Travel Weekly’s Cruise Wrap is hheeeeerrrrrreeeee and we’re gonna stop talking now so you can get amongst it all.

Only four weeks remain on Viking Cruises’ river and ocean earlybird offers

Only four weeks remain on Viking Cruises’ river and ocean earlybird offers. Secure your clients’ bookings before 30 June 2017 to take full advantage of these special offers.

River

• Save $2,000 per couple on any 2018 river cruise.
• Fly free on river itineraries of 13-days or more including the Grand European Tour, France’s Finest, Waterways of the Tsars and European Sojourn.
• Fly for $495 on Viking’s shorter river itineraries of 8 to 12 days.
• Fly Business Class for $4,995 per person, valid on Europe and Russia itineraries of 13 days or more in Veranda Stateroom and above departing in March, October and November 2018. For departures between April and September 2018 add $1,000 per person.
• Customise the air or break up the journey on the way to Europe with a stopover for just $250 per person in Economy Class or $500 per person Business Class. Your choice of Emirates, Singapore Airlines or Qatar Airways.

Ocean

• Save $1,000 saving per couple on any ocean cruise.

Viking’s 15-day Grand European Tour travels across four countries and 13 ports including Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna and Budapest. Guests will have the opportunity to visit nine UNESCO World Heritage sites and embark on 13 guided tours. Highlights include a visit to Budapest’s Café Gerbeaud, a Viennese waltz lesson, and a chance to experience European history first hand through the castles of the Rhine Valley.

Pricing from $5,995 per person departing 29 October 2018 from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Viking sets eyes on growth to celebrate 20th anniversary year 

Viking Cruises is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of innovation in the cruising category.

Founded in 1997 by Chairman Torstein Hagen with the purchase of four river ships in Russia, Viking now employs over 4,000 staff worldwide. In 2000, Viking purchased Europe’s KD River Cruises to grow its fleet, to leverage 175 years of river cruising experience and to acquire rights to prime docking locations in key European cities.

Viking is continuing its significant rate of expansion in its 20th year of operation. The company has already welcomed two new Viking Longships in Europe and its third ocean ship, Viking Sky was christened in February. Its fourth ocean ship, Viking Sun, will debut in October and will visit Cuba before embarking on a 141-day World Cruise. Viking Spirit will join the fleet in 2018, and will sail itineraries in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Alaska. A sixth, yet-to-be-named sister ship will be delivered in 2019.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Viking is offering the opportunity to fly free to Russia where it all began and save either $3,000 per couple or fly free to Russia and save $2,000 per couple, when booking a 2018 Russian river cruise. Offer is only valid until 30 June 2017.

Majestic Princess begins epic journey to China along the Silk Road Sea Route

Princess Cruises and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (Friendship Association) have officially begun Majestic Princess’ journey from Rome to China.

The 37-day voyage will feature a cultural exchange program themed “Telling the Chinese Story along the Silk Road Sea Route”, with performance groups including the Ansai Youth Waist Drum team, the Luochuan Youth Yangge Dance team, the China National Orchestra and the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theatre set to entertain and educate more than 6500 guests from more than 40 countries.

Princess Cruises and the Friendship Association held a press briefing and luncheon onboard in Rome this week prior to the ship’s departure. The event was attended by President of the Friendship Association Madam Li Xiaolin, Chairman of Carnival UK David Dingle, Chairman of Carnival Asia Roger Chen and Malcolm Morini from Rome’s Civitavecchia cruise port, among other officials.

Majestic Princess will visit some important Silk Road ports in countries including Greece, United Arab Emirates, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia before arriving in its first Chinese port of Xiamen on June 26. She will begin her first homeport season in Shanghai on July 11.

The luxurious flagship will debut in Australia next year, home porting in Sydney from September 2018 through to March 2019, when she will return to China.

Murray Princess, Adelaide & Kangaroo Island Combo

Discover the best of South Australia with a fantastic eight, nine or twelve-night cruise and land package from Captain Cook Cruises and SeaLink. Discover Adelaide and Hahndorf on a full day sightseeing tour, cruise down the spectacular Murray River and spend two full days on Australia’s third largest Island, Kangaroo Island.

Throughout the cruise guests will explore the biodiversity of the Murray River and the its unique outback flora and fauna, limestone cliffs and river scenery. Each day features exciting day trips to historic ports, sacred Aboriginal sites, a woolshed, native wildlife shelter, guided nature walks and tastings onboard or at a vineyard and cellar door. Get up close to the river, its 20-million-year-old cliffs and amazing plant and birdlife on the ‘Dragon-Fly’ Flat Bottomed Boat vessel.

