It’s Travel Weekly’s latest and greatest news on the cruise industry, from new PONANT positions to European river cruises.

TravelCube specials

TravelCube is now offering up to 50% off pre- and post-cruise accommodation and sightseeing deals, with specials at more than 100 properties around the world.

Visit more than 20 of the world’s most popular ports and/or four- and five-star properties across the globe if you sign up with TravelCube’s Cruise Sale deals this month, ranging from Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

Highlights include 50% off the four-star Silken Concordia in Barcelona (just 2.5km from the city’s cruise port), stay four nights/get one night free at the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki, Hawaii and stay three/pay for two nights free accommodation at the Pier One Sydney Harbour.

Pier One Sydney Harbour, Sydney, one of the featured properties

PONANT upskills its leadership team 

Ensuring the company has strong strategic leadership as it moves into the next phase of significant growth, PONANT has restructured its organisation in the Asia-Pacific region to take advantage of the pending departure of Steve McLaughlin, Director of Sales, Australia, in early March.

As a result, a new role has been created – commercial director Asia Pacific – with responsibility for sales planning and development, distribution and leadership of the sales and marketing teams located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Shanghai.

As well as an up-skilling of its leadership team, PONANT’s construction of a further 180 guest luxury expedition ships for delivery in 2018 and 2019 will see the company add to the youngest fleet in the world!

UNIWORLD announces 2018 itineraries

The world’s most luxurious all-inclusive river cruise line, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, has revealed its itineraries for 2018 as well as introducing three new European journeys: Uniworld’s Enchanting Danube and Prague, Remarkable Rhine and Enchanting Danube and Munich itineraries.

An engaging travel experience for all ages and families, the itineraries are available to book now and designed to offer innovative and transformative programming on Europe’s most renowned rivers.

The Main, Germany, is the longest tributary of the Rhine River in Germany

Magical Mediterranean with Azamara’s Journey

31 Days, 24 ports, eight countries, nine late nights and five overnight calls over one magical month… Azamara Club Cruises has created the ultimate Mediterranean cruise, Azamara Journey; a month-long voyage to all of the gems of the Adriatic Sea and Mediterranean, sailing at the warmest, most beautiful time of the year.

Departing Athens on 5 July 2017, then cruising via Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Slovenia, Monaco and Montenegro, the journey offers plenty of opportunities for guests to experience more!

And if your not tempted already, Azamara is also offering a special deal to those booking this indulgent 31-night voyage, with a generous Buy One, Get One Half Price, and as an added perk for bookings in Oceanview Staterooms or above, guests receive unlimited internet access for one device.

‘Three Nights Free Sail’ in Fiji extended with Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji is has extended their ‘Three Nights Free Sail’, until 31 March 2017 with travel up to 31 March 2018 on a number of their newly refurbished ships.

Book any 11-night Lau and Kadavu Discovery Cruise, 7-night Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands cruise and 7-night 4 Cultures or Colonial Discovery cruise and receive three nights free, as well as saving up to AUD$1495.00 per person, twin share.