Cruisin’ for some cruise news? Well look no further because we’ve rounded up the best of this week’s cruise industry info just for you.

Silversea launches Antarctica all-inclusive

Silversea is pleased to announce its new all-inclusive Antarctica expedition packages for 2017 and 2018 voyages, aboard Silver Explorer and the newly converted ice-class vessel, Silver Cloud.  Guests can discover this magnificent continent on voyages ranging from 10 to 23 days, travelling from Ushuaia, Argentina during the Antarctic summer months of December 2017 to February 2018.

For a limited time only, starting from AU$16,350 per person, based on a Vista Suite, the new all-inclusive packages now make this incredible destination even easier to experience. With charter flights to and from Ushuaia, one night pre-cruise hotel and all transfers included, it has never been more appealing to travel to the ends of the Earth. Plus, reserve your voyage by 30 April 2017 and enjoy $899pp Roundtrip Economy Air or $4,950pp Roundtrip Business Air to South America.

Departure dates include:
Silver Cloud: 01, 11, 21 Dec 2017 and 09, 19, 29 Jan; 08, 18 Feb 2018
Silver Explorer:  08, 18 Dec 2017 and 05, 23 Jan; 15 Feb 2018.

Cruise Achievers go Super Cruising!

Brian Bennett, Angela Kaluzyn, Kerrilyn Page, Gemma Smith, Rechelle Dare, Tina Pizzoni

The Cruise Team recently sent their top Cruise Achievers on a 5 night Tasmanian Cruise on-board Ovation of the Seas. The group was wined and dined through their 5 day journey with plenty of time to experience everything from the North Star to the robotic barmen at the BIONIC BAR!

With a 2 day stop in Hobart the group was out and about exploring Tasmania’s capital, with its Georgian architecture, convict heritage, dynamic modern-art scene and excellent food and wine.

WIN a Queen Mary 2 Cruise

Luxury cruise line Cunard is offering a special Queen Mary 2 experience to the spectator who captures the best image of this weekend’s Royal Rendezvous of two of the world’s most famous ships in Sydney – Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth.

Sailing into the Harbour early on Saturday February 25, the magnificent Queens will create an imposing sight in Sydney throughout the day and to celebrate, Cunard is inviting spectators to post an image of one or both of the Queens in Sydney over the weekend (Saturday February 25 and Sunday February 26) on their personal Instagram or Twitter account, using the hashtag #CunardinSydney to enter the competition.

The person who takes the best image, judged on creativity and originality, will win a two-night Queen Mary 2 cruise for two people from Melbourne to Sydney in a balcony stateroom on February 22, 2018, as well as a $600 Visa card towards flight costs.

Images of either or both ships taken from any vantage point around the harbour are eligible. To help create a Cunard moment, a Queen Mary 2 bell boy will be at East Circular Quay (adjacent to Portobello restaurant), opposite Queen Mary 2, between 10am and 4pm on Saturday.

Norwegian Jewel’s triple deal for early-bird bookings – incredible savings available now

Early-bird passengers booking a cruise aboard the spectacular Norwegian Jewel during her inaugural Australasian 2017/18 season will be treated to a triple delight – three enticing offers at once including reduced deposit, free on-board spend and a package of five fabulous ‘Free at Sea’ additional offers available on selected sailings.

Available on select five to 13 night Norwegian Jewel cruises, guests will receive up to US$100 onboard spend per stateroom on Australia and New Zealand sailings departing on 12 November, 14 December and 23 December 2017, and 31 January and 10 February 2018.

Aqua Mekong gets family friendly

Aqua Expeditions is celebrating the launch of family-friendly cruises aboard Aqua Mekong in 2017 with a Family Promotion offering complimentary travel for children aged 7 to 12 years.

This family incentive will be available on 3, 4 and 7-night Aqua Mekong departures from 5 May to 1 June and 1 July to 11 August 2017 for children sharing with both parents in a triple cabin or sharing with a single parent in a double cabin. Aqua Mekong itineraries include a great variety and level of activity children and parents will enjoy.

While on Aqua Mekong cruises, children can look forward to experiential learning on guided biking trips to local fishing villages where they can meet local peers and other families, explore riverside markets, taste local specialties, visit temples and experience a blessing ceremony in a monastery hosted by resident Buddhist monks.

Aqua Mekong is priced from USD3855 per person twin share in a First Deck Suite for a 3-night Discovery Cruise. During the Family Promotion, the additional USD500 per night rate per child will be waived. Families can also book a 4-night Explorer Cruise and 7-night Expedition Cruise.

Oceania reveals Cuba cruises

Oceania Cruises has announced an additional series of journeys to Cuba in November and December 2017. Ranging in length from six to thirteen days with departures from Miami, these voyages include the line’s first calls to Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, in addition to Havana. These new itineraries open for reservations from 16 February 2017 for Australian travellers.

Aboard the acclaimed Insignia, there are only 684 privileged guests who are catered to by 400 professionally trained staff. Travellers will indulge in the Finest Cuisine at Sea in four open seating gourmet restaurants where they will dine on continental specialties along with the bold and vibrant tastes of Cuba.

Her 342 staterooms and suites are elegantly appointed and 70 per cent of them have their own private teak veranda, the perfect perch from which to take in stunning Caribbean seascapes.

