Bentours release new tour, Follow The Midnight Sun

Bentours, in partnership with Hurtigruten, have released the brand-new Follow The Midnight Sun small group tour. It has been designed to be the sister product of the incredibly popular Follow The Lights small group tour.

The Midnight Sun is the phenomenon that occurs in and around the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle where the sun is still visible at midnight because of the tilt of the earth. Bentours 12-day tour includes a Hurtigruten voyage along the picturesque coast of Norway and showcases the very best Scandinavian has to offer in the luminous summer months. A very special moment of the tour is the trip out to the North Cape, that provides an unforgettable view of the midnight sun, and you will get a certificate to mark the occasion!

Prices start from A$5990*/ NZ$6395 per person, twin share. Contact your Bentours Scandinavian specialists as spaces on this small group escorted tour won’t last long.

Silversea Reveal Inspiring Opportunities on 2017 Voyages

Opera and ballet admirers, food and wine connoisseurs, bridge players, wellness enthusiasts and lifelong learners will appreciate indulging their passions with Silversea’s exciting onboard enrichment program in 2017.

• Ballet Cruises: Dancing stars, Daria Khokhlova and Artemy Belyakov, ballet performers of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia will put on a performance aboard Silver Spirit’s August 25 and September 03 Mediterranean voyages.
• Opera Cruises in Partnership with Accademia Teatro alla Scala: Milan’s Accademia Teatro alla Scala is one of the world’s foremost performing arts academies. Soloists from its Academy of Lyric Opera and a piano accompanist will perform aboard two Mediterranean cruises.
• A collection of specialty voyages will highlight the culinary arts with guest chefs and vintners. They include an October 07 “Tastes of the Mediterranean” cruise aboard Silver Spirit, Silver Shadow’s October 08 “Relais & Châteaux® Gourmet Cruise”, October 23 “Wine Cruise”, and “Culinary Expedition Voyage” in South America, showcasing Peruvian and Chilean guest chefs and regional specialties.
• Wellness Expedition Voyages include Silver Discoverer that offers wellness-themed programming on a quartet of expedition voyages to Micronesia, Melanesia and Australia.

For a list of all unique voyage experiences, visit silversea.com

No single supplement with Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten in partnership with Bentours is pleased to offer a no single supplement offer on selected voyages on the MS Fram. On a range of different sailings including such destinations as Antarctica, Greenland, Europe and Transatlantic.

With Hurtigruten and Bentours encouraging travellers to ‘connect with your inner explorer’, these destinations offer beauty not just in the landscapes but in the wildlife, people and culture. People on board a Hurtigruten vessel are known as explorers, not travellers.

On such voyages as the The Ultimate Fjord Expedition in the Arctic you will explore the biggest fjord system in the world. Visit Iceland, Greenland and Norway on the same sailing where you will experience incredible landscapes and fascinating wildlife. On this amazing expedition, you explore the magnificent nature of Greenland in the Scoresbysund fjord. This voyage departs on the 6^th of September 2017 and prices start from AUD$10,058  /  NZD$10,615 per person

This offer is available on different sailing dates and available to book before 31^st July 2017. Please contact the Hurtigruten team direct for more information. This offer is strictly capacity controlled and subject to availability at time of booking.

Fares frozen on 2019 Kimberley cruises + more extended journeys offered

Ahoy Buccaneers has frozen fares on more than two thirds of its sailings on its newly released 2019 program. They have just released its 2019 cruise program, which includes seven instead of four of its popular, 13-day, round-trip Buccaneer and Bonaparte cruises from Broome. There will also be six 13-day, one-way voyages between Broome and Wyndham and 12 seven-day, round-trip sailings from Broome, with Ahoy Buccaneers pegging 2019 fares for these 18 cruises at 2018 levels

The 13-day Bonaparte and Buccaneer Archipelago cruises are available from $4400 per person (including for solos) in a swag under the stars and from $5500 per person in a cabin, twin-share, or if sharing with another solo passenger.

Of the 25 sailings available from February to November, 2019, 18, will offer fares frozen at 2018 levels. These include the seven-day Buccaneer Archipelago cruise from $2200 per person (including for solos) in a beach swag and $2800 per person in a cabin and the 13-day one-way sailings between Broome and Wyndham from $4400 in a swag and $5500 in a cabin.

