To celebrate the beginning of cruise month, we’re bringing you a bumper Cruise Wrap which is practically overflowing with deals.

Cruise Month heralds a busy summer season

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) launches its annual Cruise Month next week, heralding the start of a busy season of summer cruising in Australasian waters.

Over coming weeks CLIA and its cruise line members will mount a packed program of marketing initiatives that showcase the best that cruise has to offer Australian and New Zealand travellers.

This year’s Cruise Month will help reinforce the benefits of booking through a CLIA-accredited travel agent, telling consumers about the additional skills and education that dedicated cruise specialists have invested in. This message will also feature in new resources available in CLIA’s Cruise Month toolkit, which offers travel agents a wealth of downloadable materials that can be used in their own marketing and social media efforts.

Taking place throughout October, Cruise Month with involve weekly themes based on ocean cruising, river cruising, luxury cruising and expedition cruising. It will also celebrate the world’s wider cruise community as part of CLIA’s #WeAreCruise campaign, highlighting some of the many social and economic benefits that cruising brings to communities globally.

CLIA travel agents will be able to share their own #WeAreCruise stories in a competition that gives them a chance to win a seven-day Alaska cruise for two thanks to Holland America Line. To take part, CLIA members need to create a short #WeAreCruise video that explains their inspirational or life-changing cruise story, then post it on Facebook or Instagram during October with the hashtag #WeAreCruise, tagging @CLIAAustralasia.

Silversea reveals its biggest ever cruise month offer for 2019

Exclusively for CLIA Cruise Month 2019, Silversea Cruises has revealed Silver Select; a choice of three remarkable offers available on bookings made before 31 October 2019.  From today, guests booking select Silversea voyages departing in 2019, 2020 and 2021, can choose to enjoy AU$500 off the total cruise fare, US$500 onboard spa credit, or US$500 excursion credit, all of which are applicable per suite.

Combinable with Silversea’s Air Offers, Early Booking Bonus, and Last-Minute Savings offers, the promotion applies to over 160 voyages – Silversea’s biggest ever cruise month offer.  From the enigmatic shores of Asia, the cultural coasts of Northern Europe or the gastronomic paradise of the Mediterranean guests will discover the authentic beauty of the world through a cosmos of climates, culture and customs. Closer to home, voyages include bucket list Kimberley explorations, and festive Australia and New Zealand voyages.

RCL launches biggest agent incentive offer yet

RCL has launched its biggest consultant incentive offer yet, Set Sail Consultant Rewards to coincide with CLIA Choose Cruise Month, which kicks off today. The program will run through to the end of March 2020.

Set Sail Consultant Rewards enables Australian and NZ retail agents to earn points on every new fully-deposited booking made on any Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara between 1 October 2019 and 31 March 2020. Agents have 30 days from making the booking to redeem their points at the Set Sail Consultant Rewards website.

Throughout October agents have the chance to earn triple points for every local and European deposited booking departing before 31 December 2020.

Points earned are tiered according to the brand and category of stateroom. Points can be redeemed on a range of e-gift cards from major retailers, including Coles, Myer, Bunnings, Hoyts and JB Hi-Fi.

A range of top seller prizes and cruise giveaways are being offered throughout the incentive. Agents can visit www.ClubRoyal.com.au to register and for more details.

Creative Cruising celebrates cruise month with exclusive cashback and bonus commission offers!

In celebration of Cruise Month, Creative Cruising has launched a range of exclusive incentives and tailor-made cruise holiday packages for their Travel Agency partners and their clients.

Travel Agents’ clients will be rewarded with $100 cashback* on ALL Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International sailings booked and deposited during Cruise Month with Creative Cruising.

In addition, Travel Agents will receive an EXTRA 1 per cent point of sale commission for all Royal Caribbean domestic and international sailings booked and deposited with Creative Cruising throughout Cruise Month.

What’s more, Creative Cruising has tailor-made some spectacular packages with incredible savings and inclusions.
Agents can go online today and discover popular sailings packaged with hotels and wholesale airfares

International master of wines creates an enviable wine list for Scenic Eclipse

In keeping with its ultra-luxury positioning, Scenic commissioned the services of renowned Master of Wines, Keith Isaac, to create a wine list representing the finest wines from around the world for Scenic Eclipse.

One of only 400 Master of Wines around the world, Keith Isaac, worked with the Scenic team to create a wine list that is representative of quality, that appeals to the global traveller and that complements the Scenic Eclipse experience.

Hurtigruten reveals MS Roald Amundsen godmother

Hurtigruten names polar pioneer Karin Strand as godmother to the world’s first hybrid-powered cruise ship, MS Roald Amundsen.

The naming will take place on 8 November, during MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden voyage to the white continent. She will be the first ship in history to be named in Antarctica.

Strand is a true polar pioneer. At the age of 48, she has completed more than 140 expeditions to Antarctica, making her one of the most experienced explorers in adventure travel.

MSC Grandiosa to represent another step forward in MSC cruises’ environmental commitment 

MSC Cruises’ newest and most innovative ship to-date is due to enter service on 31 October and will see the line introduce two new major and important onboard environmental advances to complement a wide range of existing leading-edge environmental technologies across the company’s entire fleet: a state-of-the-art Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and next-generation Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) system.

MSC Grandiosa, which will be christened in Hamburg, Germany on 9 November, will feature an SCR system which helps reduce nitrogen oxide by 90 per cent through advanced active emissions control technology.  Nitrogen oxide from the engine operations is conducted through a catalyst – a high-density device made from noble metals – and converts them into nitrogen and water, both harmless compounds.

