8 DEPARTURES SPRING 2020 From the Editor “ A new generation of cruises has reinvigorated our sense of wonder by plucking us out of the terrestrial bustle and putting the focus on Mother Nature IN TERMS OF BOTH prestige and popularity, few activities have swung more wildly than cruising. After the heights of its first boom – when the Mauretania and other transoceanic liners were a byword for decadence – the industry limped through the 20th century, a relic of a bygone era struggling to reinvent itself. How the seascape has changed! More than 30 million passengers are predicted to board a cruise ship this year – compare with four million in 1990 – and though some tried-and-true ports have become overcrowded, there exist few more envyinducing itineraries, by any means of transport, than those offered by the top cruise firms, whether it’s a journey through the fabled Northwest Passage, a bucket-list ticker to Antarctica or a voyage up the Nile accompanied by world-class Egyptologists. These new voyages make use of innovative marine technologies to take us places that were once impossible; they bring onboard remarkable expertise, Christian Schwalbach „ from field-leading experts to Michelinstar chefs; they pair with on-the-ground specialists to give real insight into their various ports of call; they introduce body-and-soul wellness programmes that rival those on land; and, perhaps more than anything, they have reinvigorated our sense of wonder by plucking us out of the always-connected terrestrial bustle and putting the focus on Mother Nature. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a wide-ranging special feature on the latest in luxe cruising, “Come Sail Away”, which starts on page 13 and simplifies the overwhelming array of opportunities with bite-size snippets on wellness, cuisine, unexpected destinations and more – proving that the new golden age of cruising has put a premium on personalisation and pampering. We wish you smooth sailing in the year ahead – and I want to remind you that American Express’s Cruise Privileges Programme offers exclusive benefits on a wide range of itineraries, from onboard credits to cabin upgrades.
