Big Fat Cruise Wrap

Big Fat Cruise Wrap

This delicious cruise wrap brings you all the latest in cruise news, and yes we still love that ‘cruise news’ rhymes. Enjoy, readers.

Carnival Cruise Line ups the stakes with stellar talent line-up for 2017 Melbourne Cup Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line today announces its impressive line-up of onboard talent who will be equipping guests with everything they need to win big and dress to impress at the “race that stops the nation” this year.

A variety of special themed events covering everything from fashion to fillies will be on offer onboard the six-night round-trip Melbourne Cup cruise from Sydney to Melbourne.

For the third consecutive year, legendary race-caller John Tapp will return to the Melbourne Cup cruise, providing insights and knowledge gained from three decades of experience while calling over 50,000 races. Tapp will be joined by a Melbourne Cup winning jockey and the duo will host a session on racing ahead of Australia’s premier horse race, providing guests with top tips to back a winner.

Those looking for fashion expertise won’t be disappointed, with popular television presenter, Erica Davis, of Sydney Weekender, being joined onboard by Melbourne stylist and online boutique owner, Trish G.

Trish G’s passion is helping women and men rediscover their confidence through fashion. While onboard Ericia and Trish will host a Race Day Style show that caters to every shape, size and taste. During the show guests can ask the fabulous fashionistas all of their style questions and a couple of lucky attendees will be treated to a makeover.

In addition to the amazing talent, all guests will enjoy a General Admission ticket to the 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup with transport to and from the venue as part of their cruise fare, plus entry to Crown Oaks Day (transfers excluded). As well as enjoying other racing themed activities such as an exclusive degustation dinner fascinator making classes and sweepstakes with prizes.

Carnival’s Melbourne Cup cruise departs Sydney on November 5 and features three days of racing festivities in Melbourne. People looking to book in for the 2017 cruise should hurry as there are only a few cabins left. An interior twin room on the 2017 cruise starts at $1,799pp or an interior quad from $899pp, plus up to $400 onboard credit per cabin.

For those looking to book in on the 2018 Melbourne Cup cruise, cabins are on sale now. Punters should book early to avoid disappointment.

Personal Travel Managers Experience MS Queen Victoria Firsthand

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Cunard Cruise Lines recently invited TravelManagers’ personal travel managers Judy Gillings representative for Bateau Bay in New South Wales and Queensland’s Gina Passfield representative for Bloomsbury to experience two nights aboard MS Queen Victoria as she sailed from Sydney to Melbourne.

For cruise specialist Gillings it was her first time experiencing a Cunard cruise ship sailing and the traditional cruising style of MS Queen Victoria certainly lived up to all expectations.

The personal travel managers experienced an informal training session during the cruise however it was the opportunity to experience the cruise just as their clients would that proved most beneficial. An outstanding highlight of the cruise for both Gillings and Passfield was experiencing a truly wonderful formal night of luxury.

For Passfield it was the ballroom dancing that also captivated her, and the personal travel managers were certainly spoilt with dining choice. TravelManagers’ recognise the significant contribution home-based consultants make to the cruise sector and the need for ongoing education.

Silversea Launch Expedition Leadership Training Academy

Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea has established a new leadership training academy aimed at recruiting and developing high-quality talent from across the globe to join its expedition teams.

Every Silversea expedition voyage features expedition teams, which include some of the world’s most knowledgeable and experienced specialists in the areas of wildlife, biology, anthropology, geology, history, and more.

The multiphase recruitment and training initiative begins with remote skills development through webinar sessions focusing on various aspects of working as a Silversea Expedition guide including life at sea and guest relations. Practical experience will deal with the fundamentals of boat handling, first aid, and safety at sea courses and certification.

Recruits participating in the program will be invited to train for approximately six weeks aboard the newly refurbished Silver Cloud when the ship joins the expedition fleet in mid-November 2017 for her first season in Antarctica.

Aboard Silver Cloud, core competencies will be further developed through intensive hands-on training. Attention will also be given to cross training in various academic disciplines, environmental and ecological knowledge, sustainability protocols and cultural sensitivity. In addition, further skills will be developed, including Zodiac® handling, practical field first aid, and “how to guide” training.

Norwegian Cruise Line Update Summer 2018 Deployment in Alaska and The Caribbean 

Norwegian Cruise Line have updated their Northern Hemisphere summer 2018 deployment, featuring exciting new opportunities for guests to set sail to their dream destinations, while unpacking just once and enjoying the most free and flexible cruising experience at sea.

