Big Fat Cruise Wrap

Julien Macdonald fashion shoot on board Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 in Southampton ahead of the Transatlantic Fashion Week on the fleet's flagship starting on the 31st August this year.
Picture date: Thursday July 13, 2017.
Photograph by Christopher Ison ©
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It’s smooth sails today with our Cruise Wrap. Just kidding, our website crashed and we forgot how to type.

SeaLink offer free ferry trips to launch new Barangaroo Fast Ferry to Manly

To launch the new Barangaroo to Manly Fast Ferry service, beginning Friday 8th September 2017, SeaLink is offering commuters ten trips for only $8.90, that’s nine free trips! The special 10-trips eTravelPass is valid for use from the 8th to 15th September 2017.

The ‘Barangaroo Fast Ferry’ is the first ever direct ferry service from Manly to Barangaroo operating daily between Manly Wharf and King Street Wharf No.2, Barangaroo.

The ferry service will depart Manly every 30 minutes during week day peak hours from 6.45am with the last service departing Barangaroo at 7.15pm. During week day, non-peak hours and weekends the ‘Barangaroo Fast Ferry’ will depart every 60 minutes.

The ferry service will use a quick and easy to use ticketless system. Simply visit the App Store or Google Play Store on any mobile device, download the Captain Cook Cruises app, create an account, purchase the Barangaroo – Manly Launch Special eTravelPass, then tap and go when boarding.

One way fares are available for $8.90 per adult and $6.00 per children, or an 11-Trips eTravelPass for $82.50.

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn and Pacific Explorer in ‘Salute At Sea’ Off Queensland Coast 

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Extending the courtesies of the sea, P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn and Pacific Explorer (pictured from the bridge wing of Pacific Dawn) passed each other in magnificent weather off the coast of Queensland earlier today.

It became a fantastic cruise highlight for guests as both ships saluted each other with the enthusiastic sounding of their ‘whistles’. Dawn and Explorer passed each other just after 9am today (Friday).

Pacific Dawn was on the way home to Brisbane and the Sydney-based Pacific Explorer was on her way north to Airlie Beach and a warm welcome to the Whitsundays from local cruise volunteers.

 

Carnival Horizon To Feature Line’s First Teppanyaki Venue

Bonsai Teppanyaki (Horizon)

Carnival Cruise Line is introducing its first-ever teppanyaki dining venue when the new 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon debuts in Europe in spring 2018.

Located on Carnival Horizon’s Promenade Deck, Bonsai Teppanyaki will offer a wide-ranging menu with authentic delicacies from the Far East prepared by highly skilled chefs who will create tantalising dishes on custom-built stations that form the centre of the venue’s two eight-seat tables.

Teppanyaki is a traditional method of Japanese cooking whose name is derived from the combination of the words “teppan” or iron plate with “yaki” meaning grilled or pan-fried. Four different combination dinners are available, including filet mignon/shrimp, shrimp/spiced grilled chicken, filet mignon/teriyaki salmon, and filet mignon/lobster tail. Meals end on sweet note with a Chocolate Bento Box with Green Tea Ice Cream.

Carnival Horizon is scheduled to make its maiden voyage April 2, 2018, with a 13-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona – the first of four round-trip departures from that port. Carnival Horizon will reposition to the United States with a 14-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York May 9-23, 2018.

Special offers on 2019 South America Cruise Tour 

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ecruising.travel has just released its latest 2019 cruise tour to South America and as an introductory special is offering a complimentary three-night extension to see the spectacular Iguazu Falls when booked before September 30, plus, book an Oceanview cabin and receive a free upgrade to a Balcony cabin.

The 20-night package includes a 14-night roundtrip cruise from Buenos Aires on board the Celebrity Eclipse which visits not only Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Falkland Islands but also three port visits in Antarctica.

Post-cruise, spend two nights in Buenos Aires and enjoy a city tour and a La Ventana dinner and tango show before flying to Iguazu. Spend three nights at Iguazu Falls to take in the superb waterfalls on both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides.

Now priced from $8,299 per person twin share, it also includes return airfares from Australia, six night’s hotel accommodation, selected land touring and transfers. For those wanting to extend their South American adventure, add a seven-day Machu Picchu package from $1,999 per person which include additional flights, accommodation, tours and transfers.

