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Soak up the last of summer with Carnival’s Pack & Go sale

Carnival Cruise Line has announced a Pack & Go sale that offers Aussie couples and families their last chance to soak up the summer months with a spontaneous, fun-filled holiday.

These incredible fares are available on select cruises between 6 February and 19 March this year, departing Melbourne and Sydney, for sailings across to the tropical South Pacific or down south to the picturesque Tasmania.

Adventurous Victorians looking to take advantage of these huge savings while also extending their holiday season can set sail on Carnival Legend from Melbourne as soon as 6 February this year for 11 nights, with calls to Noumea, Mare, Lifou Isle, and the Isle of Pines, all in the stunning waters of New Caledonia. Fares start from AUD$1,049 for an interior twin cabin, AUD$1,199 for an ocean view twin cabin, and AUD$1,349 for a balcony twin cabin.

Guests that book will get to experience all the fun Carnival has to offer, with 45+ daily activities, from the thrilling Green Thunder waterslide, themed nights, live Broadway-style entertainment and the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss with Seuss at Sea.

Silversea launches new photography academy in Antarctica

Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea has introduced its new My Photo Academy on sailings to Antarctica aboard Silver Cloud, utilising the ship’s new Photo Studio as a hub for the multifaceted enrichment program.

With a mesmerising landscape and amazing wildlife as the backdrop, guests will have the chance to elevate their photographic prowess by learning how to take and edit pictures like a professional whilst sailing on itineraries designed to maximise expedition time and provide opportunities for shooting great images.

With both private and group lessons, guests can learn to master the art of digital photography through the Academy, which provides an array of specialty workshops for both beginners and professionals. Among the topics covered is an introduction to photography, social media, and the use of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop software tools to edit images to get just the right look.

One year to go until Silver Muse debuts in Australia and New Zealand

In less than one year, Silversea’s newest flagship vessel Silver Muse will debut in Australian and New Zealand waters. Departing Bali on 21st December 2018, Silver Muse will make her inaugural voyage into Australia, sailing into Darwin on 26th December 2018.

She will continue along Australia’s east coast, with maiden ports of call at Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane, before arriving in Sydney on 6th January 2019. Silver Muse will then set sail for New Zealand, with maiden calls at Port Chalmers, Akaroa, Picton, Napier, Gisborne, before arriving in Auckland on 19th January 2019.

Built by Fincantieri at its shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Genoa, the 596-guest ultra-luxury Silver Muse was launched in April 2017 and is, without question, an inspirational work of art. Redefining ocean travel, Silver Muse is the epitome of luxury, offering the uncompromising requirements of comfort, service and quality for the world’s most discerning travellers. This journey to Australia and New Zealand marks the first time Silver Muse has been in local waters.

Seabourn unveils details of art collection aboard upcoming Seabourn Ovation

Beyond striking modern design, exceptional cuisine and Seabourn’s signature service, Seabourn’s newest vessel, Seabourn Ovation, is set to “wow” guests with a new world-class art collection when it launches this spring.

At the invitation of designer Adam D. Tihany, a team from ArtLink curated, collected and is working to place over 1,600 artworks by nearly 120 artists on board Seabourn Ovation when it debuts in May. Sourced on five continents, the artworks and craftworks on board the ultra-luxury ship are windows to the world’s different climate zones, its flora, fauna and habitat, and imaginary travelers’ personal impressions of the world we encounter as we travel.

The art collection on Seabourn Ovation will include a glass piece by Luciano Vistosi, named “Warrior The Second”. The piece, a Murano glass sculpture created in 1991 of polished and hammered lagoon green crystal, will be featured on Deck Four at the base of The Atrium. A second Vistosi sculpture is featured in the same spot on Seabourn Encore.

Norwegian Jewel’s Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South Pacific 2018/19 Brochure out now

Norwegian Cruise Line has recently released its 2018/19 Norwegian Jewel local season brochure, featuring an array of Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South Pacific cruises departing from 17 September 2018 – 4 March 2019. Norwegian Jewel will be returning to our waters for her second local season fresh from a multi-million-dollar bow-to-stern refurbishment as part of the Norwegian Edge revitalisation program.

Taking in stunning native destinations such as Cairns, Hobart, Milford Sounds and Tauranga, cruisers can also explore breathtaking sailings to Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and a once in a lifetime Trans-Pacific voyage from Vancouver to Tokyo.

New itineraries include a 19-day sailing from Singapore to Sydney; a seven-day sailing soaking up the sights of Tasmania and a 13-day sailing of South Pacific must-sees including ports across New Caledonia and Queensland, returning via Cairns, Airlie Beach and Cairns.

CroisiEurope introduces extended Loire itinerary for 2018

Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope, is introducing a brand new Loire itinerary featuring its popular Loire cruise combined with a trip to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley and an overnight stay in Paris.

The six-day cruise is round trip from Nantes and visits Saint Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers and the Châteaux of the Loire Valley with highlights including:

• A full-day excursion through the Loire-Château d’Ussé, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau and the gardens at the Château de Villandry
• An optional Helicopter ride over the Loire Valley
• A wine tasting in the cellar of the Château de Brissac
• Exploring Nantes and its secret courtyards and passages
• The Saint-Nazaire shipyard
• The Muscadet Wine Route

Explore the wonders of Iceland in style with Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Luxurious all-inclusive cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced its captivating 77-night Grand Arctic Quest itinerary, departing London on June 18, 2019 bound for New York City aboard the intimate, all-suite and refurbished Seven Seas Navigator.

Part of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ‘Grand Voyages’ collection, this new itinerary visits breathtaking and immersive destinations throughout the British Isles, Iceland, Scandinavia, Greenland and New England, taking in windswept coastal villages, remote islands, spectacular waterways and distinctive cities, including Reykjavik, Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital.

Grand Voyages allow extra time for leisurely exploration of one particular region and spend more time at each port with many overnight stays and extra amenities. Bespoke amenities include exclusive shoreside experiences, phone time per suite, pre-cruise hotel stay and dinner, unlimited laundry and dry cleaning. Guests will also enjoy the benefits of all-inclusive cruising, with unlimited shore excursions, meals in specialty restaurants, premium fine wines and beverages, in-suite mini bar replenished daily, open bars and lounges, unlimited WiFi and pre-paid gratuities.

European Waterways waives single supplement as popularity of solo travel surges in Australia

With travel industry surveys reporting on the growing popularity of solo travel, European Waterways has announced that it is waiving its single supplement fee on a variety of hotel barge cruises throughout France, Holland and Italy for bookings made by February 19, 2018.

Banks also noted that onboard activities and daily excursions are specifically designed to include every member of their small groups. Wine tasting excursions, visits to local markets, castle tours, and gentle walks through charming towns spark stimulating discussions about history, culture and gastronomic traditions. At the evening meals, everyone sits around the same table ‘digesting’ the events of the day. Conversations are lively and memorable, and often continue long into the night. Many cruises end with guests exchanging contact information and becoming lifelong friends.

Single supplement waivers represent a saving of up to €2,050 (AU$3,150), based on availability, and cannot be combined with other offers. Cruises must be booked by February 19, 2018 to qualify and other restrictions may apply.