Following the cruise guests will be transferred by coach to Cape Jervis where they will join one of SeaLink’s ferries to Kangaroo Island.

On day one visit the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, visit kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and other nocturnal wildlife at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Experience sea lions in their natural environment and enjoy a 2-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Lodge Bistro.

On day two learn how honey is made at Clifford’s Honey Farm, spot Koalas at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and visit Flinders Chase National Park to witness nature’s breath-taking creations – Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

• The eight-night package starts from AUD$1713 per person twin share; three nights on the Murray Princess, four nights at the Mercure Grosvenor Hotel, full day Ultimate Adelaide and Hahndorf tour and one night on Kangaroo Island.
• Fares for nine-night package start from AUD$2026 per person twin share; four night Murray Princess cruise, four nights at the Mercure Grosvenor Hotel, full day Ultimate Adelaide and Hahndorf tour and one night on Kangaroo Island. 
• The twelve-night package starts from AUD$2597 per person twin share; seven-night cruise on the Murray Princess, four nights at the Mercure Grosvenor Hotel, full day Ultimate Adelaide and Hahndorf tour and one night on Kangaroo Island. 

Pacific Explorer Transformation Begins

The final countdown is on for next month’s debut of P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer, with the ship’s multi-million dollar transformation underway in Singapore. During her 12-day drydock, the vessel – formerly sailing as Princess Cruises’ Dawn Princess – will undergo a massive refit which will see the addition of a range of exciting new features for Australian holidaymakers.

When she sails from Sydney on her first cruise on June 22, Pacific Explorer will be sporting the two longest waterslides on an Australian-based ship – each stretching more than 80 metres – along with a waterpark and a barefoot lawn bowling green. P&O Edge Adventure Park and the Big Screen will also be installed during the ship’s dry dock.

Pacific Explorer’s public spaces, including its multi-storey atrium, lounges, bars and restaurants, will be transformed and modernised. This will include the creation of new dining options from fast-casual dining at Luke’s, a poolside grill and a traditional Neapolitan pizzeria called 400 Gradi.

Guests will also be able to dine in the ship’s Waterfront Restaurant, the Italian restaurant Angelo’s, the pan-Asian restaurant Dragon Lady or The Pantry, an international marketplace of nine fresh food outlets. Pacific Explorer’s elegant new small bar, The Bonded Store, will feature a cocktail list as well as whisky and gin-making classes.

Pacific Explorer will set sail from Singapore on June 9.

Pacific Explorer’s cruises include a 10-night Discover Vanuatu cruise departing Sydney on November 20, 2017. Fares start from $964* per person quad share and include up to $200 onboard credit per cabin.

Hurtigruten expands land based operations with major Svalbard investment

Hurtigruten is investing in the future with an expansion of tour operations and hotels on offer in Svalbard.  As the largest tour operator in Svalbard, Hurtigruten is leading the largest ever investment in the archipelago’s history. The investment coincides with the Arctic Archipelago’s historical crossroads as tourism overtakes mining as the major source of income.    

This exciting injection of 200 million kroner will expand existing hotels and create a modern adventure centre, as the starting point for a vast selection of Hurtigruten Svalbard activities, adventures and expeditions. 

More specifically, the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel the northernmost full service hotel, will be expanded with 100 new rooms, a conference centre and bar, while the lounge areas, restaurant and other common areas will be refurbished. Similarly, the Spitsbergen Hotel will undergo changes and be transformed into Funken Lodge, where the renovation will preserve the historic significance of the hotel.

Finally, the IGP Adventure Centre will be transformed into Hurtigruten Svalbard’s activities and expeditions base with a major expansion and upgrade. 

Bookings open for Royal Caribbean’s 2018/19 Aussie season, kicking off a month of incredible offers

Royal Caribbean International has opened bookings for its 2018/19 Australian summer season on Tuesday 30 May, and to celebrate, sale time! Book before 30 June 2017 and guests can ‘Buy One, Get One Half Price’ – PLUS receive a Balcony stateroom for the price of an Oceanview.

The 2018/19 summer season will see Radiance of the Seas begin the summer season, arriving to Sydney on 6 October 2018. Explorer of the Seas will return down under on 27 October 2018 and Ovation of the Seas on 2 November 2018. Together, the three ships will offer 61 sailings, ranging from three to 23-nights, sailing to nine different countries including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Singapore, the USA and Vanuatu.

