Big Fat Cruise Wrap

Big Fat Cruise Wrap

Happy hump day, readers! Today, you can dream of cruising Alaska or tropical pacific islands (then obviously cry because you currently aren’t). Sorry.

Royal Caribbean International cancels Radiance of the Seas departing 6 April 2018

Royal Caribbean International today regrettably announced that it will be necessary to cancel the upcoming 11-night cruise on Radiance of the Seas departing 6 April 2018. This is to conduct necessary repairs on the ship’s Azipod propulsion system, which impacts the ships’ speed and ability to deliver future scheduled cruises.

The ship’s guest services are currently fully operational, and there is no impact on the maneuverability of the ship or on the safety of our guests and crew as it returns to Sydney from its current Queensland coastal cruise. After exploring numerous repair options and to ensure readiness for future cruises, repairs will take place from 6 April to 17 April.

We are currently in the process of informing all impacted guests and their travel agents. All guests will be provided with a full refund as well as a 100 per cent Future Cruise Credit.

We sincerely regret that we will be unable to deliver the Royal Caribbean cruise holiday that our guests were looking forward to. Our guest’s holiday time is very precious and we can assure you that we did not make this decision lightly.

Voyage of the week

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Silversea Cruises announces last minute savings on three unforgettable voyages that will offer guests in-depth insights into the beauty and grandeur of Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg and  Stockholm. These three exclusive Silver Spirit voyages will depart in June, July and August 2018, lasting either seven or 10 days. This will follow Silver Spirit’s ground-breaking lengthening transformation, which is currently underway and is due to be unveiled in May.

A diverse range of exceptional land adventureswill be available to guests sailing on these voyages, which will enable them to tailor their Silversea travel experience and form a deeper understanding of each destination.

In St.Petersburg, Silversea’s extraordinary optional land adventure will allow guests to discover why the city is famous for its rich theatrical life, during a memorable evening ballet performance. Guests will enjoy world renowned ballets, such as Swan Lake and Anna Karenina, which have enjoyed an enduring popularity for over a century. The performances will take place in the Alexandrinsky Theatre and the Hermitage Theatre.

Guests who would like to experience Silversea’s land adventure in Moscow, will travel aboard the Sapsan High-speed train for four hours from St Petersburg, which will explore Russia’s intriguing capital city in one day. On arrival, an expert local guide will escort guests around Moscow’s most historical and cultural sites including The Armory Chamber-part of Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex, Red Square, and St Basil’s Cathedral.

Royal Caribbean announces 2019/20 deployment

Royal Caribbean has announced its 2019/20 local voyages, which will see the line known for the industry’s largest, most innovative ships return to Australia with three megaliners. Bookings for the 2019/20 summer season open on Tuesday 10 April 2018.

The 2019/20 season will kick off with the arrival of Radiance of the Seas to Sydney on 9 October 2019, Ovation of the Seas on 20 October 2019, and Voyager of the Seas will begin her season with a three-night sampler cruise on 30 November 2019. Together, the three ships will offer 61 sailings, ranging from two to 19 nights, and sailing to nine different countries including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Singapore, Indonesia, the USA and Vanuatu.

Australia’s newest, largest and most modern cruise ship, 4800-guest Ovation of the Seas, returns for her fourth and longest season yet down under, following her maiden season in Alaska in the Northern Hemisphere summer.

Ovation of the Seas, will offer guests a range of South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand itineraries – including five incredible New Zealand and South Pacific hybrid sailings, nine New Zealand voyages and new 18 and 19-night sailings between Sydney and Hawaii calling in Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia. Australian favourite Voyager of the Seas returns to her homeport of Sydney after a one-year hiatus, fresh from a multi-million dollar revitalisation in late 2019. She will replace sister ship Explorer of the Seas, which returns to cruising in Europe and the Caribbean in 2019/20.

Lights, Camera, Action, ‘Vivid’ Sydney Cruises 2018

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Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Vivid Sydney is back bigger and brighter than ever from 25 May to 16 June 2018. See the city come alive in a spectacular array of lights and projections from the water on a special Captain Cook Cruises Vivid Cruise.

flagships MV Sydney 2000 and MV John Cadman II are official Vivid Sydney `Harbour Lights’ participating vessels. MV John Cadman carries the ‘#ilovesydney’ lighting installation and MV Sydney 2000 the official ‘Vivid Sydney’ installation. Both vessels travel through a spectrum of light as they cruise the Vivid Sydney Harbour precincts.

