Big Fat Cruise Wrap
Get your nose close enough to this and you’ll almost smell the open seas. Plus, you’ll look incredibly silly doing it.
65 expedition voyages for adventurous travellers: PONANT releases Luxury Expeditions brochure
PONANT, the world leader in Luxury Expedition cruises, has released its first brochure focussed entirely on its expanding range of global expedition voyages.
The brochure includes inaugural expeditions for two of PONANT’s latest additions to its fleet. To be launched in 2018, Le Champlain and Le Lapérouse will join Le Boreal, L’Austral and Le Soleal to undertake expedition voyages ranging in duration from seven nights to 21 nights that combine luxury with immersive experiences.
For the truly adventurous, the ability to combine back-to-back voyages to create Grand Voyages that can take you, for example, from Costa Rica to French Guiana, concluding 41 days later in Manaus, Brazil. A true South American adventure all onboard PONANT’s brand new luxury expedition cruise ship Le Champlain.
Market backing expands Cruise Croatia product range
Due to the overwhelming response from the industry to the inaugural Cruise Croatia brochure launched last year, Australia’s only dedicated Croatia small ship cruising operator, Cruise Croatia, has significantly expanded its 2018 brochure to offer the most comprehensive product range in Australia.
Its 45 pages will show case the largest collection of Croatia cruising options over the last 22 years with more than a dozen cruises and five new ships for the 2018 season. It also includes a range of Earlybird savings offers of up to $450 per couple.
Expanded product ranges include deluxe one-way cruise options such as the interesting ‘Istria & the Dalmatian Coast’ itinerary from northern town of Porec to Dubrovnik. Many of these one way departures will be on new ships launched for the 2018 season, such as the Ms Infinity II and the MS San Antonio.
Australia counts down to summer’s royal return
The countdown is on to the start of the international cruise season, and making a welcome return is Royal Caribbean – renowned for the biggest, newest and most modern ships in Australia and the world. Superliner Radiance of the Seas, arriving in Sydney on Sunday 8 October 2017, marks not only the first of the company’s cruise ships to return to our shores, but also Royal Caribbean’s tenth season based down under.
With six exceptional Australia-based ships, RCL Cruises – comprising Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises – will offer an incredible selection of 97 cruises available throughout Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Asia during the 2017/18 summer season, delivering an injection of AUD$198 million to the Australian economy in passenger spend alone.
Joining Radiance of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking Ovation of the Seas, returning for her second and longest SuperCruising season yet, as well as family-favourites Voyager of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, known as the South Pacific Sisters.
Celebrity Solstice – voted Australia’s favourite ship by Aussie travel agents and readers of Cruise Critic – will celebrate her sixth season in Australia, arriving in Sydney on 20 October 2017 for her first sampler cruise in three seasons.
Celebrate a Special New Year’s Eve on the Murray Princess
Celebrate a unique Australian New Year’s Eve on the mighty Murray River, on a three-night Murray Princess New Year’s Eve Cruise. From only $945 per person and departing Friday December 29, 2017 bring in 2018 with memories that will last forever.
The special three-night New Year’s Eve cruise will set the standard for a fantastic new year with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve dinner, festivities and dancing, while incorporating the regular three-night cruise itinerary.
As the Murray Princess cruises along the Murray River, enjoy its Mediterranean climate and beautiful summer blue skies, combined with cooling river breezes from the ships open top deck. Or sit back from one of two air-conditioned paddlewheel lounges displaying views of the working paddle wheel.
Either way be amazed at the everchanging scenery as the Murray Princess cruises past towering limestone cliffs, holiday homes, houseboats and riverbanks lined with mallee scrub, willows and red gum forests
P&O Cruises’ into a Record Cairns Season
P&O Cruises’ newly refurbished ship, Pacific Eden, arrived in Cairns today to start a record three month home-ported cruise season.
The 55,820-tonne vessel‘s first voyage departs this afternoon on a nine-night cruise to Papua New Guinea stopping at P&O’s latest destination, the Conflict Islands, which is well known for having the world’s most biodiverse reef systems
Pacific Eden will undertake 10 roundtrip cruises from Cairns this year including a mix of longer itineraries to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and short SeaBreaks to Fraser Island and the Whitsundays. It will be the first time P&O has cruised to Airlie Beach and Fraser Island round-trip from Cairns.
More than 14,000 holidaymakers will sail on Pacific Eden between now and November 6, 2017. A third (36 per cent) of guests will travel from interstate to join the ship providing a boost to local businesses.
