Cruise wrap: Win an MSC cruise, PONANT info events, Seabourn’s new champagne partner + MORE!

Cruise wrap: Win an MSC cruise, PONANT info events, Seabourn’s new champagne partner + MORE!

Batten down the hatches because this cruise wrap is bigger than the Pacific Ocean! Or maybe the Arctic. It would fill your kitchen sink, at least.

Silversea launches an unrivalled collection of Grand Voyages 

Key Visual - Silversea

Silversea launches a new collection of Grand Voyages for late 2020 and 2021, which includes three exceptional expedition cruise options plus an incredible circumnavigation of Australia onboard Silver Muse during Silversea’s longest deployment to date in Australia, the South Pacific and New Zealand. Purposely designed for travellers who prefer a more immersive travel experience, Silversea’s Grand Voyages offer extended journeys, up to 70 days, with multiple overnight stays, a range of exclusive events, and many life-defining experiences.

These unique voyages combine the luxury of sailing aboard the line’s intimate, all-suite ships with exceptional itineraries that take guests closer to the authentic beauty of the world — featuring visits to the world’s most iconic ports, as well as exotic destinations that are off the beaten path.

Oceania Cruises announces Europe 2020 early booking special

Now is the perfect time for agents to book a 2020 European sailing for their clients aboard the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. As part of an early booking special, guests will receive a free Stateroom Upgrade when they book select 2020 European sailings between July 17th and July 30th* 2019.

The special is valid across fifteen 2020 European sailings, and there are five category upgrade options for guests to take advantage of, including:

  • Inside Stateroom to Ocean View Stateroom
  • Inside Stateroom to Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom
  • Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom to Veranda Stateroom
  • Veranda Stateroom to Concierge Level Veranda
  • Concierge Level Veranda to Veranda Stateroom

European Waterways announces 10 per cent off unique Paris to Champagne Cruise in 2020

EW_Panache Cruising (low-res)

For those who would like to enjoy Paris in the spring and see the iconic landmarks from a different perspective, European Waterways is offering 10 per cent off the charter price of its May 24, 2020 departure onboard hotel barge Panache.

One of its most unique hotel barge cruises for 2020, the cruise leaves from central Paris and passes some of the city’s famous landmarks that include Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower on its way to a six-day “voyage of discovery” through France’s Champagne region, visiting the likes of Moët & Chandon and Reims Cathedral. Guests can then return to Paris by private transfer or take advantage of many excellent transportation links in Champagne to continue their holiday in France.

The 10 per cent off special represents a saving of €6,100 (approx. AU$9,765) off the regular €61,000 (approx. AU$97,650) 12-person charter price for the Panache.

Win an MSC Cruise for you and a friend, plus $1,000 towards airfare + details of new destination

MSC Cruises is offering agents the chance to win one of two cruises.  Simply book and deposit a minimum of 10 cabins between 15 July and 15 September 2019 for cruises departing between 1 April 2020 and 31 October 2020 on any MSC Cruise of 7 nights or more.

Entry is open to all retail agents to win either a Balcony cabin on your choice of ship, plus $1,000 towards airfare for you and your partner OR

Balcony cabin on your choice of ship + $1,000 towards airfare for you and your partner + Premium Drinks Package for the agent that books the most cabins.

To enter simply email marketing@msccruises.com.au with your list of booking numbers and/ or passenger name by 1 October 2019 and you could be setting sail aboard one of our 19 modern ships!

Meanwhile, the cruise line also released a new rendered tour video of its exclusive Bahamian island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, ahead of its first guests arriving later this year.

The new video brings viewers along for a detailed look at what guests can look forward to while visiting the island, which is exclusive to MSC Cruises’ guests as part of itineraries in the Caribbean region.

From November 2019, all MSC Cruises ships from Miami will call at Ocean Cay as part of the Caribbean itineraries.

