Travel Desk

NORWEGIAN Cruise Lines have long been trailblazers of the seas.

When NCL introduced Freestyle Cruising at the turn of the millennium, it changed the way we holiday at sea.

Cruises became less about sticking to rigid dining schedules and entertainment plans, and more about doing what you want, when you want.

Now, the cruise line are once again raising the bar – with its new Prima Class ships offering more options onboard than ever.

The launch of Norwegian Prima, Viva, and Aqua saw new, upscale dining options and significantly larger outdoor decks.

Now, it’s the turn of Norwegian Luna to make her appearance, as she sets sail from April 2026 — and we got an early look at what it’s like on board.

RIDE ON

New ‘theme park’ cruise ship to set sail with world’s 1st waterslide-rollercoaster

SET SAIL

New cruise ship to launch in Europe next year with huge attractions & waterslides

The new ship will sail across Mexico and the Caribbean, to destinations like the Dominican Republic’s Puerto Plata, as well as Great Stirrup Cay – a private island paradise in the Bahamas.

The private island is home to a sprawling pool with swim-up bars, plenty of loungers and cabanas, as well as an adults-only retreat with a private beach and bar.

Plus, the Great Tides Waterpark is set to open on the island in summer 2026, with a whopping 19 water slides and a 9,000 square-foot splash zone for families.

Other holiday hotspots across the ship’s itineraries include Bermuda, the Bahamas and Saint Thomas – home to Magens Bay, rated among the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Sailing the Norwegian Luna is a once-in-a-blue-moon cruising experience.

With an aqua coaster, obstacle courses, a free-fall slide and glowing LED sports courts, this cruise ship feels more like a giant playground.

Even the mini golf, Tee Time, is jazzed up to the max with a futuristic neon course. In fact, it’s the first interactive and tech-immersive mini golf at sea. 

Meanwhile, the Glow Court makes getting in your onboard exercise more exciting.

The floor is illuminated by LEDs, transforming into a range of sports courts and interactive games.

These courts even turn into a disco lounge at night, transforming the sports floor into a party with a view.

Perhaps the most exciting activity, however, is the Aqua Slidecoaster.

This hybrid between a water slide and a roller coaster sends teams of two down a thrill ride with a splash, reaching speeds of up to 31 miles per hour!

And don’t worry about bringing your towel – this ship has a walk-in drying machine for you to step into afterwards.

Just in case you’re itching for yet another adrenaline rush, The Drop is a slide just as thrilling as the name makes it sound.

The Drop is the world’s first free fall slide at sea, spiralling down a jaw-dropping ten stories.

Alternatively, if you have younger children (or kids who prefer something more chilled) there’s plenty of other options.

The Splash Academy is a kids club with sports, artsy activities, and supervised group sitting available in the evenings.

There’s also a complimentary dedicated space with activities for teens, The Entourage, as well as a parent and toddler play programme, Guppies.

Plus Mum and Dad aren’t forgotten about either, with a huge fitness centre, your pick of 14 bars and lounges, and a world-class spa.

The Mandara Spa is massive, boasting a two-story waterfall, multiple saunas, a thermal suite and more – all under the relaxing glow of midnight-blue lighting.

And if you really want to splash out, the adults-only private Vibe Beach Club has its own fully-stocked bar, waterfall and infinity hot tubs.

There are of course multiple swimming pools to take a dip in, too.

The spacious main pool is surrounded by plenty of stylish sun loungers, with two hot tubs and a kids’ splash park nearby.

Or take a dip in one of two infinity pools, both of which are surrounded by comfy daybeds to sprawl out on and soak up the Caribbean sun.

What makes Norwegian’s Prima Class ships stand out is the sheer amount of outdoor space there is to explore.

The Oceanwalk glass bridge lets you see the waves crash beneath your feet as you walk, whilst outdoor dining at restaurants like Los Lobos come with a side of sea views.

When it comes to food, there’s plenty of restaurants to choose from – six of which are complimentary.

The Local Bar & Grill is a cosy option offering pub classics and pints, whilst the Indulge Food Hall lets you order anything from Chinese dishes to tapas to your table via a handy iPad.

Rooms range from the simple Studio, ideal for solo travellers, to ‘The Haven’ – home to luxurious suites and cabins that come with their own 24-hour butler.

You don’t have to pay a premium to feel pampered, though, as all rooms come with comfy, spacious beds, as well as round-the-clock room service.

