The Big Cruise Wrap has landed, keeping you all experts in the world of cruise. No need to thank us, just read on and bask in your newfound wisdom.

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Eden has returned to Adelaide today for her encore season of cruises from the city.

The popular cruise ship will be based in South Australia through to early April and will carry close to 9000 guests on six different cruises, including a series of three and four-night short breaks and a six-night cruise to Fremantle.

In addition to her six turnaround calls to Adelaide, the 1500-guest Pacific Eden will also visit Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island, with her South Australian season expected to generate close to $5 million for the State in guest and crew spending, supplies and port charges.

Royal Caribbean Announce 2018/19 Caribbean, Alaska and Northeast Itineraries

Royal Caribbean has unveiled its strongest lineup yet of North American itineraries in 2018/19, with the addition of a fourth Oasis Class ship, named Symphony of the Seas, a brand new terminal at PortMiami, and a diverse array of adventure-packed ships sailing from South Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, the Northeast and the Pacific Northwest.

Guests of all ages can experience the exotic islands of the Caribbean, breathtaking Alaskan expeditions, and picturesque coastal treasures of Canada and New England.

Royal Caribbean’s Alaska itineraries are available to book starting 16 March 2017, while year-round Caribbean & Bahamas will be open for bookings on March 17 and continue to open on a rolling basis, shortly followed by seasonal Caribbean and Northeast itineraries beginning on March 30. All itineraries are available to book one day in advance for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members.

• Symphony of the Seas brings new sounds of Adventure to the Caribbean is now available to book
• Alaskan Expeditions are now available to book.
• South Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico Offer Year-Round Caribbean Adventures, are now available for bookings on select ships.
• Northeast U.S. and Seasonal Caribbean Escapes are available to book 30 March 2017

Cunard Announce Details of Queen Victoria Refit

Cunard is continuing its commitment to offering guests unparalleled travel experiences with the announcement of a $54 million refurbishment for Queen Victoria this May.

Queen Victoria will enter dry dock in Palermo, Italy on May 5, 2017 for the one month bow to stern makeover, which will see the addition of 43 brand new Britannia Club category staterooms with their own dedicated restaurant, a redesign of the liner’s Grand Suites and Deck 8 aft Penthouse Suites, as well as a new Chart Room bar.

The elegance, history and nostalgia of Queen Victoria’s art deco past will remain, while refurbishments will usher the ship into a new, updated chapter.

Pacific Dawn Delivers Top Deck Thrills at Sea, with Two New Waterslides

P&O Cruises’ guests can now slip and slide their way to the Pacific onboard Pacific Dawn, which features the wildest and longest waterslides on an Australian cruise ship.

The two new slides, both around 80 metres long, form the centrepiece of a massive refurbishment of the Brisbane-based superliner which has taken place over two weeks in Singapore. One slide is transparent so that spectators can watch guests shoot through its twists and turns, while the other slide is multi-coloured, with music pumping through it to give guests a high impact ride to the bottom.

Other additions include a waterpark and P&O’s first virtual reality activity at sea from Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia.

As part of the refurbishment, the 2000-guest Pacific Dawn has also become the first in the fleet to wear the cruise line’s striking new livery featuring the Southern Cross, a national symbol in both Australia and New Zealand.

Asia’s first-ever luxury cruise line launches ‘Little Dreamers’

Debuting this April 2017, Little Dreamers is a curated programme designed for kids aged 2 to 12 years old who will enjoy a remarkable range of activities while sailing on any cruise of Dream Cruises. The spirit of dreaming is propelled into a wide range of adventures and activities that focuses on the culture, history and environment surrounding each destination of the sailing itinerary.

Little Dreamers also offers a voyage of discovery where activities are designed to encourage an entirely new way of inspired and creative play where kids can open their minds to endless possibilities. Little Dreamers can participate in age appropriate workshops from the arts to music and dancing to manners and etiquettes. 

Parents who wish to give their children a fun-filled yet educational Easter vacation will welcome Little Dreamers, being a highly interactive programme for kids to unleash their full potential and reach for their dreams.

To welcome the Little Dreamers, Genting Dream will be transformed into a chocolate paradise with the creative genius of Jean-Marie Dessard, renowned chocolatier and world record holder from Belgium. In addition, there will be chocolate-themed activities and giveaways throughout the month of April.

Holland America Line’s ‘Ready Set Sail’ Promotion

The Ready Set Sail promotion featuring pre-paid gratuities (hotel service charges) and up to $500 onboard spending money per stateroom is available to guests who book a Holland America Line cruise by June 1, 2017. Guests who book a suite also will receive an additional $100 internet credit.