Princess Cruises ranks #1 in Australia and New Zealand

princess

Recognised as a destination leader, taking guests to more than 380 worldwide ports of call, Princess Cruises has been awarded three first-place accolades in Cruise Critic’s fourth annual “Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards.” Based entirely on consumer ratings, the awards name the world’s most popular cruise destinations – as well as the best cruise line’s to visit each region. In the Large Cruise Ship Category Princess Cruises was named Top Cruise Line in Australia & New Zealand, the Baltic & Scandinavia and the U.S. & Canada.

In addition, the cruise line ranked in the top three as best in the British Isles & Western Europe (#2); the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda (#3); Hawaii (#2); Mexican Riviera (#2); the Panama Canal & Central America (#3); South America & Antarctica (#2); the South Pacific (#2) and the Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya (#2) – all in the Large Ship Cruise Line Category.

PONANT announces next round of EXPLORER SERIES Information Events

Luxury Expedition cruise company PONANT has announced dates in August for its next round of EXPLORER SERIES Information Events. Equally popular with travel agents and their clients, it provides an excellent opportunity to discover the unique offerings of PONANT’s fleet and global range of itineraries stretching from polar regions to equatorial tropics, as well as hearing from and meeting key members of the Expedition Team.

Travel agents are encouraged to bring potential clients with them to the function or encourage clients to come along unattended – on the basis that any sales commitments will be credited to the relevant agent to ensure commissions are maintained.

MELBOURNE with Mick Fogg, Expedition Manager
Tuesday 6 August 2019 at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
2:00pm and 6:00pm sessions available

SYDNEY with Mick Fogg, Expedition Manager
Thursday 8 August 2019 at the Kirribilli Club
2:00pm and 6:00pm sessions available

BRISBANE with Sandrine Erwin-Rose, Expedition Leader
Tuesday 27 August 2019 at the Blackbird Function Centre
2:00pm and 6:00pm sessions available

Venue numbers are limited, and registration is required to secure seats for you and your clients.

To register: contact PONANT on 1300 737 178, visit the company’s website or email reservations.aus@ponant.com.

Carnival Cruise Line’s ‘Treat Yourself Sale’ + new partnership with Soap Aid

carnival

Today, Carnival Cruise Line has launched its ‘Treat Yourself’ sale, giving Aussies the perfect excuse to book their next fun-filled escape with up to $500^ per cabin to spend onboard.

Couples and families can choose to sail to some of Carnival’s most stunning destinations including the picturesque islands of New Caledonia and the palm-lined beaches of Vanuatu with spending money onboard included!

First-time cruisers can also take advantage of a Weekend Sampler sailing to get a true taste for cruising while experiencing all of the fun a Carnival cruise has to offer.

This offer is available on select sailings between 2 August 2019 and 30 December 2020 onboard Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendor.

Book now to experience all that Carnival has to offer, with 45+ daily activities, from the thrilling Green Thunder waterslide, themed nights, live Broadway-style entertainment and the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss with Seuss at Sea™.

Meanwhile, the cruise line also announced a new partnership with Soap Aid, seeing Carnival collect tonnes of discarded soap bars to be recycled and donated to disadvantaged communities across Australia and the world.

Soap Aid is a not-for-profit organisation committed to saving children’s lives through improved hygiene while positively impacting the environment. The organisation reprocesses and delivers soap to communities in critical need to help them achieve life-saving and sustainable improvements in global hygiene practices.

Through the program, Carnival will collect discarded soap from guest and crew staterooms on Carnival Spirit to be refined and sterilised at a Soap Aid processing facility. The soap will then be remoulded and packaged for distribution. The program will be extended to Carnival Splendor when she joins the Australian fleet later this year, sailing out of Sydney.

Seabourn welcomes new champagne partner

Montaudon

Seabourn has introduced new brand partners this year, including the brand’s legacy of well-known Champagne service with Montaudon Brut across the entire fleet.

The new Montaudon Brut will be available across all Seabourn ships by the end of this summer season.

