Big Fat Cruise Wrap
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There’s more cruise news in here than when the Titanic first launched, except these stories have a far more successful outcome.
Silversea’s Silver Cloud embarks on inaugural expedition voyage
Silversea’s luxury Silver Cloud has just come out of an AU$52.8 million (US$40 million) refurbishment and conversion to an ice-class expedition ship. It set sail this week from Buenos Aires on her first-ever expedition voyage, to explore the iceberg sculptures, calving glaciers, and rare and majestic wildlife of Antarctica.
The Silver Cloud accommodates 254 guests (200 in polar waters) in updated suites, most featuring a private veranda. The redesigned public spaces include the new Tor’s Observation Lounge, offering commanding views of the scenery, and refreshed boutiques stocked with essential expedition gear.
Other amenities rarely found on an expedition ship include a heated, resort-style pool, the all-new Zàgara Spa, and the new Photo Studio, where a manager, state-of-the-art equipment and professional photo editing software are available to assist guests with their photography needs.
Easter cruise with the Murray Princess
Over the Easter long weekend, Murray Princess is hosting a special three-night Easter cruise getaway. The cruise will feature three-night itinerary combined with some Easter fun including an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday and some Easter entertainment.
Onshore activities include a visit to historic Murray Bridge, on a guided tour of the town’s landmarks and local attractions. Activities include a visit to Monarto Zoo, guided nature walk at Salt Bush Flat, and visit River View Lodge. Onboard the PS Murray Princess sample some of the local produce and wines with a structured tasting event, participate in a lively quiz, play some bocce on the riverbank or relax with some fishing off the side of the ship.
Guests will enjoy buffet breakfast each morning, a two-course or buffet lunch each day and a three-course or buffet dinner each evening.The three-night Easter Cruise departs Mannum on Friday 30 March 2018 and early booking saver fares start from A$851 per person, twin share.
Ponant release new brochure for October 2018 – May 2019 season
Ponant’s new brochure will detail the 71 sailings on offer for the period October 2018 through to May 2019.
There is an expanded fleet for a wide range of destinations from the beaches of the Seychelles, the Kanak culture of New Caledonia, and the intoxicating perfumes of Sri Lanka to the majestic fiords of New Zealand and the indigenous people of South America…
The season will introduce the first two new small ships in the Ponant Explorer series; Le Lapérouse and Le Champlain, designed for luxury expeditions. There will now be seven Ponant ships sailing around the globe in 2018-2019.
There will be 28 polar expedition cruises and 18 tropical expedition cruises on offer among the itineraries. Closer to home, Ponant are offering a Cairns to Sydney cruise ‘Food & Wine’ themed cruise onboard Le Lapérouse from 28 January 2019. Or join an expedition exploring the remote New Zealand and Australian Subantarctic Islands, departing 23 February 2019 from Dunedin.
Pandaw debut new ship on the Mekong River
Construction of Pandaw River Expeditions’ newest ship, RV Sabei Pandaw is underway in South East Asia. The ship will make its river cruise debut on 11 November 2018. It will become Pandaw’s third ship on the Mekong River in Laos and the 17th vessel in the fleet.
The highly skilled, local craftsmen are laying the new ship’s keel plates using coconut tree trunks for support. The hull is expected to be completed by January 2018 and the remainder of the build by summer, ready to journey along the Mekong from November.
The RV Sabei Pandawwill feature fourteen classic Pandaw staterooms and an open plan saloon with flexible indoor or outdoor dining. It will begin by sailing the 10-night “The Laos Mekong” itinerary, from 11 November 2018, priced from US$4,200pp. From September 2019, it will move further along the mighty Upper Mekong to China’s Yunnan province, to sail the 14-night “The Mekong: from Laos to China” expedition, priced from US$6,808.50pp based on twin-share.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Name New Ship launching in 2020
The second Explorer-class ship will embody and enhance the elegance, style and luxury that brought forth the high-end features and amenities of the sister-ship Seven Seas Explorer.
“The naming of a ship is an important milestone in maritime tradition and it is my pleasure to announce that the name of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship to launch in 2020 is Seven Seas Splendor,” said Jason Montague, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
As part of the naming process, Regent Seven Seas Cruises sought suggestions from its valued travel agents, loyal guests and employees for the ship’s name in a sweepstakes held in September. Seven Seas Splendor was chosen among nearly 2,600 unique names from more than 14,000 submissions.
The new all-suite, all-balcony ship will have a gross tonnage of 55,254 and capacity of 750 guests. Stay tuned for more details about Seven Seas Splendor.