For those short of time, the one-hour Vivid Lights cruise onboard MV John Cadman II and sister vessels is ideal. Priced at only $42 per adult and $29 per child, the Vivid Lights cruise departs nightly at 6.45pm and 8.00pm from Barangaroo, King St Wharf No.1 with additional departures at 5.45pm, 7.00pm, 8.15pm and 9.15pm on peak evenings.

Enjoy the full canvas of lights over a leisurely dinner on the Vivid 5.00pm or Vivid 7.30pm Dinner and Drinks. Both cruises include a three-course Contemporary Australian set menu and an open bar of Tyrrell’s house wine, Toohey’s New beer and soft drinks.

The Vivid 5.00pm Dinner and Drinks is $85 per person and departs nightly at 5.00pm from Barangaroo, King St Wharf No.1, returning at 6.30pm. The Vivid 7.30pm Dinner and Drinks is $155 per person and departs nightly at 7.30pm from Barangaroo, King St Wharf No.1, disembarking at Circular Quay or Barangaroo.

Coral Expeditions to set sail on remote ‘Islands of the South Pacific’

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Coral Expeditions, Australia’s pioneering small ship expedition cruise line, is setting sail for ‘Islands of the South Pacific’, a new 16-night voyage aboard Coral Discoverer on December 3, 2018. The itinerary will celebrate the intrepid explorers who first reconnoitered the region, while visiting some of the most significant sites of the Pacific theatre of World War II.

Scheduled for departure from Cairns, the Islands of the South Pacific adventure will take travellers to New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, revealing the diverse traditional cultures and striking scenery of Melanesia. Along the way, Coral Discoverer will slip into hidden lagoons, offering opportunity to explore vibrant coral reefs and walk along volcanic calderas with the ship’s highly skilled expedition team.

Guest lecturer, Captain Peter Martin, will be accompanying this expedition. As a practicing mariner, historian, and navigation expert, Peter is one of Australia’s few true titled ‘Master and Commanders’ with 30 years of extensive maritime experience and an internationally renowned lecturer-at-sea.

Coral Discoverer will also cruise to Guadalcanal Island, a backdrop for some of the most historical battles of World War II. The 16-day journey will come to an end at Tanna Island with a visit to the lower reaches of Mt. Yasur’s active volcano, where lava pools are visible from the rim of the caldera.

Seabourn’s Extraordinary Opportunity Event

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Seabourn’s Extraordinary Opportunity Event is now open for sale with ultra-luxury cruise fares starting from $3,999. With a number of saving opportunities, guests will be able to travel the world in style for a significantly reduced price.

Inclusions:

  • Complimentary Two Veranda Suite Category Upgrade
  • Complimentary Veranda Suite for Ocean View Suite Category Upgrade
  • Up to $500USD Shipboard Credit per suite
  • Up to $600AUD Air Credit per person
  • 50 per cent Reduced Deposit
  • Up to 15 per cent savings on Combination Cruises
  • Book Penthouse and Premium Suites and receive $1,000USD Shipboard Credit per suite

Rates:

  • Alaska from $5,799AUD
  • Asia from $4,299AUD
  • Mediterranean from $3,999AUD
  • Northern Europe from $5,799AUD

Offer valid from 26 March to 12 June 2018, based on availability.

Silversea Cruises and Rocco Forte Hotels unite to offer the best of land and sea

Today, Silversea Cruises and Rocco Forte Hotels announce a partnership that brings two privately owned, Italian heritage hospitality companies together for the first time, giving guests an ultra-luxury experience, both by land and by sea. Silversea’s elegant, intimate ships are small enough to sail up narrow waterways, right into the heart of a city, to the doorsteps of Rocco Forte Hotels.

As a result of this special partnership, there will be many opportunities for guests of these two prestigious companies to receive sensational benefits. Silversea is offering exclusive benefits to guests of Rocco Forte Hotels, including savings on fares, VIP bonuses at embarkation, a private culinary event for two, plus a dinner invitation at the Captain’s or Senior Officers’ table. Silversea guests who choose to stay with Rocco Forte Hotels will enjoy upgrades, transfers and unpacking services at the hotel, as well as VIP amenities.

This exciting union harmonises both Silversea’s warm Italian hospitality and Rocco Forte’s Anglo-Italian flair – both of which deliver unparalleled levels of comfort and personalised service. These two brands share a vision for a commitment to excellence. Similar to Rocco Forte Hotels’ impeccable rooms and suites, Silversea’s suites are spacious and beautifully appointed with fine furnishings. Every suite has an ocean view and butler service, and many offer private verandas.

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