This cruise wrap is as long as this week has felt. On the bright side, if you need to look like you’re super-busy for a while, you can kill almost a whole afternoon scrolling through this one.

Tasmania’s Shene Estate & Distillery joins CLIA campaign + cruising brings record spending to New Zealand

Tasmania’s award-winning Shene Estate & Distillery has been chosen to front an international social media campaign that will showcase the island state’s heritage and its growing reputation for producing fine spirits.

The campaign, called #WeAreCruise, celebrates people around the world who help harness community benefits from cruise tourism and is an initiative of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in partnership with Seatrade Cruise Global.

The couple welcome international visitors to view their gothic revival stables and sample the distillery’s acclaimed Poltergeist Gin and Mackey whisky, while at the same time helping to fund the estate’s ongoing restoration.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, record levels of cruise ship expenditure revealed today by Stats NZ have shown a NZ$569.8 million was spent in the year to June 30, 2019, up 28 per cent on last year.

New Zealand welcomed a total of 322,000 cruise ship passengers during the year, up 24 percent from 2018, with the number of Australian passengers representing more than two-thirds of the overall total.

Silversea enhances all-inclusive polar package

Silversea is bringing distant horizons closer with its enhanced All-Inclusive Polar Package, now available on all luxury expedition voyages to the Arctic and Antarctica. The value-rich package, with its selection of convenient and inclusive travel benefits, provides a seamless travel experience for guests, unlocking deep travel into Polar Regions with ease.

Combinable with air promotions for the Arctic and Antarctica, Silversea’s enhanced All-Inclusive Polar Package includes the following:

• One-night, pre-cruise hotel stay.
• In-country flight(s) when required by the itinerary.
• Polar expedition cruise with guided shore experiences and Zodiac excursions.
• Polar parka.
• One post-cruise day-use hotel.
• Transfers and luggage handling between airport, hotel and ship.

Scenic Eclipse sets sail on her inaugural voyage

As Scenic Eclipse sets sail today on her inaugural voyage, a 13-day discovery itinerary from Reykjavik to Quebec, the very first images of her luxurious interiors have been released, showcasing this world-leading vessel to the world.

‘Cruise, Point & Shoot’ with Quasar Expeditions and award-winning photographer Harry Skeggs

Agents can now share with their cruise loving clients the value-added opportunity to elevate their wildlife photography skills with award-winning NatGeo photographer Harry Skeggs when cruising the Galapagos with Quasar Expeditions in January 2020.

Departing 18 January 2020, passengers on board M/V Evolution’s 8D/7N itinerary will enjoy a number of optional photography classes and workshops with Harry; pick up valuable professional tips and technical pointers during the daily excursions; and even receive one-on-one image reviews.

Agents can advise clients that this departure is a regular departure and not a photography-focused one, with prices starting at US$6,450 / AU$9,545 / NZ$10,006 pp twin share, where US$200 pp from each booking will go towards Galapagos Conservation.

P&O Cruises celebrates the 40^th anniversary of the Holden State of Origin with a cruise to game II of the blockbuster rugby league event in 2020

More than 2000 guests will join over 80,000 supporters at ANZ Stadium in June 2020 where Queenslanders hope to take back the trophy from New South Wales and make records during the 40^th anniversary year.

The footy fans will be joined onboard by a selection of former Blues and Maroons greats who have all made their mark in during the game’s 40-year lifetime hosting a jam-packed itinerary of rugby league themed activities including Origin trivia, Q&A sessions and photo and autograph opportunities.

Departing on Friday June 19, the cruise will arrive in Sydney on Sunday ahead of the second clash of the series, where all guests will receive transfers to the stadium and entry to the game as part of their cruise fare.

The ship will spend the full Sunday in Sydney before arriving back in Brisbane on Tuesday, June 23. On the return leg guests will enjoy a panel-style post-game wrap session hosted by Origin personalities onboard.

PONANT announces Arctic voyage itineraries for 2021

PONANT has released its exciting range of Arctic 2021 Luxury Expeditions. 40 voyages including 3 new itineraries are offered, with three voyages conducted in partnership with National Geographic Expeditions.

This modern-day explorer’s check-list of 7 to 24-night luxury expedition voyages covers a wide range of destinations that include Alaska, Greenland, Norway, Iceland, the Russian Far East, Baffin Bay … even the United States & Canadian Great Lakes, and – in addition to the famed Northwest Passage – for the first time, an exciting NEW itinerary exploring the mythical and rarely sailed Northeast Passage.

Twice as much perfect day at Cococay

With the smashing success of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International is celebrating 100 days of Perfect Day with a double dose of adventure.

The cruise line has revealed new, 4-night itineraries that now tout two visits to the industry’s leading private island destination. In one short getaway, guests will have twice the time to thrill and chill on their choice of nearly 40 sailings beginning 30 September 2019.

Three exclusive cruises also make their debut today, featuring the ultimate late-night island experience on Perfect Day, complete with extended hours and new adventures.

