terraces with skyline views.

Take the whole clan and make a shipload of memories

10-night Caribbean cruise and New York stay Sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas®

Cape Liberty, New Jersey - San Juan, Puerto Rico - Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas

- Philipsburg, St Maarten - Basseterre, St Kitts - Cape Liberty, New Jersey

20 Prices shown are guide prices only. Puerto Rico Stay & Cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Category Z inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 02 Mar ‘16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

ISLAND LIVING

Royal Caribbean: the name says it all. This is a cruise line that knows the Caribbean inside-out, and Adventure of the Seas® knows it better than most. She’s based in the Caribbean all year round, and you’ll reap the benefits of this local knowledge in the form of unusual itineraries, diverse shore excursions and unparalleled access to off-the-beaten-track experiences.

CRUISELike her sister ships, Adventure of the Seas offers some of the most

un-cruise-like venues and activities you can imagine, including a

rollerblading track and ice-skating rink. So, when you’re not scouting

out antiques in San Juan, swimming in 40-foot waterfalls on Grenada,

or snorkelling off the Virgin Islands in waters as clear as a gin and

tonic, you could be winning bonus spending cash at the Casino Royal,

enjoying a movie under the stars or luxuriating in the Vitality Spa.

Living la vida loca

Although officially a US territory, San Juan oozes Spanish flamboyance,

African colour and Taíno spirit. Here you’ll find colonial, Moorish, Art

Deco and post-modern architecture as well as mini emporiums piled

high with antiques, artworks, books and textiles. Sailing from Puerto

Rico, you’ll have a full day on St Thomas before calling at St Croix,

the largest yet least visited of the US Virgin Islands. Nature lovers will

discover pristine beaches, rainforest horse rides and world-class scuba

diving, while culture buffs can explore the eighteenth-century Fort

Frederik and historic town of Christiansted.

After a day on Antigua, you’ll reach St Lucia with its famous Pitons:

twin volcanic peaks that tower 2,500 feet above the verdant island. If

you’re the adventurous type, sail by catamaran to the pretty capital of

Soufrière, and from there you’ll be whisked to the Hotwire Adventure

Park to zip-line through a canopy of banyan, coconut and mango trees

and across bamboo-shadowed gorges. Just try to keep your eyes on

the unbeatable views of the Pitons and ocean! After that adventure,

soak up the laidback West Indies-meets-England culture on Grenada

or keep up the pace with a hike to the volcanic crater lake in Grand

Etang National Park, knowing you’ll have a chill-out day at sea before

returning to San Juan.

If we had you at shopping in San Juan but lost you at zip-lining, perhaps

Adventure of the Seas’ alternative southern Caribbean itinerary is

more your thing. Here you’ll call at the duty-free retail oases of St Kitts,

St Maarten and Martinique as well as St Croix and Barbados.

Spice it up

Adventure of the Seas adheres strictly to the principle that variety

is the spice of life, so you’ll never have a dull moment when you sail

with her. You can expect Royal Caribbean’s ‘standard’ focus on fun

– live bands playing by the pool, colourful parades making their way

along the Royal Promenade boulevard, cookery workshops and jaw-

dropping productions in the Lyric Theatre. But you’ll also find the

quintessentially English Duck & Dog pub, Portofino with its authentic

Italian dishes, and 1950s Americana at Johnny Rockets diner. Basically,

getting from Antigua to Barbados is as much of a global adventure as

actually being there!

STAYSan Juan-tastic

San Juan is such a captivating city we think it’s almost essential

to spend quality time there before or after your cruise. Spend three

nights at the glossy InterContinental and we’ll package up resort

transfers for you. The beachfront property has a gorgeous pool and

pampering spa as well as four restaurants, making it the perfect base

from which to explore the riches of Old San Juan and the high-end

shopping district Condado.

Explore the Caribbean with the folks who know it best

7-night Caribbean cruise and San Juan staySailing on Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas®

San Juan, Puerto Rico - Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas - St Croix, USVA -

St John’s, Antigua - Castries, St Lucia - St George’s, Grenada - San Juan,

Puerto Rico

21

Got time to spare in San Juan? Get yourself to the Bahia Beach Golf

Club. Set on the shores of the Caribbean at the foot of El Yunque

National Forest, the 18-hole course is open to the public, perfect for

a holiday round – or a stroll if golf isn’t your thing.

The Vitality Spa on board Adventure of the Seas offers over 100

treatments, from seaweed body wraps to aromatherapy massages,

so download the brochure before you sail to ensure you pick

your favourite(s).

GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,499 PER PERSONBased on a 7-night cruise and a 3-night stay at the Intercontinental, San Juan, including f lights and transfers.

22

Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the world’s fastest roller

coaster, accelerating faster than a Formula One car to reach 150mph.

The G-Force ride literally blasts you through the roof in a clear capsule

before dropping you back down 200 feet. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Don’t forget that men can’t enter mosques wearing shorts. Women

are given a robe (abaya) and a headscarf (sheyla) to put on over their

clothes, but should still cover their arms and legs.

GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,099 PER PERSONBased on a 7-night cruise and a 3-night stay at Ras Al Khaimah Resort, Dubai, including f lights and transfers.

Atlantis, The Palm

23Prices shown are guide prices only. Dubai Stay & Cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Category Z inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 14 Jan ‘16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

ARABIAN ADVENTURE

We’ve talked a lot about the Caribbean, but Royal Caribbean sails to over 250 destinations around the world. You can basically spin a globe, point and go. However, when the world’s your oyster, it can be hard to know where to start.

CRUISETo which we say, how about Arabia? This mystical region defines exotic:

mosques and skyscrapers pierce blisteringly hot blue skies, ancient

pearl-fishing villages echo to the haunting sound of the Muslim call to

prayer, and Bedouin roam the desert with their camel trains. But Arabia

is far from frozen in time. This is also a world of OTT modern luxury

where policemen drive Ferraris and hotels sell gold jewellery through

Gold to Go ATMs. You can now experience all this magical madness

from the comfort of one of Royal Caribbean’s most intimate ships,

Splendour of the Seas®.

Pearls, spices and gold

Your weeklong Arabian odyssey starts and ends in Dubai, the

embodiment of the region’s special blend of old and new. We

recommend starting with the old, visiting the ancient souks and the

intriguing Dubai Museum. Built around the eighteenth-century

Al-Fahidid Fort, the museum shows how a small port grew into one

of the world’s glitziest capitals. Then embrace the new: sky-scraping

tax-free shopping malls, the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel and the

Palm can be seen in all their glory from the 124th-floor observation

deck of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest man-made structure.

Day two focuses on Mother Nature’s achievements. Sailing aboard

a traditional Omani dhow, you’ll pass through the spectacular fjords

of the Musandam Peninsula, known as the Norway of Arabia. You’ll

then have two days to enjoy Oman’s historic capital, Muscat. Tucked

at the base of dusky pink mountains, the ancient port invites you to

buy exotic spices at Muttrah Souk, marvel at the ornate Sultan Qaboos

Grand Mosque and take a sunset stroll along the bustling Muttrah

Corniche. Your second day here could see you heading inland to visit

seventeenth-century Portuguese forts, exploring the mountains with

a 4x4 or spending a night in a Bedouin camp.

Refreshed after a day at sea, you’ll have a day to be blown away by the

glittering wealth of Abu Dhabi, with its jaw-dropping Grand Mosque,

Emirates Palace and futuristic architecture, before returning to Dubai.

Small but splendid

Carrying 1,830 passengers, Splendour of the Seas achieves a sense of

intimacy while also delivering plenty of big-ship punch with amenities

such as an 18-hole mini golf course, poolside movie screen, six dining

venues and eight bars and lounges. The heart of the ship is the stunning

five-storey atrium, Centrum, which is flooded with light from the

floor-to-ceiling glass panels. This is where you can enjoy art auctions,

music recitals and aerial acrobatic performances. Treat yourself to a

five-course wine-paired culinary extravaganza at the Chef’s Table,

spend a lazy afternoon in the indoor/outdoor pool at the tranquil

adults-only Solarium, and dress up for martinis at R Bar followed by a

show at the 42nd Street Theatre. It’s all in a day’s sailing for Splendour

of the Seas.

