Batten down the hatches, because this Cruise Wrap is bigger than the Pacific Ocean! Or maybe the Arctic. It would fill your kitchen sink, at least.

Silversea expands its range of shore experiences further with two exclusive experiences 

Departing in December 2019, two Silversea voyages will be enriched by immersive new shore experiences, which guests will enjoy on a complimentary basis.

In Melbourne, the cruise line’s guests will discover Australia’s enthralling operatic culture at an exclusive performance from the country’s most beloved tenor, Mark Vincent; in Castries, St. Lucia, travellers will delve deeper into local tradition at a bespoke, entertainment-filled beach party at the iconic Pigeon Island National Landmark.

Celebrated actor, author and activist George Takei to headline Queen Mary 2’s Christmas Caribbean Voyage

Celebrated actor, author and activist George Takei best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the television series Star Trek, will headline the Christmas voyage on Cunard’s flagship liner Queen Mary 2 as part of the luxury cruise line’s Insights programme, December 22, 2019 – Jan 3, 2020.

While sailing on the 12-night Caribbean Celebration voyage, roundtrip out of New York, George will be offering two presentations, a Q&A, and a book signing for guests. His first talk will focus on American history and his childhood spent in a Japanese American internment camp during WWII. In his second lecture, George will discuss his favourite Hollywood moments and behind-the-scenes anecdotes with some of his famous friends such as Tom Hanks, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, Brad Pitt, Howard Stern, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart and Jane Fonda.

New coastlines and extended journeys feature on Coral Expeditions’ 2021 Australian schedule

Coral Expeditions has released their 2021 domestic cruise season aptly named ‘Australia’s Coastal Wilderness’. The collection of voyages around Australia’s diverse coast include existing favourites of the Kimberley and Tasmania along with more departures on emerging destinations such as Cape York and Arnhem Land, the Torres Strait and Ningaloo and remote islands of the Western Australian coastline.

For more details on the 2021 season of Australia’s Pioneering Cruise Line, please visit www.coralexpeditions.com or call 1800 079 545.

Royal Caribbean unveils bold features on new Odessey of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International is setting an uncharted course for adventure with the cruise line’s newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas.

The first Quantum Ultra Class ship to arrive in North America will tout a brand-new look to match the fleet’s most action-packed top deck to date and a mix of record-holding hits and groundbreaking firsts for a game-changing cruise vacation. Odyssey’s dialled-up onboard adventures, two-level pool deck designed for downtime under the sun and stars, and a collection of restaurants primed to please every palate will all be set against some of the world’s most picturesque backdrops, including the vibrant islands of the Caribbean and idyllic coasts of the eastern Mediterranean.

Seabourn offers new Australia and New Zealand upcoming season

Seabourn will return to Australia and New Zealand in December 2019, including a number of new exciting ports around the picturesque country. In total, Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Sojourn will make 40 calls across Australia this summer season, along with a number of diverse, insightful port calls across the island nation of New Zealand.

From December 2019 to April 2020, Seabourn’s two ultra-luxury ships will visit boutique ports, sheltered coves and hidden harbours that larger cruise ships often cannot access as well as favourite marquee ports, with a variety of onboard offerings and on-shore experiences that cater to every type of traveller.

Sailing through the awe-inspiring South Pacific Ocean from December to March, Seabourn Encore will make its first-ever call to Portland, Victoria on March 14. Encore’s other maiden ship calls include first visits to Hobart (March 11), Kangaroo Island (March 15) and Adelaide (March 16).

Additionally, Seabourn Sojourn will visit six Australian ports as part of her world cruise, including her first calls to the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach (April 24), and Brisbane (April 26), officially closing the cruise season on April 29 as the last international ship scheduled to depart Sydney.

Ann Sherry named shared value champion for 2019 in prestigious award program

Ann Sherry has been named Australia’s Shared Value Champion for 2019 in recognition of her leadership in ensuring South Pacific communities share the benefits of the growth of cruise tourism.

Sherry, who led Carnival Australia as CEO for more than ten years and remains associated with the organisation in her current role of adviser, said she was privileged and honoured to have been nominated for the award.

The award program is an initiative of the Shared Value Project, an organisation dedicated to linking business strategy to solving social issues profitably. It leverages the resources and innovation of the private sector to create a more prosperous environment.

Unable to attend the presentation ceremony, Sherry accepted her award in a video message in which she said shared value was central to business leadership.