Passage to India
Trace the routes of the earliest merchants from Greece to India, with Viking Cruises’ Passage to India itinerary.
This 21-day cruise stops at nine ports across India, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Israel and Greece including Mumbai, Muscat, Salālah, Aqaba, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, Cairo, Haifa and Athens.
Guests will accompany local guides to the ancient treasures of Greece, Egypt and Israel while also hearing legends of the frankincense route of Salālah. Guests will also visit the astonishing red sandstone city of Petra and drive into Egypt’s desert with a dedicated guide.
Plus, guests will enjoy unrivalled scuba diving in Sharm El Sheik, exploring the regions coral reefs and starkly contrasted desert.
Carnival Cruise Line Melbourne Departure Offer
Carnival Cruise Line is sailing from Melbourne in February, March & November 2018, providing locals with exciting destination options, including New Zealand, the South Pacific and Tasmania.
To celebrate Carnival Legend’s new home-port, an exciting offer on select cruises in February 2018 has been announced.
Aussies that book will get to experience all the fun that Carnival has to offer, from the thrilling Green Thunder waterslide, dressing up for theme nights, and the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. The Seuss at Sea onboard partnership features a range of activities, including the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with Cat in the Hat and Friends and a Seuss-a-Palooza character parade, which the kids will adore.
The promotion offers great fares on twin interior cabins, plus up to $300^ on board credit per cabin on select Tasmania and New Caledonia itineraries.
Crystal River Cruises Names Internationally Renowned Soprano Anna-Maria Kaufmann Godmother of Crystal Bach
Experience one of Norway’s best seafood restaurants
Bentours and Hurtigruten place strong importance on the experiences to be had while sailing on any one of their voyages to incredible destinations around the world.
On the famous ‘World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage’, also Hurtigruten’s Classic Coastal Voyage Return, there are over 60 optional excursions to enhance your journey.
Just outside the City of Bergen, you will find one of the most exotic attractions in the whole of Western Norway’s archipelago. Cornelius is one of Norway’s best seafood restaurants. It is situated right by the sea on a small island with spectacular views of the fjord, mountains, skerries (rocky islands) and passing boats and ships.
You can only get here via boat or for that extra special occasion via helicopter. Cornelius offers so much more than incredible food, it offers a complete experience. If you are lucky enough to meet the owner, he will tell you the whole story of how Cornelius came about. You will be in stitches hearing this unusual love story.
Cruise to Melbourne for the Australian Open 2018
Arrive to the Australian Open in Melbourne in style next year, with a special five-night tennis cruise package now available from cruise holiday specialist ecruising.travel from only $899 per person twin share.
The package includes general admission tickets for two day sessions and a night session whilst in Melbourne as well as direct transfers between the ship and Melbourne Park throughout the day and evening.
Experience the “food revolution” on board the Eden which was purpose built to offer the best dining outlets on the sea, including the new dining concept The Pantry, Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill, the alfresco The Grill offering a modern twist on pub classic and not to mention over ten pubs, bars and nightclubs to relax in.
No match will be missed during your two sea days either, with all day and night sessions screened live on a big screen on board the ship.
Windstar announces new land tours, itineraries and adventure short excursions in Asia
Windstar Cruises has announced five new cruise dates running September to November 2018 in addition to already diverse offerings in Asia for 2017 and 2018 on 18 different itineraries with 25 different departure dates spanning seven to 34 days.
Visiting both well-known ports and hidden harbours across Southeast and East Asia options include a President’s Cruise to the Philippines and Borneo, fresh land tours, recently added itineraries, and fascinating shore excursions showcasing the region in the line’s ‘180 degrees from ordinary’ style of cruising.
After two intriguing itineraries in Arabia, Windstar’s Asia cruise season begins in December sailing through to the end of May 2018, when the ship navigates to Alaska for the summer season. The itinerary offerings are exceedingly diverse with port calls to small exotic harbours where cruise ships rarely call to epic visits at the icons of Asia including Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Yokohama), Singapore and Bangkok.
Latest News
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Etihad and Tourism officials launch free Abu Dhabi Stopover
Etihad Airways and the UAE’s Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have announced the launch of Abu Dhabi Stopover which invites guests flying through to turn their stopover into a free hotel stay and holiday. The Abu Dhabi Stopover, exclusive to Etihad Airways, will enable passengers to enjoy a convenient free stay in […]
New MSC Australia boss talks hot topics for local cruisers, including the Caribbean
New MSC Australia boss, Antonio Paradiso, spills the Caribbeans on where he expects Aussie cruisers will go next.