STAYBe a Virgin VIP

When we see something we really like, we keep it specially for you,

which is why Dubai’s Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort, Spa & Villas is

exclusive to Virgin Holidays in the UK. This sumptuous all-inclusive

property is set on a private white sand bay overlooking the Arabian

Peninsula and features intricate hanging lanterns, rich fabrics and

a rooftop bar scattered with floor cushions. Max out your stay by

upgrading to a Club Room and you’ll enjoy a raft of benefits including

priority sun bed booking, a mini bar restocked daily and access to

the resort’s swanky VIP area. Or for a little more luxury follow in the

footsteps of the stars and stay at the legendary marine-themed resort

and luxury hotel Atlantis, The Palm.

Push the boat out – all the way to the Middle East

7-night Middle East cruise and Dubai stay Sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Splendour of the Seas®

Dubai, UEA - Khasab, Oman - Muscat, Oman - Abu Dhabi, UAE -Dubai, UAE

24

CELEBRITY CRUISESYour escape from the ordinary

25

What you need to know

Celebrity Cruises has one of the youngest fleets in the industry, comprising 10

award-winning ships. These include five Solstice Class ships, which set the benchmark

for luxury large ship cruising with their innovative restaurants, pioneering Lawn Club

and two-storey Canyon Ranch SpaClub®. Expect all the glamour and extravagance of

old-school luxury ocean liners but with a modern vibe.

Each of Celebrity’s ships features spacious staterooms and suites with elegant,

contemporary décor. We have a particular soft spot for the AquaClass® staterooms:

spa-inspired accommodation that comes with treats like special toiletries, unlimited

access to the tranquil Persian Garden & Relaxation Room on Celebrity Soltice Class

ships, and priority reservations at the ‘clean cuisine’ restaurant Blu.

What’s included

Sail with Celebrity Cruises and you’ll find all food included in your fare other than

meals served in speciality restaurants and cafés. Selected soft drinks, tea and coffee

are also included, as are room service (complimentary between 6am and 11pm),

children’s clubs and all onboard entertainment. You can pre-book packages for

speciality dining, drinks (ranging from unlimited bottled water to wine and minibar in

your stateroom), internet access, spa treatments and shore excursions.

T he fun-loving cruise l ine that ’s r e d e f i n i n g l u x u r y c r u i s i n g w i t h its pioneering ships and unfailing attention to detail. This is the one for low-key lovers of luxury who want to escape the ordinary.

Celebrity Cruises is a rare gem: a luxury cruise

line with a sense of humour and a desire to be

different. Crucially, they know that excellence

often lies in what you don’t do – so, for example,

service is attentive, but not intrusive. Décor

is luxurious, yet sophisticated in its simplicity.

Quirky restaurants and bars will entertain you,

but aren’t pretentious. With Celebrity, it’s just

that bit different. This is, after all, the only cruise

line to have dreamt up the idea of planting grass

lawns on the top deck of their five newest ships,

known as Solstice Class ships, so you can enjoy

the sensation of fresh grass underfoot as you sail

into the sunset.

Key embarkation points for featured Celebrity cruises

A Miami, Florida – Celebrity Eclipse, Caribbean cruise

B Hong Kong – Celebrity Millennium, Far East cruise C Vancouver, Canada – Celebrity Inf inity, Alaska cruise

A

B

C

26 Prices shown are guide prices only. Miami Stay and Southern Caribbean cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Grade 12 inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 5 Mar ’16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,699 PER PERSONBased on a 14-night cruise and a 1-night stay at Miami Beach Resort & Spa, including f lights and car hire.

LUXURY’S PLAYGROUND

If you think ‘luxury cruising’ is all ballroom dances and cravats, think again. The clever folks at Celebrity Cruises have redefined luxury cruising by bringing it into this century and adding a generous splash of humour. Sail aboard Celebrity Eclipse® and you can concoct killer cocktails at the World Class bar, satisfy your appetite for adventure by dining at Qsine®, and navigate the largest wine collection at sea with the help of iPad wine lists. And, while you have the Celebrity iLoungeSM at your disposal (the first authorized Apple specialist at sea), you can also head to the Canyon Ranch SpaClub® for a digital detox treatment – we recommend InstaGlow or Get WrAPPed.

CRUISEOne of Celebrity’s five pioneering Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Eclipse

sensibly spends most of her winter in the Caribbean. Join Celebrity

Eclipse for a 9-night southern Caribbean voyage from Miami and you’ll

have four days at sea to get acquainted with her in addition to a day

each in Haiti, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. If you’ve got time on your

hands, go the whole hog and make it a fortnight, calling at Aruba,

Curaçao, Grenada, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts and St Maarten. You’ll

need the seven days at sea dotted in between to recover from all that

snorkelling, shopping and sunbathing.

Endless fun afloat

With 13 decks to call your own, you need at least a week aboard

Celebrity Eclipse just to eat in her multiple restaurants, which include

the hearty Tuscan Grille and chic French restaurant Murano, as well

as the healthy dining Blu, which is exclusively for AquaClass guests.

Further exploration of your floating resort will reveal 14 bars (don’t miss

the juggling bartenders at the Martini bar), various cafés, indoor and

outdoor swimming pools, children’s clubs, a theatre, boutiques and

the two-storey Canyon Ranch SpaClub (the largest at sea). Boredom

quite simply is not an option. Best of all, however, has to be the Lawn

Club: half an acre of lush, manicured grass on the top deck, complete

with putting green, croquet lawn and secluded cabanas. We can think

of few better places to be than stretched out here, listening to live jazz

as the sun sinks slowly in the distance.

Learning your Caribbean ABCs

After boarding Celebrity Eclipse in sunny Miami, you’ll have a full day

at sea to switch off before your first stop, Haiti. The mountainous

island is blanketed in tropical vegetation and ringed by inviting

turquoise waters, making it the ideal chill-out spot. There’s another

day at sea before you reach the trio of Leeward Antilles islands known

as the ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (although you’ll

actually reach C before B). All part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,

these charming islands deliver pristine beaches, ancient forts,

floating markets, flamingos and world-class snorkelling and diving.

STAYJust one more night…

Why hurry home after your idyllic Caribbean cruise when the tropical

vibe of Miami Beach Resort & Spa is calling? Overlooking a private

beach in a tranquil part of town, this indulgent Art Deco resort has

an Olympic-size oceanfront swimming pool, a fabulous spa, and

more boats and watersports toys than you can shake a paddle at.

The resort also gives you golf privileges at the nearby 18-hole Miami

Beach Golf Club, and a hire car can be included in your package to get

you there. Prefer to be in the thick of the action? Get your Art Deco fix

and beachfront luxe at the centrally located Courtyard Cadillac Miami

Beach Oceanfront Hotel.

You’ll be wined, dined, thrilled, pampered – and anything but bored

9 or 14-night Caribbean cruise and Miami staySailing on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse®

Miami, Florida - Labadee, Haiti - Oranjestad, Aruba - Willemstad,

Curacao - Kralendijk, Bonaire - Miami, Florida

27

Expand your wine knowledge at Cellar Masters wine bar. Friendly

sommeliers are on hand to talk you through the state-of-the-art

Enomatic wine-by-the-glass dispensing system and introduce

you to lesser-known wines from around the world.

Soothe your sunburn and stock up on gifts by visiting Aruba’s aloe

factory. Once the world’s largest exporter of aloe, Aruba is still blanketed

in the spiky plants, whose juicy flesh will instantly calm even the

angriest sunburn.

Missing your local? Pop into the Gastrobar for f ish and chips

served with a choice of 40 beers.

28

GUIDE PRICE FROM £2,199 PER PERSONBased on a 14-night cruise and a 1-night stay at the City Garden Hotel, Hong Kong, including f lights and transfers.

Impress your fellow passengers with some Celebrity Millennium

knowledge: the panels decorating the Olympic restaurant are originals

from MS Olympic, sister ship to the Titanic.

Even if you don’t treat yourself to a daily massage or facial, booking an

AquaClass stateroom will bag you a beautiful spa-inspired stateroom

just steps from the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, with extra toiletries,

unlimited access to the tranquil Persian Garden, and priority seating

in the healthy Blu restaurant.

Hong Kong

29Prices shown are guide prices only. Hong Kong Stay and Southeast Asia Cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Grade 12 inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 28 Oct ’16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

EASTERN PROMISE

If you love the beach but also crave culture, set your sights on Asia for your next holiday. This is the continent that has it all, from gilded pagodas and shimmering skyscrapers to towering Buddhas and scenic rice paddies, with castaway islands, imperial citadels and raucous street markets in between.