CLIA Announce Masterclasses as part of Cruise360

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia is introducing masterclasses to its 2017 Cruise360 conference which will kick off on 25th August in Sydney. The event will include a variety of masterclasses in addition to keynote addresses, networking opportunities and an interactive trade show.

With full conference program expected to be released by the end of this month
Speakers confirmed:
· Jan Swartz, Group President Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia
· Larry Pimentel, President & CEO Azamara Club Cruises
· Roberto Martinoli, CEO Silversea Cruises
· Chris Austin, Senior Vice President Global Sales and Marketing for Seabourn
· Terry Thornton, Senior Vice President Commercial Port Operations and International for Carnival Cruise Line
Masterclasses confirmed:
· River cruising: How to sell river cruise, match clients with the right product, and increase sales in this diverse and lucrative sector
· Driving loyalty: Leverage your loyal clients and learn how to differentiate yourself / your agency
· Selling up: Selling luxury and expedition
· Plan a Cruise Month: Practical tips and tools to maximise sales during CLIA’s Plan a Cruise Month
The event will also be combined with a ship inspection of P&O’s latest fleet addition the Pacific Explorer, on August 26th. Agents are advised that by attending Cruise360 they will accrue 30 points towards their accreditation.

Tickets are on sale now at www.cruising.org.au – CLIA Member Early bird rate $220 and CLIA Member Group of 10 Early bird rate $1,980.

Royal Caribbean Brings Underwater Adventures to Life With First-Of-Its-Kind Snapchat Experience 

Royal Caribbean invites the world to experience a first-of-its-kind underwater adventure through the lens of Snapchat Spectacles.

From June 21 to June 25, Royal Caribbean’s Snapchat channel will immerse viewers in a one of-a-kind underwater adventure thanks to a custom-designed scuba mask dubbed “SeaSeekers.”

The mask was custom engineered by the cruise line for use with Snapchat Spectacles. It allows the wearer to snap while underwater and will give those above the surface a unique perspective into the intriguing underwater world of marine life.

Fans can #SeekDeeper by following @RoyalCaribbean on Snapchat.

The three dives will feature incredible underwater adventures seen through the eyes of three well-known divers. In Cozumel, Mexico marine wildlife photographer and conservationist Roberto Ochoa will give viewers a rare glimpse into the annual migration of Whale Sharks.

Marine Biologist Gabriela Nava and co-founder of the organization Oceanus, A.C. based in Mexico, will then take viewers to see a coral reef restoration project where she and her team have been working to restore the local reefs.

In Belize, fans can follow along as free diver Ashleigh Baird visits the Great Blue Hole, an underwater sinkhole that is believed to be the largest of its kind.

Fans can follow along on Royal Caribbean’s Snapchat channel or by searching on other social platforms by using #SeekDeeper.

Sail Croatia the unconventional way

Tempo Holidays are expanding their range of cruises in Croatia in partnership with Katarina line. The new offering, dubbed Tempo Holidays Cruise Croatia, will take Croatia cruising to another level with the well established on-ground team who have over 20 years experience.

Below we outline the unique special interest cruises that you need to know about.

1. Naturist Cruise: For those who prefer the silken feel of seawater on their skin with nothing in between, naturist cruises will take you to historic towns and fascinating islands, with an abundance of opportunities to get your kit off in the sun.
2. Young & Fun Cruise: Under 35s only, try the original Croatian cruise that has made the coastal nation a must for so many young backpackers. Relaxing under the sun during the day and partying the night away, there’s a reason these cruises are so popular.
3. Cycle & Cruise: Combine cycling with cruising with the chance to reach remote reaches of small island inaccessible by car. There’s nothing quite like soaking up the sights and smells of local life from on a bike. Plus you can ease your saddle-sore behind with a swim off the boat in the evening!
4. Slim, Fit & Vitality Cruise: Who says a holiday has to be unhealthy? Better an open air gym and the sea than a classroom and the pool any day, particularly when everywhere you turn you see incredibly beautiful nature.

You can book all of these unique cruises with Tempo Holidays. Visit www.tempoholidays.com/tempo-cruise-croatia.

Uniworld Expands Portfolio with Butterfield and Robinson Partnership

Uniworld is expanding its luxury river cruise portfolio through a partnership with Butterfield and Robinson – announcing a Rhine River Cruise Biking tour in May 2018, departing from Basel, Switzerland with port stops through France and Germany.

