If you’re thinking about booking a cruise, this is the perfect thing for your Wednesday. It’s also perfect if you need to avoid doing any work by looking at cruise pics for a while.

Crystal Cruises introduces new Stardust Supper Club aboard Crystal Serenity

Crystal Cruises announced it would debut a new Supper Club experience on Crystal Serenity when she emerges from dry dock on November 10. The Stardust Supper Club combines the impeccable culinary experience and style for which Crystal is known with the glamourous vibe found in dining concepts of a different era. Set in the ship’s Stardust Club, the supper club will be offered on the first and final “Black Tie Optional”* evenings of voyages beginning with cruises of eight days or more.

Guests will enjoy a four-course menu of select Waterside favourites as they dine to performances by Crystal Serenity’s Show Band and featured vocalists. In between performances, musicians will provide non-stop music throughout dinner, while the ship’s Ballroom Dance Quartet takes to the floor to perform a couple of spotlight dances including one during dessert and coffee service where guests can join in on the dancing.

The Stardust Supper Club will accommodate up to 108 guests per evening, with reservations available upon embarkation with the restaurant manager aboard the ship. At a later date, reservations can be made via Crystal’s Priority Check-in and Planning Center (PCPC). Seating will begin at 6:30 p.m. giving guests ample time to dine and dance before the night’s 9:15 production show begins in the Galaxy Lounge.

Save 15 per cent plus free hotel stay on Adventure in Iceland – one of the hottest holiday destinations right now

One of the world’s hottest destinations right now – Iceland – will be circumnavigated as part of a new, 10-night expedition cruise package next July, with a 15 per cent saving offered by Adventure Canada in partnership with small ship specialist, Cruise Traveller.

Located at the edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland has seen a huge rise in popularity as a tourist destination, with the number of foreign visitors to the country quadrupling over the last six years. This has been attributed, in part, to its otherworldly geology increasingly featuring in blockbuster movies and TV productions such as Thor, Captain America, Star Wars and Game of Thrones.

Highlighting Iceland’s famous wildlife, waterfalls, glaciers and lava fields, the circle Iceland voyage will take travellers to some of the country’s most remote and beautiful spots, only accessible by expedition ship. Guests will travel aboard Adventure Canada’s 198-passenger, eco-friendly vessel, the Ocean Endeavour, and have opportunities to go bird-watching and hiking, with Zodiac trips ashore.

Fly free to Vietnam & Cambodia in 2019 with Travelmarvel

Recently, Travelmarvel celebrated the release of their Vietnam & Cambodia River Cruising 2019 brochure. Featuring a wide range of exciting tours accompanied by a bevy of Earlybird Offers, including Fly Free and two for one Airfares. With 10 years’ experience cruising the mighty Mekong, Travelmarvel are the region experts, covering the hidden gems and authentic cultural experiences found at every turn.

Travelmarvel’s 12-day Essential Vietnam & Cambodia tour encompasses the must-see highlights and lesser-known treasures of the region. Stay two nights in Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City. Returning in 2019, Travelmarvel guests will be staying at the Shinta Mani Shack. This boutique property in Siem Reap is located in the French Quarter and only a short drive to the famous temples of Angkor.

A seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the RV La Marguerite includes all meals, a guest to staff ratio of 2:1, a cooking class with the ship’s very own chef and much more. Included welcome and farewell dinners on either side of the river cruise in Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City are perfect ways to cap the adventure. Starting at $3,695 per person twin share, with an Earlybird Fly Free offer, this popular tour is the perfect introduction to Vietnam & Cambodia.

Australia’s biggest names in fashion and racing sail to Melbourne Cup on four Carnival Australia-Brand ships with 8,000 racing fans

Australia’s biggest names in fashion and racing including Madeline Stuart, the world’s first professional adult supermodel with Down Syndrome, will be onboard when four Carnival Australia-brand ships sail in to Melbourne ahead of the race that stops a nation with 8000 excited punters.

Guests will sail from Sydney on P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer and Pacific Eden and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit with a Brisbane-contingent arriving on P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn. The four cruise ships will comprise the largest single group of interstate racegoers attending the Melbourne Cup on November 6.

Among the talent onboard are:

• Madeline Stuart, the world’s first professional adult supermodel with Down Syndrome who will be headlining P&O’s Fashions at Sea catwalk show
• Wendy Green, owner of 1999 Melbourne Cup winning horse, Rogan Josh
• Darren ‘The Gauch’ Gauci, one of Australia’s most successful jockeys
• Greg Miles OAM, “the voice” of Victorian Racing” for 36 years
• Two-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey, John Letts
• Renowned Australian newsreader, author and journalist, Tracey Spicer
• Carnival Australia’s Executive Chairman, Ann Sherry

CLIA Australasia reveals more winners as Travel Agencies embrace #ChooseCruise Campaigns 

Two more travel agencies have been rewarded for their proactive cruise promotions during Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s month-long #ChooseCruise campaign.