Silversea to Debut new Signature show featuring Exclusive Musical score by London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

A brand new signature production show, Grande Amore, will soon premiere on the stages of five of Silversea’s ships. Themed around the world of opera, the exclusive production will celebrate love and beauty through the medium of traditional opera, classical crossover and popular selections.

The show will feature all-new musical tracks recorded exclusively for Silversea by London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The songs will be performed live by the ‘Voices of Silversea’ ensemble, many of whom are vocalists with experience garnered at the opera houses of Europe, as well as shows from London’s West End and Broadway. The production will be staged with elegant contemporary costuming, dramatic visual effects, and a vibrant neoclassical set design evoking ancient Rome.

The musical tracks are set for recording in London in late August when Royal Philharmonic musicians will perform under the direction of renowned composer, orchestrator and arranger Richard Balcombe. Balcombe also directed the orchestra’s performance for the recorded music that accompanied Silversea’s well-received Musica Maestro show, launched in 2014.

 

Future of the Great Barrier Reef up for discussion at Australian Cruise Association conference

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The role of the cruise industry in helping to protect Australia’s Great Barrier Reef will be covered in the keynote presentation at the popular Friday morning breakfast of the 21st annual conference of the Australian Cruise Association (ACA). The conference is being held from 6-8 September in Mooloolaba.

Anna Marsden, Managing Director of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, will take conference delegates on a journey about the importance of the reef to Australians and the world, highlighting the challenges it faces and showcasing some of the ideas and innovations currently in progress to save it.

Themed “Together Towards Tomorrow”, the conference boasts an impressive line-up of Australian and international speakers. Their presentations will explore a range of themes from “Opportunities, Challenges and Brand Diversity” and “Future Projections and Trends” through to “Infrastructure and Management”.

A new addition to the program this year will be a presentation on the results of a Demand Study commissioned by ACA which addresses trends and future projections for the industry.

One year Until Scenic Eclipse debuts

Eclipse Antarctica

The countdown is on until Scenic Eclipse the World’s First Discovery Yacht – makes her world debut in Athens on 31 August 2018.

Scenic Founder and Managing Director Glen Moroney said interest in the ship’s inaugural season had been high with strong early sales ensuring the first sailing from Athens to Venice, as well as several subsequent departures, had sold out.

Scenic Eclipse is currently under construction at Uljanik Shipyard JSC in Pula, Croatia. Progress since the keel-laying ceremony on April 28 has continued on schedule, with the ship’s bow thrusters, which provide more manoeuvrability when docking, installed earlier this month.

Celebrity Cruises Unveil New Industry-First Partnership

 

RMU Cadet Nicholine Tifuh Azirh 

Celebrity Cruises is proud to announce a unique partnership with the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Ghana. For the first time in cruise industry history, female bridge officers will be openly recruited from a West African country through a new Celebrity Cadet Program in partnership with RMU.

With the announcement, the brand is also excited to welcome the first official new crew member from the program, RMU Cadet Nicholine Tifuh Azirh, who will be joining the bridge team onboard Celebrity Equinox.

The partnership with RMU came about when Celebrity’s President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo met with students from the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Florida International University (FIU). There, she met Tifuh Azirh who shared her inspiring story of perseverance; Tifuh Azirh holds two degrees, yet following graduation she struggled to find opportunities in the maritime industry as an African female despite her academic performance, subsequent teaching at RMU, and cadet experience.

“The goal of our partnership with RMU is to inspire and disrupt the social norms that burden female officers in western African nations, such as Ghana,” said Patrik Dahlgren, SVP of Global Marine Operations, Celebrity Cruises.
Tifuh Azirh joined the Celebrity Equinox family on August 27, 2017.

Luxury expedition cruise meets Outback rail on Australia’s Deserts, Reefs & Rainforests

Le Lapérouse. How it will look

A great Australian expedition cruise combines with an outback rail adventure on this 21-night exploration that includes a journey to Darwin on the legendary Ghan train and an 11-night sailing on Ponant’s fabulous Le Lapérouse.

‘Australia’s Deserts, Reefs & Rainforests’ includes three-night stays in Darwin and Cairns. The cruise you’ll take is Ponant’s celebrated Australian Chairman cruise. It’s themed as a food and wine voyage – so expect exceptional cuisine as you discover the wonders of the Coral Sea.

