Recommend February 2016 - (Page 22)

Cruise The Crystal Esprit is an all-suite, 62-guest vessel. Sailing With the Stars Vivian Holley How do we love luxury cruising? Let us count the ways. Seductive spa facilities. Fine art, fine wine, fine cuisine. Curated enrichment programs. Personal butlers bearing caviar. Walk-in closets and mini-bars stocked with passenger preferences. Posh linens and marshmallow pillows. Not to mention the gorgeous ships that serve up the above-plus compelling ports of call, and service of the sort that doesn't say no. All-inclusive programs are blossoming like balconies. By spring of 2015, 61 percent of North American CLIA-certified travel consultants were reporting noticeable increases in cruise bookings, and 2016 promises to be another banner year for the industry. While interest in river trips continues to ignite, a sea voyage aboard a luxurious vessel maintains a strong and enduring hold on the romantic imagination. It's a truth well known to industry leaders, numbers of which are launching a slate of superstars this year and next, all sure to capture your clients who dream of sailing exotic seas in style and solid comfort. Silversea Cruises Set for a Mediterranean splash on April 20 is the elegant 298-suite Silver Muse, which will offer the greatest number of large suites 22 february 2016 in the ultra-luxury fleet-along with eight restaurants and a sumptuous spa. Included in the fare for all cruises is gourmet dining; beautifully trained butlers serving all suites; beverages from select wines and spirits to specialty coffees and bottled water; a stocked in-suite bar; gratuities; and WiFi for each guest. In November 2017, Silversea will move Silver Cloud, the line's birth beauty, to its elite expedition fleet bound for bucketlist destinations. Following an extensive refurbishment, Silver Cloud will be converted into a 260-guest ice-class craft. As the fourth all-suite addition to the expedition ships, the newcomer will boast the highest space ratio and staff-to-guest ratio (nearly one-to-one) among ice-class vessels as well as another ice-class rarity: five dining venues. Crystal Cruises On Dec. 20, 2015, Crystal-famed for its love of tradition-christened Crystal Esprit in the Seychelles, kicking off a game-changing brand expansion as the first of nine new vessels to debut in three years. After a 2013 introduction of an all-inclusive platform, from fine wines and spirits to gratuities to WiFi, the high-end cruise line is charting global journeys by ocean, yacht, river, and air. First up, Crystal Esprit signals the new Crystal Yacht Cruises as an all-suite, 62-guest vessel, outfitted with a 2-passenger submarine. To be followed in 2016 and 2017 by both Crystal River Cruises-five new river yachts-and Crystal Luxury Air, for 60 high-flying cruisers in fully reclining business class seats. In late 2018, it's back to the high seas with three new 1,000-passenger, all-suite ocean vessels. The trio will be expedition capable, with generous guest-to-space breathing room. Situated on the top decks will be Crystal Residences-48 homes with 600 to 4,000 sq. ft. of interior living area. Regent Seven Seas Cruises Clients who crave complimentary shore excursions? They'll find a plentitude offered in their Regent Seven Seas fare, along with roundtrip air, gratuities, wines and spirits, a stocked mini-bar, and WiFi. Newest on the Seven Seas scene is the 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer, set to sail its ultra-luxe maiden voyage on July 20, spending an inaugural season in Europe before heading to Miami for a series of Caribbean jaunts. A highlight of the new ship is the lavish Canyon Ranch SpaClub, a sophisticated design laid out on deck five. Part of the spa, recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend February 2016

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: Spa Offerings
Tour Talk: Upscale Bookings
Different Visions of Luxury for Fast Escapes
Viva Ziva!
Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal Don Pablo Collection
Sailing With the Stars
Kenya, Wildly Appealing
Luxe Escapes
Tres Chic
The Luxury is in the Experience
Official Florida Travel Industry Education Program—Active Course
On the Green & in the [Steam] Room

Recommend February 2016