CRUISEWith so much to discover, Celebrity Cruises ensures you have plenty of

overnight stays on its Far East voyages so you can immerse yourself in

the local scene. Take a fortnight-long trip aboard Celebrity Millennium®

from Hong Kong to Singapore and you’ll not only spend two days in

those two cities but in Hanoi and Bangkok too, while also calling at

Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh with five days at sea dotted between. If you

fancy more beach time, Celebrity Millennium also does a two-week

long voyage from Singapore calling at Bali, Komodo, Phuket, Penang

and Port Klang. Honeymoon heaven, but perfect any time.

Let the sensory overload begin

Start your exotic adventure with two days in Hong Kong, a symbol of

Asia’s extraordinary blend of old and new. Here neon-lit skyscrapers

loom above ancient pagodas, elaborate Chinese temples flank British

colonial homes, and street markets thrive next to glittering shopping

malls. Your next port of call is Hanoi, Vietnam’s captivating capital,

where you’ll have two days to enjoy the city’s French heritage and

fascinating museums and take an unforgettable cruise through

Halong Bay, dwarfed by dramatic limestone karsts. Visit bustling

Da Nang or nearby Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, and the

magnificent remains of the ancient Forbidden Purple City. You can’t fail

to be enchanted by the French colonial architecture, wide boulevards

and welcoming locals of Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon. Make

the most of your day at sea, and then it’s off to embrace the bustle of

Bangkok. Markets, temples, palaces, royal boatyards – Bangkok is a

city of endless opportunity. After a couple of days at sea, you’ll arrive in

Singapore, the action-packed mini city-state that squeezes a little bit

of every Asian nation into its tidy streets.

Millennium: not just for the noughties

Celebrity Millennium (no prizes for guessing how old she is) remains

a firm favourite here at Virgin Holidays. Where she squirrels away her

2,158 passengers, we just can’t imagine, because Millennium always

feels peaceful. Perhaps it’s her pretty décor: light woods and soft hues

combine with picture windows and loads of deck space to create a

tranquil, elegant feel. And you’re always in touch with the outdoors

– the Cosmos lounge at the top of the ship boasts uninterrupted

views through its wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows, while the

back wall of the double-height main restaurant, The Metropolitan,

is made entirely from glass. Soak it all in, then head into the lavish

theatre, resplendent with red and purple velvet banquettes, and you’ll

lose yourself entirely to the jaw-dropping musical performances and

Broadway-style shows.

STAYTop or tail the trip of a lifetime

When you’re travelling all the way to Asia, you don’t want to rush

things, so add on at least one night before or after your cruise to get

the most out of it. Staying at Hong Kong’s City Garden Hotel gives you

easy access to a Michelin-starred restaurant and an outdoor pool,

and places you just by the Causeway Bay shopping district. Finish your

Asian odyssey at Singapore’s Copthorne King’s Hotel in an enclave on

the historic Singapore River. Don’t forget, transfers are included in the

package price, so that’s one less thing to think about.

Sea-going style meets magical sights, sounds and smells

14-night Far East cruise and Hong Kong or Singapore stay Sailing on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Millennium®

Hong Kong - Hanoi, Vietnam - Hue/Danang, Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh,

Vietnam - Bangkok, Thailand - Singapore, Malaysia

30 Prices shown are guide prices only. Vancouver Stay and Alaska Cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Grade 12 inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 26 May ‘16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

ARCTIC EXPLORER

Alaska is high on the bucket lists of adventurous travellers for good reason: among other natural wonders, America’s largest state is home to North America’s highest mountain, features half the world’s glaciers, and boasts the world’s most perfect volcanic cone (Mount Shishaldin, trivia fans). Alaska also lays claim to more coastline than all the US states combined, making a week-long cruise the ideal way to get a taste for its breathtaking natural beauty.

CRUISESailing out of Vancouver in the comfort of Celebrity Infinity®, you’ll

spend a day navigating the scenic Inside Passage to reach Icy Strait

Point, your first Alaskan port of call. Pressing further north, you’ll sail to

the Hubbard Glacier, the largest calving glacier on the North American

continent, before spending a day in Alaska’s capital city, Juneau.

After time admiring the world’s largest collection of totem poles in

Ketchikan, you’ll travel back through the Inside Passage to Vancouver.

Cameras at the ready

A cruise to Alaska is, generally speaking, a once-in-a-lifetime trip,

so it’s crucial to get it right. This week-long itinerary will help you

do just that. It will also provide you with a never-ending stream of

mind-bogglingly beautiful images, so make sure you bring your

camera charger and a stash of memory cards. Leaving Vancouver

behind, you’ll enter the labyrinth of fjords, bays, craggy mountains and

densely forested islands of the Inside Passage. Chances are, you’ll spot

your first whales and sea lions here, as they like to spend their summer

holidays in the sheltered waters. The following afternoon, you’ll reach

Icy Strait, where you can go whale watching, hiking, and learn about

local Tinglit tribal customs. You’ll spend most of the next day with your

jaw on the floor: watching slabs of ice the size of 10-storey buildings

calve away from the Hubbard Glacier silences the best of us. Hungry

for more glacier action? Go for a hike above Mendenhall Glacier from

Juneau the following day or zip up Mount Roberts in a gondola for views

across the wilderness. Your final Alaskan port will be Ketchikan, where

you can kayak through saltwater fjords, hike up Deer Mountain and

catch a lumberjack show before returning to Vancouver through the

Inside Passage.

From icebergs to ice bars

When you’re in one of the world’s most rugged and pristine

environments, you want to be in a place that complements those

surroundings. Celebrity Infinity does just that with her calming

contemporary interiors, sleek restaurants with floor-to-ceiling

windows opening onto Alaska’s mesmerising scenery, and ice-topped

Martini bar. Feast on delicious ‘clean cuisine’ at Blu restaurant, which

is exclusive to AquaClass guests, share your Alaskan snapshots with

friends on the latest Apple gadgets in the Celebrity iLounge, and soak

up the views of passing icebergs from an outdoor hot tub. If you can’t

muster up the courage for a dip in the ocean (mind the seals as you

get in), we recommend the adults-only Solarium, a thalassotherapy

(seawater) pool, hot tubs and comfy loungers sheltered from the

elements by an elegant arched glass roof.

STAYVancouver: up there with the best

It’s easy to see why Vancouver consistently ranks among the world’s

top cities for quality of life. The vibrant metropolis sits on a deep blue

bay brimming with sea life and is backed by snow-dusted mountains

that peek out between the glass skyscrapers of downtown. There’s

leafy Stanley Park, historic Gastown, the busy shops and markets of

Yaletown and artsy Granville Island. Explore all this when you spend

three nights in Vancouver before or after your Alaska voyage, staying

in the trendy Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle, with mountain and bay

views, or the slick Sheraton Wall Centre, just a stone’s throw from

Granville Island.

Combine rugged wilderness with more than a dash of modern luxury

7-night Alaska cruise and Vancouver staySailing on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Infinity®

Vancouver, Canada - Icy Strait Point, Alaska - Hubbard Glacier,

Alaska - Juneau, Alaska - Ketchikan, Alaska - Vancouver, Canada

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GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,649 PER PERSONBased on 7-night cruise and a 3-night stay at the Vancouver Marriot Pinnacle, including f lights.

Don’t forget to indulge yourself occasionally with Celebrity’s 24-hour

room service. Not only is it a free treat from 6am-11pm, it’s also a great

way to save time in the morning if you’ve got an early shore excursion.

For the ultimate adventure, consider preceding your Alaskan voyage

aboard Celebrity Infinity with a week-long Rail Explorer trip. This

will treat you to the highlights of British Columbia and neighbouring

Alberta, whisking you around Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks,

staying in cities and towns from Calgary and Vancouver to Banff and

Lake Louise, and travelling by coach, helicopter and the iconic Rocky

Mountaineer railway.

Hubbard Glacier

32 Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas ©Disney

Enjoy magic at your own pace

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

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Disney characters and the most impressive children’s clubs at sea:

complimentary supervised clubs for three to 17-year-olds, separated

into five age groups, with locations including the interactive MARVEL’s

Avengers Academy and Toy Story Boot Camp. You’ll also discover Disney

shows, deck parties, a pirate night, fireworks at sea, diverse restaurants

with rotational dining and adult-only areas.