Itinerary Highlights:

• Panoramic Caribbean  – 10 days from Miami visiting Havana (two days), Roatan, Santo Tomas, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, and Nassau. Departs 14 November.
• Hemingway’s Hideaways – 7 days from Miami visiting Key West, Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba. Departs 24 November.
• Timeless Cuba – 7 days from Miami visiting Havana (two days), Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba. Departs 1 & 8 December.
• Vibrant Vistas – 6 days from Miami visiting Key West, Havana, Cozumel, and Great Stirrup Cay. Departs 15 December.
• Holidays in the Tropics  – 13 days from Miami visiting Key West, Havana (two days), Roatan, Santo Tomas, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel (two days), and Nassau. Departs 21 December.

Silversea gets exclusive scarves

Silversea Cruises, the world’s leading luxury cruise line is delighted to announce that renowned Italian fabrics supplier Faliero Sarti has created a selection of exclusive scarves to celebrate the launch of Silver Muse in April 2017.

The exclusive prints on each scarf have been designed to reflect the Silversea core values of exploration, luxury and uniqueness. The scarves will be gifted to selected guests at events around the world to celebrate the launch of Silversea’s new flagship ship, Silver Muse.

In addition, guests will be able to purchase the exclusive scarves from the boutique during their voyage on Silver Muse providing a unique memory of their journey.

Princess Cruises Announces fourth ship to use wearable devices

Island Princess at Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Princess Cruises has announced that Island Princess will be the fourth cruise ship in its fleet to feature the exciting new Ocean Medallion, debuting on the ship in Alaska in May 2018. The wearable device enables a new level of personalisation and delivers an enhanced guest experience not previously available in the global travel industry.

Princess Cruises is the first Carnival Corporation brand to debut this ground breaking innovation, which was unveiled by Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald last month. Island Princess joins three other cruise ships scheduled to debut Medallion Class Ocean Vacations: Regal Princess on November 13, 2017, followed by Royal Princess and Caribbean Princess in early 2018.

Starting from May 16, 2018, the Medallion Class Alaska cruise will sail on the Voyage of the Glaciers seven-day itinerary between Vancouver and Anchorage (Whittier), with a trip to the state’s most extraordinary glacial waters including Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Coral Discoverer sets sail in Tasmania

Coral Expeditions, Australia’s Pioneering Cruise Line, is sailing back to Tasmania in 2018, with a new arrival to its shores: the recently refurbished Coral Discoverer.

The third Tasmania season will begin on 1st January 2018 on the state-of-the-art flagship Coral Discoverer which underwent a comprehensive refurbishment in November 2016.

The arrival of the Coral Discoverer brings an increased capacity of 72 guests to the company’s Tasmania sailings, a response to growing demand for the Apple Isle. In true expeditionary style, the voyage offers guests a flexible itinerary to enable the Captain to respond to their environment, ensuring that guests see the best parts of Tassie in the best possible conditions. This allows an element of discovery, as guests will be advised the day prior where their next journey lies.

This seven night itinerary departs Hobart weekly from 1st January 2018 to 12th March 2018. Prices from $4,990 per person, however there is an early bird discount of 10 per cent for all 2018 bookings made before 31^st March 2017.

Avalon Waterways offer new cruise and credits in 2018 preview brochure

Avalon Waterways is celebrating the release of its 2018 Preview Brochure, offering a holiday credit of up to $2800* per couple on all departures in Europe and Southeast Asia.

Available for bookings made until April 4, 2017, the credit can be applied to international flights, a second cruise, a Monograms city break, or travellers can choose to simply take a cash saving off their cruise.

The Avalon Waterways 2018 Preview Brochure features more than 30 of Avalon’s most popular European itineraries on rivers including the Danube, Rhine, Moselle and Main, as well as a new eight-day Tulip Time cruise, sailing from Amsterdam. Also available are cruises on the Mekong and Irrawaddy in Southeast Asia.

Century celebrations for European Waterways’ L’Art de Vivre

European Waterways is celebrating the 100^th birthday of its popular hotel barge L’Art de Vivre. During 2017, European Waterways is offering 10 per cent off selected cruises on board the luxury 8-passenger vessel, which cruises the Burgundy region of France.

Life started for L’Art de Vivre in 1917 carrying munitions to the Allied troops on the Western Front during World War One. After many ‘career’ changes, she is now a hotel barge that embodies the Burgundian ‘good life’, with en suite cabins, an elegant saloon where guests enjoy fine wines and gourmet meals, a spacious sundeck with a spa pool, and bicycles to explore the ever-present towpath and surrounding countryside.

P&O Cruises Gives Organisers More Reasons to Hold an Event at Sea

Event organisers now have a record number of opportunities to hold a meeting at sea, with P&O Cruises announcing it will offer an unprecedented number of short break cruises from Sydney and Brisbane in 2018.

Buoyed by demand for its two to four-night Sea Break cruises, the cruise line has added even more short itineraries to its upcoming programs, almost doubling the number of Sea Breaks on offer in just three years.

The short cruises are available across P&O’s five-ship fleet, including its latest and largest ship, the 77,000-tonne Pacific Explorer, which will offer two spacious venues for up to 530 conference guests as well as a host of new onboard features when it debuts in Sydney in June this year.