Norwegian Cruise Line releases Worldwide Cruising Guide for 2019-2022

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched its latest Worldwide Cruising Guide for 2019-2022. The brochure features exciting new itineraries, fleet upgrades as part of the Norwegian Edge® initiative and unique product selling points, to name but a few.

To celebrate the launch of the new Worldwide Cruising Guide, NCL is giving Australian and New Zealand travel partners the chance to win an array of amazing prizes from a prize pool valued at over AU$2,000, while increasing their fleetwide product knowledge.

Featuring a different quiz and prize every day over a five-day period, agents only need to answer a couple of simple questions – which can be found in the brochure – to be in the draw to win.

Prizes include a Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System, Apple Air Pods, an Amazon Echo Plus with Alexa, AU$300 Visa gift card and an Apple Watch Series 3, with a Taylors Wine Pack offered as a daily runner up prize.

Travel agents can head to NCL’s Learn & Win microsite to discover a number of great resources and gain access to enter the daily competition – running from Monday, 22 July, 2019 (commencing 9:00AM AEST) to Friday, 26 July, 2019 (concluding 11:59PM AEST). Trade partners could win all five major prizes, simply enter daily to be in the running.

Huge savings on nine expedition cruises to the Arctic and Newfoundland

Ocean Endeavour in Arctic - pic credit - Michelle Valberg

Couples can save up to US$7080 on nine expedition cruises of the Arctic and Newfoundland that showcase the region’s icebergs, dramatic fjords, stunning glaciers, polar bears, seabirds and whales. For a limited time, Adventure Canada and Cruise Traveller have also dropped the single supplement on all nine cruises in selected cabin categories, saving solo travellers thousands of dollars.

Adventure Canada and Cruise Traveller’s 15 per cent off early bird offer and no solo supplement deal is currently available on nine expedition cruises to the Arctic and Newfoundland between June and September 2020.  Fares start from US$5420 per person, twin-share or for solo travellers, on an 11-night ‘Mighty St Lawrence’ cruise – a saving of US$1740 for couples and US$4015 for solo travellers. Book by October 31, 2019.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages launches themed cruises for summer including world-first Gin Cruise and first Fringe on the Water

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has announced the introduction of themed cruises for its upcoming Australian season, including what is believed to be the first-ever gin-themed ocean cruise, as well as the world-first ‘Fringe on the Water’ event.

The themed cruises on offer include a seven-night Boutique Gin and Culinary Cruise, a five-night Military History Cruise, and a one-night in-port Fringe World event to take place aboard the newest ship to join the CMV fleet, Vasco da Gama.

Aurora Expeditions’ new ship exceeds expectations

Aerial Shot II Greg Mortimer

Aurora Expeditions’ purpose-built, X-bow® expedition ship, the Greg Mortimer, has successfully completed sea trials this week ahead of her inaugural voyage on 31 October 2019 to Antarctica.

The Greg Mortimer is classified as a small expedition ship and has been built to world-class polar standards. The ship underwent a comprehensive trial over the past five days and nights and surpassed engineer’s speed, vibration and noise estimations.

Named after Aurora Expeditions’ adventurous co-founder, Greg Mortimer, the 104m ship is the first-ever passenger vessel to feature the patented Ulstein X-Bow®; innovative marine technology that allows for gentler sea crossings, improved comfort and reduced emissions.

Dream team line-up of speakers for Australian Cruise Association Conference

Michael Goh

Ahead of Genting Cruise Lines confirming that they will be sending Explorer Dream to Australia this coming cruise season, Michael Goh, SVP International Sales for the cruise line has been confirmed as the final keynote speaker for the 23rd annual Australian Cruise Association (ACA) Conference.

Goh joins an already stellar agenda featuring Melissa Witsoe, Product Manager for Windstar Cruises in Seattle, Adam Armstrong, Managing Director of Silversea Cruises in Australia and New Zealand who will attend as a first-time speaker to the Conference and Captain Nikolaos Antalis, Association Vice President Marine and Safety for Royal Caribbean International – RCI (APAC).

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