Can’t get your head around cruising? Why spend hours watching Titanic and gazing at the horizon when you could just read this.

Carnival Cruise Line’s 72-hour sale

Carnival Cruise Line has announced their 72-hour sale encouraging Aussie couples and families to book their next fun-filled holiday for the chance to experience some early summer fun in the sun.

The promotion offers incredible reduced fares on twin and quad cabins starting from as little as $72 per person, per day on twin share interior cabins. This is based on a total rate of $576 pp/twin/interior, for the eight-day adventure to the tropical Great Barrier Reef on Carnival Legend, departing Sydney 24 October 2018.

Aussie cruisers taking advantage of this amazing sale can choose to sail with Carnival Legend or Carnival Spirit on selected October and November cruises. Families can experience all the fun Carnival has to offer with over 45 activities on board including the Green Thunder waterslide, mini golf, Broadway-style entertainment, theme nights and the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss with Seuss at Sea.

The offer is available until 11.59pm AEST August 9.

Environmental initiatives from Scenic in South East Asia

Discarded plastic waste in our oceans and waterways is a worldwide problem and potentially one of the major pollution issues of the modern day, threatening marine life, local industry, access to safe water, and the health of our oceans and waterways.

Initiatives are being put into place around the world to address this issue, and Scenic operations in South East Asia are working with local communities and our guests to be part of the global push to reduce plastic waste.

Scenic guests cruising the Irrawaddy in Myanmar and the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia are given the option to purchase a reusable water bottle to use throughout their journey – reducing the amount of disposable single use water bottles being used – one of the primary sources of plastic waste in these waterways.

All funds from the purchase of these reusable bottles are put back into local community projects. Since the inception of this program and with the support of our guests, Scenic has funded 100 per cent of the cost of two projects in South East Asia – the provision of clean running water to the Chiro Community in Kampong Cham in Cambodia; and the construction of new sanitation blocks in Yandabo Village in Myanmar.

New combination cruises and special fares invite guests to extend their travel experience

Silversea Cruises is delighted to announce its new Combination Cruises, which join two or more select magical voyages into one superb experience. These exceptional voyages enable guests to spend extended time sailing with the luxury cruise leader, unlocking deeper travel experiences.

Encompassing nine different regions, Silversea has carefully chosen a limited number of perfectly balanced voyages, allowing guests to enjoy a lengthened stay, discover each region in depth and create lasting memories. Fares for a 14-night sailing in the Mediterranean lead in from just AUD$7,600 per person.

Designed to combine, Silversea’s selection of cruises consist of 26 handpicked voyages which provide guests with unbeatable value on these indulgent and truly unforgettable travel experiences. These voyages offer richly diverse itineraries which are created to enthrall the most discerning travellers, as they visit a range of breathtaking destinations.

Cruiseco clears the decks with 50 per cent off on Music Cruises

Cruise lovers and newbies alike will get the chance to cruise some of Australia’s favourite ships with great musicians – all at 50 per cent off!

These selection of music cruises offer something for everyone and provide the chance to rub shoulders with stars on the high seas. With a range of departure dates between now and the end of the year, now’s the time to treat yourself, loved ones and friends to an action packed seven nights which will keep your grooving well into the evening.

Get in touch with your closest Cruiseco member agency today by calling 1800 550 320 or visiting cruising.com.au to secure your place!

Carnival puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead

Thanks to the generosity of Carnival Cruise Line’s guests and the success of the Wiggle for Westmead program, Carnival today donated new medical equipment to the Grace Centre at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

To celebrate the donation, Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Australia, Jennifer Vandekreeke and Carnival Spirit Captain, Vittorio Marchi joined Medical Director for the Grace Centre, Professor Nadia Badawi in a celebratory Wiggle for Westmead.

Since the partnership commenced two years ago, almost 6,000 cruisers have participated in the Wiggle for Westmead during Carnival cruises. To date, guests have collectively helped Carnival raise over $130,000. All donations provided by guests during the Wiggle for Westmead are passed directly on to the Hospital.

The funds donated by Carnival purchased the Grace Centre’s new state-of-the-art ventilator for critically ill and at-risk newborns, as well as two bedside monitors – the latest in medical monitoring technology – crucial for the care of seriously ill babies. The Grace Centre is a neonatal intensive care unit specialising in caring for newborn babies with complex medical conditions, and serious cardiac and surgical disorders.

