DEPARTURES TRAVEL SHIP
DEPARTURES TRAVEL SHIP TALK 22 In the Explora I, designer Martin Francis has conceived an exterior profile that’s more giga-yacht than traditional cruise ship double kayaks, paddleboards and SEABOBs is lowered. Following the launch in August, itineraries will focus on Croatia and the Eastern Mediterranean, before the lure of the Caribbean beckons. Not to be outdone, the 922-guest Explora I (explorajourneys.com) is a study in debonair style, which is the quintessence of Explora Journeys, a new luxury cruise enterprise from the megacorp that owns MSC Cruises. Design guru Martin Francis, who has created some of the world’s most iconic craft, has conceived an exterior profile that’s more gigayacht than traditional cruise ship. As guests on the maiden sailing in July will discover, the ambience is one of luxurious grand European hotels with a harmonious residential élan. Nine distinct culinary experiences include the French-inspired Fil Rouge, Marble & Co Grill as well as Med Yacht Club, which specialises in plates to share that include plant-based ingredients. There are three outdoor swimming pools and 64 private cabanas, while an indoor pool with a retractable glass roof is adjacent to a vast spa and fitness studios. The embellishment of sea-going decadence continues in November when Seven Seas Grandeur (rssc.com) takes guilty pleasures to the next level. Superlatives are sure to crowd each other off the page, notably by the pièce de résistance of the ship’s multimillion-dollar art collection: the first Fabergé egg to reside at sea. The fetching new design of Compass Rose starts outside the restaurant, where a metal-and-glass waterfall sculpture imbues an aura of tranquillity. Within this refined temple to epicurean art, a canopy of interwoven crystal and wood-edge illuminated trees gives the impression of dining in an enchanted forest. Additionally, the luscious French Chartreuse and urbane Prime 7 steakhouse depict design features from 1925 Paris and The sumptuous interiors of the Regent Suite aboard Seven Seas Grandeur A first look at the forthcoming Explora I the Art Deco movement as well as the romance of fin-de-siècle New York. With a reveal set to be writ large in December, Celebrity Ascent (celebritycruises.com) is the latest smoking-hot behemoth to attest that maritime architectural zeal knows no bounds. The fourth and last in Celebrity Cruises’ awardwinning Edge-Class series of ships, this lodestar takes the company’s design cred further than ever. The 918 Infinite Veranda staterooms blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors at the touch of a button. Six Edge Villas are two-storey suites which feature an elevated master bedroom, a large living room, two full bathrooms and a private plunge pool. The Retreat, designed by Kelly Hoppen, is a three-deck-high resortwithin-a-resort enclave for all guests occupying suites. This aerie consists of a private pool, a sun terrace and bar, a lounge and the Luminae gourmet restaurant. Foodies will also relish the tour de force that is Le Voyage, created by acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud, the company’s global culinary ambassador. Assuredly, cruising continues to shatter stereotypes as new vessels progress from prosaic to prodigy. FROM TOP: MORTEN FALCH SORTLAND, © RSSC
ocksresort presents Casa Mulania – High-end apartments with 360-degree service Laax – The new product of the rocksresort combines mountain luxury with a highly personalized, fully inclusive service offer. Renowned for its innovative architecture, the rocksresort Design Hotel in Laax has a new jewel in its crown. The Rocks Suites: four stylish apartments in the newly renovated chalet Casa Mulania. Rustic on the outside, modern on the inside – they come with a 360-degree service that leaves nothing to be desired. Whether it is a personal ski instructor, a gourmet dinner, a regenerative massage or a personalized butler service; Casa Mulania guests enjoy a fully inclusive, all-round service as part of their stay. Casa Mulania - a classic spruce-clad chalet conveying the true mountain spirit – is nestled right next to the stark granite cubes of rocksresort in Laax. Above the already well-known restaurant Mulania, awarded with 16 Gault-Millau points, four brand-new apartments have been created: The Rocks Suites. Expertly designed and carefully appointed, the new suites give subtle reference to their alpine location. Each apartment accommodates two to four people, and offers a cozy, stylish home away from home. Not only are the rocks suites brand-new, the rocksresort team takes this product to a new level by offering a holistic, all-around service. Rent one of the apartments, which can be booked for seven nights or more, and you are going to experience a taste of what we like to call LAAXury. Laax Style Our guests are drawn to Flims Laax Falera by unspoilt nature, culinary delights, and time to unwind within towering peaks and crystal clear lakes. At Rocks Suites by Casa Mulania, it is all enhanced by a different kind of „all inclusive“ concept. All outdoor activities, culinary and wellness experiences are not just included – but tailored to our guests’ personal tastes and wishes. Dedicated staff is at their disposal during the entire stay – whether in person, over the phone, or via online chat. You will be pampered just like in a high-end hotel, while enjoying the independence of a luxury, homey apartment. Experience the LAAXury – Relaxing has never been so effortless. Packages start at one week, prices and more information can be found on: www.casamulania.com LAAXury – a new kind of luxury
