Here’s the latest and greatest on all things cruise compiled, compressed and cared for by yours truly.

Princess Cruises confirms record breaking 2020-21, The Love Boat’s Ted Lange heads to Australia for return of Pacific Princess

Princess Cruises has announced Pacific Princess will join its record 2020-2021 summer lineup in Australia, with the boutique ship offering local cruisers a range of unique itineraries and maiden calls during its four-month deployment.

On sale Thursday 11 July for Princess Elite guests and available to the general public on Friday 12 July, Pacific Princess’ program will include an epic 90-day roundtrip voyage from Sydney around South America, a 13-night cruise visiting ports on New Zealand’s north and south islands and a special 21-night sailing to remote locations in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Ted Lange. Photo by Rob Comeau for Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has also revealed Ted Lange, best known for his role of Isaac Washington – the cocktail maker and confidant on the iconic TV series The Love Boat – will be in Sydney from 9–12 July 2019 to celebrate the return of Princess Cruises’ Pacific Princess to Australia.

The December 2020 arrival of the 670-guest Pacific Princess in Sydney will coincide with the 45th anniversary of Princess Cruises’ first roundtrip cruise from Australia, a voyage that was made on the original Pacific Princess which was the ship that starred in The Love Boat.

Seabourn unveils custom submarines for expedition ships

Seabourn is preparing to take travellers into the depths of the ocean for the first time by revealing the design and details for its custom submarines that will operate excursions for an additional charge from the line’s two upcoming ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships.

Both Seabourn Venture and its yet-to-be-named sister ship will sail to the far corners of the Earth carrying two U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub 7 submarines designed specifically for Seabourn.

Each battery-powered sub will carry six guests as well as one pilot, who will guide the journey up to 300 meters beneath the surface to explore sunken wrecks, reefs, and view marine wildlife in their natural habitat.

Guests are seated in two clear acrylic spheres flanking the centre pilot’s station, with an awe-inspiring perspective of the marine world just outside thanks to undisturbed and undistorted views in virtually all directions. The three passenger seats in each sphere are mounted on a rotating platform that can turn for best sightlines.

Silversea to open sales for new ship Silver Origin

Starting 16 July 2019, travellers will be able to reserve their suites aboard Silversea’s new ship, Silver Origin, which has been designed entirely with the Galapagos Islands in mind.

The all-suite, 100-guest Silver Origin will embark on its maiden voyage in July 2020 and will reportedly be the most elegant ship to ever sail the region, connecting guests with the destination through immersive experiences.

Four Holland America Line ships set to explore South America and Antarctica in 2019–20

From September 2019 through April 2020, four Holland America Line ships will offer cruises of South America and Antarctica, with itineraries ranging from 14 to 48 days.

Guests will explore exotic and remote ports that offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences like sailing on the Amazon River, strolling the streets of Buenos Aires, relaxing on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and visiting the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu.

Departures begin on both coasts of North and South America including Fort Lauderdale, Florida; San Diego, California; Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, British Columbia; Callao (Lima), Peru; San Antonio (Santiago), Chile; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Highlights include Zaandam’s full season of cruising, Koningsdam’s 48-day Voyage of the Americas, the longest itinerary of the season; Amsterdam’s 35-day Incan Empires; and Volendam’s 30-day Amazon Explorer.

Carnival Cruise Line launches ‘Kid’s Sail Free’ sale

Carnival Cruise Line has launched its ‘Kids Sail Free’ sale, with families able to take advantage of an offer that gives children the change to sail free of charge. Buy two tickets and get up to two free tickets for children.

This promotion is only available to book from today until 18 July 2019 for select Carnival Spirit sailings from 26 August to 6 December 2019.

New Celebrity Cruises brochure showcases biggest local season ever

Celebrity Cruises’ new brochure has hit the racks, showcasing the biggest local season ever and including a preview of Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Eclipse sailings before the modern luxury line returns to Australia and New Zealand in Summer 2020.

The compact brochure shares details of Celebrity Eclipse’s multi-million dollar revolution before it arrives in Melbourne and highlights Celebrity Solstice’s Sydney departures. Together, the sister ships will offer itineraries ranging from two to 14 nights.

Royal Caribbean fleet expansion cruises to clean-energy future

Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced that it has entered into an agreement with shipbuilder Meyer Turku to order a third Icon-class ship for delivery in 2025.

The ship will join its two sister ships – to be delivered in 2022 and 2024, respectively – in Royal Caribbean International’s fleet, an industry leader in innovation, clean technology, and breakthrough ship design.

Viking’s 2021 Egypt itineraries now on sale

Bookings for 2021 departures of Viking’s incredibly popular Pharaohs and Pyramids sailing are now open. But be quick – 2019 and 2020 departures are sold out!

The 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids Nile River cruise-tour itinerary includes 11 guided tours and comprises a mixture of cruising and land accommodation to allow guests ample opportunity to experience the wonders of Egypt from land and sea.

In Cairo, guests spend three nights in a first-class hotel, allowing time to explore the modernity and the history of this great city, including the towering Pyramids of Giza, before flying to Luxor where guests board their ship.

With no ‘sea-days’, guests will follow in the footsteps of ancient traders and sailors of the Nile to destinations such as Aswan, Edfu, Qena and Esna.

MSC Cruises announces enhanced family offering on MSC Grandiosa, MSC Armonia to offer enriched Caribbean discovery

MSC Cruises has released details of a line-up of brand-new kids entertainment debuting onboard MSC Grandiosa, the company’s new flagship launching in November this year.

The company is now introducing three brand new activities to MSC Grandiosa, MSC Dance Crew, The Drone Academy and Spy Mission, as well as introducing a new web series targeted at teenagers.

MSC Cruises’ coming winter Caribbean season (November 2019 – April 2020) starts with MSC Armonia’s maiden call to the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve just one week after it opens its doors. As part of an enrichment of its itineraries, MSC Armonia will visit the exclusive natural island destination every week, as well as other exciting ports across the Western Caribbean.

Founded on a deep commitment to ecological principles, Ocean Cay will be a private island destination like no other, surrounded by protected waters rich in marine and coral life. It has been conceived to immerse travellers in the natural beauty of the Caribbean and The Bahamas.