Last minute savings on Celebrity Cruises’ South Pacific and Asia itineraries
Travellers can save on Celebrity Cruises’ select South Pacific and Asian itineraries, with prices starting from just $999 per person.
Two South Pacific sailings are included in the offer, including a 9-night round-trip sailing departing Sydney on 21 March 2018 onboard Celebrity Solstice. Priced from just AUD$999 per person, twin share, the cruise calls at the stunning Isle of Pines, Lifou and Noumea in New Caledonia as well as Mystery Island in Vanuatu.
Or, choose an 8-night round-trip departing Sydney on 14 January 2018 onboard Celebrity Solstice. Starting at AUD$1,249 per person, twin share, the cruise calls at Isle of Pines, Noumea and Lifou in New Caledonia.
A 14 night China, South Korea and Japan cruise, departing from Shanghai on 1 April 2018 on Celebrity Millennium, takes travellers to Beijing, Seoul, Jeju Island, Kobe, Mt Fuji and finishing in Tokyo, from just $2,199 per person, twin share.
Dream Cruises launch #TogetherWeBuildDreams in time for the christening of new ship
Dream Cruises have christened their new mega ship, World Dream, in Hong Kong. It made history as the first cruise ship to be christened in Hong Kong today.
In celebration, Dream Cruises launched an innovative “#TogetherWeBuildDreams” campaign, which engaged cruise enthusiasts from around the world to build a large-scale replica of World Dream, in attempt to break the current world record of the largest LEGO® ship.
The giant ship model was collectively built by over 1,000 cruising guests, members of the public, as well as Mr. Andy Hung and Legend Creative, the first LEGO® Certified Professional in Greater China region and his team. It was officially unveiled at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on 15 November 2017, and the official Guinness World Records certificate presentation.
Prior to verification by the official Guinness World Records adjudicator, honourable guests completed the model by placing the final LEGO® blocks onto the ship, symbolising the collaboration between Dream Cruises and the citizens of Hong Kong to set the new world record.
Agents will benefit from Carnival Cruise Line’s Onboard Future Cruise Sales
Carnival Cruise line have introduced Onboard Future Cruise Sales on Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend in Australia.
Deposits start from only $100 per person, and guests will also receive exclusive onboard credit offers.
Travel agents will benefit from any Onboard Future Cruise Sales made by clients, with the booking automatically allocated to them, along with their commission.
Aurora Expeditions name new expedition ship after co-founder
Aurora Expeditions has named its new world-class expedition ship Greg Mortimer, in honour of the Australian adventurer and Aurora Expeditions co-founder.
The state-of-the-art Greg Mortimer is the first expedition cruise ship featuring the patented ULSTEIN X-BOW®, and the 104-metre ice class 1A expedition ship will launch in 2019. It will utilises the latest advancements in naval design and technology to make exploring remote destinations even easier. The main advantage of the ULSTEIN X-BOW® is its ability to pierce waves with much greater stability than a traditional bow.
Mortimer co-founded Aurora Expeditions in 1991 with his wife Margaret, with a shared passion for adventure, exploring wild places and sharing the experience with friends. The ship will also be fitted with state-of-the-art offshore dynamic positioning technology, and feature observation decks and plenty of outdoor viewing areas.
Greg Mortimer is set to conduct its first sea voyage adventure in 2019/20.
American Cruise Line launch new river boat
American Cruise Lines launched new riverboat, American Song into the Wicomico River on Friday, November 17th. It is the first ship in the Line’s Modern Riverboat Series, and will debut in spring 2018
American Song has 5 decks, accommodates 190 passengers, and has 102 staterooms. The bow of American Song is designed to open, allowing a retractable rotating gangway to extend from the ship’s main deck directly to a river bank or dock. The uniqueness of this advanced bow and nimble gangway gives the ship the ability to make “bow landings” wherever needed. This feature will give American Song an array of options for its itineraries unmatched by other ships.
American Song is also equipped with 2 advanced main engines from Caterpillar. These twin, ultra-low-sulfur diesel engines require less fuel and produce lower emissions than other engines currently in use on the market. In all, American Song will be the most technically superior, efficient, and environmentally friendly ship in U.S. river cruising.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
American Cruise Line aurora expeditions carnival cruises celebrity cruises Dream Cruises Murray Princess pandaw ponant regent seven seas SilverseasLatest News
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Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
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SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
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Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
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Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
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Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
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Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
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Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
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Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
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Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
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Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
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UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
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Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
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Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
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Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
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In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
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Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
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MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
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Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
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Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
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Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
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‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
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‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
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‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
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Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
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‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
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Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
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Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
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HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
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Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
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Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
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Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
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Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
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InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
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Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
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Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
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Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?