Double the savings with Royal Caribbean - offer ends 31 March!

 

Due to popular demand, Royal Caribbean extended its annual Early Bird Sale for an extra four weeks, offering a whopping double the savings on 2013/14 summer season sailings.  But be quick! Get your pick of sailings and book before the sale ends on Sunday 31 March 2013.  Prices for all 55 cruises will increase by up to $250 per person from 1 April.

 

With three ships to choose from, including Australia's largest and most innovative cruise ship, Voyager of the Seas, and local favourites Rhapsody and Radiance of the Seas, this Early Bird sale offers a wide range of enticing holiday options ranging from two to 33 nights.  Itineraries include cruises to Tasmania, Tropical Queensland, Around Australia and New Zealand, and South Pacific Islands such as New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji, all departing from Sydney, Fremantle, Singapore and Honolulu.

 

New itineraries are also on sale, including a seven-night Tasmanian Explorer cruise on board Rhapsody of the Seas.  Starting from only $895 per person, this cruise departs from Sydney on 12 December 2013, calling at Melbourne and Burnie, plus an overnight stay in Hobart.  This comes to as little as $128 per day, with all meals, accommodation and most entertainment included in the fare. 

 

Second to none, Royal Caribbean offers the best in worldwide cruising standards as the World's Leading Cruise Line, as awarded in the 2012 World Travel Awards.

 

To make your booking visit www.royalcaribbean.com.au or call your travel agent.

Voyager of the Seas stellar debut season

Australia's largest cruise ship says farewell until summer 2013/14

As Australia's largest and most innovative cruise ship, there's nothing small about Voyager of the Seas, so it's no surprise that when she officially ended her Australian season on Saturday, Royal Caribbean closed what was a stellar debut season.  The ship arrived in Singapore - her final destination for the Australian summer – at the end of a 14-night cruise and carrying 3250 passengers.

With the capacity to hold more passengers than any other cruise ship based in Australia, Voyager of the Seas made waves when she first arrived in November last year, being the first single ship to bring more than 3,000 guests to Sydney.  For the 2012/13 summer cruise season, Voyager of the Seas welcomed onboard a whopping 40,000 guests, 85 percent of which are from Australia and New Zealand, and all cruises sailed full.  She also hosted over 1,600 travel agents on famil trips as well as agent visits in ports all around Australia.

"As far as debut seasons go, we really couldn't have asked for a better welcome for Voyager of the Seas down under.  The response to her here in Australia has just been phenomenal, and judging from the feedback from our guests and trade partners, they can't wait to see her again for the 2013/14 summer season," said Adam Armstrong, Commercial Director at Royal Caribbean Cruises Australasia.

"Voyager of the Seas is a big ship, and her size and calibre was only previously available in the Caribbean or Europe.  This has meant big things for Australia.  Across her season she brought approximately $25 million to Sydney's economy alone, and a total of approximately $40 million to the Australian economy. "

Voyager of the Seas certainly adopted the Australian charm this summer season, sailing with many Australian senior staff, including Aussie Hotel Director Colin Clarke and Executive Chef Andrew Norman.  Australia was also won over by never-before-seen concepts at sea, including Australia's first floating ice rink for Australia, and a Royal Promenade –the ship's "main street" offering food, shopping and entertainment options.

Sailing from Sydney and Perth, Voyager of the Seas will return for the summer 2013/14 cruise season, with four new itineraries and two additional sailings – a 10 percent extension from her maiden season.  Some programme highlights include a 14-night cruise from Singapore to Sydney on October 24, 2013, which begins with an overnight in Singapore and calls at Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Malaysia, Darwin and Brisbane, and a new two-night weekend sampler cruise departing from Sydney.

Fares start from $2025  per person for a 14-night Asia repositioning cruise on Voyager of the Seas, departing Singapore on 24 October 2013; add Sydney to Singapore flights from just  $49 per person.

For additional information or to make reservations, contact your travel agent, call 1800 754 500 or visit www.royalcaribbean.com.au or www.celebritycruises.com.au. Travel professionals can call 1300 754 500 or visit www.cruisingpower.com.

The lights go down on Rhapsody of the Seas, but only for an Earth Hour

 

Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas participated in Earth Hour while she was docked at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal on Saturday night.
 
Along with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, the 78,500 tonne ship dimmed its lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
 
Rhapsody of the Seas along with harbour ferries and other vessels in the harbour all blew their horns at the  commencement of Earth Hour, at 8.30pm sharp.
 
Captain Rob Hempstead , the captain of Rhapsody of the Seas made an announcement to all guests and crew explaining the event and the ship's desire to participate. Cruise guests got into the spirit and assisted by turning off their cabin lights and closing their window curtains.
 
Rhapsody of the Seas then departed on her 11-night Queensland cruise at 10pm.

 

Royal Round Up March 2013

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Princess Announces that its Two Newest Ships will Offer European Cruises in new 2014 Program

Princess Cruises Opens 2014 Europe Season for Sale

Princess Cruises has opened its 2014 Europe cruise season for sale, including the debut of Regal Princess which will set sail on its inaugural cruise in June from Venice.

In total, five ships – including the line's two newest vessels – will sail on a variety of cruise itineraries throughout the Mediterranean and Northern Europe next year.

A sister ship to the upcoming Royal Princess, Regal Princess, will debut on June 2, 2014 with a seven-day inaugural voyage from Venice to Barcelona including calls in Kotor in Montenegro, Rome, Florence/Pisa, and Toulon in France, for Provence. The ship will then sail on a 10-day Mediterranean & Aegean cruise, followed by a season of Princess' signature Grand Mediterranean cruises, with two itinerary choices.