New for 2018, Norwegian Sun will reposition to Port Canaveral and offer all-inclusive four day cruises to Havana, Cuba and Key West, and three-day cruises to the Bahamas. Norwegian Jewel will re-join the youngest fleet sailing to Alaska in the Northern Hemisphere summer 2018 season, with a multitude of exciting itineraries including seven- and nine-day sailings from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver.

Norwegian Sun will spend her Northern Hemisphere summer 2018 season sailing all-inclusive cruises from Port Canaveral, offering four-day itineraries that call on Key West and Havana, Cuba, along with three-day cruises to the Bahamas.

Norwegian Sun accommodates 1,936 guests, providing freedom, flexibility and superior guest service with 16 dining options, 12 bars and lounges, entertainment options for all ages and more.

All guests sailing aboard one of Norwegian Sun’s Cuba or Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral will also enjoy unlimited complimentary beverages included in their cruise fare as a part of the ship’s all-inclusive program.

Norwegian Sun will undergo a two-and-a-half week dry dock in Victoria, British Columbia as a part of the Norwegian Edge™, the brand’s revitalisation program encompassing the entire guest experience, and re-enter service on April 19, 2018 where she will begin her journey to the east coast with a 17-day Panama Canal cruise departing from Seattle.

Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry Thanks Her Team As They Mark Her Decade in Cruising

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Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry has congratulated her team for their decade of achievement during her ten years at the helm of Australia’s leading cruise company.

The acknowledgement of  Sherry’s contribution took place at a special staff morning tea which are customarily devoted to honouring staff achievements and the presentation of length-of service certificates.

In thanking the Carnival Australia team,  Sherry said, “Nothing that we have done could have been achieved by one person. This is the celebration of a great team and collective congratulations.

“I couldn’t have done anything without your commitment and your good humour. Your contribution has helped make Australia the third highest source market in the world and that is quite an achievement.”

When Ann Sherry was appointed CEO of Carnival Australia in July 2007, 250,000 Australians a year were taking a cruise holiday. Ten years later, more than one million Australians a year sail on cruise holidays — a target  Sherry herself set for the industry and that was achieved five years early.

Ross Greenwood back by popular demand at Cruise360

Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) welcomes back popular radio host and business commentator Ross Greenwood as Master of Ceremonies to the 2017 Cruise360 conference.

Greenwood has covered finance and business matters both in Australia and around the world for almost 30 years. His practical finance experience will enable him to share valuable insights to help cruise agents and small-business owners grow their business.

CLIA’s Cruise360 Australasia is the region’s biggest cruise industry event of the year featuring a full day of professional development workshops, keynote sessions and updates on the latest industry trends.

What: Cruise360 Australasia
When: Friday, 25th of August, 8.30 – 5pm conference & trade show, 5-7pm networking drinks
Where: Hyatt Regency

Tickets are on sale now at www.cruising.org.au – CLIA Member Early bird rate $220 and CLIA Member Group of 10 Early bird rate $1,980.

Celebrity Cruises Sweeps Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards Five Years Running

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For the fifth year running, Celebrity Cruises’ one-of-a-kind wine program has been recognised by the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, claiming nine awards in 2017. Celebrity’s entire fleet of ocean vessels were awarded, making the brand’s wine collection the most awarded at sea.

This is the fifth year that cruise lines have been included in the awards, which have been used to recognise the world’s best wine lists since 1981.

Celebrity’s main dining room wine lists host over 300 prestigious labels, including Tignanello, Grgich Hills, Caymus Special Selection, and Guigal Cote Rotie.

Celebrity’s wine menus are continually updated in order to keep the offerings fresh and exciting, featuring an extensive global collection of fine wines, which match both the modern luxury brand’s globally influenced blend of classic and contemporary cuisine, and the diverse destinations it visits across the seven continents of the world.

Onboard, a team of Sommeliers navigates guests through the award-winning wine lists, guiding them to new and exciting choices. The modern luxury brand’s teams also participate in ongoing education to keep them primed in wine theory, vintages, regional/varietal technicalities and, of course, food and wine pairings.

Celebrity offers a variety of onboard activities and experiences that immerse guests in wine education and enjoyment. These include Riedel comparative wine glass workshops, wine and food pairing events, wine tastings and more.

Triple Queen Voyage From Ecruising 

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ecruising.travel has just released an exclusive triple voyage itinerary for 2018 offering the experience to sail aboard the iconic ladies of the sea Transatlantic from New York to London.

