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As small ship cruising operators we are in the fortunate position of being able to respond to the ‘new normal’ of cruising post Covid-19. As such, we have quickly been able to take the required measures that allow us to start cruising responsibly, whilst bigger operators still need to keep their vessels in harbour. To keep our passengers fully informed, and manage their on-board expectations, we have produced an e-booklet detailing the precautions and protocols we have put into place in order to resume cruising from July 24th 2020.

With people around the world talking about the Covid-19 Pandemic putting countries on a war footing, it’s good to know the spirit of co-operation and resilience in the face of adversity still extends to the high seas. This was certainly the case when the 25 cabin Variety Cruises vessel Panorama ‘rescued’ 19 Cuban seamen and women from a large passenger liner in Barbados and made a special 14 day diversion to repatriate them.

Having finished a winter season cruising off the coast of Costa Rica and Panama, Panorama was empty other than crew, en route to a summer of cruising in the Mediterranean. Stopping to bunker in Barbados prior to crossing the Atlantic, she berthed near the MSC Prezioza, a vessel that carries up to 4,360 passengers and 1,300 crew. The photo above (taken in Kotor, Montenegro) shows the size of Panorama in comparison to one of Prezioza’s sister ships.

19 of the crew were Cuban and, given the constraints of Covid-19, keen to return home but with no realistic option for doing so. Following a request from Cuban Government officials, Panorama’s Captain, Vasilis Mazarakis, agreed to repatriate the Cuban crew members to Havana, a cruise taking 7 days. Health declarations were provided by the Captain of MSC Prezioza and the Barbadian medical authorities, and the new complement of passengers was thermo-scanned prior to boarding and on every subsequent day of the journey.

The Cuban Government covered the cost of the fuel, otherwise no charge was made. Upon disembarking his charges on April 4th in Havana, Captain Mazarakis said of his courteous act (which you might think is another reason to vote for us in the Silver Travel Awards – see below):

‘During these difficult times we are facing, it is important to help each other. Knowing that we were helping fellow seafarers by getting them back to their families makes us all happy. We wish and hope that all stranded crew and passengers alike manage to get home to their loved ones and that the world will return to normal soon.’

The world returning to normal is a sentiment we all share at Seafarer and Variety Cruises so, if you would like to do something normal now like booking for the coming winter season which starts in November, along with a full Summer 2021 season, we would love to hear from you.

Anchors aweigh,

SUZIE SEAWORTHY

Seeing the problems caused to oceans and beaches by plastic bottles and other flotsam and jetsam prompted Captain Antoniou Leontios, Master of the Variety Cruises vessel Panorama II, to take the issue of cleaning-up beaches into his own hands. Currently cruising the waters of the Flores and Bali Seas in Indonesia, he decided to dedicate a few hours every week to dropping anchor in a bay, venturing ashore with some crew members and filling as many bin bags as possible with rubbish which he then stowed on board and disposed of properly at his next port of call.

According to Variety Cruises UK’s MD, Chris Lorenzo, environmental responsibility is part of the cruise line’s ethos:

‘We have already started eliminating single-use plastic from our fleet,’ he explained. ‘As for the beach clean-up program, our vessels are uniquely placed to do something practical – we only have small ships of 50-70 passengers so we can get close up to beaches and moor anywhere. Overall our philosophy is ‘small is beautiful’ and that’s not just about the size of our ships but about doing the small things that can add up to a big difference.’

Open: Mon – Fri 9:00-19:00 & Sat 9:30 – 17:00 Bank Holidays 10:00 – 16:00

13 Nights from £2995 departing July 27 & August 12

It’s all in the name with this trip which will certainly live up to your expectations. Our 13 night package starts with a 5 night stay at the stunningly located Hilton Bali. On the Saturday, we transfer you to our sleek and comfortable 25 cabin sail cruiser Panorama II for an unforgettable 7 night island hopping cruise exploring a selection of the Indonesian islands. Our great value package includes flights from London and all transfers.

• Category C: £2995pp
• Category B: £3195pp
• Category A: £3375pp
• Category P: £3495pp
  —
  Single Supplement (any category cabin): £100Departs 27th July | 12th August

What is included:

Flight | Five-night Hotel Stay @ Hilton Bali | Transfers | Cruise

Open: Mon – Fri 9:00-19:00 & Sat 9:30 – 17:00 Bank Holidays 10:00 – 16:00

If you would like to reserve a place online, fill in your details and we will contact you as soon as possible

As a tour operator of long-standing Seafarer has always held an ATOL licence. However, we are delighted to inform you that Seafarer has also recently become a member of ABTA and that henceforth all Seafarer holidays will be ABTA bonded.