The Sun’s Head of Travel, Lisa Minot, recently set sail on the Norwegian Luna. She said:

“I was the first UK journalist onboard Norwegian Luna as it set sail on its first transatlantic crossing to its new home port in Miami and loved the laid back luxury of this stunning ship.

“Its celestial theme comes across in beautiful spaces – including the multi-deck Penrose atrium – that shimmer and shine with a sophisticated, luxe look.

“While there’s even more space on the top decks surrounding the main pool, what I love about NCL’s Prima class ships are the many places to sunbathe on deck eight, alongside infinity pools and oodles of comfy loungers and cabanas.

“Families will love the huge range of innovative, high-tech attractions from the thrilling hybrid water rollercoaster, Aqua Slidecoaster, to The Drop – the world’s first free-fall slide at sea spiraling you down ten decks.

“The all-new Luna Midway is an outdoor amusement-style park with carnival inspired games and also debuting is the Moon Climber multi-level rope obstacle course.

“The whole family can do battle in the neon Glow Court where sports and social combine as cruisers compete in games across a high-tech LED floor – and the grownups can continue to enjoy the fun after dark when it transforms into a late night club.

“But Luna also scores highly for the incredible amount of choice when it comes to food and drink.

“There are 17 dining options and 18 bars and lounges across the ship, with a highlight for me being the included in your fare Indulge Food Hall, where you order from tablets from nine stations serving up everything from noodles and tapas to barbecue favourites and Indian curries.

“For those looking to splash out, there are plenty of speciality restaurants at an extra cost – I loved the freshest, tastiest sushi options in Nama and the Thai dishes with a twist in Sukhothai.

“For sunset sips, head to the Soleil Bar for stunning sea views and for sophisticated cocktails, the Belvedere Bar is a must”.

Sailing on the Norwegian Luna starts from £324pp for a 2-day cruise to the private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.

Click here to browse NCL cruise deals.

The Foreign Office has updated travel advice for countries including UAE and Pakistan over the weekend, with 69 nations now carrying various levels of travel warnings

The UK Foreign Office has recently updated travel advice for countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan over the weekend. The Foreign Office (officially known as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)) regularly updates travel guidance for the nation’s citizens and states that “with commercial flights resuming to the UK from United Arab Emirates (UAE), we are pausing our ‘register your interest in flights from UAE’ scheme”.

However, the UAE is still among the countries that the UK Government advises people should only travel to if essential. It is one of 69 countries with a travel warning attached to it for UK citizens, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Typically, the Foreign Office categorises its warnings into three classifications:

• The Foreign Office advises against all travel to a country: this is its highest warning level
• The Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of a country.
• The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to a country or parts of a country.

Countries where the Foreign Office recommends against all travel

This is the Foreign Office’s highest warning level, effectively telling UK citizens not to travel to these countries under any circumstances. There are 14 countries where the Foreign Office recommends against all travel.

You can see more detail on these countries here. They are:

1. Afghanistan, where British nationals face an elevated risk of detention.
2. Belarus, where “you face a significant risk of arrest if you have at any time engaged in any activity now considered illegal by the Belarusian regime”.
3. Burkina Faso, owing to “the threat of terrorist attacks and terrorist kidnap, and the unstable political situation in the country”.
4. Haiti, owing to a volatile security situation.
5. Iran, because of the ongoing Iran War. The FCDO warns: “If you are a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.”
6. Iraq, due to recent escalation in regional conflict. The FCDO warns: “There is significant risk of further escalation, and events are fast-moving and unpredictable.”
7. Israel, due to the escalation in conflict in the region which poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.
8. Mali, owing to unpredictable security conditions.
9. Niger, owing to the increase in reported terrorist and criminal kidnappings of foreign nationals.
10. Palestine, owing to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
11. Russia, owing to a heightened risk of British nationals being detained in Russia and the dangers and threats stemming from its continued invasion of Ukraine.
12. South Sudan, owing to the danger of armed conflict and criminal activity.
13. Syria, owing to uncertain security circumstances and the risk of terrorist incidents.
14. Yemen, owing to the devastation caused by an ongoing civil war and humanitarian catastrophes.