Departing on July 3, 2018, the 38-night package begins with three nights in New York before boarding Queen Mary 2 for the seven-night transatlantic cruise to London. Then join sister ship Queen Elizabeth on a roundtrip cruise around the United Kingdom.

Pop over for a quick three nights in Paris before returning to London for a 14-night cruise on Queen Victoria around Norway and its stunning fjords.

It is priced from only $13,499 per person twin share. This exceptional valued holiday includes return air fares from Australia, first class pre-and post-cruise hotel accommodation in New York, London and Paris- all with transfers and sightseeing passes, port charges and government taxes.

There are plenty of sea days to experience the quality Cunard service and the ships’ renowned facilities such as the gourmet meals, 24-hour complimentary room service, world class entertainment, on-board educational programs and much more.

Seadream Spain Next Year 

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Seadream Yacht Club has responded to growing interest by regular guests to see more of Spain in 2018, with a program of ten captivating sailings to mainland ports and off-shore islands between next May and October.

The twin mega motor-cruisers SeaDream I and SeaDream II will sail these five, seven, ten and eleven-day voyages out of Malaga and Barcelona, as well as Nice in France and Lisbon in Portugal, with daily ports of call that are some of Spain’s most enticing.

By contrast stroll quiet and tucked-away villages on Ibiza or Mallorca (also known as Majorca) in the Balearic Islands, and experience the Mediterranean’s outstanding dining and wining throughout, while catching first-hand how Europe’s rich and famous enjoy summer holidaying at places like Puerto Banus with their exotic cars and million dollar boats along the town’s beaches and waterfronts…

Prices for all sailings include SeaDream’s award-winning 5-star cuisine, premium wines, spirits and other drinks with meals and at the no-charge bars, power and sail water-sports, use of the golf simulator and fitness centre, port charges and taxes, and even staff and crew gratuities. Starting from US$3504pp twin-share for the 5-day sailing from Barcelona to Malaga on October 8 2018, they range up to US$7470pp twin-share for 11-days sailing Nice to Barcelona on July 21 2018.

International speaker Announced for Australian Cruise Association Conference “Together Towards Tomorrow”

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Bruce Krumrine, VP of Shore Excursions for Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and P&O is confirmed as the latest speaker for the upcoming Australian Cruise Assocation annual conference.

Bruce joins an already stellar line-up of speakers including Steve Odell, Senior VP and MD Asia Pacific for Norwegian Cruise Line; Matt Grimes from Viking Cruises; Sarina Bratton, Chair, Asia Pacific for Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions, and Tammy Marshall, founder of innovation and change mangement consultancy, The Bhive.

Their presentations will explore a range of themes from “Opportunities, Challenges and Brand Diversity” and “Future Projections and Trends” through to “Infrastructure and Management” and “Developing Destinations.”

Bruce will speak on “Partnering with ports and destinations”- a topic he is more than qualified to address. A 38 year cruise veteran based in the US, his responsibilities include overseeing 10,000 unique shore excursions operating on 44 cruise ships globally. This scope covers over 600 ports, 135 countries and all seven continents.

The Australian Cruise Association’s conference “Together Towards Tomorrow” will take place from 6-8 September in Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The conference agenda will be supported with a line-up of activities designed to showcase the host venue to attendees.

For further information on the conference or to register please visit www.australiancruiseassociation.com/conferences

Ocean Atlantic’s new Look Revealed in time for Antarctic Cruising Season

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Australian agents have more reasons than ever to get their clients excited about the upcoming Antarctic cruising season with one of Antarctica’s most iconic expedition cruise ships, the Ocean Atlantic, revealing a brand new look after recently undergoing a full-scale refurbishment. On top of featuring a range of brand new cabins, the overhaul included the transformation of all cabins, designed to provide guests with comfortable and stylish surroundings when cruising Antarctic waters.

Also renovated were the ship’s common areas such as the restaurant, Veranda bar, and the lecture hall.
A relatively small ship with a capacity of 195 passengers, the Ocean Atlantic allows travellers to sail close to the shore and access narrow inlets enabling travellers to see the most untouched corners of the White Continent. As an ice-class vessel, the ship is one of the strongest ships operating in Antarctica.

Super Early Bird Discounts of up to 35% can currently be enjoyed by agents when booking their clients on Chimu’s 10-day Discover Antarctica (now from AU$ 8,075* twin) on board the Ocean Atlantic.

An exclusive Chimu charter, this voyage takes in the best of wildlife and scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula whilst being joined by special guest Campbell Remess, the 13-year old charitable teddybearmaker from Tasmania who has made a name for himself for his acts of kindness, making teddy bears every day and gifting them to sick and needy children across the globe.