Th journey begins with a flight to Adelaide, where you’ll be transferred by private car to one of the city’s top, five-star hotels to spend the night. Next day after breakfast, time to embark on The Ghan train. Travel on The Ghan is in Gold Service, either Gold Single or Gold Double, for one of the world’s most famous railway journeys, with a range of off-train excursions at key stops, which include Alice Springs, Marla and Katherine.

‘Australia’s Deserts, Reefs & Rainforests’ begins on 19 January 2019. It costs from A$10,995 for a balcony cabin aboard Le Lapérouse, twin-share per person, and A$14,215 for a suite. That price includes flight from Brisbane or Melbourne to Adelaide. Prices for departures from other Australian capitals are: from Sydney or Adelaide, A$10,650 balcony and A$13,870 suite; from Perth A$11,335 balcony and A$11,675 suite. There’s a singles deal in a Single Deluxe Balcony cabin, costing from A$12,195.

Sea Princess Reimagined for Brisbane’s Summer Cruise Season 

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Princess Cruises has announced that Sea Princess will emerge from a 16 day refurbishment in November, flaunting new opulence in bedding, entertainment and dining. With enhancements scheduled for October in Singapore, among the most anticipated additions, every cabin will be fitted with a Princess Luxury Bed. Developed exclusively for Princess by US sleep expert Dr Michael Breus, the mattress, featuring individually wrapped coils and two-inch pillow topper, has been designed specifically to deliver the most comfortable and rejuvenating sleep at sea.

Sea Princess will also re-embark with a grand new Movies under the Stars Screen. Guests will be treated to premium picture, with extreme wide-angel and advanced outdoor light sensors delivering double the image quality of the previous system. Below deck, the spellbinding musical Encore will make its Sea stage debut, enticing a sophisticated evening of music and glamour. Directed and choreographed by world-renown creative director Danny Teeson, Encore celebrates the traditions of pop, opera, and musical theatre with fresh songs, elaborate costumes and stunning sets.

For younger cruisers, Sea Princess will boast three reimagined youth centres. In partnership with Discovery Channel, the centres are designed specifically for kids and teens as part Princess’ Discovery at Sea program.

Sea Princess will sail from Brisbane to Sydney in early-November. Fares for a 7-night cruise through Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef on Sea Princess departing Brisbane on February 4, 2018 start from $999 per person twin share with a $50 onboard credit per person.

Four weeks remaining on Viking’s 20 years Celebration sale

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There are only four weeks remaining of Viking’s 20 years of cruising celebration sale and to take advantage of incredible offers on a variety of Viking’s river and ocean cruises, which end on 30 September 2017.

Guests can enjoy significant savings on some of Viking’s most popular itineraries including Viking Homelands from Stockholm to Bergen, and Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest along the iconic Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.

Book a 15-day Viking Homelands from $9,649 per person by 30 September 2017 and choose between $1,000 Air or Shipboard Credit per couple.

River cruises of 15 days or more include return flights to Europe from Australia or New Zealand. Book a 15-day Grand European Tour from $7,295 per person by 30 September 2017 and enjoy free return flights to Europe and savings of up to $5,000 per couple. Alternatively, book a 2018 Europe or Ukraine river cruise of 12 days or less and fly from Australia or New Zealand return to Europe for just $995 per person.

The Haven: A private sanctuary at sea on board Norwegian Jewel

From deluxe suites to multi-bedroom villas to 24-hour personal butler service, private facilities, priority bookings and luxe amenities, local guests can book now to experience the opulence of The Haven aboard Norwegian Jewel.

Hidden away at the top of the ship, The Haven is home to the cruise line’s most luxurious, spacious and well-appointed accommodation, boasting marble bathrooms, pillow menus, generous staterooms ranging from 36 to 395 square metres, and luxurious Bvlgari bathroom amenities.

To make their on-board stay even more exclusive, guests of The Haven enjoy the service of a personal butler and a concierge to cater to their every whim, 24 hours a day. From unpacking luggage to serving breakfast in bed, booking shore excursions, scheduling spa treatments or ensuring priority boarding and disembarkation, access to tenders to shore and the best seats in the house for on-board entertainment, The Haven offers a personalised luxury cruise combined with Norwegian’s signature freedom and flexibility and outstanding entertainment to create the ultimate experience at sea.