Ovation of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas will primarily offer guests a range of Australia and New Zealand itineraries. Ovation will sail exclusively from Sydney, while Radiance of the Seas will sail from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. As well as her New Zealand voyages, Radiance of the Seas will also sail a range of shorter cruises perfect for first timers, including a three-night sampler cruise to nowhere, a new four-night cruise to Melbourne and a five-night Tasmania sailing.

Explorer of the Seas, will become the largest cruise ship to ever call to Newcastle in February 2019, following upgrades to the Port of Newcastle to allow mega ships to berth in the Hunter. She will continue her focus on South Pacific voyages with a range of eight to 14-night sailings. 

The sale also applies to this coming summer, with cruises on our four Sydney-based megaliners kicking off in October 2017.

Choose a seven-night South Pacific voyage onboard Explorer of the Seas, departing Sydney on 10 March 2019 and calling to island favourites Noumea and Lifou. Guests can book a Balcony stateroom for the price of an Oceanview, with fares for the first guest starting from just $1,349, and $749 for the second.

Or cruise onboard the all-new Ovation of the Seas departing Sydney on 23 November 2018 from just $1,389 per person for the first guest and $699 for the second, and receive a Balcony for the price of an Oceanview Stateroom. The five-night voyage to Tasmania is perfect for those short on time.

Sailing on Radiance of the Seas, the 10-night New Zealand voyage departs Melbourne on 23 February 2019 and cruises to Sydney, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington and Picton and includes a cruise through the breathtaking Milford Sound, before arriving in Auckland. Guests can book a Balcony Stateroom for the price of an Oceanview, with the first guest paying from $2,069 and the second, from just $1,129.

P&O Cruises Causes MAY-hem with Travel Agents

This month P&O Cruises has had a series of special trade roadshows to promote its new program as well as the launch of its latest ship Pacific Explorer in June.

More than 250 agents attended the MAY-hem events in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, which saw P&O sharing details of its 2018-19 program and showcasing new food and beverage partnerships with the Sydney-based Archie Rose Distilling Co. and Melbourne’s master of traditional Neapolitan pizza, Johnny Di Francesco.

In Sydney, South Sydney Rabbitohs greats George Burgess, Jason Clark, Angus Crichton and Adam Reynolds also joined in the fun, as travel agents cheered on the cruise line’s Official Membership partnership with the NRL club.

Travel agent partners Jonathon House from Flight Centre World Square in Sydney, Jane Hoskin from Flight Centre Queen Street Mall in Brisbane and Kathy Thomaidis from MTA Travel in Melbourne each won a cruise in the popular prize draw at each event.

Seabourn Odyssey debuts signature restaurant and mindful living program

Seabourn has announced major enhancements to the travel experience onboard Seabourn Odyssey, including the addition of its signature restaurant, The Grill by Thomas Keller, and the new mindful living program created by Dr. Andrew Weil. Seabourn Odyssey is the third of the cruise line’s four ships to offer The Grill and the second to feature Dr. Weil’s program.

Inspired by the classic American chophouse, The Grill by Thomas Keller is a collaboration between three-star Michelin chef Thomas Keller and designer Adam D. Tihany, exclusively for Seabourn.

Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil is a mindful living program that offers guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being. Created in conjunction with The Onboard Spa by Steiner, Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil will be led by Seabourn Odyssey’s onboard Mindful Living Coach, a certified yoga and meditation practitioner whose role is to inspire and educate guests throughout the voyage.

Also under the changes, The Spa on Seabourn Odyssey has been refreshed and the Fitness Centre features new equipment. All suites have been recarpeted, and luxury mattresses have been added.

Fares on Seabourn Odyssey start from $5499* per person double occupancy for an 11-day Mediterranean cruise sailing to Barcelona from Athens (Piraeus) on September 23 2017.

Norwegian Cruise Line President & CEO Andy Stuart and MEYER WERFT Managing Partner Tim Meyer at the Keel Laying for Norwegian Bliss.

Norwegian Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT celebrated the keel laying of Norwegian Bliss at the yard’s state of the art facility in Papenburg, Germany. Norwegian Bliss will accommodate 4,000 guests and is due for delivery in April 2018 and will be the first cruise ship custom built with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruise experience.

During her inaugural summer 2018 season, Norwegian Bliss will sail weekly seven-day Alaska cruises each Saturday from the recently expanded Pier 66 Cruise Terminal in Seattle, offering guests the premier way to see America’s last frontier.

The ship’s itinerary will feature calls in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, British Columbia, along with scenic glacier cruising. Norwegian Bliss will sail her inaugural Winter season beginning in November 2018, sailing seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises each Saturday from Port Miami, featuring calls in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

Norwegian Bliss will have a variety of accommodation including luxury suites, and will also feature two observation lounges, perfect for whale watching in Alaska or taking in sunsets in the Caribbean.