Announcing the arrangement today Seafarer Managing Director Chris Lorenzo commented:‘In these slightly uncertain and unusual times, and in light of recent airline news, we want our customers to be able to book their holidays in complete confidence that they are totally protected and that, in the unlikely event something untoward happens, they will be safe, secure and looked after.’Financial protection under the ABTA scheme covers all holidays booked with Seafarer offered on www.seafarercruises.com and www.seafarersailing.co.uk

The world’s oceans may be our playground but, as seafaring folk, we always treat them with respect. There has been much in the news over the last 12 months about the dangers of plastics finding their way into the seas and Sir David Attenborough has made enormous impact in getting people to reduce single-use plastic from the environment. We not only welcome this, we have been looking at our own use of plastics to investigate ways we can respond and help ameliorate the problem.

As such we are extremely proud to announce that we have been recognised as the best cruise line for Responsible & Sustainable Tourism at the Tourism Awards 2019 ceremony, held in Athens. The awards are held under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), aiming to promote excellence and innovation in the Travel, Hospitality and Leisure industries.

As such we are extremely proud to announce that we have been recognised as the best cruise line for Responsible & Sustainable Tourism at the Tourism Awards 2019 ceremony, held in Athens. The awards are held under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), aiming to promote excellence and innovation in the Travel, Hospitality and Leisure industries.

In general Variety Cruises put great effort into enhancing our environmental initiatives and running a responsible and sustainable cruising fleet by adhering as much as possible to environmentally-friendly business practices. We are currently focused on eliminating single-use plastic – with items including straws, stirrers, cups, lids, bottled water and items wrapped in plastic – across the fleet. Variety’s first ship to have become completely single-use plastic was the M/S Panorama II since it began operating in Indonesia early this year.

The goal is to completely eliminate single-use plastics on board all vessels in phases within 2019. For more information on Variety Cruises’ Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives,

If sustainability matters to you why not choose to cruise with a small-ship specialist that puts the environment at the heart of its culture, call  or e-mail  to book or for more information.

Anchors aweigh,

Suzie Seaworthy

*Seafarer Cruising & Sailing Holidays is the UK General Sales Agent for Variety Cruises.

SUZIE SEAWORTHY’S CRUISING PEOPLE’S VOTE

One of the first things you learn as a sailor is that you don’t get far with no wind in your sails trying to run head-on into a spring tide. Seems like that’s the last thing you learn as a Prime Minister. My cat Mrs. Nelson’s got more chance of purring into the ear of that Michel Barnstormer and talking him into doing the Hokey Cokey, turning around and changing course.

WE NEED CAPTAIN SENSIBLE STEERING THE SHIP

The fact is that our nation has a great nautical heritage and time and again it has been seafaring folk that have pulled her out of the doo-doo when it all seemed to be going down the heads. So my heads-up on the situation is this – let cruising folk, those most level headed of Brits, decide!’ A sensible idea I’m sure you’ll agree and what could be fairer?

YOUR VOTE COUNTS

So here’s my plan. Those good folk at Seafarer World HQ (strange that it’s just off the North Circular, but needs must I suppose) have agreed to put together a completely anonymous online poll. All you have to do is cast your vote, they’ll give me the results and I’ll pop down to Chequers and tell the PM what to do about it all over an elderflower G&T or two.

IN, OUT, OR SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT

IN – if you voted today you’d vote to remain.

OUT – if you voted today you’d vote for a hard and fast Brexit, let’s stop fannying around, bite the bullet, stop talking, cut to the chase, make no bones about it and get the deed done.

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT – this is a fluffy sort of middle category for those who think we should get out but want the feeling that they’re still in. A sort of ‘Marie Antoinette vote’ of keep your hands off our Bath Buns but let us eat your cake too. Personally, I’m very partial to a nice slice of Battenburg.

There’s one more question and that’s asking you if, knowing what you know now about the mythical tales told from the NHS Battle Bus, or for any other reason, you have changed your mind since the original plebiscite. Hokey Cokey?

Anchors aweigh,

Suzie Seaworthy