We published our very first edition of Blue Horizons, then named Newsround, 20 years ago.
Released quarterly, the magazine was launched in order to showcase unmissable deals, exclusive packages, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and immersive editorials to a market whose appetite for cruising was growing rapidly.
By the spring of 2005, it felt fitting that a new title should be given to what was now a much larger monthly magazine. And so Blue Horizons came into being. Alongside fantastic cruise offers, we were delighted to join forces with Telegraph Cruise travel writer, Jane Arhcer, and former Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Sales Director, Nigel Lingard, who wrote monthly articles for the magazine. We also introduced a prize crossword and recipes, which we know so many of you love to this day.
Blue Horizons has come a long way since beginning life as Newsround. And now, 20 years later, we are so proud our magazine has continuously been voted the No.1 Monthly Cruise Magazine by all leading cruise lines.
Over the past 20 years, the cruise industry has changed in incredible ways, not just the way we cruise but the variety of cruises and destinations on offer.
The number of cruise ships for you to pick from has increased. At the end of 2022, there were 322 cruise ships in the world exploring more than 2,000 ports of call, from destinations near to home in the beautiful British Isles, to tropical and far-flung destinations such as Bora Bora, the Galápagos Islands and many more. You can now truly explore the world and visit places you never thought you could, even Antarctica!
The way in which we cruise and the way we want to cruise has also changed. Dressing up every night is something traditional cruisers love and can still partake in if they so wish, but many cruise lines have introduced a more relaxed approach. With such a variety of restaurants featured onboard, you can choose to either join in the formal night if you wish or hang out in a more relaxed dining setting.
Cruising is not typically seen as eco-friendly, however, change is in the air! Many cruise ships are now LNG-powered, which produces 25% less carbon dioxide. This is just the first step of many, though. Cruise lines are also investing millions into the development of next-generation fuels, including synthetic LNG, biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells. It’s not just new ships that are eco-friendly, cruise lines such as Hurtigruten Expeditions, Hurtigruten Coastal Express and Silversea are refitting existing vessels with hybrid technology in the form of new engines and much more.
With all this in mind, we’re looking forward to bringing you more cruise news and seeing what the future holds for the cruise industry!