What’s included

When you sail with Disney Cruise Line all food at the three main

restaurants is included in your fare, with rotational dining (other

than meals served in speciality restaurants and cafés). Unlimited

snacks, soft drinks, tea, coffee and ice cream are included, as are 24-

hour room service, immersive kids’ and teens’ clubs, themed deck

parties, original Disney Musicals, first-run Disney films, Wave phones,

legendary Disney service, access to adult-only areas and Disney’s

private island, Disney Castaway Cay.

The larger-than-life cruise line that offers all the magic of Disney, and proves that family-friendly and elegant needn’t be mutually exclusive. The undeniable favourite for families and Disney fans of every age.

It’s every child’s dream to go on holiday with Mickey, Minnie, Anna,

Elsa and friends. And with Disney characters making scheduled daily

appearances on every Disney Cruise Line ship, as well as popping into the

dedicated children’s clubs for storytelling and treasure hunts, it’s simply

impossible to get closer to them. Disney Cruise Line’s tasteful ships also

offer lots of adult-orientated entertainment and spaces, so the kids’

dream holiday won’t come at the expense of yours. It’s a safe bet that you

and the little ones will be equally excited by the exuberant deck parties,

firework displays and West End-style Disney shows.

What you need to know

Disney Cruise Line comprises four ships, all built primarily with families

in mind. As a result, the Disney Cruise Line fleet boasts some of the

largest standard cabins at sea, with industry firsts like ‘Bath and a Half ’

split bathrooms and Magic Portholes. Sail with Disney Cruise Line and

you can expect the full Disney works, including regular meetings with

Key points for featured Disney Cruise Line cruises

A Port Canaveral, Florida – Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic, Caribbean and Bahamas cruises B Disney Castaway Cay

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Prices shown are guide prices only. Walt Disney World Stay and Bahamas cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Grade 11A  inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 25 Nov ’16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

DREAMS COME TRUE

From the moment you step aboard Disney Dream, you’ll find yourself immersed in matchless Disney family fun. This is a magical world where there’s truly something for everyone. You can marvel at West End-style Disney musicals you can’t even see on Broadway, enjoy a dazzling fireworks display on deck, and party with Lilo & Stitch on Disney’s private Bahamian island, Disney Castaway Cay. Reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, Disney Castaway Cay is a tropical paradise complete with two family water-play areas, furnished cabanas and open-air BBQ dining locations, as well as watersports and activities like parasailing, fishing, stingray adventures and glass-bottom boat tours.

CRUISEIf you’re thinking about dipping your toes in the cruising waters, a

three-night voyage aboard Disney Dream from Port Canaveral calling

at Nassau and Disney Castaway Cay is perfect for you. Or you can treat

yourself to a four-night voyage calling at the same islands, but with a

bonus day at sea to make the most of Disney Dream.

Go bananas for the Bahamas

Your Bahamian adventure starts in Port Canaveral, where you’ll find

Disney Dream awaiting you. We suggest registering the kids with their

complimentary clubs ASAP, so they can start exploring this enormous

playground. The supervised clubs offer fun, interactive programmes to

keep them safe and entertained each day of your holiday – and leave

you free to luxuriate in the Senses Spa or catch some rays on deck. The

following day will bring you to the Bahamian capital of Nassau. Indulge

the kids with a visit to Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island where they

can nuzzle dolphins, look at sharks and splash around in the 141-acre

Aquaventure water park. Day three is all about the 1,000-acre private

island Disney Castaway Cay. An oasis of white sand beaches dotted with

palm trees and cabanas, Disney Castaway Cay offers complimentary

childcare, a Castaway Family Beach and the popular 2,400

square-foot floating platform Pelican Plunge. You’ll also find atmospheric

bars, restaurants and shops as well as a dedicated teens’ area, The Hide

Out, and the adult-only Serenity Bay beach, where you can treat yourself

to an open-air massage or yoga class.

Floating on a dream

You know how hard it can be to get the kids to leave the playground and

come home? When you sail aboard Disney Dream (or any Disney Cruise

Line ship, for that matter) home is the playground. Needless to say,

this makes for extremely happy little people. There’s complimentary

supervised childcare for kids aged three to 17, separated into five age

groups, and ‘It’s a small world ’ nursery for infants under three years. The

choice of fun, educational activities for all ages is seemingly endless:

there’s story-telling in Andy’s Room (inspired by the Disney•Pixar Toy

Story films), experiments led by Professor Make-O-Mess in Disney’s

Oceaneers Lab, videogames in the tweens-exclusive Edge, music in the

teens-exclusive Vibe, and that’s just half of it.

For water babies, Disney Dream offers two large family pools, a

water play area for under-eights, and the AquaDuck watercoaster,

which propels riders on a raft up and down four decks of the ship.

As much as we love to keep the children entertained, we like to keep

Mum and Dad (and the grandparents) happy too, so when you’re not

grinning all the way down AquaDuck, you can chill in a hammock by the

adults-only Quiet Cove pool, deciding which of the 11 bars you’ll

visit for cocktails that evening or which first-run Disney shows

to watch.

STAYThe ultimate Disney holiday

Six whimsical wonderlands, pirates, princesses, mountains and flying

elephants: there can only be one Walt Disney World Resort. The world’s

most visited holiday resort, it’s practically a parenting requirement to

take the kids here. So, book a week at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort,

where the sandy beaches and palm trees will get you in the mood for

your cruise, and we’ll package up return flights and a hire car for you.

Alternatively, we can book you into Disney’s Port Orleans Resort for

lashings of Deep South warmth, music and hospitality.

Set sail for the Bahamas with Captain Mickey and his crew

3 or 4 night Bahamas cruise and Orlando staySailing on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream

Port Canaveral - Nassau - Disney Castaway Cay - Port Canaveral

©Disney

GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,499 PER PERSONBased on a 3-night cruise and a 7-night stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, including f lights and car hire.

While on Disney Castaway Cay, guests can participate in a fascinating

hands-on training experience with native stingrays during an

hour-long, instructor-led educational programme.

Every stateroom on a Disney Cruise Line ship comes with two

complimentary Wave phones, enabling you to call and text your family

and new cruise friends while on board and on Disney Castaway Cay.

©Disney

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Prices shown are guide prices only. Walt Disney World Stay and Eastern Caribbean cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Grade 11C  inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 26 Nov ’16. Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

CARIBBEAN FANTASY

The youngest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Disney Fantasy is the culmination of years of cruise fun. Just like her bigger fleetmates, Disney Fantasy offers full-scale West End-style performances of Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, Disney Believe and Disney Wishes, first-run Disney films in 3D glory in the magnificent Buena Vista theatre, magic-themed restaurants, and themed deck parties that climax in breathtaking firework displays.

CRUISEWith all this excitement, you’ll struggle to drag yourself off the

ship. Fortunately, the temptations of Tortola, St Thomas and Disney

Castaway Cay are your reward for stepping ashore if you choose a

week-long eastern Caribbean voyage with Disney Fantasy. Plump for

the western Caribbean itinerary and it’s no less tempting: a day at sea

and one each at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth and Disney

Castaway Cay.

Living the fantasy

Like all Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Fantasy offers rotational dining in

her three main restaurants, enabling you to swap venues each evening.

This Disney Cruise Line innovation means that you’ll enjoy delicious

meals in a unique setting each night while keeping your personal wait

staff, who’ll get to know you and your favourite drinks and ice cream

flavours. Clever, eh?

The ship’s stunning circular splash pool, Satellite Falls, is unique to Disney

Fantasy: ringed by benches and a glittering rain curtain, it’s exclusively

for adults and beautifully lit at night, making it the perfect spot after a

romantic dinner at the intimate Remy restaurant. The kids will find more

than enough to do while you enjoy quality time together, splashing

around in the AquaLab water area with Donald Duck’s nephews,

Huey, Dewey and Louie, glamming it up Princess-style at the Bibbidi

Bobbidi Boutique, and zipping around on the AquaDuck watercoaster.

Little ones aged three to 12 will particularly love the supervised Disney’s

Oceaneer Club, a portal to other ‘lands’ including Andy’s Room, Monster’s

Academy, Pixie Hollow and Disney’s Explorer Pod. Here they can immerse

themselves in the world of Monstropolis, be transported to a magical

world of fairies and pixie dust, and explore the Nemo Sub, a scaled

version of a submarine inspired by the Disney•Pixar film Finding Nemo.

