If we read any more cruise news we might turn into a cruise ship. But a really pretty one with a spa and a contemporary colour scheme.

Crystal unveils new travel partner resource center and travel agent university

Crystal has announced a newly enhanced Partner Resource Center and updated Travel Agent University. The Partner Resource Center, formerly the Travel Agent Center, has debuted with an enhanced aesthetic platform, improved functionality and a comprehensive collection of materials and tools. The new platform caters exclusively to partners seeking to expand their Crystal business, providing access to:

• Training videos and webinars
• Sales and marketing kit
• Crystal news and media centre
• Cruise Guidebooks
• CruiseBuilder 3.0
• Personalised URL services
• Travel documents and forms portal
• Crystal sales team bios and backgrounds
• Special offers
• Travel partner fares

Murray River Loxton Cruise 2018 Dates Announced

Captain Cook Cruises has announced the 2018 dates for its popular seven-night Loxton cruises onboard small ship paddle-wheeler the Murray Princess.

The Mannum to Loxton cruise will depart Mannum on Friday 23rd November at 4.30pm and disembark at Loxton on Friday 30th November at 9am. The Loxton to Mannum cruise will depart Loxton on Friday 30th December at 4.30pm and disembark at Mannum on Friday 7th December at 9am

Crystal Marks First Construction Milestone for Crystal Endeavor

Crystal marked an important construction milestone in Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises’ expansion, as it cut the first piece of steel for Crystal Endeavor at MV WERFTEN Shipyard in Stralsund, Germany.

Crystal president and CEO, Tom Wolber, was joined by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman and CEO of Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong (GHK); Colin Au, group president of GHK; Jarmo Laakso, CEO of MV WERFTEN; and local dignitaries Harry Glawe, Economics Minister of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Dr. Alexander Badrow, Lord Mayor of Stralsund at the ceremony held at the shipyard on Monday, January 15.

New ship, new experiences: Azamara pursuit unveils three new land & sea experiences in South America

Azamara Club Cruises has announced the launch of three new Land and Sea packages in South America that explore bucket list destinations with the brand’s signature passion for Destination Immersion^® cruise experiences.

These exciting new packages include a Galapagos immersion with award-winning sister brand, Celebrity Cruises. Azamara provides guests with the opportunity to discover exotic ports and extend their voyage in some of 2018’s top regions to visit.

All three locations – the Galapagos in Ecuador, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil – are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while Machu Picchu is acknowledged as one of the New Wonders of the World.

Pandaw announces new Burma itinerary – River Cruise Pioneer Launches Limited Edition Mergui Archipelago Sailings

Pandaw River Expeditions has announced a new, limited edition, itinerary in Burma’s extraordinary Mergui Archipelago. The move follows the successful launch of Pandaw’s first ocean cruise onboard the MY Andaman Explorer, a classic 1960’s motor yacht acquired in 2016 and, lovingly, refurbished by Pandaw founders, Paul and Roser Strachan.

European Waterways Announces Spring Savings for Burgundy Cruises

European Waterways is jump-starting its spring 2018 hotel barge cruising season by offering up to 20% off cabins and charters in Burgundy, France.

The offer is available for select April departures on some of its most popular cruise routes in the famed wine-making region. Prices start at €2952 (AU$4,600) per person based on double occupancy. Cruises must be booked by February 19^th, 2018 to be eligible and other restrictions may apply.

Seabourn looks back on three decades of ultra-luxury innovation

The 30^th Anniversary of Seabourn starts with the turn of the calendar to 2018. But the anniversary celebration will continue throughout the year as the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line rolls out unique events and amenities created just for the occasion for guests, Seabourn team members and travel professional partners to enjoy around the world.

“Our 30^th Anniversary is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the reputation we’ve earned as the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line by providing guests with opportunities to experience the most intriguing destinations around the globe on the most desirable ships at sea,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. “As we continue to grow, those opportunities will grow as well. For now, though, we invite guests to sit back and soak up the ultra-luxury innovations we’ve pioneered and special touches we’ve created in celebration of our third decade at sea.”

Evergreen launches 2019 Europe River Cruising preview brochure featuring Fly Free offers

Evergreen Cruises & Tours new 2019 Europe River Cruising Preview brochure has been released featuring a range of flight offers like Fly Free* or Fly for $995 including taxes*, as well as No Single Supplement for solo travellers.

The offers can also be combined with early payment discounts for savings of up to an additional $800 per couple*.

Norwegian Cruise Line reveals Northern Hemisphere autumn/ winter 2019/20 itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line today revealed selections from the fleet’s North-American autumn/winter 2019/20 deployment, which will feature a plethora of warm weather escapes to tropical paradises in the Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida and South America, as well as Northern Hemisphere autumn foliage sailings in Canada & New England.

