Here’s your weekly fix of all the latest happenings in the cruise industry, carefully compiled by yours truly.

Royal Caribbean announces $165m amplification of Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International has announced a larger-than-ever $165 million amplification of Oasis of the Seas, as it marks its 10-year anniversary.

The amplified Oasis will set sail on 24 November 2019, beginning seven-night eastern and eastern Caribbean itineraries from Royal Caribbean’s new, state-of-the-art Terminal A in Miami.

It will offer a reimagined, Caribbean-inspired pool deck that will feature a Splashaway Bay kids aquapark and The Lime & Coconut signature bar; famed Quantum Class staple, Music Hall; the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, and the Ultimate Abyss – the tallest slide at sea.

Debuting alongside this lineup is the cruise line’s first barbecue concept, Portside BBQ, and dedicated karaoke venue Spotlight Karaoke.

Silversea’s Combination Cruises invite guests to extend travel experience in Europe

Silversea Cruises is offering guests the opportunity to combine two or more of its European voyages into one experience in 2020.

Departing between March and October 2020 and typically spanning 14 to 36 nights, the hand-picked selection of Combination Cruises not only combines the very best the region has to offer, but allows an in-depth insight to each destination.

Combination Cruise fares start at only $489pp per day, including a 10 per cent Early Booking Bonus and additional discounts (terms and conditions apply).

Return economy flights can also be added from only $1750 per person, or guests can upgrade to business class with special reduced fares.

Carnival reaches one million guest milestone

Carnival Cruise Line has celebrated its one millionth guest since the brand’s arrival in Australia, six years ago.

To celebrate this Australian milestone, Carnival conducted a survey of over 1000 of their past guests to find out their favourite experiences. The findings revealed that their favourite South Pacific port was Isle of Pines, their favourite onboard activity was relaxing in the adult-only Serenity Retreat, their favourite cruise destination was New Caledonia, and their favourite dessert was Carnival’s signature Warm Chocolate Melting Cake.

Coral Expeditions launches ‘Circumnavigation of New Guinea’

Coral Expeditions has unveiled its new 35-night ‘Circumnavigation of New Guinea’ for 2020.

The third in a suite of unique and pioneering circumnavigation voyages in 2020, this journey onboard the brand new 120-passenger Coral Adventurer will allow guests to completely immerse themselves in the diverse cultures and natural beauty of New Guinea.

The New Guinea circumnavigation will feature visits to iconic locations such as Raja Ampat and the Gumdrop Islands, the Spice Islands, The Sepik & Mamberamo Rivers, Dei Dei Hot Springs on Fergusson Island, the Fly Islands and Tufi Fjords.

Guests will also have the opportunity to encounter the fierce Asmat warriors at Agats and witness their famous carvings.

Pricing for the Circumnavigation of New Guinea starts at $25,150 per person twin share, available as a full 35-night circumnavigation, or in a limited number as half-segments Darwin to Madang and Madang to Darwin.

Guests who book direct or via travel partners by June 30 will receive a 10 per cent early bird offer.

For bookings and further information on this itinerary, click here or phone 1800 079 545.

Avalon Waterways giveaway

River cruising specialist Avalon Waterways has just launched a new trade incentive: book three passengers and score yourself a cruise for FREE!

That’s right, simply book and deposit three Avalon 2019 passengers between by 31 July 2019 and enjoy an Avalon cruise (of your choice) for absolutely nothing. And, if that wasn’t enough, you can bring a friend!

For all enquiries, email sales@globus.com.au

Norwegian releases new Alaska Cruising Guide

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has released its new Alaska Cruising Guide, featuring specially crafted itineraries cruising ‘The Last Frontier’ from June 2019 to October 2021.

Offering a series of seven-day itineraries departing from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver, guests can cruise aboard the youngest fleet sailing Alaska, including Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Jewel, with Norwegian Encore (the newest ship in the Norwegian fleet set to debut in November 2019) also cruising Alaska from 2021.

Click here to browse and download Norwegian’s Alaska Cruising Guide 2019-2021. The guide is also available via Brochure Flow in Australia and Travel Marketing in New Zealand.

Riviera Travel releases 10 solo-only European river cruises for 2020

Luxury, solo-friendly river cruise line Riviera Travel has announced 10 solo exclusive sailings for 2020, with all cabins free of any single supplement.

The 10 new solo-only sailings range in length from five to eight days, departing between 30 March 2020 and 13 November 2020, with fares starting from $1829 for solo travellers for a five-day ‘Amsterdam, Kinderdijk and Dutch Bulbfields’ cruise in Holland.

Other cruises solo travellers can join without paying any supplement include an eight-day ‘Blue Danube’ cruise from $2969, an eight-day ‘Douro, Porto and Salamanca’ cruise in Portugal from $3709, an eight-day ‘Burgundy, Rhone and Provence’ cruise in France from $3549, an eight-day ‘Medieval Germany’ sailing from $3959, and an eight-day ‘Rhine, Strasbourg and Heidelberg’ cruise from $3249.

Virgin Voyages expands entertainment lineup with Mark Ronson and Diplo

Virgin Voyages has announced an expanded partnership with Academy Award, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning artist and producer Mark Ronson.

Ronson will join the company’s Creative Collective, a group of world-class tastemakers, artists and designers who are collaborating with Virgin Voyages to bring epic sailor experiences to sea.

In his role as the company’s ‘Minister of Music’, Ronson will be creating a series of pre-voyage and onboard playlists for sailors, as well as curating the vinyl record selection in the RockStar Suites and the ship’s vinyl and music shop, Voyage Vinyl.

What’s more, Ronson will be working with Virgin Voyages’ music teams, defining the brand’s sound at sea as well as at The Beach Club in Bimini, Bahamas (pictured above).

As a part of Virgin Voyages’ On Deck residency program, Ronson has committed to four performances at The Beach Club at Bimini in 2020.

Continuing the expansion of its On Deck residency program, Virgin Voyages has announced that legendary DJ and record producer Diplo will also perform at the Beach Club in 2020.

For one night only, Virgin Voyages is bringing a taste of its unique onboard experiences to London with a star-studded Scarlet Night event.

Cunard returns to Alaska

Queen Elizabeth kicked off Cunard’s return to Alaska in its West Coast homeport of Vancouver on 21 May.

The ship will sail four 10-night roundtrip voyages out of Vancouver in 2019, and 10 voyages in 2020.

Cunard will visit the awe-inspiring Glacier Bay during its 2020 Alaska voyages, and is the only cruise line offering 10-, 11- and 12-day round trip voyages from Vancouver in 2020, soaking up the majestic and pristine drama of both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.

Scenic invites travellers to experience Oberammergau 2020

Next year, thousands of people from all over the world will gather in the tiny hamlet of Oberammergau in Bavaria for a performance of the famed Passion Play. Scenic is inviting travellers to be part of this unforgettable experience that occurs only once every 10 years.

The Passion Play, stage production performed by 2,000 Oberammergau residents, tells the story of the life and death of Jesus Christ through dramatic performances, with choral and musical accompaniment.

Between 20 May and 21 September 2020, Scenic will operate a series of itineraries which include the Passion Play and will seamlessly link with a selection of river cruise departures.

Scenic is inviting guests to book now for this exclusive experience with its exceptional and unprecedented offer of included flights to Europe all year, in all suites, on all rivers on all cruises (of 11 days or longer), in all-inclusive luxury.