Countries to which the Foreign Office advises against all travel to certain areas

The 36 countries to which the Foreign Office advises against all travel to certain areas are:

• Algeria: FCDO advises against travel to within 30km of Algeria’s borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Tunisia.
• Armenia: FCDO advises against all travel to within 5km of the entire eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, owing to tensions between the two countries Azerbaijan: The FCDO advises against all travel within 5km of the border with Armenia.
• Benin: The FCDO advises against all travel to border regions near Niger and Burkina Faso.
• Burundi: The FCDO advises against all travel to a region where there is a rebel group and the risk of possible armed incursions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Cameroon: The FCDO advises against travel to borders with Nigeria, Chad and the CAR.
• Central African Republic: The FCDO advises against all travel to the entirety of the Central African Republic, excluding the capital, Bangui.
• Chad: The FCDO advises against all travel to the northern provinces of Chad, among other regions.
• Congo: The FCDO advises against all travel within 50km of the Republic of Congo-Central African Republic border.
• Côte d’Ivoire: The FCDO advises against all travel within 40km of the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: The FCDO advises against all travel within 50km of most of its northern and eastern border.
• Djibouti: The FCDO advises against all travel to the Djibouti-Eritrea border.
• Egypt: The FCDO advises against all travel within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border and the border with Israel and Gaza.
• Eritrea: The FCDO advises against all travel within 25km of all of Eritrea’s land borders.
• Ethiopia: The FCDO advises against all travel to anywhere near borders with Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya and Somalia.
• Georgia: FCDO recommends against all travel to the Russian occupied territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• India: FCDO recommends against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Indonesia: FCDO recommends against all travel to a number of volcanoes in Indonesia.
• Jordan: FCDO recommends against all travel to within 3km of the border with Syria.
• Kenya: FCDO recommends against all travel to the Kenya-Somalia border and northern parts of the east coast.
• Lebanon: FCDO recommends against all travel to the vast majority of Lebanon.
• Libya: FCDO recommends against all travel to Libya except for the cities of Benghazi and Misrata.
• Mauritania: FCDO recommends against all travel to the eastern half of the country.
• Moldova: FCDO recommends against all travel to Transnistria, a region bordering Ukraine.
• Myanmar (Burma): FCDO recommends against all travel to most of Myanmar.
• Nigeria: FCDO recommends against all travel to large parts of north-west and north-east Nigeria.
• Pakistan: FCDO recommends against all travel to within 10 miles of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan and some other areas.
• Philippines: FCDO recommends against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.
• Saudi Arabia: FCDO recommends against all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen.
• Somalia: FCDO recommends against all travel to the vast majority of Somalia.
• Sudan: FCDO recommends against all travel to the vast majority of Sudan Togo: The FCDO advises against all travel within 30km of the border with Burkina Faso.
• Tunisia: The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of its border with Libya and Algeria.
• Turkey: The FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the border with Syria.
• Ukraine: The FCDO advises against all travel to the vast majority of Ukraine.
• Venezuela: The FCDO advises against all travel within 80km (50 miles) of the border with Colombia, within 40km (25 miles) of the border with Brazil and within 40km (25 miles) of the border with Guyana as well as some central areas.

Countries to which the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel

The 19 nations to which the FCDO recommends against all but essential travel are listed below. The advisories may apply to either the entire country or specific regions within a country.

• Cambodia: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km from the land border with Thailand.
• Colombia: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several parts of Colombia including the borders with Venezuela, Panama and Ecuador, and central Colombia.
• Cuba: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Cuba.
• Ecuador: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several parts of Ecuador, where a 30-day state of emergency was renewed on February 28 due to internal disturbance and armed violence.
• Ghana: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Upper East region of Ghana.
• Guatemala: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing, as well as to to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia.
• Kosovo: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to a section of northern Kosovo.
• Kuwait: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Kuwait because of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
• Laos: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province, where there are intermittent attacks on infrastructure and armed clashes with anti-government groups.
• Malaysia: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island, due to the threat of kidnapping.
• Mexico: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to multiple cities and regions in Mexico because of escalating violence due to conflict between drug cartels and government forces.
• North Korea: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to North Korea, because “the level of tension on the Korean Peninsula remains high” even if “daily life in the capital city, Pyongyang, may appear calm”.
• Papua New Guinea: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to certain provinces due to the high risk of tribal fighting.
• Peru: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas near the border Colombia and elsewhere. There is a state of emergency in Peru.
• Qatar: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Qatar because of the conflict in the Middle East.
• Rwanda: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to a section of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• Tanzania: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to a section of the Tanzanian border with Mozambique, due to attacks by groups linked with Islamic extremism.
• Thailand: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the south near the Thailand-Malaysia border and all but essential travel to within 20km of the land border with Cambodia.
• United Arab Emirates: FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the UAE, which includes Dubai and Abu Dhabi, because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Standing in Tintern Abbey, you can feel the magic that has given this small Monmouthshire village on the banks of the Wye and its famous ruin such an outsized place in culture. JMW Turner, Gainsborough and Samuel Palmer are just some of the artists who have captured this landscape, and Wordsworth and Tennyson famously wrote poems inspired by Tintern. But it was Allen Ginsberg’s Welsh Visitation and his “clouds passing through skeleton arches” that came to mind while I sheltered from a cloudburst in the abbey’s nave. It’s a vast and fascinating site, and seeing it through sheets of rain as the sun went down was really special.