All cruises between June 1, 2017, and March 30, 2018, excluding Grand Voyages and Grand Voyage segments, are eligible for the Ready Set Sail promotion. Depending on stateroom category, guests will receive onboard spending money ranging from US$100 up to US$500 per stateroom.

Extras that the onboard spending money can be applied to include treatments at the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, gift shop purchases, Journeys Ashore tours, beverages or dinner at one of the specialty restaurants.

Australian Luxury Cruise Agents Sample the World’s Newest Luxury Cruise Ship

Seabourn Encore is the newest addition to the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, scheduled to launch next year. A part of Seabourn Encore’s  inaugural summer down under, the 600-guest vessel cruised into Darwin in January becoming the youngest ship to ever visit Australia, arriving within weeks of her Singapore christening.

During her two-month season in local waters, Seabourn Encore has been turning heads across Australia with visits to Cairns, Darwin, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Sydney, Phillip Island, Melbourne and Geelong.

A dozen agents are onboard during Seabourn Encore’s final local leg from Sydney to Bali, indulging in some of the ship’s new offerings including Dr. Andrew Weil’s wellness program, The Grill restaurant by three-star Michelin chef Thomas Keller, lyricist Tim Rice’s exclusive show, and the ultimate indulgence at sea, The Retreat, offering private cabanas on the ship’s top deck. 

Seabourn Encore will return for an encore Australian season, offering five 16-day voyages in the region between November 2017 and February 2018.

Norwegian Cruise Line announces ‘Enhanced’ Itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering guests on board Norwegian Jewel new and exciting shore experiences during her inaugural season in Australia and New Zealand. New ports of call including stunning destinations such as Milford Sound, Bay of Islands, Adelaide and Hobart have now been incorporated.

For a limited time, guests will also receive up to US$500 on board spend per stateroom on Australia and New Zealand sailings departing between 12 November 2017 and 10 February 2018.

For those that want free drinks and dining included in their cruise holiday, Norwegian’s ‘Free at Sea’ package has been extended until 10 April 2017, and invites guests to choose up to five free offers to add to their cruise, depending on the stateroom category booked.

Offers include a free beverage package; a specialty dining package for six specialty restaurants on board Jewel; 250 minutes free Wi-Fi; US$50 per port shore excursion credit, and the option to bring a third and fourth guest at a reduced rate.

Guests can view Jewel’s enhanced itineraries by visiting www.ncl.com.au.

P&O Cruises has released its first Flagship College Master Class

Taking only one hour to complete, the Master Class will give agents deeper insights into P&O’s product – as well as 10 Cruise Lines International Australasia (CLIA) Accreditation Points.

The course is available in a mobile-friendly format for easy access, with agents having the option to start and stop at any time, making it even easier to complete.

The Master Class is the second course to be made available through Flagship College, launched last June as part of the new P&O agent website flagship.pocruises.com.au

Regent Seven Seas Cruises New Atlas Brochure Available for Agents

The comprehensive cruise Atlas brochure is available for Australian travel agents, and covers all sailings from June 2017 through April 2019. Agents can order their copies through Brochure Flow or through the company’s website.

All four of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ luxurious vessels – Voyager, Navigator, Mariner and Explorer – are featured in the Atlas brochure, coupled with stunning images of both the on board experience as well as the ports of call.

The Atlas brochure includes a fold-out voyage calendar at the back, which serves as an excellent reference tool for travel agents. The brochure also comes with a price insert, which is updated quarterly as well as information on the new optional Business Class Air packages which are now available for all bookings from April 2017 on Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Australian Travellers can Explore Amalfi Coast by Yacht

The archaeological tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels is offering two new sailings in September. Escorted by archaeologist Dr Sophy Downes and art historian Francesca del Vecchio, the eight-day Cruising the Amalfi Coast tour offers a unique perspective on one of the world’s most famous coastlines, with holidaymakers enjoying the comforts of a traditional Turkish gulet boat which has been stylishly refitted in Italy.

The tour visits the isle of Capri, the ruins of Pompeii and breathtaking Amalfi, as well as lesser known sites such as the ancient underwater city at Baia and the outstanding Roman frescoes of the Villa Oplontis.

The intimate cruise for up to 10 guests departs from Naples on September 2 and September 9, 2017, and costs from £3,975 per person twin share (approx A$6400) including airport transfers, seven nights aboard the gulet, all entrance fees, expert guided excursions and wifi when coverage permits. Price excludes flights.