Save up to 50 per cent on last-minute voyages to Antarctica with Exodus Travels 

Exodus Travels have released a selected range of Antarctic voyages travelling between November 2019 & March 2020 at up to 50 per cent off. This amazing offer is only available for sale until 15^th November 2019 so hurry to secure your clients place on the trip of a lifetime for some of the last remaining cabins.

For more information on specific dates, itineraries and cabins on offer agents should call Exodus Travels directly on 1300 131 564 to speak with their specialist reservation team or email them on sales@exodustravels.com

Pre-registration for 2021/2022 voyages on the Greg Mortimer opened

Aurora Expeditions has announced the pre-registration has opened for their new 2021/2022 Antarctic and 2022 Northbound voyages onboard the Greg Mortimer and her yet-to-be-named sister ship.

Agents can register their clients’ interest which places them in a priority order when the new program is released in early January 2020. To note, the registration does not reserve any berth or cabin for clients. Once the program has been released in January, those who have registered will be notified with an early booking offer, voyage details including full itineraries and pricing. A confirmation invoice will also be sent confirming the client’s voyage prior to the official program launch date.

Dream Cruises celebrates new milestones with Explorer Dream in Sydney

Dream Cruises has held a special celebration with the inaugural arrival of Explorer Dream in Sydney at the White Bay Cruise Terminal heralding the start of Dream Cruises’ global aspirations as ‘Asia’s Global Cruise Line’, sailing beyond Asia for the very first time.

During Explorer Dream’s seasonal homeport deployment in Australia, travellers can explore a variety of round-trip cruise itineraries across Australia departing from Sydney and Brisbane between now and 1 December 2019 and also from 9 to 23 February 2020.

Azamara’s last-minute voyages

Explore the world in 2020 with these amazing January voyages:

10-Night South Africa Intensive on Azamara Quest

• Club Interior now from $2,199 per person, twin share*
• Return from Cape Town, South Africa on 31 January 2020
• Ports of call: Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Durban, and East London.

15-Night Tahiti and New Zealand Voyage on Azamara Journey

• Club Interior now from $2,929 per person, twin share*
• Departs from Papeete, Tahiti on 23 January 2020
• Ports of call: Papeete (Tahiti), Bora Bora (French Polynesia), Rarotonga (Cook Islands) and Gisborne, Wellington, Picton, Nelson, New Plymouth and Auckland in New Zealand.

18-Night Hawaii and Tahiti Voyage on Azamara Journey

• Club Interior now from $3,869 per person, twin share*
• Departs from Los Angeles, California on 5 January 2020
• Ports of call: Start in Los Angeles, California then visit Liho, Lahaina, Honolulu and Nawiliwili in Hawaii, and Bora Bora, Moorea and Papeete in French Polynesia.

European Waterways launches 2020/21 Hotel Barge Cruising brochure with 10 per cent off early bookings by 6 January 2020

European Waterways has announced the release of its new fully illustrated 2020/21 hotel barge cruising brochure. The 103-page brochure details the full range of European Waterways’ exclusive collection of luxury hotel barges and their 6-night, all-inclusive itineraries.

European Waterways is also offering 10 per cent off on a wide selection of cabin and charter cruises for 2020, valid when booked by January 6, 2020.  They represent savings of up to €7,300 (AUD$11,855) and are subject to availability.

The brochure features a wider range of experiential excursions across the company’s fleet of 17 hotel barges on the canals and waterways of Europe, an extensive array of themed cruises that are now available for cabin bookings, such as wine appreciation, golf, walking and whisky trails, as well as new e-bike options.

To view the 2020/2021brochure and for more information or to book early 2020 cruises call 1800 828 050 or visit europeanwaterways.com

European Waterways pays 10 per cent travel agent commission on all bookings.

Cruise in the wake of the Vikings and save up to US$4000 per couple

Spectacular glaciers and icebergs, Norse ruins, remote fishing hamlets, seals, bears, humpback whales and one of the world’s longest fjords are just some of the highlights of an Adventure Canada expedition voyage from Iceland to Greenland in 2021, with savings offered for bookings made by mid-2020.

Adventure Canada and Cruise Traveller are offering a 15 per cent early bird saving on the cruise as well as a free nights’ accommodation, meaning couples can save up to US$4000 if they book by June 1, 2020. As part of the special offer, no solo supplement will be charged for single travellers in selected cabin categories (3-7). Offers are subject to availability

Departing July 13, 2021, the 11-night ‘In the Wake of the Vikings’ cruise aboard Ocean Endevour takes passengers from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik – one of the cleanest and greenest cities on Earth – to the Westman Islands – home to numerous species of seabird including the eye-catching puffins – and on to Greenland, following the trail of Vikings over a thousand years ago.