A culinary tour through Europe with Anna Gare and Scenic on Getaway

Recognised as one of the most popular chefs on Australian television, Anna Gare cruises Europe’s waterways with Getaway and Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, discovering the tastes and delights of some of Europe’s most stunning cities.

Tune into Channel Nine’s Getaway and follow Anna’s journeys with three half hour episodes, Saturday 18, 25 August and 1 September 2018.

The 15 Day Jewels of Europe river cruise starts at $6,695 per person with Scenic’s unprecedented offer for guests that book early, to secure free flights to Europe ALL year, on ALL cruises (of 11 days or longer), in ALL suites in uncompromising All-inclusive luxury. In addition, Scenic is offering Getaway viewers an additional $250 per person discount.

Anna’s European journey commences in Budapest where she boards the Scenic Ruby and cruises through four countries from Hungary to the Netherlands crusing along the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers.

Australis Patagonia Season launch: 25 per cent off selected departures

To celebrate the launch of the first departure for its 2018/19 season, Australis Patagonia Cruises has launched a 25 per cent discount for selected departures between September and December 2018.

With exclusive access to the southernmost fjords, Australis explores Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia – one of the most beautiful and unspoilt regions on the planet. As the only cruise line operating in this area, Australis offers guests exclusive access to the untouched fjords of Patagonia. The four-night cruises connect the two southern-most towns in the world (Ushuaia in Argentina and Punta Arenas in Chile or vice versa).

Details:

• Packages start from USD $1,449 per person (normally $1932)
• The offer is available for bookings made until August 30
• Prices based on a double occupancy basis in cabin category A to sail September 26, 2018
• Boarding fees and gratuities not included in this promotion. Prices for other categories and dates may be higher

Exploring the world’s most interesting islands with Lindblad Expeditions new Galápagos brochure

Lindblad Expeditions has launched its 2019 Galápagos brochure; with each trip offering a myriad of encounters with animals found nowhere else but the Galápagos’ as well as exploring a region rich in natural treasures.

The dedicated brochure details six in-depth diverse itineraries through the Galápagos as well as explorations to Peru, tropical Andes and the Amazon.

One of the new expeditions to the market is the Wild Galápagos Escape, which is a shorter itinerary for 2019 and packs a ton of activities into one exhilarating week to discover the wonders and wildlife of this magical place, with departures on Saturday and Thursday. Set aboard the newly refurbished 48-guest National Geographic Islander, the expedition features five days in the archipelago exploring the islands and multiple adventures each day on land and undersea.

Guests will enjoy the full Lindblad-National Geographic Galápagos cruise experience on these expeditions with tools to enhance the guests experience, such as a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, plus undersea video technology – with enough equipment to ensure all guests are able to go out on active adventures daily.

Scenic releases 2019/2020 South East Asia brochure

Building on the highly successful 2018 season, Scenic has released its 2019/2020 South East Asia brochure with an extended program of cruising through Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar on board the luxury all-balcony-suite ships, Scenic Aura and Scenic Spirit.

Designed to encapsulate the essence of South East Asia, Scenic’s small boutique vessels represent a stylish connection between tradition and innovation. They are the most luxurious ships sailing the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers, and have been designed to ensure a world-class experience.

Catering for just 68 and 44 guess respectively with an almost one-to-one staff to guest ratio, Scenic Spirit and Scenic Aura offer a uniquely intimate cruise experience and feature world-class facilities. From the Sun Deck and bar, resort-style pool complete with flow jets, sumptuous spa and wellness centre, state of the art gym and beauty salon, and an outdoor cinema – every conceivable need has been catered for.

Scenic Spirit and Scenic Aura are the only ships on the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers to feature the famous Scenic Slumber beds, the only all-balcony suite ships with no porthole cabins, and they feature the largest kitchens of any river going vessel in South East Asia, and on board guest laundry’s. In addition, Scenic Spirit is the only ship on the Mekong to feature a guest elevator, a sauna and steam room, with both an outdoor Jacuzzi and full-sized bath a feature of its Royal Panorama suite. Scenic Aura is the only ship on the Irrawaddy with a Teppanyaki station.