Continuing its tradition of featuring original artwork on its ships’ hulls, Norwegian Cruise Line has commissioned Wyland, one of the world’s premier marine life artists, to design the hull art for Norwegian Bliss; the artwork will feature images of humpback whales, found in every ocean around the world. The ship’s hull will serve as a large canvas to showcase the importance of ocean conservation and preservation.

New Patagonian cruise ship nears completion

Ventus Australis – the new ship being built for Patagonian cruise line, Australis, for ‘bottom of the world’ expedition voyages to Cape Horn and the glaciers and fjords of Tierra del Fuego – is nearing completion and poised to meet water for the first time.

Latin for southern wind (Australis – southern; Ventus – wind), the new, 210-passenger Ventus Australis is being constructed at a shipyard in Valdivia in southern Chile ahead of her launch on January 2, 2018, in time for Australis’ 2017/18 summer season of cruising in Patagonia.

The ship will be floated out shortly for the final construction phase.

When she commences service, Ventus Australis will offer four-night cruises from Ushuaia in Argentina to Punta Arenas in Chile or return – the two southern-most towns in the world.

Australis is the only operator to offer regular cruises through the region, with the family-owned Chilean cruise line also offering more opportunities for travellers to step ashore on fabled Cape Horn than any other line.

Crystal River Cruises has ushered in the next phase for its expanding “Rhine Class” fleet of river vessels, as the keels were laid for the company’s next two new-builds, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel at a ceremony at MV WERFTEN shipyard in Wismar, Germany. In spring 2018, the two all-suite vessels are set to embark on their maiden voyages along Europe’s mightiest rivers: the Rhine, Main and Danube.

In the presence of Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive of Genting Hong Kong; Jarmo Laakso, Managing Director of MV WERFTEN; Josef Lumetsberger, Crystal River Cruises’ General Manager of Operations; Manfred Korous, Managing Director of Future Development and Director, Crystal River Cruises; and Harry Glawe, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Economics Minister, plus numerous distinguished guests, the first sections of the luxury vessels were ceremoniously lowered into position on keel blocks.

All-Suite, All-Butler

The vessels will have all-suite designs with every category of accommodation perched above the waterline. They will also offer butler service in every room category, plush king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows, walk-in closets and dual vanity in the bathrooms in most categories, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines.

Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will measure approximately 135 metres in length and 11.5 metres in breadth, accommodating 106 guests in Crystal’s signature, all-suite luxury.

Beginning in Autumn 2018, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel, respectively, will sail routes of seven, 10 and 14 days between Amsterdam, Basel and Vienna.

RCL Australia extends Reservation Sales & Service call centre hours

RCL Australia has announced it will extend the hours of operation of its Reservation Sales & Service call centre for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, in order to provide more support for travel partners and guests.

From Monday 29 May 2017, the Reservations Sales and Service lines will be available an extra four hours a day, from 8am to 9pm AEST Monday to Friday. No changes have been made to weekend operations.

Your first look at the new Amadeus Provence

Take a 360° tour of Amadeus River Cruises BRAND NEW ship, the Amadeus Provence. The latest addition to the premium fleet, the Amadeus Provence’s stand out feature is the infinity pool where guests can cool off whilst cruising through the beautiful South of France. The Amadeus Provence travels exclusively along the Rhône and the Saône, two of France’s most beautiful rivers, and will take you on a journey to dream destinations in the south of France.

Take the tour here: https://v8a-moving-pictures.com/lueftner_amadeus_provence/index_en.html

On this Premium cruise ship, you can expect the most modern fittings that blend masterfully with the architecture of the ship and the typically luxurious design that is the hallmark of the AMADEUS fleet. The generous interior planning and design provides comfortable room for 140 passengers and offers all the luxuries of a floating 5-star hotel.

The extensive restaurant and the Panorama-Bar offer divine views of the passing riverscapes, and the outdoor, glass-shielded River Terrace allows you to relax in the open regardless of the weather. In addition, the AMADEUS Provence is the first ship of the AMADEUS fleet to include a pool deck with a swimming pool and the Lido Bar, where you can enjoy hours relaxing on board in the sun.

The luxurious layout and fittings of the cruise ship are rounded off by our attentive on-board service. The crew will see to your comfort and attend to your every wish with typical Austrian hospitality, ensuring that your experience on the AMADEUS Provence is an unforgettable one.