Special-interest sailings? They’re a thing FROM TOP: CHRISTOPHER ISON, CINDY MANNING Designer Julien Macdonald’s fashion shoot aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 HIGH FASHION, HIGH SEAS Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is a porthole into the world of style The entrance to the Julien Macdonald show was mobbed, with people snaking down hallways and up stairs waiting for the doors to open. I was wearing a wildly printed dress and in a bright mood from a glass of champagne. No, I wasn’t in London, where the Welsh designer typically unveils his collections of sparkly eveningwear; rather, I was aboard the Queen Mary 2, on a transatlantic cruise bound for New York. These days, cruise lines are courting new fans by getting big names like Macdonald – or Paul Theroux, or even Oprah herself – to join them at sea. Cunard, which operates the 2,691-passenger QM2, has been putting its own twist on the trend by offering fashion-themed sailings in advance of the September shows in New York. On this voyage was also fashion writer Colin McDowell, along with recent graduates of the Parsons School of Design, who held their own runway presentation. Passengers could chat them up by the pool, browse for jewellery by Iris Apfel at a trunk event, and attend screenings of films like Coco Before Chanel. But the most popular event was Macdonald’s fashion show, held in the Queen’s Room, which normally hosts a genteel high tea and blackand-white balls. Now there were leggy models dancing down the runway for 45 minutes to a disco soundtrack. The next day, in the ship’s Royal Court Theatre, there was a Q&A with McDowell and Macdonald. The designer talked about his working-class roots in South Wales and how he always dreamt of pursuing fashion. “Fashion is full of snobbery, but it’s changing,” Macdonald said. After a few days of getting up close and personal with the designer and his creations – without the fuss that usually surrounds these events – it certainly felt that way. —Marisa Meltzer This year’s Transatlantic Fashion Week Crossing takes place from September 2 to 9; cunard.com ALL GALÁPAGOS, ALL THE TIME Three ways to do the islands now The Galápagos may be the ultimate playground for children because of its spectacular wildlife. Lindblad Expeditions is offering a new National Geographic Global Explorers programme (expeditions.com) on both the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II and the yacht-sized National Geographic Islander, so kids can journal their adventures, as a scientist would, and even produce time-lapse videos of their voyage at sea. To contribute to the region’s conservation efforts, book a room on the recently relaunched WildAid’s Passion (wildaid.org), a 14-person yacht that’s also available for full charter. For every passenger who books a spot, the company will donate US0 to the Galápagos Conservation Fund, which was created by WildAid, an environmental nonprofit focused on ending the illegal wildlife trade, in partnership with Ecuador-based Angermeyer Cruises. Proceeds will be used to implement electronic surveillance technology to prevent illegal fishing and to train staff in identifying and quarantining invasive species. A new photo-safari cruise from adventure-tour specialist INCA (inca1. com) will take 16 guests on an 10- day sailing from June 7 to 16 with hands-on workshops via the 43m luxury yacht Integrity, which features nine bright, airy rooms. INCA’s Galápagos naturalists will join expert photographers to teach guests wildlife-shooting techniques. Guests snorkelling with sea turtles in the Galápagos on Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Global Explorers programme YOUNG, SINGLE AND READY TO MINGLE Silent discos, sundeck tent camping and street food – on a cruise? With the launch of U by Uniworld this April, the luxury river-cruise company will introduce a line dedicated entirely to millennials – or those millennially minded. (It’s open to those aged from 21 to 45.) Designed to feel like a boutique hotel, with an all-black exterior and monochromatic interiors, the two 120-passenger vessels will feature six itineraries that will stop at Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s usual ports of call along the Seine, Main and Danube rivers. Its U Time programme will offer add-on trips like kayaking along the Seine followed by paragliding in nearby Vexin Français Regional Nature Park. ubyuniworld.com DEPARTURES-INTERNATIONAL.COM 45