Ginsberg was here in the 1960s, following in the footsteps of the Romantics. But Tintern’s fame came thanks to its inclusion in travel writer William Gilpin’s 1782 book Observations on the River Wye. Gilpin’s writing about the “picturesque” – landscapes that inspired art through their rugged beauty – was so popular in the late 18th century that the Wye Tour was created to meet tourist demand, one of the first package trips in British travel history.

Tintern has been a destination ever since for literary travellers – though there are also many hillwalkers and canoeists who love the geography as much as the aesthetics of the area. So it’s interesting that the Royal George, the beautifully renovated coaching inn that has recently reopened in the village after a two-year refurbishment, takes local history and craft as its inspiration rather than leaning into the area’s national reputation.

A building has stood on the hotel’s location since the 16th century – it was originally the village forge owner’s home – but the renovation has opened under the name the Royal George because that’s what local people have always called it. The name comes from the warship HMS Royal George, which sank in Portsmouth in 1782, drowning hundreds on board in one of Britain’s worst maritime disasters. Timbers salvaged from the wreck were supposedly used in the construction of the inn, which opened in 1829. Camilla Kelly, the designer behind the refurbishment, found a ship’s bell which bears the insignia of another George, this one HRH George VI, which is now used to call last orders in the hotel bar

There are exposed paving flags and beams that date back to the 1600s as well as charmingly wonky walls and low ceiling beams but, unlike many hotels that aspire to the rustic, shabby chic vibe currently popular for a country stay, the Royal George is smart and very well put together. In its 20 bedrooms and dining rooms there is some vintage furniture – Kelly grew up in nearby Abergavenny with parents who worked in antiques shops and markets – but it’s the beautiful blankets and textiles made at the celebrated Pembrokeshire Melin Tregwynt mill, the metalwork art by local blacksmith and sculptor Mark Lumley, and the ornaments from Baileys Home, a destination shop for interiors fans that’s just up the road in Bridstow, that define this place.

It’s clearly a formula that’s proving popular with local people as well as visitors. At dinner time in the nautically named Upper Deck restaurant, there were families from the surrounding area who had come for a celebration meal. The pub dining room – the Lower Deck, of course – was full of local people including young parents sharing a plate of chips with their kids, as well as out-of-towners. It’s a testament to the quality of the food, which is really, really good.

Most dishes use ingredients from local farmers, growers and foragers and there are excellent and imaginative vegetarian options. Sunday lunch during my stay included a magnificent brie parcel as a special. Apparently, a local cheesemaker had brought in a particularly nice sample and chef Gareth Hope couldn’t resist adding it to the menu. I’d also recommend trying the Welsh wines – especially the sparkling Velfrey and the White Castle pinot noir.

Hope is particularly grateful that the George has become a pub for local people. At Christmas time, one of those dreaded courier delivery photos flashed up on his phone, of a parcel dropped in an unrecognisable doorway. Unfortunately, this parcel contained £450 worth of caviar for the Christmas menu. Hope shared his misfortune with the bar’s regulars and, after seeing the photo, one of them jogged off into a storm, reappearing with the caviar 20 minutes later.

It’s probably worth noting, with all this talk of fine food and furniture, that the Royal George isn’t as expensive as it sounds, with mains in the Lower Deck starting at £14 and a night in a garden room from £135.

