Big Fat Cruise Wrap
On Wednesdays, we wear pink and read the cruise wrap. And even the first one is non-compulsory.
Countdown for Majestic Princess’ Australian Arrival
Today marks one year until Majestic Princess, the newest and most luxurious ship in the Princess fleet, arrives in Australia. Carrying 3,560 guests, the 143,000-tonne mega-liner will be the largest Princess ship ever to sail in Australian waters.
The 330 metre long flagship will arrive in Sydney on Saturday, 15 September 2018, commencing the 2018/2019 summer cruise season in spectacular fashion.
The ultimate in premium cruising, Majestic Princess features 13 dining options including two restaurants with menus designed by Michelin star chefs – Harmony by Chef Richard Chen and La Mer by Chef Emmanuel Renaut – as well as more than 1000 square metres of designer shopping, the cruise line’s largest ever thermal suite and a dramatic over-the-ocean glass walkway, the SeaWalk.
Guests can choose from a wide range of high-end accommodation including suites, Club Class mini-suites, and new deluxe balcony rooms, with more than 80 per cent of the ship’s 1780 staterooms offering private balconies.
Uniworld continues to raise the bar
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises this week announced it has again achieved a remarkable 4.9/5.0 average FEEFO guest satisfaction for the second year in a row.
FEEFO is an independent online review system that promotes genuine customer reviews without alteration or bias from the service provider. Every Uniworld guest receives an invitation from FEEFO to independently review their Uniworld cruise experience on their return, and all reviews are displayed by FEEFO on Uniworld’s global website.
With over 40 years of experience in delivering river cruises of the highest quality and standard, to have such a consistently high FEEFO rating is a great testament to the nautical and hospitality crew on-board the ships who continue to deliver the very best experience on the rivers.
Carnival Cruise Line assisting International Coastal Cleanup
Carnival Cruise Line’s Captain Vittorio Marchi and other volunteers from Carnival Spirit worked shoulder to shoulder with the local community at Lifou in New Caledonia playing their part in an international movement to clean up the world’s coast lines.
The Carnival Spirit team volunteers are pictured below working hard to make sure Lifou is in its usual pristine condition as it welcomes thousands of cruise visitors.
International Coastal Cleanup is an initiative of the Ocean Conservancy organisation. Volunteers from 112 countries around the world participate in cleanup days moving nearly 10 million kilograms of rubbish. High on the list of things to be picked up are plastic bags and discarded fishing line.
Thomas Keneally to sail aboard Silveursea’s 2018 World Cruise
Silversea Cruises, the world’s leading luxury and expedition cruise line, is pleased to announce acclaimed Australian author Thomas Keneally as its newest guest enrichment lecturer, featuring aboard Silver Whisper as part of the incredible World Cruise 2018.
Joining for 13 days from Sydney to Bali as part of the magnificent World Cruise 2018, Keneally will deliver a range of thought-provoking enrichment lectures. Guests will hear Keneally’s unique insights into his personal stories and profound experiences, all while travelling through a variety of incredible destinations in all-inclusive, intimate luxury.
Keneally is a critically acclaimed Australian novelist, playwright, and essayist and has published more than 30 novels and screenplays during his career. Keneally’s novel, Schindler’s Ark won the 1982 Man Booker Prize, and was later adapted into the Academy Award winning Spielberg classic, Schindler’s List.
Exclusively created scent welcomes Fiji Princess passengers onboard
Blue Lagoon Cruises’ Orchid Cabin guests are now welcomed onboard for their cruise with a new Fijian scent.
The Nama, white gingerlily and mint scent has been created exclusively by Nama of Fiji. A key ingredient is nama organic sea grapes, a superior form of sea grapes sourced from the pristine blue lagoon waters of the Yasawa Islands.
To complement the new exclusive scent Fiji Princess will now also feature Nama of Fiji in the onboard cabin amenities – shampoo, conditioner and shower gel – in each of the cabins.
The production of Nama of Fiji product also has an intrinsic link to the local area. A nama farming project is underway that involves working closely with marine experts and villagers to ensure a sustainable supply of nama as well as a revenue source for the villages.
Fly Free to Vietnam and Cambodia with APT
With the release of luxury tour operator APT’s Vietnam and Cambodia 2018/19 brochure, guests are invited to cruise the banks of the Mekong River and explore the two former French colonies while taking advantage of extensive early-bird Superdeal savings.