Guests of The Haven enjoy priority access and additional benefits throughout the ship, including priority restaurant reservations and best seats in the house for on-board shows and entertainment; exclusive access to The Haven Courtyard area with its private pool, sundeck, hot tub and fitness area. Additional benefits include access to a private restaurant for breakfast and lunch grab-and-go breakfast items and private cocktail parties with other Haven guests and ship’s officers.

Evergreen Cruises & Tours launches new 2018 South America brochure

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Evergreen Tours has launched its new 2018/2019 South America brochure featuring Peru, Brazil and Argentina touring with Galapagos Islands, Amazon River and Chilean Fjords cruising. Lead-in pricing for the popular 20 Day Best of South America tour is from $8,195pp including intra-tour flights and deluxe hotels.

Evergreen’s new, more leisurely paced 25 Day South America Revealed Tour (ESML) features a similar itinerary to the 20 Day Best of South America (ESAM) below, but with longer stays in highlight locations including two nights in Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, and three nights in the Sacred Valley and Iguazu Falls, plus a visit to Colca Canyon and Arequipa. It departs, 17 August & 26 October 2018 with prices from $9,895pp* twin share.

Early bird offers: Save $900pp* or take the 2 for 1 Airfare* including taxes offer – expires 2 March, 2018.
Solo Travellers – Half Price Return Airfare* including taxes offer – expires 2 March, 2018. Early payment discounts of up to $800 per couple* may also apply.

Visit Cuba with Seadream Yacht Club

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Seadream Yacht Club will sail eight week-long voyages of Cuba, and another of 9-days, between early February and late March 2019, using its SeaDream II that can access captivating and lesser-visited smaller ports that large cruise ships cannot get into.

The mega motor-cruiser, that carries a maximum of just 112 guests and 95 crew, will begin its Cuba program on January 26 2019 with a 9-day positioning voyage from San Juan in Puerto Rico, to Cuba’s Cienfuegos, along the way calling at five ports in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Cuba.

It will then sail eight week-long voyages of Cuba, followed by 9-days from Cienfuegos on April 1 2019 through five ports in Cuba, the British Virgin Islands, British West Indies and French West Indies, to Marigot on the Caribbean’s St Martin island.

All Cuba sailings will have days ashore in some of the country’s most-colourful and least-visited ports, offering unique experiences through guests’ immersion in its culture and history… and for historic car buffs, the sight of tens of thousands of classic American cars from the 1940s and ’50s that still drive the roads there today after one-time leader Fidel Castro banned further vehicle imports from America in the 1950s and 1960s.

Prices for these rare sailings will start from US$5089pp twin-share including SeaDream’s award-winning cuisine, wines and bar drinks, power and sail water-sports, use of the golf simulator and fitness centre, port charges and taxes, and even staff and crew gratuities.

Last Chance for Scenic Early bird Offers to Europe

Scenic Emerald, Tournon-sur-Rhône, France
Agents have until 30 September to secure the best rate on a Europe river cruise or tour with Scenic for their clients.

Among the benefits on offer to guests during a Scenic river cruise are a full range of luxury on board and onshore inclusions, such as complimentary top-shelf beverages, six dining options from casual to fine dining, butler service, exclusive Scenic Tailormade GPS devices for self-guided touring and commentary, the freedom of e-bikes plus Scenic Freechoice, Scenic Sundowner and exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences.

The early bird offers cover a range of cruise and tour itineraries including:
– A 15 Day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest priced from $6,995* per person twin share. Fly free on all suites for selected departures or upgrade to business class from $3,995* per person.
– A 13 Day South of France cruise from Lyon to Marseille priced from $7,495* per person twin share. Fly free on all suites for selected departures or upgrade to business class from $3,995* per person.
– A 15 Day cruise along the beautiful Rhine and Moselle rivers from Zurich to Amsterdam priced from $8,695* per person twin share. Fly free on selected suites and departures or upgrade to business class from $3,995* per person.

Silversea’s Silver Explorer returns from refurbishment

Silversea Expeditions is delighted to share new images of Silver Explorer, following a stylish refurbishment earlier this year. The remodelled Silver Explorer accommodates 144 guests in all-inclusive intimate luxury, sailing to the world’s most remote destinations, from the Arctic, Antarctica and Africa to the Americas, French Polynesia and the Russian Far East.