If you want to walk off some of this lovely food, the 5-mile Angidy trail is an interesting journey through Tintern’s often overlooked industrial history. Before the abbey ruins turned it into a tourist attraction, the village was famous for its iron wire, and in 1600 the wireworks here were the largest industrial enterprise in Wales. The remains of the furnaces, waterwheels and workers’ cottages are dotted along the Angidy valley and among the hazel trees and larches on the forested hills. The ruins of St Mary’s church – built in the 13th century by the Cistercian monks for their lay tenants, but on a religious site dating back to the 5th century – will never rival the abbey, but the tombstones of the old industrialists – including one shaped like a wine cooler – are impressive, and there is a great view from the graveyard down to the Wye.

For a different but equally pleasurable excursion, go to the previously mentioned Baileys Home. The homeware store, owned by designers Mark and Sally Bailey, is massive. The showrooms fill not just a barn but also a cowshed, stable, granary and loft with a mix of antiques, vintage pieces and handmade furniture. You can browse smithy-made coat hooks and soap made from organic sheep’s milk for under a tenner, or try the bespoke sofas for size.

Inside or out, this is a very special corner of Wales. It may have found fame as a muse for visiting artists, but if you come here, don’t forget to look for the other stories told by the landscape.

Accommodation and dinner was provided by the Royal George in Tintern, which has doubles from £135, room only

This countryside spot is steeped in folklore about a monstrous Barghest that legends claim crushed victims – making for an atmospheric hiking spot

Nestled within an abandoned mining region, hidden away in the Wharfedale valley of the Yorkshire Dales, lies a collapsed limestone ravine, brimming with historical tales, folklore and even a potentially terrifying resident.

Unless you’re aware of its existence, the enigmatic cavern is virtually invisible from view, concealed just off the roadside, making it a genuine secret treasure for ramblers.

Troller’s Gill is a legendary location beloved by keen walkers who venture to the region hoping to witness its splendour, as it packs considerable natural beauty into a compact trail.

The difficulty level for the path is fairly moderate, largely due to a handful of sections requiring scrambling, with a total distance of 2.6 km. It’s a trek that typically takes around one hour and can therefore be combined with any other walking or exploration activities you’ve planned during your stay in the Dales.

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To access this captivating destination, you can leave your vehicle on New Road, where parking is free, before discovering this luminous green treasure.

Upon arrival, you’ll understand why it’s such a frequently discussed location and observe its rocky brook, which seems to emerge from nowhere.

Approximately a 15-minute stroll from where you’ve parked, you’ll spot a disused mine, the former operations of Gill Heads Mine, which has remained dormant since the early 1980s.

The entrance features a substantial gate with rockfall partially obstructing it, and visitors are strongly advised against entering the mine itself due to potential hazards, including potholes and collapse risks.

Legends and myths

Since its existence began, Trollers Gill has been cloaked in mystery but there’s one talethat particularly stands out from the rest. The location is thought to have been haunted by a Barghest, a massive hound with large luminous eyes.

According to ancient folklore, encountering the creature was far from fortunate but rather a harbinger of death, as those who crossed paths with the fearsome beast were frequently crushed to death or ripped apart, tales suggest.

One legend recounts the story of a man, John Lambert of Skirethorns, who bragged in a local pub about what he’d do to the enormous hound, which involved ‘giving it a good thrashing’ if he were to ever come across it. However, legend has it, he encountered the dog on his journey home, and it fatally crushed him.

John Henry Dixon from Grassington may have been the first individual to document such tales when he contributed a poem to a book published in 1827, William Hone’s Table Book.

In the ballad he describes a courageous man who ventures out to visit the Gill hoping to summon the mighty Barghest.

As he entered the gorge, he sensed the spirit of the stream warning him to turn back, but he disregarded it. He drew a protective magic circle around himself “with charms unblest”.

In his brief tale, the stream swelled and thundered, accompanied by a powerful wind, sweeping down the valley. He glimpsed the enormous shadow of the growling dog, its eyes illuminating the gorge walls.

The ferocious creature launched itself at the man and seized him as its next victim, dragging him to the valley floor, where his remains were subsequently discovered.

Various mythical creatures and supernatural entities have been reported inhabiting the ravine, which quite literally takes its name from trolls. It’s believed that Trollers’ Gill originates from ‘Troll’s Valley’, drawing from the Scandinavian tongue of those who made this area their home.

Their traditions and legends indicate that the term ‘troll’ encompasses any supernatural creatures, ranging from hulking giants to goblins, and naturally ‘trolls dwelling beneath the bridge’.

Meanwhile, the term ‘trolldom’ was understood to signify witchcraft and therefore implies the name stems from the notion of the valley being cursed, enchanted or inhabited by otherworldly beings.