Cast off for Castaway Cay

After two fun-packed days aboard Disney Fantasy, lure the kids ashore

at Tortola with promises of a swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery

or a hike up to Sopers Hole, a cove that used to be biggest pirate

hideout in the Virgin Islands. Upon arrival at St Thomas, you should

be able to wrestle your teens from their dedicated sundeck with the

offer of a place aboard the teens-only Screamin’ Eagle high-power

jet ride or, failing that, a snorkelling trip to Buck Island nature reserve.

By the time you reach Disney Castaway Cay, the kids will be so settled

in their clubs and happy with their newfound friends, you’ll probably

find yourself on a solo swimming mission to find the island’s elusive

underwater Mickey and Minnie.

STAYA touch of Tahiti in Florida

Once you’ve grown accustomed to white sand beaches, tropical

gardens and waterskiing on your doorstep, it’s hard to go back. So, in

a word, don’t. Instead, extend your Caribbean cruise with a week at

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida,

where there are sandy beaches, tropical-styled restaurants and

watersports galore. Or, if your cruise has given you a taste for yachting,

stay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort – you can sail from the nautical

paradise to Epcot. To make sure you return home as relaxed as you were

on board Disney Fantasy, we’ll check you in for your flights at our handy

Disney Springs Check-In desk, leaving you to enjoy your last day free

from luggage and stress.

Cruise the islands in matchless Disney style

7-night Caribbean cruise and Orlando staySailing on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy

Port Canaveral - Tortola - St Thomas - Disney Castaway Cay - Port Canaveral

©Disney/Pixar

GUIDE PRICE FROM £2,699 PER PERSONBased on a 7-night cruise and a 7-night stay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, including f lights and car hire.

You can forget bath-time dramas while aboard Disney Cruise Line

ships thanks to their innovative ‘bath and a half ’ design. A full bathroom

with bathtub and sink as well as a separate loo with a second sink give

ample space for the whole family to scrub up.

We love the enormous circular windows, complete with padded window

seats, in Disney’s Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms. You’ll find the kids

are as mesmerised by the ocean views as they usually are by the TV.

Nearly as good as the real thing, Disney Cruise Line pioneered Magic

Portholes for inside cabins - the round ‘windows’ stream live footage

from cameras on the side of the ship, making you feel truly connected

to the outdoors.

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BELIEVE IN MAGIC

Prices shown are guide prices only. Walt Disney World Stay and Bahamas cruise is based on 2 adults sharing a Grade 11B inside cabin and a standard hotel room, departing on 28 Feb ’16 . Price includes return economy flights from a London airport. For full terms and conditions please see page 51 for details.

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It’s no secret that delivering entertainment for the entire family, and particularly children, is what Disney Cruise Line does best. But here’s a thought: you don’t have to be a kid (or even have one) to enjoy a Disney cruise. Granted, it helps if you’re young at heart and love a lively deck party with fireworks at sea (and it’s even better if you have a soft spot for Disney characters), but if you simply want a super-spacious cabin, great food, adult areas and adult-only shore excursions all to yourself, this is still the place to be.

CRUISEWinding down in the Bahamas

For the ultimate antidote for stress, look no further than a

four-night voyage around the Bahamas aboard Disney Magic.

Whether you’re five, 15 or 50, stressed out by your teacher, exams

or boss, nothing will restore you like sailing from Port Canaveral to

spend time floating around the Atlantic with Goofy and the gang, a

day at Nassau, and a day on Disney’s private island, Disney Castaway Cay.

Your first port of call is Nassau, home to the awe-inspiring Atlantis

Resort and a host of other tropical delights. Take a catamaran

snorkelling trip to the vibrant coral reefs and immerse yourself

in a colourful underwater ecosystem, or for the ultimate marine

experience, you can become a dolphin trainer for a day.

Next stop is Disney Castaway Cay. At any age, the prospect of

a day spent on a private Caribbean beach is awesome. And

with complimentary kids’ clubs, a dedicated teens’ beach

and family cabanas, as well as big-kid activities like jet-skiing,

bone-fishing and swimming with stingrays, Disney Castaway Cay

never disappoints.

If you’re after an extra night of cruising, consider Disney Magic’s equally

chilled-out five-night Caribbean voyage, which departs from Miami to

call at Grand Cayman and Disney Castaway Cay.

Perfect for big kids

Disney Magic offers all the ‘usual’ Disney Cruise Line family favourites like

Disney shows, fireworks at sea and immersive children’s and teens’

clubs, including the landmark MARVEL’s Avengers Academy. Also aboard

Disney Magic is AquaDunk, a three-storey water slide that propels you

through a 212-foot-long translucent tube and curves 20 feet out over

the side of the ship before dropping you into a splashdown pool. But,

just like all her fellow Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Magic is also perfect

for grown-up cruise fun. Being slightly smaller than her fleetmates,

she offers an intimate vibe while still piling on the glamour. There are

adults-only areas like the Quiet Cove pool, elegant Palo restaurant and

several bars, but you’ll also find enrichment programmes aimed at

grown-ups, such as regional wine tastings, beer and pizza tastings, and

interesting seminars given by the ship’s officers. And let’s not forget

the Senses Spa: a two-storey haven of healing hands and pampering

treatments with a to-die-for rainforest steam room. Looking to

impress? Book a Spa Villa for two. These Mediterranean-inspired suites

have secluded verandas, private whirlpools and canopied day beds

overlooking the ocean.

STAY Where Mayan pyramids meet The Mouse

After a week aboard Disney Magic there’s a good chance you’ll miss

all the fun once you’re back on dry land, so why not add a week

at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida?

Here you’ll find genuine southern hospitality in an atmospheric French

Quarter with cobblestone streets and intricate railings bestrewn

with flowers and Mardi Gras beads. You can take a little boat along

Mississippi-like rivers to Disney Springs, although we’ll happily arrange

a hire car for you if you prefer. Feeling more Latino than Français? We’ll

book you a room at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, complete with

poolside haciendas and a five-storey Mayan pyramid.

Fun for all ages – it’s what Disney does best

4-night Bahamas cruise and Orlando staySailing on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic

Port Canaveral - Nassau - Disney Castaway Cay - Port Canaveral

©Disney

GUIDE PRICE FROM £1,699 PER PERSONBased on a 4-night cruise and a 7-night stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, including f lights and car hire.

You’re never too grown-up to enjoy the Animator’s Palate restaurant,

which serves contemporary Pacific Rim cuisine in a room adorned

by sketches from Disney and Disney•Pixar films. You have to see it to

believe it, but both the décor and staff change from black and white

to technicolour over the course of your meal.

Up the romance by ordering room service. (It’s free, but you don’t have to

tell the other half!) If you really push the boat out and book a Concierge

Suite, you can enjoy full breakfasts in the privacy of your suite or balcony

each morning.

We’ve got you thinking about a cruise, haven’t we?

You can just picture yourself sipping a piña colada by the pool as you

slip out of San Juan, watching the kids high-five Goofy before zipping

down the AquaDunk ride, and making every night date night with

sunset cocktails, romantic dinners and movies under the stars. Here’s

a step-by-step guide to making that dream a reality…

Hopefully some of the voyages we’ve described in this guide have

inspired you to consider a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise, a jaunt around

the Middle East or Southeast Asia, or even an Alaskan adventure. But

if you’re still hungry for inspiration, take a look at the Virgin Holidays

Cruises website for hundreds of other tempting cruise destinations

and itineraries. Instead of focusing on the destination, perhaps you’re

more interested in enjoying all the facilities that some of today’s

all-singing, all-dancing ships offer? We don’t blame you! Before you

HOW DO I BOOK?

tackle the next step, just take a moment to consider whether the

destination or ship is your greatest priority.

To book, you can pop into your local Virgin Holidays retail store (there

are over 100 nationwide and you can find your nearest on the Virgin

Holidays website) or pick up the telephone to speak with one of our

Virgin Holidays cruise specialists. Whether you make contact with us

in person or over the phone, you’ll benefit from the expertise of our

dedicated cruise team, who will advise you on how to match your

dreams and priorities to your budget to find the perfect cruise and stay

holiday. Your cruise expert can talk you through the deck plans of the

ships and recommend the ideal cabin for you depending on how near

you’d like to be to the children’s clubs, pool, spa, shops and restaurants.