Norwegian Encore emerges from shipyard for the first time 

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that its latest ship, Norwegian Encore, successfully completed a major construction milestone, when it emerged for the first time from the Meyer Werft shipbuilding dock in Papenburg, Germany.

Norwegian Encore will remain in the shipyard port for the final phase of construction, before her conveyance up the Ems River and towards the North Sea at the end of September.

At over 335 metres long, with a gross tonnage of almost 170,000 and a guest capacity of 3,998, the ship will be delivered to the cruise line on 30 Oct, 2019. She will be christened in Miami on 21 Nov, 2019 and will commence seven-day voyages to the Caribbean on 24 Nov, 2019.

Seabourn returns to Istanbul, Turkey in 2020 with four seven-day eastern Mediterranean voyages on Seabourn Ovation

Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, is returning to Istanbul, Turkey, in October 2020 aboard the line’s newest ship, Seabourn Ovation.

The 300-suite ship – all with verandas – will sail four seven-day eastern Mediterranean voyages between Istanbul and Athens, Greece, or Athens to Istanbul exploring the iconic Greek Isles and richly historic cities in Turkey.

Riviera Travel expands options for solo travellers on European river cruises

Riviera Travel River Cruises has expanded options for solo travellers in Europe.

To boost options for solos, Riviera Travel has announced that in 2020, it will release a limited number of additional cabins on every sailing at a 50 per cent supplement, delivering considerable savings to solo travellers who missed out on the selected, supplement-free cabins, which can sell out quickly.

The extra solo-use cabins, with reduced solo supplements, are subject to availability and advance bookings are recommended

Princess Cruises announces 2021 European season will feature Medallionclass Holiday across fleet of five ships

Princess Cruises launched its 2021 cruises and cruise tours to sought-after destinations in the Mediterranean, British Isles, Scandinavia & Russia, Norway, Iceland and Transatlantic crossings.

A fleet of five ships will sail the European waters for the 2021 cruise season and every ship will feature Princess MedallionClass holidays.

New cruise ships Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess are joined by Crown Princess, Island Princess and Grand Princess, with a total of 180 departures on 63 unique itineraries to 108 destinations in 31 countries.

Viking launches Seine class fleet + training roadshow goes national

Viking has announced that from 2020, the line will expand its France river cruise fleet with four new Viking Seine Ships, exclusively sailing the eight-day Paris & The Heart of Normandy itinerary on the Seine River.

Featuring identical interior design, staterooms and common areas as the award-winning Viking Longships, the four 135-metre long Seine Ships are Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid, Viking Skaga and Viking Fjorgyn.

These smaller 168-guest ships take guests deeper into Paris, docking in the heart of the city at Port de Grenelle – offering breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, located just a short stroll away.

Meanwhile, the cruise line is taking its Viking Vör trade training program across the country, holding evening events in a number of new locations including the Central Coast in NSW, Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and Launceston in Tasmania from August to October 2019.

Named for the Norse goddess of wisdom, Vör, at each event agents will be treated to the latest on Viking’s expansive worldwide product over a two-course meal and drinks. Plus, one lucky agent will win a Viking cruise for two.

Register here or contact your local Viking Commercial Manager for more information.

Celebrity releases new prices for New Zealand

DEAL 1

• Scenic New Zealand
• 12-Night New Zealand Cruise on Celebrity Solstice
• Prices starting from $1,499 per person, twin share
• Departs from Auckland 8 November, 2019
• Ports of call: Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Akaroa, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, before visiting Hobart and finishing in Sydney.
• Please see www.celebritycruises.com/au for more details. T&Cs apply.

DEAL 2

• New Zealand Discovery
• 12-Night New Zealand Cruise on Celebrity Solstice
• Prices starting from $1,499 per person, twin share
• Departs from Sydney 20 November, 2019
• Ports of call: Sydney, Melbourne, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, Dunedin, Wellington, Picton, Tauranga and Auckland.
• Please see www.celebritycruises.com/au for more details. T&Cs apply.

DEAL 3

• The Best of New Zealand
• 12-Night New Zealand Cruise on Celebrity Solstice
• Prices starting from $1,499 per person, twin share
• Departs from Auckland 2 December, 2019
• Ports of call: Auckland, Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Wellington, Akaroa, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, before visiting Hobart and finishing in Sydney.
• Please see www.celebritycruises.com/au for more details. T&Cs apply.

These savings are available for summer 2019/20 sailings on Celebrity Solstice.

Seven Holland America Line ships explore the Caribbean’s tropical jewels

Between October 2019 and April 2020, Holland America Line will have 160 cruises to the sunny Caribbean to choose from, ranging from seven to 21 days. There are seven of the line’s premium, mid-sized ships to choose from including the two newest ships — Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam — all conveniently sailing roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Holland America Line’s vast offering of itineraries features cruises to the eastern, western and southern regions of the Caribbean, including cruises that spend a day discovering the Panama Canal. New Veendam sailings offer a unique mix of calls at some of the region’s most beautiful locales.