Other highlights of the season include Royal Princess sailing on the line's popular Scandinavia & Russia cruises, featuring two days in the dramatic city of St Petersburg; more sailings than ever before to the British Isles aboard Ruby Princess and Ocean Princess; and a variety of seven-day sailings in the Mediterranean aboard the intimate Ocean Princess.

Fares for the 12-night Grand Mediterranean sailings on Regal Princess start from $2319* per person twin share while the 7-night Greek Islands interlude on Ocean Princess starts from $1479* per person twin share.

"With Regal Princess' debut we will have our two newest and largest vessels sailing on our most popular routes in Europe," Princess Cruises executive vice president Jan Swartz said.

"Throughout the season, whether passengers want to explore the diverse cultures and expansive history of the Mediterranean, visit the favourite ports of the Baltic Sea on a Scandinavia and Russia voyage, or conveniently circle the British Isles, they can do so in an environment of a relaxing retreat onboard one of our ships."

The 2014 Europe program features five ships sailing on 94 departures on 48 itineraries to more than 120 destinations:

• Regal Princess will debut with Princess' signature 12-day Grand Mediterranean itinerary between Venice and Barcelona, with two itinerary options
• Royal Princess will sail for the first time on the line's popular 11-day Scandinavia & Russia cruises, featuring two days in St Petersburg, Russia
• Ruby Princess will be based in Southampton for 12-day British Isles cruises as well as one North Cape & Summer Solstice cruise
• Emerald Princess will also be based in Southampton for sailings to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Canary Islands
• Small ship Ocean Princess will feature cruises to both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean including eight-day British Isles cruises, a series of seven-day interlude sailings in the Mediterranean, and new Black Sea and Holy Land voyages, all of which can be combined for a longer voyage.

Passengers wanting to visit the best of the Mediterranean – a popular destination for Australians – now have a choice of two itinerary options on the line's signature 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises onboard Regal Princess – both feature an overnight stay in Venice, plus calls in Rome, Florence/Pisa, Naples (for Capri & Pompeii), Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi (for Ephesus) and Toulon (for Provence). One version of the cruise features a call at Istanbul and the other calling at medieval Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Additional options in the Mediterranean include seven-day voyages onboard the intimate Ocean Princess, 11-day sailings to the Holy Land or Black Sea on Ocean Princess, and 14-day Mediterranean Medley cruises from Southampton aboard Emerald Princess.

Maiden calls for the season include Alta in Norway; Salerno in southern Italy and Jersey in the Channel Islands.

Princess also offers a selection of European cruisetours which combine certain sailings with a fully-escorted land tour, including a new Paris and the French Countryside holiday option.

Passengers can also choose to explore Ireland's Ring of Kerry; the imperial treasures in Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin; or the remarkable Swiss Alps and Lake Como.

Regal Princess and sister ship Royal Princess are new-generation ships for Princess Cruises. Among the special features found on board the 3600-passenger vessels will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than eight metres beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; the new Princess Live! television studio; a pastry shop; a special Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.

For more information, visit a licensed travel agent, call 13 24 88 or visit www.princess.com.

*subject to availability, conditions apply

Holland America Cruise Deals

Unbeatable Europe cruise deals.

Holland America Line, the Europe cruise experts are on sale with incredible offers celebrating 140 years of premium cruising across the globe.

Book your Europe cruise holiday through Travel the World by 29 March and benefit from a range of amazing offers:

§  Exclusive onboard credit of up to $340 per stateroom on select sailings in oceanview staterooms
§  Unbeatable savings fares of less than $130 per day
§  Free onboard bonuses including Bon Voyage Sparkling Wine and Pinnacle Grill dinners
§  Onboard, spacious accommodations, gourmet meals and a wealth of activities combine with timeless elegance, modern amenities, and intuitive service - all adding to your dream cruise holiday!

Itineraries on sale:

11-night Ancient Mysteries, Istanbul to Athens onboard the ms Noordam departing 26 August 2013. Oceanview from $1,499* per person – Receive a $340 per stateroom onboard credit plus FREE Bon Voyage Sparkling Wine and a Pinnacle Grill Lunch for two.

22-night Adriatic and Roman Explorer Collector Voyage, Rome roundtrip onboard the ms Noordam departing 09 October 2013. Oceanview from $3,096* per person – Receive a $340 per stateroom onboard credit plus FREE Bon Voyage Sparkling Wine, Pinnacle Grill Dinner, Pinnacle Grill Lunch and US$ 50 Beverage Card for two.

10-night Gems of the Baltic, Copenhagen roundtrip onboard the ms Eurodam departing 21 May 2013. Inside from $1,499* per person -  Receive a $340 per stateroom onboard credit.

19-night Mediterranean Serenade, Venice to Barcelona onboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam departing 24 September 2013. Inside from $3,199 per person - Receive a $340 per stateroom onboard credit.

These offers are subject to availability and space is limited. Call Travel the World by 29 March on 1300 950 622or visit www.traveltheworld.com.au to secure your stateroom and departure date of choice.

 *Conditions apply. Ask for details at time of booking.

About Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises, which is chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, is recognised as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit - all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer and Silver Galapagos (debuting late 2013), Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to both polar regions and over 500 fascinating destinations in between.

In Asia Pacific, Silversea has been voted "Best Luxury Small Ship Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel & Style Magazine every consecutive year from 2006 to 2012 and Silver Whisper or Silver Shadow have also won the Gold Award as Best Small Cruise Ship in each of those years. Silversea has won similar awards from readers of Australia's Cruise Passenger Magazine. In the US, Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and awarded "Best Cruise Line for Luxury Small Ships" by Luxury Travel Advisor (2011).

Follow Silversea on Twitter, Facebook and the Silversea Blog.