They can then book your domestic and international flights, transfers

and car hire, and find you the best accommodation for before or after

your cruise – or both!

BOOKING MADE EASY

Find your nearest Virgin Holidays store:

virginholidays.co.uk/cruise

Or call the Virgin Holidays cruise team:

03331 225 466Mon-Fri: 9am-9pm Sat: 9am-7pm Sun: 10am-6pm

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You’ve booked your fabulous Virgin Holidays cruise – now what?

Fortunately, we’ll take care of most of the important stuff, so you can

focus on how many swimsuits to pack. Here’s what to expect in the

months and weeks leading up to your cruise holiday.

Confirmation

Once you’ve booked your cruise at a Virgin Holidays store or on the

telephone, you can expect to receive an invoice from us within about

a week with confirmation that your holiday has been booked. Please

check the details are correct and let us know straight away if anything

is missing or incorrect.

Travel documents

Ensure that everybody in your party has a full and valid passport with

at least six months left on it after your return date to the UK. Apply

for any travel documents required for the countries you’ll be visiting,

such as visas and ESTAs, as early as possible. An ESTA is required by all

those travelling to, or transferring through, the USA on a British or Irish

passport. You need to complete the ESTA at least 72 hours before your

journey and can do so at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. You typically

only need visas for the countries you embark and disembark from, rather

than those you call at during your cruise. However, we suggest you

contact our recommended visa agent, Visa Central (visacentral.co.uk),

for advice and to purchase the most up-to-date visas for your holiday.

CRUISE BOOKED! WHAT NEXT?

PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

Cruise and flight documents

You’ll receive your cruise and flight tickets by post or email from Virgin

Holidays approximately 2-4 weeks before your holiday. Printing off an

email confirmation can save time at check-in.

Embarkation day

Embarkation procedures vary between cruise lines, but generally

speaking you need to be checked-in and on board the ship no later

than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time. To save time and

hassle, complete online check-in prior to embarking and have all the

necessary documentation (passports, cruise tickets, etc.) to hand. At

check-in each member of your party will be issued with a photo ID

cruise card and your luggage will be collected so the crew can deliver

your bags to your cabin. (This can take a few hours, so keep essentials in

your hand luggage.) If you’re sailing with Royal Caribbean, don’t forget

that Virgin Holidays offers priority check-in for selected voyages.

Disembarkation day

We hate to make you think about the last day of your cruise before

you’ve even started it, but it’s good to know that you’ll probably have

to leave the ship by 8 or 9am even if your flight doesn’t leave until much

later. Consider pre-booking a shore excursion through your cruise

line for that last day – not only will you be kept entertained, but your

luggage will be looked after and an airport transfer is often included.

A bit of pre-planning goes a long way to making your holiday run smoothly, so tick these off your checklist in the weeks before departure:

Enter Advance Passenger Information (API) for

your party on the relevant website for your cruise

line (celebritycruises.co.uk / royalcaribbean.co.uk /

disneycruise.disney.go.com).

Pre-book shore excursions, spa appointments,

drinks and speciality restaurant packages directly

through your cruise line.

Register special seating or meal requests with Virgin

Atlantic (virgin-atlantic.com). You can pre-book seats

on Virgin Atlantic flights online up to 336 days prior

to your flight for £25 per person each way, or free of

charge when travelling in Premium Economy or Upper

Class. Online check-in is available 24 hours prior to

your flight. If you’re a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold

member, you can check in 72 hours prior to departure

and choose your seat at no charge, unless selecting

extra leg room.

If you’re not flying with Virgin Atlantic, you’ll need to

contact your chosen airline to pre-book your seats.

You won’t need cash on board your cruise ship, but you

will when ashore, so take out some foreign currency.

Plan how you’re going to travel to the airport and book

parking, taxis and railway tickets accordingly.

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In case this is your first cruise – or you just haven’t cracked the whole ‘packing light’ thing – here are some tips on what to bring (and what to leave behind).

Warm and dry

Even if you’re going to the Caribbean, pack a warm layer and a

lightweight jacket just in case the weather turns. They’ll also come in

handy when you want go up on deck, as it gets breezy up there.

Power up

Check what sockets your cruise line uses (most are American) and

bring an international adaptor plug as well as an extension lead so you

can keep all your gadgets charged up.

Dress code

Check what dress code your cruise line adopts (you’ll find this on their

website) and see if there are formal and/or fancy dress evenings so you

can pack appropriately. Men can often rent tuxedos on board, leaving

space in the suitcase for spare boardies.

Toiletries

All cruise lines provide basic toiletries (soap, shampoo and body lotion),

but bring your own products if you’re prone to sensitive skin and bad hair

days. If you’re a neat freak, or simply like to have space around the sink,

bring a toiletry organiser to hang on the back of the bathroom door.

Sunscreen

Even if you’re not heading somewhere hot and sunny, bring high factor

sunscreen to protect you from the elements while you’re up on deck.

Cover up

Ladies, bring a sarong or kaftan to throw over your swimsuit so you

can pop in to lunch or enjoy a cocktail at the pool bar.

Binos

Grab a pair of foldable binoculars to spot birds, dolphins and whales

(depending on where you are in the world) at sea and local flora and

fauna on shore.

Pack light

You’ll find self-service laundromats on many of the larger cruise ships,

so pack for a few days and do a wash halfway through your voyage.

Or you could always use the in-cabin laundry and dry-cleaning

service instead. Some lines offer complimentary laundry services to

passengers booked in suites.

Gym kit

With onboard gyms, fitness classes and outdoor running tracks,

there’s no excuse for piling on the pounds during a cruise. So bring

your gym kit – then if nothing else, you can wear your trainers for

shore excursions.

WHAT TO PACK

Alcohol

Cruise lines all have their different versions of prohibition, largely to

discourage underage drinking and partly to encourage you to frequent

the bar. Some lines allow you to bring up to two bottles of wine with you

on embarkation day to drink in your cabin. Check the small print first,

which you’ll find on the cruise line’s website.

Certain kinds of sports gear

Baseball bats, cricket bats, hockey sticks, skateboards, surfboards and

bows and arrows are all forbidden on cruise ships.

Fireworks

If you want fireworks at sea, book a cruise with Disney Cruise Line.

Coffeemakers

Fire is a ship’s worst enemy and coffeemakers can overheat. Several

cruise lines have speciality coffee bars and trained baristas on board,

so even caffeine fiends will be just fine.

Irons

As above, irons can overheat. Many ships have laundromats with

ironing boards to keep you looking dapper. Failing that, pack a bottle

of wrinkle-releasing spray or hang your clothes in the bathroom while

you shower to steam the creases out.

Too many books

Of course, bring one or two (or even better, a Kindle) but most cruise

ships have onboard libraries, which saves you space and backache.

WHAT NOT TO PACK

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What to pack in your hand luggage

PaperworkObvious, yes, but always ensure your passport, flight details

and cruise documents are in your hand luggage as you’ll be

required to show them for inspection.

PenStick a pen in your bag as you’ll have to complete various

forms when you check in for your cruise.

Swimmers and sunscreenWhen you board your ship, you’ll hand over your luggage

to the nice check-in people, who’ll have it delivered to your

cabin. All well and good, but this process can sometimes

take a few hours, so packing pool essentials in your hand

luggage means you can start relaxing straight away.

MedicationAs above, you might not be reunited with your luggage

immediately, so keep any important medication with you.

TeddyKeep the kids’ ‘I can’t live without’ items on you to avoid

travel tantrums.

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A GUIDE TO SHORE EXCURSIONS

Until you’ve got a few cruises under your belt, the whole ‘shorex’ scene (that’s cruise talk for shore excursion) can be bewildering. To get you started, here are the answers to some of the most common questions about shore excursions.

What exactly is a shore excursion?

It’s essentially a guided tour or activity that takes place in or near a port of call. It

can be arranged by your cruise ship or an independent shore excursion operator

or guide.

Do I have to book a shore excursion to get off the ship?

No. Once the cruise director has announced that you can disembark, you’re welcome

to stroll on and off the ship when you’re in port (or take a tender if you’re anchored).

What kind of shore excursions are there?

More than you can shake a cocktail stick at. You’ll find active tours, like swimming

with stingrays and horse riding through the jungle, and chilled-out ones, like a

scenic drive to a beach. You can go cultural with guided tours of historical sights,

opt for a shopping bonanza, or simply make use of transport from the ship to a

nearby attraction. You can go half-day, full-day or just for the evening, and travel

exclusively with families, teenagers or adults.