Sail into the Suite Life with Regent Seven Seas Cruises  

Regent Seven Seas Cruises guests are treated to the most all-inclusive luxury suites in the world. The US$125 million fleet-wide refurbishment programme has brought every suite in the Regent Seven Seas fleet up to the same elegant style and indisputable attention to detail famously featured on Seven Seas Explorer. 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is known for its all-suite, all-balcony accommodation which exceeds even the highest of expectations. Suites are universally spacious, ranging from 28 to 413 square metres, with every suite aboard Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner enjoying a private, furnished balcony, as well as 90% of suites on Seven Seas Navigator. 

Concierge Suites: Large furnished balconies, espresso maker, cashmere blankets, priority online dining and shore excursion reservations, and 1-Night Pre-Cruise Hotel Package including a transfer from hotel to ship before their voyage.
Suites of Distinction: Guests in RSSC’s palatial Penthouse suites and above enjoy expansive multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, in-suite spa services, as well as the impeccable services of a personal butler, custom pillow styles, Windows Tablet or iPad and a personalised in-suite full-liquor bar.
Master and Grand Suites: Receive complimentary cocktail party for eight, guaranteed reservations every night in specialty restaurants, and noon suite access on embarkation day.
Regent Suite: The Regent Suite is the world’s most luxurious suite at sea. 

Guests enjoy the dedicated service of a private car, driver and guide in every port, free roundtrip private airport transfers, dinner with the Captain free unlimited in-suite Canyon Ranch SpaClub® Services and free unlimited laundry and pressing.


Celebrity Cruises’ Signature Event Sailings

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In 2017 and 2018, modern luxury cruise line, Celebrity Cruises, ensures guests are up close and personal with the world’s most iconic events with its exclusive range of Signature Event Sailings.

Whatever your passion – be it sport, music or the arts – Celebrity Cruises Signature Event Sailings take guests into the thick of the action at world-famous events, while indulging in modern luxury style onboard.

Timed for events like Scotland’s Edinburgh Tattoo, Taiwan’s Pingxi Lantern Festival, and Brazil’s Carnaval, Celebrity Cruises’ Signature Events Cruises turns these exciting world events into an exhilarating all-round experience, extending the fun and excitement for days before and after the occasion.

Each Signature Event Sailing features unique shore excursions, designed to highlight the world event by either putting the guest in the middle of the action, or giving them a VIP vantage point for a truly luxurious experience.

Onboard every Signature Event Sailing, guests are entertained, educated, and engaged with unique shows, speakers, and activities inspired by the feature event.

As well, they’re treated to a seriously stylish cruising experience. Celebrity’s nine-strong fleet of beautifully designed, mid-sized ships are renowned for their world-class dining options, stunning bars and lounges and unique features – including the “Taste of Film” culinary experience, where gourmet tasting plates inspired by a film are carefully paired with the scenes as they play on an outdoor cinema screen on the ship’s real grass lawn.

For further information or to reserve your Signature Event Sailing, visit www.celebritycruises.com.au.

Aqua Expeditions Partner with Lululemon Ambassador for Wellness Departure

Aqua Expeditions are hosting a 4-night Wellness Departure on Aqua Mekong, in December 2017 for those who want to stay physically and mentally balanced while sailing along one of the most historically and culturally rich areas of the world.

 Led by fitness guru, Alex Salihin and departing Phnom Penh 15 December returning 19 December, this cruise will offer travellers an exclusive opportunity to experience professionally-delivered, personalised fitness and wellness instruction surrounded by the scenery of the beautiful countryside of Cambodia.

Alex Salihin is a professional fitness trainer based in Singapore, founder of the successful LEVEL fitness facility and currently an ambassador for premium sportswear brand, Lululemon. Originally serving as a member of the Singapore Armed Forces, Alex Salihin returned to Singapore in 2014 and founded LEVEL, an innovative fitness experience for both trainers and their clients providing premium, personalised approaches to fitness, nutrition, lifestyle management and wellness. Besides training clients, Alex continues to carry out his own personal training in sprinting and Olympic weightlifting. 

Hosted activities aboard Aqua Mekong during this cruise will include morning yoga classes on the outdoor sundeck, meditation classes, personal one-on-one training sessions with Alex and spa treatments, plus daily biking and kayaking along the banks of the Tonle Sap River and around Koh Oknha Tey Island.

There will be limited spaces available for the Wellness Departure with rates from USD5140 per person twin-share for the 4-night cruise.

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