Deal of the Week - Compagnie du Ponant's L'Austral in Europe

 

Save up to $1,170 on board Compagnie du Ponant's L'Austral in Europe in 2013

Explore down narrow, cobble-stoned streets, atop rugged mountain cliffs just off the decks of your cruise ship. Escape all the pressures of civilisation without missing out on any of its pleasures. Days ashore are invitations to adventure, education and the pure pleasure of seeing things you've only read about before. Visit castles, museums and galleries. Explore ancient cities through winding canals. From glorious gardens and gilded theatres to famous boulevards and fabled landmarks, you're in for a picture-perfect experience. Save $1,170 on a 7-nights onboard L'Austral departing 16 October 2013 from Marseille to Lisbon in a Superior cabin from $3,308* per person twin share

Renowned for a dazzling kaleidoscope of capitals and cultures, the Eastern Mediterranean offers a whole other world of tranquil seas, mythical pasts, mountains emerging from the deep, medieval villages and sun-drenched beaches. The birthplace of Greek and Roman legends where some of the finest architectural masterpieces were created, the countries which border this legendary sea enjoy a uniquely mellow way of life; all conceal magnificent treasures, some famous, others forgotten.

Slip through the silky turquoise water of the Aegean Sea, sailing between a string of islands posed on the surface like a necklace of precious stones. Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Delos, all are ports of call with a unique charm, a palette of blues contrasting against the brilliant white villages. Save $1,170 on a 7-night onboard L'Austral departing 12 July 2013 from Istanbul roundtrip in a superior cabin from $3,308* per person twin share

For bookings or more information contact Travel the World on 1300 950 622 or visit www.traveltheworld.com.au

*Conditions: prices subject to availability and are capacity controlled.

 

Cruiseco offers a saving of up to $1,000 for music lovers

 

 

Cruiseco, the leading supplier of cruising options in Australia and New Zealand, is offering an unbeatable value-add for music-loving cruisers.

Guests who make a new booking to travel onboard Cruisin' Country 3 can extend their cruise experience by seven nights and enjoy Cruise n' Groove for an extra $1,000 per person, twin share. Guests onboard Cruise n' Groove will experience the stunning scenery of tropical islands including Noumea and Isle of Pines aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas. This generous offer provides a saving of up to $1,000 for an inside cabin.  Guests who have already booked Cruisin' Country 3 or Rock the Boat 3 musical charters are also eligible to take advantage of the offer. 

Amber Wilson, National Marketing Manager at Cruiseco explains that musical cruises are proving more popular than ever before.

"Cruise n' Groove is the latest addition to Cruiseco's range of music cruises.  This charter is something new that we know our guests will love.  It's the perfect chance for guests to enjoy their favourite singers and bands from yesteryear whilst cruising the South Pacific.  Guests aboard Cruise n' Groove will see acts including The Temptations, The Supremes, John Paul Young, Marcina Hines and The Village People," says Wilson.

Book now to receive this special offer before it runs out.  Prices below are for Cruise n' Groove, per person, twin share (when booking either Cruisin' Country or Rock the Boat).

·        Inside cabins now $1,000 per person, based on twin share
·        Outside cabins now $1,400 per person, based on twin share
·        Balcony cabins now $2,000 per person, based on twin share

This seven-night musical charter aboard Rhapsody of the Seas departs Sydney on 5 October 2013. Terms and conditions apply.  Please see the Cruiseco website for full details.

Visit www.cruising.com.au or call (02) 9492 8520 for further information and to find details of your local Cruiseco agent. 

·        Cruiseco is a unique travel organisation, offering a wide range of worldwide cruise holidays from over 50 different cruise line products, offering breadth of product and a wide selection of exotic destinations.
·        The company provides a benchmark of excellence in professional knowledge on cruising holidays, offering unique and exclusive options to exotic and exciting destinations.
·        There are 216 specialist Cruiseco agents in travel agencies throughout Australia and New Zealand.  These agents have been selected for their expert and first-hand knowledge of the cruise industry.  As Cruiseco agents, they receive extensive training.
·        Cruiseco is the only company in the industry to offer Qantas Frequent Flyer Points on every cruise purchased.

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