The unforgettable 13-day Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights tour hones in on the magical elements that make these countries so unique. Journeying between tiny tributaries and touching on local villages. Prices start at $6,495, per person twin share and come with ‘Fly Free’ Superdeals if booking before the 28 February 2018.
Explore the intriguing stone ruins of Angkor in Siem Reap, sail the Mekong River and delight in an extensive range of sightseeing options in Ho Chi Minh City.
A holiday through Vietnam and Cambodia with APT gives guests the opportunity to understand the cultural history that first comes to mind when considering these regions, along with the lesser-known aspects of tradition and daily Mekong life.
The new RV Sabei Pandaw
Spice it up at Oceania Cruises’ Red Ginger – the hottest restaurant at sea
The multi-award winning Oceania Cruises continues to emphasise its reputation as the world’s leading culinary and destination-focussed cruise line with the most sought-after dining experience at sea – modern Asian icon Red Ginger.
Designed with a mix of contemporary Asian style and feng shui principles in mind to radiate harmony and tranquillity, the restaurant’s interior is distinctive and moody with ebony timbers, golden walls, rich red furnishings, striking modern Asian art, a waterfall wall and glowing lighting – setting the scene for a memorable on board dining experience.
Red Ginger’s cuisine is as bold as the décor, and as pretty as the picture-perfect plates. Guests can select chopsticks from a fascinating array of options, varying in length, material and colour from stainless steel to wood, on a dedicated tray.
Love, Lust and Hand Grenades – the Explosive New Show on P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer
Internationally acclaimed Australian director Scott Maidment, the creative mastermind behind Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour and the sell-out Sydney Opera House circus spectacle Blanc de Blanc, has launched his latest production onboard P&O Cruises Pacific Explorer.
The new Love Riot show is an explosive adventure featuring world-class dance, comedy, circus and acrobatics with choreography by LA’s Kevin Maher and set and costume design by James Browne.
The 90-minute performance typically found in a spiegeltent rather than a cruise ship features an impressive world-class line up of elite artists and contortionists that dangle from silk sheets and trapezes, unicycle through the audience and perform awe-inspiring acts.
Double cruise through the Baltics
An interesting summer cruise through the Baltics showcasing the best of the region is available on a 21-night double roundtrip cruise from London on the modern Sapphire Princess. Book by October 4 and receive a two-night stopover at Raffles Dubai, from cruise holiday specialist ecruising.travel.
Departing on June 2, 2018, cruise to the main cities of the Baltics; Copenhagen in Denmark, Stockholm in Sweden, Tallinn in Estonia, Helsinki in Finland, Gdynia in Poland and an overnight stay in the stunning city of St Petersburg in Russia.
After an overnight stay on board in London, set sail to explore all the highlights of Norway with port visits to Stavanger, Olden, Geiranger, Hellesylt, and Bergen.
Viking announces two new 2019 ocean itineraries to Iceland and Russia
Viking Cruises today announces two new ocean itineraries to further establish themselves as the experts on the lands of the ancient Vikings. The new cruises are offered in the northern hemisphere spring and summer months of 2019, and highlight bucket list favourites like Iceland and Russia.
Guests can immerse themselves in Icelandic tradition and engage with the region’s people during the new Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes 13-day exploration with overnights in Bergen and Reykjavík. In Norway, contrast the pleasant urban setting of Ålesund with the robust beauty of Geiranger’s fjord landscape.
Meet the people who thrive on the water’s edge of the Faroe archipelago, while in Iceland’s majestic, distant north, encounter polar fox, tern, eider ducks and members of the whale family. Soak in the mineral-rich waters of Iceland’s fabled Blue Lagoon, said to be the nation’s health and beauty secret. Witness otherworldly, spellbinding landscapes as you tour the fabled “Island of Fire and Ice.”
Holland America Line deploys ms Maasdam and ms Noordam down under for 2017-18 wave season
Over two consecutive days (21 and 22 October respectively), Holland America Line will welcome back ms Maasdam and ms Noordam in Sydney, with the two ships making calls across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific over the 2017/18 season.
In a first for Holland America Line locally, the line will offer two shorter sailings of 4- and 5-days as part of the 31-day Pacific Explorer itinerary on ms Maasdam.
Guests will also be able to make the most of Holland America Line’s partnerships with BBC Earth and America’s Test Kitchen while on board this season. The immersive BBC Earth partnership gives guests the opportunity to experience the world’s natural wonders through innovative programming including a ground-breaking films, game shows, themed trivia and children’s activities.
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