Cruise wrap: Two new ships for Riviera Travel, Carnival wraps up record-breaking season + more!
We’ve prepared a special little wrap-up of this week’s cruise industry news to reward all you troopers who are still in the office. How does it differ from a regular cruise wrap? We’ll get back to you on that one.
Carnival commemorates Anzac Day with a dawn service at sea
Carnival Spirit will host an ANZAC Day dawn service at sea on 25 April 2019, during its eight-night cruise to New Caledonia.
The day will commemorate all Australians who served and died in war and on operational service past and present.
Recently retired serviceman, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Paine, will host the dawn service onboard as a representative of Legacy – a charity that provides support to Australian Defence Force families following the injury or death of a spouse or parent during or after their service.
As part of the service, Lieutenant Colonel Paine will read the well-known ANZAC poem, ‘ANZAC Cove’, written by his great uncle, Leon Gellert.
He will also share his personal perspective on the ANZAC Spirit and offer an insight into the history of Australians in war as part of a special presentation on ANZAC Day eve.
Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a ‘Gunfire Breakfast’, play backyard cricket, a special game of Two-Up and view a screening of Gallipoli throughout the day.
Carnival will also host a special gathering in the RedFrog Pub for veterans, giving them a comfortable environment to get to know one another and share stories.
Two new five-star river ships launched in Europe by Riviera Travel
Riviera Travel launched two new, five-star ships this month – the 169-passenger William Wordsworth and 132-guest George Eliot – continuing Riviera’s tradition of naming vessels after famous British authors.
The new ships bring Riviera’s fleet size to 13 vessels, with another to join the growing cruise line in 2020. Already the biggest river cruise operator in the UK market, Riviera Travel is this year attracting 73 per cent more Australian bookings compared to 2017.
Launched on April 4, 2019, the luxury new ship, George Eliot, offers a restaurant, bistro, lounge, wellness centre and sun deck while the larger William Wordsworth, which began service the day after, offers those facilities as well as a fitness room, splash pool and putting green.
George Eliot will ply the Rhine and Moselle rivers as well as the canals of Holland this year and in 2020, with fares available from $1249 per person, twin-share, for a five-day ‘Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets’ cruise and from $2609 per person, twin-share, for an eight-day ‘Rhine Cruise to Switzerland’.
Meanwhile, the William Wordsworth will sail the Danube River this year and next, with fares available from $2059 per person, twin-share, or for solo travellers, subject to availability, for an eight-day ‘Blue Danube’ cruise through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.
Save 25 per cent on Brahmaputra River cruises in India
Experience the less-travelled and wildlife-abundant state of Assam in northern India on a boutique river cruise along the sacred Brahmaputra River, with Adventure Resorts and Cruises (ARC) offering 25 per cent discounts.
Boasting views of the Himalayas, abundant wildlife and numerous tea plantations, the Brahmaputra River is one of India’s hidden treasures and Australians can see it for less with this new special offer from ARC.
Guests can save 25 per cent on one of three, seven-night Brahmaputra River cruises aboard ARC’s boutique, 46-guest river ship, MV Mahabaahu. The first departs from Guwahati on September 29, 2019, and the second departs Guwahati on March 29, 2020. Prices begin from $2815 per person, twin-share, in a twin superior cabin – a saving of $938 per person. ARC has not left solo travellers out either with a special, no-single-supplement offer on their December 22, 2019, departure from Guwahati, with prices starting from $2815 in a superior cabin.
Oceania Cruises unveils new Tropics & Exotics itineraries
Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line unveiled its new 2020-2021 Tropics & Exotics Collection of itineraries which are now open for sale.
2020-2021 Tropics & Exotics Collection Highlights
- 85 itineraries, 69 of them entirely new, including 13 new voyages to Asia & Africa, 8 new voyages to South America, 8 new sailings to the South Pacific, Australia & New Zealand, 7 new Transoceanic journeys, and an extraordinary 31 new voyages to the Caribbean, the Panama Canal & Mexico.
- A dozen new ports of call that reveal a fascinating mosaic of cultures, such as Cuba’s unspoiled Isla de la Juventud, Japan’s traditional seaside town of Miyako, the compelling Indonesian melting pot of Surabaya, and New Zealand’s remote port of Whangarei.
- Explore the treasures of once-forbidden Cuba with two dozen all-encompassing voyages to the island, most of which feature overnights in iconic Havana and many delve into the lesser-known corners of the country with calls in Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba.
- From stunning Hokkaido, the northernmost main island in Japan, to the Tasmanian city of Burnie, travellers can choose from an expanded selection of intriguing ports in Asia and Australia.
Vasco da Gama sets sail on maiden voyage
Vasco da Gama, the latest addition to the fleet of Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), will today set sail on her maiden voyage from Singapore to London Tilbury.
Vasco da Gama is the fifth ship in CMV’s fleet, with the leading independent cruise line this year celebrating 10 years in operation.
The ship will make destinations such as South Australia, Tasmania, Australia’s north west, and Southeast Asia more accessible and affordable for Australian guests when she arrives in Sydney this December.
Carnival Australia’s record-breaking summer cruise season wraps up
Another record-breaking summer cruise season wraps up for Australia’s largest cruise operator Carnival Australia on April 21 as Holland America Line’s Noordam sailed from Sydney.
Season highlights included a record 696 port calls in Australia and economic activity estimated at around half a billion dollars.
The spectacular arrival of Majestic Princess on September 15 – the largest Princess ship ever to sail in Australia – kicked off the season.
Cunard based its magnificent Queen Elizabeth in Australia for 54 days, the prelude to 101 days in 2019-20 and 118 days in 2020-21.
Australia’s homegrown P&O Cruises made a record 334 calls to Australian ports during the season – 17 per cent more than the previous summer, nearly half of Carnival Australia’s total port calls.
Twenty-five per cent off Fiji cruise sail and no single supplement
Save 25 per cent on adult cruise fares and solo travellers pay no single supplement, on all Captain Cook Cruises Fiji’s three, four- and seven-night Mamanuca, Yasawa Islands and remote Discovery cruises. This amazing deal is on sale from 1 May to 30 June 2019 with travel until 31 March 2020.
Unpack once and visit parts of Fiji larger ships cannot get to and discover Fijian Culture, deserted beaches and some of the most dramatic scenery in the South Pacific aboard the 130-passenger, fully accommodated MV Reef Endeavour cruise ship.
Offering a truly heart-warming cultural experience visit remote Fijian villages and schools, interact and play with local children, experience a Fijian church service and a traditional village Sevusevu ceremony, Meke and Lovo feast.
As well as being immersed in Fijian culture enjoy amazing daily snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding relaxing on white sandy beaches and swimming in crystal clear waters.
European Waterways offers early bird booking promotions
With an increase in demand for more exclusive experiential holidays driving a surge in hotel barge cruises, European Waterways is offering an ‘early bird’ promotion that lets guests lock in their 2020 cruises at 2019 prices.
Guests can also take an extra 10% off charter prices on select spring 2020 departures on hotel barges that include La Belle Epoque and L’Art de Vivre in Burgundy, Anjodi on the Canal du Midi, and La Bella Vita in Italy. All 2020 cruises must be booked by May 13, 2019 to qualify for these offers. Other restrictions may apply.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
cruise wrap ocean cruise river cruiseLatest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.