The ship will also be fitted with a next-generation AWT system.  Through very fine filtration, wastewater from MSC Grandiosa will undergo a comprehensive purification process that transforms it to near tap-water quality.  The system meets the so-called ‘Baltic Standard’ and treats the wastewater to a higher standard than most waste standards available in cities around the world.

MSC Cruises’ next flagship will adhere, therefore, to the world’s strictest environmental standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which will lead to nearly zero impact in these areas.  This will also allow MSC Grandiosa to be certified to operate in delicate environments such as the Baltic Sea and Alaska.

Have your say with Viking 

Viking is encouraging agents to complete a simple survey to provide feedback and suggestions for how the award-winning cruise line can best serve the travel trade community in Australia and New Zealand.

Trade Marketing Manager, Erin Kramer, said completing the survey would take just 10 minutes.

“We value our industry partners, and we want to know what you think. Our industry is changing every day, which is why we believe it’s important to check in regularly to see how we’re doing,” she said.

“Plus, as a thank you for taking part, agents who complete the survey go in the running to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards, or your share of 10,000 Rewards by Viking points,” concluded Erin.

The survey will be open for feedback until Friday 11 October.

AU: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TradeSurveyAU

NZ: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TradeSurveyNZ

Pacific Explorer Second Officer Amy Templeton is P&O Cruises’ face of World Maritime Day

Marking World Maritime Day, P&O Cruises today saluted international seafarers including the cruise line’s public face of the celebration, Pacific Explorer Second Officer Amy Templeton.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the International Maritime Organisation’s World Maritime Day was an opportunity to say thank you to the thousands of seafarers who work on P&O ships ensuring guests can enjoy safe and spectacular cruise holidays.

Royal Caribbean offers 1,400 sustainable tours ahead of 2020 goal 

Heading into World Tourism Day later this week, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced that 1,400 sustainable tours, from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and beyond, are now available for booking. Offered by certified sustainable tour operators, these special tours are available across Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s (RCL) family of brands – including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara – and include unique experiences around the world, from kayaking along Mallorca’s west coast to an underground Mayan River Cenote in Cozumel and grape harvesting at Pizzorno Winery in Montevideo, Uruguay.

The initiative began as part of the company’s 2020 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) target to offer guests 1,000 tours provided by operators certified to the UN-created Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standard. By reaching and surpassing the goal nearly one year ahead of schedule, RCL is underscoring its commitment to operate sustainably and provide its guests with responsible options while ashore.

Last chance to book Aurora Expeditions’ special offers onboard brand-new expedition ship the Greg Mortimer!

This is the final week to secure up to 15 per cent* off on a selection of Aurora Expeditions summer 2020/21 Antarctica voyages, sailing onboard the company’s brand-new polar expedition ship the Greg Mortimer. Offer ends 30 September 2019 or until sold out.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises launches exciting new offer for select 2020 Europe itineraries

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) has just released a selection of enticing European sailings for the 2020 season with incredible savings of up to 25 per cent off. Plus, clients can enjoy a reduced deposit of just 10 per cent for bookings made before 30 September 2019.

A series of 11 itineraries will be available at a reduced fare for clients wanting to explore some of the most sought-after destinations in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern Europe aboard RSSC’s luxurious ships Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Voyager, intimate vessels which are able to access boutique and exotic ports not available to larger cruise ships for a truly immersive experience. Regent’s Europe sailings offer more overnight stays than most cruise lines, with guests also able take advantage of Regent’s Go local Tours, where they will experience Europe through the eyes of those that live in the community – from goat farmers in Andalusia to fishermen in Portofino.

Celestyal Cruises announces new and extended itineraries for 2020/21

Celestyal Cruises has just released its new, reimagined 2020/2021 brochure featuring new and extended itineraries as the once seasonal-only operator looks towards sailing year-round.

In 2020 Celestyal Cruises sets sail in the Adriatic for the first time with its new seven-night “Romantic Adriatic” itinerary (Dec. 05, 12, 19, 26) which sails four departures in December and visits Venice, Corfu, Patras, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Split at a time when these popular destinations are far less crowded than during the summer months.

All 2020 and 2021 cruises feature the award-winning Celestyal all-inclusive experience with an unlimited drinks package, all meals on-board, entertainment, select shore excursions, port and service charges and gratuities included in the fare.

Save almost US$1600 per couple on Mississippi Cruises with free cruise extensions in New Orleans or Memphis

Australians can save almost US$1600 per couple on a classic cruise down the mighty Mississippi River that Mark Twain immortalised in his novel, ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, thanks to a new offer with the American Queen Steamboat Company from their Australian partner, Cruise Traveller.

The offer includes a saving of US$200 per person and the choice between two free cruise extensions, either before or after the voyage, worth US$599 per person each.

Two cruises from Memphis to New Orleans aboard the largest river steamboat ever built – American Queen – are available in March and November, 2020, exploring the legendary lands of bawdy blues, southern belles and drawls, majestic colonial mansions, cotton plantations, Civil War battlefields, Cajun and Creole cuisine and the iconic home of Elvis, Graceland.

European Waterways adds E-Bike options to French hotel barging programs for 2020

Hotel barging specialist European Waterways has added e-bike rentals as an option on most of their France 2020 itineraries due to the growing popularity of electric bicycles worldwide.

The E-bikes are supplementing the traditional bicycles available on all barges for guests’ use.  European Waterways will also upgrade its tailored biking maps to provide more detailed and easier-to-follow routes that include historical context for self-guided bikes tours through the towns and attractions along the barging routes. The maps are available in printed form and can be downloaded to mobile phones.