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TRAVEL TALK
The Star Explorer on the River Thames in London
SAIL RIVER TO SEA WITH WINDSTAR
Atlas Ocean Voyages unveils largest suites Launching in 2028, the Atlas Adventurer will feature Atlas Ocean Voyages’ largest suites to date. The 1,475-square-foot Owner’ s Suites boast two bedrooms and a dining area. The Adventurer also offers 552-square-foot Penthouse Suites with living areas and spa bathrooms. The suites’ design evokes 1930s luxury ocean travel, with marble and mahogany finishes and art deco-inspired furnishings.
The Star Explorer, Windstar Cruises’ purpose-built river-to-sea vessel, blends small-ship elegance with ocean adventures
The intimacy of a river cruise or the wide-ranging destinations of ocean cruising? On Windstar Cruises, guests no longer need to choose. The cruise line’ s new all-suite yacht, the 224-passenger Star Explorer, is purpose-built for river-to-ocean travel and launches December 2026.
“ We’ re introducing a new way to cruise, with yachts that move seamlessly from rivers to the open sea, unlocking destinations that are inaccessible to traditional river ships or large ocean vessels,” says Janet Bava, chief commercial officer at Windstar Cruises.
Star Explorer’ s 2027 voyages highlight the strengths of the river-to-ocean approach with a distinctive line-up of destinations. A 10-night christening sailing in June circumnavigates Ireland, beginning in London with a cruise down the Thames before an ocean crossing to the city of Waterford. Other Star Explorer itineraries delve into familiar regions that guests can experience in a new way. The 10-night‘ Impressionist France’ voyage pairs cruises along the Seine and River Thames with an overnight in St. Malo and an English Channel crossing. For culinary-focused travellers, the relaxed pace of the eightnight‘ Connoisseur’ s Delight: Northern Spain and Portugal’ voyage offers the best tastes of the region— from sampling Basque pintxos to savouring port in Porto. After cruising along the Garonne River, the voyage concludes with an overnight stay in Bordeaux to provide plenty of time to sample the wines of both the Left and Right Banks.
The intimacy and flexibility of riverto-ocean cruising also allows for more in-depth cultural exploration, such as the eight-night‘ Moroccan Markets and Iberian Icons’ itinerary. An overnight stay in Lisbon, cruising along the Guadalquivir River, and port stops in Seville, Tangier and Barcelona spotlight the diverse cultures of the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Fort Lauderdale to debut The Water District in 2028 A new US $ 220 million, five-acre development will reimagine the peninsula that’ s currently home to the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame. The Water District will open in late 2028, featuring a marine aquarium, elevated public promenade and a rooftop restaurant with event spaces.
Oceania announces new around-the-world itineraries Following its 2027 debut, the Oceania Aurelia will offer two 180-day Around the World voyages. A 2028 sailing departs from Miami, with stops in the South Pacific, Japan, India and the Arabian Peninsula. The 2029 sailing begins in Los Angeles, with an itinerary including Central and South America, Southeast Asia and the British Isles. images: Windstar Cruises; Atlas Ocean Voyages
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