Why book a ship-organised shore excursion?

There are many benefits but the most important are lack of hassle and peace of

mind. You can book excursions in advance through your cruise line’s website,

safe in the knowledge that tickets will be delivered to your cabin. Transport from

the ship and back is guaranteed, the ship will never leave without you, and you’ll

invariably be refunded should your tour be cancelled. You can also book tours

during your voyage at the ship’s dedicated shore excursions desk.

So why book an independent excursion?

Generally speaking, independently booked tours offer a more bespoke experience

in small or private groups. They’ll often take you off the beaten track and can be

less expensive than similar tours offered by cruise lines. Travel independently and

you’re responsible for getting yourself back to the ship on time, but the major

shore excursion operators do guarantee to get you back to the ship after your

excursion, even if it means flying you to the next port.

I’ve booked a shore excursion. Where do I find my group?

Each ship is different but you’ll typically be instructed to meet in the theatre or

lounge, where you’ll be split into groups and issued with further instructions. If

you’ve booked an independent excursion, get clear instructions from your guide

on where to meet in the cruise terminal and get their mobile number in case you

can’t find them.

What to bring with you

Six essentials you should always bring when you go ashore:

1. Cruise ID card: as part of the check-in

process every passenger is issued with a

photo ID card. This not only serves as your

stateroom key card but is also scanned by

the ship’s security team every time you

embark and disembark the ship.

2. Photo ID: it’s always handy, and in some

countries required, to carry a form of

internationally recognised photo ID, like a

driver’s licence.

3. Shore excursion ticket: if you’re joining

a ship-sponsored excursion, bring your

tickets to the meeting point. If joining an

independent tour, bring your confirmation

details and a telephone number for the

tour company/guide.

4. Cash or credit card: it’s easy to forget the

existence of cash on cruise ships, when

everything’s charged to your cabin. But

don’t forget some local currency and/or

credit cards for purchases and tips.

5. Cruise ship daily newsletter: this handy

document contains a detailed daily

itinerary, including the time you need to be

back on board before sailaway. It will also

list the name and telephone number of the

port agent – the person you need to call if

you think you might miss the ship due to

unforeseen circumstances.

6. Local map: grab a (free) local map from

your ship’s information desk before

heading ashore.

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I’m still confused. When would it be a good idea to book a ship-organised shore excursion?

• If this is your first cruise and you’re still learning the ropes.

• When the port is a quite far from the nearest attraction and you’d be

taking transport to get anywhere anyway.

• If you want an overview of a place: cruise lines will often offer a full-

day coach tour of an island or region, with lunch in a cute local spot,

giving you a great feel for it.

• When the port is particularly ‘challenging’, i.e. it’s off the beaten track

and you don’t speak the local language and might feel uncomfortable

travelling independently.

• When you’re after a riskier outing, like a scenic helicopter ride or

parasailing. Ship-sponsored trips will have insurance and protection

built in and they’ll use vetted, reputable providers to ensure you’re

kept safe.

And when might it make sense to book an independent outing?

• You already know the destination and/or want an in-depth tour, in

which case it’s worth researching local guides able to tailor a trip to

your needs.

• You simply fancy a stroll around the port or want to visit a particular

local attraction. Just grab a local map and go!

• You want a day at the beach. In the Caribbean in particular, there are

cheap taxis and safari buses that will drop you off at any number of

local beaches. Just be aware that there’ll be more taxis to take you

back to the ship at bigger beaches than at lesser-known ones.

• If you, or somebody in your group, can’t walk very far or fast or stand

for long periods of time, it’s worth considering booking private guides

who can accommodate their needs.

• When you’re celebrating a special day or event it’s well worth

treating yourselves to a private excursion: a romantic sunset cruise

for a wedding party, for example, or a tour of a rum distillery for a

birthday celebration.

More questions? Just ask a Virgin Holidays cruise specialist

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CELEBRATIONS AT SEA

A cruise is cause for celebration in itself, but it can also be a great way to go all out for a special occasion. Maybe you’ve got a milestone birthday coming up, or want to treat a loved one to a romantic break. Or how about saying ‘I do’ at sea and combining your nautical nuptials with a honeymoon? Go on, push the boat out…

If you’ve got a big birthday on the horizon,

booking a cruise with friends and family

definitely beats beers down the local pub.

Whether you treat them to a voyage or they

club together to book you one, it will be the

party to end all parties. You could book a

private room for a lavish meal, charter a boat

to maroon you on a Caribbean island for the

day, or arrange a group wine tutorial. Go big

and book the best suite on the ship, complete

with a dining room, bar, hot tub and all

manner of extras.

Tip: If you’re travelling with a birthday boy or girl,

consider asking the restaurant staff for a cake and

arranging for a surprise delivery of Champagne

and chocolates to their cabin.

A destination wedding is a delicious idea, but

it often comes with a lot of organisation and

expense. Hardly the right start to a holiday!

Get married on a cruise ship, however, and

you’ll have a dedicated wedding planner to

help arrange the ceremony, flowers, cake,

photography and pesky paperwork. There’ll

even be tux rental and a hair and beauty salon

onboard. Most cruise ships offer wedding

packages for ceremonies at sea and ashore,

so you could tie the knot on Royal Caribbean’s

carousel or on the beach of Disney Cruise Line’s

private Caribbean island. Book a wedding

with Celebrity Cruises and you could even be

married by the captain.

Tip: Sure, your cruise line will sprinkle rose

petal s on your bed and lay on the bubbly,

but don’t forget the simple pleasures: snuggle

under a blanket on your balcony to watch the

sun rise on your first day of married life.

Whether you want to celebrate a special

anniversary, recapture the magic of your

honeymoon, or just share a special holiday

together, renewing your vows can be a

beautifully romantic experience. Luxury

cruise lines often perform vow renewal

ceremonies for free, throwing in Champagne

and a certificate to boot.

Tip: Whether you’re celebrating à deux or with

friends and family, book a private shore excursion

for a truly unforgettable experience.

The birthday The wedding The vow renewal

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CRUISE TOP TIPS

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If you’re considering buying a speciality dining

and/or drinks package, take a few moments

to calculate how much you’re really likely to

eat and drink to make sure you get the best

value for money.

Sign up your kids to the onboard clubs and

activities on embarkation day to make sure

they don’t miss out. It’s also worth taking

part in the introductory session for children

and parents that typically takes place on

embarkation day, giving you the chance to

meet the staff and look at all the facilities.

Room service aboard cruise ships isn’t the

expensive treat that it is in hotels. While it’s

recommended that you tip your waiter, room

service is free (except for during very late hours

aboard some ships), so indulge yourself with

breakfast in bed or a lazy night in.

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Fancy a spa treatment but don’t want to pay

the full price? Cruise ship spas always offer

reduced prices and special deals on days when

you’re in port, so spend a little less time ashore

and reap the spa rewards! You can also pick up

great deals on embarkation day. Finally, scan

the daily ship’s newsletter for special offers.

Internet access on crui se ships can be

expensive, so why not give yourself a digital

detox? You can also pick up free WiFi in cafés in

your various ports of call. If you really can’t live

without the internet, consider pre-booking

a package, which will offer better rates than

paying as you go.

Don’t feel obliged to do anything. It’s easy

to get swept up in the excitement of visiting

dif ferent places each day, but it ’s your

prerogative to simply snooze by the pool, read

a book on your balcony or treat yourself in the

spa. In fact, if you stay on board while everyone

else is dashing around on shore, you’ll pretty

much have the ship to yourself. Bliss.

Swot up on your destinations before you

travel and you’ll get much more out of your

time ashore. However, even if you’ve got

the guidebook, don’t forget to visit the local

tourist office representative at your ship’s

information desk - they can offer invaluable

insider tips.

Avoid double tipping! Many cruise lines

automatically add a 15% tip to your bar and

spa bills so, unless you’re feeling particularly

generous or the service has been truly stellar,

don’t add a second tip.

If you want to experience fine dining in the

speciality restaurants aboard your ship, it’s

worth booking ahead of your cruise to avoid

disappointment. That said, it’s good to know

that some speciality restaurants, like those

aboard Celebrity Cruises ships, offer discounts

on embarkation day. Another way to enjoy the

gourmet food and luxurious atmosphere for less

is to treat yourself to lunch rather than dinner.

