Elite Traveler Summer 2023

LEADERS IN LUXURY CRUISES

Seas the day For some, the extravagance of vacation options can be perplexing. It’s like standing in front of a bountiful bu ff et with an empty plate but being unable to pick what to eat fi rst — like the proverbial kid in a candy store. And in light of the pandemic, some potential travelers may be thinking about their need to take that trip of a lifetime immediately rather than waiting. But which trip is the trip of a lifetime? Cruises with all their bells, whistles, ports of call, themes, programs, ship sizes, ship moods, itineraries and plentiful extras only add to that anxiety and fear of choosing poorly. The good news is that cruise companies excel in the business of delivering dreams. Staying on par with worldwide trends, they’ve embraced sustainability, become adept at bringing local cuisines on board, elevated their spa and wellness facilities, amped up experiential outings, o ff ered more extended voyages, and thoughtfully considered how to make all types of travelers, from solo to multi generational groups, welcome. Most ships even have a pickleball court. But back to picking the perfect cruise for your next vacation: We thought we’d help you narrow down your cruise options by presenting some of 2023’s best opportunities and our favorites by worldwide region and locale. As they say: if you cruise, you can’t lose.

Ponant has partnered with Relais & Châteaux

by Becca Hensley

OCEANIA Intrepid travelers looking for less-visited landscapes can sail through part of South Australia’s Riverland (pictured above), a verdant, orchard- fi lled area that edges the Murray River, Australia’s longest navigable river. Home to kangaroos, emus, black swans, pelicans (more than 200 species of birds) and many more amazing creatures, Riverland reigns as one of Australia’s true destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, from hikers to fi shers. On the highly awarded Murray River Walk/Cruise experience, guests spend evenings on a luxurious houseboat complete with a pool deck, top deck spa and salon for sharing stories. During the day, they’ll trek the trails that line the riverbank, chalking up to eight miles per day as they immerse themselves in Aboriginal culture and spectacular scenery, from forests to wetlands. From $2,800 per person. Contact info@murrayrivertrails. com.au, +61 417 533 063, murrayrivertrails.com.au

Across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand, Ponant and Relais & Châteaux bring art de vivre to play in their 2023 collaboration on two voyages, hosted in turn by chef Norka Mella Munoz of Wharekauhua Country Estate and chef Jimmy McIntyre of Otahuna Lodge. New Zealand’s South Island and Chatham Islands itinerary (November 25 - December 3) explores the South Island’s east coast with stops in the peninsula-rich Marlborough Sounds and bio-diverse Kaikoura peninsula, accompanied by chef Munoz. New Zealand native McIntyre, known for his ‘potager-to-plate’ philosophy, hosts Ancient Fjords and Unspoiled Islands of Southern New Zealand; this trip takes guests on an eight-day polar exploration voyage. From $6,670 per person. Contact contact@ponant.com, +1 888 400 1082, ponant.com