The new eight day trip explores terraced wine regions, medieval castles and UNESCO heritage sites along 1,000 kilometres of historical river bends and bike trails. Rhine River Cruise Biking is the latest in a partnership between Uniworld and Butterfield and Robinson. The biking tour also complements Uniworld and B&R itineraries along the Danube and Rhône rivers; offering unprecedented onboard comfort, fine dining, personalisation and first-class service.

The voyage by port and pedal includes a stay aboard the S.S. Antoinette, Uniworld’s first “Super Ship” with 67 uniquely designed staterooms and nine suites. Daily biking excursions will lead travellers through the Black Forest and Wiese Valley in Germany, along the river to Obernai and Strasbourg and to the colourful foothills of the Vosges Mountains in France.

The 7-night Rhine River Cruise Biking tour runs in May, June and September 2018 from US$6,995. For more information or to download the itinerary please visit www.butterfield.com/trip/rhine-river-cruise-biking

Silversea Launch Comprehensive Group Sales Program

Silversea Cruises has launched their new group sales program, offering travel professional more choices, flexibility and time in order to achieve maximum results. The upgraded program is now available for new group bookings across all of Silversea’s 2017 and 2018 voyages.

The new group program offers an effective and easy to understand toolkit, which aims to assist agents to grow their group business. It features an array of new incentives, including:

• Price protection for 90 days, allowing agents to promote groups with greater confidence;
• Tour conductor requirements as low as one per nine berths;
• Onboard Spending Credits of up to USD$300 per suite, which are now protected in the instance that only one suite sails;
• Onboard Spending Credits now applicable on Silver Explorer, Silver Discoverer and Silver Cloud expedition voyages, in addition to all ocean ships;
• Combinability with such promotional programs as Silver Select, Early Booking Bonus and promotional Economy Class Air/Business Class Air rates, in addition to Venetian Society Savings, Extended Voyage Savings and Onboard Savings;
• One group per ship may be booked per month, per travel agency; and
• No deposit is required to create the group. (A 25% deposit is required to make individual suite assignments, and this payment is due to Silversea within seven days from the date the individual suite is reserved and/or the guest name provided).

Travelmarvel introduces boutique coastal cruising for Europe in 2018

Travelmarvel have added boutique coastal cruising to its Europe program for 2018.  The new Europe River Cruising 2018 brochure includes Travelmarvel’s new 11 day Greek Islands Odyssey, priced from $6,995* per person twin share, and the Adriatic Coast & Dalmatian Island cruise, priced from $4,995* per person twin share. It also features flagship European Gems cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest, land tours to Italy, the Adriatic, Eastern Europe and the Alpine regions of Switzerland, as well as a range of Great Rail Journeys including Scandinavia, Italy, Scotland and the Baltic States.

Also included in the new brochure is a raft of Earlybird offers including a “Fly Free All Cabins All Dates” international airfare deal for all European Gems and Russia river cruises. Guests who combine a European Gems cruise with a land journey can fly for free and save an additional $1,000 per couple, while premium economy fares of $995 and business class fares of $2,995 are also available for select cruises and cabin categories. An Early Payment Discount of up to $800 per couple is also available for any tour where guests book and pay in full 10 months prior to departure.

All of Travelmarvel’s Europe itineraries include the services of a cruise or tour director and are inclusive of most meals, transfers and sightseeing as outlined on each itinerary. For more information, or to request a brochure visit travelmarvel.com.au/europe2018.

Sail Away this Christmas with International Cruise

Online cruise holidays operator, International Cruise, has released a collection of special 2017 Christmas departures cruising with MSC. A 2.5% discount applies when booking through www.internationalcruise.com.au.

Offering fantastic value, there are a range of Christmas cruise itineraries in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or the Arabian Peninsula with nine departures allowing guests to spend their Christmas with family and friends on board with a traditional Christmas feast and a visit from a very special guest for the younger travellers.

Cruises range from seven to 22-nights in duration and start from just $1299 per person twin share. This 11-night roundtrip sailing aboard MSC Orchestra departs Genoa on December 17 and visits famous ports in France, Spain, Malta, Greece and Italy. Enjoy Christmas Day in historical Athens and Boxing Day at sea to relax and rejuvenate after all the festivities.