Contiki’s latest campaign inspires travellers to engage with the world around them
Hands off! Influencers invited on holiday and told not to post anything. We can assure you they're back at it now.
Aussies a hit on the conference floor for IPW 2024
Diana Ross on opening night, Keanu's Dogstar band and a dozen lobster rolls. All in a week's work at IPW 2024.
Disney excited about prospects of cruise business as Disney Treasure nears completion
Disney's booming cruising business is set to knock Disneyland experiences out of the park.
Scoot’s first E190-E2 flights take off between Krabi and Hat Yai
When flying's a pitch. Airline lite Scoot offers a standard seat pitch of 29” on its new 112-seater.
Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne
ERDI expects to be shaken not stirred with the launch of its ERDI Academy in its Melbourne hotels.
Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts
Sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers are gearing up for an action-packed year in Tropical North Queensland, with a lineup of sports events and adrenaline-pumping experiences set to take centre stage in 2024. Leading the charge is the highly-anticipated return of the Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition’ to Cairns from 22-26 May 2024. The mountain biking […]
Singapore Airlines Group first to receive SAF from Neste as AU/NZ play catchup
Singapore leaving many in their green dust. Here in Australia, we're hoping for a tortoise and the hare type outcome
Qantas Red Tail sale discounts more than 200,000 fares
Qantas marketers forever thankful to the team who chose the red and white colours. How else would they name a sale!
Bannisters by the Sea unveils retreat style package for new mothers
Three hours in the car with a newborn from Sydney might be tough, but trust us, it'll be worth it when you arrive.
Nothing Bonza can do to prevent loss of planes, ACCC concerned by latest aviation developments
Going, going, gone. It seems...
APT offers destination incentives to enjoy the Best of Asia
Whether its a cocktail by the beach or a hike through the mountains, APT has you covered. You'll find us at the beach!
Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland
Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]
Get ready to roll the marketing dice with Susan Coghill: Travel DAZE EXEC 2024
It's heating up in Cairns and we're not talking about the weather! Get ready for a marketing masterclass with Susan.
Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers
French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]
Cebu Pacific campaign aims to boost Aussie trips to the Philippines
Cebu Pacific's bouncy singalong ad campaign 'Fly to Happy, Fly to the Philippines’ aims to get more bums on seats.
Tauck’s new river and small ship ocean cruises, plus increased Seine capacity
Tauck adding itineraries like it's going out of fashion, which cruising certainly isn't.
Railbookers and La Dolce Vita Orient Express partner up for new luxury Italian itineraries
Fancy a luxurious trip through Italy? Who are we kidding, we know you do. Start your daydream here.
Luxury Travel Collection’s Nikki Glading spills all on member network perks: Travel Weekly TV
We urge you to enjoy this in true LTC style and lift a glass of bubbles with lunch today.
Auckland’s new domestic terminal comes with all the modern gadgets
We're not talking about drones or VR goggles, but these updates will change the game in Auckland.
Air New Zealand crew sign up for Sign Language Week
Have you signed up for Sign Language Week? Let this be your sign to do so!
Holland America Line gives one lucky winner the Ultimate Alaskan Cruise Experience
There's only one winner, so it's sort of like the Hunger Games of cruise prizes... but no one gets hurt.
TAG’s Byron Carr excited about K-Pop induced Asia expansion
Carr to go all Gangnam Style with TAG's Asian expansion
CATO celebrates 25 years with anniversary dinner
CATO's putting on a fancy spread to celebrate 25 years as other 25 year olds celebrate their HECS debt being cut.
Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024 opens with a vibrant ceremony at Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau
Two days in Fiji! If you didn't attend this conference we're sure you've got FOMO.
Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents
World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]
Seabourn’s two new value-add offers for 2024-25
Seabourn's doing a two for one deal. Kind of like a fast-food promo but its luxury cruising.
PONANT commercial team expands to meet growing demand in APAC
Can't remember that Ponant contact you met at a networking event? Good chance they're included in this update.
Gen Z and millennials on track for rise in Europe rail trips, says TruTravels
Despite what you think, Gen Z and Millennials are not 'off the rails', but instead want a fast track to Europe.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
Envoyage premieres Worldwide 2024 in Santiago
There has been a warm reception for 300 attendees at Envoyage's gabfest in Santiago, Chile.
Disney Destinations launches epic Aussie agent incentive
Everyone needs a bit of Disney in their life (apparently) and agents can get their next dose for free here.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’
No more island hopping to Palau as Nauru Airlines hits this boundary six.