Cruise Wrap: Silver Explorer crosses Northeast Passage, NCL extends landmark sale + MORE!
Are you itching to book your clients’ next voyage on the seven seas or hanging out for a deal or two? Feast your eyes on one glorious Cruise Wrap.
WATCH: Silversea Cruises crosses iconic Northeast Passage
Silversea guests recently had the chance to cross the iconic Northeast Passage.
Between 10 August and 5 September 2019, travellers journeyed 5,019 Nautical Miles between Nome and Tromsø, calling at 27 incredible destinations across three countries. They travelled aboard Silver Explorer in superlative comfort, retracing the route taken by famous explorers of yesteryear.
Among the voyage’s numerous highlights were various sightings of Polar Bears with their cubs, and other rare wildlife encounters; two passages through the Arctic sea ice, accompanied by an icebreaker; a unique culinary experience on the remote Ostrov Isachenko; and a polar plunge above 80°N latitude.
Silversea Cruises is also inviting guests to discover New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu aboard the Silver Muse when she sets sail in the region for the very first time in 2020.
All-inclusive fly/cruise fares for a 14-day voyage start from $8,400 per person, based on double occupancy in a Vista Suite, with cruise only fares starting from $7,400 per person.
Norwegian Cruise Line extends early bird sale to 30 September
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced an extension of its best offer to date, with its early bird sale now available until 30 September 2019. Australian and New Zealand guests can enjoy 20 per cent off their cruise fare, plus receive five free offers on over 230 sailings departing in 2020.
The sale can also be combined with NCL’s ‘Take 5 Free’ offer, giving guests who book a Balcony stateroom or above all five ‘Free at Sea’ offers, including a free beverage package and a free specialty dining package.
Guests will also receive reduced deposits on select sailings for a limited time, with up to US$2,800 in overall added value.
Launch of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ Wilsons Promontory Cruises a win for Victorian tourism
The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) said it is pleased at the launch of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ first Victorian eco-tourism adventure, Wilsons Promontory Cruises.
The tourism operator has invested $3 million in the new development, with tours having commenced as of 23 September.
The project, which is the first and only cruise to be operating from the Wilsons Promontory National Park, has long supported and strongly advocated for by VTIC.
Scenic takes guests to the wonders of Oman and Israel with the launch of its latest brochure
Scenic Luxury Cruise and Tour has launched its latest brochure featuring Egypt and Jordan, with extension itineraries taking guest into the newly emerging markets of Oman and Israel.
Key itinerary highlights include:
- 12 Day Tour & Cruise, Treasures of Egypt, from Cairo to Cairo, starting from $8,995 per person
- 14 Day Tour & Cruise, Egypt in Depth, from Cairo to Cairo, starting from $9,695 per person
- 26 Day Tour and Cruise, A Journey through Antiquity, Cairo to Jerusalem, starting from $25,775 per person; and
- 26 Day Tour & Cruise, Wonders of the Nile Jordan and Oman, starting from $25,290 per person.
Scenic has also extended its early bird offers on its 2020 Canada, Alaska and USA brochure until 31 October 2019.
Early bird offers available until 31 October 2019 include:
- Partner flights, included when booking selected tours to Canada, Alaska and the USA
- Premium Economy seats from $2,595 per person when booking any Eastern Canada or Western Canada and Alaska journey of 22 days or longer; and
- Business Class seats from $5,995 per person when booking any Eastern Canada or Western Canada & Alaska journey of 22 days or longer.
Agents can secure an additional discount of $600 per couple for all tours of 19 days or longer or discount of $300 per couple for tours of 9 to 18 days, when booked and paid in full by 31 October.
New adventures headline US$110 million amplification of Explorer of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas is set to sail the Eastern Mediterranean in style come summer 2020 after an amplification worth more than US$100 million.
The cruise line has released details of the ship’s upcoming USD$110 million amplification that will debut a mix of unparalleled feats and Royal Caribbean hits.
Guests can embark on historic adventures ashore and on board with new thrills, tastes and sights on deck.
These include: The Perfect Storm racer waterslides, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, a redesigned, resort-style poolscape with signature poolside bar The Lime & Coconut, and transformed kids and teens spaces.
Beginning May 7, 2020, Explorer – the first amplified ship to cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) – sets sail on 7- and 9-night itineraries to the best of Italy and the Greek Isles, from Santorini to Mykonos and Crete.
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin with Quasar for less
Agents can now offer their clients the opportunity of a lifetime to follow the footsteps of Charles Darwin with Quasar Expeditions.
Enjoy savings of up to US$940 when booking a Galapagos cruise holiday on board Quasar Expeditions’ M/V Evolution on selected 2020 departures from Jan-Mar and Oct-Dec.
Priced from US$6,100 per person twin share, savings include 5 per cent off the eight days/seven nights cruise, as well as flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos.
Valid for selected departures in the months of January-February and October-December 2020, bookings must be made by 31 January 2020 with code 2020EBG. Terms and conditions apply.
MSC Cruises and Fincantieri unveil further details of MSC Seashore at coin ceremony
A traditional maritime coin ceremony has taken place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, when the keel was laid for MSC Seashore. At the milestone event, MSC Cruises revealed details of the significantly transformed overall design and new features of the ship.
MSC Seashore will be the company’s longest ship – 339 metres – when she enters service in June 2021, the first of two enriched “Seaside Evo” Class ships with the latest available environmental technology, extended public spaces, more cabins and the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest of any ship in the company’s fleet.
MSC Lirica is also offering a selection of stunning summer itineraries visiting the Mediterranean for summer 2020, including: Italy, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, which runs from May 8 to June 12 and from September 18 to October 23, 2020; and a new cruise from Venice, calling Malta and Sicily, which runs from 22 June to September 7, 2020.
Moreover, alongside MSC Grandiosa, three other ships will sail in the Western Mediterranean in 2020 – MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia and MSC Seaview, rediscovering the gems of the continent.
Creative Cruising launches in New Zealand
Creative Cruising is celebrating the launch of Creative Cruising NZ in partnership with First Travel Group.
On Friday evening, First Travel Group members travelled to Auckland to celebrate the arrival of Creative Cruising NZ at an exclusive cocktail function at the Pullman Hotel.
To celebrate the launch in New Zealand, cruise line partners have offered exclusive booking incentives, while First Travel Group agents have access to Creative Cruising’s 2020 Top Achievers’ Trip with Royal Caribbean International in Asia.
Latest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.