As part of Silversea’s $170 million fleet-wide refurbishment program, a significant investment has been made to ensure that guests enjoy a renewed sense of space and comfort when sailing aboard Silver Explorer.

Silver Explorer’s public areas have undergone a complete transformation, with the Observation Lounge, Panorama Lounge and Connoisseur’s Corner featuring new furniture, and the restaurant’s buffet counters, ceiling and walls all refashioned with new upholstery. The theatre’s bar has been redesigned with refreshed banquette seats, while The Grill has received a brand new awning. A new boutique has replaced the library, and the spa and fitness centre have both doubled in size, replacing the original boutique.

The ship’s all-suite accommodation has been restyled, with the majority of bathrooms on board showcasing new flooring, granite appointments and rainforest showers (replacing tub-and-shower combinations). Suites with verandas have received new veranda furniture, whilst the vessel’s eight Expedition Suites have been converted into 16 Vista and View Suites, with most featuring a connecting door for the convenience of families and friends travelling together.

Savings on Intrepid Travel sailing trips this Spring

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Spur-of-the-moment travellers can scoop up a last minute saving of up to 30 per cent off select sailing departures with Intrepid Travel this spring. With savings of up to $1100 on offer, the spring sale includes voyages in Europe’s sparkling Mediterranean and Adriatic seas as well as the Galapagos. Deals include:

A glorious eight-day Croatia Sailing Adventure from Dubrovnik to Split departing on October 7, 2017, from $1241* per person twin share (was $1835 per person twin share) offering the chance to cruise around impressive coastlines, explore lush national parks, wander through medieval towns or roll off the boat into warm, turquoise waters for a swim.

An eight-day Cote D’Azur Sailing Adventure from Nice to Marseille departing on September 23, 2017, from $1543* per person twin share (was $1985 per person twin share) including visits to the stunning French Riviera port cities of Nice, Cannes and St Tropez, where glitz, a vibrant culture and beautiful beaches await.

A seven-day Galapagos Adventure departing on September 29, 2017, from $3242* per person in a lower deck twin bunk (was $4405 per person twin share), allowing guests the chance to get up close and personal with wildlife in the archipelago’s remote northern islands.

Fashion Greats Set Sail with Style on Cunard’s Transatlantic Fashion Week 2017

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For the second year running, the Transatlantic Fashion Week will bring together some of the most reputable names within the fashion industry to host seven days of runway shows, inspiring talks, glamorous dinners and exclusive unveilings. The crossing will leave Southampton today, 31st August arriving in to New York on the 7th September the very same day as New York Fashion Week 2017 begins.

British Fashion Designer Julien Macdonald OBE, who is known for dressing some of the world’s best-known style icons including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Kim Kardashian in his signature red carpet gowns, will showcase some of his most iconic pieces.

Other fashion greats on board include the highly respected fashion historian and style commentator Colin McDowell MBE who will provide a series of fashion illustration workshops and an inspirational talk during the voyage. In addition Karl Dunkley, the founder and CEO of Royal Warrant holder Grosvenor Shirts, Jermyn Street, will reveal the craftsmanship behind a classic tailored shirt.

Guests on board will attend exclusive first look runway shows featuring collections from the one of the world’s most revered fashion colleges, Parsons School of Design graduates.

River cruise line forges new route to Black Sea on its latest ship

European river cruise line, Riviera Travel, will debut a new route on the Danube from Budapest to the Black Sea in 2018 and Australia’s Cruiseco has partnered with Riviera to launch a special fly/cruise package enabling Australians to sail behind the former Iron Curtain on two river journeys through eastern Europe.

Departing Australia on September 28, 2018, the itinerary begins in Hungary with night in Budapest followed by a 14-night cruise on the Danube east from Budapest to the Black Sea and back and a seven-night return Danube sailing west from Budapest to Austria – both on the Thomas Hardy. The first cruise east from the imperial city of Budapest traces Riviera Travel’s new 2018 route along the Danube through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria to the mouth of the river on the Black Sea.

Including return flights, accommodation, transfers in Budapest, the two cruises, 23 excursions, onboard meals, afternoon teas and late-night snacks, Wi-Fi and unique, in-cabin tea and coffee-making facilities, the 22-night ‘Danube to the Black Sea’ package is available from $10,895 per person, twin-share, from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth.

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