From the food and drink to the onboard activities, here are our highlights of this brand-new ship
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The facts
Tradewind Voyages’ Golden Horizon is a near-replica of France II, which was built in 1913. Although you might be forgiven for thinking it is the first ship of its kind because it has garnered plenty of attention since it left Brodosplit shipyard in Croatia, in June.
The 272-passenger ship is 162 metres long, has 35 sails – which if laid end to end would amount to the size of a football pitch – and can reach speeds of up to 17 knots.
Wow factor
Almost all the action happens on the top deck under the sails, which are set for 70% of the sailing. Atmospheric music, played during the sailaway party, really added to the occasion as we pulled out of Portland, Dorset. Opportunities to travel on such a ship are rare and time spent on Golden Horizon will leave you feeling like you are part of history.
Food and drink
There are two dining venues – the main dining room and the outdoor Horizon Bar & Grill, where you can grab a quick bite throughout the day. While you might expect more options on a vessel the size of Golden Horizon, the food quality is excellent.
The menu in the mesmerising double-decked dining room changes each night, but classic dishes such as Caesar salad remain on it throughout. There are more options to enjoy a drink, with the Quarterdeck Bar, Piano Bar and Debeljak’s, located on the Gallery Deck, where you can order premium beverages. Current restrictions mean Debeljak’s can have only 10 passengers at a time.
Onboard activities
There are three outdoor saltwater pools, including the heated main pool and the dive pool where passengers can acquire their Padi qualification, with courses led by the open-water diving instructor. A Dive Pool Taster session costs £45. Quite handy if you fancy booking one of Tradewind’s Indian Ocean voyages on Golden Horizon, running from February to April next year.
There’s equipment for watersports including snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing, accessed via the marina platform. For passengers who fancy unwinding in the spa, there’s a wide range of facials starting from £65, massages from £55, pedicures from £45, and manicures from £33. There’s also a sauna, Moroccan hammam and snow room in the spa.
The daily programme also includes yoga, wellness and meditation sessions. The line gives far more access to the bridge than you get on a cruise ship. Visits to meet the captain are available and private tours can also be arranged.
Book it
Golden Horizon is sailing to the Mediterranean, Middle East, Australia, the South Pacific islands and the Indian Ocean, to name just a few of the places in its debut programme. A nine-night Italian Discovery sailing from Palma to Split starts at £1,899 based on two sharing, departing September 14. tradewindvoyages.com
PICTURES: Joseph Thompson Photography
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