Most of the brand’s largest and newest vessels will each call a new city home in 2019. Norwegian’s unique and varied new itineraries, all of which feature the line’s signature cruising experience that allows guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal holiday, will open for sale today, for returning guests and will be available to the general public on Friday, January 19.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises launches reduced deposit and shipboard credit

Luxurious all-inclusive cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises has introduced a reduced 10% deposit and US$250 Shipboard Credit per suite on all 2018 Europe sailings booked by 31 January 2018.

Guests can also enjoy free unlimited laundry on all Mediterranean sailings for an even more inclusive experience. Now guests can pack that little bit lighter, knowing that their favourite travel garments will be returned to them clean, pressed and fresh as new.

Escape to the ends of the earth with last minute offer on Patagonia Stay and Cruise Package

Contours Travel – the longest-running Latin American tour operator in Australia – is offering a $2020 saving per couple on a new, all-inclusive package that will allow travellers to explore the spectacular wilderness at the ‘end of the earth’ in Patagonia by both land and sea.

The ‘Discover Patagonia’ tour departs on March 22, 2018, from Punta Arenas and Contours travel is offering a last-minute saving of $1010 per person until sold out. The all-inclusive, seven-night package takes guests to one of the world’s last great wilderness areas and allows them to explore mountains, lakes, ice-fields, forest landscapes and beautiful vistas of the southern tip of South America.

Azamara announces UK refit and maiden voyage for Azamara Pursuit

Boutique cruise line Azamara Club Cruises announced today that its new ship, Azamara Pursuit, will undergo its transformation to be almost identical to sister ships Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey. Azamara Pursuit will be refitted in the U.K. as it prepares to go into wet dock in Belfast in Spring 2018. The ship’s maiden voyage will begin in Southampton, England in August and visit eight destinations throughout Norway as part of its Destination Immersion® country-intensive series.

“We’re delighted to announce that the Azamara Pursuit’s first several voyages will depart from one of our largest growth markets,” said Azamara Club Cruises CEO Larry Pimentel. “We’ve seen double the UK demand for Azamara Pursuit than we usually see for its sister ships, so this is a really exciting time for us as a brand.”

Silversea’s Silver Whisper embarks on world cruise 2018 and a host of enriching events

Silversea’s all-suite Silver Whisper set sail from Los Angeles on 6 January 2018 on a 121-day voyage around the world.  Encompassing Pacific island paradises, ancient and modern wonders of Asia and the marvels of Arabia, the epic voyage will conclude in May in the eternal city of Rome.

The evening prior to departure, Silver Whisper’s guests were serenaded with live orchestral music as they enjoyed a gala bon voyage dinner at the glamorous Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.  The dinner is one of several unique complimentary benefits for World Cruise guests, including seven special cultural events that await them in Tahiti, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Mumbai and Sorrento.

Exclusive last-minute savings on a selection of Asia voyages

Silversea Cruises is delighted to offer last minute savings on a fascinating selection of Asia voyages*, on departures from now until 25 April 2018 aboard Silver Shadow.  When booking on participating voyages* by 15 March 2018, guests will receive a one-category upgrade and US$1,000 on-board credit per suite.  For guests who are booking and paying in full by 31 January 2018, they can also look forward to receiving Free Business Class Air.**

Guests can choose voyages ranging from nine to 15 days, which explore an array of exotic locations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines.  Guests will explore a fascinating contrast of new and old, from skyscrapers towering over stone-carved temples to bullet trains speeding past rice paddies and tea plantations.  Even the most discerning traveller will be fascinated by gilded shrines, floating markets, sampans in mist-shrouded harbours and harvested rice left to dry in the sun.

Ecruising.Travel wins awards

The team at ecruising.travel has taken two honours in the 2018 LUX Tourism Awards. The cruise expert was recognised for developing Australia’s Best Cruise Booking Platform with the POSH Club receiving the LUX Excellence Award for the Best Loyalty Program.

LUX is a monthly lifestyle magazine published in the United Kingdom with the 2018 Tourism Awards “designed to reward those succeeding within one of the world’s most extravagant industries”.

The CLIAs a Sell Out Amid Record Award Submissions

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has revealed that the 17th Cruise Industry Awards dinner has sold out in the wake of a record number of award nominations.

CLIA Australasia & Asia Managing Director Joel Katz said the association had been inundated with submissions from CLIA accredited agents and agencies for the categories open to nomination, which include Agent Promotion of the Year Australia / New Zealand, Network Promotion of the Year (Australasia) and Plan a Cruise Month Agency Award (Australasia).