If you order a bottle of wine with dinner but

don’t finish it, you can always ask your waiter

to store it until your next meal, even if you eat

in a different restaurant.

When you check in for your voyage, you’ll

share details of a credit card to which all

onboard costs will be charged (although it will

only be billed at the end of your voyage upon

disembarkation). You won’t be able to use

cash on board. The ship’s currency, typically

US dollars, will stay the same regardless of

where in the world you are.

Most cruise lines have American sockets, so

don’t forget to bring a travel adaptor plug with

you. It’s also a good idea to bring an extension

lead so you can charge all your family gadgets.

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You’re the undisputed master of the good ship Holiday, and we want your cruise to be whatever you want it to be. However, the old saying ‘manners maketh man’ is particularly true when you’re sharing a ship, so here are some tips on how to be the perfect cruise guest.

Share the chairs

It’s fine to leave your book on your sun

lounger while you pop to lunch, but everyone

hates a chair hog (a ‘chog’ in cruise slang), so

don’t claim a poolside lounger that you’re not

really intending to use.

Dressing for dinner

Most cruise lines embrace fairly relaxed

dress codes, adopting ‘smart casual’ for all

but formal evenings. That said, shorts and

swimwear are universally banned from ship

restaurants at night. And hey, you’re on

holiday – it’s fun to get dolled up every once

in a while.

Smoking

With the exception of dedicated cigar

lounges, smoking is banned inside cruise

ships. You will, however, find dedicated

outdoor smoking areas. Just make sure you

don’t throw your butts overboard.

Tipping

Cruise lines have various policies on tipping.

Some include gratuities in your fare while

others add a suggested amount (based on

a daily rate) to your bill at the end of your

voyage. You can have this removed, but

remember: the tips don’t only go to the

waiters and stewards who you see each day,

but also to the unseen crew who help keep

the place shipshape. Also be aware that most

cruise lines automatically add tips to your bar

and spa bills.

Use the sanitizer gel

Wash your hands frequently and use the

sanitizer gel dispensers dotted across the

ship. This not only looks after #1 (you), but

also helps minimise the chances of nasty

bugs like norovirus spreading.

Be on time

Punctuality is always appreciated, but it’s

crucial when you’re on a cruise. Return to

your ship late after a shore excursion and,

at best, you could delay a few thousand

fellow guests. At worst, you will literally miss

the boat.

When do I get to dine with the Captain?

You can expect to get less access to the

Captain on larger cruise ships than on smaller

vessels. However, there will be welcome

parties and formal evenings when officers

will be out and about, and you can pose for

those all-important selfies.

Safety first

Pay attention at the mandatory muster

drill, or safety drill, which will happen at the

beginning of your voyage. This is one time in

your holiday when you need to be serious.

CRUISE ETIQUETTE

51

We can’t have you feeling clueless during your cruise, so here are some handy terms, tips, and slang to show off.

Boat

Strictly for the lifeboats. If you call your

cruise ship a boat, it’s a dead giveaway you’re

a novice.

Bow/stern

The front part of the ship is called the bow.

The back part of the ship is called the stern.

Cabin

A passenger room, also known as a stateroom.

Cruise ships offer various categories of cabin,

ranging from inside (no porthole) to ocean-

view (with a porthole or windows) to balcony/

veranda rooms and duplex suites.

Embarkation/disembarkation

Getting on and off the ship, typically at the

beginning and end of your cruise. Also known

as debarking by our American cousins.

Gratuities

Also known as tips. Different cruise lines

have different tipping policies, but generally

speaking a 15% gratuity is automatically

added to all bar and spa bills. See ‘Service

hotel charge’ for other onboard tips.

Knot

Nautical term used to determine the speed

at which a ship is travelling. One knot is one

nautical mile per hour. A nautical mile is

about 1.15 greater than the statute mile used

by landlubbers, so one knot is about 15%

faster than a standard mile per hour.

Lido deck

The open pool deck on a cruise ship, typically

the top deck.

Muster station

Every cruise passenger is assigned a muster

station, the meeting place where you’re

required to gather, with your life jacket, in

case of emergency. You’ll have a muster drill

shortly after embarkation – take it seriously.

Port/starboard

The nautical terms for left (port) and right

(starboard) when facing forward. Remember

which is which easily: both ‘left’ and ‘port’

have four letters.

Service hotel charge

Different to gratuities (see above), the service

charge is a discretionary tip calculated on a

daily rate to reward service from all the crew.

It’s automatically charged to your account

but you can choose not to pay it, or to pay

more. Please note that you will get this bill

at the end of your cruise, and if you want to

remove the charge then you’ll need to visit

the guest services desk. (Be warned, there

may be a queue.)

Shore excursion

A tour or guided activity arranged for

passengers onshore. Also known as shorex.

Speciality restaurant

Your cruise fare includes meals taken in the

ship’s regular dining rooms and buffets.

However, most ships also have speciality

restaurants, which offer a higher end or

niche dining experience, typically for an

additional fee.

Tender

A small boat that transports passengers from

the ship to the shore where harbours aren’t

deep or large enough for the ship to dock.

Can be used as a verb: “We tendered to shore

in Grand Cayman, darling.”

GLOSSARY

*Terms and Conditions:

Prices shown are guide prices only and may change. Prices are correct as of 13th October 2015. Prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing a standard inside cabin, a room-only hotel unless otherwise stated and include return economy f lights from a London airport. Cruise prices exclude daily service charges and gratuity charges payable on board or in advance, which will vary depending on cruise line. Lowest price is shown and will vary according to date of travel. Itineraries are subject to change and may vary depending on departure date. Prices that include car hire are based on an economy 2-door car and exclude car insurance costs. For full details see www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk/terms-and-conditions. Calls cost no more than calls to geographical numbers (01 or 02). Credit Card payments will incur a 2% charge. Price Match policy only applies to cruse and stay holidays that include a Virgin Atlantic f light. In order to qualify you must f ind the identical holiday on sale with another ABTA Tour Operator holding an ATOL licence. You will need to provide us with written proof of your quote within 24 hours and the following aspects of the holiday must be identical in order to qualify: Virgin Atlantic f lights, no. of people travelling, cruise duration, land accommodation nights, destination, cruise line, ship and cabin grade, hotel, room type and board basis (if applicable, departure date and duration, included extras such as transfers, car hire, car size and included insurance). If the holiday meets the above criteria we will refund the difference back to you. If you identify the holiday at the time of booking we will discount your holiday and match the price for you. It excludes holiday insurance premiums and credit card surcharges. Exclusive Onboard benefits are available on the following ships and sailings: Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas on the following departures from Port Canaveral: Sailings 7 nights or more from 01 Nov ’15 – 30 Apr ’17. Oasis of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale: Sailings 7 nights or more from 01 Nov ’15 – 30 Apr ’17. Allure of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale: Sailings 7 nights or more from 01 Nov ’15 – 30 Apr ’17. †v-room at Gatwick is unavailable between 05 Feb ‘16 and 30 November ‘16.

Plan and book your perfect Cruise & Stay holiday

What does your perfect holiday look like? There’s sun and sand, of course.

Amazing accommodation. You’ll want great bars and restaurants,

plus enough adventure to add some spice. Maybe your dream trip includes

action sports and top-class entertainment. Or maybe you’d rather have

culture, music and thrilling history all around you.

To which we say, don’t choose – cruise.

The beauty of cruising is that it truly offers something for everyone.

These floating palaces provide a staggering range of fun and entertainment,

from fine dining to rock climbing. Better still, they do it all while sailing stylishly

between the world’s most beautiful holiday spots.

The appeal is obvious, but being in the know makes it even better.

That’s why Virgin Holidays has teamed up with three of our favourite

cruise lines – Royal Caribbean®, Celebrity Cruises® and Disney Cruise Line – to

create The Cruise Guide. We’ve developed 12 itineraries to inspire you to dip

your toe into cruising, and packed the guide with enough tips and advice

to turn you from a landlubber into an old seadog.

This guide has everything you need to cruise with the best of them.

So why are you still reading the back of it? Come on in, the water’s lovely…

VisitFind your nearest Virgin Holidays store

virginholidays.co.uk/cruise

CallTalk to our cruise experts on 03331 225 466

Lines open Monday – Friday, 9am – 9pm

Saturday, 9am – 7pm

Sunday, 10am – 6pm

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