After running an extensive #ChooseCruise campaign during October, including a cruise event, weekly themed EDMs and social media posts, Saide Jebrine and Anita Andonovska from itravel Carlingford are looking forward to an exclusive dining experience onboard Ponant’s Le Laperouse in Sydney next year. itravel Carlingford owner Emily Kadinski said #ChooseCruise was an easy campaign to support.

With a focus on expedition cruises in the final week of #ChooseCruise, the travel agencies with the most creative and innovative campaigns will be in the running to win a seven-night Tasmania cruise with Coral Expeditions and a $500 Breakaway Travelclub voucher.

Agents are encouraged to include @cliaaustralasia and #ChooseCruise in any social and online activities. Details of offline activities can be emailed to Vera Pajovic at vpajovic@cruising.org by 4pm on October 30.

Save big on Antarctica & South America with APT

The leading cruising and touring operator, APT, recently launched their 2019/20 Antarctica & South America brochure. Combining Antarctic expeditions with South American land journeys, a vast array of touring options are available, with a range of Superdeals on selected tours.

APT’s spectacular 15-day Classic Antarctica showcases the white continent in all its grandeur. Starting from $16,995 per person twin share, it includes a Superdeal saving of $500 air credit per couple. Travelling with no more than 200 passengers on board the luxury expedition small ship, Le Boréal, clients will be able to choose from a variety of luxury stateroom and suites, all featuring private balconies and 24-hour room service. On board, a choice of casual and fine dining restaurants is available, as are all-day complimentary drinks.

Over ten nights, largely in remote waters inaccessible to other vessels, an APT Tour Director oversees the cruise, as incredible Antarctic panoramas remain constantly on show. Accompanied by an expert Expedition Team on all Zodiac excursions, clients will enjoy being one of just 10 passengers, as they skirt past glaciers, before landing ashore and getting up close to penguins and seals.

The active volcano and former whaling station home, Deception Island, reveals some of the mysteries of the region, while, weather permitting, an active science research station can be visited at Port Lockroy.

MSC Cruises supersaver sale

MSC Cruises Supersaver Sale ends Oct 31, 2018. Hurry to book your next holiday and SAVE. With savings up to $500 per cabin, now is the time to book your 2019 holiday! Valid on selected itineraries Summer 2019 and Winter 2019- 2020 in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean & West Indies, Cuba, Arabian Peninsula, South Africa, South America and Grand Voyages.

Experience the new MSC Grandiosa, launching November 2019 from only $899 per person, twin share (based on November 23 departure). Sail the West Mediterranean, departing Genoa, Italy you’ll visit the historic city of Rome, Palermo in Sicily, World heritage Valletta, Malta, enjoy shopping in Barcelona and Marseille, France.

In Northern Europe you can experience the Norwegian Fjords over seven nights aboard MSC Meraviglia. Priced from $1,094 per person, twin share (based on 4 May 19 departure).

In the Caribbean, you’ll also save on a selection of departures. From $799 per person sail onboard MSC Seaside for a seven-night Caribbean cruise. Departing Miami and visiting Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, George Town, Cozumel in Mexico and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.

Cruise the magical Irrawaddy River with National Geographic and Scenic 

Discover the magic of the Irrawaddy River on an 11 day cruise from Yangon to Mandalay with Scenic Luxury River Cruises and National Geographic from just $7,545 per person.

Join National Geographic Experts Paula Swart and Ken Hammond as they share their knowledge and insights, and enrich the cruise experience through presentations and informal discussions.

Paula Swart is an expert on Asian culture and history with a special interest in Buddhism, and has been a museum curator for more than 20 years. A popular expert on more than 30 expeditions for National Geographic , her travels have taken her to Southeast Asia numerous times. She recently organized the Visions of Enlightenment exhibition on Buddhist art, which featured pieces from Myanmar. She holds degrees in archaeology, Asian art history, and Chinese history, speaks five languages, including Mandarin, and has published several books and numerous articles on the art and architecture of Asian cultures.

Historian Ken Hammond first traveled to China in 1982 to study the language and stayed for five years. A professor at New Mexico State University, he directs a Chinese-American university exchange program. He has produced a documentary on the revival of Confucian ritual and recorded the lecture series From Yao to Mao: 5,000 Years of Chinese History for The Great Courses.