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Because One of the Best Ways to See the World is to Sail Around It—And These Trips Are Tops
The Crystal Serenity in Moorea. The line’s new expedition yacht, Endeavor, is taking bookings for 2020.TOWN & COUNTRY
Cuba
Starting next November, the Seabourn Sojourn becomes one of very few cruise ships with permission to sail around the island, its 11-to 14-day trips providing a level of luxury that’s still nowhere to be found on land. Among the stops are Nipe Bay, home of the lush pine forests of the Sierra del Cristal range and Guayabo waterfalls, and Isla de la Juventud, a former pirate hideout with coral reefs, shipwrecks, and the otherworldly Punta del Este Caves. Several UNESCO World Heritage Sites round out the itineraries, as does a night in Havana—which is celebrating its 500th anniversary. (L.K.)
The Mekong River
In a contemporary nod to old Indochina, Mekong Kingdoms’ new Gypsy river cruiser is an exquisite construction of wood and thatch, woven leather furniture, and coverings made of Thai silk. But the really glamorous perk is that the ship has just two cabins (that’s room for only four passengers at a time), so as you sail down the Mekong for four days from Luang Prabang, Laos, to Chiang Saen, Thailand (in the Golden Triangle), all your whims will be catered to, from mountain biking to attending a weaving workshop. Each day ends with an al fresco dinner on the boat’s panoramic deck. (L.K.)
Africa
Imagine being able to spot wild game from your own balcony on an intimate ship as it cruises down the Chobe River. That’s what Ama Waterways promises with its 14-room Zambezi Queen, designed specifically for this purpose, with eco- friendly features like low-emission generators. Factor in the jeep outing to Chobe National Park, and you’ve got a safari-cum-cruise experience unlike any other. What’s more, the trip, which begins with three days in Cape Town and includes two at Victoria Falls, ends with three romantic nights on the Rovos Rail, Africa’s answer to the Orient Express. (L.K.)
Zambezi Queen READ REVIEWS
Rovos Rail READ REVIEWS
The Far East
When Crystal Cruises’ 200-passenger, all-suite Crystal Endeavor leaves for its maiden voyage in 2020, it will be the world’s largest luxury expedition yacht. With two helicopters, a submersible, and custom features built to navigate the farthest reaches of the planet, the vessel is well equipped for adventure. Its 100 suites, all with butler service and private balconies, take care of the luxury part. Bookings have already begun for the inaugural 17-day cruise, which starts in Tokyo, stops at such Japanese islands as Hokkaido and Rishiri, and then sails through virtually untouched territory in the Russian Far East. Snowcapped green mountains, black sand beaches, and steaming volcanoes make up the scenery, along with strikingly diverse wildlife, from sea lions to brown bears to majestic Steller’s sea eagles. (L.K.)
Indonesia
More than 13,000 islands make up this culturally and geographically diverse country, and in June, Silversea’s Silver Discoverer will take you to a dozen of them. On the list: Yamdena, with its centuries-old traditions of music, dance, and crafts; the Leti Islands, known as the “Forgotten Islands” for having been isolated for generations, with their own language and a matrilineal society; Pulau Tellang, with its hilly volcanic terrain and spectacular sunsets; and Anano, which has some of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. Naturally, the 15-day trip ends in Bali. (L.K.)
