One
of this year’s new ships is the Avalon Panorama,
which sets a new standard for European river cruise ships. Avalon calls the Panorama a “suite ship.” It has two
decks of suites with wall-to-wall windows that, when open, give the sitting
area the feel of a large, open-air balcony. Each suite is 200 square feet,
almost one-third larger than the industry standard. The ship also offers
amenities, such as an Internet Corner with Wi-Fi access, a library, a spacious
Sky Deck with a shade system, a heated whirlpool and an open-air restaurant. In
each suite, you’ll find an elegant marble bath, a flat-screen television and
fresh flowers. The Panorama is
currently sailing 14-night, Amsterdam-Budapest itineraries, stopping in Vienna Vista and the Visionary – in 2012.
Like
its sisters in the Odyssey Class, the Odyssey
and the Sojourn, the Yachts of
Seabourn’s new Quest has a spacious
feel. The 450-guest ship has a vast spa and expansive pool areas. Among the
Quest’s 225 suites, 90 percent have private verandahs. All have separate
sleeping and living areas and granite baths with bathtubs, separate showers and
double sinks. There are walk-in closets, iPod and MP3 connections, and personal
refrigerators stocked according to the preferences of each guest. Seabourn is
known for its spas, and the spa on the Quest
offers an herbal bath facility, an aroma steam bath and a Kneipp walk. This form of soothing hydrotherapy involves walking
through basins of water at various temperatures and pressures.
Guests
can work up an appetite enjoying the water sports available at the unique
onboard marina, then choose from four gourmet dining venues. The Quest is now
sailing seven-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises, and will cross the Atlantic to
Ft. Lauderdale
for a series of Caribbean voyages this fall.
In January 2012, the Quest and its
lucky passengers will depart on the ship’s first world cruise.
To
find out how to get on board, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise
expert.
